A Note on This Week’s Message…

In the flickering glare of the fanatic flames that threaten to consume the heart of our nation, Jeremy Stopford has submitted a sermon that he preached many years ago. In it, he quotes a post-Civil War prayer made by Robert E. Lee:

“May God rescue us from the folly of our own acts, save us from selfishness, and teach us to love our neighbors as ourselves.”

In a sense, Lee’s prayer began to be answered before he asked, when his Army of Northern Virginia lost the last great battle of the Civil War. America began its ascent from the evils of slavery, and God helped us to start up what has become the long road to equality. But now people are sowing the dragon’s teeth of hatred and division. We must ask ourselves whether selfishness and hatred will keep us from ever attaining that goal?

In light of current events, and the attempts by some to erase the facts of history, we should ask ourselves whether we are now producing a climate where similar things can again occur.

The Jewish people wisely build Holocaust Museums because they do not want the evils that befell them and millions of others to be forgotten. George Santayana said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” A word to the wise is sufficient.

—Frank Becker

“Would You Be Free?” (John 8:31-36)

Originally preached on the 4th of July weekend, July, 2009

By Pastor Jeremy Stopford

TODAY’S FUNNY: “4th of July SPECIAL”

The Fourth of July was coming up, and the nursery school teacher took the opportunity to tell her class about patriotism. “We live in a great country,” she said. “One of the things about which we should be happy is that, in this country, we are all free.”

One little boy came walking up to her from the back of the room. He stood with his hands on his hips and said, “I’m not free. I’m four.”

INTRODUCTION

This weekend we have celebrated the 233rd birthday of our great nation.

Today’s sermon title is taken from a cry from the post Civil War era. One of the great southern generals of that war, Robert E. Lee, a godly man, said this: “May God rescue us from the folly of our own acts, save us from selfishness, and teach us to love our neighbors as ourselves.”

Out text today would teach us that true freedom comes at great cost – not only to our Savior, but to us was well. At the end of the message I will ask you the following question; “are we willing to pay that price?”

PRAY for God’s blessings on this ministry today

Scripture Reading, John 8:31-36

31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.“

#1 TRUE FREEDOM COMES FROM ABIDING IN THE TRUTH (8:31-32)

“Those Jews who believed in Him” – that was their “profession of faith”. Have you made a “profession” or do you have a “possession” of faith? There is an HUGE difference. There are many “professors”of Biblical Christianity. Our churches are filled with “professors”. But the narrow road has the only “possessors” of faith. So, are you a professor or a possessor?

Jesus challenged the professors of faith to prove their possession by their abiding – NOT in the temple but in the TRUTH! What priority does this Book have in your life? What priority do its instructions have in your life? What priority does the Lord Jesus and His Lordship on display in EVERY area of your life have in your life.

Note the dynamic teaching on this subject in John 15:1ff:

 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”

If true freedom comes from abiding in the truth, are you free? IF NOT, Jesus is saying you are in bondage still!

#2 TRUE FREEDOM CAUSES DIVISION (8:33)

Jesus’ words caused the Jews to cling to their heritage of a works-oriented religion rather than to the freedom that is in Christ.

A simple truth created a division, which is still created today! Are you clinging to the cross, or to membership in First Baptist? To the cross, or to anything else?

Then Jesus says, you are in bondage and not free!

Listen to the sobering truths of Galatians 2:16-20:

16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. 17 “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,who loved me and gave Himself for me.

#3. TRUE FREEDOM CLINGS TO THE SON, NOT TO SIN (8:34-36)

This point comes down to one thought: do we love the Son of God, or do we love the sin of man?

How can we tell?

To what or Whom are you in bondage?

Does your world revolve around yourself and your lusts, or does it revolve around the Son and His Lordship, His glory?

CONCLUSION

THE BIG QUESTION!!! Are you in bondage to sin, or free in Christ?

The answer tells not only your eternal, but your daily joy!

Are we willing to pay the price that boldly states, “The Lord Jesus ALONE is my Hope – I am free in Him!”

Close in prayer

“LEAVING HOME – DESTINATION UNKNOWN” (Genesis 12:1-11)

By retired Pastor Jeremy Stopford

Originally preached “Graduate Recognition Sunday, June 12, 2011

TODAY’S FUNNY: “Words not yet in the dictionary”

A graduate needs to be prepared to learn new words – especially ones which have not yet been entered into the dictionary. For today’s enjoyment:

“Elbonics” = “noun, the actions of two people maneuvering for one armrest in a movie theater”

“Petonic” = “adjective, one who is embarrassed to undress in front of a household pet”

“Phonesia” = “noun, the affliction of dialing a phone number and forgetting who you were calling just as they answer”

“Pupkus” – “noun, the moist residue left on a window after a dog presses its nose to it”

“Intaxication” = “noun, euphoria at getting a refund from the IRS, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with”

INTRODUCTION

You are headed on an exciting journey, many of you leaving home for the first time. And when all is said and done, perhaps you will finally settle down in a place which you could not have imagined today. Abram, now called Abraham, went through a similar experience. It is good to learn from those who have already walked the path you are about to walk.

PRAYER

1. “HARAN” – A PLACE WE CALL HOME (Genesis 12:4)

“So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.”

ILLUSTRATION: The student was in his first college class, English. The professor began the first class of the semester with this warning: “There are two words I don’t allow in my class. One is ‘gross’ and the other is ‘cool’.

And the student asked, “Yes, so what are the words?”

Everybody has a place we call “home”. My hometown will always be Rye, New York, about 30 miles north of New York City. Home of John Jay, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and first justice of the Supreme Court. Rye was home of Playland Park, which was home of one of the older wooden roller coasters in the country. Playland was also home of one of the main scenes of Tom Hanks movie, “Big”. According to Wickpedia online encyclopedia, “In 2010, Coldwell Banker reported that Rye was the third most expensive city in the country in which to buy a home.” Thus it was a good reason why when my Dad retired in the 1960’s, we moved to Ft. Lauderdale. I only spent 8 years in Rye, but I still call it my Hometown.

“Haran” means “strong, enlightened”. It was Abram’s hometown. It is still in existence. It was home of the worship of multiple deities of the Chaldeans. Its residents had many choices, just like us.

Where is YOUR hometown? More importantly, as with Abram, where is the home town of your heart? Are you searching out which of many seemingly nameless gods to worship? Are you hoping to find the true Deity when you leave home? I imagine so did Abram!

2. “SHECHEM” – A PLACE OF INTRODUCTION (Genesis 12:6)

“Abram passed through the land to the place of SHECHEM, as far as the terebinth tree of Moreh. And the Canaanites were then in the land.”

“Shechem” means “shoulder”. It was a Jewish city of refuge where the criminal could go if he was seeking a proof of his innocence. It later was called by the Romans “Neapolis”.

It was the place where God introduced Himself to Abram (verse 7). There is no recorded worship reciprocated to God by Abram. It was simply where God introduced Himself to Abram, and gave him promises. Abram builds an altar, but there is no formal worship, only a seeking, a ritual.

It was there that Jesus introduced Himself to a woman at a well (John 4). For some of you, today might be your introduction to the true God.

Let’s look at the progression of that introduction:

#1. Jesus: “Give me a drink” (from this well”

Woman: “How is it that You, A JEW, ask drink from me, a Samaritan woman?”

ARE YOU JUST A MAN?

#2. Jesus: “If you know Who I am, I’ll give you living water.”

Woman: “Are you GREATER THAN OUR FATHER JACOB, who dug this well?

ARE YOU GREATER THAN A GREAT FIGURE IN OUR HISTORY?

#3. Jesus: “You drink from this well, you’ll thirst again.

You drink of the water I give, you’ll never thirst again, but have everlasting life.”

Woman: “Give me this water.”

Jesus: “Go call your husband.”

Woman: “I have no husband.”

Jesus: “You have well said – you’ve had 5 husbands, and now you’re living with a man.”

Woman: “Are you a PROPHET?”

ARE YOU A PROPHET – A RELIGIOUS PERSON OF GREAT PROMINENCE?

#4. Woman: “Jerusalem is THE PLACE to worship.”

Jesus: “God desires worship in spirit and in truth.”

Woman: “I know THE MESSIAH is coming.”

Jesus: “I AM HE.”

Woman: “Come see a Man Who told me all things that I ever did.

Could this be THE MESSIAH?”

CONCLUSION: HE IS THE MESSIAH!

3. “BETWEEN BETHEL AND AI” – A PLACE OF COMMUNION (12:8)

“ And he moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.”

“Bethel” means “House of God”. It was located about 12 miles from Jerusalem, and is still good pastureland. “Ai” means “a place of ruins”, it was so called as it was established only to be a military outpost, not a settled city.

But it was between these 2 points that Abram not only built another altar – a place of marking – but also he called on God, a place of COMMUNION. We’ll see later that when Abram wandered from this place, he had to return there in order to restore the sweetness of his understanding of Who God is.

4. “EGYPT” – A PLACE OF EMPTINESS (12:9-10)

“So Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South. Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land.”

ILLUSTRATION: The English test had only one question: “Write an essay on ‘The Most Beautiful Thing I Ever Saw.’”

One of the students finished his essay in less than a minute. It read in its entirety: “The most beautiful thing I ever saw was just too beautiful for words.”

He got the only A in the class!

For many, that is what Egypt is. Note that the famine was still in Bethel as well as in Egypt. God was in Bethel, but Abram chose to go to Egypt, the place of the world, where God did not chose to make Himself known.

And you will find, as Abram did, that when you leave the place of God’s presence, you have entered the place of emptiness. It not only IS empty; it leaves you empty as well. Abram was EMPTY.

And to get back to where he was full of God’s presence, he had to go back to where he left off – Bethel.

CONCLUSION

Hebrews 11:8-10 tell us that Abraham responded BY FAITH! God wonderfully calls every step – every “place” of our lives – our “journey”.

The most important point is this: IDENTIFY where you are in this journey. Are you:

1. HOME – a place of seemingly ENDLESS CHOICES, but the one from which I begin my journey.

2. A place of INTRODUCTION – where I first hear about the one true, intimate, personal God, Who loves me with an everlasting love. Where is your place of INTRODUCTION?

3. A place of COMMUNION – where you came to the cross and found Jesus to be true and worthy of your every day.

4. A place of EMPTINESS – where the world is and all it has to offer with its thrills and high prices, with a high cost for those who fall. If you are here, get back to where you left off.

Respond like Abram by faith – come to the CROSS.

Like our chorus, “seek first the kingdom of God.”

Close in prayer

“THE CHILDREN’S CHILDREN” (Psalm 103)

By Rev. Jeremy Stopford, Retired Pastor, Father’s Day, 2014

TODAY’S SPECIAL: “To George Washington ”

A young boy on his way to school one morning passed the outhouse by the pond behind his home.

All of a sudden he got a wild urge to push the outhouse into the pond, so with a running start he knocked it over and watched it roll a few times then slowly sink under the surface as he ran off toward school.

In class that day, they learned about how George Washington cut down the cherry tree, but when confronted about it he told his father the truth and thus did not get a whipping for the deed. So he decided to use this strategy if questioned about the outhouse when he got home.

As he approached his house, he saw his father on the porch brandishing a big switch.

When he got close enough his father said, “Boy, I’m only gonna ask this one time … what do you know about the outhouse getting pushed into the pond?”

The boy swallowed hard and said, “Dad, just as George Washington cut down the cherry tree, but decided to tell the truth, I must admit to you that I pushed the outhouse into the pond.”

With that his father grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and began to give him a good ole country whippin’. The boy cried out, “But Dad, George Washington’s dad didn’t whip him!”

“Yes son,” the father replied, “that is true, but George Washington’s dad was not IN the cherry tree when he cut it down!”

INTRODUCTION

Today is our nation’s “Father’s Day” – a holiday honoring fathers, created to complement the already existing Mother’s Day. It was first suggested in 1909! But believe it or not it was not signed into law until 1966 by President Lyndon Johnson! The reason for the delay? Congress people were afraid of its commercialism, much like what happened to Mother’s Day!.

Scripture has many encouragements to fathers, but one of my favorite is found in the use of the phrase “children’s children”.

Examples:

“May you live to see your children’s children” (Ps. 128:6).

“A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children” (Prov. 13:22)

“Children’s children a crown to the aged.” (Prov. 17:6)

Psalm 103 is filled with classic truths for us today. PRAYER Turn to Psalm 103

I. AN HISTORY LESSON (vs. 1-12) David’s focus: REVIEW

I hated history in school! Did you? I hated having to learn FACTS, you know, those facts that you would NEVER have to use again. I hated history! BUT after high school I loved it – because I was no longer being tested on the facts!

As you read Psalm 103, read these verses as David giving an history lesson, in personal, private praise before the Lord!

Note David concludes this section with a classic line on forgiveness (vs. 10-12):

“He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities.

  For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

Why is this lesson so astounding? Well, do you know where “NORTH” is? Of course! We “head north”. We “live in the north”. We can even go to the NORTH Pole. Or if we have lots of money, why, we could even go to the SOUTH Pole!!!

But EAST and WEST never meet! And when we come to the cross, our sins are removed THAT FAR from God! Our sins NEVER MEET with an holy God, because He removed them all at the expense of His Son at the cross!

Can I hear an “AMEN!”?

II. A FATHERLY LESSON (v. 13) David’s focus: RELATIONSHIP

In verse 13 David changes directions, from a Review of HISTORY to a Focus on his RELATIONSHIP with fatherhood:

“As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him.”

David reveals purpose: the compassion of a father!

ILLUSTRATION.: “A New Father Funny”

Soon after the mother left, the baby started to cry. The new father did everything he could think of to do but the baby wouldn’t stop crying. Finally, the dad got so worried he decided to take the infant to the doctor.

After the doctor listened to all that the father had done to get the baby to stop crying, the doctor began to examine the baby’s ears, chest and then down to the diaper area.

When he undid the diaper, he found that the diaper was indeed full.

“Here’s the problem,” the doctor said. “He needs a change.”

The father was very perplexed, “But the diaper package says it’s good for up to 10 pounds!”

Note: “compassion” can be defined as “mercy”. And when you think “mercy”, you must think of THE CROSS!

While your earthly father might not have been merciful, you are invited to a relationship with the God – the Heavenly Father – Who IS merciful!

III. A GRAND-FATHERLY LESSON (vs. 14-18) David’s focus: LEGACY

“For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

  As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more.

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him,

And His righteousness to children’s children,

To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.”

This lesson is HUGE- we think TODAY. God thinks ETERNITY

Did you catch the divine lessons in the Scriptures:

We are mortal – God is eternal (vs. 14-17a)

God is everlasting – His focus is as well (vs. 17b-18)

The key is in the word “keep” (v. 18). It means “to protect, to guard with urgency”. In action it means “a legacy protected”.

WHOSE legacy? GOD’S legacy!

God thinks legacy – not only for today, and for the next generation, but for the generations to come! And we must, too!

Even for those without children or grandchildren! For we think “family”. God thinks “the whole world”:

“For God so loves THE WORLD that HE GAVE His only Son,

that WHOSOEVER believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

CLOSING PRAISE vs. 19-22

The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.

Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word.

Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.

Bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of His dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Close in prayer

(Genesis 22:1-14)

Jeremy Stopford, Retired Pastor, Originally preached September 3, 2017

TODAY’S SPECIAL: “A Calendar Funny”

What is the favorite month of lumberjacks? SepTIIMMMBEERRRR!!!

INTRODUCTION

50 years from now, what will our children have learned about their history from the past 200 years? All the statues honoring the heroes of past generations would have been removed or smashed. Even the statue of Thomas Jefferson, honoring him as the founder of the U of Virginia, is being contemplated as being moved. Will they also tear down the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC? Will they close his home in Monticello, VA? which appears on our coins? Will our Jefferson coins & dollars go?What will future generations know?

What about God’s memorial? Are they going to tear that one down, too? Did you know He has one? Our text tells us.

A. THE ABANDONMENT

“Here I am” (Genesis 22:1-2)

“Some time later, God tested Abraham” – these words introduce us to the follow-up to Genesis 12:1-3. What dreams did Abe have? Follow his dad? Follow his trade? Stay in the country? No, he abandoned those to follow his God.

Now, there is another test – and we are specifically told that God is the Author of this test. GOD IS THE AUTHOR OF THIS ENTIRE MEMORIAL. It was His idea. We learn in James that God is NOT the author of temptation – allurements to evil. But He IS the Author of stretching His children so that dependence upon self is put to death, and a heart is abandoned only to God.

We learn 2 specific parts of this test:

#1 Abraham has immediate abandonment “here I am”. This phrase appears 20 times in our Scriptures, and another 5 times as “here am I”. Note: twice here (vs. 1,11); Esau (in conversation with Isaac); Jacob, Moses, Samuel, & Isaiah in conversation with God. And Jesus Himself. Check out Psalm 40:7 (quoted in Hebrews 10:7-9 as referring to Jesus) and Revelation 3:20, His invite to commune with Him! Jesus is showing Who is the heart of God’s memorial, and where – the cross!

#2 Abraham had a treasured relationship with his son, Isaac, and God knew it!

ILLUSTRATION: Like Isaac, I was the son of my father’s old age. He was 47 when I was born. And yet, in retrospect, I was the son he loved because he spent so much time at home with me.

Note God’s 4-fold description: (take) your son (personal), your only son (unique, one of a kind), Isaac (he has a name), whom you love (the receiver of the father’s favor). Did you notice the line “your only son”? Ishmael was born years earlier, but Galatians 4:22ff remind us that he was not a legal heir, nor was he the son of promise. Before God, Isaac was his only son. Years later, another Father would talk about His Son: “that He gave His only begotten – His one and only – Son” (John 3:16).

Also note: “burnt offering” – this is a complete sacrifice, the giving of the entire animal – or, in this case, oneself. Abraham understood this abandonment full well. Do we?

One other quick note: Dr. Arthur Pink observes something that blew right over me: this is the only place in Scripture where the Lord required a human sacrifice. All other sacrifices that He outlined were of animals: lambs, rams, etc. Tuck that info away!

The first heart of this memorial is the abandonment of our Heavenly Father as seen through Abraham’s abandonment of himself before God.

B. THE OBEDIENCE “Early” (vs. 3-6a)

There are at least two important points to describe this obedience. First, it came “early”. Abe did not hesitate to obey his heavenly Father. Do we? Do we seek Him early in the day – first thing before the tasks of the day take over our time and strength? Do we seek Him early when He sets a task before us to do?

But secondly, is the little phrase – almost unnoticed except for it being so LOUD – “the third day”. God in His wisdom always surrounds obedience with promise and hope. “Third day” is the day of…RESURRECTION! And note Abe’s description: we will worship and we will come back. Abe’s obedience was such that he was sure that no matter what happened up on the mount, Isaac was assured of being alive when it was over – even if God would have Abe complete the task of sacrificing his son, his only son, Isaac, whom he loves. In this huge way, God reminds us that obedience is always surrounded by promises – over 2000 of them – in God’s Word! We need to cling to them every day!

C. THE COMMUNION “Father?” (vs. 6b-7)

It would be easy to slide over this vocal interchange from Isaac to his father, Abraham. But in it, we learn much:

#1 Isaac felt very comfortable to talk with his dad – he could question him about anything! And so can we with our heavenly Father! (Oh, and can your children and grandchildren with you?)

#2 Isaac understood what a burnt offering is. He noted that there was a difference between a simple offering (using fire

and wood) and a burnt offering, meaning the offering was to be consumed. How did he know that? Because he learned that from his father! Communion. Sweet intimacy between a father and his son. Do we avail ourselves of that intimacy between our heavenly Father and us? In prayer, we talk to our Father. In His word, He talks with us. Communion. A vital part of this memorial.

CONCLUSION “God will provide” (vs. 8-14)

The name of the mount was identified as “Moriah” (v. 2) and “The Lord will provide” (v. 14), a name for God Himself (“Jehovah Jireh”). Can there be any doubt that the place of Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac is none other than Mount Calvary itself?

And if that isn’t enough, check out the. NT application (Heb. 11:17-19). Of course, this is the great faith chapter.

And many years later, God the Father sent His son, His one and only Son, Jesus, Whom He loved, to Mount Moriah – a hill called Calvary. And on the third day He, too, rose from the dead. “And whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.”

THAT IS GOD’S MEMORIAL!

Are you gonna tear that down, too? Or is that memorial the foundation of your abandonment of self to the Father, the sweetness of your obedience before the Father, and the heart of your communion with the Father?

Would you really want to tear that down, too? Or are you going to pass The Memorial of the cross of Calvary on down so that future generations will also celebrate The Memorial?

Close in prayer