Friday, June 30, 2006
Prophecy Time
This commentary is from Herb Peters at Fulfilled Prophecy. I have been following Herb for almost 2 years now and I must say that I believe he is onto something. I am not pointing fingers and I know all the warnings that the Bible gives, but we are told to watch so I would encourage you to watch and pray. If interested I have the website linked to the left. Thanks
Poor Guy
The G-8 have issued their decision: Iran must respond to Javier Solana's incentive package that was approved by the so-called "five plus one" nations, at a meeting next week with Solana Read about it here. If you recall, Iran said the world would have to wait until next August for their reply. Evidently, something may have changed their mind. Let's take a look at what this "something" might be.
For a start, just who are the G-8 nations now throwing their weight behind Solana? They are a grouping of the world's eight major economies -- Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom, and the United States.
OK. Now, who are the "five plus one" nations that supported Solana's incentive package offer to Iran? They are the five governing UN Security Council powers, the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russian and China -- plus Germany. And, last I knew, the UN was an international body made up of 191 nations. I think I'll skip listing all these nations.
Now, who are the EU nations? Why? Because, according to this article Read it here, Solana represents this group of nations too. Let's see, the EU member states are, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands and United Kingdom.
Friends, these are a lot of nations. Each individual group of nations mentioned -- the G-8, the "five plus one" governing powers of the 191 member UN and the 25 member EU -- have an awful lot of clout in the world. But, when someone succeeds in bringing them all together -- such as Solana evidently has -- we're talking about someone who has achieved almost unimaginable international stature.
So, Iran's negotiator must meet with Solana next week.
Poor guy.
Poor Guy
The G-8 have issued their decision: Iran must respond to Javier Solana's incentive package that was approved by the so-called "five plus one" nations, at a meeting next week with Solana Read about it here. If you recall, Iran said the world would have to wait until next August for their reply. Evidently, something may have changed their mind. Let's take a look at what this "something" might be.
For a start, just who are the G-8 nations now throwing their weight behind Solana? They are a grouping of the world's eight major economies -- Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom, and the United States.
OK. Now, who are the "five plus one" nations that supported Solana's incentive package offer to Iran? They are the five governing UN Security Council powers, the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russian and China -- plus Germany. And, last I knew, the UN was an international body made up of 191 nations. I think I'll skip listing all these nations.
Now, who are the EU nations? Why? Because, according to this article Read it here, Solana represents this group of nations too. Let's see, the EU member states are, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands and United Kingdom.
Friends, these are a lot of nations. Each individual group of nations mentioned -- the G-8, the "five plus one" governing powers of the 191 member UN and the 25 member EU -- have an awful lot of clout in the world. But, when someone succeeds in bringing them all together -- such as Solana evidently has -- we're talking about someone who has achieved almost unimaginable international stature.
So, Iran's negotiator must meet with Solana next week.
Poor guy.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Attributes of God
Please spend some time learning about God. I can see nothing better to spend our time on.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
The Chocolate Soldier
The Chocolate Soldier
Heroism - The Lost Chord of Christianity!
by C. T. Studd
Heroism is the lost chord; the missing note of present day Christianity! Every true soldier is a hero! A SOLDIER WITHOUT HEROISM IS A CHOCOLATE SOLDIER! Who has not been stirred to scorn and mirth at the very thought of a Chocolate Soldier? In peace true soldiers are captive lions, fretting in their cages. War gives them their liberty and sends them, like boys bounding out of school, to obtain their heart's desire or perish in the attempt. Battle is the soldier's vital breath! Peace turns him into a stooping asthmatic. War makes him a whole man again, and gives him the heart, strength, and vigor of a hero.
EVERY TRUE CHRISTIAN IS A SOLDIER of Christ - a hero "par excellence"! Braver than the bravest - scorning the soft seductions of peace and her oft-repeated warnings against hardship, disease, danger, and death, whom he counts among his bosom friends.
THE OTHERWISE CHRISTIAN IS A CHOCOLATE CHRISTIAN! Dissolving in water and melting at the smell of fire. "Sweeties" they are! Bonbons, lollipops! Living their lives on a glass dish or in a cardboard box, each clad in his soft clothing, a little frilled white paper to preserve his dear little delicate constitution.
Here are some PORTRAITS OF CHOCOLATE SOLDIERS taken by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. "He said, 'I go, sir' and went not"; he said he would go to the heathen, but stuck fast to Christendom instead. They say and do not. They tell others to go, and yet do not go themselves. "Never," said General Gordon to a corporal (as he himself jumped upon the parapet [earthen or stone embankment protecting soldiers] of a trench, before Sebastopol, to fix a gabion which the corporal had ordered a private to fix, and wouldn't fix himself). "Never tell another man to do what you are afraid to do yourself."
To the Chocolate Soldier the very thought of war brings a violent attack of ague (feverish chills), while the call to battle always finds him with the palsy. "I really cannot move," he says. "I only wish I could, but I can sing, and here are some of my favorite lines:
"I must be carried to the skies
On a flowery bed of ease,
Let others fight to win the prize,
Or sail thro' bloody seas.
Mark time, Christian heroes,
Never go to war;
Stop and mind the babies
Playing on the floor.
Wash and dress and feed them
Forty times a week.
Till they're roly poly-
Puddings so to speak.
Chorus:
Round and round the nursery
Let us ambulate
Sugar and spice and all that's nice
Must be on our slate.
"Thank the good Lord," said a very fragile, white-haired lady, "God never meant me to be a jellyfish!" She wasn't! GOD NEVER WAS A CHOCOLATE MANUFACTURER, AND NEVER WILL BE. God's men are always heroes. In Scripture you can trace their giant foot-tracks down the sands of time.
NOAH
Noah walked with God, he didn't only preach righteousness, he acted it. He went through water and didn't melt. He breasted the current of the popular opinion of his day, scorning alike the hatred and ridicule of the scoffers who mocked at the thought of their being but one way of salvation. He warned the unbelieving and, entering the ark himself, didn't open the door an inch when once God had shut it. A real hero untainted by the fear of man.
Learn to scorn the praise of men.
Learn to lose with God;
Jesus won the world through' shame!
And beckons us His road.
ABRAHAM
Abraham, a simple farmer, at a word from the Invisible God, marched, with family and stock, through the terrible desert to a distant land to live among a people whose language he could neither speak nor understand! Not bad that! But later he did even better, marching hot foot against the combined armies of five kings, flushed with recent victory, to rescue one man! His army? Just 318 odd fellows, armed like a circus crowd. And he won too. "He always wins who sides with God." What pluck! Only a farmer! No war training! Yet what hero has eclipsed his feat? His open secret? He was THE FRIEND OF GOD.
MOSES
Moses -the man of God -was a species of human chameleon-scholar, general, lawgiver, leader, etc. Brought up as the Emperor's grandson with more than a good chance of coming to the throne, one thing only between him and it-TRUTH-what a choice! What a temptation! A throne for a lie! Ignominy, banishment, or likely enough death for the truth! He played the man! "Refusing to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, he chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin and success for a season, accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt."
Again I see him. Now an old man and alone, marching stolidly back to Egypt, after forty years of exile, to beard the lion in his den, to liberate Pharaoh's slaves right under his very nose, and to lead them across that great and terrible wilderness. A WILD-CAT AFFAIR, if ever there was one! When were God's schemes otherwise! Look at Jordan, Jericho, Gideon, Goliath, and scores of others.
Tame tabby-cat (tabby: domestic cat; rich watered silk) schemes are stamped with another hall mark- that of the Chocolate Brigade! How dearly they love their tabbies yet think themselves wise men!
REAL CHRISTIANS REVEL IN DESPERATE VENTURES FOR CHRIST, expecting from God great things and attempting the same with exhilaration. History cannot match these feats of Moses. How was it done? He consulted not with flesh and blood, he obeyed not men but God.
Once again I see the old gray-beard, this time descending the Mount with giant strides and rushing into the camp, his eyes blazing like burning coals. One man against three million dancing dervishes drunk with debauchery. Bravo! Well done, old man! First class! His cheek pales not, but his mouth moves, and I think I catch his words, "If God be for me who can be against me? I will not be afraid of 10,000 of the people that have set themselves against me. Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear." And he didn't. He wins again. Whence this desperate courage? Listen! "Now the man Moses was very meek above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." "The Lord spake unto Moses face to face as a man speaketh unto his friend." "My servant, Moses," said his Master, "is faithful in all Mine house, with him will I speak mouth to mouth." Such is the explanation of Moses the chameleon, the man and friend of God and consequently a first-class hero.
DAVID
David- the man after God's own heart- was a man of war and mighty man of valor. When all Israel were on the run, David faced Goliath - alone...with God (and he but a stripling, and well scolded too by his brother for having come to see the battle). What a splendid fool Eliab must have been! As though David would go to see a battle and not stay to fight. THEY ARE CHOCOLATE SOLDIERS WHO MERELY GO TO SEE BATTLES, AND COOLLY URGE OTHERS TO FIGHT THEM. They had better save their journey money and use it to send out real fighters instead. Soldiers don't need dry nurses, and if they did the Holy Ghost is always on the spot and ready to undertake any case on simple application. No! David went to the battle and stayed to fight, and won! Wise beyond his years, he had no use for Saul's armor. It cramped his freedom of action. He tried it on and took it off, quick sharp. And, besides, it made such a ghastly rattle, even when he walked, that he could not hear the still small voice of God, and would never have heard Him saying afterwards, "This is the way to the brook, David! And there are the five smooth stones! Trust only in Me and them. Your own home-made sling will do first class, and There, that's the shortest cut to Goliath." THE CHOCOLATES RAN AWAY - they were all Chocolates - but David ran upon Goliath. One smooth stone was enough.
David's secret was that he had but one Director, and He, the Infallible One. He directed the stone, as He directed the youth. Too many directors spoil the sport, and two are too many: just the One. Thus Christ said to His soldiers: "HE shall teach you all things; HE shall guide you into all the truth."
"THIS is My Beloved Son: HEAR HIM." ONE MEDIATOR ONLY, between God and Man, the man Christ Jesus." ONE DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN MEN - GOD THE HOLY GHOST. Whose directions require indeed instant obedience, but not the endorsement of any man.
THE DEVIL NEEDS RED-HOT SHOT, FRESH FROM THE FOUNDRY OF THE HOLY GHOST. He laughs at cold shot or lukewarm, and as for that made of half-iron and half-clay, half-divine and half-human, why you might just as well pelt him with snowballs.
Whence did this raw youth derive his pluck and skill? NOT from military camps, nor theological schools, nor religious retreats. "To know The Only True God and Jesus Christ," is enough. Paul determined to know only Jesus Christ, and look at the grand result! Whilst others were learning pretty theories, David, like John, had been alone with God in the wilds, practicing on bears and lions. The result? HE KNEW GOD AND DID EXPLOITS. He knew God only. He trusted God only. He obeyed God only. That's the secret. God alone gives strength. God adulterated with men entails the weakness of iron and clay - Chocolate - brittleness!
Yet hero as he was, even David alas! once played the role of Chocolate Soldier. HE STAYED AT HOME WHEN HE SHOULD HAVE GONE TO WAR. His army, far off, in danger, fighting the enemy, won. David, at home, secure, within sight of God's house and often going there, suffered the one great defeat of his life, entailing such a bitter, lifelong reaping as might well deter others from the folly of sowing wild oats. David's sin is a terrific sermon (like Lot's preaching in Sodom must have been), its theme - "DON'T BE A CHOCOLATE SOLDIER!"
In his simple, quick, and full confession, David proved himself a man again. It takes a real man to make a true confession - a Chocolate Soldier will excuse or cloak his sin. He tumbles in the mud, flounders on, wipes his mouth to try to get the bad taste of his acted lie out of it, and then goes on his way saying, "I have done no wickedness." A self-murdering fool! Killing his conscience to save his face, like Balaam beating the ass who sought to save his master's life. Being a Chocolate Soldier nearly did in David. Beware!
NATHAN
Nathan was another real Christian Soldier. He went to his king and rebuked him to his face, like Peter's dealing with Ananias (only David embraced his opportunity and confessed), and unlike the Chocolate Soldiers of today who go whispering about and refusing either to judge, rebuke, or put away evil because of the entailed scandal in truth. Genuine Soapy Sams. They say "It is nothing! nothing at all! A mere misunderstanding!" As though God's cause would suffer more through a bold declaration and defense of the truth and the use of the knife, than by the hiding up of sin, and the certain development of mortification in the member, involving death to the whole body. "He that doeth righteousness is righteous," and "he that doeth sin is of the devil," and ought to be told so. He that is a second time led captive by the devil needs neither plaster nor antidote for poison, but the stiff rebuke and summons to repentance of a righteous man to effect his salvation. WE ARE BADLY IN NEED OF NATHANS TODAY, who fear God and nought else, no, not even a scandal.
DANIEL
Daniel was another hero. Of course he was! Was he not the man greatly beloved of God who sent an angel to tell him so? I love to watch him as he walks, with firm step and radiant face, to the lions' den, stopping but once - like his Master en route to Calvary - to comfort his weeping and agonized emperor. God shut the mouths of the lions against Daniel, but opened them wide against those who had opened their mouths against His servant.
A man is known by his works, and the works of Daniel were his three friends, who, rather than bow down to men or gold, braved the fiery furnace. Again we see him going to the banquet hall, and hear his conductor whisper in his ear, "Draw it mild, Daniel, be statesmanlike. Place and power again for you if you are tactful and wise - especially tactful!" And Daniel's simple reply, "Get thee behind me, satan!" There he stands before the king, braving torture or instant death - but it's the king who quails, not Daniel - who tells him to his face the whole hot truth of God, diminishing not a jot.
JOHN THE BAPTIST
John the Baptist - a man taught and made and sent of God - good old John! Who doesn't love and admire him? Why, even Herod did. A genuine deficiency of oil and an antidote for poison in his composition. He always told the flat truth, with emphasis. As he loved, so he warned. He knew not how to flatter. HE WOOED WITH THE SWORD, AND "MEN" LOVED HIM THE BETTER FOR IT. They always do.
The leaders of religion sent to John to ask him the dearly loved question of every Pharisee, "By what authority doest thou these (good) things?" They asked that of Christ Himself, and crucified Him for the doing of them. John's answer was plain and pungent, "I will tell you what you ask, and more. John was always liberal! I am nobody, but ye and your masters are a generation of vipers." A good hot curry, that! John never served his curries with butter sauce, but he was always very liberal with pungent relish - a man of God - NO SUGAR PLUM NOR CHOCOLATE SOLDIER HE!
Thus also he faced Herod after six months in an underground dungeon, and he a man of "God's Open-air Mission." Brought straight in before the king; surrounded with all the might and majesty of camp and court; blinking at the unaccustomed sight of light, but by no means putting blinders on the truth, he blurted out his hot and thunderous rebuke, "Thou shalt not have that woman to by thy wife." A whole sermon in one sentence, as easy to remember as impossible to forget. John had preached like that before; like Hugh Latimer, he was not above repeating a good sermon to a king, word for word, when the king had not given sufficient heed to it.
John received the unique distinction of a first-class character from both God and the agent of the devil. Hark to the Savior indulging in an outburst of exquisite sarcasm, "What think ye of John? A reed shaken by the wind? A man clothed in soft raiment?" A Chocolate Soldier? (How delicious! The Chocolates were right in front of Jesus at the time - Pharisees, Sadducees, priests, scribes, lawyers, and other hypocrites. How the crowd must have enjoyed it!) A prophet?
Nay, much more than prophet! "Of men born of women there is none greater than John." And what did the devil's agent say when, after John's death, he heard of Jesus? "This," I tell you, "is John risen from the dead." What a character! Fancy Jesus being mistaken for anyone! He could have been mistaken only for John. Nobody envies him the well-deserved honor, great though it was, for John was a man - pure granite right through, with not a grain of Chocolate in him.
Had John but heard Jesus say, "Ye shall be My witnesses unto the uttermost parts of the earth," I very much doubt if Herod's dungeon, or his soldiers, could have detained him. He surely would have found some means to escape, and run off to preach Christ's Gospel, if not in the very heart of Africa, then in some more difficult and dangerous place. Yet Christ said, referring to His subsequent gift of the Holy Ghost to every believer, "He that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he," intimating that even greater powers than those of John are at the disposal of every Christian, and that what John was, each one of us can be - good, straight, bold, unconquerable, heroic.
PAUL
But here are other foot-tracks - outrageous ones: they can belong only to one man - THAT GRANDEST OF CHRISTIAN PARADOXES - THE LITTLE GIANT PAUL - whose head was as big as his body, and his heart greater than both. Once he thought and treated every Christian as a combination of knave and fool. Then he became one himself. He was called "fool" because his acts were so far beyond the dictates of human reason, and "mad" because of his irresponsible fiery zeal for Christ and men. A first-class scholar, but one who knew how to use scholarship properly; for he put it on the shelf, declaring the wisdom of men to be but folly, and determined to know nothing else save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The result - he made the world turn somersault. His life was a perpetual gamble for God. Daily he faced death for Christ. Again and again he stood fearless before crowds thirsting for his blood. He stood before kings and governors and "turned not a hair". He didn't so much as flinch before Nero, that vice-president of hell. His sufferings were appalling; read them. He trod in his Master's footsteps, and so received (God is always just in His favors) the same splendid compliment that Jesus did. "All forsook him." So there were some Chocolate Christians in those days too. Anyone who forsook Paul must have been made of Chocolate.
Doubtless the "CHOCOLATES" excused themselves as they do today. "Who could abide such a fanatical, fiery fool? Such an uncompromising character? Nobody could work with him, or he with them!" (What a lie! Jesus did, and they got on well together.) A tactless enthusiast, who considered it his business to tell every man the unvarnished truth regardless of consequences. He won his degree hands down, and without a touch of the spur. A first-class one, too (that of the headman's axe) next best to that of the cross.
And so the tale goes on. Go where you will through the Scriptures or history, you find that men who really knew God, and didn't merely say they did, were invariably Paragons and Pluck; Dare-Devil Desperadoes for Jesus; Gamblers for God. "Fools and Madmen," shout the world and the Chocolates. "Yes, for Christ's sake," add the Angels!
"Nobly they fought to win the prize,
Climbing the steep ascents of heaven,
Through' peril, toil, and pain.
O God, to us let grace be given,
To follow in their train."
CHOCOLATES A LA RUEBEN
The Chocolate Christians of today can at least boast of having ancient pedigrees. There are CHOCOLATES A LA RUEBEN, who have great searchings of heart, and make great resolves of heart too. But somehow they still sit among the sheepfolds, listening to the pipings of their much-loved organs and church choirs. It's good to have a great heart searching. It's better to make a great heart-resolve. But, if instead of obeying, we squat among the sheep, leaving our few hard-pressed brethren to tackle the wolves by themselves, verily we are but Chocolate Christians. You made a great resolve to go to Africa for Christ a year or two ago. Where are you now? In England? Yes! Yes! Lollipop! (Judges 5:16)
CHOCOLATES MEROZ
There are CHOCOLATES MEROZ, who earned the curse of the angel of the Lord. War was declared; the battle about to begin; the odds were outrageous, and Meroz remained in England attending conventions until the battle was over, then he went, in comfort and security, as a Cook's tourist! Doubtless they said, "They couldn't fight till they had been properly ordained, and, besides, there was so very much to be done in fat, overfed Meroz, and surely to feed a flock of fat sheep in a safe place has always been considered the ideal training of war"; as though the best training for the soldier was to become a nursemaid!!! (Judges 5:23.)
CHOCOLATES DU BALAAM
CHOCOLATES DU BALAAM begin first-class, and earn the name of prophets. Then they develop a squint, melt, and finally run out of the frying pan into the fire, thus Balaam. One day he couldn't get his left eye to look at God. It would look at earth and mammon and that chit of a girl, Miss Popularity. He ought to have done as God told him, and plucked it out. But he said that was too much to ask of any man, and besides he wanted the best of both worlds. He had a hearty desire to die the death of the righteous, but he wasn't willing to pay the price of a righteous life. He hadn't the pluck to curse God's people, so he made plans for others to make them sin. But one day, while his dupes were putting his chestnuts into the fire, they fell in themselves, and Balaam with them (Numbers 22-24).
"I counsel thee to buy of me eye salve, that thou mayest once again have a single eye, and be enabled to see the folly of flirting with the world."
CHOCOLATE DEMAS
CHOCOLATE DEMAS, who left old fiery hard-hitting Paul for an easier path. He said he thought Paul should wink at, or slobber over sin, instead of rebuking it. "He was so very fond of the knife, you know; and he never would use sticking-plaster, because he said it never healed the sore but made it burrow underneath and become bigger, worse, and dangerous" (2 Tim. 4:10).
MARK
MARK joined the Chocolate Brigade once. He left Paul and Barnabas in the lurch, and went back to Jerusalem for a rest cure - a religious retreat. Thank God he got sick of it ere long, resigned his commission, and re-enlisting in God's army became a useful soldier (Acts 13:13).
OLD PROPHETS
MANY FINE YOUNGSTERS ARE TURNED INTO CHOCOLATES BY OLD PROPHETS. Old prophets who have lost their fire, or fire off words instead of deeds, usually become Great Chocolate Manufacturers. That poor young prophet. He did so well when he obeyed God only, but it was all over with him when he listened to another voice, even though that of an old prophet. Didn't the old prophet say he was a prophet? And say he'd got the message straight from God? What a damnable lie! The floor of Christendom and elsewhere is littered with wrecks made by old prophets. God won't stand nonsense from any man. Every man has to choose between Christ and Barabbas, and every Christian between God and some old prophet. Better be a silly donkey in the estimation of an old prophet than listen to his soft talk and flattery, and afterwards become a wreck. "This is My beloved Son, hear HIM." No! Not even Moses, nor Elijah, nor both. "HEAR HIM." "You have an anointing from God, and you have no need that any man teach you." You say you believe the Bible! No your deeds give the lie to your words? (I Kings 13)
THE TEN SPIES WERE CHOCOLATES
THE TEN SPIES WERE CHOCOLATES. They melted and ran over the whole congregation of Israel, turning them into CHOCOLATE CREAMS - "softies", afraid to face the fire and water before them. God put them all into the saucepan again and boiled them for forty years in the desert, and left them there. He has no use for Chocolates. It's not small things He despises, but "Chocolates"; for He said, "Your little ones shall inherit the promised land which you have forfeited through listening to men and despising Me" (Numbers 13).
JONAH
JONAH became a Chocolate Soldier once. Told to go to Africa, he went to Liverpool and took ship for America. Luckily he met a storm and a whale which, after three days' instruction, taught him how to pray and obey, and set him once again on the right track (Jonah 1).
There's nothing that shows up CHOCOLATES so much as a bit of a breeze among God's people. Paul and Barnabas had one once. Judging from experience, I guess there were some Chocolates about then who got into a fog right away! Before that, they had vowed they would go to the heathen; but this breeze between Paul and Barnabas put them off. If they hadn't been MADE OF CHOCOLATE they would have said, "This affair between Paul and Barnabas only makes it more necessary for me to keep close to God, and do what He told me to do more exactly and punctually; so I shall go a bit sooner to Africa - that's all!"
Difficulties, dangers, disease, death, or divisions don't deter any but Chocolates from executing God's Will. When someone says there's a lion in the way, the real Christian promptly replies, "That's hardly enough inducement for me; I want a bear or two besides to make it worth my while to go."
CHOCOLATES are very fond of talking loud and long against some whom they call fanatics, as though there were any danger of Christians being fanatics nowadays! Why, fanatics among Christians are as rare as the "dodo bird". Now, if they proclaimed against "lukewarmness", they would talk sense. God's real people have always been called fanatics. Jesus was called mad; so was Paul; so was Whitfield, Wesley, Moody, Spurgeon. No one has graduated far in God's School who has not been paid the compliment of being called a fanatic. We Christians of today are indeed a lukewarm crew. Had we but half the fire and enthusiasm of the Suffragettes in the past, we would have the world evangelized and Christ back among us in no time. Had we the pluck and heroism of the Flyers, or the men who volunteered for the North or South Polar Expeditions, or for the Great War, or for any ordinary dare-devil enterprise, we could have every soul on earth knowing the name and salvation of Jesus Christ in less than ten years.
Alas! What stirs ordinary men's blood and turns them into heroes, makes most Christians run like a flock of frightened sheep. The Militants daily risked their lives in furtherance of their cause, and subscribed of their means in a way that cried "Shame" on us Christians, who generally brand the braving of risks and fighting against odds as a "tempting of God".
CHOCOLATE CARAMELS
CHOCOLATE CARAMELS - "stick-jaw", boys call them - jawing, "I go, sir," and sticking fast in Christendom. No conquest is made in assured safety, and conquest for Christ certainly cannot so be made.
We Christians too often SUBSTITUTE PRAYER FOR PLAYING THE GAME. Prayer is good: but when used as a substitute for obedience, it is naught but a blatant hypocrisy, a despicable Pharisaism. We need as many meetings for actions as for prayer - perhaps more. Every orthodox prayer-meeting is opened by God saying to His people, "Go work today; pray that laborers be sent into My vineyard." It is continued by the Christians response, "I go, Lord, whithersoever Thou sendest me, that Thy Name may be hallowed everywhere, that Thy Kingdom may come speedily, that Thy Will may be done on earth as in heaven." But if it ends in nobody going anywhere, it had better never have been held at all. Like faith, prayer without works is dead. That is why many Prayer-Meetings might well be styled "much cry, yet little wool". Zerubbabel didn't only hold prayer-meetings; he went and cut down trees, and started to build. Hence God said, "From this day will I bless thee."
Report says that someone has rediscovered the secret of the old masters. Cannot we Christians rediscover, and put into practice, that of our Great Master and His former pupils, Heroism? He and they saved not themselves; they loved not their lives to the death, and so kept on saving them by losing them for Christ's sake.
WE ARE FRITTERING AWAY TIME AND MONEY IN A MULTIPLICITY OF CONVENTIONS, conferences, and retreats, when the real need is to go straight and full steam into battle, with the signal for "close action" flying.
The "Vox Humana" plays too important a part in our Christian organs and organizations today. The music, whoever plays, is bound to be thin when the tops of "Instant Obedience" and "Fiery Valor" are missing or unused, and without them to play the "Lost Chord" of Heroism is an impossibility.
"Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it," said the Blessed Virgin. Do what? Not put oil and spice into the soft holy vessels inside the house, but pour the Water of Life into those empty stone ones outside. Cana's marriage feast would have ended in shame had the wine run short. Christ's marriage feast begins only when the wine is sufficient - a blend from every tongue and kindred and tribe and nation. The supply is assured, as soon as the water is poured out as Christ directed, into "the uttermost parts of the earth". The mischief today is the reluctance of the servants to do the outside work. They all want to serve indoors, wear smart clothes, listen to the conversation, and make a terrible lot of themselves in the butler's pantry.
DO LET US MAKE A REAL START NOW - AT ONCE. For years, like Mr. Winkle, we've declared we were just about to begin, and then never began at all. We must divorce Chocolate and Disobedience, and marry Faith and Heroism.
"Who shall begin the battle?" asked the king. "Thou," replied the prophet, and when the king and the young princes led the way, though the odds against them were terrific, they won with ridiculous ease.
So, too, THE APOSTLES LED IN THE WAR OF GOD to the uttermost parts of the earth. Likewise in the Crusades, the kings and the princes of State and Church led; then why not today in THE CRUSADE OF CHRIST TO EVANGELIZE THE WORLD?
GOD'S SUMMONS TODAY IS TO THE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN OF GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA AND CHRISTENDOM, WHO CALL THEMSELVES BY THE NAME OF CHRIST. "New wine," said Christ, "must be placed in New bottles." Those superfluously labeled and patched-up old-fashioned ones are as hopeless as the New Theology. They can't be moved lest they burst with pride and spill the wine in the wrong place.
Listen: "And it shall be in the last days, I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions (of faith), your old men shall dream dreams (of courageous obedience); yea, and on My bondmen and on My bond maidens in those days will I pour forth of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy; and I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs in the earth beneath; and it shall be that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
But how can they call on Him of whom they have not even heard? Must you stay, young man? Can't you go, young woman, and tell them? Verily we are in the last (the Laodicean stage) that of the Lukewarm Church.
Wilt thou be to Christ the partner of His throne or a medicine which induces vomiting (Rev.3:21); a Militant or a Chocolate Christian? Wilt thou fear or wilt thou fight? Shall your brethren go to war and shall ye sit here? When He comes, shall He find faith on the earth? A thousand times you have admitted Christ's Love so amazing, so divine, Demands your life, your soul, your all.
Wilt thou be a miser and withhold what honor demands of thee? Wilt thou give like Ananias and Sapphira, who, pretending to give all, gave only part? Possessing and enjoying the vineyard, wilt thou, like the husbandman, refuse the agreed rent? Wilt thou fear death, or devil, or men? AND WILT THOU NOT FEAR SHAME? Some shall rise to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Shall we refuse to emulate the heroes of old, or shall we accomplish the double fulfillment of those glorious words?
All these being men of war came with a perfect heart to make Jesus King over all the world. They were all mighty men of valor for the war! He that was least was equal to a hundred, and the greatest to a thousand! They were not of double heart! Their faces were like the faces of lions! They were as swift as the roes upon the mountains (to do their Lord's commands)! Ye sought in time past, for Jesus to be King over you. NOW, THEN, DO IT. (Compare I Chronicles 12:8,33, 38, and II Samuel 3:17-18).
Shall we not reply: Thine are we, Jesus, and on Thy side. God do so to me, and more also, if as God has sworn unto Him, I do not even so to Jesus - to translate the kingdom from the house of satan, and set up the throne of Jesus Christ over all the world. (Compare I Chron.12:18 and 2 Sam.3:10)
Come, then, let us restore the "Lost Chord" of Christianity - HEROISM - to the world, and the crown of the world to Christ. Christ Himself asks thee, "Wilt thou be a Slacker or a Militant?" To your knees, man! And to your Bible! Decide at once! Don't hedge! Time flies! Cease your insults to God, quit consulting flesh and blood. Stop your lame, lying, and cowardly excuses!
Heroism - The Lost Chord of Christianity!
by C. T. Studd
Heroism is the lost chord; the missing note of present day Christianity! Every true soldier is a hero! A SOLDIER WITHOUT HEROISM IS A CHOCOLATE SOLDIER! Who has not been stirred to scorn and mirth at the very thought of a Chocolate Soldier? In peace true soldiers are captive lions, fretting in their cages. War gives them their liberty and sends them, like boys bounding out of school, to obtain their heart's desire or perish in the attempt. Battle is the soldier's vital breath! Peace turns him into a stooping asthmatic. War makes him a whole man again, and gives him the heart, strength, and vigor of a hero.
EVERY TRUE CHRISTIAN IS A SOLDIER of Christ - a hero "par excellence"! Braver than the bravest - scorning the soft seductions of peace and her oft-repeated warnings against hardship, disease, danger, and death, whom he counts among his bosom friends.
THE OTHERWISE CHRISTIAN IS A CHOCOLATE CHRISTIAN! Dissolving in water and melting at the smell of fire. "Sweeties" they are! Bonbons, lollipops! Living their lives on a glass dish or in a cardboard box, each clad in his soft clothing, a little frilled white paper to preserve his dear little delicate constitution.
Here are some PORTRAITS OF CHOCOLATE SOLDIERS taken by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. "He said, 'I go, sir' and went not"; he said he would go to the heathen, but stuck fast to Christendom instead. They say and do not. They tell others to go, and yet do not go themselves. "Never," said General Gordon to a corporal (as he himself jumped upon the parapet [earthen or stone embankment protecting soldiers] of a trench, before Sebastopol, to fix a gabion which the corporal had ordered a private to fix, and wouldn't fix himself). "Never tell another man to do what you are afraid to do yourself."
To the Chocolate Soldier the very thought of war brings a violent attack of ague (feverish chills), while the call to battle always finds him with the palsy. "I really cannot move," he says. "I only wish I could, but I can sing, and here are some of my favorite lines:
"I must be carried to the skies
On a flowery bed of ease,
Let others fight to win the prize,
Or sail thro' bloody seas.
Mark time, Christian heroes,
Never go to war;
Stop and mind the babies
Playing on the floor.
Wash and dress and feed them
Forty times a week.
Till they're roly poly-
Puddings so to speak.
Chorus:
Round and round the nursery
Let us ambulate
Sugar and spice and all that's nice
Must be on our slate.
"Thank the good Lord," said a very fragile, white-haired lady, "God never meant me to be a jellyfish!" She wasn't! GOD NEVER WAS A CHOCOLATE MANUFACTURER, AND NEVER WILL BE. God's men are always heroes. In Scripture you can trace their giant foot-tracks down the sands of time.
NOAH
Noah walked with God, he didn't only preach righteousness, he acted it. He went through water and didn't melt. He breasted the current of the popular opinion of his day, scorning alike the hatred and ridicule of the scoffers who mocked at the thought of their being but one way of salvation. He warned the unbelieving and, entering the ark himself, didn't open the door an inch when once God had shut it. A real hero untainted by the fear of man.
Learn to scorn the praise of men.
Learn to lose with God;
Jesus won the world through' shame!
And beckons us His road.
ABRAHAM
Abraham, a simple farmer, at a word from the Invisible God, marched, with family and stock, through the terrible desert to a distant land to live among a people whose language he could neither speak nor understand! Not bad that! But later he did even better, marching hot foot against the combined armies of five kings, flushed with recent victory, to rescue one man! His army? Just 318 odd fellows, armed like a circus crowd. And he won too. "He always wins who sides with God." What pluck! Only a farmer! No war training! Yet what hero has eclipsed his feat? His open secret? He was THE FRIEND OF GOD.
MOSES
Moses -the man of God -was a species of human chameleon-scholar, general, lawgiver, leader, etc. Brought up as the Emperor's grandson with more than a good chance of coming to the throne, one thing only between him and it-TRUTH-what a choice! What a temptation! A throne for a lie! Ignominy, banishment, or likely enough death for the truth! He played the man! "Refusing to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, he chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin and success for a season, accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt."
Again I see him. Now an old man and alone, marching stolidly back to Egypt, after forty years of exile, to beard the lion in his den, to liberate Pharaoh's slaves right under his very nose, and to lead them across that great and terrible wilderness. A WILD-CAT AFFAIR, if ever there was one! When were God's schemes otherwise! Look at Jordan, Jericho, Gideon, Goliath, and scores of others.
Tame tabby-cat (tabby: domestic cat; rich watered silk) schemes are stamped with another hall mark- that of the Chocolate Brigade! How dearly they love their tabbies yet think themselves wise men!
REAL CHRISTIANS REVEL IN DESPERATE VENTURES FOR CHRIST, expecting from God great things and attempting the same with exhilaration. History cannot match these feats of Moses. How was it done? He consulted not with flesh and blood, he obeyed not men but God.
Once again I see the old gray-beard, this time descending the Mount with giant strides and rushing into the camp, his eyes blazing like burning coals. One man against three million dancing dervishes drunk with debauchery. Bravo! Well done, old man! First class! His cheek pales not, but his mouth moves, and I think I catch his words, "If God be for me who can be against me? I will not be afraid of 10,000 of the people that have set themselves against me. Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear." And he didn't. He wins again. Whence this desperate courage? Listen! "Now the man Moses was very meek above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." "The Lord spake unto Moses face to face as a man speaketh unto his friend." "My servant, Moses," said his Master, "is faithful in all Mine house, with him will I speak mouth to mouth." Such is the explanation of Moses the chameleon, the man and friend of God and consequently a first-class hero.
DAVID
David- the man after God's own heart- was a man of war and mighty man of valor. When all Israel were on the run, David faced Goliath - alone...with God (and he but a stripling, and well scolded too by his brother for having come to see the battle). What a splendid fool Eliab must have been! As though David would go to see a battle and not stay to fight. THEY ARE CHOCOLATE SOLDIERS WHO MERELY GO TO SEE BATTLES, AND COOLLY URGE OTHERS TO FIGHT THEM. They had better save their journey money and use it to send out real fighters instead. Soldiers don't need dry nurses, and if they did the Holy Ghost is always on the spot and ready to undertake any case on simple application. No! David went to the battle and stayed to fight, and won! Wise beyond his years, he had no use for Saul's armor. It cramped his freedom of action. He tried it on and took it off, quick sharp. And, besides, it made such a ghastly rattle, even when he walked, that he could not hear the still small voice of God, and would never have heard Him saying afterwards, "This is the way to the brook, David! And there are the five smooth stones! Trust only in Me and them. Your own home-made sling will do first class, and There, that's the shortest cut to Goliath." THE CHOCOLATES RAN AWAY - they were all Chocolates - but David ran upon Goliath. One smooth stone was enough.
David's secret was that he had but one Director, and He, the Infallible One. He directed the stone, as He directed the youth. Too many directors spoil the sport, and two are too many: just the One. Thus Christ said to His soldiers: "HE shall teach you all things; HE shall guide you into all the truth."
"THIS is My Beloved Son: HEAR HIM." ONE MEDIATOR ONLY, between God and Man, the man Christ Jesus." ONE DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN MEN - GOD THE HOLY GHOST. Whose directions require indeed instant obedience, but not the endorsement of any man.
THE DEVIL NEEDS RED-HOT SHOT, FRESH FROM THE FOUNDRY OF THE HOLY GHOST. He laughs at cold shot or lukewarm, and as for that made of half-iron and half-clay, half-divine and half-human, why you might just as well pelt him with snowballs.
Whence did this raw youth derive his pluck and skill? NOT from military camps, nor theological schools, nor religious retreats. "To know The Only True God and Jesus Christ," is enough. Paul determined to know only Jesus Christ, and look at the grand result! Whilst others were learning pretty theories, David, like John, had been alone with God in the wilds, practicing on bears and lions. The result? HE KNEW GOD AND DID EXPLOITS. He knew God only. He trusted God only. He obeyed God only. That's the secret. God alone gives strength. God adulterated with men entails the weakness of iron and clay - Chocolate - brittleness!
Yet hero as he was, even David alas! once played the role of Chocolate Soldier. HE STAYED AT HOME WHEN HE SHOULD HAVE GONE TO WAR. His army, far off, in danger, fighting the enemy, won. David, at home, secure, within sight of God's house and often going there, suffered the one great defeat of his life, entailing such a bitter, lifelong reaping as might well deter others from the folly of sowing wild oats. David's sin is a terrific sermon (like Lot's preaching in Sodom must have been), its theme - "DON'T BE A CHOCOLATE SOLDIER!"
In his simple, quick, and full confession, David proved himself a man again. It takes a real man to make a true confession - a Chocolate Soldier will excuse or cloak his sin. He tumbles in the mud, flounders on, wipes his mouth to try to get the bad taste of his acted lie out of it, and then goes on his way saying, "I have done no wickedness." A self-murdering fool! Killing his conscience to save his face, like Balaam beating the ass who sought to save his master's life. Being a Chocolate Soldier nearly did in David. Beware!
NATHAN
Nathan was another real Christian Soldier. He went to his king and rebuked him to his face, like Peter's dealing with Ananias (only David embraced his opportunity and confessed), and unlike the Chocolate Soldiers of today who go whispering about and refusing either to judge, rebuke, or put away evil because of the entailed scandal in truth. Genuine Soapy Sams. They say "It is nothing! nothing at all! A mere misunderstanding!" As though God's cause would suffer more through a bold declaration and defense of the truth and the use of the knife, than by the hiding up of sin, and the certain development of mortification in the member, involving death to the whole body. "He that doeth righteousness is righteous," and "he that doeth sin is of the devil," and ought to be told so. He that is a second time led captive by the devil needs neither plaster nor antidote for poison, but the stiff rebuke and summons to repentance of a righteous man to effect his salvation. WE ARE BADLY IN NEED OF NATHANS TODAY, who fear God and nought else, no, not even a scandal.
DANIEL
Daniel was another hero. Of course he was! Was he not the man greatly beloved of God who sent an angel to tell him so? I love to watch him as he walks, with firm step and radiant face, to the lions' den, stopping but once - like his Master en route to Calvary - to comfort his weeping and agonized emperor. God shut the mouths of the lions against Daniel, but opened them wide against those who had opened their mouths against His servant.
A man is known by his works, and the works of Daniel were his three friends, who, rather than bow down to men or gold, braved the fiery furnace. Again we see him going to the banquet hall, and hear his conductor whisper in his ear, "Draw it mild, Daniel, be statesmanlike. Place and power again for you if you are tactful and wise - especially tactful!" And Daniel's simple reply, "Get thee behind me, satan!" There he stands before the king, braving torture or instant death - but it's the king who quails, not Daniel - who tells him to his face the whole hot truth of God, diminishing not a jot.
JOHN THE BAPTIST
John the Baptist - a man taught and made and sent of God - good old John! Who doesn't love and admire him? Why, even Herod did. A genuine deficiency of oil and an antidote for poison in his composition. He always told the flat truth, with emphasis. As he loved, so he warned. He knew not how to flatter. HE WOOED WITH THE SWORD, AND "MEN" LOVED HIM THE BETTER FOR IT. They always do.
The leaders of religion sent to John to ask him the dearly loved question of every Pharisee, "By what authority doest thou these (good) things?" They asked that of Christ Himself, and crucified Him for the doing of them. John's answer was plain and pungent, "I will tell you what you ask, and more. John was always liberal! I am nobody, but ye and your masters are a generation of vipers." A good hot curry, that! John never served his curries with butter sauce, but he was always very liberal with pungent relish - a man of God - NO SUGAR PLUM NOR CHOCOLATE SOLDIER HE!
Thus also he faced Herod after six months in an underground dungeon, and he a man of "God's Open-air Mission." Brought straight in before the king; surrounded with all the might and majesty of camp and court; blinking at the unaccustomed sight of light, but by no means putting blinders on the truth, he blurted out his hot and thunderous rebuke, "Thou shalt not have that woman to by thy wife." A whole sermon in one sentence, as easy to remember as impossible to forget. John had preached like that before; like Hugh Latimer, he was not above repeating a good sermon to a king, word for word, when the king had not given sufficient heed to it.
John received the unique distinction of a first-class character from both God and the agent of the devil. Hark to the Savior indulging in an outburst of exquisite sarcasm, "What think ye of John? A reed shaken by the wind? A man clothed in soft raiment?" A Chocolate Soldier? (How delicious! The Chocolates were right in front of Jesus at the time - Pharisees, Sadducees, priests, scribes, lawyers, and other hypocrites. How the crowd must have enjoyed it!) A prophet?
Nay, much more than prophet! "Of men born of women there is none greater than John." And what did the devil's agent say when, after John's death, he heard of Jesus? "This," I tell you, "is John risen from the dead." What a character! Fancy Jesus being mistaken for anyone! He could have been mistaken only for John. Nobody envies him the well-deserved honor, great though it was, for John was a man - pure granite right through, with not a grain of Chocolate in him.
Had John but heard Jesus say, "Ye shall be My witnesses unto the uttermost parts of the earth," I very much doubt if Herod's dungeon, or his soldiers, could have detained him. He surely would have found some means to escape, and run off to preach Christ's Gospel, if not in the very heart of Africa, then in some more difficult and dangerous place. Yet Christ said, referring to His subsequent gift of the Holy Ghost to every believer, "He that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he," intimating that even greater powers than those of John are at the disposal of every Christian, and that what John was, each one of us can be - good, straight, bold, unconquerable, heroic.
PAUL
But here are other foot-tracks - outrageous ones: they can belong only to one man - THAT GRANDEST OF CHRISTIAN PARADOXES - THE LITTLE GIANT PAUL - whose head was as big as his body, and his heart greater than both. Once he thought and treated every Christian as a combination of knave and fool. Then he became one himself. He was called "fool" because his acts were so far beyond the dictates of human reason, and "mad" because of his irresponsible fiery zeal for Christ and men. A first-class scholar, but one who knew how to use scholarship properly; for he put it on the shelf, declaring the wisdom of men to be but folly, and determined to know nothing else save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The result - he made the world turn somersault. His life was a perpetual gamble for God. Daily he faced death for Christ. Again and again he stood fearless before crowds thirsting for his blood. He stood before kings and governors and "turned not a hair". He didn't so much as flinch before Nero, that vice-president of hell. His sufferings were appalling; read them. He trod in his Master's footsteps, and so received (God is always just in His favors) the same splendid compliment that Jesus did. "All forsook him." So there were some Chocolate Christians in those days too. Anyone who forsook Paul must have been made of Chocolate.
Doubtless the "CHOCOLATES" excused themselves as they do today. "Who could abide such a fanatical, fiery fool? Such an uncompromising character? Nobody could work with him, or he with them!" (What a lie! Jesus did, and they got on well together.) A tactless enthusiast, who considered it his business to tell every man the unvarnished truth regardless of consequences. He won his degree hands down, and without a touch of the spur. A first-class one, too (that of the headman's axe) next best to that of the cross.
And so the tale goes on. Go where you will through the Scriptures or history, you find that men who really knew God, and didn't merely say they did, were invariably Paragons and Pluck; Dare-Devil Desperadoes for Jesus; Gamblers for God. "Fools and Madmen," shout the world and the Chocolates. "Yes, for Christ's sake," add the Angels!
"Nobly they fought to win the prize,
Climbing the steep ascents of heaven,
Through' peril, toil, and pain.
O God, to us let grace be given,
To follow in their train."
CHOCOLATES A LA RUEBEN
The Chocolate Christians of today can at least boast of having ancient pedigrees. There are CHOCOLATES A LA RUEBEN, who have great searchings of heart, and make great resolves of heart too. But somehow they still sit among the sheepfolds, listening to the pipings of their much-loved organs and church choirs. It's good to have a great heart searching. It's better to make a great heart-resolve. But, if instead of obeying, we squat among the sheep, leaving our few hard-pressed brethren to tackle the wolves by themselves, verily we are but Chocolate Christians. You made a great resolve to go to Africa for Christ a year or two ago. Where are you now? In England? Yes! Yes! Lollipop! (Judges 5:16)
CHOCOLATES MEROZ
There are CHOCOLATES MEROZ, who earned the curse of the angel of the Lord. War was declared; the battle about to begin; the odds were outrageous, and Meroz remained in England attending conventions until the battle was over, then he went, in comfort and security, as a Cook's tourist! Doubtless they said, "They couldn't fight till they had been properly ordained, and, besides, there was so very much to be done in fat, overfed Meroz, and surely to feed a flock of fat sheep in a safe place has always been considered the ideal training of war"; as though the best training for the soldier was to become a nursemaid!!! (Judges 5:23.)
CHOCOLATES DU BALAAM
CHOCOLATES DU BALAAM begin first-class, and earn the name of prophets. Then they develop a squint, melt, and finally run out of the frying pan into the fire, thus Balaam. One day he couldn't get his left eye to look at God. It would look at earth and mammon and that chit of a girl, Miss Popularity. He ought to have done as God told him, and plucked it out. But he said that was too much to ask of any man, and besides he wanted the best of both worlds. He had a hearty desire to die the death of the righteous, but he wasn't willing to pay the price of a righteous life. He hadn't the pluck to curse God's people, so he made plans for others to make them sin. But one day, while his dupes were putting his chestnuts into the fire, they fell in themselves, and Balaam with them (Numbers 22-24).
"I counsel thee to buy of me eye salve, that thou mayest once again have a single eye, and be enabled to see the folly of flirting with the world."
CHOCOLATE DEMAS
CHOCOLATE DEMAS, who left old fiery hard-hitting Paul for an easier path. He said he thought Paul should wink at, or slobber over sin, instead of rebuking it. "He was so very fond of the knife, you know; and he never would use sticking-plaster, because he said it never healed the sore but made it burrow underneath and become bigger, worse, and dangerous" (2 Tim. 4:10).
MARK
MARK joined the Chocolate Brigade once. He left Paul and Barnabas in the lurch, and went back to Jerusalem for a rest cure - a religious retreat. Thank God he got sick of it ere long, resigned his commission, and re-enlisting in God's army became a useful soldier (Acts 13:13).
OLD PROPHETS
MANY FINE YOUNGSTERS ARE TURNED INTO CHOCOLATES BY OLD PROPHETS. Old prophets who have lost their fire, or fire off words instead of deeds, usually become Great Chocolate Manufacturers. That poor young prophet. He did so well when he obeyed God only, but it was all over with him when he listened to another voice, even though that of an old prophet. Didn't the old prophet say he was a prophet? And say he'd got the message straight from God? What a damnable lie! The floor of Christendom and elsewhere is littered with wrecks made by old prophets. God won't stand nonsense from any man. Every man has to choose between Christ and Barabbas, and every Christian between God and some old prophet. Better be a silly donkey in the estimation of an old prophet than listen to his soft talk and flattery, and afterwards become a wreck. "This is My beloved Son, hear HIM." No! Not even Moses, nor Elijah, nor both. "HEAR HIM." "You have an anointing from God, and you have no need that any man teach you." You say you believe the Bible! No your deeds give the lie to your words? (I Kings 13)
THE TEN SPIES WERE CHOCOLATES
THE TEN SPIES WERE CHOCOLATES. They melted and ran over the whole congregation of Israel, turning them into CHOCOLATE CREAMS - "softies", afraid to face the fire and water before them. God put them all into the saucepan again and boiled them for forty years in the desert, and left them there. He has no use for Chocolates. It's not small things He despises, but "Chocolates"; for He said, "Your little ones shall inherit the promised land which you have forfeited through listening to men and despising Me" (Numbers 13).
JONAH
JONAH became a Chocolate Soldier once. Told to go to Africa, he went to Liverpool and took ship for America. Luckily he met a storm and a whale which, after three days' instruction, taught him how to pray and obey, and set him once again on the right track (Jonah 1).
There's nothing that shows up CHOCOLATES so much as a bit of a breeze among God's people. Paul and Barnabas had one once. Judging from experience, I guess there were some Chocolates about then who got into a fog right away! Before that, they had vowed they would go to the heathen; but this breeze between Paul and Barnabas put them off. If they hadn't been MADE OF CHOCOLATE they would have said, "This affair between Paul and Barnabas only makes it more necessary for me to keep close to God, and do what He told me to do more exactly and punctually; so I shall go a bit sooner to Africa - that's all!"
Difficulties, dangers, disease, death, or divisions don't deter any but Chocolates from executing God's Will. When someone says there's a lion in the way, the real Christian promptly replies, "That's hardly enough inducement for me; I want a bear or two besides to make it worth my while to go."
CHOCOLATES are very fond of talking loud and long against some whom they call fanatics, as though there were any danger of Christians being fanatics nowadays! Why, fanatics among Christians are as rare as the "dodo bird". Now, if they proclaimed against "lukewarmness", they would talk sense. God's real people have always been called fanatics. Jesus was called mad; so was Paul; so was Whitfield, Wesley, Moody, Spurgeon. No one has graduated far in God's School who has not been paid the compliment of being called a fanatic. We Christians of today are indeed a lukewarm crew. Had we but half the fire and enthusiasm of the Suffragettes in the past, we would have the world evangelized and Christ back among us in no time. Had we the pluck and heroism of the Flyers, or the men who volunteered for the North or South Polar Expeditions, or for the Great War, or for any ordinary dare-devil enterprise, we could have every soul on earth knowing the name and salvation of Jesus Christ in less than ten years.
Alas! What stirs ordinary men's blood and turns them into heroes, makes most Christians run like a flock of frightened sheep. The Militants daily risked their lives in furtherance of their cause, and subscribed of their means in a way that cried "Shame" on us Christians, who generally brand the braving of risks and fighting against odds as a "tempting of God".
CHOCOLATE CARAMELS
CHOCOLATE CARAMELS - "stick-jaw", boys call them - jawing, "I go, sir," and sticking fast in Christendom. No conquest is made in assured safety, and conquest for Christ certainly cannot so be made.
We Christians too often SUBSTITUTE PRAYER FOR PLAYING THE GAME. Prayer is good: but when used as a substitute for obedience, it is naught but a blatant hypocrisy, a despicable Pharisaism. We need as many meetings for actions as for prayer - perhaps more. Every orthodox prayer-meeting is opened by God saying to His people, "Go work today; pray that laborers be sent into My vineyard." It is continued by the Christians response, "I go, Lord, whithersoever Thou sendest me, that Thy Name may be hallowed everywhere, that Thy Kingdom may come speedily, that Thy Will may be done on earth as in heaven." But if it ends in nobody going anywhere, it had better never have been held at all. Like faith, prayer without works is dead. That is why many Prayer-Meetings might well be styled "much cry, yet little wool". Zerubbabel didn't only hold prayer-meetings; he went and cut down trees, and started to build. Hence God said, "From this day will I bless thee."
Report says that someone has rediscovered the secret of the old masters. Cannot we Christians rediscover, and put into practice, that of our Great Master and His former pupils, Heroism? He and they saved not themselves; they loved not their lives to the death, and so kept on saving them by losing them for Christ's sake.
WE ARE FRITTERING AWAY TIME AND MONEY IN A MULTIPLICITY OF CONVENTIONS, conferences, and retreats, when the real need is to go straight and full steam into battle, with the signal for "close action" flying.
The "Vox Humana" plays too important a part in our Christian organs and organizations today. The music, whoever plays, is bound to be thin when the tops of "Instant Obedience" and "Fiery Valor" are missing or unused, and without them to play the "Lost Chord" of Heroism is an impossibility.
"Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it," said the Blessed Virgin. Do what? Not put oil and spice into the soft holy vessels inside the house, but pour the Water of Life into those empty stone ones outside. Cana's marriage feast would have ended in shame had the wine run short. Christ's marriage feast begins only when the wine is sufficient - a blend from every tongue and kindred and tribe and nation. The supply is assured, as soon as the water is poured out as Christ directed, into "the uttermost parts of the earth". The mischief today is the reluctance of the servants to do the outside work. They all want to serve indoors, wear smart clothes, listen to the conversation, and make a terrible lot of themselves in the butler's pantry.
DO LET US MAKE A REAL START NOW - AT ONCE. For years, like Mr. Winkle, we've declared we were just about to begin, and then never began at all. We must divorce Chocolate and Disobedience, and marry Faith and Heroism.
"Who shall begin the battle?" asked the king. "Thou," replied the prophet, and when the king and the young princes led the way, though the odds against them were terrific, they won with ridiculous ease.
So, too, THE APOSTLES LED IN THE WAR OF GOD to the uttermost parts of the earth. Likewise in the Crusades, the kings and the princes of State and Church led; then why not today in THE CRUSADE OF CHRIST TO EVANGELIZE THE WORLD?
GOD'S SUMMONS TODAY IS TO THE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN OF GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA AND CHRISTENDOM, WHO CALL THEMSELVES BY THE NAME OF CHRIST. "New wine," said Christ, "must be placed in New bottles." Those superfluously labeled and patched-up old-fashioned ones are as hopeless as the New Theology. They can't be moved lest they burst with pride and spill the wine in the wrong place.
Listen: "And it shall be in the last days, I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions (of faith), your old men shall dream dreams (of courageous obedience); yea, and on My bondmen and on My bond maidens in those days will I pour forth of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy; and I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs in the earth beneath; and it shall be that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
But how can they call on Him of whom they have not even heard? Must you stay, young man? Can't you go, young woman, and tell them? Verily we are in the last (the Laodicean stage) that of the Lukewarm Church.
Wilt thou be to Christ the partner of His throne or a medicine which induces vomiting (Rev.3:21); a Militant or a Chocolate Christian? Wilt thou fear or wilt thou fight? Shall your brethren go to war and shall ye sit here? When He comes, shall He find faith on the earth? A thousand times you have admitted Christ's Love so amazing, so divine, Demands your life, your soul, your all.
Wilt thou be a miser and withhold what honor demands of thee? Wilt thou give like Ananias and Sapphira, who, pretending to give all, gave only part? Possessing and enjoying the vineyard, wilt thou, like the husbandman, refuse the agreed rent? Wilt thou fear death, or devil, or men? AND WILT THOU NOT FEAR SHAME? Some shall rise to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Shall we refuse to emulate the heroes of old, or shall we accomplish the double fulfillment of those glorious words?
All these being men of war came with a perfect heart to make Jesus King over all the world. They were all mighty men of valor for the war! He that was least was equal to a hundred, and the greatest to a thousand! They were not of double heart! Their faces were like the faces of lions! They were as swift as the roes upon the mountains (to do their Lord's commands)! Ye sought in time past, for Jesus to be King over you. NOW, THEN, DO IT. (Compare I Chronicles 12:8,33, 38, and II Samuel 3:17-18).
Shall we not reply: Thine are we, Jesus, and on Thy side. God do so to me, and more also, if as God has sworn unto Him, I do not even so to Jesus - to translate the kingdom from the house of satan, and set up the throne of Jesus Christ over all the world. (Compare I Chron.12:18 and 2 Sam.3:10)
Come, then, let us restore the "Lost Chord" of Christianity - HEROISM - to the world, and the crown of the world to Christ. Christ Himself asks thee, "Wilt thou be a Slacker or a Militant?" To your knees, man! And to your Bible! Decide at once! Don't hedge! Time flies! Cease your insults to God, quit consulting flesh and blood. Stop your lame, lying, and cowardly excuses!
Silent No More
Please read this article in it's entirity. Anyone who says that he does not want to convert anymore christians because we have enough already is scary. This man is leading millions astray and I will remain silent NO MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, June 26, 2006
This Weeks Challenge
This Week's Challenge:
OK, so how many of you took the challenge? Stop by and post your story of how it went and what you learned.
Memorize:
Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Action Challenge
Set a standard in your life. Will you strive to pass out 2 packs of tracts a month? ...possibly one to one with 5 people a week? Open air preach once a week? Set something up in your heart...a goal that is not to far fetched but one that is not too easy and commit to that in regards to evangelism.
Prayer Challenge
Matthew 5:44
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you
OK, so how many of you took the challenge? Stop by and post your story of how it went and what you learned.
Memorize:
Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Action Challenge
Set a standard in your life. Will you strive to pass out 2 packs of tracts a month? ...possibly one to one with 5 people a week? Open air preach once a week? Set something up in your heart...a goal that is not to far fetched but one that is not too easy and commit to that in regards to evangelism.
Prayer Challenge
Matthew 5:44
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you
Monday, June 19, 2006
This weeks challenge
This Week's Challenge:
Memorize: Luke 6:46 (NKJV) “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?
Action Challenge Set goals this week. Will you pass out a pack of tracts this week? Will you one to one altleast 3times this week?
Open Air? Once you have either met your goal or not post a Glory Story about it.
Prayer Challenge Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you
This comes courtesy of the Great News Network.
Memorize: Luke 6:46 (NKJV) “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?
Action Challenge Set goals this week. Will you pass out a pack of tracts this week? Will you one to one altleast 3times this week?
Open Air? Once you have either met your goal or not post a Glory Story about it.
Prayer Challenge Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you
This comes courtesy of the Great News Network.
Summer Witnessing Schedule
Good day fellow servants. Here is a schedule that has been put together for the summer months. Please try to attend as many of these as possible. Should you need help, please let me know. Also, if you have an event that you think needs attended, please submit it and we will post it on here. Thanks
Jeff
June
19th
Summer Concert on the Green
Canfield Green
7pm
20th
Concert in the Park
Austintown Park
7pm
22nd
Music in the Park
Boardman Park
7pm
23rd
Steel Valley Nationals
Salem, Ohio
6pm
24th
Steel Valley Nationals
Salem, Ohio
6pm
24th
Famly Nite in Park
Boardman Park
6-9:30 pm
25th
Steel Valley Nationals
Salem, Ohio
6pm
26th
Steel Valley Nationals
Salem, Ohio
6pm
26th
Summer Concert on the Green
Canfield Green
7pm
27th
Concert in the Park
Austintown Park
7pm
29th
Music in the Park
Boardman Park
7pm
30th
Boardman Baseball Tournament
Field of Dreams
12pm
July
1st
Boardman Baseball Tournament
Field of Dreams
8am-
2nd
Boardman Baseball Tournament
Field of Dreams
8am-
3rd
Summer Concert on the Green
Canfield Green
7pm
3rd
David Lee Roth Concert
Cafaro Field, Warren
4th
Concert in the Park
Austintown Park
7pm
6th
Music in the Park
Boardman Park
7pm
7th
Relay For Life
Crestview High School
5p
9th
Battle of the Bands
Boardman Park
2-8pm
10th
Summer Concert on the Green
Canfield Green
7pm
11th
Concert in the Park
Austintown Park
7pm
13th
Music in the Park
Boardman Park
7pm
17th
Summer Concert on the Green
Canfield Green
7pm
18th
Concert in the Park
Austintown Park
7pm
20th
Music in the Park
Boardman Park
7pm
24th
Summer Concert on the Green
Canfield Green
7pm
25th
Concert in the Park
Austintown Park
7pm
27th
Music in the Park
Boardman Park
7pm
29th
Salvation Army Carnival
Austintown Park
10a-4pm
29th
Family Night in Park
Boardman Park
6-9:30pm
31st
Summer Concert on the Green
Canfield Green
7pm
August
1st
Concert in the Park
Austintown Park
7pm
3rd
Music in the Park
Boardman Park
7pm
6th
Cars in the Park
Boardman Park
9-5pm
7th
Summer Concert on the Green
Canfield Green
7pm
8th
Concert in the Park
Austintown Park
7pm
10th
Music in the Park
Boardman Park
7pm
12th
Fun Fair
Boardman Park
12-8pm
12th
Shaker Woods Festival
Columbiana
10a-5pm
13th
Fun Fair
Boardman Park
12-8pm
14th
Summer Concert on the Green
Canfield Green
7pm
15th
Concert in the Park
Austintown Park
7pm
17th
Music in the Park
Boardman Park
7pm
19th
Shaker Woods Festival
Columbiana
10a-5pm
19th
Family Night in Park
Boardman Park
6-9:30pm
21st
Summer Concert on the Green
Canfield Green
7pm
22nd
Concert in the Park
Austintown Park
7pm
24th
Music in the Park
Boardman Park
7pm
26th
Shaker Woods Festival
Columbiana
10a-5pm
28th
Summer Concert on the Green
Canfield Green
7pm
30th
Canfield Fair
Canfield Fair
All Day
October
1st
Octoberfest
Boardman Park
9a-6pm
13th
Pumpkin Carving
Boardman Park
6-10pm
14th
Christmas in the woods
Columbiana Park
10a-5pm
20th
Hayrides
Boardman Park
7-10pm
21st
Christmas in the woods
Columbiana Park
10a-5pm
22nd
Pumpkin Walk
Riverside Gardens
Twilight
27th
Hayrides
Boardman Park
7-10pm
Jeff
June
19th
Summer Concert on the Green
Canfield Green
7pm
20th
Concert in the Park
Austintown Park
7pm
22nd
Music in the Park
Boardman Park
7pm
23rd
Steel Valley Nationals
Salem, Ohio
6pm
24th
Steel Valley Nationals
Salem, Ohio
6pm
24th
Famly Nite in Park
Boardman Park
6-9:30 pm
25th
Steel Valley Nationals
Salem, Ohio
6pm
26th
Steel Valley Nationals
Salem, Ohio
6pm
26th
Summer Concert on the Green
Canfield Green
7pm
27th
Concert in the Park
Austintown Park
7pm
29th
Music in the Park
Boardman Park
7pm
30th
Boardman Baseball Tournament
Field of Dreams
12pm
July
1st
Boardman Baseball Tournament
Field of Dreams
8am-
2nd
Boardman Baseball Tournament
Field of Dreams
8am-
3rd
Summer Concert on the Green
Canfield Green
7pm
3rd
David Lee Roth Concert
Cafaro Field, Warren
4th
Concert in the Park
Austintown Park
7pm
6th
Music in the Park
Boardman Park
7pm
7th
Relay For Life
Crestview High School
5p
9th
Battle of the Bands
Boardman Park
2-8pm
10th
Summer Concert on the Green
Canfield Green
7pm
11th
Concert in the Park
Austintown Park
7pm
13th
Music in the Park
Boardman Park
7pm
17th
Summer Concert on the Green
Canfield Green
7pm
18th
Concert in the Park
Austintown Park
7pm
20th
Music in the Park
Boardman Park
7pm
24th
Summer Concert on the Green
Canfield Green
7pm
25th
Concert in the Park
Austintown Park
7pm
27th
Music in the Park
Boardman Park
7pm
29th
Salvation Army Carnival
Austintown Park
10a-4pm
29th
Family Night in Park
Boardman Park
6-9:30pm
31st
Summer Concert on the Green
Canfield Green
7pm
August
1st
Concert in the Park
Austintown Park
7pm
3rd
Music in the Park
Boardman Park
7pm
6th
Cars in the Park
Boardman Park
9-5pm
7th
Summer Concert on the Green
Canfield Green
7pm
8th
Concert in the Park
Austintown Park
7pm
10th
Music in the Park
Boardman Park
7pm
12th
Fun Fair
Boardman Park
12-8pm
12th
Shaker Woods Festival
Columbiana
10a-5pm
13th
Fun Fair
Boardman Park
12-8pm
14th
Summer Concert on the Green
Canfield Green
7pm
15th
Concert in the Park
Austintown Park
7pm
17th
Music in the Park
Boardman Park
7pm
19th
Shaker Woods Festival
Columbiana
10a-5pm
19th
Family Night in Park
Boardman Park
6-9:30pm
21st
Summer Concert on the Green
Canfield Green
7pm
22nd
Concert in the Park
Austintown Park
7pm
24th
Music in the Park
Boardman Park
7pm
26th
Shaker Woods Festival
Columbiana
10a-5pm
28th
Summer Concert on the Green
Canfield Green
7pm
30th
Canfield Fair
Canfield Fair
All Day
October
1st
Octoberfest
Boardman Park
9a-6pm
13th
Pumpkin Carving
Boardman Park
6-10pm
14th
Christmas in the woods
Columbiana Park
10a-5pm
20th
Hayrides
Boardman Park
7-10pm
21st
Christmas in the woods
Columbiana Park
10a-5pm
22nd
Pumpkin Walk
Riverside Gardens
Twilight
27th
Hayrides
Boardman Park
7-10pm
Monday, June 12, 2006
The Point of the Matter
Good day ladies and gentlemen. I realize I have not posted lately, but I have been aboard the lazy bones train. I have been thinking about what to write and I felt God pushing me toward this topic. I have a tendency sometimes to be over-dominating, and wanting to be right, and I sometimes forget why I started this blog. My original post stated that I was going to use this to spout my 2 cents about things, but most importantly to bring Glory to God which He rightly deserves. I do not know if I have done that to the full extent that I should have. With that being said, I will begin this post titled "The point of the Matter."
John 12:31-33
27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” 29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.” 30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die. 34 The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.
Here we see Jesus as the Awesome servant king He is. He was a man acquainted with great sorrow. Jesus is troubled greatly because He knows the cross is before Him. Look what He says though in v. 27-28a. He wants to glorify God. He knew His mission and embraced it because it would glorify the Father. He says in v. 32 that if He be lifted up, He would draw all men unto Him.
Isn't that the truth!!! Jesus is a stumbling block to many. Why is that? Jesus answers that and warns us to walk while you have the light. If you have Christ then let His light shine. We can get caught up in the debate over theological issues yet countless are sinking into hell everyday. The apostle Paul was a very smart, well educated man and what did he say over in 1 Corinthians???
1 Corinthians 1: 10-31
10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. 16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
Christ the Power and Wisdom of God 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “ I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”[a]20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks[b] foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Glory Only in the Lord 26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”
Paul sought to know nothing but Christ and his crucifiction. Leonard Ravenhill I believe said it best. "When you hear someone say there is room at the foot of the cross, don't listen. There is room ON the cross". That is a very challenging statement. The cross symbloized death, not swooning. For those of you who do not know what swooning is, it is a theory that you simply faint and then you revive and are better. We are to die to this world, and be alive to Christ. We should seek to be like Paul in the sense that we know that the cross is the only thing worth boasting in. In doing so what will happen?
1. We will be dead to this world
2. Men will see our good deads and glorify our Father in heaven
3. We will bring glory to God
4. We will bring glory to Christ because people will ask us and we can point to the cross
Remember what Jesus said? If I be lifted up. So we need to point to the cross and warn others of the great sacrifice that God has made for us. This is "The point of the Matter".You see, that is why we are here. To bring glory to God. Let's lift up the Savior and in doing so HE will draw all men to Himself.
May God richly bless you this day as you ponder the vast sacrifice that Christ has given on each of our behalfs. Please take time to thank Him this day.
Jeff
John 12:31-33
27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” 29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.” 30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die. 34 The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.
Here we see Jesus as the Awesome servant king He is. He was a man acquainted with great sorrow. Jesus is troubled greatly because He knows the cross is before Him. Look what He says though in v. 27-28a. He wants to glorify God. He knew His mission and embraced it because it would glorify the Father. He says in v. 32 that if He be lifted up, He would draw all men unto Him.
Isn't that the truth!!! Jesus is a stumbling block to many. Why is that? Jesus answers that and warns us to walk while you have the light. If you have Christ then let His light shine. We can get caught up in the debate over theological issues yet countless are sinking into hell everyday. The apostle Paul was a very smart, well educated man and what did he say over in 1 Corinthians???
1 Corinthians 1: 10-31
10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. 16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
Christ the Power and Wisdom of God 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “ I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”[a]20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks[b] foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Glory Only in the Lord 26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”
Paul sought to know nothing but Christ and his crucifiction. Leonard Ravenhill I believe said it best. "When you hear someone say there is room at the foot of the cross, don't listen. There is room ON the cross". That is a very challenging statement. The cross symbloized death, not swooning. For those of you who do not know what swooning is, it is a theory that you simply faint and then you revive and are better. We are to die to this world, and be alive to Christ. We should seek to be like Paul in the sense that we know that the cross is the only thing worth boasting in. In doing so what will happen?
1. We will be dead to this world
2. Men will see our good deads and glorify our Father in heaven
3. We will bring glory to God
4. We will bring glory to Christ because people will ask us and we can point to the cross
Remember what Jesus said? If I be lifted up. So we need to point to the cross and warn others of the great sacrifice that God has made for us. This is "The point of the Matter".You see, that is why we are here. To bring glory to God. Let's lift up the Savior and in doing so HE will draw all men to Himself.
May God richly bless you this day as you ponder the vast sacrifice that Christ has given on each of our behalfs. Please take time to thank Him this day.
Jeff
Monday, June 05, 2006
What a cop out.
Get em while you can boys. The day is coming when the Gospel is illegal to even preach.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Are tongues available today???
Tongues
G1100
γλῶσσα
glōssa
gloce'-sah
Of uncertain affinity; the tongue; by implication a language (specifically one naturally unacquired): - tongue.
The question of tongues seems to be one of division among various denominations. The questions that I hope to answer are as follows.
1. Do tongues exist today?
2. Do tongues follow all believers at salvation?
3. Is it possible for us to talk in tongues?
In trying to understand this topic, we must look at the time and purpose of tongues. We will examine scriptural context and also we will look at perceived tongues as heard today by many charismatic churches.
The first time we are introduced to the use of tongues in relation to the new covenant is found in Acts 2.
Act 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place.
Act 2:2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Act 2:5 Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.
Act 2:6 And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speaking in his own language.
Act 2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying, Behold, are not all these that speak Galilaeans?
Act 2:8 And how hear we, every man in our own language wherein we were born?
Act 2:9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judaea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia,
Act 2:10 in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
Act 2:11 Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God.
Act 2:12 And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
Act 2:13 But others mocking said, They are filled with new wine.
Act 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spake forth unto them, saying, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto my words.
Act 2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose; seeing it is but the third hour of the day;
Act 2:16 but this is that which hath been spoken through the prophet Joel:
Act 2:17 And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all flesh: And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams:
Act 2:18 Yea and on My servants and on My handmaidens in those days Will I pour forth of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy.
Act 2:19 And I will show wonders in the heaven above, And signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:
Act 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the day of the Lord come, That great and notable day.
Act 2:21 And it shall be, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Act 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know;
Act 2:23 him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay:
Act 2:24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
Act 2:25 For David saith concerning him, I beheld the Lord always before my face; For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
Act 2:26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; Moreover my flesh also shall dwell in hope:
Act 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul unto Hades, Neither wilt thou give thy Holy One to see corruption.
Act 2:28 Thou madest known unto me the ways of life; Thou shalt make me full of gladness with thy countenance.
Act 2:29 Brethren, I may say unto you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us unto this day.
Act 2:30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne;
Act 2:31 he foreseeing this spake of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.
Act 2:32 This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Act 2:33 Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear.
Act 2:34 For David ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
Act 2:35 Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet.
Act 2:36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified.
Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?
Act 2:38 And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Act 2:39 For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.
Act 2:40 And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation.
Act 2:41 They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls.
Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Act 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
Act 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
Act 2:45 and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need.
Act 2:46 And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,
Act 2:47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved.
In every case above the Greek word used to describe the use of tongues is glōssa. This means literally that the language is of uncertain likeness or a language that they did not speak. It was unknown to the speaker, yet all those in the upper room were speaking. Look at v. 2-4. It says that they were ALL filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. Now those outside heard it and they each understood it in their own language. So the tongues appeared for the purpose of reaching who?
Act 2:6 And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speaking in his own language.
Jesus had told His followers to wait in Jerusalem for the gift that He would send.
So there are two observations to be taken out of this text. The first one is that ALL the people spoke in tongues.
Act 1:15 And in these days Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren, and said (and there was a multitude of persons gathered together, about a hundred and twenty),
Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
We are told that there were about 120 persons in the upper room waiting for God to pour out His Holy Spirit. Also we can observe that the Holy Spirit was poured out on all. This I do not believe was a salvation issue. What are we told throughout all of scripture?
Eph 2:8 for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Heb 11:6 and without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.
So salvation is related directly to faith. Salvation does not consist of tongues, or any other spiritual gift as laid out in 1 Corinthians. These people were all in the upper room as devoted followers of Jesus already. Without going into details, scripture is clear from Hebrews and other books that we are saved by faith. Abraham, Enoch, Moses, they were all saved by FAITH. If this being the case, why do so many say you must speak in tongues to validate your salvation? Look at 1 John 3:14
1Jo 3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.
The belief is that because ALL believers in the upper room received the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, that we should receive it too. It was not a salvation issue however. These people were already saved. They had been walking with Jesus for the past 3 years. They were under divine protection, and had divine authority. See Matthew 10 for further reading.
Now if the people were already saved, why tongues? God used these to make a point to all the different people gathered. Look again at Acts. There were people from all over the world. Medes, Persians, etc. Tongues were sent to communicate a message to these people. They were not to prove their salvation at all. It was a communication issue. God wanted to speak to these people, and to communicate His message to them. So in conclusion tongues are a communication issue not a salvation issue.
Now my final point I wish to argue is that it is possible for believers to speak in tongues.
1Co 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
1Co 12:2 Ye know that when ye were Gentiles ye were led away unto those dumb idols, howsoever ye might led.
1Co 12:3 Wherefore I make known unto you, that no man speaking in the Spirit of God saith, Jesus is anathema; and no man can say, Jesus is Lord, but in the Holy Spirit.
1Co 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1Co 12:5 And there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord.
1Co 12:6 And there are diversities of workings, but the same God, who worketh all things in all.
1Co 12:7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal.
1Co 12:8 For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit:
1Co 12:9 to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit;
1Co 12:10 and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues:
1Co 12:11 but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will.
So tongues are just 1 of many gifts that are available. We also see gifts of wisdom, knowledge, divine healings, and interpretations of these tongues. The key to this whole issue lies in v.11. As God wills. This is a gift that is given as it furthers God’s purposes. If we try to force something that is not truly of God we attempt to speak on God’s behalf. Remember, it was a form of communication for the building up of the church. Paul confirms this here.
1Co 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to the unbelieving: but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to them that believe.
1Co 14:23 If therefore the whole church be assembled together and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad?
1Co 14:24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one unbelieving or unlearned, he is reproved by all, he is judged by all;
1Co 14:25 the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.
So the point I am driving is that it is a gift given to certain people for communication. If you speak in tongues, you must have an interpreter to translate, and if not, remain silent. This shows that like gifts of knowledge, and teaching that it is available to those gifted to do so, they can exercise their will not to speak out and I believe in the same way, tongues can be suppressed. In the context of Paul’s writings in Corinthians, it is spoken of as a form of communication primarily to God. They had already established the church in Corinth and therefore they all spoke the same language. It seems therefore from the text that it would be far better to be teaching, not talking in tongues. Paul goes so far as to say
1Co 14:19 howbeit in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
So actual learning is far more important than tongues. With this being said, we can establish that tongues are non salvation related. They are a divine gift used to build the church. Paul said to desire the greater gifts. (Teaching, knowledge). If this is the case then why did Paul mention it?
Apparently people were unorganized and just speaking many words with no one to interpret. In the same way if we are in church and everyone stood up with a Word, there would be great confusion. Paul was simply putting order to the church. Remember what Jesus said.
Joh 14:12 "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
Many try to put God in a theological box and say that this does not happen anymore. This was a 1st. century thing to establish the church. If that is the case, then why do healings take place today. Why do demon possessed people still get delivered. In foreign country’s where the Gospel is just reaching, it is common for supernatural things to take place. The issue is that we as Americans have put God in our box. Jesus clearly said Greater things we will do. I take his Words over some scholars any day.
In closing I believe scripture gives adequate support for the use of tongues, although it is always a communication issue and not an unorganized event. God still heals supernaturally, and I believe the gifts are available today. Paul says to ask for the greater gifts. If the argument is that it was for the church back then only, then why not chuck the Bible, because it is just a book of history and not relevant today. I believe the Bible will answer that question.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
2Ti 3:1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
2Ti 3:2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,
2Ti 3:4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
2Ti 3:5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
2Ti 3:6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,
2Ti 3:7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.
G1100
γλῶσσα
glōssa
gloce'-sah
Of uncertain affinity; the tongue; by implication a language (specifically one naturally unacquired): - tongue.
The question of tongues seems to be one of division among various denominations. The questions that I hope to answer are as follows.
1. Do tongues exist today?
2. Do tongues follow all believers at salvation?
3. Is it possible for us to talk in tongues?
In trying to understand this topic, we must look at the time and purpose of tongues. We will examine scriptural context and also we will look at perceived tongues as heard today by many charismatic churches.
The first time we are introduced to the use of tongues in relation to the new covenant is found in Acts 2.
Act 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place.
Act 2:2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Act 2:5 Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.
Act 2:6 And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speaking in his own language.
Act 2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying, Behold, are not all these that speak Galilaeans?
Act 2:8 And how hear we, every man in our own language wherein we were born?
Act 2:9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judaea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia,
Act 2:10 in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
Act 2:11 Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God.
Act 2:12 And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
Act 2:13 But others mocking said, They are filled with new wine.
Act 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spake forth unto them, saying, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto my words.
Act 2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose; seeing it is but the third hour of the day;
Act 2:16 but this is that which hath been spoken through the prophet Joel:
Act 2:17 And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all flesh: And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams:
Act 2:18 Yea and on My servants and on My handmaidens in those days Will I pour forth of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy.
Act 2:19 And I will show wonders in the heaven above, And signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:
Act 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the day of the Lord come, That great and notable day.
Act 2:21 And it shall be, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Act 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know;
Act 2:23 him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay:
Act 2:24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
Act 2:25 For David saith concerning him, I beheld the Lord always before my face; For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
Act 2:26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; Moreover my flesh also shall dwell in hope:
Act 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul unto Hades, Neither wilt thou give thy Holy One to see corruption.
Act 2:28 Thou madest known unto me the ways of life; Thou shalt make me full of gladness with thy countenance.
Act 2:29 Brethren, I may say unto you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us unto this day.
Act 2:30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne;
Act 2:31 he foreseeing this spake of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.
Act 2:32 This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Act 2:33 Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear.
Act 2:34 For David ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
Act 2:35 Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet.
Act 2:36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified.
Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?
Act 2:38 And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Act 2:39 For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.
Act 2:40 And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation.
Act 2:41 They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls.
Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Act 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
Act 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
Act 2:45 and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need.
Act 2:46 And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,
Act 2:47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved.
In every case above the Greek word used to describe the use of tongues is glōssa. This means literally that the language is of uncertain likeness or a language that they did not speak. It was unknown to the speaker, yet all those in the upper room were speaking. Look at v. 2-4. It says that they were ALL filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. Now those outside heard it and they each understood it in their own language. So the tongues appeared for the purpose of reaching who?
Act 2:6 And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speaking in his own language.
Jesus had told His followers to wait in Jerusalem for the gift that He would send.
So there are two observations to be taken out of this text. The first one is that ALL the people spoke in tongues.
Act 1:15 And in these days Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren, and said (and there was a multitude of persons gathered together, about a hundred and twenty),
Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
We are told that there were about 120 persons in the upper room waiting for God to pour out His Holy Spirit. Also we can observe that the Holy Spirit was poured out on all. This I do not believe was a salvation issue. What are we told throughout all of scripture?
Eph 2:8 for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Heb 11:6 and without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.
So salvation is related directly to faith. Salvation does not consist of tongues, or any other spiritual gift as laid out in 1 Corinthians. These people were all in the upper room as devoted followers of Jesus already. Without going into details, scripture is clear from Hebrews and other books that we are saved by faith. Abraham, Enoch, Moses, they were all saved by FAITH. If this being the case, why do so many say you must speak in tongues to validate your salvation? Look at 1 John 3:14
1Jo 3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.
The belief is that because ALL believers in the upper room received the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, that we should receive it too. It was not a salvation issue however. These people were already saved. They had been walking with Jesus for the past 3 years. They were under divine protection, and had divine authority. See Matthew 10 for further reading.
Now if the people were already saved, why tongues? God used these to make a point to all the different people gathered. Look again at Acts. There were people from all over the world. Medes, Persians, etc. Tongues were sent to communicate a message to these people. They were not to prove their salvation at all. It was a communication issue. God wanted to speak to these people, and to communicate His message to them. So in conclusion tongues are a communication issue not a salvation issue.
Now my final point I wish to argue is that it is possible for believers to speak in tongues.
1Co 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
1Co 12:2 Ye know that when ye were Gentiles ye were led away unto those dumb idols, howsoever ye might led.
1Co 12:3 Wherefore I make known unto you, that no man speaking in the Spirit of God saith, Jesus is anathema; and no man can say, Jesus is Lord, but in the Holy Spirit.
1Co 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1Co 12:5 And there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord.
1Co 12:6 And there are diversities of workings, but the same God, who worketh all things in all.
1Co 12:7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal.
1Co 12:8 For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit:
1Co 12:9 to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit;
1Co 12:10 and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues:
1Co 12:11 but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will.
So tongues are just 1 of many gifts that are available. We also see gifts of wisdom, knowledge, divine healings, and interpretations of these tongues. The key to this whole issue lies in v.11. As God wills. This is a gift that is given as it furthers God’s purposes. If we try to force something that is not truly of God we attempt to speak on God’s behalf. Remember, it was a form of communication for the building up of the church. Paul confirms this here.
1Co 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to the unbelieving: but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to them that believe.
1Co 14:23 If therefore the whole church be assembled together and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad?
1Co 14:24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one unbelieving or unlearned, he is reproved by all, he is judged by all;
1Co 14:25 the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.
So the point I am driving is that it is a gift given to certain people for communication. If you speak in tongues, you must have an interpreter to translate, and if not, remain silent. This shows that like gifts of knowledge, and teaching that it is available to those gifted to do so, they can exercise their will not to speak out and I believe in the same way, tongues can be suppressed. In the context of Paul’s writings in Corinthians, it is spoken of as a form of communication primarily to God. They had already established the church in Corinth and therefore they all spoke the same language. It seems therefore from the text that it would be far better to be teaching, not talking in tongues. Paul goes so far as to say
1Co 14:19 howbeit in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
So actual learning is far more important than tongues. With this being said, we can establish that tongues are non salvation related. They are a divine gift used to build the church. Paul said to desire the greater gifts. (Teaching, knowledge). If this is the case then why did Paul mention it?
Apparently people were unorganized and just speaking many words with no one to interpret. In the same way if we are in church and everyone stood up with a Word, there would be great confusion. Paul was simply putting order to the church. Remember what Jesus said.
Joh 14:12 "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
Many try to put God in a theological box and say that this does not happen anymore. This was a 1st. century thing to establish the church. If that is the case, then why do healings take place today. Why do demon possessed people still get delivered. In foreign country’s where the Gospel is just reaching, it is common for supernatural things to take place. The issue is that we as Americans have put God in our box. Jesus clearly said Greater things we will do. I take his Words over some scholars any day.
In closing I believe scripture gives adequate support for the use of tongues, although it is always a communication issue and not an unorganized event. God still heals supernaturally, and I believe the gifts are available today. Paul says to ask for the greater gifts. If the argument is that it was for the church back then only, then why not chuck the Bible, because it is just a book of history and not relevant today. I believe the Bible will answer that question.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
2Ti 3:1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
2Ti 3:2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,
2Ti 3:4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
2Ti 3:5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
2Ti 3:6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,
2Ti 3:7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.
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