First Baptist Church, Earlville, NY

Rev. Jeremy Stopford, Pastor

“SINK, SWIM – OR WALK!” (Matt. 14:22-33)
Aug. 20, 2017 10:30 AM

TODAY’S SPECIAL: “A Worry Funny”

Two kids are talking to each other. One says, “I’m really worried. My dad works twelve hours a day to give me a nice home and good food. My mom spends the whole day cleaning and cooking for me. I’m worried sick!”
The other kid says, “What have you got to worry about? Sounds to me like you’ve got it made!”
The first kid says, “What if they try to escape?”

INTRODUCTION

One of the more familiar – if not apart from the birth, death, burial and resurrection of the Savior – the most familiar story in Scriptures. A simple story (recount it). “During the fourth watch” [no, not Timex, Pulsar, Omega, nor Seiko!]. The Roman accounting of time which the Jews had adapted: there usually were watchmen at their posts throughout the night to protect the city. The 4th watch was between 3-6 am. The disciples had rowed throughout the night about 3 1/2 miles. Yet mingled throughout the story of “Peter Walking On the Water” are several key words that should prick our hearts, and, better, prod our faith. PRAYER

1.   “Immediately”

The Spirit of God Who inspires God’s Word purposefully weaves words where He wants them. “Immediately” = “the change of life, the challenges of life, the aligning of one’s life to the eternal purposes of God. How do I know that?
Look at Use #1 (v. 22) That takes us back to v. 15 (disciples say, “send them away”). Why were they there? V. 13 “Jesus heard what happened.” What happened? V. 1ff Matthew recounts the beheading of John the Baptist, and Jesus knows the disciples need, what? REST! So v. 22. NOW (a) WHO purposes that the disciples get into the boat? JESUS – aligning their lives! (b) THEN what does it say – NOW He sends the crowd home, WARM AND FED.
Look at Use #2 (v. 27). Jesus says 3 things: Take courage. It is I. Fear not. He SAYS. And He speaks to us today in His Word. How much is His word a part of your life?
Look at Use #3 (v. 31). WHEN did Jesus reach out His hand? When Peter was sinking. When Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and put them on the storm. Hmm. Sounds like a DEEP lesson here about faith! Do we really appreciate just how wonderful our Savior is?

2.    2 words together: “IF” “Come” (vs. 28-29)

The first, “IF” is a word of faith and doubt mingled together. But it also is a word of acknowledging where I am. I am at a crossroads. Jesus presents Himself as worthy of my trust. Do I really trust Him? “IF you’re the Son of God, come down from the cross”. Was that TRUST or TAUNTING? We sometimes taunt Jesus and not TRUST Him! How? When we say, “IF you are really Who you say You are, I DEMAND You take care of this right now.” Peter was at a crossroads between demand and trust. He chose the latter.
The second, “COME”. By now you know that this is one of the greatest invites in Scriptures. “COME unto Me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you REST.” COME into the ark and find refuge. COME to the living waters. COME.
IF You are Who You say You are, tell me to COME. “COME”!

3.    SAW (v. 30)

In describing being focused on heaven while living for Jesus on earth, Paul told the Corinthian believers, “we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor. 5:7)
Peter walked by FAITH when he stepped out of the boat and walked, keeping his eyes on Jesus.
Peter walked by SIGHT when he SAW the waters and took his eyes off of Jesus.
But it doesn’t stop there: Look at vs. 32-33. Those in the boat had SEEN the entire incident, and they did what? WALKED BY FAITH – worshipped Jesus. HERE’S A GOOD QUESTION: why did they worship Jesus? Because they saw Jesus on display through Peter. Who is looking at you, at me today to see Jesus on display? Who will trust Him because of our walk by faith and not by sight?

CONCLUSION

SINK, SWIM – OR WALK. Our choices in life are one of 3. That’s it.

Choice #1: We can SINK.

We can take our eyes off of the Lord Jesus and look around us at the waters coming our way. But when we do, remember this: those waters are there for everyone. They are no different.

Choice #2: We can SWIM.

What does this mean? This wasn’t in the story, you say! It means, we live as if God doesn’t even exist. We live like everyone else. The storm hits – we either make it or we don’t. But we swim in hopes that we’ll make it. And who gets all the attention? YOU DO. What about God – as far as you are concerned, He can swim or sink, too. You say you know Him, but you live as if He doesn’t exist.

Choice #3: We can… WALK!

Remember, Peter DID walk! And he remembered that for the rest of his life. The details are the same – the waves were rough. It was the middle of the night, no daylight, no help visible except…he knew, he just KNEW, that Jesus was right in front of him. And he was able to walk through the storm…as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus. Wow. 3 choices. That’s it.

Week Thirty-Four, 2017

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

 ©2017 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618

First Baptist Church, Earlville, New York, J.B. Stopford, Pastor

Aug. 6, 2017

Week Thirty-Two, 2017

“THE SACRIFICE”

©2017 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618

“IF YOU’RE SO RICH…” (James 5:1-12)
Series: JAMES July 30, 2017 10:30 AM
FBC Earlville, NY, J B Stopford, Pastor

TODAY’S SPECIAL: “The Lousy Sermon”
Dad (on the way out of church): “That was the lousiest sermon I ever heard. I didn’t get a thing out of it.”
Son: “Well, what do you expect for a dollar?”

INTRODUCTION In the section from James 4:1-5:12, James is giving 6 “Warnings against Pride”. Last week, we discussed “Do not judge a brother” and the “Deaver Principle”: “Do not boast about tomorrow.” Remember my good friend Jim who, after hearing a message from this passage, spent the rest of his life making plans centered around the Biblical expression, “if the Good Lord is willing”? He lived what he learned from God’s Word – and so should we!
Today we’ll look at the final two, passages which center around the wonderful ill-fated theme of…PATIENCE! PRAYER

WARNING #5 RICH OPPRESSORS WILL BE JUDGED (5:1-6)
Illustration: when I was in elementary school, I would walk or ride my bike the 4 miles round trip to school. Once a week, it was an anticipated joy to stop at the “penny candy” store and for a nickel, get a really thick packet of bubble gum, about 5-10 pieces of gum 2” by 5” wide. And the highlight was the comic card in the package. One of the cards has always struck my fancy: it read, “if you’re so smart, why ain’t you rich?”. So, to paraphrase that, for this section of scripture it could easily be entitled, “if you’re so rich, why ain’t you smart?” – sounds like a good sermon title.
I recently read another paraphrase of that: “is your income an indication of your intelligence? OR…is your intelligence an indication of your income?”
Let’s look at our text. What is v. 1 actually saying? “Do your riches own you, or do you own your riches?” In other words, has the Lord blessed you financially and you don’t use those finances for His glory but for your own? OR is the Lord free to use the funds He has blessed you with – whether large amount or small – for His glory? Are you holding hard on to those funds, or do you have a good steward’s heart and seek His glory in all that He passes through your hands?
Scripture backs up what James has to say. James is the NT version of Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 and Ecclesiastes 5:13-20.
Let’s read these two passages now. Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived. Many believe he wrote Ecclesiastes near the end of his life – when the Lord had brought him through the pitfalls of all that his life entailed.
Note that the two key phrases here are: “meaningless” (from the Hebrew often translated “vanity; empty”. And the second phrase is “a chasing after the wind”. We learned this word in the NT last week in James 4:14, “a mist” = “a vapor, a mist, a morning fog”. It is kind of like the bottle with soapy water in it that we give to our kids – and have them put a circular tube in it and do what? Blow bubbles – which they can save? NO? Within fun-filled seconds, those bubbles – “a mist, a vapor, a morning fog” – are gone! In both Ecclesiastes passages, Solomon came to the same conclusion that James did – riches had him. And he was left empty in spirit. His life, when all was said and done, was empty, meaningless, a vanity, a sham, worth little or nothing in the eyes of eternity.
Which leads us to ask the same thing: “do our riches – our STUFF – have us, or does everything that the Lord has blessed us with have the freedom to be used for His glory?” Tough question – but a most necessary one which each of us should ask ourselves DAILY.

WARNING #6 PATIENT AND PERSEVERING (5:7-11)
This is a neat passage! In our beloved KJV, we have the origin of a phrase which has become a regular classic in the English language! Did you hear that? The Bible has provided a phrase which we regularly use in our language! And the phrase: “the patience of Job.” We ALWAYS use that phrase for dear people – whether Christian or not – who seem to be able to handle situations in such a wonderful, loving, and persevering way. We say, “why, you have ‘the patience of Job’”. And what was Job’s patience – or “perseverance” as our NIV wisely uses? He endured the obstacles of life – the tests of family and health, the tests of his not so great comforters, and the unseen tests which had been sent to him by the enemy of his faith. God didn’t plan the test – He allowed it under the umbrella of His sovereignty – knowing that His good would be accomplished through the…perseverance of Job.
And the NT has two wonderful passages for us: Hebrews 12:1 (right after the great Faith Chapter): “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,” We run with perseverance – with patience, if you will – because God has a plan, a race which He has outlined just like the “Utica Boilermaker” run every July. That race is outlined – the runners run the course planned for their age division. Even so, isn’t it unbelievable to know that the Providential, All-Knowing, All-Wise God has a race marked out for you and me? And note one more thought: Paul was writing to a…CHURCH JUST LIKE OURS! So this race was not only being run by the individuals within that church. It was being run by the church itself! And so are we! Run it with courage and encouragement because God has planned this race for you and me.
And look at 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5: “As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”
We can be obedient because, before we were charged to be faithful and have a long-range obedience, our Savior was faithful and had a long-range obedience! How long did His “perseverance” last? The Bible says (Revelation 13:8) that, in God’s eyes, the Lord Jesus is the “Lamb slain before the foundation of the world”. How can that be? We know that in time He went to Calvary’s cross. That is History. Yet in eternity past, an eternal focus was made for Him to take upon Himself your sin and mine. For all intents and purposes, Calvary took place before eternity began – at least in the mind of our Savior. Can you imagine – that for all eternity our Savior persevered with the focus that He was to become our sin, though He Himself is sinless, so that we might become His righteousness”? (2 Cor. 5:21). Wow.
Now THAT is perseverance.

CONCLUSION (5:12)
The Amplified Bible reads, “let your yes be [a truthful] yes, and your no be [a truthful] no, so that you may not fall under judgment.” And The Message wisely translates, “And since you know that he cares, let your language show it. Don’t add words like “I swear to God” to your own words. Don’t show your impatience by concocting oaths to hurry up God. Just say yes or no. Just say what is true. That way, your language can’t be used against you.”
What is the point? Our lessons today concerned not allowing your wealth – or lack of it – to show any evidence that the Lord is not Lord of your life. And may our lives be obedient to Him over a long period of time – regardless of what circumstances life brings us. Verse 12 shows us that the result is that what the world sees, then, will be truthful lives. The world? You know, those people that the Lord has wisely placed in your daily path, who are hungry to see truth, who are fed up with their own world system, who are sick and tired of religion and want to see a real love – the love of Christ on display.
Pilate asked the Savior before sending Him to the cross, “what is truth?” – and Truth was standing right before him. The Lord Jesus on display. Truth. That is what we become when, instead of stuff, the Lord Himself is our riches. And instead of bucket lists, the will of God over a long period of time is our purpose and goal.
James says, “brethren – live for the Lord Jesus! Make a difference where the Lord has wisely planted you and me.”

Series: JAMES July 23, 2017 10:30 AM
First Baptist Church, Earlville, NY,  J B Stopford, Pastor

TODAY’S SPECIAL: “A Medical Funny”
Patient: It’s been one month since my last visit and I still feel miserable.
Doctor: Did you follow the instructions on the medicine I gave you?
Patient: I sure did. The bottle said “keep tightly closed.”

INTRODUCTION Last week, we entered Chapter 4, and the 6 “Warnings Against Pride”.

Last week we studied WARNING #1 PRIDE PROMOTES STRIFE (4:1-6) James, in addressing the individual members of a church, warns about the battle within – the strife to pledge our wholehearted love for the Lord. When we allow pleasures and values of this world to overshadow that love – remember what he called us, “adulterous”! An OT word takes on a NT application. God is jealous (v. 5), and He wants His children to be humble before Him (v. 6).

And then we studied WARNING #2 HUMILITY CURES WORLDLINESS (4:7-10) We were given a warning against using the world’s standards to determine the success or importance of our church. If we averaged 30 people in the am service, 10 in SS, 10 in youth group, our financial obligations met, and a good testimony in the community, these could be the marks of a spiritually healthy church! And we noted those terms James used to guide that person who desires to walk humbly before his Lord: submit, resist, come, wash, purify, take one’s worldliness to a funeral, and humble yourselves before the Lord. And we concluded that God is hungry for a rich relationship between Him and us – not to settle for accomplishments but to settle ONLY for Him! How is your/our walk with the Lord?
Today we add two more warnings, and each warning will have a word to zero in on. PRAYER

WARNING #3. DO NOT JUDGE A BROTHER (4:11-12)
The word for this section is, of course, “judge”. You and I are familiar with many verses which teach us on “judging” or being “judgmental”. Remember Matthew 7:1? In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives us that most oft-quoted, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” And Asaph in Psalm 82 talks about people being “gods” or “little judges”. What does that mean? How do these passages help us understand the passage in James 4:11-12? Remember Romans 15:4 says, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” So what do these passages teach us? Both the Savior and Asaph show us that when someone judges, he is actually representing the Lord Himself! Why is a judge deemed a “good” or “fair” judge? Usually because he has been consistently honest, just like the Master Himself. Let’s apply these wonderful principles to James 4:11-12. First off, to whom is the passage addressed: one brother versus another brother! In just one fell swoop, James under the

inspiration of the Holy Spirit reminds the members of the church that the Lord Himself has elevated the body of believers of a local church to the wonderful title of “brothers” and “sisters” – the highest relationship an earthly person can have! James then reminds the reader of 2 thoughts: first, the brother is to be a doer of the law, not a judge of it; and second, any one who becomes a judge of the law is taking the place of the only Judge (Capital “J”) of the law, even the Lord Himself. How does that work out in the church? When you observe a brother or sister in Christ behaving or talking in such a way as to dishonor Christ, what is your response? To first share with someone else your disapproval so as to be more knowledgeable “prayer warriors”? To rush right up to that person and let him or her know what you think of that type of language or action – as if you are an expert? OR to come alongside that brother or sister and be just that, a brother or sister with them. Not a judge or a jury, but a brother or sister in Christ! As someone wisely observed, “When we keep our eyes on Jesus, we don’t have time to see the mistakes of others. We will reach out a helping hand to them and concentrate on our own walk with the Lord.”

Do not judge a brother. Become one with them. Walk with them, even through their shortcomings. Walk with them together back to the cross, to His Word, to His walk. Don’t judge – walk!
May I add one personal thought? We are often too busy to walk with another brother or sister. We have our own agenda for what supposedly absolutely needs to be done this day, this moment. What if your brother or sister is God’s assignment for you for this day, this moment? Would you miss God’s voice and shout over it to do your own thing? OR will you yield to God’s voice and come alongside the brother or sister who needs another hand to walk them along the path to holiness, to a fresh life in Christ?

WARNING #4. DO NOT BOAST ABOUT TOMORROW (4:13-17)
I call this section of Scripture “The Jim Deaver Rule of Life.” Not too many of you may remember Jim Deaver. He was a Marine true and true. He grew up in the Buffalo area and eventually found a job as a corrections officer for the State of NY. Throughout his life he was heavily involved in Boy Scouts and influencing young people. When I first met him, he was in his early 60’s. He and his wife had spent the month of June 1986 in California where he went to a reunion of his WW 2 Marine Corps troop. He ultimately was the last of the troop, and got to open the bottle of champagne reserved for the last surviving member. But he came under the teaching of Scripture. When he first heard this section of the Word, something amazing happened. He immediately applied God’s word to his life. From then on, he realized that there were many Scriptures that could become a vital part of his life. His life was never the same.
And what particular passage of the Word changed him? The phrase, “if it is the Lord’s will” or “Lord willing” or “God-willing”. Jim realized that he was living his life the way he wanted to. And from then on, he developed an intimacy with his heavenly Father that surrendered each day to the heavenly Father’s Lordship for that day.
But what one word changes this whole scene? The word in our NIV is the word “mist” in verse 14. Some versions call it a “vapor”. The best imagery of this word is the picture of the morning fog. The poet Carl Sandburg wrote a brief insight into this “mist”, in his majestic poem, “The Fog”: “The fog comes on little cat feet. It sits looking over harbor and city on silent haunches and then moves on.” That’s it.
And to what is James referring to when he talks about this mist, this vapor, this morning fog? OUR LIVES!

Let’s look at 2 classic psalms that will be of great help. I trust you have become familiar with the second. The first is Psalm 62. Note the introductory verses of vs. 1-2. David then uses his position before the Lord to remind him of how the enemy often treat him, as found in vs. 9-12. Their lives are only a “breath” – a mist, a vapor, a morning fog. That should be a rich encouragement as we all struggle in a world where others seem to flaunt who they are before us or what they have accomplished more than us.

But also check out Psalm 39! David is sitting before a fire, watching the logs go from burning timber to dwindling embers. As he contemplates the dying fire, the Lord speaks to him through a heart-wrenching hunger and appeal in verse 4. And in verse 5, David comes to grips with the reality of his life: it is but a “breath” – same idea as “mist”, “vapor”, “morning fog”. Poof! It’s gone! So what am I to do with this revelation? Note verse 7 and exclaim with David, “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.” What does David say that gives life its meaning? Life is but a dying fire. A mist. A breath. A vapor. A morning fog. Fleeting. But God gives each breath hope. He who numbers our days gives each one fulfillment.
So James says, since life is but a mist – a morning fog – then I will live each day in the Lord’s will. (v. 17) And when I do it, my life is full. And when I know what I am to do, and don’t do it – only for me is this judgment: it is sin to me.

CONCLUSION
This week, the wise Lord may do some really neat and unexpected things with you. He may bring before your path a brother or sister in Christ who is hurting. They may need a word of hope. Or they may simply need an arm or a hug to let them know that they will not be going through this season alone.
And this week the Lord may give you many options of things to do – how do you choose what is best? By seeking His will, His peace, His Lordship for that day. Living our life as a mist, a vapor, a morning fog, each day now will take on fresh purpose, fresh fulfillment.

So go live! And in living, bring great pleasure to the One Who has called you out of darkness into the light of His glorious life!

Our God is in the “Blessing Business.” He is a giver. It is His desire to bless us, His people, in every way. It has been that way from the very first moment of creation. All that is was made for our benefit. Truly we are a blessed people.

What does being “blessed” mean?

According to the Hebrew dictionary it means things such as happiness as well as good fortune. Psalm 1 is a mini seminar on being blessed.

Psalm 1

(1)Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. (2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (3) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (4) The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. (5) Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. (6) For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

What does it mean to be blessed? Psalm 1 answers the question for us in verse 3.

And he shall be like a tree

planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;

his leaf also shall not wither;

and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

To bring forth fruit in due season!

To have whatever you do prosper.

What a wonderful prospect!

Obey verse 1, practice verse 2, and verse 3 WILL be yours. It is a fact.

Let us presume you are a man. Let us have you turn aside from the things of the world that are listed in verse 1: ungodly counsel, sin, scorn for the things of God. Let us have you delight in the law of the Lord and meditate in it day and night, as prescribed inverse 2. Then you

“Shall be like a tree . . .”

In your mind, picture a tree: Strong, enduring, stable, unchanging except for growth. Trees weather storms. Trees live long, some longer than men. To be like a tree is to be strong, sturdy, long lived. A severe storm may damage a few branches, but the only real enemy that a tree cannot stand up to is extended drought. But this tree is planted, purposely placed, by the rivers of water. These are living waters that will feed and nourish without fail. Of course! What else could flow out of the Word of God?

“Shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water

That bringeth forth his fruit in his season.”

FRUIT! The very word makes you think of bright red apples, ripe oranges, sweet green pears, plump purple plums. Ummm. Fruit. In season. Sweet and pleasant. What a delightful promise.

Now, consider this question: When a tree brings forth fruit, who is it eaten by? Whom does it nourish? Not the tree.

It nourishes those among whom the tree exists.

When a man is like a tree and brings forth fruit it is not for him. It is for those whom he is among!

A blessed man blesses those about him.

A blessed man is able to feed the sheep, just as Jesus desired Peter to do. (John 21:15-17)

There once was a man who set himself to live a Psalm 1 life. We see a part of his report in verse 74 of Psalm 119, where we find the following observation as he converses with God:

“They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.”

Those that fear God will be glad to see this man! Gladness certainly fits the description of a blessing. And a life that can make other lives glad is surely bearing fruit.

Notice the special reason given for the gladness. It is not because of a handsome stature, a powerful personality, a reputation for generous giving, an over-riding authority. It is none of these. It is because he has hoped in the Word of God.

Delighted, Meditated, Hoped

Yes, the leaves are for the tree, and the fruits are for others.

What are the acts in which a Blessed Man might prosper? Will he oversee a great financial empire? Probably not. Will he do great works of construction, buildings and bridges and by-ways? I imagine not. Will he occupy prominent political office, exercising authority and receiving obeisance? Not likely. Here are some of the things he may do: He may –

• Teach the Word of God to others,

• Instruct those in need of guidance,

• Pray for healing and other needs,

And many other ministries, all of which will prosper.

“. . . his leaf also shall not wither . . .”

Healthy leaves are the mark of a healthy tree. A tree with healthy leaves has received nourishment from the sun and water very day.

The man with healthy “leaves” has received nourishment from the Son, and the water of the Word every day – and every night.

Drink Deeply – Bear Fruit – Bless Others

07/17

Presented by Bro. Al Salay, Blessed Man Ministries Inc.

1093 A1A Beach Blvd. #273, St. Augustine, FL 32080-6733

www.BlessedMan.net [email protected]

Week Thirty, 2017

Sometimes True Stories

©2017 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618