tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81879710562541193232024-03-12T19:33:51.375-07:00Second Invitation...Further musings and meditations. Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-67553160756063509782021-10-17T15:19:00.010-07:002021-10-17T15:32:36.019-07:00A Christian Lawyer Writes a Fantastic Hymn: "Sing Praise To God Who Reigns Above" <p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOa9FmjyD-hXsgyLkt0CGlI7k4TEVx0mdfqRKHIxjcsGJjQHs2Yf2-6CtKNbmBb89oullCaFOOXTxPJCzQMDBYB3Jjz00xegTNFtf4d5ISf7PBLYjU_HQ2GKUgPgVZ6FytJZofdhyphenhyphen-BP5r/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="447" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOa9FmjyD-hXsgyLkt0CGlI7k4TEVx0mdfqRKHIxjcsGJjQHs2Yf2-6CtKNbmBb89oullCaFOOXTxPJCzQMDBYB3Jjz00xegTNFtf4d5ISf7PBLYjU_HQ2GKUgPgVZ6FytJZofdhyphenhyphen-BP5r/w449-h447/image.png" width="449" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><table cellpadding="0" class="Bs nH iY bAt" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; display: block; padding: 0px; position: static; width: 836.193px;"><tbody><tr><td class="Bu yM" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 0px;"><br /></td><td class="Bu bAn" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; display: block; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><div class="nH if" style="margin: 0px 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="nH aHU" style="position: relative;"><div class="nH hx" style="background-color: transparent; min-width: 502px; padding: 0px;"><div class="nH" jslog="20686; u014N:xr6bB" role="list"><div class="h7 ie nH oy8Mbf" role="listitem" style="clear: both; max-width: 100000px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px;" tabindex="-1"><div class="Bk" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-radius: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 0px; float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; position: relative; width: 819.46px;"><div class="G3 G2" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0px rgba(100, 121, 143, 0.12); border-image: initial; border-left: 0px; border-radius: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div id=":rd"><div class="adn ads" data-legacy-message-id="17c9048aef3aeb37" data-message-id="#msg-a:r50242880312103785" style="border-left: none; display: flex; padding: 0px;"><div class="gs" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; width: 747.472px;"><div><div class="ii gt" id=":ra" jslog="20277; u014N:xr6bB; 4:W251bGwsbnVsbCxbXV0." style="direction: ltr; font-size: 0.875rem; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="a3s aiL" id=":rb" style="font-size: small; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.5; overflow: hidden;"><div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span face=""PT Sans", sans-serif" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;">Johann Schutz was a Christian lawyer who loved the Lord and His Church. He set up a meeting with his pastor to share some concerns. Johann, a prominent city attorney practicing civil and church law, enjoyed the rich doctrinal messages brought each Lord’s Day by his pastor, Philip Spener. But he was concerned about the coldness of his own heart and the Christians around him. Johann was encouraged to learn that his pastor shared his concern.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span face=""PT Sans", sans-serif" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span face=""PT Sans", sans-serif" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;">The year was 1670. Johann was a member of a Lutheran church in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Martin Luther died in 1546. At the time of Luther’s death, (nearly 30 years after the start of the Protestant Reformation, 1517) Lutheran believers were vibrant in their proclamation, defense and treasuring of the gospel of justification by faith alone, in Christ alone, and by grace alone. However, 100 years later, a frigid orthodoxy layered their hearts.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span face=""PT Sans", sans-serif" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span face=""PT Sans", sans-serif" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;">Schutz encouraged his pastor to begin prayer groups for collective Bible study and for seeking the Lord in intercessory prayer together as believers. A revival happened in that Lutheran church. It spread throughout Germany. Because of its emphasis on the Lord’s nearness and the intimate fellowship His people can enjoy with Him, the movement was pejoratively referred to as “pietism.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span face=""PT Sans", sans-serif" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span face=""PT Sans", sans-serif" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;">Johann also wrote hymns. As is often the case, hymns and spiritual songs reflect the theological depth and the spiritual health of the believers who write and sing them. It’s true of us and our songs and hymns today. One of his most famous hymns, still sung in the church today, was “Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above.” It was translated along with other German hymns into English by France E. Cox. It was placed to music in the popular, happy Bohemian tune. It is important to remember that all hymns begin as poetry. One of the disadvantages of only singing from a hymnal or projection is that we rarely see the word progression that is clear in poetic verse. Consider the progression of these lines and Shutz' emphasis on both the Lord's greatness and His goodness. I discovered three additional stanzas that aren't usually included in our English hymnals. </span><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #5f6368; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #5f6368; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;">Sing praise to God who reigns above,</span><span style="color: black;"><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">the God of all creation,</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">the God of power, the God of love,</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">the God of our salvation;</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">with healing balm my soul he fills,</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">and every faithless murmur stills:</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">to God all praise and glory.</span><br /><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><i> </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #404040; font-size: 11.5pt;"><i>We sought the Lord in our distress;</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #404040; font-size: 11.5pt;">O God, in mercy hear us.</span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Our Savior saw our helplessness</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #404040; font-size: 11.5pt;">And came with peace to cheer us.</span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">For this we thank and praise the Lord,</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #404040; font-size: 11.5pt;"><i>Who is by one and all adored.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #404040; font-size: 11.5pt;">To God all praise and glory.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><i><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">The angel host, O King of kings,</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">thy praise for ever telling,</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">in earth and sky all living things</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">beneath thy shadow dwelling,</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">adore the wisdom which could span</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">and power which formed creation's plan:</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">to God all praise and glory.</span><br /><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">What God's almighty power hath made,</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">his gracious mercy keepeth;</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">by morning glow or evening shade</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">his watchful eye ne'er sleepeth.</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Within the kingdom of his might,</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">lo! all is just and all is right:</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">to God all praise and glory.</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;"><i> </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;"><i> </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #404040; font-size: 11.5pt;"><i>The Lord is never far away,</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #404040; font-size: 11.5pt;">But through all grief distressing,</span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">An ever-present help and stay,</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #404040; font-size: 11.5pt;">Our peace, and joy, and blessing;</span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">As with a mother’s tender hand,</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #404040; font-size: 11.5pt;"><i>He leads His own, His chosen band.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #404040; font-size: 11.5pt;">To God all praise and Glory</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><i><br /><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Then all my toilsome way along</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">I sing aloud thy praises,</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">that men may hear the grateful song</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">my voice unwearied raises:</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">be joyful in the Lord, my heart!</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Both soul and body bear your part!</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">To God all praise and glory.</span><br /><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">O ye who name Christ's holy name</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">give God all praise and glory;</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">let all who know his power proclaim</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">aloud the wondrous story!</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Cast each false idol from its throne,</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">the Lord is God, and he alone:</span><br /><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">to God all praise and glory.</span></i></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #5f6368; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span face=""PT Sans", sans-serif" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;">.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span face=""PT Sans", sans-serif" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;">Did you notice how Johann says the Lord deals with our “faithless murmurs?" </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span face=""PT Sans", sans-serif" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span face="PT Sans, sans-serif">And, have you considered that being joyful in the Lord requires "soul and body to bear their part?" </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span face=""PT Sans", sans-serif" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span face=""PT Sans", sans-serif" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;">To God all praise and Glory.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span face=""PT Sans", sans-serif" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;">BF</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span face=""PT Sans", sans-serif" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"> </p></div><div class="yj6qo" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></div><div class="adL" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></div></div></div><div class="hi" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); border-bottom-left-radius: 1px; border-bottom-right-radius: 1px; color: #222222; font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: auto;"></div></div></div><div class="ajx" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"></div></div><div class="gA gt acV" style="background: transparent; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top: none; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyq-2Br2wN6HYfu913CMiAGdeqo7YVovmL2_DtGeBO8iQKKlLoKt4s79zognumKPoHF5ilSPiV16CrqfSKMxudvtgZ3SBycsC4iYao8d_4tZEJI08oI6MS2ydxiMMZ4BkZUDfZ1TR0eWy/s300/images-89.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyq-2Br2wN6HYfu913CMiAGdeqo7YVovmL2_DtGeBO8iQKKlLoKt4s79zognumKPoHF5ilSPiV16CrqfSKMxudvtgZ3SBycsC4iYao8d_4tZEJI08oI6MS2ydxiMMZ4BkZUDfZ1TR0eWy/w320-h179/images-89.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">On this Christmas Eve I am currently sitting in my office, preparing my talk for this evening's Christmas Eve service and listening to
one of my favorite Christmas carols, </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17NUqkUCKGU">“Angels from the Realms of Glory.”</a> </i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"> For
a majority of my life, I have had quite the curiosity to know the background stories of
hymns that I love. I find that I generally have a greater appreciation for the
hymn after discovering something about the poet who composed it.</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">I wasn’t disappointed after doing some research about this
beloved carol. I want to share what I learned.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">James Montgomery penned this poem in 1816. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8YgsxHK0U4RtqLAc8Ve9lP0zusZQnqcXcafTcT2tARWfPQDqIGafP0eKBzxwrML6uRrVQw9ioNaDfBqbhXpmCCMYm-Rs0KLxBsrCpIcFYRH1EPiH2zLQiCY5fsW7rio-AjQXx6Vlq4mQ/s728/post-11866-0-21234500-1388166319.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="536" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8YgsxHK0U4RtqLAc8Ve9lP0zusZQnqcXcafTcT2tARWfPQDqIGafP0eKBzxwrML6uRrVQw9ioNaDfBqbhXpmCCMYm-Rs0KLxBsrCpIcFYRH1EPiH2zLQiCY5fsW7rio-AjQXx6Vlq4mQ/w139-h189/post-11866-0-21234500-1388166319.png" width="139" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Montgomery was born in Scotland. His dad was a Moravian
pastor. James Montgomery’s parents
went as missionaries to the West Indies when he was only six years old. They
believed that leaving James with the Moravian community in Antrim, Ireland
would be best for him. It certainly shaped him spiritually. You may remember
that the Moravians were the ones who had such an impact on John and George
Wesley. In remembering those days,
Montgomery recounted:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i><b>“…whatever we did was
done in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, whom we were taught to
regard in the amiable and endearing light of a friend and brother.” </b></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i> </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">During his time with the Moravians, James was motivated to begin writing
poetry and particularly hymns. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Six years after leaving for the mission field, both of
Montgomery’s parents tragically died. Later he was sent to school in England
where he failed. He then moved to
Sheffield, England in 1793 and attempted to sell his poetry on the streets. He
ended up securing a job writing for a politically active newspaper called the <i>Sheffield Register</i> working alongside the
editor, Joseph Gales. In 1794 Gales left England to avoid political persecution
and Montgomery took over as editor. He changed the name of the paper to the <i>Sheffield Iris</i>. Montgomery was the
editor for 31 years. During that time he too was imprisoned for a few of his
editorials that included his disagreements with the government. Montgomery’s theological
training with the Moravians shaped his worldview. It was reflected in his
concern for humanitarian causes such as the abolition of slavery and the
exploitation of child chimney sweeps. These passions often came out in his editorials as well as
his poetry. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">On Christmas Eve, 1816, after reading Luke 2, Montgomery
penned the words to <i>“Angels from the
Realms of Glory” </i>and published it in the <i>Sheffield Iris</i> on Christmas Day, 1816. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">The song is a powerful call to worship. Somewhat uniquely,
this carol is filled with commands for nearly everyone to “come and worship.” </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b>First, Montgomery calls the angels to “come and worship”:</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i> Angels from the realms of glory,</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Wing your flight o’er
all the earth;</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Ye who san creation’s
story</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Now proclaim Messiah’s
birth:</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Come and worship, come
and worship,</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Worship Christ the
newborn King! </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b>Next, he calls the shepherds to “come and worship”:</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Shepherds, in the
fields abiding,</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Watching o’er your
flocks by night,</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>God with man is now
residing; </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Yonder shines the
infant Light: </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Come and worship, come
and worship,</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Worship Christ the
newborn King! </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b>Thirdly, the wise men are called to “come and worship”:</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Sages, leave your
contemplations,</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Brighter visions beam
afar;</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Seek the great Desire
of nations;</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Ye have seen the
Infant’s star:</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Come and worship, come
and worship,</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Worship Christ the
newborn King! </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i> </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b>Then the saints in heaven are called to “come and worship”:</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Saints, before the
altar bending,</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Watching long in hope
and fear;</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Suddenly the Lord,
descending,</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>In His temple shall
appear:</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Come and worship, come
and worship,</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Worship Christ the
newborn King! </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b>Finally, a stanza that is often left out, sinners are called
to “come and worship”: </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Sinners, wrung with
true repentance,</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Doomed for guilt to
endless pains,</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Justice now revokes
your sentence,</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Mercy calls you;
breaks your chains:</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Come and worship, come
and worship,</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Worship Christ the
newborn King! </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i> </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Once I learned about this last stanza, I wished that it
hadn’t been left out of most of our hymnals. I understand how some might read
that original, final stanza and think it makes this familiar Christmas carol
end on a downer. But I disagree. This is the logical progression, isn’t it?
Angels, Shepherds, Sages, Saints, and then sinners, are all called to “come and
worship.” We, the sinners, can come and worship because <i><b>“justice has revoked
our sentence and mercy has broken our chains.”</b></i> That’s the gospel in a nutshell! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">We will include this last stanza in our Christmas worship tomorrow. </p>Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-4307223384527765532020-10-31T08:28:00.005-07:002020-10-31T09:49:49.458-07:00How Should Elect Exiles Participate in Earthly Elections?<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwXpg3wDw91MVQ2NUbKmUjvLiAdcO9CvxNgO-cpPBQ8KkSYFIi1OK1EviirvSY8VzfqG9z3lu7GZ5h-xuAfeu8j0709m3l4hit1KcOiR8ZO5irLWdnJRasPTnfzFsBibHjxnRGvXH4zq3/s1280/maxresdefault-23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwXpg3wDw91MVQ2NUbKmUjvLiAdcO9CvxNgO-cpPBQ8KkSYFIi1OK1EviirvSY8VzfqG9z3lu7GZ5h-xuAfeu8j0709m3l4hit1KcOiR8ZO5irLWdnJRasPTnfzFsBibHjxnRGvXH4zq3/w400-h226/maxresdefault-23.jpg" width="400" /></a><b style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"> </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;">Employing a variety of words the writers of the New Testament teach us that<i>“this world is not our home, we’re just a passing through.”</i> We are called sojourners, strangers, aliens, foreigners and exiles<i>. “Our citizenship is in heaven, from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”</i> (Philippians 3:20)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;">Home is not here. Heaven is home.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;">At the same time we are to <i>“conduct ourselves with fear throughout the time of our exile”</i> (I Peter 1:17b) We are <i>“the salt of the earth”</i> and <i>“the light of the world.”</i> (Matthew 5:13,14) We are to be <i>“making the best use of the time because the days are evil.”</i> (Ephesians 5:16) And a personal favorite that speaks to a believer’s civic involvement, written specifically to those in Babylonian exile, <i>“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”</i> (Jeremiah 29:7)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;">These two parallel truths mean that Christians are dual-citizens: citizens of heaven and, while exiled, citizens of the USA.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;">So, how do we as elect exiles participate in an earthly election? A few suggestions.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"> </p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><b>Participate with responsibility and joy.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;">Political life in the Roman Empire during the first century looked much differently. There were no political campaigns to speak of for Augustus, Claudius, or Nero. No political ads. No mail-in ballots. No debates. No voting. The major portions of Scripture written to first century believers about their civic duty (Romans 13:1-7; I Peter 2:13-17; I Timothy 2:1-3) were written to citizens of an imperialistic political regime. It is an amazing privilege as Americans to be given a voice in choosing our leaders. Christians addressed in the New Testament were under the tyrannical thumb of emperors. Their Biblical instruction was simple: submit. In the USA, however, believers can be involved. Christian stewardship compels us to participate by voting. And, we should participate with cheerfulness and a big spoon-full of gratitude. So with a smile, behind that mask, go vote! </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"> </p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><b>2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><b>What are these politicians supposed to be doing anyway?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;">The political infrastructure in the first century compared to 2020 was vastly divergent. But the God-ordained purposes for government are not. The origins of human government were arguably revealed when Noah and his seven family members stepped out of the ark. It was then that the Lord established the death penalty for murder. The execution was to be carried-out by another human. (Genesis 9:5-6) Yet, five Books to the right in our Bibles is the Book of Judges. This chaotic, violent book demonstrates vividly what happens when there is anarchy rather than law and order. There was no government (“King in Israel”). <i>“Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”</i> (Judges 17:6;18:1;19:1;21:25) In a fallen world, government is necessary. (I Timothy 1:8-11) What are they supposed to be doing?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">👉</span><b style="font-size: 12pt;">Doing justice by punishing evil and rewarding good.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;">Government is ordained by God to distribute justice by impartially rendering judgment, righting wrongs, and administering punishment to lawbreakers and wrongdoers. (Romans 13:1-7; I Peter 2:13-14; Psalm 82:2-4; Micah 6:8)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">👉</span><b style="font-size: 12pt;">Paying attention to the weak and marginalized.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;">Daniel spoke this governmental job description to Nebuchadnezzar when he said, <i>“show mercy to the oppressed.”</i> (Daniel 4:27) Free markets as well as more distributive economies are often abused by the greedy, when not governed. They trample and cheat the less fortunate. Government should watch-out for the oppressed and the vulnerable.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">👉</span><b style="font-size: 12pt;">Protecting human freedoms and preserving peace.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;">The US Constitution outlines basic freedoms that we have as citizens: freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and of petitioning the government. Other freedoms outlined in the Bill of Rights are freedom to bear arms (2<sup>nd</sup>), freedom from unreasonable searches or seizure of our property (4<sup>th</sup>), freedom from self-incrimination in court (“pleading the fifth”), freedom from slavery or involuntary servitude (13<sup>th</sup>), etc. The Declaration of Independence declares that these freedoms are rooted in “Laws of Nature and Nature’s God” saying:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><i><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #555555; font-family: Times;">“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness<b>.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed….</b></span></i><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #555555; font-family: Times;">(emphasis mine)”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><b><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #555555; font-family: Times;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #555555; font-family: Times;">We are instructed to pray for these kinds of leaders. (I Timothy 2:1-3) Which leads us to conclude that we should also vote for these kinds of leaders. </span>(I Timothy 1:8-11; 2:1-3)<span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #555555; font-family: Times;"> </span><i>“That we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”</i> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;">[P.S. We should also pray that they would be <i>“saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” </i>This is <i>“good and pleasing to God our Savior!”</i> ]</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"> </p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><b>3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><b>How do you weigh personal character against unbiblical policies?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;">What matters most? Is it the character of the candidates or is it the policies/positions of the candidates? In a perfect world, we’d answer with a snarky, “yes.” But in a perfect world we do not live. Our political system is binary. From my view, if we want our vote to matter, we should cast a vote for one of the two candidates. Casting a vote for someone who has no prayer of winning, or writing-in a name is to throw away your vote. (Again, my blog, my opinion.) That makes the decision of weighing character against policies crucial. Consider a few things.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><b>💢BOTH matter. </b> A leader can’t separate <i>what</i> they do from<i> who </i>they are. You can’t neatly divorce a candidate’s virtues and vices from their political policies. (Proverbs 25:5) So, this is messy. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><b>💢All sin is not created equal.</b> While all sin is equally damning and equally in need for the blood of Christ, there are some sins that are worse than others. Some sins result in greater damage and receive greater punishment than others. (Revelation 20:12-14) For example, the Lord Jesus elevated the law by including sins of the heart. He taught that the law says “no murder”, but hatred in the heart is murder in the heart. He went on to say that the law says “no adultery”, but lust in the heart is adultery in the heart. Jesus was teaching that we should not underestimate sins of the heart. But He wasn’t teaching us to overestimate sins of the heart either. Lustful thoughts are sinful, but they don’t result in the same damage and consequences as having an affair. Hateful thoughts are sinful, but they don’t result in the embittered person being tried for murder.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><b>💢Leaders of God’s people were often glaringly flawed in character while still being used of God to effectively guide His people.</b> Uzziah was the tenth king (apparently a hero of the prophet Isaiah, 6:1) of Judah. <i>“And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, …<b>except that the high places were not removed</b>.(emphasis mine)”</i> (II King 15:3-4) <i>“And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jepthah….”</i> (Hebrews 11:32) But you can check them out to see how flawed their character was yet God used them to <i>“conquer kingdoms, enforce justice…and put foreign armies to flight…”</i> (Hebrews 11:33-35)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;">It’s not a newsflash to point out that there is a plethora of character deficiencies with the two candidates. They have manifested arrogance, dishonesty, plagiarism, greed, corrupt speech, slander, racially charged language, insults, corruption,immorality, lack of transparency, etc. <span style="font-size: 12pt;">We should carefully consider these.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;">We must also weigh the platforms of the candidates. These positions will result in policies, legislation and judges that will often constrain us on some level to participate as citizens. These policies are important issues like: the continued unrestricted availability of abortions (3,000 babies are aborted each day in the USA per the CDC), police reform, transgender participation in the military and athletics, criminal justice reform, the sanctity of marriage, DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)<span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt;">,</span> law and order, school choice, climate stewardship, opportunity zones, religious liberties, immigration, taxation, self-defense, etc. <span style="font-size: 12pt;">We should carefully consider these.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"> </p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><b>4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><b>Worship with your vote.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><b>“</b>All of life is worship.” True statement. Because worship includes things as mundane as what we <i>‘eat or drink’</i> (I Corinthians 10:31) it certainly includes voting in a democratic, constitutional republic.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;">So, “whether you mail in your ballot, drop-off your ballot, or fill-out your ballot in that little cramped booth at your polling location, do it all to the glory of God.”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"> </p><p style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><b>5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><b>Offer your free-will vote. Trust your sovereign God.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;">The late Evangelist Billy Graham quipped, “I’ve read the last page of the Bible, it’s all going to turn out all right.” Love it! As elect exiles enjoying dual-citizenship, we are obliged to conscientiously offer our free-will vote. But concurrently we can fully and confidently rest in the LORD of history. <i>“He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings.”</i> (Daniel 2:21) <i>“For not from the east (the right) or from the west (the left) and not from the wilderness (media?) comes lifting up, but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.” </i>(Psalm 75:7) Beloved, we can rest as peacefully on November 3<sup>rd</sup> (or 4<sup>th</sup>, 5<sup>th</sup>) as we should on any other night as we look forward to <i>“the kingdom of this world becoming the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”</i> (Revelation 11:15) Maranatha! <i>“Even so come, Lord Jesus!”</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start;"><i>Soli Deo Gloria</i>!</p></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-74697299293200859182020-08-26T08:38:00.003-07:002020-08-26T08:50:31.234-07:00Love's Antonym-What's the Opposite of Love? <p><b style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_uAruewAkb5WE8zCeAtQwauw4exj8zCPVhYebpSSR3POj61Hl7B2zrAevtDDdIPAidvZp3Yvjwu5uL9PFkO71Oep3zlU7tlbplLM2UG0e8lDj6BNrhL4cEVRT37CtKXG_SJwJJEbkSVlN/s2000/CMG+Editor+-+August+26+2020.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_uAruewAkb5WE8zCeAtQwauw4exj8zCPVhYebpSSR3POj61Hl7B2zrAevtDDdIPAidvZp3Yvjwu5uL9PFkO71Oep3zlU7tlbplLM2UG0e8lDj6BNrhL4cEVRT37CtKXG_SJwJJEbkSVlN/w328-h328/CMG+Editor+-+August+26+2020.jpeg" width="328" /></a></b></div><b style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">The opposite of love is hate, right? </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">It's like fire and ice, light and dark, on and off, correct? </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Well, not exactly.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Actually the opposite of<i> </i>love is <i>fear </i>according to the Bible.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” </i> (I John 4:18)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Look at that phrase: <i>“…love casts out fear.”</i> Rather than removing <i>hate</i>, love serves an eviction notice to <i>fear</i>. Love and fear are incompatible. They are bi-polar. Why is that? <b>It is because fear is everything that love is not.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Fear is self-protective.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Fear calculates risks. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Fear envies. It is sad at another’s success.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Fear is jealous. It is happy at another’s failure.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Fear is rude. It doesn’t pick up on social “Q’s.”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Fear is paralyzed by potential failure.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Fear manipulates. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Fear is mute when it should speak.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Fear is loud when it should be quite.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Fear hordes.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Fear is irritable.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Fear doesn’t empathize.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Fear cancels people.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">What does love do? Here it is.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>“We love because [God] first loved us.”</i> (I John 4:19)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Love moves towards those that can hurt, insult, and kill. Love moves towards its enemies rather than running away. Jesus loved us while we were still sinners in rebellion to Him (Romans 5:8). Jesus illustrated the Father’s love to that of a shepherd who had 100 sheep, and just 1 was lost. The Good Shepherd left the 99 to find the 1 that was lost. That’s love.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">So, part of growing in love is identifying love’s antonym, its opposite: <b><i>fear.</i></b> Query your own heart so that you can, by the Spirit’s power, drive out fear.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span face="" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>Are you confident you are loved by God or fearful that you are not accepted fully by Him right now?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span face="" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>Is it fear that has kept you from sharing the gospel with your neighbor? Friend? Coworker? (Maybe more challenging), that family member?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span face="" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>Have you avoided being vulnerable and transparent in relationships because you are fearful that you will be hurt, misunderstood, or rejected?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span face="" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>Do you often hesitate being generous because you are afraid you and your family might end up being without?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span face="" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>Are you avoiding small groups and prayer meetings because you are fearful about your ability to pray in public or to answer Bible questions?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span face="" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>How often do you avoid having a difficult conversation with someone who needs to hear the truth?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span face="" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>Do you rarely let your guard down and share areas of struggle, need or prayer requests? And when you actually do share, do you carefully frame it and digitally-enhance what you are sharing in order to make yourself look good?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span face="" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>Are your spiritual gifts sitting dormant because you are afraid of failure or not measuring up to someone else’s giftedness?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span face="" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>When you sin, again, in that oft-confessed area, do you place yourself on spiritual probation until you have had a few days of victory?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span face="" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>Do you have a feeling inside of sadness when you hear of or see others succeed?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Love never fails. (I Cor. 13:8a) Love casts out fear. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Dear Jesus,</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i><br /></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>Thank you that you came to me, when I was rebelliously running from You. I am eternally grateful that You came into the world, not to be served, but to serve and give Your life a ransom for many. Fear is a result of the Fall. My heart is often overtaken by fear. You are the first Person the world has ever known who loved perfectly because You had no fear to expel. Until I am made just like You, help me to identify and cast out love's greatest enemy, fear. </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i><br /></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i>In your Holy Name, Amen. </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-48521865248312837882020-07-01T08:57:00.004-07:002020-07-01T16:52:21.631-07:00Is that the hammer you should have used? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13-Qc72OT0Y2bMtAhP_13kp4J4QPveNDuAbb1ylQt07MNjcUmla9r8L7aUZ8WD6cpovQm9-iYwha6wLQN7m1wdpeZgAa9z0B4NzLuUAHu5E8NJBbZpK9oK7gaYYh1gItS9OtjsfzLE_Mf/s775/sledgehammer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="775" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13-Qc72OT0Y2bMtAhP_13kp4J4QPveNDuAbb1ylQt07MNjcUmla9r8L7aUZ8WD6cpovQm9-iYwha6wLQN7m1wdpeZgAa9z0B4NzLuUAHu5E8NJBbZpK9oK7gaYYh1gItS9OtjsfzLE_Mf/w256-h140/sledgehammer.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">The effectiveness of our communication to one another in large part depends upon our giving as much thought to <i>how</i> we say something as to <i>what</i> we say.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">My Dad was a carpenter. When he had a renovation job that spilled over into the weekend, he would often drag me and my brother along with him as his assistants. Truthfully, I was more of a gofer than an assistant. Daddy would often reiterate a memorable homespun piece of wisdom during those jobs. I remember him repeating a statement: “You don’t use a sledge hammer to do finish work. A sledge hammer is for demolition. A finish hammer (trim hammer) is for beautiful construction.” </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> As a middle-school aged kid, the nuances of hammers meant next to nothing to me. But, now as a middle-aged man, those words have served me well in people renovation.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">A good number of Christians are hammering their various viewpoints today, primarily through social media. Too often the way in which these points are being expressed is causing more damage than help. This communication is often being done with a sledge-hammer when a finish hammer is called for. Delicate, personal issues of life like our health and race-relations call for a hammer fitted for attaching beautiful crown molding, not a wrecking ball used for destroying cement walls. Consider how we are using the wrong hammers in our present communication.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b>The Absolute Hammer<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">The absolute hammer recognizes no nuance, gray areas, or debatable spaces. You are either on one side or the other. No middle ground.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">First, it must be said that there is absolute truth. For the Christian, those absolute spaces include the authority of Scripture and the gospel. Make no mistake, the absolute hammer is called for from time-to-time, and Christians should not be bashful to employ it.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">But using the absolute hammer, when the point we are making is not in the absolute category is to misuse and abuse it. It is damaging communication that demolishes rather than constructs.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">For instance, in our current situation do you recognize the abuse of the absolute hammer? Statements like, “if you don’t say ‘black lives matter’ you are definitely racist” or “if you don’t say ‘all lives matter’ you are unequivocally fearful and inconsistent” or “if you don’t say ‘blue lives matter’ you are ungrateful and unsupportive of law enforcement” or “if you don’t wear a mask you are selfish and don’t care about the health and wellbeing of other people” or, “if you do wear a mask you are, for sure, a flaming tree-hugging, liberal”, or…you get the idea.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">It is nearly impossible to have constructive communication with one another when we absolutize viewpoints that are not absolute.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b>The Moral Hammer<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Apparently, the moral sledge hammer is a choice-favorite of Christians. The moral hammer is categorizing your viewpoint as a right/wrong or a righteous/sinful choice. The moral hammer operates like this. If you believe anything differently than my viewpoint you are sent to the corner as a rule-breaker. The moral hammer condemns every alternative view as an ethical violation that needs to be repented of. And, if you don’t repent in dust and ashes you or either just oblivious and blind to how deep-rooted and systemic your sin is, or you just don’t understand. You need to educate yourself.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Again, the moral hammer is only good for demolition not construction. We cannot have constructive communication about opposing viewpoints when we hammer the other person into hell or heaven.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Have you been nailed by the moral hammer lately? Accusing one another of ethical or moral violations because we have an alternative view about historical monuments, or the transmission of COVID-19, or the defunding, or reforming, or publicly supporting our law enforcement, or re-opening our economy, or implementing more health restrictions, etc. is to use the moral hammer when there is not a clear moral precept at stake.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">To be clear, to call on another person to repent is to believe in your heart that the person you are saying that to, has clearly broken God’s moral law. Are you sure about that? Chapter and verse, please.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b>The Inflammatory Hammer<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">It’s now been decades since those weekend construction jobs with my Dad. And I have learned that there are over three dozen different types of hammers. There are drywall hammers, electrician’s hammers, planishing hammers and shingle hammers. There are more hammers in bad communication too. But I will just add one more. Let’s call this the inflammatory hammer.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">The inflammatory hammer uses words, phrases or accusations that provoke to anger or defensiveness. As believers we are called to “provoke one another to love and good works” rather than to wrath.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Inflamed, emotionally-charged verbage breaks-down communication.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">The inflammatory hammer uses name-calling and guilt-by association to hammer its point.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Passions are high right now. Panic is on the rise. If we are not careful (and prayerful) this can be the default communication hammer that we reflex with. We are stressed, afraid and angry so we choose to communicate in a red-face, vein-bulging, provocative way. Sadly, we are witnessing this hammer separate long-time friends. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Oh how we need our Elder Brother’s temperament! Jesus was filled with grace and truth. Mercy and justice. We are called to the same. Let’s use our tongues (and our fingertips) to dispense life-giving, gospel grace to one another. Just like Jesus.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-29610363933719041372020-04-12T03:51:00.000-07:002020-04-12T05:00:24.017-07:00"He is Risen!" "He is Risen, Indeed!" <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Resurrection Sunday: “He is Risen!” “He is Risen, Indeed!”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<i>(Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 23:55-56 and 24; John 20; and Acts 1:1-11)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria";">“Where, O death, is your victory?</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: "cambria";"><br /><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">Where, O death, is your sting?”</span></span></i><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "cambria";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria";"> (1 Corinthians 15:55)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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One of the earliest liturgical confessions is found in how believers would greet one another. From the earliest days of Christianity, it was typical for a believer to greet another believer with, “<i>He is risen.</i>” The other would respond, “<i>He is risen, indeed!</i>”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Why not “<i>He died for me!” and “Amen, me too!”</i>? That has a nice ring to it. While we should never cease marveling at the propitiating, sacrificial love of Jesus on the cross, the fact is, it is not the whole story. Praise God!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Would the gospel even be good news if Jesus stayed dead? Without our Lord’s resurrection, are we even saved?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>How important is the resurrection anyway?<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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Put simply, there is no Christianity if Jesus Christ has not risen from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not peripheral. It is foundational.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Paul says it this way: <i>“Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And <b>if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain</b>.”</i> (1 Corinthians 15:12-14)<o:p></o:p></div>
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In an article titled, “<i>A Call for Theological Triage and Christian Maturity</i>,” Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. gives us a helpful framework to sort and prioritize Christian doctrines and theological issues. He likens our sorting and prioritizing of these issues based on urgency to what medical professionals do in emergency room triage. He lays out three tiers into which he sorts frequently debated theological issues. The first-tier doctrines are the most urgent because, if left undefended, Christianity itself would be destroyed. Put another way, first-tier truths <i>must </i>be believed in order to be a Christian. These doctrines are indispensable. They are true gospel issues. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a first-tier issue. In multiple passages, <b>Scripture links our belief in Jesus’ resurrection to our justification</b>. See the following:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol";">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>“<i>Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and <b>believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be</b> <b>saved</b>.</i>” (Romans 10:9)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "symbol";">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">Speaking of Abraham, Paul says, “<i>That is why his <b>faith was ‘counted to him as righteousness</b>.’</i></span></span><span class="text"><i><sup><span style="background: white;"> </span></sup><span style="background: white;">But the words ‘it was counted to him’ were not written for his sake alone,</span></i></span><i>but for ours also. <b>It will be counted to us who believe</b> in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord,</i><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">” (Romans 4:22-25)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol";">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria";">“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the<b> gospel I preached to you</b>, which you received, in which you stand,</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: "cambria";"> <span class="text">and <b>by which you are being saved</b>, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you <b>as of first importance</b> what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,</span></span></i><span class="text"><b><i><sup><span style="font-family: "cambria";"> </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria";">that he was buried, <b>that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures</b>,</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: "cambria";"> <span class="text">and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.”</span></span></i><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "cambria";"> (1 Corinthians 15:1-5)</span></span><span style="font-family: "cambria";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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In addition, all the gospels record events of the resurrection. Acts, the only history book in the New Testament, emphasizes the telling, re-telling, and telling again of the historicity of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. The resurrection is also a prominent theme in the epistles. These letters teach us, among other things, about being <i>in</i> Christ and how His resurrection power, through the Holy Spirit, gives us strength for spiritual growth and enables us to walk in the newness of life.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>Let us go together to Resurrection Sunday nearly 2,000 years ago…<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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Still grieving and miserable, a group of Jesus’ female disciples, who deeply love the Lord, gather spices and head to His tomb the day after Sabbath. They know that, even after the greatest tragedy of their lives, they have to move on. But, first, they want to pay their respects to their Lord. On their way, they discuss how they might roll the stone away from His tomb.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Who are some of these women at Jesus’ tomb on Sunday? We are told that Mary Magdalene is there. Before she become a devoted follower of Jesus, she had seven demons! And then there is Joanna, the wife of Herod Antipas’s household manager! It is strange to think that some of the payroll money from Herod himself was likely used to help finance the ministry of Jesus. There is also Mary, the mother of James the Younger and Joses (Joseph), and Salome, among others.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jesus had previously indicated to His disciples that He would rise from the dead on the third day, but none of His disciples, including these women, appears to anticipate this event. Instead, it seems they are moved to visit His tomb by their by great love and affection, and to spend time grieving over Him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>But, they are in for a surprise…</i> You see, sometime earlier this morning, the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus had transformed, and He began to breathe in His glorious resurrected body. By the time they arrive, He had already shed His grave clothes and exited from the tomb.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is a morning like no other. There is great earthquake and an angel of the Lord descends from heaven and rolls the stone away from the entrance of the tomb! A Roman guard who is assigned to guard the tomb, in case Jesus’ disciples attempt to steal His body, falls to the ground in terror.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As the women arrive at the tomb, they are shocked to see that the stone has already been rolled away. They are even more perplexed when they enter the tomb and find that His body is gone. Some of the women then meet with two angels who ask them why they are seeking the living among the dead? They tell them that Jesus is alive! He is risen! After these women hear the news of His resurrection, they rush to share it with the other disciples. Jesus Himself meets them on their way. When the women tell the other disciples what had happened, many of the other disciples think they are just telling some fanciful story.<o:p></o:p></div>
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At some point, Mary rushes off to tell Peter and John that the body of Jesus was evidently stolen. John and Peter race to the tomb. John wins the foot race, but Peter enters the tomb first. Peter and John see the grave clothes undisturbed, and His body gone. After Peter and John leave the tomb, Mary lingers, crying. She then sees two angels where His body had laid. After that, she sees her Lord Jesus. Mary then announces to the other disciples that she has seen the risen Lord! <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Lord Jesus then appears bodily to His disciples, including along the road to Emmaus. Later, Jesus appears to them when they are gathered in a room together. Thomas is absent, but, Jesus appears again when Thomas is present and Thomas believes after seeing Jesus with His own eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Over the next 40 days, Jesus appears in Galilee to His disciples, restores Peter to public ministry, and appears to over 500 disciples at one time. Finally, he meets with His disciples one last time in Jerusalem before He ascends before their eyes. <o:p></o:p></div>
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After being filled with the Spirit, this group of previously-frightened disciples begin to boldly share the good news and proclaim the bodily resurrection of Christ. Most of them end up being martyrs for Jesus.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>What can we take away from this?<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol";">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b>Jesus truly lives!</b> He was seen in bodily form by hundreds, many of whom were still living, and could attest to that fact, at the time of broad circulation of some of the gospel accounts. Would His disciples have remained so committed to proclaiming His resurrection to the point of death if it was not true? <span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "symbol";">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">For those of us who believe, <b>we have the same Spirit who rose Jesus from the dead dwelling in us</b>! We have His resurrection power!</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "verdana";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><i><span style="background: white;">“Dear Heavenly Father, as we come to the end of Holy Week, we praise You for the many insights we gleaned throughout this series, and we ask You to continue to work in our lives to make us better students of Your Word, and better followers of You. Please sanctify us by Your Spirit. Lord, we cannot even imagine what it will be like to be transformed bodily as You were. As Your Word promises, our bodies will undergo this great and mysterious transformation – the perishable will become imperishable and the mortal will become immortal. Jesus, thank you for this victory you have wrought through Your life, death, burial, resurrection, appearance to many, and ascension to the Father, where You actively intercede for us. We ask You to empower and equip us, by Your Holy Spirit, to fulfill the works You have preordained for us, for our lives are Your handiwork, and continue to lead us every step of the way. We desire to be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord, trusting that our efforts are not in vain. Thank You, Lord, that You live and that we can have a personal relationship with You. Finally, on this Resurrection Day in 2020, a year of great suffering and trial for millions, I plead with You to stir hearts of millions to repent of their sin and put their confidence and trust in You and Your good news. Lord, as You opened the eyes and minds of Your disciples to what You had previously told them after you appeared to them in Your resurrected body, would You open the eyes and minds of millions on this day to see and believe the gospel? We love You, Lord. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.”</span><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-85849052113547436082020-04-11T04:37:00.001-07:002020-04-11T04:42:28.692-07:00Day Seven: Silent Saturday<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Low in the grave He lay,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus my Savior<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Waiting the coming day,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus, my Lord!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">- R. Lowry<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">The seventh day of Holy Week is referred to as “Silent Saturday.” This is understandable because there is not much recorded in Scripture about this day. It seems everyone was either grieving or waiting. The disciples were laying low.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Even today, do we not want to move as quickly as possible from the crucifixion to the resurrection? After all, no one says, “Saturday’s coming!” on Good Friday. But, before we rush to the end of this Holy Week, let us slow down to consider some intriguing questions: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Where was Jesus on Silent Saturday? Did he “descend into hell?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Apostles’ Creed</span></u><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Theologians have long grappled with these questions. No one disputes that there is significant church </span><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">tradition</span></i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"> that holds that Jesus descended into hell after He was crucified. In fact, the traditional version of the Apostles’ Creed, from the mid-7th century onward, states that our Lord “</span><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">…was crucified, dead, and buried. <u>He descended into hell</u>. The third day he rose again from the dead.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">However, the earliest manuscripts of the Apostles’ Creed did not include this statement about Jesus descending into hell. Only in around 390 A.D. did the language show up in one version of the Apostles’ Creed, although many believe that the phrase, at that time, was understood to mean simply that Christ was buried or descended to the grave. It was not until around 650 AD. that the phrase began to be understood as it is today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Scripture<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Although creeds and confessions, including the Apostles’ Creed, do not carry the authority of Scripture, because they are not </span><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">inspired</span></i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">, they have been widely accepted and used for centuries as they help distill the Scripture’s teachings and crystalize the tenets of our faith. But, this particular statement in the Apostles’ Creed is steeped in debate because </span><b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">there is no verse or Scripture passage that states that Jesus “descended into hell.”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"> This language is not found anywhere in the Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Those who believe Jesus descended into hell use various Scripture passages to back up this assertion. These are explored in more detail below. The primary passages on which they depend are as follows (emphasis added):<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/blogger.g?blogID=8187971056254119323#_ftn1" name="_ftnref" style="color: purple;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;">[1]</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Ephesians 4:7-10 says, <i>“But grace was given to each on of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, ‘When he ascended on high <u>he led a host of captives</u>, and he gave gifts to men.’ (In saying, ‘He ascended,’ what does it mean but that he had also <u>descended into the lower regions, the earth</u>? <u>He who descended</u> is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Two passages in 1 Peter used in conjunction with each other:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14pt;">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">1 Peter 3:18-20 says, <i>“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, <u>in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison</u>, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely </i></span><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">through water.”</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14pt;">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">1 Peter 4:6a says, </span><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“</span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-size: 14pt;">For this is why the gospel was preached <u>even to those who are dead</u>,…”</span></i><span style="background: white; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Luke 16:19-31 – Jesus’ parable of Lazarus and the rich man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Let us tackle these purported proof texts in order. After that, we will survey the Scriptures for any other clues about Jesus’ whereabouts on Silent Saturday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Ephesians 4:7-10 tells us that Jesus descended somewhere. It does not refer to hell. In the ESV (used above), the phrase describing the location to which He descended is “into the lower regions, the earth.” In the NIV, the language says “lower, earthly regions.” I believe this language is describing Christ’s incarnation, or when He came to the earth as a human. I do not believe this language refers to a descent to hell, but to earth itself from heaven. We are told in this same passage that, when He ascended, He led a host of captives. Many commentators view this as victory language that describes sinners, who were captive, being led out of captivity. I agree with this interpretation. Jesus gave us the bounty of war when He sent us His Holy Spirit as well as gifts to all those who were earlier captives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">The two 1 Peter passages are often used to support the notion that Jesus went to preach the gospel in hell after being crucified. However, I believe the first 1 Peter passage actually refers to the gospel that was preached to the unbelieving world in the time of Noah. In that time, they refused to hear and only eight souls were saved, as the passage makes clear. The second 1 Peter passage referenced above does not mean, as some would understand it, that the gospel is or should be preached to the dead, as if they had another chance after death to repent and believe. They do not. Rather, this passage is referring to the preaching of the gospel to those who </span><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">were</span></i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"> alive but are </span><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">now</span></i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"> dead. Scripture makes it clear that, after death, then comes judgment… not another chance. (Hebrews 9:27)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Biblical scholars have also created a theory, leveraging Luke 16, that the abode of the dead (Hades) was divided into multiple compartments, and that, when Jesus was in the tomb, He was preaching the gospel to Old Testament saints and releasing them from this temporary compartment. Of course, as we explored above, there are those who believe that Jesus literally went to hell, and do not subscribe to the compartmental theory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">By now, you can probably easily see how one statement in the Apostles’ Creed has resulted in a plethora of arguments about Jesus descending into hell, even though those arguments are mostly from silence or have flimsy Biblical support.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Scriptural Clues Pointing to Jesus’ True Whereabouts on Saturday<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">I do not see any Scriptural basis for the claim that Jesus’ human soul and divine nature went to hell, or the place of torment. Instead, I am encouraged by two of Jesus’ own statements from the cross that indicate where Jesus was between the crucifixion and the resurrection:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jesus told the thief that repented and trusted in Him, “</span><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">this day you will be with me in paradise.</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">His last statement from the cross was, “<b><i>Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.</i></b>”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">For all who die in Christ, Scripture teaches that when we are absent from the body, we are at home with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8) Given that, and based on His statements on the cross, I believe that is exactly where our Lord Jesus was before His resurrection: absent from the body, but at home with the Father.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">If Jesus did not <u>descend</u> into hell, did He <u>experience</u> hell?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">But, can we still understand that Jesus experienced hell for us? After all, 2 Corinthians 5:21 says that “</span><b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">God has made Jesus to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Also, our Lord Jesus cried out, “</span><b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">” Our Lord Jesus certainly endured all the wrath of eternal hell on the cross. Because of this, there is no hell left for those who are in Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">C.H. Spurgeon put it this way: “‘Hell consists in the hiding of God’s face from sinners’ and that God hid His face from Christ in the moment of his forsakenness on the cross.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">The <i>Westminster Larger Catechism Q.38</i> asks the question, “Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be God?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">The answer is, “It was requisite that the mediator should be God that he might sustain and keep the human nature from sinking under the infinite wrath of God, and the power of death; give worth and efficacy to his sufferings, obedience, and intercession: and to satisfy God’s justice, procure his favor, purchase a peculiar people, give his Spirit to them, conquer all their enemies, and bring them to everlasting salvation.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Praise God that Jesus did endure our hell. There was hell to pay for our sins.</span></b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"> “In my place condemned He stood. Hallelujah! What a Savior!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">What can we take away from Silent Saturday?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Is your heart rejoicing that God was forsaken by God for you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">The disciples were supposed to be waiting for the coming day. It doesn’t appear that they were though. The gospels indicate that, at least three times on Christ’s nine-month zigzag journey to Jerusalem, He told them that He would be killed in Jerusalem and would rise on the third day. But it does not appear they believed or understood Him. </span><b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">How about us? When we are struck with grief and disappointment, how do we do with waiting and trusting in the promises of God?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">“Dear Heavenly Father, what a sobering reminder there is for us in today’s lesson. With every breath a person takes, there is a chance to repent and believe in Your gospel. While a person lives, there is always hope of salvation from everlasting torment. But, we know that one day there will be no more chances for those who continue to harden their hearts and reject You. That final chance slips away with the last breath. Lord, would you use us today and forevermore to bring You glory, and as vessels of rescue for the lost and heralds of Your amazing grace? We do not want to see You forsake those we love and whom You have put in our paths. We grieve over the thought that they may lose their chances to repent and believe and, instead, experience everlasting shame and contempt. Father, we thank You for loving us and causing us to be born again by Your Holy Spirit. We thank You for your amazing rescue. We thank You that, because You descended to earth and took on human flesh, lived a sinless life, died a death You did not deserve, and rose again on the third day (… Sunday is coming!), we now have the hope of eternal life and the promise that we will dwell with our God forever in a new creation, free of sorrow, pain, and sin. We love You, Lord! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/blogger.g?blogID=8187971056254119323#_ftnref" name="_ftn1" style="color: purple;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span class="msoIns" style="color: black;"><ins cite="mailto:Jessica%20Cicali" datetime="2020-04-10T20:57" style="text-decoration-line: none;">[1]</ins></span></span></a><span class="msoIns" style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><ins cite="mailto:Jessica%20Cicali" datetime="2020-04-10T21:01" style="text-decoration-line: none;"> Proponents of the argument that Jesus descended into hell also refer to</ins></span><span class="msoIns" style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><ins cite="mailto:Jessica%20Cicali" datetime="2020-04-10T21:07" style="text-decoration-line: none;"> </ins></span><span class="msoIns" style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><ins cite="mailto:Jessica%20Cicali" datetime="2020-04-10T21:01" style="text-decoration-line: none;">Romans 10:7, Matthew 12:40</ins></span><span class="msoIns" style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><ins cite="mailto:Jessica%20Cicali" datetime="2020-04-10T21:08" style="text-decoration-line: none;">, Acts 2:24-28, </ins></span><span class="msoIns" style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><ins cite="mailto:Jessica%20Cicali" datetime="2020-04-10T21:01" style="text-decoration-line: none;">and the book of Jonah</ins></span><span class="msoIns" style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><ins cite="mailto:Jessica%20Cicali" datetime="2020-04-10T21:02" style="text-decoration-line: none;"> (in particular, his psalm in Jonah 2)</ins></span><span class="msoIns" style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><ins cite="mailto:Jessica%20Cicali" datetime="2020-04-10T21:12" style="text-decoration-line: none;">, as well as multiple Old Testament passages on Sheol. </ins></span></div>
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Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-71074293453581712522020-04-10T03:11:00.001-07:002020-04-10T03:15:06.850-07:00Day Six: Good Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">(Matthew 26:47-27:61;Mark 14:42-15:47; Luke 22:47-23:56; John 18:2-42)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">“That entire drama of tragedy, from the arrest in the garden of Gethsemane to the last spear-thrust in His side on Golgotha, was so utterly illegal that had He but spoken one sentence of assertion of His rights, under either Jewish or Roman law, the crucifixion would never have occurred. But He did not speak, He chose His suffering.” </span></i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">– E.W. Westhafer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Why do we call the day on which Jesus suffered and died, in possibly the most terrible way known to mankind, “<b><i>good</i></b>”? Marcus Tullius Cicero, Roman statesman, lawyer, and philosopher, referred to crucifixion as “<b><i>a most cruel and disgusting punishment.</i></b>” Flavius Josephus, renowned Jewish historian, called it “<b><i>the most wretched of deaths</i>.”</b> Not only was it a physically disfiguring, gruesome, and torturous death, but it was intended to openly humiliate and shame its victims as they died. The Romans would often select the most heavily trafficked roads along which to crucify their enemies or criminals. It was the most dreaded death in the ancient world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">The fact that we call something so ostensibly tragic and shameful “good” is, as G.K. Chesterton famously put it, “<i>truth standing on her head in order to get attention</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">This post will explore the paradox of “Good Friday” after first reviewing a timeline of the events on this day of Holy Week nearly 2,000 years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Timeline of Events on Good Friday<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">The events of Good Friday have been helpfully plotted on a suggested timeline based on the gospel accounts.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/blogger.g?blogID=8187971056254119323#_ftn1" name="_ftnref" style="color: purple;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;">[1]</span></a> It is as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">12:00 to 2:00 a.m. </span></b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus is </span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">arrested in Gethsemane.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">(<span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+26%3A47-56&version=ESV">Matthew 26:47-56</a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+14%3A42-52&version=ESV">Mark 14:42-52</a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+22%3A47-53&version=ESV">Luke 22:47-53</a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+18%3A2-12&version=ESV">John 18:2-12</a></span>)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">4:00 to 6:00 a.m.</span></b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"> Jesus is tried before Annas and Caiaphas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">(</span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Matthew%2026%3A57%E2%80%9368/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 26:57–68</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Mark%2014%3A53-65/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Mark 14:53-65</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2022%3A66%E2%80%9370/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Luke 22:66–70</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/John%2018%3A12%E2%80%9328/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">John 18:12–28</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">)</span></i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">6:00 to 8:00 a.m. </span></b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus is tried before Pontius Pilate and Herod Antipas. Jesus appears before Pilate, is sent over to Herod, and then back to Pilate where He is sentenced to be crucified.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">(</span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Matthew%2027%3A1%E2%80%9326/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 27:1–26</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Mark%2015%3A1%E2%80%9315/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Mark 15:1–15</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; <a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2023%3A1%E2%80%9325/" style="color: purple;"><span style="color: #72abbf;">Luke 23:1–25</span></a>; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/John%2018%3A28%E2%80%9319%3A16/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">John 18:28–19:16</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">)</span></i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">8:00 to 8:30 a.m.</span></b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"> Jesus carries his cross, assisted by Simon of Cyrene.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">(</span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Matthew%2027%3A27%E2%80%9332/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 27:27–32</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Mark%2015%3A16%E2%80%9322/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Mark 15:16–22</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2023%3A26%E2%80%9333/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Luke 23:26–33</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/John%2019%3A16%E2%80%9317/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">John 19:16–17</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">9:00 a.m. (Crucifixion)</span></b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"> Jesus is crucified. “Now it was the third hour…” (<a href="https://www.esv.org/Mark%2015%3A25/" style="color: purple;"><span style="color: #72abbf;">Mark 15:25</span></a>). For the Jewish people, the first hour of the day is 6:00 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">(</span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Matthew%2027%3A35/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 27:35</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2023%3A33/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Luke 23:33</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/John%2019%3A18%E2%80%9322/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">John 19:18–22</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">9</span></b><b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">:00 to </span></b><b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">9:30 a.m.</span></b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"> The soldiers divide Jesus’ clothing. He prays for them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">(</span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Matthew%2027%3A35/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 27:35</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Mark%2015%3A24/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Mark 15:24</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2023%3A34/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Luke 23:34</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/John%2019%3A23%E2%80%9324/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">John 19:23–24</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">9:30</span></b><b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"> to </span></b><b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">11:00 a.m.</span></b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"> The soldiers watch over the crucifixion and mock Jesus: “He can’t save himself. Come down from there, Son of God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">(</span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Matthew%2027%3A36%E2%80%9343/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 27:36–43</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Mark%2015%3A29%E2%80%9332/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Mark 15:29–32</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2023%3A35%E2%80%9338/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Luke 23:35–38</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">11:00 a.m. to Noon </span></b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus speaks from the cross to the thieves on either side. The repentant thief asks Jesus to remember Him, and Jesus promises, “Today<i> </i>you will be with me in paradise.” And to His mother, Mary, and to John, Jesus says, “Woman, here is your son. . . . John, here is your mother.’”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">(</span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Matthew%2027%3A38%E2%80%9344/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 27:38–44</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2023%3A39%E2%80%9343/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Luke 23:39–43</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/John%2019%3A25%E2%80%9327/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">John 19:25–27</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Noon</span></b><b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">A three-hour darkness descends upon the land: “When the sixth hour had come, there was a darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">(</span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Matthew%2027%3A45/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 27:45</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Mark%2015%3A33/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Mark 15:33</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Noon to 3:00 p.m.</span></b><b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">The earth quakes, the temple curtain is torn, and Jesus thirsts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">(</span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Matthew%2027%3A51%E2%80%9354/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 27:51–54</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Mark%2015%3A38/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Mark 15:38</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2023%3A45/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Luke 23:45</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Matthew%2027%3A46%E2%80%9350/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 27:46–50</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Mark%2015%3A33%E2%80%9337/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Mark 15:33–37</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2023%3A35%E2%80%9338/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Luke 23:35–38</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/John%2019%3A29/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">John 19:29</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">3:00 p.m.</span></b><b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus dies: “At the ninth hour, Jesus cried out, ‘My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?’” “Jesus said, ‘It is finished,’ and he gave up his spirit.” </span><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">(</span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Matthew%2027%3A46/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 27:46</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Mark%2015%3A34%E2%80%9339/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Mark 15:34–39</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2023%3A46/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Luke 23:46</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">; </span></i><a href="https://www.esv.org/John%2019%3A30/" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: #72abbf; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">John 19:30</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">)</span></i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">What is good about Good Friday?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">What Christ accomplished on the cross for sinners can be described using a plethora of Biblical terms:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #272727; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">The word <b><i>expiation</i></b> is a sacrificial word. It refers to our sins being removed – taken away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #272727; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">The word <b><i>justification</i></b> is a legal<b> </b>word. It refers to believers being declared completely righteous in Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #272727; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">The word <b><i>redemption</i></b> is a commercial word that speaks of payment for our sin and satisfaction of our debt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #272727; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Reconciliation</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">is a relational word that speaks of our broken relationships with God being restored.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">But what about this word <b><i>propitiation</i></b><i> </i>that we so often encounter in the New Testament? This is a <b>wrathful</b> word. It describes God’s righteous wrath being appeased because it was poured out on the perfect, spotless Lamb of God on the cross. The only way we can begin to understand how the cruel, violent death of an innocent man on a Roman cross is good, is to understand the word “<b><i>propitiation</i></b>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">The great reformer, Martin Luther, fell in love with this word. He was avid in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. He preferred to read his Old Testament in Greek. The Greek translation of the Old Testament is called the Septuagint. Luther discovered that the Greek word for propitiation (<b><i>hilasmos</i></b>) was used in the Greek translation of “<b><i>mercy seat</i></b>” in Exodus 25:22.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">You see, in both the Old and New Testaments, God consistently reveals that His attributes of justice and holiness demand that He deal with evil. His wrath is a righteous and just response to sin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Under the Old Testament sacrificial system, on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies. This was permitted only once per year. In Leviticus 16, we read about a sacrificial offering involving two kid goats. The pair would be presented to the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. Then, through the casting of lots, one kid goat would be sacrificed as a sin offering and its blood sprinkled on the mercy seat (<i>hilasmos</i>). The other was the scapegoat. This one would be released into the wilderness, never to be seen again. This was to symbolize the absolute removal of the sins and impurities of God’s people, never to be remembered by God again. The scapegoat would represent <i>expiation</i>. But the sacrificed goat, and its blood sprinkled on the mercy seat, represented <i>atonement</i>, or <i>propitiation</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">On the cross, once for all time, </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">God Himself paid the penalty for sin that God demands.</span></b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Love and justice meet in Jesus <i>“…whom God put forward as a <b>propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith</b></i>. </span><span class="text"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 14pt;">This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.<b><sup> </sup></b>It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be <b>just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus</b>.</span></i></span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">” (Romans 3:25-26)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">This propitiation is what the prophet Isaiah foresaw when he prophesied four hundred years prior and spoke of the Suffering Servant: <i>“Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief…out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied.” </i>(Isaiah 53:10a; 11a)</span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">So, why is it Good Friday? Because God’s wrath against those who have faith in Jesus is completely satisfied! We have been propitiated! No more wrath. No more judgment. His sacrifice was “once for all!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Till on that cross as Jesus died,</span></i><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /><span style="background: white;">The wrath of God was satisfied</span><br /><span style="background: white;">For every sin on Him was laid</span><br /><span style="background: white;">Here in the death of Christ I live.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">–Getty/Townsend<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">“Oh, Father God, how can we possibly understand that Your will was to crush and put to grief Your Son to save those who do not deserve Your kindness? How can we comprehend the overwhelming torrent of wrath poured out on the innocent and perfect Jesus? And to know that He chose to suffer in this way out of His love for us is awe-inspiring and crushing at the same time. Lord, today, we grieve your suffering, and weep by Your cross, yet we also praise you with ineffable joy and gratitude knowing that You endured all this so that we who believe will never to have to taste the wrath of God. It is amazing to think that, because You, Lord, became sin and endured God’s wrath in our places, what remains for us to receive is an ever-flowing deluge of Your </span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">chesed<i> love – that is, Your infinite, gracious, merciful, loyal, steadfast, and faithful lovingkindness for all eternity. Thank you, Lord <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/null" name="_GoBack"></a>Jesus, for being our source of eternal life, our ransom, our Savior, and our merciful and faithful High Priest, who made propitiation for our sins by Your blood. We love You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/blogger.g?blogID=8187971056254119323#_ftnref" name="_ftn1" style="color: purple;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;">[1]</span></a> Ramsey, Russ. <i><u>Behold the King of Glory: A Narrative of the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.</u></i> <i>Crossway, 2015</i>. </div>
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Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-41335812706169206642020-04-09T03:29:00.001-07:002020-04-09T03:40:07.183-07:00Day Five: Maundy Thursday<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
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<b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Day Five: Maundy Thursday<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">(Matthew 26:17-56; Mark 14:12-51; Luke 22:7-53; John 13-18:14)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Have you ever heard the day before Good Friday referred to as “Maundy Thursday?” If you have, and you are like me, you may have been confused by it. What does “Maundy” mean? The word comes from the Latin word <i>Mandatum</i>. Do you hear the word “mandate” when you say that Latin word out loud? <i>Mandatum</i> means “commandment.” This refers to the new commandment that the Lord Jesus gave His disciples on Thursday of Holy Week after they finished eating the Last Supper and He washed their feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.<sup> </sup>By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"> John 13:34-35<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Christians sometimes refer to this as the “eleventh commandment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">On Maundy Thursday there were a variety of events that took place, including the following:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">The upper room was prepared for the Passover meal;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">The Last Supper;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus washed the disciples’ feet;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus announced His imminent betrayal;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus foretold Peter’s denial;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus issued the new commandment;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus taught His disciples about heaven, the Holy Spirit, and abiding in Him;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus prayed His high priestly prayer;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus prayed in Gethsemane; and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus was arrested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">We will focus on Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane on Thursday of Holy Week. Charles Spurgeon referred to this section of the Scriptures as the “holy of holies of our Lord’s life and work on earth.” This is a place where you feel the need to take off your shoes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Let us go there together…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus and His now eleven disciples (that is, minus Judas), and possibly some of His other followers, leave the upper room and head out to a place called Gethsemane. It is just before midnight on Thursday. The group walks through the dark streets of Jerusalem, through the gates, and down the Kidron Valley. They cross the Kidron Brook and approach the Mount of Olives. At the base of the Mount of Olives is the garden of Gethsemane. The walk is about a mile from the upper room where they celebrated Passover.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">The word Gethsemane means “oil press” and we know that it is a garden. Putting the two together, we come to understand that it is an orchard of olive trees, likely with an oil press. People gather the olives and then compress them in the press to make olive oil. This appears to be a favorite place for our Lord Jesus to get away for prayer and meditation. (We assume this because, later, Judas knows this is where to find Jesus.) Tonight, as Jesus dreads the cross, He needs to be alone with His Father.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Once the group arrives at Gethsemane, Jesus takes His “inner circle” deeper in the garden and opens up to them emotionally. Peter, James, and John are, unsurprisingly, the ones He selects, as they seem to be in a special leadership training program with our Lord. Remember that these are the three Jesus also took with Him when he healed Jarius’s daughter, and when He underwent His amazing transfiguration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus tells these three about the deep emotional anguish He is suffering. He indicates that his sorrow is so severe that it might kill Him. He also asks them to keep watch and pray with Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus then goes a little farther (about 30-40 yards) and falls on His face in prayer to the Father. The Lord Jesus is overwhelmed with what He must face. We are not talking about fear of the physical pain of the cross, or death itself. <b>Rather, this is Jesus, the perfect, holy Son of God facing the overwhelming notion that He is about to bear the wrath of God for the sins of humanity.</b> This reality makes Him “exceeding sorrowful” (Matthew 26:28), “sore amazed” (Mark 14:33), “very heavy” (Mark 14:33), and “in agony” (Luke 22:44). In fact, Jesus is so distressed that he begins to sweat blood.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/blogger.g?blogID=8187971056254119323#_ftn1" name="_ftnref" style="color: purple;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;">[1]</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Then, to add insult to injury, Jesus returns to His inner circle and finds them sleeping. He rebukes them for not being able to wait with Him for an hour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">When Jesus goes to pray alone a second and then a third time, He repeatedly prays, “<i>Father if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.”</i> (Luke 22:41) He is referring to the cup of God’s wrath, which He must drink as He bears the sins of the world. Here we see our Lord's agony and, yet, willingness to submit to the Father’s plan of salvation. <b>The Father’s plan is simple: the just for the unjust.</b> If the Holy One – the Perfect Lamb of God – pays the penalty of death for the sins of the world, then sinners, by faith, may escape that punishment and be saved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">What can we take away from this glimpse into Maundy Thursday?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">1.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Do we see the power of prayer as a means of grace? As Jesus hurtled toward His final hour, He turned to this means of grace as His weapon against anguish and despair, and for strength to face what was to come. If the sinless Son of God was so needful of communing in prayer with His Father, what does this communicate about our need for prayer?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">2. Does it pierce your heart to know how much agony and anguish Jesus suffered over becoming sin to save His people? How should that change our attitudes toward sin in our own lives? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">“Heavenly Father, what a beautiful and tragic plan You, in Your great wisdom, established from before You even set human history in motion. That Your only Son, perfect and holy, would willingly bear the penalty of death for sin and become sin itself to save sinners – specifically, ‘to save a wretch like me’ – is simply astounding. Your grace is infinitely amazing. I cannot even wrap my mind around it all. Like Martin Luther, who was<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/null" name="_GoBack"></a> driven to ask, ‘God forsaken by God, who can understand that?’ today we behold the mystery of Your plan of salvation with a mix of awe, wonder, gratitude, confusion, sorrow, and love. But, one thing we can grasp, by Your Holy Spirit, is that this is a display of the purest form of love humanity has ever encountered. Jesus, thank You! We love You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/blogger.g?blogID=8187971056254119323#_ftnref" name="_ftn1" style="color: purple;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;">[1]</span></a> <span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus could have been experiencing <i>hematidrosis</i>, which is a very rare condition brought on by overwhelming mental stress that causes a person to ooze blood from his/her sweat glands.</span></div>
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Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-32715030784872147512020-04-08T03:05:00.000-07:002020-04-08T03:10:55.675-07:00Day Four: Spy Wednesday <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Day Four: Spy Wednesday<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">(Matthew 26:1-16; Mark 14:1-10; Luke 22:1-5; John 12:37-50)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">At first glance, Wednesday of Holy Week may seem relatively serene. But, this is a deceptive calm before the storm. This day is full of plotting and scheming. Some call it “Spy Wednesday” because it is the day on which Judas agrees to betray Jesus to the Sanhedrin. Judas is likened to a spy because of his surreptitious behavior. The cast of characters we encounter on this day will become increasingly significant as we approach the end of this week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Let us learn more about this cast of characters from nearly 2,000 years ago…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Meet the Sanhedrin:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Remember the group of elite religious leaders who engaged in multiple confrontations with Jesus on <a href="http://pastorfuller.blogspot.com/2020/04/day-three-authority-of-jesus-questioned.html" style="color: purple;">Busy Tuesday and questioned His authority?</a> These leaders are part of the Sanhedrin, which means the “gathering together” or “assembly.” This is the top governing body in Israel responsible for all Jewish matters under authority vested in them by Rome. They are basically the Supreme Court of Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">The Sanhedrin is a relatively large body (71 seats) made up of three distinct groups: the <u>chief priests</u> (mostly Sadducees), the <u>scribes</u> (mostly Pharisees), and the <u>elders</u> (or lay members). The scribes are the ones who study, interpret, and teach others God’s law, which, for them, consists of written <i>and oral</i> law. They view themselves as servants of God to disseminate His law to the people. However, because their view of the law is expansive and includes the traditions of men, they are incredibly legalistic. The Sadducees, on the other hand, are relatively liberal. They do not believe in anything supernatural. No angels. No resurrection. No heaven. No hell. Israel’s elders are the tribal or tribunal heads often found in groups ruling towns and cities. In Jerusalem, prominent local elders are members of the Sanhedrin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">As you can imagine, these groups rarely agree. But they find common ground when it comes to Jesus. <b>They are united by their hatred and desire to do away with Him.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">They are jealous of His power and fear the people because of His popularity. The crowds are wild about Him. He raised the dead. He made the blind see, the deaf hear, and the mute speak. He created food out of thin air to feed thousands. He rebuked violent storms and they obeyed! And He cast out demons, among other miracles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">They are also highly agitated by His behavior this week. He entered Jerusalem to the praise of thousands, publicly cleaned out the court of the Gentiles, and engaged in multiple confrontations with members of the Sanhedrin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Last, but not least, they despise His message. The Sanhedrin preach salvation, or right standing with God, through good works. According to them, people are not simply <i>gifted</i> righteousness, they must <i>earn it</i> by following the law. <b>But, Jesus preaches a radically different message. He calls people to turn from their sin and receive salvation <i>by faith </i>as a free gift from God.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Although they are united in their scheming to do away with Jesus, they have a problem with the timing. They are worried that, if they kill Jesus in the Holy City during Passover with so many people around, there will be riots and uproar. After all, His disciples appear to be fiercely loyal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">How will they pull it off?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Meet Judas Iscariot:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Judas is one of Jesus’ twelve disciples and serves as the treasurer for the group. Today, he seeks out members of the Sanhedrin and negotiates an agreement to turn Jesus over to these murderous people in exchange for 30 pieces of silver. This is about the price of a slave in this Roman economy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Judas must be one of the most incomprehensible unbelievers ever to act on the stage of Scripture. How could someone spend three solid years with the Lord Jesus as a disciple, and then agree to turn Him over to be killed? How can anyone be that evil? That wicked? That self-serving? That callous? That hopeless? What is going on going on inside Judas? What is his motive? Is it money? Greed? Resentment?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Whatever his motive, we know that it is dark and fueled by Satan himself. (Luke 22:3-4) There is certainly more going on here than a guy trying to make 30 pieces of silver.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Some of the gospel writers juxtapose Judas’s shocking decision to betray Jesus with a shocking display of <i>devotion</i> by one of His other followers. In contrast to Judas’s act of hatred and self-serving, we see a radical act of love and sacrifice by Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. You see, Mary recently broke open an alabaster flask of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus’ head. In this act, she revealed that she probably understands even more than the disciples that Jesus’ death is imminent. She has anointed Him for burial.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus even rebuked Judas for being an outspoken critic of Mary’s act. Judas self-righteously accused her of being wasteful and even questioned why they did not sell the perfume and give the proceeds to the poor. After all, the perfume she poured out on the Lord is said to have been worth 300 denarii, or roughly a year’s wages. Jesus made it clear that her act was beautiful to Him and He would honor her for it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">What can we take away from Spy Wednesday?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">1.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Even when wicked people are committing the most atrocious acts, God </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">is at work. While the Sanhedrin and Judas were conspiring, God was sovereignly in control and working events out for His purposes and according to His plan. We can trust the Lord even while we are the recipients of evil from others. We can say to the wicked, “<i><span style="background: white;">As for <em>you</em>, <em>you meant evil</em> against me, but <em>God meant</em> it for <em>good</em>…” </span></i><span style="background: white;">(Genesis 50:20)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">2.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Christ measures actions differently than we do because He knows our true motives. Giving money to the poor is noble, for sure, when given with the right motives. <b>But devotion and love for Christ is, above all, what our Lord sees and honors.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">“Heavenly Father, what a challenging reality to consider: that even when wicked, evil injustice is being carried out, You are still in full control and working out Your sovereign plan. This reality so often results in confusion and pain for us because we cannot see all that You see. Your Word tells us that Your ways and Your thoughts are higher than ours. Your perspective is perfect. Ours are limited. Even your followers were heartbroken and deeply confused by the way that first Holy Week played out. They did not fully understand all that was happening, and they were, understandably, horrified and devastated when they watched the way You were betrayed, beaten, scorned, treated unjustly, hated, mocked, humiliated, despised and, ultimately, murdered. Lord, when we find ourselves in these dark and confusing situations, would You strengthen and comfort us by Your Holy Spirit? Would you bring to our remembrance the truths of Your Word, including those we learned from studying this day of Holy week – that you remain in control and that the future You have planned is bright? Just as you endured the cross for the joy set before you, despising the shame, we can follow your example and suffer well, by<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/null" name="_GoBack"></a> Your might, here on earth. We can be confident that whatever suffering we face is but a momentary affliction that is producing an eternal weight of glory that will far outweigh all our earthly troubles. Thank you for these rich promises and for going before us. Thank you for suffering and dying so that, by turning from our sins and accepting your gift of salvation by faith, we are promised eternal life. We love you, Lord Jesus, our Savior. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-6177269077825399542020-04-07T03:49:00.002-07:002020-04-07T04:25:40.582-07:00Day Three: The Authority of Jesus Questioned<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
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<b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Day Three: The Authority of Jesus Questioned<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #464646; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">(Matthew 21:23-27, Mark 11:27-33, and Luke 20:1-8)</span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">I want you to imagine that we could, by some technological discovery see a DVD of Jesus’ ministry. </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Not a movie. No actors. This would be the real thing.</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"> Imagine we could sit down together to </span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">watch the highlights of Jesus’ ministry in high definition. We could see with our own eyes and hear with our own ears what He did and said. That would be an amazing moment. What if we were then to write down on a piece of paper the most surprising thing about Jesus words and ministry to us? What do you think you would write down? We actually have recorded for us in the gospels how many of those in the crowds who heard and observed Jesus answered that specific question. What surprised them? Wait for it...it was his <i>authority. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">“</span><i style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with <b>authority</b> and not as the scribes”</i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"> (Mark 1:22)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">“<i>And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, What is this? A new teaching with <b>authority</b>!” </i>(Mark 1:27)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">“<i>When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such <b>authority</b> to men</i>.” (Matthew 9:7)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">With tensions mounting, Jesus spends much of day three of Holy Week teaching in the temple and confronting (and being confronted by) Israel’s elite religious leaders. This day is sometimes referred to as "Busy Tuesday" due to the sheer amount of interactions and teaching sessions Jesus was involved in on that third day of Holy Week. The gospel of Mark contains seven confrontations that evidently occurred on Tuesday. This post will zero in on an intense encounter between Jesus and Israel’s religious leaders at the temple on the third day of Holy Week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Let us go together to the third day of Holy Week nearly 2,000 years ago…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://pastorfuller.blogspot.com/2020/04/day-two-holy-monday.html">Yesterday, in a zealous display of righteous indignation </a>at the widespread corruption Jesus found at the temple, He single-handedly decommercialized the temple. You can read more about it here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">As Jesus enters the temple today and starts teaching, He is approached by an official delegation representing the leaders of Israel, or the Sanhedrin. For anyone else, this would be a rather intimidating situation. You see, the Sanhedrin are the preeminent rulers of the Jewish people. Rome has delegated essentially all governing power to this group on Jewish matters. These people are extremely powerful, and they would like to keep it that way. They are very agitated with the buzz surrounding this “uneducated” son of a carpenter from Nazareth. In fact, we know that they want to destroy Him. (Luke 19:47) This is because they know that their power and authority are being threatened by Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">As they walk up to Jesus, they ask Him who has given Him authority to do the things He is doing. They are undoubtedly referring to His recent ride into Jerusalem on a donkey to a cheering crowd and cleansing of the temple. <b>Make no mistake: this line of questioning is aggressive and intended to publicly humiliate Jesus by forcing Him to discredit Himself.</b> Remember, these are the folks with all <i>worldly</i> authority over the Jewish people. The implied question behind their question is, “<i>if we did not give you this authority, then who did?”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">But Jesus, who is not about to get trapped by this group, refuses to play along. Instead, He answers their question with His own question. He asks, “<i>was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?</i>” In doing this, He adeptly turns the situation around and catches them in their own trap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">They discuss among themselves how to answer His question. On the one hand, they suspect that, if they respond with, “<i>from heaven</i>,” Jesus will ask why they do not believe Him then. On the other hand, if they say, “<i>from men</i>,” the people will likely stone them to death because they are convinced that John was a prophet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">This elite group of religious rulers then decides that the only way out of this conundrum is to lie to Jesus. Instead of responding truthfully with “<i>we do not want to answer your question</i>,” the religious leaders say they “<i>do not know</i>” the answer to Jesus’ question. Jesus simply responds by telling them that He will not answer their question.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">By whose authority?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">This encounter highlights the rapidly escalating conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders in Israel, which culminates in His crucifixion in a matter of days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">But, let us never forget that there is an obvious answer to their question. The answer to their question is this: <b><i>Jesus is God incarnate and the very Son of God, and all authority in heaven and earth is His.</i></b> (Matthew 28:18-20)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Questions to consider… <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Do we ever question God with malicious intent?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Do we find ourselves lashing out or sinning when our earthly security or power is threatened?</span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Do we ever lie to God?</span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">“Dear Heavenly Father, Y<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/null" name="_GoBack"></a>our wisdom knows no end. Jesus, You repeatedly demonstrate to those whose hearts are open, and who are truly seeking God, that You are the Son of God! You are the Perfect Lamb of God and Savior for all who believe. Your works so clearly testify to Your deity and authority over all creation. May our hearts never grow so hard that we find ourselves questioning You with intent to do You harm. May we never put our own earthly security, riches, or power above the joy and infinite treasure of truly knowing You and having fellowship with You forever. Would you stir our hearts now, Lord, to willingly loosen our grip on all the things of earth? Would you draw near to us, as we draw near to You, as Your word promises? Would you help us, lead us, and enable us to invest Your kingdom and lay up treasures in heaven, rather than on earth? We thank you for the sanctifying work of suffering, even though we do not like it. We thank You that You comfort us in our suffering and meet us in our pain. We thank You for your amazing grace and gift of salvation to all who believe! We love You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-73617259380423553382020-04-06T03:57:00.000-07:002020-04-07T03:56:27.693-07:00Day Two: Holy Monday<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Day Two: Cursing the Fig Tree and Cleansing the Temple<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #464646; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">(Matthew 21:12–22, Mark 11:15–19, Luke 19:45-48, and John 2:13-17)</span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">According to the gospels, there are two rather perplexing events that took place on the day following <a href="https://pastorfuller.blogspot.com/2020/04/journeys-with-jesus-holy-day-1-palm.html" style="color: purple;">Jesus’ triumphal entry into the Holy City.</a> The first is when Jesus cursed the fig tree, and the second is when He cleansed the temple. (Mark 11-14) <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/blogger.g?blogID=8187971056254119323#_ftn1" name="_ftnref" style="color: purple;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;">[1]</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Let us return to the first Holy Week nearly 2,000 years ago…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">After Jesus’ triumphal entry on the first Palm Sunday, Jesus and His disciples spend the night in Bethany on the outskirts of the Holy City (about two miles away). Presumably, they are staying with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">In the morning, Jesus and His disciples set off again to the Holy City. And Jesus is hungry. So, when He sees a fig tree in the distance that has leaves, He goes to check it out. <b>After all, where there are leaves, there should be fruit. </b>However, Jesus is quickly disappointed when He discovers that the fig tree has no fruit and promptly curses the tree saying, “<i>May no one ever eat fruit from you again</i>.” (Mark 11:14)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Christ’s actions are confusing on multiple levels. His cursing of the fig tree on the way to Jerusalem is an unexpected and stark contrast to yesterday’s jubilant entry into the Holy City. It is also surprising that He is cursing the tree for not having fruit when it is not even the season for fig trees to bear fruit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Let us see what else Jesus does on this day to see if we can better understand the cursing of the fig tree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">After cursing the fig tree, Jesus enters the temple and begins to drive out the merchants and the consumers from the court of the Gentiles, which is the outermost courtyard at the temple. He turns over the tables of those who are exchanging currency and the little booths of those who are selling sacrifices. Next, our Lord Jesus blockades those that desire to carry sacrificial merchandise through the temple court. Jesus explains His curious actions with, “<i>Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? But you have made it a den of robbers.’</i>” (Mark 11:17)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">What do these events mean?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Whenever we come upon any passage in Scripture, it is important to follow responsible and well-established Biblical interpretation rules to unpack its meaning. This is particularly true for the difficult passages. One rule we follow is to <i>interpret the obscure passages of Scripture with the clear passages of Scripture</i>. We also always want to let <i>Scripture interpret Scripture</i>. This means that our interpretation should always be in line with the rest of Scripture and we can use other passages to test our interpretation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Cursing of the </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Fig Tree: </span></b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">When we use the rules of interpretation described above, we notice that the fig tree was used in the Old Testament as a metaphor of the status of Israel’s relationship with God (e.g., Hosea 2:12; 9:10). More generally, you may recall numerous passages describing Israel as God’s planting, tree, or vineyard in the Old Testament. Each of these images is intended to help God’s people better under their relationship to Him. They, like the fig tree, have been planted or established by God, and should produce fruit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">This particular fig tree on Jesus’ journey into Jerusalem was actually a picture of the religious leaders of Israel in Jesus’ day. By all outward appearances, they looked like fruit-producing fig trees, but they had no actual fruit at all. Jesus’ curse was intended to illustrate God’s view on the religious formalism and hypocrisy of the religious leaders of His day. Jesus had earlier spoken of the legalistic, formalistic status of Israel’s leaders when He said “<i>This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me</i>…” (Matthew 15:8)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">Cleansing of the Temple:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"> This is actually the second time Jesus cleansed the temple. The first time was when He was in Jerusalem early in His public ministry. The background is important. Jesus was not condemning the selling of the sacrifices in general. This was actually a great service to the pilgrims who arrived for the Passover Feast. Instead of bringing all their sacrificial offerings for the long journey, they could purchase them at or near the temple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">However, the practice of selling sacrifices inside the court that was reserved for the Gentiles was corrupt. Those who turned this court into a marketplace made Gentile worship and prayer at the temple a practical impossibility, since it was the one place the Gentiles could go to engage with God in the temple enclosure. <b>In His act of temple cleansing, Jesus demonstrated that He was consumed with His Father’s desire for His house to be a place of prayer, reverence, and worship.</b> He would not allow it to continue to be a marketplace rife with corruption rather than a place of worship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">What can we take away from these events? <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">God despises formalism without affection and heart. <b>When Jesus approaches you looking for fruit, what will He find?</b> Will He find the spiritual </span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">fruit </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">of love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control? <b>Are you abiding in Him and He in you?</b> Or, do you honor God with your mouth while your heart is far from Him? As we walk on this journey with Jesus, through each day of Holy Week, let us repent of apathy, lethargy, and hypocrisy. Let us abide in Him, as branches in a vine, so that we might bear much fruit. (John 15)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">God has made it clear in His word what kind of worshipers He seeks. <b>God desires those who worship in spirit and truth.</b> Our worship is supposed to be reverent and full of genuine adoration and gratitude. Have we allowed a cacophony of busyness, commerce, and marketing to drown out true worship and prayer?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">“Dear Heavenly Father, have mercy on us. How sobering are these events. The very people who, by all outward standards, appeared closest to You and who claimed to be eagerly awaiting a deliverer did not even recognize Jesus, the Messiah, when He came to them. They failed to see God in the very house of God! How often are we in danger of falling into the same sin? How often do we hurry about and keep busy with so many things, even ‘ministry’ things, and, yet, fail to simply abide in you, Jesus? Lord, by your Holy Spirit, stir our hearts to love You and Your Word more and more, so that You and Your Word may richly abide in us, and we in You. We desire to bear real, everlasting fruit, by Your Spirit. We desire to worship You in spirit and in truth. We are so thankful that You have assured Your children – those of us who are saved by Your blood, by grace through faith – that we may boldly approach the throne of grace and receive mercy and grace in our time of need. We need so much of Your mercy and grace as we repent right now of lethargy, apathy, and hypocrisy in our spiritual lives. We also thank You that, as we confess thes<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/null" name="_GoBack"></a>e sins to you, You are faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. We love You Lord. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.” </span></i></b><span style="background: white; color: #464646; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/blogger.g?blogID=8187971056254119323#_ftnref" name="_ftn1" style="color: purple;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;">[1]</span></a> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sometimes Matthew and Luke did not record events in chronological order, so it can be difficult to try to date the cursing and subsequent withering of the fig tree based on their accounts. However, Mark, who did write in chronological order, helpfully tells us that Jesus' cursing of t</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">he fig tree happened “on the following day” after Palm Sunday (Mark 11:12).</span></div>
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Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-14832019076490284372020-04-04T18:13:00.002-07:002020-04-07T03:56:16.223-07:00Journeys with Jesus Holy Day #1 - Palm Sunday<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Besides Christmas cantatas and an occasional Easter egg hunt, I did not grow up with much appreciation for holy days. The first recollection I have of hearing about Palm Sunday was in college. Fortunately, most Christians are not as clueless as I was. However, while a good percentage of believers are familiar with Palm Sunday and, of course, Easter, I suspect that many may be unclear about what happened in between those two Sundays nearly 2,000 years ago.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">With this post, I am kicking off a Holy Week series designed to walk us through each of Jesus’ final days, culminating in His resurrection. I hope and pray that this series cultivates our appreciation for and, more importantly, our worship of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">There were three major festivals for which the Jews would make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to attend, including Passover, or the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which was a large, seven-day celebration in Jerusalem. The Holy City in Jesus’ day is thought to have had around 40,000 residents. During Passover, Jerusalem’s population would swell to nearly six times that number. So, it is likely that there were nearly a quarter of a million people in Jerusalem during this Sunday leading up to Passover</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Can you imagine yourself in that setting? Let’s go there together…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Holy City is brimming with excitement and tension. According to the four gospels, Jesus has been journeying to Jerusalem for around nine months. He has zig-zagged through Galilee, Samaria, Perea, and, ultimately, up to Jerusalem in Judaea. In fact, He traveled through no less than 35 different localities on His way up to Jerusalem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Romans are a bit uneasy and on guard, as is typical when so many pilgrims make their way to Jerusalem. In addition to the usual excitement these festivals bring, there is a feverish spirit about Jesus of Nazareth. The word on the street is that He recently raised Lazarus, from Bethany, from the dead! In nearby Jericho, people say He completely healed a blind man named Bartimaeus. As for the political backdrop, the religious leaders are plotting to kill Lazarus and Jesus. The city is certainly abuzz.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are basically three groups of people that have converged on the way to Jerusalem. There is the usual large crowd pilgriming for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Then there is the small group from Bethany making a day trip with Jesus after witnessing Lazarus’s resurrection. And, finally, there is the group from Jerusalem itself coming down to meet the caravan of pilgrims and day-trippers. This third group is likely aware of the plot to kill Jesus and Lazarus and is curious to see how things will turn out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As everyone approaches the city, Jesus, in His usual fashion, demonstrates His complete control over the situation. Every detail of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem was foreordained and premeditated by God Himself, from before He even laid the earth’s foundations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here’s how it unfolds: Jesus sends some of His disciples to Bethphage to unloose a donkey and her colt. He even gives them a special “password” in case anyone says anything to them: He instructs them to tell anyone who asks that the Lord needs it.<span style="background: white;"> (Matthew 21:3; Mark 11:3; Luke 19:31)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The disciples successfully retrieve the colt from exactly where Jesus said it would be and then throw their cloaks on it for Him. Jesus then, with their help, sits on the young donkey. Perhaps no one understands in this moment what is happening, but here is Jesus about to fulfill yet another ancient prophesy. The manner of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem was foretold by the prophet Zechariah over 500 years before.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 4.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">Behold, your king is coming to you;</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 4.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">righteous and having salvation is he,</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">humble and mounted on a donkey,</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 4.5pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><i>on a colt, the foal of a donkey.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> -Zechariah 9:9<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As Jesus enters Jerusalem on the young donkey, many in the crowd joyfully lay their cloaks on the road. Some even cut palm branches from the trees and lay them down ahead of Him. In an almost antiphonal manner, the crowds start praising the Lord, shouting “<b><i>Hosanna to the Son of David!</i></b>” and “<b><i>Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!</i></b>”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This creates a great deal of nervousness for the Romans and even some of the Jews. It is not lost on some that, a little more than 150 years earlier, Simon Maccabeus rode into Jerusalem in a similar fashion. This entire display is a symbol of a nationalistic hope on the brink of certain deliverance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> But this is also quite different than what many are expecting for a variety of reasons. For example, a conquering King usually enters the territory he is claiming on a warhorse. Jesus is not doing that. No, He is entering the Holy City in humility; on a donkey no less! He is truly a King like no other. In His first entry, Jesus is entering Jerusalem as the Prince of Peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In which crowd are you?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> As was the case on the first Palm Sunday nearly 2,000 years ago, this day should be a day of worship and praise for our Deliverer and King! But, is it? Let us ask ourselves some hard questions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Do we worship a Jesus of our own making, or the Jesus revealed in God’s Holy Scripture?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Are we only in the crowd to be entertained or because we are curious about how things will play out?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Are we only focused on what we want Jesus <i>to do for us </i>as a prerequisite to our worship of Him?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Or, have we fully submitted to the humble King who first came in <i>peace</i> to deliver us from sin and death, but who will come again – and, that time, on a war horse with eyes like a flame of fire – to judge those who have rejected Him, and rule and reign forever?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Let us worship, in spirit and truth, our Prince of Peace on this Palm Sunday. Let us praise Him for His great deliverance and ensuring our peace with God by reconciling us through His blood! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>“Lord Jesus, our Prince of Peace, we praise and <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/null" name="_GoBack"></a>thank You. Like those on the road to Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday, we joyfully proclaim in our hearts, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Peace in Heaven and glory in the highest!’ Oh Lord, You are infinitely wise and sovereign over the finest details of human history. Your timing is always perfect and precise. You are never surprised. Look how You set the stage for your first triumphal entry into your Holy City so perfectly. You even told Your people beforehand how it would play out. As we meditate on this moment recorded in the gospels, Lord, we stand in awe of Your beautiful, overarching plan to deliver Your people from sin and death and dwell with us forever. We praise You for your humility and willingness to die for us. You shed Your blood so that, for those of us who trust in You and Your atoning work on the cross, our every sin and sickness of heart is be blotted out for all eternity, and we will never have to face the wrath of God ourselves. Jesus, we weep as you did over those who are still enslaved to sin and in bondage to fear of death, and who will face judgment and the wrath of God on that day that You return on a war horse. And, we believe that day is coming quickly. Would you use us to rescue others for as long as we have our earthly lives? Would you, by the power of your Holy Spirit, also touch us anew with the deep and personal knowledge of your unfathomable, limitless love for us? We love you, Lord. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.”</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-18423244369102763832020-01-06T10:42:00.002-08:002020-01-06T10:54:26.753-08:00My Messenger or My Message? <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSE6OIK2U0joRCeomECAVXegmmlJC6HGXPBZPGt7PP3HHIBSFmPfg7H8gsBtDX6uL6gx92kkbpT8mlYBLZ2hD2K_SR0n6r55wSID6ObK24toFK9cs9JERl84nNW1AtbKBzAUSnaiEoYyX/s1600/CMG+Editor+-+January+6+2020.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSE6OIK2U0joRCeomECAVXegmmlJC6HGXPBZPGt7PP3HHIBSFmPfg7H8gsBtDX6uL6gx92kkbpT8mlYBLZ2hD2K_SR0n6r55wSID6ObK24toFK9cs9JERl84nNW1AtbKBzAUSnaiEoYyX/s400/CMG+Editor+-+January+6+2020.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> If my count is correct, I preached #650 for Lord's Day messages yesterday morning. Forgive my Monday Morning Quarterbacking, but to be honest, that frightens me. James warns us not to be too eager to teach because we will receive the greater judgment. That is a whole bunch of words for which to give an account to the Lord. A lot of talking!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> And yesterday morning I spoke from Malachi and the name of this prophet has been haunting me ever since. Malachi means "My Messenger." He was given an "oracle" (a message or burden) from the LORD to deliver to Israel (specifically post-exilic Judah). How humbling it must have been to be named "My Messenger." That's just the reason his name has arrested me. It begs this question of every pastor and Bible teacher: "on Sundays do I deliver <i>my message</i>, or could the Lord refer to me as <i>My Messenger</i>?". Sadly, I think those 650 sermons still have too much <i>my</i> <i>message</i> in them. What do <i>my messages</i> look like?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>I deliver <i>my message</i> when I have something to say and I look for Bible verses to prop it up. </b>Pastor friend, do you ever have something you really want to speak on and so you go hunting for a Scripture Text to "make it preach?" Preaching and teaching through the Bible verse-by-verse is a helpful way to erect guard-rails that make this more difficult to do. But yet, I have discovered that my <i>my message</i> proclivities can also influence me in my choice of certain sections of the Bible to preach from for the very purpose of having a platform for <i>my message</i>. Our minds are devious, are they not?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>I deliver <i>my message</i> when I too quickly conclude the primary meaning of the passage.</b> With so many good Bible study tools at our fingertips it is easy to replace meditation, prayer and "crying out for understanding" with technological efficiency. I mean, I can now exegete a scripture lickety-split, snatch a catchy illustration from <i>google</i>, bullet-point some things I think folks should begin doing and hit "print!" <i>My message </i>can be done in record time. This is a real and present danger.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>I deliver <i>my message</i> when I misunderstand my job.</b> If the Lord would ever refer to any of us as "My Messenger" our singular assignment is to faithfully say what He <i>has</i> said. I misunderstand my job when I think that my assignment is to regularly say what I <i>want</i> to say about His Word. Be careful, this is subtle. We can naively approach the Bible with a "what can I say about this verse?" rather than a "what does this verse say?" attitude. Such a trajectory will inevitably lead to <i>my messages</i> being delivered.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>I deliver <i>my message</i> when I am as equally dogmatic about the application of the Text as I am the interpretation. </b>Perhaps you have heard the expression, referencing Scripture: "<i>one</i> interpretation, <i>multiple</i> applications." That is a good rule-of-thumb in Bible study. <i>My messages </i>however tend to herald the interpretation and the possible applications with the same authoritative tone. For instance we could accurately be called <i>My Messenger</i> if we preach a message on "<i>Be holy because I am holy, says the Lord</i>" in which we dogmatically proclaim that our holy God calls us to holiness. Amen. But it becomes <i>my message</i> when I authoritatively proclaim that this holiness means doing this or not doing that when neither of those possible applications have been commended or condemned in the Bible. It has helped me to view applications as suggestions rather than propositions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> God-willing I will be able to speak #651 next Sunday. I really want to be called "My Messenger" by the Lord and to be completely done with <i>my messages</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>"The oracle of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi." </i>-Malachi 1:1 (ESV)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Your prophets say, ‘My message is from the Sovereign LORD,’ when the LORD hasn’t spoken a single word to them. -</i>Ezekiel 22:28 (NIV)</span></span><br />
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Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-79630777451317596752020-01-01T19:18:00.000-08:002020-01-01T19:28:33.122-08:005 telltale signs your view of sovereignty has made you smug<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ever met someone who professedly holds to the doctrines of
grace but he or she is more pugnacious than gracious? Here are a few telltale
signs that our view of God’s sovereignty has made us smug: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>We don’t pray.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is possible that an unbalanced understanding of God’s
sovereign decrees can lead to passivity and indifference in our prayer
lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may even attempt to
rationalize our prayerlessness with sentiments like “whatever will be, will
be,” or “why should I pray if God has already providentially decreed everything
according to the pleasure of His will?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>We don’t aggressively kill sin but we are aggressive about our liberties. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scripture teaches that our justification is <i>monergistic </i>(Greek:
<i>mono </i>–“one” and <i>erg</i>-“work/energy”). Put simply, this means that
God alone, through His Holy Spirit, causes us to be born again (John 1:12-13;
John 3:8; Ephesians 2:4-5; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:3; etc.). In other words, our
justification is passive. However, our sanctification (progressive growth in
holiness and Christ-likeness) happens <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">synergistically</i>.
We are commanded to “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling because
it is God that works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:12-13) Sanctification calls for our cooperation with the Spirit of God. Pastor John
Piper phrases this balance, “I act the miracle.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>We are theologically proud.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It may sound a little counterintuitive, but sometimes our
big view of God can lead to a haughty head rather than a humble heart. Do we
regularly look down on those we view as more “simple minded” in their
theological understanding? Do we poke fun at their gospel songs, altar calls,
street evangelism, and devotional preaching?<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">“But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble
and contrite in spirit</span></i></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 5.0pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">and
trembles at my word.” </span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black;">Isaiah 66:2b</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>We don’t really do evangelism</b>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like prayer, it is possible that an unbalanced understanding
of God’s sovereignty can lead to passivity and indifference in seeing lost
souls saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Affirming that those
whom the Father has given the Son will ultimately come to Him in saving faith
(John 6:37) can, for the theological naval-gazers among us, potentially have a
chilling effect on evangelism. The thinking can go like this: “since the elect
will all be saved, why should I evangelize?” We display apathy for the lost
when we look down on the evangelistic efforts of other believers, such as
giving an invitation at the end of a service, handing out gospel tracts, or
leading someone in the “sinner’s prayer.” Sadly, we do this knowing that we
harbor aloofness about sharing the gospel with anyone. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>We pit spiritual growth and numerical growth against one
another.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To be fair, this reaction is due, in large part, to the
“church marketing movement” of the 1980s and 90s. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our repulsion to that movement may
cause us to viscerally reject anything that even remotely smells of being
“seeker sensitive.” When we are contemptuous towards ministries that work on
first impressions, branding, presentation, or technology, as though they do not
also care about spiritual growth, we create a false and, arguably, unbiblical
dichotomy between numerical growth and spiritual growth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">“So those who received his word were baptized, and there
were added that day about three thousand souls.”</span></i><span style="background: white; color: black;"> Acts 2:41<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If we have displayed these attitudes, we are called to
repentance. An ever-expanding understanding of the person and work of our Lord
should drive us to our knees in humble worship and intercession for others. It
should never cause us to jeer at our brothers and sisters. Only our sinful
hearts could drive us to respond to the inexpressibly marvelous access we have
to God through His amazing, sovereign grace with arrogance towards our brothers
and sisters. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/null" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><a href="https://pastorfuller.blogspot.com/2020/01/5-telltale-signs-our-church-is-leaning.html">Go here to read 5 Signs Our Church is Leaning on Its Own Understanding</a>Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-63153194205590596272020-01-01T19:15:00.001-08:002020-01-02T08:30:34.796-08:005 Telltale Signs Our Church is Leaning On Its Own Understanding <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6s5jnlIG_ZbsUJyIn9YJv4Rd0ua8kjBFvEmMC5bTw7E9CbJjtB5jCg06ZniKQ5dXwJW3nma4bM5IFQIV_9fG8jrW8cLjotqh9qB4w7ixBNDQYPMu4TGKYB1uFX31ChFi0xqG7cC2-ah1/s1600/CMG+Editor+-+December+8+2019.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6s5jnlIG_ZbsUJyIn9YJv4Rd0ua8kjBFvEmMC5bTw7E9CbJjtB5jCg06ZniKQ5dXwJW3nma4bM5IFQIV_9fG8jrW8cLjotqh9qB4w7ixBNDQYPMu4TGKYB1uFX31ChFi0xqG7cC2-ah1/s320/CMG+Editor+-+December+8+2019.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Is it possible to build ministries
that “thrive” regardless of the gospel? Could we build something “successful”
even if God isn’t in it? Those may sound like strange questions, but we tend to
create and lead ministries without relying on the gospel, or His Word more
regularly than we would like to admit. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Arguably, Proverbs 3:5 is the most
claimed “life verse” among Christians. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i>“Trust in the Lord with all your
heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
What does leaning on our own
understanding instead of trusting in the Lord with all our hearts look like in
our churches? This is an important question to answer for those who lead
ministries, are committed to a local church, as well as those who are looking
for a church home. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Because
our default setting as individuals is to rely upon ourselves, it is not
surprising that our churches can also be characterized by self-reliance instead
of complete dependence on and confidence in the Lord. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s what it looks like:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>We don’t pray much. </b>Human-leaning churches don’t pray
much. They talk about prayer. They just don’t really do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Devote
yourselves to prayer…</i>” (Col. 4:2a) “Yourselves” is plural. We are told to
make praying together a priority. . Churches that lean on their own
understanding pray very little. How can that be healthy? Activities, programs
and even the teaching of the Scriptures are seen as more important than prayer.
Is your church devoted to prayer? When your church offers opportunities to pray
with others, do you join them? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Decisionism/Pragmatism</b>. I recently had to purchase a
vehicle. It had been a while. I had forgotten the amount of pressure that a car
salesman can place on a person to make such a huge decision right then and
there. It was intense. Similarly, churches have come to believe that if they just sharpen their
methods, invitations, and high-pressure calls for decisions their churches will
grow. When we feel that we must be ever squeezing and pressuring others to make
decisions even to the point where we calculate and report the amount of
decisions, we reveal that we may not be trusting in the Lord with all of our
hearts. <br />
<br />
"<i>The style of Evangelical Christianity which is constantly pushing and forcing people toward</i><br />
<i> conversion in order to get them regenerated, manipulating them with music, repeated </i><br />
<i> invitations or a sort of sales routine, is an ugly deformity of Christian practice resulting</i><br />
<i> from bad doctrine. It is uncomfortable both for those who feel responsible to do it and for those</i><br />
<i> who are the objects of concern. This kind of pressure is better than hiding the gospel, and it</i><br />
<i> continues to be blessed by genuine conversions through the grace of God, but we should move</i><br />
<i> away from it without lessening our efforts to proclaim the gospel in a more gracious way to </i><br />
<i> those who do not believe." </i>-Lovelace. Richard F. <u style="font-style: italic;">Dynamics of Spiritual Life</u>. p.106</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Thinking it is our responsibility to <i>make</i> the Bible
relevant. </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not our
assignment to make the Bible appear pertinent, germane, modern, or cool to our
congregations. With that said, the intent is not to encourage any preacher or
teacher to settle for being boring week after week! We are absolutely called to
pursue excellence in our work. However, I am referring to the pervasive
attitude in some of our churches that drives people to want to apologize for
the false notion that the Bible is “out-of-touch.” This attitude usually
exposes itself in our churches through an endless string of topical, felt
needs-focused preaching series. It might also be accompanied by an aversion to
preaching through large portions of the Bible verse-by-verse. This desire to
make the Scriptures “hip” rather than simply letting the Scriptures speak, is
an example of leaning on our own understanding. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Earthly analytics. </b>We may be failing to trust in the
Lord with all our hearts if we rely on the popular “three Bs” to analyze our
church’s growth: buildings, budgets, and bodies. Of course, churches and
pastors everywhere are excited to see people added to membership, finances in
the black, and facilities being expanded or enhanced. The challenge with those
being the primary metrics though, is that each of them may be increasing while
we may fail to see the reality <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“that we
are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”</i> (Revelation 3:17)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Activism without Adoration.</b> If we are regularly
placing people in a full-court press for <i>doing</i>, we tend to lean on our
own understanding. High pressure campaigns for serving, inviting people to
church, giving, or community involvement (all good activities) that don’t
spring from gospel grace can easily devolve into guilt-trips, bigger-better
events, and passionate emotional pleas. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Without Him we can do nothing. Pray for your church. Be a
church member that “trusts in the Lord with all your heart and that doesn’t
lean on your own understanding. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://pastorfuller.blogspot.com/2020/01/5-telltale-sings-your-view-of.html">Go here for 5 Telltale Signs Our View of Sovereignty Has Made Us Smug. </a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<br />Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-65064666872186078842019-11-27T10:41:00.001-08:002019-11-27T10:48:08.151-08:00Trinitarian Thanksgiving<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sc2748FJhH7lxJVs1jhhv2NAC6NyZOfygN7fcN1IJI3FptiQQ7FKFU-NNhYC-KmayEOVVm5SQR5yHSguTcACZaI9qGvMSKPG_-onVBDHpQWEhGEy7T3h2a-KDSmColg9-Ft_9_Z_mW_i/s1600/CMG+Editor+-+November+27+2019.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sc2748FJhH7lxJVs1jhhv2NAC6NyZOfygN7fcN1IJI3FptiQQ7FKFU-NNhYC-KmayEOVVm5SQR5yHSguTcACZaI9qGvMSKPG_-onVBDHpQWEhGEy7T3h2a-KDSmColg9-Ft_9_Z_mW_i/s640/CMG+Editor+-+November+27+2019.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Each member of the Godhead specifically
acted in our salvation. Do you ever give thanks by addressing each person of
the Trinity for their individual work in rescuing your soul from sin? The
Scriptures designate how God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit worked
in sync to reconcile us to God. This Thanksgiving I am rehearsing these truths so that I can thank each Member of our Three-in-One God for each of their saving acts. Please join me. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/2/null" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
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<b>The Father is the Architect who planned our salvation. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for choosing us before the foundation of
the world.(Eph. 1:3-4) </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for predestining us to be adopted as your
children.(Eph. 1:5)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for speaking the first Gospel over us following
our Fall into sin.(Gen. 3:15)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for qualifying us for the inheritance of
the saints in light. (Col. 1:12)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for delivering us from the domain of
darkness.(Col. 1:13a)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for transferring us into the kingdom of
your Beloved Son.(Col. 1:13a)</div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for loving us and giving us Your
Son.(John 3:16)</div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for drawing us to believe in Jesus.(John
6:44) </div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for being rich in mercy, and for Your
great love towards us that brought us from death to life. (Eph. 2:4-5)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for being <i>for</i> us. (Romans 8:31)</div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for singing over us.(Zephaniah 3:17)</div>
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<i>Come, thou Almighty King,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Help us thy name to sing,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Help us to praise.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b><i>Father</i></b><i>, all glorious,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>O'er all victorious,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Come and reign over us,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Ancient of Days.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b>The Son is the Actor who performed our Salvation. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for being willing to get a body in order
to be sacrificed for our sin.(Heb. 10:5-7)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for being the sinless, Second Adam.(I
Corinthians 15:45)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for bearing the full weight of every
point of temptation, without sin.(Matthew 4:1-11; Hebrews 4:150</div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for praying for us in your High Priestly
prayer nearly 2000 years before we would become your siblings. (John 17:20-21)</div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for your submission to our Father’s will.(Matthew
26:42)</div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for redeeming us from our sin, so that we
could be forgiven of our sin.(Eph. 1:7)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for your humility in becoming a human,
living for us, dying for us, rising for us, ascending for us, sitting for us
and now interceding for us. (Philippians 2:1-11;Heb. 1:1-4; Heb. 7:25)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for loving us until the end.(John 13:1)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for showing us what sacrificial love
toward our wives looks like.(Eph. 5:25-33)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for ascending to Heaven in order to send
the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to indwell us personally.(John 16:7)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for coming to be served rather than
expecting to be served.(Matthew 20:28)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for being worthy to open all the seals of
the future tribulation.(Revelation 5)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thank-You that you will be soon appearing to
reconcile all things to Yourself, and to rule and reign forever. (Revelation 1:12-20;22:7,12-13)</div>
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<i>Come, thou <b>Incarnate Word,</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Gird on thy mighty sword,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Scatter thy foes.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Let thine almighty aid<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Our sure defense be made,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Our souls on thee be stayed;<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Thy wonders show.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b>The Spirit is the Applier who personalizes our Salvation.
<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for placing the Son in the womb of Mary
to accomplish the virgin conception.(Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:35)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for empowering the Son for His earthly
ministry.(Matt. 3:16;4:1;Luke 4:14)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for empowering the Son to offer Himself
without blemish to God.(Heb. 9:14)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for raising the Son from the dead. (I
Peter 3:18; Romans 1:4; 8:11)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for giving yourself to Jesus without
measure. (John 3:34)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for convicting us of sin, righteousness
and judgment to come.(John 16:8)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for opening up our eyes to see the wisdom
and power of the cross.(I Cor. 2:6-10)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for being the Agent of regeneration.(Titus
3:4-7; John 3:8)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for sealing us until the day of
redemption.(Ephesians 1:13)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for being down payment until we acquire
possession of the inheritance.(Eph. 1:14)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for assuring us that we are children of
God.(Romans 8:16)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for indwelling us immediately as we
repented and believed the gospel.(I Cor. 12:13)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for being the shy member of the Trinity
and for your “spotlight ministry” of the Person and work of Christ.(John 16:12-15)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for producing in us the fruit of
Christ-like character.(Galatians 5:22-23)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for energizing us for sanctification and
ministry. (Phil. 2:12-13;Col. 1:11)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for praying for us when we don’t know how
to pray.(Romans 8:26-27)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for illuminating the Scriptures so that
we could understand the gospel.(I Corinthians 2:14-16)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Thanks for filling us and producing this
Trinitarian thankfulness.(Ephesians 5:20; Col. 3:17)</div>
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<i>Come, Holy Comforter,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Thy sacred witness bear<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>In this glad hour.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Thou who almighty art,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Now rule in ev'ry heart,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>And ne'er from us depart,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b><i>Spirit</i></b><i> of power.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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This list is just a start. Go ahead and add to it. </div>
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<i>To the great <b>One in Three</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Eternal praises be,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Hence evermore.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>His sov'reign majesty<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>May we in glory see,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>And to eternity<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Love and adore.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b><i>“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”</i> </b>-II Corinthians
13:14</div>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-13188249296585537362019-11-22T11:46:00.000-08:002019-11-22T17:26:13.628-08:00"What is IFB & What are We at EBBC?"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPY9FcyK9ZYU2gUaTftLUMiv48XtgT-Uaj-oePQo5Qr-CkXE2JlTBjk5C9e6PgG_3z-1L6GN1GcxTBC4utn9eeESgvhDNTbiHNv4uVZZfscj_RlzKeFk97kqi-wdKQdqNH_8kE7_PowVu/s1600/CMG+Editor+-+November+21+2019.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPY9FcyK9ZYU2gUaTftLUMiv48XtgT-Uaj-oePQo5Qr-CkXE2JlTBjk5C9e6PgG_3z-1L6GN1GcxTBC4utn9eeESgvhDNTbiHNv4uVZZfscj_RlzKeFk97kqi-wdKQdqNH_8kE7_PowVu/s640/CMG+Editor+-+November+21+2019.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13pt;">Would you believe me if I told you...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13pt;">…that there are churches where if you disagree with the pastor you would be accused<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of “touching God’s anointed”? </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13pt;">... that there are churches in our world today that treat those who have gone through the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>trauma of divorce as though they are second-class Christians?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13pt;">…that there are churches that believe contemporary Christian music is sexually sensual and</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13pt;"> that </span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Rock music was created by Lucifer? </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13pt;">…that there are churches where women are not allowed to speak in church or lead men in</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13pt;"> any </span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">way?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13pt;">…that there are churches in which you are shunned if you leave the church or fail to keep the</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13pt;"> rules?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13pt;">…that there are churches where families with seniority and influence run the church,</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13pt;"> believing </span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">it to be </span><i style="font-size: 13pt;">their</i><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> church?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13pt;">…that there are churches that teach that every medicinal prescription for emotional or mental</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13pt;"> illness </span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">masks sin?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13pt;">…that there are churches that express that if you are a democrat you are supportive of</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13pt;"> abortion?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13pt;">…that there are churches that believe that using any other version besides the <i>King James<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Version </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13pt;">is evil?</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Actually, it is true that churches with varying degrees of this kind of subculture <i>do </i>exist. For nearly a decade these churches have been referred to as “IFB” churches by those who have exited (at times escaped) them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">IFB churches are not members of a defined denomination. They are tightly networked, however. They are allied with other churches tagged as “churches of like faith and practice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">I grew up in an IFB church. I was a pastor of an IFB church. I served with a pastoral team that led that same church out of the IFB. My family, particularly my girls and my wife, carry wounds from the IFB. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But by God’s grace we have forever exited the IFB.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">As our family approaches four years of blessed ministry at EBBC, you will probably appreciate my surprise in hearing a few of our folks ask me two questions recently. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Is EBBC an IFB church?”</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Is EBBC becoming an IFB church?” </i>My knee-jerk reaction was to yell, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">No</span>! No! No! If we are IFB or if we are becoming IFB, I am out of here!”</i> But here is a more thoughtful answer to the question, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“<i>What is IFB and What are we at EBBC?”</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">What is ‘IFB’?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">“IFB” stands for Independent Fundamental Baptist (or Bible) churches. Originally this was an honored designation for our spiritual forefathers who protected the gospel, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“earnestly contended for the faith once delivered to the saints”</i>(Jude 3). The IFB was not always what it is today. Most of us are familiar with the descriptor, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Baptist. </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the other two words, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">independent</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fundamental</i>, can be a bit confusing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">“Independent”</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;"> originally described churches that exited the mainline denominations (Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, etc.) primarily during the first 25 years of the twentieth century. (1900-1925) They became <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">independent<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> </span></i>of the larger denominations because they were “fundamentalists.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">“Fundamental(ist)”</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;"> can be a scary word. It creates visions of suicide-bombers or heartless humans holding-up placards with hateful messages at military funerals. The word wasn’t originally derogatory, however. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read on for a brief flyover.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">BEGINNINGS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">At the turn of the 20<sup>th</sup> century, Christianity in the USA faced an all-out assault by humanism, naturalism, Darwinism (evolution), and German higher criticism. As a result, mainline Christian denominations were infected by liberalism in their seminaries, colleges, mission boards and those ordained for leadership in their churches. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This attack on orthodox Christian belief was labeled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">modernity</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">liberalism</i> by those Christians who were standing for the truth of the gospel against liberalism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These courageous believers were called “fundamentalists” in a Baptist periodical for the first time in 1920. That name stuck because they were standing up for the “fundamentals” of the Christian faith.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/2/blogger.g?blogID=8187971056254119323#_ftn1" name="_ftnref" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;">[1]</span></span></a> Initially, fundamentalists defended <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">five </i>fundamentals. They were:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">The inspiration of the Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">The virgin birth of Jesus Christ<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">The substitutionary atonement for sins by Christ’s crucifixion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">The bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">The miracles recorded in the Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Initially, the strategy these believers employed was an intentional effort to remove the modernists from their seminaries and denominations. This failed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With little success in ousting the liberals from their churches, denominations and seminaries, the fundamentalists began exiting the mainline denominations and banded-together to begin independent, unaffiliated churches. For the next two decades, the landscape of Biblical Christianity was binary: liberals/modernists and fundamentalists. As a believer, you were either a member of a liberal church or a fundamental church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">PART II<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Those historical fundamentalists faithfully fought <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">theological</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">battles</i> for the next 40 years. After four decades of militant warfare for the Bible, some of the fundamentalists were weary with the fight. As a result a new group emerged from the fundamentalists calling themselves “evangelicals.” These “new” evangelicals wanted to engage with the liberals in dialogue rather than separating from them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Both groups, unfortunately, followed the trajectory of their respective emphases. The evangelicals pursued engagement and dialogue with liberals, which ultimately led to compromise. On the other hand, the fundamentalists elevated the doctrine of separation to an excessive extent. These new fundamentalists retreated from the frontlines of theological battle to their barracks to engage in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">cultural</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">battles</i> among their own brethren. Sadly, the same ferocity the historical fundamentalists had towards liberalism, the cultural fundamentalists now had towards the evangelicals and other fundamentalists with whom they disagreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This constant infighting for all things cultural shaped the present-day IFB.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">There are certainly degrees of the disease. It would be wrong to broad-brush every IFB church into this virulent junk-drawer. Generally speaking though, IFB churches tend to create a culture of fear. This emphasis upon controlling lifestyle choices, and Christian conscience, often leads to an authoritarian, top-down leadership in IFB churches. And because “absolute control corrupts absolutely,” these types of IFB churches can easily become the breeding ground for spiritual, physical, emotional and even sexual abuse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For sure, every IFB church has not spiraled to such a dreadful state. However, the route of this Pharisaical attitude often leads to these toxic environments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">What are we at EBBC?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">WE ARE</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;"> unaffiliated<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">East Brandywine Baptist Church was part of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">American Baptist Convention </i>(not always called ABC) for its first 143 years. That’s a long time. In 1985 our pastor, Charles Detwiler, in counsel with our deacons, led our people to vote as a congregation to leave the American Baptist Convention because of the liberal leanings of the denominational leadership as well as ongoing ecumenical evangelism in the convention. In 1985 EBBC became an independent, unaffiliated Baptist Church. We remain an independent church today. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">WE ARE</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;"> conservative<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Conservative is not a political statement. It is a theological one. We are conservative rather than liberal. When Protestants are called “liberal” it means that they seek to redefine the terminology of the Christian Faith to accommodate modern philosophies and ideologies. For instance, as we have seen, in the first part of the twentieth century, liberal theology attacked the foundations of the gospel. 60 years ago, liberals sought to shape the Christian Faith to fit Marxism, the sexual revolution and philosophical naturalism. Today, liberal churches are accommodating postmodernism, feminism, homosexuality, transgenderism, and native spirituality. As conservatives, we stand against any attempt to accommodate the Scriptures, the gospel and the Bible with changing cultural philosophies and ideologies. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">We are conservative</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">WE ARE</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;"> evangelical<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Simply put, we believe that it is our mission to announce the good news that “Jesus saves” to everyone, everywhere. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Evangelical</i> means “a herald of good news.” By embracing the descriptor evangelical, we intend to unapologetically and compassionately evangelize and proselytize our friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and every person with the gospel of Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Being evangelical also defines the boundary lines of what it means to be a true Christian. There is really only <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">one</i> kind of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Christian”-an evangelical Christian. As evangelicals we believe that the gospel is: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jesus Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, was buried and was raised from the dead on the third day, according to the Scriptures</i> (I Corinthians 15:3). The gospel then, is the epicenter for our philosophy of ministry. Our worship, relationships and worldview are all shaped by the gospel. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">We are evangelical.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">WE ARE</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;"> Baptist<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">As a Baptist church, some of our distinctives are:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Believer’s baptism,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Two ordinances (Baptism and Lord’s Table),<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Two church offices (elders and deacons), and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Congregational governance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>We are Baptist<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">EBBC is a family of broken-people, each having been rescued by the saving work of Jesus Christ. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Nothing in our hand we bring, simply to His cross we cling.”</i> We will humbly and prayerfully seek to create a culture of grace and truth at EBBC rather than an atmosphere of legalism, suspicion and judgmental attitudes. Perhaps we could refer to ourselves as a UCEB(Unaffiliated Conservative Evangelical Baptist ) church; but that’s a mouthful.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbi0dvb56QiFYEZrNkkzRjToy-kP_Kok9zQiHzuuliM5kgJO4mPNzUndnVVcLW1FGNorobxV2jSEc4hDcBvt6b8SaWdKtA54BS2eM7K565tYUr7x-a91Pu4MiWCAiPTGK1xk3p9mISVgKm/s1600/download-15.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="96" data-original-width="523" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbi0dvb56QiFYEZrNkkzRjToy-kP_Kok9zQiHzuuliM5kgJO4mPNzUndnVVcLW1FGNorobxV2jSEc4hDcBvt6b8SaWdKtA54BS2eM7K565tYUr7x-a91Pu4MiWCAiPTGK1xk3p9mISVgKm/s1600/download-15.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 14pt;">P.S. As a Conservative Evangelical Baptist church, one way we are networked with other CE churches is through <i>The Gospel Coalition</i>. <a href="https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/">You can visit their website right here </a>to enjoy resources, sermons, blogs and learn of other CE churches across the country. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/2/blogger.g?blogID=8187971056254119323#_ftnref" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[1]</span></a> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Millard Ericson.</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Christian Theology Dictionary</u></i><u>. </u><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The Fundamentals: A Testimony to Truth<o:p></o:p></i><br />
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Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-36021325124682815202019-03-28T13:18:00.001-07:002019-03-28T13:24:15.481-07:00What if Supernatural is Simple? Avoiding Scorecard Church<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6OwUA5s_h0LHhggZ5xDs9PgY9CTDXuiCNT-p0lrxxKubDMAPpcZv-QJLGitMyWVAgxnIrZsddG2p1WQJloaR5X48AQfT4DkNG7u0BE7F2FQ5nd52Jl3fiB6ncKn9eZPuCE9ZfnGHznNf/s1600/simple-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="710" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6OwUA5s_h0LHhggZ5xDs9PgY9CTDXuiCNT-p0lrxxKubDMAPpcZv-QJLGitMyWVAgxnIrZsddG2p1WQJloaR5X48AQfT4DkNG7u0BE7F2FQ5nd52Jl3fiB6ncKn9eZPuCE9ZfnGHznNf/s320/simple-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It’s kind of customary to attend
church hoping to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">get</i> something. None
of us are surprised to hear another believer pray, “Lord, help us to get
something out of the message.” That’s a fairly normal desire. After all, we
wouldn’t want anyone to return home from worship having received nothing would
we? But it is not the first thing. Looking to build-up other believers is the
first thing. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Let all things be done for building up." </i> (I Corinthians 14:26b) </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We aren’t that much different from the
Corinthians. They came to church looking for the spectacular, the showy.
Excitement was growing for the more demonstrative gifts, especially speaking in
tongues. They must have felt a little like the air was being knocked out of
them when Paul said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">So with yourselves,
since you are eager for the manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in
building up the church.”</i> (I Corinthians 14:12)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Corinthians thought that <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>being “spiritual” was synonymous with the spectacular. For them
to hear that true spirituality was more often ordinary rather than
extraordinary, must have been humbling. It was probably shocking too. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The “means of grace” are actually very ordinary. They are
supernatural, but not showy. Reading the Scriptures, praying the Scriptures, singing the Scriptures, preaching the Scriptures and seeing the Scriptures in the ordinances are all fairly simple. They are so plain that they could be viewed as
mediocre, even boring. But, don’t be fooled. While they may appear to be
mundane, they are miraculous. God’s Spirit is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">manifesting</i> Himself in these plain things.(14:12)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Gathering with the church in order to edify
others rather than experience something changes our perspective from a focus being on
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">me</i> to a view towards <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">others.</i> There are variety of experiences
that we can be longing for when we gather at church each Lord’s Day. Some of us
are seeking sentimental experiences. We long for the songs, feelings, and
spiritual coziness of a bygone era. Others of us are looking for a spectacular
jolt that re-charges our will and desires for another week of being a
Christ-follower. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And this kind of “self-edification” mindset
generally leads to what could be referred to as a “Scorecard Church.” <i>Scorecard Church</i>
is the idea that everything done during a worship service is <i>for</i> me and is to
be evaluated <i>by</i> me. In <i>Scorecard Church</i> I give feedback during and following a worship service. I “score” the people’s friendliness, worship team’s performance,
pastor’s message, church’s amenities, etc. <i>Scorecard Church</i> invariably produces consumer
church members. Takers rather than givers. When we gather with our church to <i>get</i> rather than <i>give </i>we help establish a <i>Scorecard Church</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">What if the Spirit’s supernatural
manifestations are displayed in the ordinary elements of our worship
services? What if we all went to church looking to edify others rather than to personally experience something? That is church by-the-Book! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Let’s try it this coming Sunday! <i>Excel in
building up the church</i>! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-69785504200447285972018-12-31T16:40:00.002-08:002018-12-31T16:43:08.481-08:00Dear, Resolved-Out...<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Dear Resolved-Out, </i></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<i> So here we go flipping that calendar again. Does that bring you stress? Guilt? Pride? </i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<i> New Year's should remind us that our God is a God of new beginnings, fresh starts and clean slates. Aren't you thankful for new seasons? What if rather than living in the regret of what didn't happen in 2018, we were to live in the excitement of the opportunity for a redo in 2019? There were goals met and goals unmet. Friendships lost and friendships gained. But our God gives us a new, clean page. </i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<i> That’s a central truth of the new birth. We are born from above. Everything is new. Old things pass away. God gives us new life. </i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<i> The Holy Spirit is busy renewing us from the inside out changing us to be like Jesus. God is giving us a makeover. </i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<i> Every new season, new year, new day, or new chapter of our lives is beaming with new grace, new mercies. God gives us a second chance. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<i> Rest in your position in Christ. Maybe you completed all your 2018 resolutions(even added a few during the year). Or you put on weight last year. You didn’t pay off that credit card. Perhaps you even forgot where you put those resolutions you penned on January 1, 2018. No matter. Remember, God cannot love you any more than He does in Christ by you successfully checking-off another goal. God gives us a Substitute who met all His goals. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<i> So, set those resolutions. But only do it in grateful response to God’s limitless mercy and grace. With Jesus, being the same yesterday, today and forever, every new day is a fresh, new mercy day. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<i>Grateful for redos. </i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<i>BF</i></div>
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<br /></div>
Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-14295531863286676032018-11-30T07:16:00.000-08:002018-11-30T07:29:15.794-08:00Weeds and Wicks. "Where Do Broken Hearts Go?" <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBa1SlO8gaiW8WgrKMr82joW5jBQAgf2MO9DbxEYARChFdbxmdBgRSkRXRl8wGuceUzFXObJNlLB-fKLY_8LAovLk_V4aXP6esouXunJHCw7DJbI0BtHgbyLiNaL1Y4-9QeLsLLglv0K_e/s1600/large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="499" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBa1SlO8gaiW8WgrKMr82joW5jBQAgf2MO9DbxEYARChFdbxmdBgRSkRXRl8wGuceUzFXObJNlLB-fKLY_8LAovLk_V4aXP6esouXunJHCw7DJbI0BtHgbyLiNaL1Y4-9QeLsLLglv0K_e/s320/large.jpg" width="280" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Depleted. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dry. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Discouraged and bruised. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Where do broken hearts go? </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
Every human has a default setting. Like a spring-loaded mouse-trap we react
to hurts, disappointments and defeat. How do you knee-jerk-to-hurt? Some of us escape
by binge-eating, binge-viewing, binge-spending, binge-sleeping, binge-working,
binge-drinking, binge-medicating, binge-recreating, etc.(You get the idea!). Others
of us react by turning inward. This often results in our becoming bitter, dark,
depressed, or disillusioned. And numbers of us react to “psyche-pain” or soul-suffering
in the same way that we respond to physical pain- by seeking a diagnosis, and a
prescription. Still, some of us immediately run to another human; perhaps a
licensed one. What is your default setting? <i>Where should broken hearts go? </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
Confession. There are few vocalists that I enjoy hearing on the radio more
than the late Whitney Houston. She had such beautiful tone and vocal control.
Angelic. Houston was the only recording artist to have seven consecutive
number-one singles. The last in her string of top hits, was released in 1988
entitled, <i>“Where Do Broken Hearts Go?”</i> The song was an instant success. It’s
popularity was due, not only to the beauty of Whitney’s voice, but because of the
universal question we all join in singing (or sighing), <i>“Where do broken hearts
go?” </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
The prophet Isaiah actually answered this recurring inquiry nearly 2600
years ago by discussing <i>weeds</i> and <i>wicks</i>. You heard me right: <i>weeds</i> and <i>wicks</i>. No, this was not the Old Testament’s verdict on the
legalization of marijuana. It was actually a prophesy(a prediction that was
guaranteed to come true) of what the attitude of Jesus Christ would eternally be
like towards broken-hearted, bruised, slow-sanctifying people. The answer to
“where do broken hearts go?” is found in Isaiah 42, the first of four “servant songs”(as
they are often referred to). The
fourth, and most well-known servant song, is about the “suffering servant” in
Isaiah 53. Much ink has been spilt about who the prophet is referring to when
he speaks of the Servant of Jehovah. Some believe Isaiah is referring to King
Cyrus of Persia because he fulfilled some of these prophesies. Others see
national Israel as the Servant. While Cyrus and Israel can both be seen as
fulfilling some of the prophesies in these servant songs, like Cinderella’s
slipper, there is only <i>one</i> who fits
into the “shoe” perfectly. Only One fulfills all of the prophesies contained in
the songs. That is Jesus. New Testament writers make it very clear that Jesus
is the “servant” referred to in Isaiah(Matthew 12:15-21) Look at the first part
of the first servant song. It describes the heart of Jehovah’s servant(Jesus)
and His disposition towards the broken-hearted. <i>"Where do broken hearts go?" </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Behold my servant,
whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon
him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift
up his voice, or make it heard in
the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he
will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.</i> -Isaiah 42:1-3</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Jesus was
modest. “He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the
street.” He didn’t draw attention to himself by yelling, screaming or making a
scene. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jesus is meek. Illustrated by weeds and wicks. “A bruised
reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u>Weeds.</u> A “reed” was a plant. They would be similar to the
shoots and blades of grass that you see in a sand dune as your summer feet make
fresh impressions along the beach. Perhaps a more accurate visual would be to
picture a young, thin bamboo shoot. These reeds were used to make small penny
whistles, or flutes as well as narrow spears. So, a straight, healthy, unbruised
reed would be useful. But a reed that was bruised and bent was of no use. As a
person strolls beside a bruised reed, they might as well snap-it and put it out
of its misery. But the Servant of Jehovah will not snap it. He won’t break it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u>Wicks.</u> We all know what a candle, lamp or camp-fire looks
like when it is about to smolder-out. Smoke begins to stream upward like a
magic-genie from a bottle, indicating the fire is nearly gone. The view of most
would be to see such a faintly burning wick as an energy source that had lost all
usefulness. How tempting it would be to moisten a couple of fingers just to hear
the sizzle and wiz of them clamping on the vanishing spark as it is extinguished.
Not Jesus. He won’t quench even the smallest flame. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Does Jesus truly care about weeds and wicks? No. The key of
course to understanding this prophecy is to understand that bruised and broken weeds
and burnt-out wicks are images of bruised, broken and burnt-out <i>people</i>. Jesus cares a lot about bruised,
broken and burnt-out people. He moves towards them with compassion and care.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bruised weeds and burnt-out wicks are vulnerable people. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bruised weeds and burnt-out wicks are people whose faith is
dim. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bruised weeds and burnt-out wicks are people smothered by
guilt. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bruised weeds and burnt-out wicks are people who are
steam-rolled over, used and abused by others.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bruised weeds and burnt-out wicks are people whose wrong
choices have broken them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bruised weeds and burnt-out wicks are people who have been scared
by another’s sin against them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bruised weeds and burnt-out wicks are people who have been
shattered by hurtful words.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bruised weeds and burnt-out wicks are people who are
doubting.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bruised weeds and burnt-out wicks are people who are showing
very few signs of spiritual growth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bruised weeds and burnt-out wicks are people who have been
spiritually shattered by harsh leaders.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bruised weeds and burnt-out wicks are people who get left
out of lists like this one. J</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">While others view a bruised reed as useless because it can’t
be leaned upon it or Mel music,
Jesus views it as valuable and useful. The bruised reed is useful to Jesus <i>because</i> of its brokenness. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A wick about to flame-out appears to be useless to many as
well. But God. He sees the faint glow and the tiny sparks, envisioning its future
blaze. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">There is no Savior like Jesus! Who is as kind as our Christ,
so compassionate, so very close! He comes to the aid of bruised reeds and
diminishing flames.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54q_fp2u4ysIn64aQF19AEvE3uWSOLMFJ3Y3xuZhjj_xmeY6QRInT0jt2hTIJ_izrwBK_VO16DXJXx7J0_mjAHI0QH83lm1Sgzp1QMws2qGPWygUHtVP71R8Y-2m_vqmv9gUtPuFuxJti/s1600/Prison-Fellowship-350x350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54q_fp2u4ysIn64aQF19AEvE3uWSOLMFJ3Y3xuZhjj_xmeY6QRInT0jt2hTIJ_izrwBK_VO16DXJXx7J0_mjAHI0QH83lm1Sgzp1QMws2qGPWygUHtVP71R8Y-2m_vqmv9gUtPuFuxJti/s200/Prison-Fellowship-350x350.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In the initial days of </span><i style="font-size: 11pt;">Prison
Fellowship</i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">, a ministry to those incarcerated founded by Chuck Colson, Chuck
asked R.C. Sproul what he thought a good logo would be for the new ministry.
Dr. Sproul immediately said, ‘a bruised reed’ like the one spoken of in Isaiah
42. What could be a better logo than one that communicates Christ’s heart for
the broken and bruised.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“What comes to your mind when you think of God is the most
important thing about you” said, A.W. Tozer. When you think of Jesus, what do
you think His attitude is towards you? When He sees your brokenness, bruises,
slow-growth, what does He think? What is his disposition towards you like? Does
He approach you with condemnation or compassion? Healing or harshness? This is
vital. How we think of Christ matters. Broken hearts don’t go to a caustic
Christ. Broken hearts don’t run to a condemning Christ. Broken hearts don’t
cling to an impatient Christ. But, broken people flocked to Jesus as he
ministered on earth. What made him so magnanimous and attractive to sinners,
broken people? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Where do broken hearts go?</i> They should and must go to Jesus.
What does that look like?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ø<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b>Run to
Jesus in authentic, even messy, prayer. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Hear the
invitation of Jesus. <i>“Come unto me, all who labor and are heaven
laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for
I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my
yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”</i> (Matt. 11:28-30) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Where do broken hearts go?</i> “When you are shattered like you
have never been before, where do you go? When the life you knew is in a
thousand pieces on the floor, where do you turn?” Have you learned in the
“conflict, when pressed by the foe, to flee to your Refuge and breathe out your
woe?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The gospel declares an end to all pretenses and pretending.
Jesus has no need for us to be anything other than we actually are. Jesus will
not be disappointed to find us to be less than conquerors. He specializes in
using the bruised, broken and burnt-out. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Close the door. Cry out to Jesus. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ø<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b>Run to
Jesus’ words. Read them. Sing them. Meditate on them. Memorize them.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Where do broken hearts go? The words of Jesus, the
Scriptures, give life. When we are bruised, broken and burnt-out, we must
choose to listen to the voice of truth. Do we have enough of the Word in us so
that we have a working theology for suffering? Do the songs we sing together as
believers have enough depth to preach truth to us in our trials. To anchor our
souls? When Jesus was attacked by Satan, he used the Scriptures to rebuff the
Tempter. The Poetry section of the Bible(Job, Psalms, Proverbs, etc.)is
particularly helpful to stabilize our souls when they are broken, bruised and
burnt-out. </span></div>
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</span><!--[endif]--><b>Run to
Jesus’ people who reflect a culture of mercy and grace. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Where do broken hearts go? Find a community of believers.
Find a church to covenant with through church membership. What do you look for?
Look for a group of followers of Jesus, a band of mercy-melted believers, who
are growing together in a culture of grace. If you sense judgmentalism,
legalism, self-righteousness or harshness, keep looking! Seriously. Run for the
exit. Also, look for leaders who, like Jesus, are easy on people. Do the
pastors expect people to be broken, bruised and burnt-out? Are they impatient
with them? Are they like “tail-gaters” or “rubber-neckers” who push you on the interstate fast lane to
move over or speed up? Ever experience that? You look up in your rear-view
mirror and this vehicle is breathing down your neck by inching-up to your
bumper. Sometimes they are flashing their lights, shouting, and making
gestures. There are some spiritual leaders, churches and ministries who try to
“disciple” others in this way. They are easily irritated and perpetually impatient
with slow spiritual growth. So, they try to speed the growth up by pressure,
shame and guilt. Ask, “does this
church welcome broken people?” If yes, this is where broken hearts should go. And,
go often.</span></div>
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</span><!--[endif]--><b>Run with
Jesus’ mission to the bruised, broken and burnt-out. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Where do broken hearts go? They join
the Healer of their souls in His mission to rescue broken people. The church is
not a cruise ship on which we are on vacation, sipping lemonade. The church is a
fishing boat. We are to be
fishing, along with our Savior, for the broken, bruised and burnt-out. Jesus
came to “seek and to save that which is lost.” The church is not to be a museum
of saints, but a hospital for sinners. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">There is no Savior like Jesus! He does not snap the bruised
reed. He doesn’t quench the faintly burning wick. What a kind Savior He is! Where
do broken hearts go? They go to Jesus! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Whitney Houston began her musical performance career by
singing gospel solos in church as a child. Interestingly, two days before she tragically
died from an overdose, in her final public appearance, she sang “Jesus loves
me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so.” <i>Where do broken hearts go? </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Go to Jesus. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tell your weary, broken friends about our Jesus too. </span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span class="text Ps-147-3" id="en-ESV-16355" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; position: relative;">He heals <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-16355A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16355A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the brokenhearted</span></i><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"><i> </i></span><span class="text Ps-147-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><i>and <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-16355B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16355B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>binds up their wounds.</i>-Psalm 147:3</span></span></span></o:p></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-65607545157201046552018-10-04T19:19:00.001-07:002018-10-04T20:00:20.972-07:00A Historical Sketch of the East Brandywine Baptist Church (1843-2018)<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<sub><span style="font-family: "times";"><span style="font-size: small;">by Pastor
Brian Fuller<o:p></o:p></span></span></sub></div>
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<sub><span style="font-family: "times";"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">For our
One-Hundredth and Seventy-Fifth Anniversary </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></sub></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXioLPiKq2weCSPVPEFrWjQ5RGizeI4lE8xLRi3V8qlqojj2mdsNZeS4a598-nuUwokeGt8jAzrcjVtp6jQcSLmUnG2Mwa65fAmqyXbfwjcFaOhAXOqC1hCitd7F5kcxTG4rlJJQ57Y6sx/s1600/0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="640" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXioLPiKq2weCSPVPEFrWjQ5RGizeI4lE8xLRi3V8qlqojj2mdsNZeS4a598-nuUwokeGt8jAzrcjVtp6jQcSLmUnG2Mwa65fAmqyXbfwjcFaOhAXOqC1hCitd7F5kcxTG4rlJJQ57Y6sx/s320/0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The 175<sup>th</sup>
Anniversary of the Founding of the East Brandywine Baptist Church<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This Sunday, October 7, 2018, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we will commemorate
the 175<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the founding of our church, East Brandywine
Baptist Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> On average, local
New Testament churches have a lifespan. A recent study notes that the average
church plant that is able to survive the first seven years has an average
lifespan of eighty years. That means that the average lifespan of a church is
about the same as the average lifespan of a human. Local churches are born,
live and die. This can be discouraging and confusing. While the universal
church is everlasting, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To him be glory
in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever.
Amen.”</i> (Ephesians 3:21), local New Testament churches are little outposts,
or embassies that are born, live and die. (Revelation 2-3)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The birth, life and even the death of a
local church are according to the perfect will of our Chief Shepherd, Jesus
Christ. In Acts 13:36, the Scriptures say of David, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own
generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers….”</i> Like David, New
Testament Local churches often serve the purpose of God in a generation, or
maybe two, and then they die. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> By the grace and goodness of God alone, East
Brandywine Baptist Church has been blessed to fulfill the purposes of God not
only to one generation; but to three! And, if the Lord wills, may we serve the
purposes of God for three more generations! Amen and Amen! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Consider
the Story of East Brandywine Baptist Church. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDffVfgd2-i0Nutjf6qH2jiUZUElm2I-vhE_IZfBI05B-xwxjtrL7LdWSltpzj0ELhUkpoTAOFxnVtGhxJkwhN-DJREmYszuoO47t44Pa48T3HSp8jX0Ta_K844Oqidet4QZEcu1y0zf9/s1600/PICT0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDffVfgd2-i0Nutjf6qH2jiUZUElm2I-vhE_IZfBI05B-xwxjtrL7LdWSltpzj0ELhUkpoTAOFxnVtGhxJkwhN-DJREmYszuoO47t44Pa48T3HSp8jX0Ta_K844Oqidet4QZEcu1y0zf9/s320/PICT0004.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt; text-align: right;">The name we have on our sign is not our technical name. The
actual name of our church when it was organized and chartered by the state of
Pennsylvania was </span><i style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt; text-align: right;">The Brandywine Baptist
Church of the County of Chester.</i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt; text-align: right;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt; text-align: right;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt; text-align: right;">It has never been officially changed. In 1692 The Brandywine
Baptist Church of Chadds Ford, the second oldest Baptist Church in
Pennsylvania, was founded. The name of our church was publicly referred to as
“East Brandywine Baptist Church” by common consent as a way of distinguishing
it from the Chadds Ford church and because it was located in the East
Brandywine Township.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> In 1840, Windsor Baptist Church in the Uwchland Township
called a new pastor, Rev. Thomas S. Griffith. Later that year, the church
experienced a spiritual revival while the community had an awakening of sinners
being saved. Thirty-three adults were saved, baptized and added to the
membership of Windsor. Some of those new converts lived in Guthriesville, the
furthest limits of Windsor’s local church “boundaries.” Pastors were
circuit-riding preachers in those days. Pastor Griffith was a circuit-riding
preacher who ministered to large sections of territory by horseback with saddle
bags. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
these pastoral visits, Pastor Griffith spotted an open field on Horseshoe Pike,
near Guthriesville that appeared to him to be a great location for an open-air
evangelistic meeting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">On July 20, 1841, Pastor
Griffith opened a series of meetings in the field on Sunday afternoons. While
these special meetings were in progress, many souls enquired what they should
do to be saved. And being pointed to the Lamb of God, as the only way of
salvation, they were soon enabled to hope in His mercy. During the meeting,
which continued six weeks, 48 were saved, baptized and received into the
membership of the Windsor Baptist Church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The need for protracted meetings
in the evening was obvious. James Guie owned a paper mill in Bondsville and
Lord’s Day evening services were held there. William Moore gave this account of
these evening meetings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I saw
great stacks of rags on either side, and in the center some benches where on
the dusty floor, penitents were kneeling and pleading for mercy. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Because of the spiritual revival,
it was decided by this group of new believers that there was a need for a
permanent location for meeting. On September 10, 1842, one-half acres of land
on the Horseshoe Pike, east of the village of Guthrieville, was sold to the
group for $1. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">On this land, the Brandywine
Meeting House of Chester County was built, and it was completed late in 1842. The name for the building was "The Brandywine Baptist Meeting House." This name was a continual reminder to our EBBC family that a church is not a <i>building</i>. A church is the <i>people</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Shortly after the Meeting
House was built, the decision was made to organize these new believers in Guthriesville
and East Brandywine Township into a separate church. Forty-nine members of the
Windsor Baptist Church were released to become the charter members of East
Brandywine Baptist Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pastor
Griffith served as our first pastor leading morning services at Windsor and
afternoon services at EBBC each Sunday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Our first three deacons were
Joseph Guthrie, Lewis Gray and James Guie. William D. McFarlan served as EBBC’s
first Church Clerk. Many of these charter members of EBBC are buried at the East Brandywine Cemetery. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Lord blessed the early days
with disciples being added to the church. During the first 25 years the
membership grew to 121. The church also began two different Sunday Schools
during that time. One of the schools was held at the church building while
another was a mission school. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In those early days churches
erected high standards of Christian living and insisted that their membership
should live up to those standards. This church was no exception and carefully
watched over the spiritual development of its members, admonishing them to keep
themselves clear from the contaminating influences of the world and if
necessary, excluding them from the membership of the church. During the first
year of the church in particular, disciplinary measures were often used which
seem to us today to be severe, but the church was thus made to stand for
something in the community. The church took an early stand upon large moral
issues and in October 1844, permission was given to hold temperance meetings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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made of the fact that singing schools were being held in the Church. Music
played a large part in the early Church, even as it does today.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIK1Zkex2OcWsuAS0hYY6NFeVicBxXLGLTGkIKFLweqm-27dqzx28asZ1SeV5bs3UdQ8r-HZFGdOp657cLoYq6MSvzUTOcsYpZskykR31J7dkUY7saWvHrnYikyQ1X8fKg6YovnccMebN/s1600/IMG_1063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIK1Zkex2OcWsuAS0hYY6NFeVicBxXLGLTGkIKFLweqm-27dqzx28asZ1SeV5bs3UdQ8r-HZFGdOp657cLoYq6MSvzUTOcsYpZskykR31J7dkUY7saWvHrnYikyQ1X8fKg6YovnccMebN/s320/IMG_1063.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In 1851 the church began to contribute
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giving to the Home Mission Society and to the State Mission Society. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In the early years, frequent
mention of committees to secure finances for regular maintenance and special
projects. In 1855 it was decided to rent the pews but that apparently was
unsatisfactory, for the following year the action was rescinded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Just 14 years after the building
of the Meeting House, there was a fire that completely destroyed the interior
on March 9, 1856. The church gathered temporarily at the Guthriesville Hall.
The renovated Meeting House was re-dedicated on November 9, 1856. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In 1863, the Civil War was on and our
pulpit was supplied for a short season, by Rev. Silas Livermore, a refugee from
North Carolina. Our letter to the Association that year was as patriotic as it
was loyal. We recognized the duty of a prompt and hearty support of the
national government in its great task of crushing out the gigantic, causeless,
wicked and cruel rebellion, and of restoring peace and union upon the best and
surest foundations of liberty and righteousness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In June of 1867, ten
members were dismissed to become constituent members of the Coatesville Baptist
Church, which was then being organized. Thus the church passed on some of its
life to spread the Gospel in another field. Coatesville Baptist Church has
moved, reorganized and has been renamed to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cornerstone
Fellowship Church</i>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In 1870 additional land was
purchased by EBBC surrounding the church building. There was also the purchase
of a parsonage on the south side of Horseshoe Pike in the village of Guthriesville,
across the street from the Hopewell Pharmacy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">A growing church is a
changing church. There was a change that took place in 1873 that was 30 years
past due. Men occupied the pews on one side of the Meeting House while the
ladies sat in the pews across the middle aisle. In that time in American church
history, it was not customary for men and women to sit together during their
church services. Thankfully, action was taken in 1873 so that men and women,
fathers and daughters and mothers and sons worshipped side-by-side. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCheCxiLm7Q7oqkuCr0ASvz6W5NdmRQ1HLR6XcVZR5BZAd56UiUDjPxUndNaTrgNL9jjSiMWR7CaZ-COoOkUSWNyQGnQrdHy0uqXFbRZj9Lr1LsQAID0DXeYztrbelc3ixOCSzYkIwYlWW/s1600/1-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCheCxiLm7Q7oqkuCr0ASvz6W5NdmRQ1HLR6XcVZR5BZAd56UiUDjPxUndNaTrgNL9jjSiMWR7CaZ-COoOkUSWNyQGnQrdHy0uqXFbRZj9Lr1LsQAID0DXeYztrbelc3ixOCSzYkIwYlWW/s320/1-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Again, as the church had received
its early life form the Windsor Baptist Church, it in turn was called upon to
give of its life for the beginning of another church. In April of 1883 the
church appointed a committee to sit in council for the purpose of constituting
the Baptist Church of Downingtown. For many years the lives of these two
churches were very closely associated. Downingtown grew into a strong body and
much of the time, pastors from Downingtown served as pastors of East Brandywine,
often only for an afternoon service. Downingtown Baptist has also moved,
re-organized and has been renamed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grace
Church</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">James Guie, mentioned earlier, was
a businessman, one of our first deacons, an evangelist and a generous donor. James
Guie was officially licensed by East Brandywine Baptist Church as an
Evangelist. When he died, in 1893, he willed 50 shares of Downingtown National
Bank stock to East Brandywine Baptist Church. According to James’ wishes, the
dividends were to be paid to EBBC for as long as East Brandywine Baptist
preached the gospel. If they were ever to stop, they were to turn over the
stocks to Downingtown Baptist Church. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT18f2QfEqg__spz6LL3vmY4i6h2oTa9WWgq-ZhCt4U72YTSB1P2NQ7q4pFvGNZ1To2GUmmLxph_JN36QJ39JbVx9Ai5XQXQeArq2SGC9l91p2vXQh3rrsAOECY5H7DbWiSKFrKszUW3ie/s1600/IMG_1162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT18f2QfEqg__spz6LL3vmY4i6h2oTa9WWgq-ZhCt4U72YTSB1P2NQ7q4pFvGNZ1To2GUmmLxph_JN36QJ39JbVx9Ai5XQXQeArq2SGC9l91p2vXQh3rrsAOECY5H7DbWiSKFrKszUW3ie/s640/IMG_1162.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">At the turn of the 20<sup>th</sup>
century, the church went through the difficult times and really struggled to
survive. The Baptist Association in Philadelphia sent a supply pastor named Marple
Lewis. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4MNfcr3kQD1LflUkaN4NtELbt3ujX4OzWoKsT5dOK_9-8okmBk5lhvoNsYwxp3LM5Zpy-NJayPMyZs_HxR4mUVe1NZx4YsamZkZuLuvKrVM6npxxETAQG_v3mzuBiseVIul8A1gJygK0/s1600/IMG_1155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4MNfcr3kQD1LflUkaN4NtELbt3ujX4OzWoKsT5dOK_9-8okmBk5lhvoNsYwxp3LM5Zpy-NJayPMyZs_HxR4mUVe1NZx4YsamZkZuLuvKrVM6npxxETAQG_v3mzuBiseVIul8A1gJygK0/s200/IMG_1155.jpg" width="160" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Marple reminisced about those days, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For
at least two years prior to my being sent there by the State Secretary to
re-open the church, it had been closed most of the them. It was a challenge,
but the revival during the winter of 1911-12 brought a renewal of life.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Times were challenging financially for
the pastors during those days as well. Pastor Lewis continued, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The State Convention paid me $40 a month
until the Church could absorb it. They did, after the revival, but when I asked
for a raise to $50, they refused it. I was boarding myself and a horse at
Laird’s farm. It’s a great life, if you don’t weaken.</i> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "times";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">During these challenging days, months, and years of struggle that came periodically over these 175 years, there has always been a remnant of faithful women and men at EBBC that have assumed responsibility and led when there was an absence of leadership. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "times"; font-size: 14pt;">“I tell you beloved, this church has always had a little band of women,
who evermore, were real “helpers in the Gospel,”as well as a little team of men
whose hearts were hopeful, brave and true. In the midst of these conditions a
mission school and religious work were carried on in adjacent nearby
neighborhoods. You were a little flock, often pastorless, and your
under-shepherds, here today and gone tomorrow. Yet, amidst all your trials, you
seemed to hear and heed the voice of your Lord “Fear not little flock, for it
is your Father’s<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>good pleasure to
give you the Kingdom.” </span></i><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;">–David Spencer</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">To the east of the Meeting House(the
old church building) a circle of trees was planted to honor our East Brandywine
“local boys” who served in World War I. There was a special service honoring
the men and the trees were planted. The trees still stand, a circle of love
surrounding one cenrer tree planted in honor of Clarence Krauss, who was killed
in action. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CIVcc8Uf4kpWI0xCvN2224CLM1Sigw-ziNScmmFTcdzpkhuZBVeOmOWHHz1AMjVAx_O0xTCQ2ex3mWbmSHGPrgW42r5vSiK_H4rvw9p6EwvBvnB7seCVmbOh_aCChWiwuGQqvUZxGda_/s1600/IMG_1095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CIVcc8Uf4kpWI0xCvN2224CLM1Sigw-ziNScmmFTcdzpkhuZBVeOmOWHHz1AMjVAx_O0xTCQ2ex3mWbmSHGPrgW42r5vSiK_H4rvw9p6EwvBvnB7seCVmbOh_aCChWiwuGQqvUZxGda_/s320/IMG_1095.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">"The Problem we have had is with Movies.” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> In 1916, the church celebrated our “Diamond Anniversary”(75
years). The three-day celebration included a hand-written history of EBBC that
was presented to the church family by David Spencer. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjFQW3ZufKiC5sMYCtCUZlRCw2QKhgUmRa6QmkYvtruWbVyK0-sD3bUcCK8xiaAxGxVbplBa4VVDuICcrzrYWR6lZrwCJFxdm_njL5xSght0kOokVRnNPx4mc1lmAEkLDiiLQ5H_q_geb/s1600/IMG_1157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjFQW3ZufKiC5sMYCtCUZlRCw2QKhgUmRa6QmkYvtruWbVyK0-sD3bUcCK8xiaAxGxVbplBa4VVDuICcrzrYWR6lZrwCJFxdm_njL5xSght0kOokVRnNPx4mc1lmAEkLDiiLQ5H_q_geb/s320/IMG_1157.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">During the first 75 years of the church, EBBC had over 40
pastors with no pastor remaining at the church for more than five years. That
“revolving door” caused David Spencer to proclaim a challenge by highlighting
the problem of “movies” during our first 75 years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“What this church has needed was a man committed to this 'field,' devoting all
his time to the work as a pastor as well as a preacher. There is one word prominent
in our nomenclature today which in the vicinity of some churches is the
explanation of some of the troubles for why they are suffering at this time.
That word is <b>“The Movies”,</b> that has been the trouble here-the coming and
constantly moving away again of Pastors. This church has certainly had the
“Movies.” Many of its Preachers, using this "field" simply as a stepping stone,
whence they might be moved to something more inviting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, for the spirit in our pulpit which
will say with the apostle Paul, “But none of these things move me.” Here I will
be steadfast unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. My Dear Brother
Smith, our present pastor, here is the chance of your lifetime. Do you not hear
our Lord saying to you, “Occupy till I come?” It will pay you and the cause of Christ here to put your life into this field, whose next quarter of a century may be
made to tell much for God and truth. My brother accept the challenge which He
gives to you. Walk out on His promises. Make all needed sacrifices, remembering
that sacrifice is gold in Heaven. Make full proof <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of your ministry here and Christ, the Head of the Church, shall say to you, “well done good and faithful servant enter into the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>joy of your Lord.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
1950, the Lord lead Pastor Richard Rusbuldt to East Brandywine Baptist Church.
He ended the age of “the Movies” by pastoring us for a long time-nine years.
During his pastoral ministry from 1950-1959, Pastor Dick Rusbult was youth
pastor, pastor of outreach, lead pastor and administrative pastor all in one. Pastor
Rusbuldt’s ministry to our church was significant and his loving shepherding is
still remembered with much joy by our older members. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZ0ppPa6cUUNTn8wA_ecaL08AXy1gH7ofMP96mbYEAkugv1eSol3YXVzufxMBNgp-QXiUE5X781LcPDNI9lt3IFdmY2TKC1rAUdC2RKvcQCqDvDOF5yxy4nianOkaEaYIXf3cmuYXxTiY/s1600/IMG_1054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1525" data-original-width="1600" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZ0ppPa6cUUNTn8wA_ecaL08AXy1gH7ofMP96mbYEAkugv1eSol3YXVzufxMBNgp-QXiUE5X781LcPDNI9lt3IFdmY2TKC1rAUdC2RKvcQCqDvDOF5yxy4nianOkaEaYIXf3cmuYXxTiY/s320/IMG_1054.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In 1968 Pastor
Ronald Smith told our church family, “The glorious privilege of building a
church does not fall to every generation. By Divine Providence this great
opportunity has fallen to us, the congregation of East Brandywine Baptist
Church. The church was dedicated in 1968 during our 125<sup>th</sup>
Anniversary. Inscribed on the cornerstone are the words, “To God Be The Glory.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In 1972, the Lord
brought EBBC a man with a Shepherd’s heart. Pastor Charles Detwiler Jr. and his
wife Grace were spiritual gifts to our church family for over two decades of
pastoral ministry. Pastor “D” had been employed as a Health Physicist for
General Electric for nine years. Pastor Detwiler resigned in order to go into
the ministry. His first pastoral ministry was at Pughtown Baptist Church which
he served while attending seminary. Grace served as our choir director for the
duration of their pastorate. Pastor “D” served as our lead pastor for seventeen
years. That was the longest pastoral ministry of any of our previous 50
pastors. Pastor Detwiler, in consultation with our deacons led our church to leave the American Baptist Convention. EBBC had been part of the ABC for our entire history. However, our spiritual leaders wisely discerned doctrinal shifts that were taking place within the denomination. We became an independent church in 1980 as we separated from the convention. In 1990, Pastor Detwiler was bestowed the honor of “Pastor Emeritus.”
He also served as our first “Pastor to Seniors.”</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlJDn2Acn3Ux2IMnKg_hh1p9REqbnXjm2LtsI8EHtdBarqZQ-4NXXgVZTNdoOKS1eM4bmhOKUf3ihdLXAyR98GLeYicpPfjzNkcupYYU6HDIkqgICipke4w4UooP4HNt-3awEFzw10w2Q/s1600/IMG_1142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlJDn2Acn3Ux2IMnKg_hh1p9REqbnXjm2LtsI8EHtdBarqZQ-4NXXgVZTNdoOKS1eM4bmhOKUf3ihdLXAyR98GLeYicpPfjzNkcupYYU6HDIkqgICipke4w4UooP4HNt-3awEFzw10w2Q/s320/IMG_1142.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On Thursday,
February 28, 1991, the stillness of the cemetery was broken by the sound of the
wrecking crews: the first East Brandywine Baptist Church building was
demolished. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqM8C38kWiucSy8UQlU7hsKT4T9DN5Q-7MCX2LNXRAW2JQTri6Qf_-wPuPQ0Bwio7Fb4R64DbblhHN9KnOK3xl5XdORLmuGGqT6GRaK1MYyq2nfhdWhrxZvb-CpZRXznXyNUjC8ZnuH-Nt/s1600/IMG_1074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1101" data-original-width="1600" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqM8C38kWiucSy8UQlU7hsKT4T9DN5Q-7MCX2LNXRAW2JQTri6Qf_-wPuPQ0Bwio7Fb4R64DbblhHN9KnOK3xl5XdORLmuGGqT6GRaK1MYyq2nfhdWhrxZvb-CpZRXznXyNUjC8ZnuH-Nt/s320/IMG_1074.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> The East Brandywine Meeting House had been recently leased to a
preschool. The building had been outgrown and the renovations were just too
costly for our church at the time. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-wVkganrbub19HabTqhmko-iyYxEXQY6UDXLmlxZKoagQseEY16uANrRlkQSjRhPgOFW-AsFVmBgmlnOvL0B4_voP9ZsVCm9MiQ0BNhB3UY42xlAUChyphenhyphenmU7_XosEDKuWXVVfFe2XS8Za/s1600/IMG_1096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-wVkganrbub19HabTqhmko-iyYxEXQY6UDXLmlxZKoagQseEY16uANrRlkQSjRhPgOFW-AsFVmBgmlnOvL0B4_voP9ZsVCm9MiQ0BNhB3UY42xlAUChyphenhyphenmU7_XosEDKuWXVVfFe2XS8Za/s320/IMG_1096.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In 2017 an historical marker was
erected by the East Brandywine Historical Society marking the location of the
original church building.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMnC08-OVOFOErRbboPMSsv6z9UQRw6v2sZDwEayzy8_aSAvYvPcvJqs86ChaVqjWlELtWD8r2HQy9bp8Pp1shzUWo8Xu6tUQVzD1PypNje4Z08cpGx_v50w5DsAbzjVnmpZXYTQuAAdy/s1600/1-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="463" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMnC08-OVOFOErRbboPMSsv6z9UQRw6v2sZDwEayzy8_aSAvYvPcvJqs86ChaVqjWlELtWD8r2HQy9bp8Pp1shzUWo8Xu6tUQVzD1PypNje4Z08cpGx_v50w5DsAbzjVnmpZXYTQuAAdy/s320/1-5.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In 2000, the Lord, again led a man
to serve the Lord in the EBBC field for a long time. Pastor Harry Fletcher and
his wife Sue faithfully served our church family for 13 years until Pastor
Harry retired. During Pastor Harry’s oversight our church was led to bring
Pastor Josh Park on as our youth pastor. Other blessings of Pastor Fletcher’s
oversight was his leadership for us to expand our foyer, and make major
enhancements and renovations to our campus.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI31t_Shq0AoLbrynehkxAPGHUmNEdL-Cm0KacvsoC07jrWAeQMresxKiDaVp85LMb3l6biNAEj8N9yrUxUnoqavQFq2JCTnskGXASTJrBOvLkIEDgBaHri-9SfxNlxo5-Z2VWRacziDWi/s1600/IMG_1148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1418" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI31t_Shq0AoLbrynehkxAPGHUmNEdL-Cm0KacvsoC07jrWAeQMresxKiDaVp85LMb3l6biNAEj8N9yrUxUnoqavQFq2JCTnskGXASTJrBOvLkIEDgBaHri-9SfxNlxo5-Z2VWRacziDWi/s200/IMG_1148.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pastor
Josh Park was our youth pastor/associate pastor for 14 years. He and his wife
Jenny are legendary at EBBC because of their godly hearts<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and love towards others! They were
released with ten other EBBC members to plant <i><a href="https://branchlife.church/">Branch Life Church</a> </i>in 2018. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
June of 2016, our pastors, deacons and trustees <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>were informed of a large amount of Downingtown National Bank
Stocks that were owned by EBBC. After some research, we discovered that those
nearly 30,000 stocks were the multiplied family of stocks from the original 50
shares donated to EBBC by James Guie in 1853. In October of 2016, EBBC voted to
liquidate those stocks and payoff their mortgage for the last
renovation/expansion in 2011. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
January 22, 2017, our church voted to adopt a new EBBC Constitution and Bylaws
that changed our governance to be elder-led, deacon-served and
congregation-governed. Our first team of elders was also elected at that
historic annual meeting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>175
years ago, East Brandywine Baptist Church was founded as a result of the clear,
bold proclamation of “Jesus Saves.” May we on this momentous occasion recommit
our lives to making disciples for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;">To the praise of His Glory,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Pastor Fuller</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_igpRzoDAYP7n35mOik0J_8Y46W45LvSDiNmvxrRukSRpODZekAe7I7ddIM0FzyM6fIi7gRRJnTHCUT6iBRU-OpfDznrv8zioZRqXEOqQmVh9M-ZMs1q77paDFvAxApH4gbFxPV0amxJ/s1600/ebbclogo2018.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="1600" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_igpRzoDAYP7n35mOik0J_8Y46W45LvSDiNmvxrRukSRpODZekAe7I7ddIM0FzyM6fIi7gRRJnTHCUT6iBRU-OpfDznrv8zioZRqXEOqQmVh9M-ZMs1q77paDFvAxApH4gbFxPV0amxJ/s320/ebbclogo2018.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
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</style>Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-53100628935478810772018-05-11T09:03:00.000-07:002018-05-11T09:12:36.418-07:00Cynicism: Frozen Heart Disease. Confessions From An Infected Soul<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times";"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaON0seBCk-5l7sWznToy9BaR2Tmvl4ld6zZPSjWPkUyOyVfP5uJfh7xZZDQI8FDGwlyUX8RoLB3sDsmsKteblP_NSBe5AoxXxv-jXNX40mHexUhVyI6OM6q3usQbP0u25nhWNYJEnxjwm/s1600/CYNICISM+LOGO.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaON0seBCk-5l7sWznToy9BaR2Tmvl4ld6zZPSjWPkUyOyVfP5uJfh7xZZDQI8FDGwlyUX8RoLB3sDsmsKteblP_NSBe5AoxXxv-jXNX40mHexUhVyI6OM6q3usQbP0u25nhWNYJEnxjwm/s320/CYNICISM+LOGO.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Cynicism
is the perceived ability <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to see through</i>
someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cynics believe that they
have the power to see through people and know their real motives. A cynical person is someone who thinks that nothing can be judged at face value. They
are consistently looking for the angle, the agenda or the real motivation. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times";"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "times";">Cynicism is a lifestyle of negativity. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A cynic is a man who, when he smells flowers,
looks around for the coffin.” </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times";">Cynics
assume everyone has an agenda. A cynic believes there is always something
behind everything. Every silver lining has a cloud. Everything has a spin, or a
hidden motive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cynicism is a
spiritual disease that is becoming pandemic among Christians. Such pessimism is
being viewed as a spiritual quality. Some believe cynicism is just realism over
idealism. It is viewed as objective rather than subjective. It is praised as
discernment that bests </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times";">naivety</span><span style="font-family: "times";">. <i><b>Cynicism, however, is just repackaged unbelief</b></i>. It
is relational and spiritual rationalism. Consider. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times";">There are no Cynics in the Nursery. </span></b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">There
are no babies in the nursery who are cynics. You would also be hard-pressed to
find a child in the entirety of your children’s ministry who is cynical. The
reason is because we are not born cynical.</span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Children are joyful, innocent, trusting, and believing. That
is one of the reasons they are so lovable and stinkin’ cute! They haven’t
been formed yet to be suspicious, skeptical and distrusting.</span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">We learn to be cynical. We come down with it. We are
infected by it.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times";">How
does a person become cynical? Simply, we are shaped by our reactions to our
experiences. Jacob expressed his cynicism at the prospect of Benjamin being
taken to Egypt. It was all based upon previous pain.(Genesis 42:29-38). When
people hurt us, break our trust, or demonstrate evil motives and we react by
projecting those motives on everyone else, we become cynical. Cynicism is at
the heart of racism. Someone in a particular race or ethnicity acts in a
deplorable way and we react by projecting those evil motives on an entire group
of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This can happen when a
man or a woman has been mistreated by a spouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cynicism is the reaction of becoming a “woman hater” or a
“man hater” by allowing a domestic hurt to become a cynical attitude towards
an entire gender. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times";">Symptoms of Cynicism: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times";">Distrusting of
others. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times";">Belief that you
are able to know the motives of other people. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times";">Suspicion of
everyone, particularly leaders. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times";">Difficulty
expressing your feelings towards others. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times";">Difficulty listening to the feelings of others. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times";">Struggles with
believing the promises of the Bible. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times";">Rarely enjoy any
affections in worship. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times";">Mental blocks
when trying to give yourself to your spouse emotionally and physically. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times";">No one really
knows you. Avoids settings where you would become vulnerable.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times";">Little or no
participation in musical worship corporately or privately. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times";">Prayer life is
nearly non-existent<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times";">Skeptical of supernatural power in the Bible, the gospel, the church and evangelism.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times";">You “throw
cold water” on other people’s optimism, excitement, or hope.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times";">Distrust.
Verify. Distrust. Verify. Distrust. Verify. Distrust. Verify….<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times";">Negative reports
and reviews consistently come to your “inbox.” <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times";">Unable and
unwilling to confess your sins to others. (James 5:16). </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times";">Defrosting Your Heart<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How
do we overcome cynicism? I remember recognizing more than a few of the symptoms
of cynicism in my own life a few years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having received a good dose of "soul pain" at a previous ministry,
I found in my spirit suspiciousness towards some of the sheep that I now had
the privilege of shepherding. It was completely unfair to these church members
for me to project previous pain on them. I also noticed a guarding of my
affections to protect myself from vulnerability. A cynical spirit of distrust
had taken root. A suspicious attitude had infected my heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How
did Thomas, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles go from being a “doubting Thomas” to
confidently proclaiming “my Lord and my God?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, it was his personal, visual encounter with Christ that transformed him.
Jesus said to Thomas, <i>“Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are
those who have not seen and yet have believed.” </i>(John 20:29) <b>Cynicism is
unbelief, pure and simple. It is distrust in God and others</b>. How do we defrost
our souls and receive treatment for cynicism? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times";">Rehearse your acceptance in Christ. </span></b><span style="font-family: "times";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Perfect
love casts out fear.” (I John 4:18). We are “accepted in the Beloved.” (Ephesians
1:6). Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ(Romans 8:37-38).
Rehearsing our acceptance in Christ reminds us of Gospel realism. Cynicism will
begin to defrost through the heating power of the gospel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times";">Exercise Christ-like love in believing and trusting
others. </span></b><span style="font-family: "times";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Love believes all things..(I Cor. 13:7). This doesn’t mean
that love is naïve. It simply means that love and trust are intimately
connected. You cannot love someone you don’t trust. (I John 4:18) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times";">Stop projecting your sinful inclinations on others. </span></b><span style="font-family: "times";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Be more
focused on the needs of others than your own needs.”(Philippians 2:4) We must be careful to not
project our sinful proclivities, whatever they are , on the motives of others.
Just because we may have spoken, thought or acted from wrong
motives, doesn’t mean that person is doing the same. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times";">No more
motive judging. </span></b><span style="font-family: "times";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are regularly warned of not judging
the motives of others. The main reason for that command is that we don’t know
anyone else’s motives. We don’t even know our own motives! (I Corinthians 4;1-4) As soon as we begin
to “connect-the-dots” and speak about “knowing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">why</i> they did this or that” we are only feeding our cynicism. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times";">Don’t
punish others for another’s sin.</span></b><span style="font-family: "times";">
Thankfully, Jacob finally surrendered, “If I be bereaved, I be bereaved.” The
outcome of that surrender was being restored to his son Joseph. If he had
continued in the frozen state of his cynicism, he may have never enjoyed that
sweet reunion. Trust others. Become transparent with others. You can almost hear the crackling of your icy heart begin to melt! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times";">Misery
loves company. </span></b><span style="font-family: "times";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you find your soul freezing-up,
consider if you are regularly in the company of cynical, suspicious,
distrusting, motive-judging friends. “Evil companions corrupt good morals.” (I
Corinthians 15:33)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 20.7pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">C.S. Lewis</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Abolition of Man</i> says, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #181818; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;">“You can’t go on “seeing through”
things forever. The whole point of seeing through something is to see something
through it. To “see through” all things is the same as not to see.” </span></i><span style="color: #181818; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;">In other words, cynical people, who think they actually see through
everyone, actually are no different than a blind man. <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 20.7pt;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 20.7pt;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;">You remember singing this tune in Junior Church? "Twelve men
went to spy on Canaan, ten were bad and two were good.” The event of those 12
spies that went to check out the promised land, vividly illustrates the
difference between cynical unbelief, and joyful trust. The outlook of the 10
spies was filled with doubt, gloom and an “evil report.” (Numbers 13:32). <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 20.7pt;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;">Opposite that,
Joshua and Caleb were filled with optimism and hope. They saw the possibilities
that were as bright as the promises of God rather than the problems. They saw
God instead of giants and victory rather than defeat. We see these two groups
of people represented in our churches today. <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 20.7pt;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 20.7pt;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;">Oh Lord, defrost
our hearts! <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 20.7pt;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h1>
<!--EndFragment--><br />Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-76249101900031830002018-03-16T12:45:00.000-07:002018-03-16T12:51:33.648-07:00Yours, But Not Ours <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuhryg-PqT6W2-NuH3LBj9HXpRO4L09Vo6hapB2XvjZndlG1sH-UowcuW7hB3S-wxc5XTTNsgKZsGXs4OcdG4VU-1-UY1-iwFrA0sgSsd9lXWviJpEY21j2AuL0iMOY1YR757F09fYoFw/s1600/0a8de603c918327c99231176d95b6617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="847" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuhryg-PqT6W2-NuH3LBj9HXpRO4L09Vo6hapB2XvjZndlG1sH-UowcuW7hB3S-wxc5XTTNsgKZsGXs4OcdG4VU-1-UY1-iwFrA0sgSsd9lXWviJpEY21j2AuL0iMOY1YR757F09fYoFw/s320/0a8de603c918327c99231176d95b6617.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></b></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“Mine!” was the first word spoken
by a couple of our children. That exclamatory word confirmed I had
successfully transferred to them a sinful nature. Reminding someone that you
are the owner of something is rarely a godly statement. Yet, the Scriptures
tell me that certain things are indeed “mine”. <i>“For all things are yours, whether
Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the
future-all are yours, and you are Christ’s and Christ is God’s.” </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Bible teaches that spiritual leaders are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yours</i> but you are not <i>theirs</i>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Spiritual leaders are <i>y</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ours.</i> <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Did you know that? The spiritual leaders in your local
church are <i>yours</i>. Listen to this: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“Remember <b>your
</b>leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God.”</i>-Hebrews 13:7a</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“Obey <b>your</b> leaders
and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who
will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning,
for that would be of no advantage to you.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-Hebrews 13:17</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The reason you can accurately refer to them as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yours</i> is<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>because they are spiritual gifts that have been given to you by
the Spirit of God. “<i>And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists,
the shepherds and teachers</i>…”(Eph. 4:11)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When you think of your spiritual leaders(pastors, elders or
pastor/teachers,) do you imagine them as festively-wrapped gifts from God
gifted to you for your benefit? Do you see them as something that is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yours</i>? Perhaps, you are thinking, “can I
take them back for an exchange?”<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This mind-set could lead to a complete attitude change for
some. If your elders are viewed by you as valued possessions your esteem for them, your treatment of them, and your prayers about them will no doubt increase. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We tend to protect, and treasure our valued possessions.
Would you be as critical of your elders as you have been if you believed them
to by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yours</i>? Would you pray for your
elders more faithfully if you believed them to be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yours</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you value
their instructions for you more if you believed them to be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yours</i>? They are. They are completely <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yours</i>!</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You are not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ours</i>. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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This is important to consider. While the pastors and elders
are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yours</i>, you are not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">theirs.</i> The church is not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">our</i> church. The church is not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my</i> church. The church is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God’s </i>church. (<i>“To the church of <b>God</b> that is in Corinth….”</i> –I Cor. 1:2).
Spiritual leaders are not owners; they are stewards. Consider Acts 20: 28, <i>“Pay
careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit
has mad you overseers, to care for the church of <b>God</b>, which he obtained with
his own blood.” </i></div>
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Here is the distinction. Spiritual leaders are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yours</i>, but you are not <i>theirs</i>. They are your servants, but you are
not their masters. (II Corinthians 4:5)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Your spiritual leaders don’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">own</i>
you. They are stewards representing your Owner, Jesus Christ. Because you are
not <i>theirs</i> they are not to “lord it over
your faith.” In other words, spiritual leaders are not to spiritually abuse the
sheep with harshness, legalism, and authoritarianism. At the same time, because
the flock is not <i>theirs</i> they must be
mindful that they will give account for caring for His flock as they await the Chief
Shepherd to appear. </div>
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Do your spiritual leaders acknowledge that you are not
theirs? Do they serve with humility awaiting the final accounting? Do they tell
you what you <i>need</i> to hear, not necessarily what you <i>want</i> to hear? Are they
careful to make sure that the teaching they teach you is what the Lord actually
said? </div>
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Spiritual leaders are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yours</i>,
but you are not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">theirs</i>. The Chief
Shepherd designed a spiritual synergy that should increase mutual joy. </div>
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“<i>Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you
for <b>your joy</b>…”</i> (II Cor. 1:24)</div>
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<i>“…Let them do this with <b>joy </b>not with groaning, for that
would be of no advantage to you.” (Heb. 13:17b) </i></div>
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<u>The pastors and the people should live together in such a
way that they increase one another’s joy.</u></div>
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How can we do this? </div>
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What if we were to “renew” our vows to one another? Consider
these sample elder vows: </div>
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<u>TO THE ELDERS:</u></div>
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1. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do you reaffirm
your faith in Jesus Christ your Savior, acknowledge<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>him Lord of all and Head of the Church, and through him
believe in one God-Father, Son and Holy Spirit?</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Do</i><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">2. Do you</span> believe
in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, totally
trustworthy, fully inspired by the Holy Spirit, and the supreme, final, and
only infallible rule of faith and practice?<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I Do<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
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<i>3. Do you sincerely believe, receive, and adopt the
essential tenets of the faith as expressed in our EBBC Statement of Faith, as
reliable exposition of what Scripture leads us to believe and do, and will you
be instructed and led by the Statement as you lead the people of God at EBBC? <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Do</span><o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>4. Do you promise that if at any time you find yourself out
of accord with any part of the Statement of Faith, you will in your own
initiative make known to your fellow elders the change which has taken place in
your views since your assumption of this vow? <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Do</span> <o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>5. Do you subscribe to the government and discipline of
EBBC?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Do</span><o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>6. Will you fulfill your office in obedience to Jesus
Christ, being continually guided by the Holy Spirit under the authority of
Scripture? <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Do</span><o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>7. Do you promise to be mutually submissive to your fellow
elders in the Lord and will you love your colleagues in ministry, your fellow
pastors and staff members-working with them, subject to the ordering of God’s
Word and Spirit?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Do</span><o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>8. Have you been induced, as far as you know your own heart,
to accept the office of elder from love of God and sincere desire to promote
His glory in the gospel of His Son? <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Do</span></b></i></div>
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<i>9. Do you promise to be zealous and faithful in promoting
the truths of the gospel and the purity and peace of the church, whatever
persecution or opposition may arise against you on that account? <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Do</span><o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>10. Will you be faithful and diligent in the exercise of all
your duties as an elder whether personal or relative, private or public, and
will you endeavor by the grace of God to adorn the profession of the gospel in
your manner of life, and to walk with exemplary piety before this congregation?
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
will, by the grace of God</span>. <o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>11. Are you now willing to take personal responsibility in the
life of this congregation as elders to oversee the ministry and resources of
the church, and to devote yourself to prayer, the ministry of the Word, and the
shepherding of God’s flock, relying upon the grace of God, in such a way that
EBBC and the entire Church of Jesus Christ will be blessed? <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am,
with the help of God.</span> <o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
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<u>TO THE CONGREGATION</u></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i>Do you, the members of EBBC, acknowledge and
publicly receive your elders as gifts of God to this church to lead us in the
way of Jesus Christ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We
Do.</span><o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Will you love them and pray for them in their
ministry, and work together with them humbly and cheerfully , that by the grace
of God you may accomplish the mission of the church, giving them all due honor
and support in their leadership to which the Lord has called them, to the glory
an honor of God? <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We will.</span> <o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
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<o:p> Yours, but not Ours! </o:p></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187971056254119323.post-59504403059142750892017-11-19T18:50:00.000-08:002017-11-19T19:19:41.669-08:00Itching Ears and Q-Tip Teachers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EPhTw1BewzRRKj62EHlmG5IKpinf4EvX-eWL275ogbOtj5egM8IGxkv-TLU0w2yeUqEFJkU2GS42smUSphZGrMGv0hRtUptnJp5yUyGjI0vPoHaOobrcJJn07Hf6S3EhRHDmT1K-OSQR/s1600/Tickling+ears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EPhTw1BewzRRKj62EHlmG5IKpinf4EvX-eWL275ogbOtj5egM8IGxkv-TLU0w2yeUqEFJkU2GS42smUSphZGrMGv0hRtUptnJp5yUyGjI0vPoHaOobrcJJn07Hf6S3EhRHDmT1K-OSQR/s320/Tickling+ears.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Four Signs Your Ears Are Itching</b><br />
<br />
It is pretty much the same in every pastor’s study. You begin to weigh what you are going to say during your upcoming sermon. How will this enter the ears of my people? Will it please them? Bore them? Irritate or even anger them? Will this cause them to like and affirm me? This strong temptation to preach to people’s felt-needs is nothing new. “An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely . . . my people love to have it so” (Jeremiah 5:30-31a). In his last letter to his protégé, Timothy, the Apostle Paul sought to encourage him by reminding him that there would be an epoch during the last days in which God’s people would no longer endure sound doctrine. Instead, they would begin to search for teachers that would scratch their itching ears. We are living in such a “McChurch Age.” This is an era in which believers who don’t like the way their pastors/teachers are serving it up keep shopping. How do you know if you have “itching ears”?<br />
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<b>1. You can no longer stomach sound doctrine.</b><br />
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“For the time is coming when people will not endure ‘sound’ teaching.” (II Timothy 4:3a). Timothy is evidently experiencing a moment in the church life at Ephesus in which some of the members are growing weary of his preaching and teaching. They are no longer being able to “hold on to” or “bear under” (endure) “sound” doctrine. The word for “sound” is the Greek word from which we get our English word “hygienic.” The idea is “healthy doctrine.” Apparently, a section of the membership of the Ephesus Baptist Church was becoming weary of the expositional, verse-by-verse sermons from their teaching elder, Timothy. Rather, they were clamoring for the more popular eloquence of the Greek orators who were energizing, humorous, topical, and more engaging to the community. More likely than not, there were also some at Ephesus who wanted Timothy to be more dogmatic in rants on their particular positions or “issues.” After all, the church at Ephesus was known for its separatism (albeit unloving) (Revelation 3). Those with itching ears begin to be irritated, frustrated, and bored with the careful, steady diet of sound doctrine.<br />
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<b>2. You begin to look for teachers that will tell you what you want to hear.</b><br />
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“But having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions” (II Timothy 4:3b). Marvin Vincent said it aptly, “If people desire a calf to worship, a ministerial calf-maker is readily found.” In this current age of the consumer, people are beginning to view their church membership as little more than a previous favorite restaurant. So, their dissatisfaction with sound doctrine leads to them “shopping” for the teacher/preacher that will tell them what they want to hear. Pray for your pastors. How tempting it is to become a Q-Tip preacher that tickles the ears of the flock! To tell them what they want to hear. To preach what you know will get an “amen” or more money in the offering plate.<br />
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<b>3. You find teachers who are primarily concerned about relevancy.</b><br />
<br />
Perhaps the current climate could best be described like the description of the Athenians – they “spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new” (Acts 17:21). Ministerial students in seminary today are being taught how to engage a yawning, indifferent audience. They are being mentored with the consumer mindset that is premised on the thought that we are competing for customers. Preachers are being taught to attempt to become somewhat of an amalgamation of a stand-up comedian and a clinical psychiatrist so that they can touch all the felt-needs of the congregation. They weave in a few cleverly spun Scriptures with some emotive self-help tips that leave the hearer feeling completely scratched. The pragmatic pressure of this “how you grow a church” is intense,<br />
mainly, because it works. Sadly, when we find teachers that only are concerned about speaking to our felt-needs, they will not “preach the Word . . . reprove, rebuke and exhort” (II Timothy 4:2).<br />
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<b>4. You find teachers who will preach about issues that you agree with. </b><br />
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Often times, we hear about “itching ears” and “Q-Tip Preachers” who tickle the ears of their audience and we immediately imagine those kinds of teachers/audiences only as being those gathered in large stadiums to hear “health and wealth” or those who are part of liberal churches that do not believe in the inspiration of the Scriptures. However, do we realize that we can have “itching ears” and/or be “Q-Tip Preachers” and still preach hard on certain sins? Itching ears means that I want to hear preaching and teaching that tells me what I want to hear. So, if I want to hear a preacher preach “hard” against the evils of contemporary worship, modern translations, social drinking, worldliness, etc., I have “itching ears” as much as the guy who wants to have his felt-needs scratched. If I love it when sins “I don’t struggle with” are preached against, can I humbly admit that I, too, have itching ears? If I am thrilled when the self-righteous are “hammered,” am I not also having a teasing Q-Tip applied?<br />
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Truthfully, we <i>all </i>have itching ears. What will remedy our malady? Only the wonderful ear oil of the Spirit that gives us ears for sound doctrine!Pastor Brian Fullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383519364779614259noreply@blogger.com0East Brandywine Baptist Church, 999 Horseshoe Pike Downingtown, PA 1933536.031331776331868 -80.507812510.509297276331868 -121.8164065 61.553366276331872 -39.1992185