Category Archives: A Message from the Heart

A Message from the Heart, Jeremy Stopford, Uncategorized

CHRISTMAS:A TALE OF GOD’S FAVOR

FBC Earlville, N.Y., Rev. Jeremy B. Stopford, Pastor

TODAY’S “SPECIAL”

“Signs that yourchurch fund-raising campaign is in trouble” [from a book on “BibleHumor” found in our own church library!    ]:

Your consultant’s first name is “Fingers”

 Half of the campaign letters were returned, “addressee unknown”

You have been receiving fast-food coupons in the offering plate.

 Commitment Sunday falls during Spring Break.

 The Chairman of the Board recommends donating soda bottles and cans as a major funding source of the campaign.

Finally, most members think that “Faith Promise” is the name of the pastor’s secretary.

INTRODUCTION

We are in the Book of Ruth, often called the “Christmas Story of the OT”. Last week we met what I called the “3 ladies of the Christmas Story”:Naomi, who looked at life through simply seeing all the facts – and jumping on the facts with the understandable “life is impossible, don’t do it” attitude. Then there is her first daughter-in-law,Orpah, who looked at her false gods of Moab with greater hope than any supposed true God in Israel. Finally there is the one who is to be the main character of the story, Ruth, Naomi’s second daughter-in-law, who looks at life through the eyes of faith. Ruth, too, saw the false gods and the seeming security they brought. She also saw Israel – and Israel’s true God – through the stories of Naomi. And she knew, she knew, that He alone was worthy to betrusted.

Today’s lesson takes us to Israel, to a little town called Bethlehem (why is it always called a “little town”?). Here Ruth comes face to face with her faith on display through several displays of amazing kindness – what our text calls “favor” – and those kindnesses will draw Ruth, and eternity, to an active knowledge of the true God.

And in the process, those kindnesses will show us the evidences of the seen hand of the unseen God in our little towns as well! PRAYER

#1 ”We have met the enemy and he is us.” – Pogo

We must remember a very important point in this book: Ruth is a member of the enemies of Israel. She hails from Moab.

Often in the book she is referred in disdain as “Ruth the Moabitess”. Look at the verses within our text of Chapter 2:

Verse 2, “Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi”

Verse 6, “The foreman replied, She is the Moabitess who came back from Moab with Naomi”

Verse 21, “Then Ruth the Moabitess said” – even the author of the text wants his readers to know, to remember forever, her roots. She was first and foremost a citizen of Moab.

But why does Moab bring such a poor taste in the mouths of the Israelites? A look at one text in Deuteronomy 23:3-4 answers that question: “An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter the assembly of the Lord; even to the tenth generation none of his descendants shall enter the assembly of the Lord forever, because they did not meet you with bread and water on the road when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you.” Note first of all what the latter part of the passage says: “because they did not meet you with bread and water” when you were getting ready to come out of the wilderness wanderings. The citizens of Moab showed no kindness to the people of the true God. That lack of kindness would label the citizens of Moab as the enemies of Israel. But note even more so the length of that hatred: in the former part of the verse, it says that no citizen of Moab shall enter the assembly of the Lord even to the tenth generation.” Remember that Moses, the human author of Deuteronomy, was addressing those who were the “next generation” of Israelites. These were the children of those who had left Egypt. Of all those who had left Egypt, only Moses and Joshua were left. But Moses knew his days, too, were numbered. So he addresses the next generation with words of remembrance, of eternal advice. And note that he wasn’t trying to put a physical limit on how long the Moabites would not be allowed to become citizens of Israel. “to the tenth generation” didn’t mean somewhere between 300 and 400 years. No, no! It means they were NEVER to be allowed to be a part of the assembly of Egypt. Never. No possibilities. No how. NEVER.

In the old cartoon,Pogo, his most famous quotation is, “we have met the enemy and he is us.” The people of Ruth’s day remembered: their eternal enemy was the people of Moab. And Ruth was part of Moab. She, then, was a natural-born enemy of Israel.

All the proverbial cards were stacked against Ruth. It was both physically and Biblically impossible for her to be considered with any ounce of the favor of God.

And into that scenario enters Ruth Chapter 2.

# 2. “For by grace are you saved through faith” – Paul

There is an interesting word in our NIV text. The word appears 3 times.

Look at verse 2. In a conversation with Naomi, Ruth seeks her permission: “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” In the KJV, the writer uses the word “grace” for“favor”. Theologians cherish the word: “God’s riches at Christ’s expense.” “Grace” is an undeserved favor bestowed, often by a superior to a lesser. Ruth was seeking that favor.

She understood her position. She was a stranger. Perhaps she had heard Naomi quote from Leviticus 23:22, “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field when you reap, nor shall you gather any gleaning from your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the stranger: I am the Lord your God.’ ”

She was a stranger,and she certainly was poor! She was hoping for that favor, that undeserved kindness, and that hopeful obedience of any Israelite to be shown to her. She in turn was hoping that there would be at least one nearby citizen of Israel who counted God’s word worthy to be obeyed. Through the eyes of Naomi, Ruth was developing what we call faith, faith in the unseen God as seen on display through the people who called themselves the “people of God.” Favor is what she sought – little could she imagine how that favor would be found.

But let us remember that Ruth’s position was once ours as well. Listen to how Paul describes this, first in Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace [“God’s undeserved favor”] you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Where Ruth was dependent on grace, so were we.

But let’s look further! We, too, were strangers as well to God! Ephesians 2:12-13 read, “that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Even at Christmas, the cross is the hope of the lost.

But we are no longer strangers! Look at Ephesians 2:19-20, “ Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone…”. Like Ruth, our faith will change our position before the Lord. Isn’t that amazing?

But the favor shown Ruth can also be found elsewhere. Look at Ruth 2, verse 10, where she asks with amazement, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me – a foreigner?” Isn’t it neat how such undeserved kindness is questioned as being unbelievable? She knows her position– she is born an enemy to God’s people, and, in her thinking, to their God as well. She knows their position, the people of God. Yet they through Boaz and his hired hands are showing her undeserved kindness. What kind of God do they love and serve that would cause them to show undeserved kindness to an enemy and stranger?

And finally in verse13 she utters her heart of hope, “may I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord…though I do not have the standing of one of your servant girls.” She realizes everything that she is and that they are. Why, even Boaz’ servant girls had a greater position than she did. And yet she was treated with favor, the kindness of God as on display through Boaz and his men. Wow.

She had told Naomi that she would follow her God. Slowly but surely, she is finding that such a God is the only One worthy to be trusted. Have we?

Conclusion

CONCLUSION

As we wrap up this message of the “tale of God’s favor”, there is one major point in the story that is often overlooked. Perhaps our NIV words it poorly. Look at verse 3, “So she [Ruth] went out and began to gleaning the fields behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she found herself working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech.” Our KJV says, “her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz…”. To those who are without God and yet looking for Him, all things seem to be “by chance”. My life has many of those that the Lord wonderfully laid before me: A good friend who happened to be saved at a revival the previous week. A fellow counselor who happened to have Bibles on his bureau that he purposefully put there to give away. A pastor who happened to be called to be the president of the Bible School to which the Lord one day would call me. And lastly, coming back to college from a ministry weekend only to find that standing at the steps of the college’s front door just happened to be the girl that I would marry – and that marriage just happened to be not in the too distant future!

The favor of God delights in bringing our lives in alignment with His heart. The favor of God delights in bringing our submission to His best plans for our lives. The favor of God delights ultimately to show us that He alone is worthy of both our eternal and our daily trust.

And that favor was foremost on display at that first Christmas, when God sent forth His Son to be born in a manger, that He might one day go to Calvary’s cross for our sins, that we in turn might one day trust the grace –the favor of God for our salvation.

Have you met firsthand the favor of the God of Christmas?

Close in prayer


A Message from the Heart, John Grant

Physician, Heal Thyself

Week Fifty, 2018

PHYSICIAN, HEAL THYSELF

Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum” (Luke 4:23).

He was a hometown boy in our city who became a world famous cardiac surgeon. He pioneered heart transplants and perfected many surgical procedures. He was known for both his skill and his speed. His skills in heart surgery are credited with saving many lives. Recently he died…. of all things from heart failure. He could heal others, but could not heal himself.

The Bible speaks of people who can heal others, but not themselves. What’s the meaning of the phrase ‘Physician, heal thyself’? It refers to tend to one’s own faults, in preference to pointing out the faults of others.

The phrase alludes to the readiness and ability of physicians to heal sickness in others while sometimes not being able or willing to heal themselves. This suggests something of ‘the cobbler always wears the worst shoes’. That is cobblers are too poor and busy to attend to their own footwear. It also suggests that physicians, while often being able to help the sick, cannot always do so and, when sick themselves, are in no better place than anyone else.

We should not attempt to reach out and cure the ills of others until we heal the ills and faults of our self. Things need to be okay at home in our own lives before we try to “concur the world.”

Early in His ministry, Jesus was in Nazareth speaking in the synagogue. Nazareth was His hometown, and the people there were familiar with His family and had watched Him grow up (Luke 4:16). When Jesus read a messianic prophecy from Isaiah and claimed to be the fulfillment of it, the crowd in the synagogue immediately balked (verses 17–22). It was then that Jesus made reference to a proverb of the day: “Physician, heal thyself” (verse 23, KJV).

People should take care of their own defects and not just correct the faults of others. Jesus was aware that this would not set well with the hometown folks, who refused to examine and correct themselves before reaching out to expose the ills and sins of those in other towns.

This is a reminder for us to look at ourselves in the mirror and see our faults before lashing out at others.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

This will boggle your mind!

The year is 1918 “One hundred years ago.”

What a difference a century makes!

Here are some statistics for the Year 1918:

  • The average life expectancy for men was 47 years.
  • Fuel for cars was sold in drug stores only.
  • Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.
  • Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
  • The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
  • The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.
  • The average US wage in 1918 was 22 cents per hour.
  • The average US worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
  • A competent accountant could expect to earn $2,000 per year.
  • A dentist earned $2,500 per year.
  • A veterinarian between $1,500 and 4,000 per year.
  • And, a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
  • More than 95 percent of all births took place at home
  • Ninety percent of all Doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!
  • Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as “substandard.”
  • Sugar cost four cents a pound.
  • Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
  • Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
  • Most women only washed their hair once a month, And, used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
  • Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.
  • The Five leading causes of death were:

1. Pneumonia and influenza

2. Tuberculosis

3. Diarrhea

4 Heart disease

5. Stroke

  • The American flag had 45 stars …
  • The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was only 30.
  • Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn’t been invented yet.
  • There was neither a Mother’s Day nor a Father’s Day.
  • Two out of every 10 adults couldn’t read or write
  • And, only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
  • Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacists said, “Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach, bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health!” (Shocking?)
  • Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help…
  • There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE U.S.A. !

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Generosity gives out of abundance; sacrifice costs us something.

See the Good, not the Bad

Gratitude Is the Attitude that Sets the Altitude for Living. Focus on the Positive not the Negative

When we have an education of God’s performance in the past and evidence of God’s presence in the now, we can have an encouragement of God’s provision in the future.

If God is all you have, you have all you need.

I might wake up early and go running or I might wake up early and win the lottery. The odds are about the same.

A Message from the Heart, Jeremy Stopford

“A TALE OF 3 LADIES”

CHRISTMAS: “A TALE OF 3 LADIES” (Ruth, Chapter 1)

FBC Earlville, N.Y. December 2, 2018 10:30 AM, Rev. Jeremy B. Stopford, Pastor

TODAY’S “SPECIAL”: A “Shepherd Funny”

Do you know why, in New Testament times, that shepherds refused to hang glide?

They were soar afraid!

INTRODUCTION

Inspiration for a message comes in many unusual forms, but I must admit this has been one of the most unusual sources of direction. The other night I couldn’t sleep, so I prayed! And in the middle of the prayer I asked the Lord where He wanted me to go in the way of messages for the Christmas season. All of a sudden, a still small voice said, “List the books of the Bible, and think of a book that has the Christmas story in it – a story from which you have not preached here in Earlville.” I’m thinking, sort of, “yeah, right.” Gen, Ex., Lev, Num, Deut., Joshua, Judges, RUTH.” Then it hit me – Ruth is the Old Testament Christmas story! So here we are.

Look at Ruth 1:1, “in the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land….” This verse takes us back to the LAST verse of Judges, Judges 21:25, “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.” The family we are looking at for 3 of the next 4 Sundays lived at this time. They did not see life through the eyes of the Unseen Hand of God guiding them. They saw life, perhaps as many of you do, through the eyes of “what is best for my family; what is best for me.” That is a most practical guide, but outwardly it may appear to have no substance to it.

We will meet Elimelech and his family: Naomi, and two sons, Mahlon and Kilion. There is no mention of the Lord here in Chapter 1. There IS mention of a famine. Elimelech does what he thinks it best for his family in the famine, head to where there is food and water. Yet in the midst of this journey for what is best, there is the tale of 3 ladies who will lead us to Christmas. And there is the tale of the Hand of the Unseen God. Perhaps we all will see Him in a fresh way this Christmas season, too. PRAYER

1. NAOMI – THE EYES OF THE FACTS

We are introduced to Naomi in 1:2. She was Elimelech’s wife. Her name means “pleasant”. Can you imagine all the hopes and joys her parents had when they named her that? Let’s check the facts of her life:

#1 FAMILY! (1:1-2) Is it possible for a couple to be a family, with children, but not be a family? Naomi was born in a family of Israel, presumably in the area of Bethlehem. Tuck that information away. Something happens really famous in that city many years later. You may want to remember that!

And she marries a dude from Israel named “Elimelech”. His name means, “God is King.” They settle in Bethlehem. The ancient city of Bethlehem was once called “Ephrath”, so in our story they are known as “Ephrathites” – that would tell people they were from Bethlehem. So far so good. They have the potential of some very spiritual roots. What could go wrong?

#2 FAMINE! (1:1)

Famine is often used in Scripture as a source of judgment. Remember the times of the days – everyone doing what is right in their own eyes. The famine is designed by a loving Heavenly Father to point His children to Himself! It is providentially designed to cause His children to seek His face, His help, His direction. He did that often to Israel as a nation, and He does that often in our lives. Even the prophet Amos (8:11) talked about a “famine of the word of God.”

There is no mention in these verses that Elimelech sought the Lord’s leading here during the famine. He simply sought what was best. And it is neat that the Lord is gracious. Because through the famine, this family will learn God’s grace (or “favor”).

#3 Went to Moab (1:1) – they headed south, a symbol for going away from the land of promise. Israel, the land of blessing. Moab, the land of the enemy. That’s a fact

#4 Continued there (1:2) – this indicates that when the famine was over, well, they were happen in the land of the enemies of Israel.

#5 Elimelech died (1:3) – this is a major change in Naomi’s life, as it has been for many that we know. This was a fact, a fact with which she would have to adjust quickly

#6 Her sons took Moabites for wives (1:4), contrary to the Mosaic law which demanded that an Israelite was to take a wife from the tribe in which he was born.

#7 The sons died (1:5). “Mahlon” means “sick”; “Chilion” means “pining”. Perhaps all their lives they were a tad sickly, and Naomi like a good mother had to deal with their illnesses often. But now her husband and 2 sons were gone.

#8 She returns to the land of blessing (1:6). Her conclusion, v. 13 and vs. 19-21, she is no longer “Naomi” (“pleasant”), but “Mara” (“bitter”).

2 Cor. 5:7 says, “for we walk by faith not by sight.” Thankfully, the story does not end here. But looking at the facts, Naomi was now a most miserable woman despite the blessings of the roots of her life and heritage.

2. ORPAH – THE EYES OF THE FLESH

We don’t have a whole lot of info about her.

But we know her heart: Verses 7-8 and verses 13-15 show that the roots of her life were the false gods of Moab. She returned to her roots. She returned to a life without God and without hope.

What a sad commentary! There is nothing more in scripture mentioned about Orpah. She might have had an godly heritage created in Israel, the land of promise, but she chose the false gods, the empty gods of the world.

Is it possible for those who say they love Jesus to so settle for those empty gods as well? Ponder that a while.

A choice must be made. Orpah chose the flesh over the faith.

3. RUTH – THE EYES OF THE FAITH

Note this: Ruth saw the facts of the famine as well as the hope of Israel. She saw the faith of Naomi, as feeble as it may have been.

She saw the death.

She saw the eyes of the flesh through her sister-in-law, Orpah.

But she had a look, a look of faith! (vs. 16-17).

Isn’t it funny that these verses are often quoted at weddings? But the context is the SPIRITUAL RELATIONSHIP between a daughter-in-law and her mother-in-law!

NOTE v. 18, “she was determined” – steadfastly minded!

The eyes of faith have a mindset on the Lord, and respond accordingly.

She, like Orpah, realized the offer of Naomi was a choice between the gods of Moab and the living and true God of Israel.

What a crossroads! And she made the right choice!

CONCLUSION

Our conclusion is based on the reality, firm upon God’s word, that we are people of promise.

How is your sight today – through the eyes of facts, flesh, or faith?

When we read the last chapter, we will see God has not nor ever will change, that He is the God of promise, of His Word!

3 ladies of Christmas. Perhaps you never heard of them before.

They’re tucked away in the Christmas book of the Old Testament, the Book of Ruth!

Close in prayer

A Message from the Heart, John Grant

“John Anderson”

Week Forty-Nine, 2018

“JOHN ANDERSON”

By John Grant

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38

Grace was an elderly lady driving alone at night on a rural road, She felt uneasy. Suddenly she pulled over with a flat tire and felt helpless. A truck pulled in behind her and a big man stepped out and knocked on her window. Even though he asked her to lower her window, she was very scared.

He told her his name was John Anderson and he wanted to change her tire. Feeling somewhat relieved, she told him to go ahead. When he was finished he came back to her window and she asked how much she owed him. He said nothing as it was an act of kindness. Then he said to her that when she next saw someone in need to help them.

Grace drove away and stopped at an all-night diner, where she was approached by a somewhat over pregnant server named Judy, who politely served her. When Judy brought her the check, Grace handed Judy a one hundred dollar bill and told her to keep the change. When Grace left, Judy proceeded to clean the table, she found four more one hundred dollar bills under a napkin. Judy felt so blessed as she and her husband lacked the money to pay for the delivery and now they had the money.

Judy got off work at midnight and went home to find her husband already asleep in bed. As Judy climbed into their bed, she woke her husband and shared the good news with him. They both felt blessed.

There’s something Biblical about passing on blessings. In Luke it says that we are to give and it will come back to you. We are told to help and bless others, even at our own cost. John blessed Grace, who blessed Judy.

We have heard the quote that says “what goes around comes around comes around”. Too often that used to describe what happened when we do bad things. The Bible says it is what happens when we live a life of generosity and blessing others.

We should focus on how we can bless others. It will always come back, perhaps not to us, but to someone, as we focus on giving rather than receiving. That’s what John and Grace did.

But now the rest of the story. The husband who Judy shared her good news was none other than John Anderson.

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

A new Harvard study investigated the health and mental health of children and teenagers who were raised with religious or spiritual practices. What they found was fascinating.

Those who attended religious services at least once a week as children or teens were about 18 percent more likely to report being happier in their twenties than those who never attended services. They were almost 30 percent more likely to do volunteer work and 33 percent less likely to use drugs in their twenties.

In addition, people who prayed and meditated individually on a daily basis had more life satisfaction, were better able to process emotions, and were more forgiving. They were less likely to have sex at an earlier age and to have a sexually transmitted disease.

The Forbes article reporting on the study concludes: “Some of the fundamental habits that humans have been doing for eons (praying, meditating) might actually have a lot more value than we tend to think.”

— o —

Ken Whitten on giving:

1. The Greatest Givers do not Necessarily Give the Greatest Gifts.

2. Don’t Have to be Rich to be Generous

3. Don’t Have to Have a Lot to Give

4. Don’t Have to Have a Lot to Give a Lot.

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Virginia Satyr says that most people prefer the certainty of misery than the misery of uncertainty. We’d rather head back to Egypt than learn to live as healthy people.

The woman came from a man’s rib. Not from his feet to be walked on. Not from his head to be superior, but from his side to be equal. Under the arm to be protected and next to the heart to be loved.”

Focus on the Right not the Wrong.

Eyes that look are common; eyes that see are rare,” wrote J. Oswald Sanders in his book Spiritual Leadership.

©2018 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.)

A Message from the Heart, Jeremy Stopford

“THE SACRIFICE OF THANKSGIVING”

FBC Earlville, N.Y. , Rev. Jeremy B. Stopford, Pastor

TODAY’S “SPECIAL”: “Two Turkey Funnies”

#1: A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store, but couldn’t find one big enough for her family.
She asked a stock boy, “Do these turkeys get any bigger?”
The stock boy replied, “No ma’am, they’re dead.”

#2: An industrious turkey farmer was always experimenting with breeding to perfect a better turkey.
His family was fond of the legs for dinner and there were never enough for everyone. After many frustrating attempts, the farmer was relating the results of his efforts to his friends at the general store get together: “Well I finally did it. I bred a turkey that has 6 legs!”
They all asked the farmer how it tasted.
“I don’t know,” said the farmer. “I could never catch the thing!”

INTRODUCTION

The unnamed psalmist in Psalm 116:17 writes, “I will sacrifice a thank offering to You and call on the name of the Lord.” In our NKJV (and similar to KJV) it reads, “I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.” The phrases “thank offering” and “sacrifice of thanksgiving” are quite connected. They imply an offering that has no earthly value. They imply an offering which financially cost the giver absolutely nothing. But an offering must cost the giver something, right? So what is the cost? The cost is the acknowledgement that the Lord Himself is the Giver of all that we have. The offering – the sacrifice of thanksgiving – is the returning to the Lord what He already owns, the recognition that He is the Provider of all that we have. THAT is why it is a “sacrifice”! It is our humblement – as a fellow college student used to call it – to admit that for what the Lord has given only He deserves the praise and thanks for that gift.
Let’s look at some of those things which caused the author of this psalm to offer such a sacrifice. And, in turn, may these prod our hearts to a spirit of thanksgiving as well. PRAYER

1. The intimacy with the Lord (v. 1)

This is huge! The psalmist admits to a personal acquaintance with the living God! It was so personal that he had absolutely no uncertainty that when he prayed, the Lord heard. Not only did God hear his prayer, He also heard his cry for mercy. “Mercy” is the calling out for help that one does not deserve. In light of the cross, it is the Savior taking upon Himself the sacrifice that we deserve because of our sin. Mercy.
So why is this huge? It is huge because of the intimacy. The psalmist had an open book before the Lord. Nothing was hidden between the Savior and he. And the psalmist knew, he KNEW FOR CERTAIN, that not only did the Lord hear, but He answered the psalmist’s cry for help for which he was not worthy.
Do you share that intimacy with the Lord? Is your relationship with Him personal, or is it so shallow that there is uncertainty in your faith that God even hears your cries? Listen to Psalm 55:17, “Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.” Intimacy – the Lord has designed it to last all day long! Do we enjoy it all day long?

2. The Lord preserves the simple. WHEN? (v. 6)

The psalmist recognizes that he cannot fake his walk with the Lord. His walk is not to be high-minded but, literally simple or “simplehearted.” Let’s look at the many times when the psalmist saw God’s preserving hand:

A. Tough times (v.3). You and I may not face too many “death defying” issues too often. Those are the toughest of times. The times which, as the psalmist writes, “entangle” him. He feels strangled, wondering “WHEN will this end?” Isn’t it refreshing the open honesty of this writer?
But “tough times” don’t necessarily have to be “death defying”, do they? They can also be those times when you are awaiting the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel” and that light seems to never come. You’ve been there. I’ve been there. Tough times. “I was overcome by trouble and sorrow,” he writes. Isn’t it nice to know that we are not alone in the things that come our way?

B. When the soul is low (v. 4). Closely related to verse 3 is when the soul is low. How low? It is so low that he calls out to the Lord for deliverance! “Lord save me!”
Aren’t you glad that books like “Jonah” are in the Good Book? Listen to the opening words of Jonah 2. These are Jonah’s recordings of his wrestling with the Lord after being swallowed by the great fish. He wrote, (vs. 1-4), “Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly. And he said:
“I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, and He answered me.
“Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice. For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the floods surrounded me; All Your billows and Your waves passed over me. Then I said, ‘I have been cast out of Your sight; Yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.’”
These are the written recordings of when the soul is low. Now I don’t think too many of us will find ourselves in the belly of another great fish prepared by the Lord for you or me. But the situations of life may feel that way.
And it is then when the Lord preserves the simple!

C. When God’s grace, righteousness, and compassion are on display (v. 5)
Have you ever read Ephesians 3:10? It reads, “ to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places”. Wasn’t that great? OK, so I’ve taken it out of context. Let’s listen to it from The Message, “Through followers of Jesus like yourselves gathered in churches, this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and talked about even among the angels!”
So when are God’s grace, righteousness, and compassion on display? When the angels look down on us. What are they thinking when they see us? Well, they know that they have been redeemed for eternity. The good angels will always belong to the Heavenly Father. Always. They did not have to pay for that ownership. They were given it by choice, when they chose to follow Him rather than the devil when he fell from heaven.
But they remember what we were like before we came to the cross! They remember what we were like before we trusted Jesus as Savior! And they look at us as we sit in our churches and offer praise to the living Lord. And they marvel, perhaps thinking, “HOW could the Lord have done that with creatures who were without God and without hope? HOW?”
God’s grace, righteousness, and compassion are on display though us every day. Wow. The Lord preserves the simple, and puts us on display!

3. The Lord keeps the soul at rest (v. 7)

Remember the words of our Lord Jesus in Matthew 11:28? He said, “Come unto Me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
I like this verse. It tells me to “come to Jesus”. It says to come and find that He alone is worthy of my eternal as well as my daily trust. He is worthy of my eternal trust, for He alone was qualified to die for my sins at Calvary. He is the only sinless Savior. There is no other. He is worthy of my daily trust, for He is the Good Shepherd! He doesn’t say, “come to My Church” or “come to My religion.” He says, “come to Me.” The Lord keeps the soul at rest.
And when the Lord gives the soul rest, the psalmist says that His bounty is on display! He has been good to us!
And in giving the soul rest, the Lord gives daily deliverance to walk before Him in the land of the living! Look at verses 8-9. The Lord loves to deliver His children: from death, from tears, from stumbling, all so that we may walk with Him right where He has wisely placed us.
But He gives rest in one more area. Look at the classic verse 15, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Perhaps you’ve heard this quoted at a funeral. How on earth can the psalmist combine the two words “precious” and “death”? Because the psalmist is looking by faith at what the one who has passed away is now looking at by sight! The psalmist is seeing by faith that the promises of God have come true to the one whose soul has found rest in the Lord alone.
Have you found that eternal rest? Have you found that daily rest?

Conclusion

So what does a “sacrifice of thanksgiving” look like?
Permit me to close with the reading of a portion of a recent thanksgiving encouragement sent by Dr. Michael Peck:
““Do you think we’ve remembered everything?” Dustin asked his exhausted wife. “I don’t know, but it is too late now to worry about it!” Liz replied. The family was flying across the country to be with Dusty’s family for the Thanksgiving holiday. “You know, Honey,” Liz said quietly, “after all the extra hours you crammed into your work so that you would be able to get away for a few days, after all the expenses to make the trip, after the late night packing and the early morning rising, knowing the lines at the airport, going through security, and everything else, I am not feeling so very thankful at the minute.” Just then Liz’s phone dinged, so she silently read it. “It’s a text from your mom. Let me read it to us. ‘Dusty and Liz, it’s the middle of the night still here. I am crying as I text. I am coming before His presence with thanksgiving and making a joyful noise unto Him. Giving great thanksgiving because in five hours I will get to hug my grandchildren and you folks, too. I am such a thankful Grandma. Love you.’”
THAT is a sacrifice of thanksgiving! When a Grandma looks “outside the box”, the circumstances of all the effort, and sees the Lord’s hand of grace, righteousness, and compassion on display through the events of her life.
THAT is a sacrifice of thanksgiving! When a family comes to realize what true thanksgiving really looks like.
THAT is a sacrifice of thanksgiving! When you and I say, “Father, I am unworthy of Your kindnesses toward me. I return to you what You have given to me. I return to you my thanks.”
Have you remembered “the sacrifice of thanksgiving” this Thanksgiving? It begins at the cross. It continues every day in a living walk with the living Lord. And it will continue one day when we are preciously in His presence!
Have you offered “the sacrifice of thanksgiving” today?

Close in prayer

Pastor Jeremy and Thuvia Stopford

A Message from the Heart, John Grant

The Acorn

Week Forty-Eight, 2018

THE ACORN

By John Grant

A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Matthew 7:18

Right after we built our home nearly fifty years ago, my wife decided we should have a big tree in our front yard. In a small pot she planted a single acorn. As the sprout grew, it was transferred to a bigger pot and finally into the ground. It grew and grew and grew until it reached adulthood and topped over our two-story house. It was always her favorite tree.

Trees, like people have an expiration date. Our tree began to age, with rot and falling limps. Like an old dog, it was time to go, so we secured an arborist who agreed and proceeded to level the tree.

As I watched the tree go down limb by limp, I could not stop thinking of the day we planted that acorn. It was a journey from a small seed to a giant oak. We are like that, beginning with a small seed, but the rest is up to us. How will we grow, like a giant oak or an acorn that stays on the ground and rots?

“From little acorns mighty oaks do grow” is an enduring proverb that gives believers hope for their future in God’s Kingdom. We should all strive to become the uncommon acorn—the one that develops into a majestic oak with limbs reaching out to a hurting world.

Max Lucado writes: There’s an oak within every acorn. One little acorn, with time, can also be the start of a whole forest of mighty oak trees. The acorn is the seed of the mighty oak tree; therefore, it symbolizes potential and strength. … The acorn is the youth of a mighty oak tree. As Christians, we should continue to grow until our expiration date.

What characteristics are evidence of Christian growth? The evidence of Christian growth can be broken down into three main areas: hunger for God’s Word, confidence, and obedience. These three characteristics are based on love. The work of the Holy Spirit and God’s grace within us, help us to grow and start to display evidence of Christian growth.

God is not done with his work when we first believe and are saved. He intends day by day to make us into what we already are in Christ. Spiritual growth is not optional or marginal in the Christian life. Every person that truly believes in Christ is increasingly transformed into his likeness.

What will you be an acorn or a tree?

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

What do you believe about God? Salvation? Sin? Ethics? And the Bible?

According to a recent survey conducted by LifeWay Research based on interviews with 3,000 people, American evangelicals are “deeply confused” about many basic Bible doctrines.

Their conclusion, that is “overall, US adults appear to have a superficial attachment to well-known Christian beliefs.” While the majority believed that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, 6 in 10 Americans think “religious belief is a matter of personal opinion [and] not about objective truth.”

▪ A majority of US adults (59%) believe the Holy Spirit is a force and not a personal being.

▪ 58% don’t see regular church attendance as important.

▪ 69% are not bothered by “small sins” as being condemned by God.

▪ 51% agreed that God accepts the worship of all religions.

▪ Incredibly 78% believed that Jesus was a created being.

The problem, cites the survey, is the impact of “relativism” on religion. Today’s culture, however, looks at truth as being “relative.” It says, “What is truth for me, may not be truth for you. And what truth is for you, may not be truth for me” This philosophy can be summed up in two words: “No Absolutes!”

This philosophy spouts off phrases like “It doesn’t matter what you believe (or do) as long as you’re honest and sincere.” “It says there are no absolute truths in life.” Of course, this is ridiculous. That statement in itself is an absolute. Preacher Man

— o —

Italian Tomato Garden

An old Italian lived alone in New Jersey. He wanted to plant his annual tomato garden, but it was very difficult work, as the ground was hard.

His only son, Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament:

Dear Vincent,

I am feeling pretty sad, because it looks like I won’t be able to plant my tomato garden this year. I’m just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. I know if you were here my troubles would be over. I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me, like in the old days.

Love, Papa

A few days later he received a letter from his son.

Dear Pop,

Don’t dig up that garden. That’s where the bodies are buried.

Love,

Vinnie

At 4 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left.

That same day the old man received another letter from his son.

Dear Pop, Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now. That’s the best I could do under the circumstances.

Love you,

Vinnie

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

God doesn’t need a majority; he needs a remnant. PS 105:17

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. Robert Brault

When Facing Something New, Follow Someone Old

The Most Fearful Times Can Be The Most Fruitful Times

***

Your feedback is welcome. Feel free to pass this along to others and to contribute your ideas and thoughts. Address all items and comments to [email protected]. © Thoughts on Life Copyright 2018

©2018 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618

A Message from the Heart, Jeremy Stopford

“DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!”

“DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!” (Mark 16)

Closing Message – “Gospel of Mark” Series

Jeremy B. Stopford, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Earlville, NY

TODAY’S “SPECIAL”: “A Pun or Two”

Snow in November happens because people prematurely decorate for Christmas!

What do you call dental x-rays? Tooth pics!

When I was little my mom used to feed me alphabet soup claiming I’d love it. I didn’t really – she was just putting words in my mouth.

Did you hear about the accident at Lenscrafters? A new tech got his hand caught in the lens grinder. Injuries were minor, but he really made a spectacle of himself!

Once upon a time there were two mice who lived in a museum. One evening after the museum had closed, the first mouse crawled into a huge suit of armor. Before he knew it, he was lost. “Help! Help!” He shouted to his friend. “Help me make it through the knight.”

INTRODUCTION

If last week was “Good Friday”, then today – Mark 16 – must be Resurrection Sunday. Yes, it is Easter once again. Only please, one last time, do not be confused with this notation in our NIV which say that “these verses are not in the original text.” We should know by now that the NIV was not based upon the same text from which we get our KJV and NKJV. The NIV was based upon an older, but unfortunately obviously not as reliable, text. The end result is that sometimes it must come up with such observations.

But please don’t allow such observations to detract us to the magnitude of the message of the first Resurrection Sunday! There are many wonderful tidbits here. And there are glimpses that Mark wonderfully includes that make his narrative a treasure. Let’s go find them this morning! PRAYER

A. AN INTERESTING TIDBIT FROM MARK 16

Angels! Did you know that over 290 times in the Bible, angels are mentioned? So obviously the subject is important to the Lord. Brace yourself – whenever an angel is identified, the angel is always identified as being male. There are NO female angels identified in Scripture. None!

Angels play a very important part in the resurrection story. Depending upon the witness, there were either one or two angels at the empty tomb. In Mark 16:5, the angel in Mark’s account is interestingly described as “a young man”. We know from other accounts that he is an angel. However, isn’t it neat to see that God is very detailed in describing this angel as being “young”? So God does not limit the age – at least the appearance of age – in His servants.

Are there angels today? Well, of course! I walked into the house the other day and a voice from the kitchen said, “is that you, angel?” Hmm. She knows! But I can prove to you without a doubt that there are angels today. First of all, the scriptures – Hebrews 1 in particular – say that angels are “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will become the heirs of salvation.” Yes, you and I have guardian angels – or better, “ministering angels.” We may not be aware of them by sight, but by faith we can trust the Lord that they are there. So to say “my angel must be watching over me,” or “My angel must be working overtime today” may not be irreverent statements!

Second, there is a classic passage in 2 Kings 6. A student of the prophet Elisha and he found them surrounded by the enemy forces. The student was concerned as to what they were to do, and he was quite frightened. Elisha in typical fashion allays the young man’s fears: “there are more of us than there are of them!” Elisha then prays for the disciple’s eyes to be open. And they are! He sees that they are surrounded by the hosts of the Lord – all with drawn swords. Do we have that sense of the presence of the Lord at all times?

But third, I would like to prove to you by way of a demonstration. I need a volunteer. (one should come forward). Now hold still. Don’t move. OK, here goes. (I’ll put my arms on his/her shoulder). There! You have just been touched by an angel! Me! See – angels ARE real today! The actual definition of the word “angel” is “messenger, one who has been sent”. So if you are a messenger of the good news that Jesus loves you, then, well, by the authority of scripture even you are an angel – just like me!

B. MARK’S GLIMPSES OF THE RESURRECTION

Mark 16 is by far the shortest of the four gospels’ resurrection accounts. So Mark gives us what I call “glimpses” of the story. He tells us of the eyewitnesses – the 3 ladies who saw where the Savior was buried are the first to be at the tomb Sunday morning. Mary Magdalene is mentioned, verse 9, and we are given a reminder of her being the one out of whom the Savior had driven seven demons. John (chapter 20) gives us an extended narrative of her encounter with the resurrected Savior.

In Mark 16:12, Mark shares about the 2 men who were walking on the road to Emmaus. Luke 24 gives us their extended conversation with the Lord Jesus. But note please the way Mark words it: “Jesus appeared in a different form”. In these two stories, the ones Jesus was with did not recognize Him at first. For Mary, His tender voice gave Him away. For the two on the road, it was His familiar prayer of benediction over a meal. The Apostle Paul picked up on this. In our KJV in Phil. 2:5-8 are Paul’s classic words:

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

Did you notice? “Who being in the form of God” (v. 6) and “taking the form of a bondservant” (v. 7). That is the very theme of Mark! Remember Mark 10:45, our series’ theme verse: “For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” “The form” has as its roots meaning “the very nature of”. The Lord Jesus is the “God-Man”. He would repeatedly answer the demand, “please show us the Father”, with the wise insight, “if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.” He is the very nature of the Father. John 10:30 reminds us, “I and the Father are one.” Wow! And Mark picks up on that in the resurrection accounts. The Savior becomes a Servant so that He may be the Savior.

But there is one huge glimpse that Mark gives in this final chapter. Did you catch it? In verse 3, “Who will roll the stone away?” And verse 6, “don’t be alarmed.” How about verse 8, “trembling and bewildered…they were afraid.” And verse 11, after hearing Mary Magdalene’s eyewitness account, the disciples response? “They did not believe it.” After hearing the next amazing story of the two eyewitnesses on the road, the disciples’ response is seen in verse 13, “they did not believe them either.”

I like the way our NIV words the Savior’s response when He appears firsthand to His frightened disciples: “He rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe” the eyewitnesses (verse 14). Yet remember this: Mark writes as one of us. As throughout his book Mark records the many instances of the learner’s lack of faith, so we, too, are being recorded for the many times where we do not trust the Lord. We are these disciples. This is our story, too. Let us learn with them – for after Pentecost, they were giants of the faith. And so we should be, too.

CONCLUSION

Mark wraps up his account with two fascinating commands of the Lord Jesus, the Savior’s last words of instruction to His disciples. First, Mark shares the Great Commission, with a twist. Please don’t let the wording confuse you! Mark quotes Jesus as saying (v. 16), “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” IF you leave that by itself, you would have to conclude that in order to be saved I must add something to my faith: be baptized. I must do a work in order to be saved. But see that Mark doesn’t end there. The next line is, “but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” As with the wisdom of James, “faith without works is dead,” so Mark is showing that first of all, I must demonstrate my inward faith by showing publicly that I belong to the Lord. But if I don’t have faith in the risen Savior, then I will not belong to Him throughout eternity.

And then the sermon title? “Do not try this at home.” Mark concludes his letter with a most unique command of the Savior: drive out demons, speak in new tongues, pick up snakes with your hands, you will not be affected by ingested poison, and you will heal all upon whom you place your hands. Wow! There are many groups today – presumably in the south – that adhere religiously to these words. But please do not neglect Mark’s closing words, for we will see them again in Hebrews 2:3-4. The Lord Jesus verified His Word through the new church with accompanying sign gifts. These gifts were displayed on demand by each of God’s servants. These gifts were to verify that what the early church was proclaiming is true: Jesus is alive! Even a casual reading of the books following Acts show that, once the Word of God was in complete written form, those sign gifts were no longer needed.

I have read, however, that in some of the African countries where God’s word is not in written language, many of these gifts are still present. But that is the exception, and certainly not the norm! Please, keep me away from snakes!

I have enjoyed preparing and presenting this series through the Gospel of Mark. I trust it has been as much an encouragement – and a challenge – to you as Mark’s gospel has been to me.

What is needed is a love for the Word of God! And the greatest lesson of Mark is that what is needed among those of us who claim to know the Lord Jesus is a servant’s heart. My life is not my own – I belong to the King of kings.

Is that your heart today? Have you come to the cross for your eternal trust? Are you showing publicly your faith in action? Is your life not your own, because you have been bought with the price of His precious blood?

Are you a servant of the King?

Close in prayer

A Message from the Heart, John Grant

Are You Ready?

Week Forty-Seven, 2018

ARE YOU READY?

By Senator John Grant, FL (Ret.)

You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. Matthew 24:44

As a Boy Scout, I learned and lived by the motto: Be Prepared. It was a good lesson for a young boy. Don’t get caught short and don’t fail to be prepared to meet deadlines.

Recently my bride and I were preparing for a short trip. As always, she printed out the packing list. Mine was simple… toothbrush, comb and razor. Hers was a bit more inclusive. It included, but was not limited to toner (whatever that is), moisturizer, eye cream, cleaner, exfoliator, lip balm, make up, mascara, eyebrow brush, eyeliner, concealer, lip liner and the list goes on.

Women are just plain complicated, but what is not complicated is God’s plan of salvation. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6.

We know not the time or the hour, but we must be prepared and ready at all times. We spend a significant amount of time every day getting ready for what lies ahead, but how much time do we spend getting ready to meet the Lord?

Jesus is coming! How do you react to that statement of truth? Some people wring their hands in fear. Or roll their eyes in skepticism. Or yawn with disinterest. Or jump up and down with excitement. How should we react to that statement? While no one knows the day or the hour of His return, Jesus Himself instructed His disciples repeatedly to be ready (Luke 12:35, 38, 40, 47). And the Bible tells us exactly how.

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved (Romans 10:9-10).

Are you prepared spiritually? He may come tonight and you could be left behind if you are not prepared.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

Every minute on the internet, 2.78 million YouTube videos are downloaded; 2.4 million Google searches are initiated; 347,222 new tweets are sent; 527,760 photos are shared on Snapchat, 150 million emails are sent; and Amazon registers $203,596 in sales.

***

Drug overdoses killed 72,000 Americans last year, more than died in Vietnam (58,220) or from guns (38,658 in 2016) or car crashes (40,100 in 2017). And the crisis is far worse in Florida than the nation, as fatal overdoses spiked 47 percent from 2015 to 2016, more than double the national rate.

***

Among all of God’s creatures, only humans can anticipate the future.

***

REMEMBER THAT JOY is not dependent on your circumstances. Some of the world’s most miserable people are those whose circumstances seem the most enviable. People who reach the top of the ladder career-wise are often surprised to find emptiness awaiting them. True Joy is a by-product of living in Jesus’ presence. Therefore, you can experience it in palaces, or in prisons or anywhere else.

***

Do you enjoy brand new things? When you are given something new, how do you feel? What goes through your mind? How does it help or encourage you? Take a moment and reflect on the four things God will do for you in a new way as you seek Him.

***

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Are you going to church or you being the church?

What your life says speaks is louder than what your mouth speaks

Idolatry is glorifying anyone or anything more than we glorify God. It is valuing anyone or anything more than we value our Lord. And it’s finding our primary source of hope in anything other than our heavenly Father. Jim Denison

***

Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read at TheLife.com.

Your feedback is welcome. Feel free to pass this along to others and to contribute your ideas and thoughts. Address all items and comments to [email protected]. © Thoughts on Life Copyright 2018

©2018 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618

A Message from the Heart, Jeremy Stopford

“Faces of Calvary”

“Faces of Calvary,” A message based on Mark 15, by Rev. Jeremy B. Stopford

INTRODUCTION

It is Good Friday once again. And as is my custom on the Good Friday “sermonette”, the “Today’s Special” is reverently silent. Perhaps next week, and the coverage of the Resurrection, will bring two specials for our enjoyment.

Good Friday. The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 6:14: “But God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of my Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Profound thought in a verse – that the whole of eternity centers around just one moment in time: the cross of Calvary.

Throughout this series of messages from each chapter of the Gospel of Mark, it has been my desire to highlight one incident, one person, one theme from each chapter. But Mark 15 is unique. As lengthy as the narrative is over Chapters 14 and 15, Mark develops in the chapter before us today the special viewpoints of several people, several faces if you will. They are what I call “Faces of Calvary”. Let’s look at Calvary through their eyes today. Prayer.

1. BARABBAS (vs. 6ff)

For all of eternity, the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, and Barabbas will be connected. For it was Pilate who made the decision to release Barabbas and allow the Savior to be crucified. The Apostle John tells us of Jesus’ conversation with Pilate, ““You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” The Savior’s life was not taken from Him. He gave it as a sacrifice for our sins.

Barabbas. The early church historian, Origen, stated that Barabbas’ full name was “Jesus Barabbas”. “Jesus”, Savior. “Bar”, “son”. “Abbas”, father. We’ve seen this before, when the Savior prayed in the garden of Gethsemane in Mark 14, “Abba, Father.” “Abba” is an intimate Aramaic term for “father”. And Barabbas’ true name meant, “Jesus, son of the father.” He represented all that the world has to offer, and all that it strives to gain by deceit or even murder. And the Savior? “Jesus, Son of The Father” [capital “T” and capital “F”]. He represents the love of God for the sins of the world. Both figures clashing at Calvary.

And Barabbas is released so that the Savior can willingly go to the cross for us.

2. SIMON (vs. 21ff)

He will always be known as “Simon the Cyrene”. The other gospels identify this fellow’s origins as being from North Africa. He was perhaps on his way to Jerusalem for the Passover, unaware of the goings on of the cross. Perhaps he had heard of the many executions that the Romans had on a regular basis. He would have paid no heed, except for one small detail.

“They forced him to carry the cross.” This is an amazing statement. The Savior was in the prime of his life. For many of us in our early thirties, we remember how strong we felt – and how we felt we would be this rugged forever. Perhaps not like Tom Brady at 41. But we felt like we could perform in top shape for a long time.

Our Savior was in His prime of life. So why couldn’t He carry His own cross all the way to the Hill of Golgotha? In verse 13, Mark gives us the insight: “Pilate had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.” Added to this were the crown of thorns, and the mockings, and the repeated striking on the head with a staff, and the spitting – all the humiliation.

But the floggings was the center of Roman punishment prior to their crucifixion. The flogging, or “scourging”, was the repeated lashing of a whip – a stick with leather straps which had attached to them pieces of glass or broken stones. The ones whipping the victim would lash across the back and then pull skin off with the pulling of the chards across whatever part of the body to which they happened to attach. Isaiah says that the bruised Messiah no longer would look like a man as a result of the entire process of the crucifixion.

In 2 Cor. 11:24, Paul writes “From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.” For the Jew, the 40th lash was the death lash, the death blow. 5 times Paul received the 39 lashes, what the Jew realized was one lash shy of the death blow. But the Romans knew no such rule, no such courtesy of punishment. Who knows how many lashes our Savior received? The Romans did not care – for to them the Lord Jesus was just another criminal.

The One Who hours earlier was a picture of health and strength hours later could not carry His own cross.

But there is one further note that Mark makes. Simon is noted as “the father of Alexander and Rufus”. No other gospel gives this insight of the lineage of the cross bearer. No doubt Simon’s experience at the cross was passed on down to his children. It is not a light thing that the Scriptures have little mention of an “Alexander” or a “Rufus”. But the mentions are worthy of note. Alexander was noted by Paul in 1 Timothy 1:20 as having a faith which was shipwreck due to his willingness to blaspheme the only Name worthy of his trust. In 2 Tim. 4:14, Paul’s final words before his own death, he refers to Alexander as a coppersmith who had done him much harm. On the other hand, in Romans 16 Paul gives a detailed account of those dear saints who were of great help to him. Noteworthy among them is “Rufus, chosen in the Lord”. Simon had two known sons – one a blasphemer, and the other a precious saint. Eternity will record that each one of us has to make his own choice as to whether or not to follow the cross of Christ, which cross Simon no doubt followed for the rest of his life. His one son did as well, the other didn’t.

Choices. What is your choice?

3. THE CENTURION (v. 39; see also Matthew 8:5ff)

A Roman centurion is an officer over 100 soldiers. The unnamed officer of Mark’s account was an eyewitness to many crucifixions. They were all the same. The victim – whether innocent or not – would holler, scream, complain, curse, fight, fidget right to the death. Perhaps this centurion had heard much of this One called Jesus. And so he watched as the Savior endured the punishment, despising the shame. He did not holler, scream, complain, curse, fight, fidget. In fact, He even encouraged the arrangement of His mother’s care into John’s oversight, as shared in John’s gospel. He called out the agony of the separation from “My God.” And when He died, He simply “gave up the ghost.” He didn’t die a martyr – He gave His life. His death was different. And immediately, immediately, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The centurion understood. And in his heart and from his lips he proclaimed his faith, “surely this man was the Son of God.”

There is one other centurion mentioned in the gospels, and it is a good possibility that he is the same one of Mark’s account at the cross. In Matthew 8 a centurion came to Jesus seeking His healing of the centurion’s servant. The centurion’s request was an unique one: he simply wanted the Savior to speak a word of healing without visiting the servant’s home. The Roman officer voiced his faith through these words, “I myself am a man under authority.” He recognized that his position as a soldier was the same as the Savior’s position of submission to His heavenly Father. And to that bold statement the Savior said to all who would hear, “I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”

Could this not be the same centurion of our story in Mark? Could this man’s faith have become sight at the cross? Could this hardened soldier’s journey have taken him from trusting in the Savior being but a man into believing that He is the Son of God? Eternity will tell, but Mark’s gospel gives a fresh vision, a fresh hope, of the journey each one of us must take.

Is Jesus the Son of God, or just a man? Our eternity rests on the answer to that question.

4. JOSEPH (OF ARIMATHEA) (v. 43ff)

Our final face – of the many faces of Calvary – is that of Joseph who hailed from the region of Arimathea. He was a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling authority of the Jerusalem. He had trusted in Jesus, but for fear of his fellow Jews he kept his faith to himself. He was “waiting for the kingdom of God” – an huge statement of faith in light of his current events. Many had thought that if Jesus was truly the Messiah, He would overcome the rule of Rome and put the Jews of Israel back in charge. But Joseph’s faith was such that he waited for the true kingdom, the one proclaimed by the prophets in which the Messiah will reign on David’s throne forever.

The cross made the difference in Joseph’s life. Mark details that Joseph came “boldly” to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body. Mark also shares Pilate’s thoughts, startled that the Savior was dead without the help of further Roman cruelty. The soldiers would often break the legs of the ones hanging on the cross. This would then keep them from being able to lift themselves up to get one more breath of air, one more breath of hope. The Savior gave Himself. He had no bones broken.

And Joseph gave of himself for the Savior. He was a rich man whose riches did not own him. He bought valuable linen cloth. He himself lovingly, tenderly took the Savior’s body down from the cross. He wrapped the Savior in the cloth and placed Him in Joseph’s own expensive tomb. This tomb had a purposefully placed rock, sitting in a trench which rolled down a short incline so that the front of the tomb would be sealed.

Joseph’s faith, once secret, was now public. He would ask us, “is your faith a secret faith? Or are you not ashamed of the gospel of Christ?”.

CONCLUSION

The central eyewitness of the events of the cross, of course, is the Lord Jesus Himself. There was His agonizing cry, a fulfillment of Psalm 22, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”. Paul wrote in 2 Cor. 5:21, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” For the first time in eternity, the Father turned from His Son when His Son became my sin – our sin.

“With a loud cry, He breathed His last.” The simplicity of the Son becoming sin.

And then “the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” Again, Paul comments, in Heb. 9:12, “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” The high priest needed to enter the holiest of holies once a year, to make atonement for his own sin as well as for the sin of the nation. The Savior went into the heavenly temple with His own blood, thus enabling all who love Him to enter into the Holiest of Holies boldly through Him.

More comment is made on the details of the cross than are made of any details of the resurrection. We are given NONE other than “He is risen; the stone is rolled away”.

He bore our sins on Calvary’s tree. Are you a Barabbas – a rebel to the cross? Are you a Simon, whose children may be influenced by your following the Savior? Are you like the centurion, an eyewitness to the Savior who finally declares your faith in the Son of God? Or are you a Joseph of Arimathea – a disciple who comes forth and outwardly shows to the rest of the world that you do not belong to yourself but to the King of kings?

Close in prayer

November 11, 2018

First Baptist Church, Earlville, NY, Rev. Jeremy B. Stopford, Pastor

A Message from the Heart, John Grant

“BE PREPARED”

Week Forty-Six, 2018

BE PREPARED

By John Grant, Florida State Senator (Ret.)

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:11).

Perhaps the greatest help I received as a child was my involvement in scouting. It helped me to grow up and face the realities and challenges I would face as an adult. The Scout motto was: Be Prepared.

I was brought up in a church that had a lot of activities, however, Bible study was not one of them. One Sunday was designated as youth Sunday when the young people would lead the church service. I was asked to preach the sermon. This was the first time I ever stood in a pulpit. As I thought about what to do, I was lost, but the priest helped me by suggesting that I speak on Ephesians 6. He helped me to prepare an outline.

As I studied that scripture it was probably the first time I had looked at a Bible, but that passage resonated with me and has continued to do so throughout my life. It gave a whole new of looking at how to be prepared.

Ephesians provided a spiritual checklist by listing all the steps to be prepared for war with Satan, since all of us will fight against him until our dying day. He tempts us all.

In this book, Paul tells the church at Ephesus that to be prepared, we need to put on the full armor of God, not just partially, but all. He then precedes to list the specific parts of getting spiritually dressed…. the belt of truth buckled around our waist, the breastplate of righteousness in place, with our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, which we can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one and the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

God has chosen us to go on this spiritual journey of developing Christ’s character. We don’t need to be overwhelmed at the thought of how much we need to grow as a person to develop holy virtues to wear, because God knows exactly what kind of help you need. He will empower us every step of the way. Fitting into spiritual clothes doesn’t happen just by trying to manage our behavior; it becomes possible when we invite God to transform us from the inside out, making us holy. Are you prepared and spiritually dressed?

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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

FOCUS:

William Hinson explains why animal trainers carry a stool when they go into a cage of lions. They have their whips, of course, and their pistols are at their sides. But invariably they also carry a stool.

Hinson says it’s the most important tool of the trainer. He holds the stool by the back and thrusts the legs toward the face of the wild animal. He maintains that the animal tries to focus on all four legs at once. In the attempt to focus on all four, a kind of paralysis overwhelms the animal, and it becomes tame, weak, and disabled because its attention is fragmented

When I heard that story I thought it describes our society today that has lost focus on what is really important in life. Things like virtue. Honor. Integrity. Spiritual values. And because we are all influenced by our culture, it impacts the Christian community. Instead of seeking to transform culture through Christ, it is often easy to become conformed. The Preacher Man

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TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU’VE EVER BEEN; YET THE YOUNGEST YOU’LL EVER BE, SO ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS

” Do Not Regret Growing Older. It is a Privilege Denied to Many. ”

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QUOTES YOU CAN USE

He who controls the media controls the culture. Dr. Ted Baehr

We are able to be generous because our God has been so abundantly generous with us. John Campbell

Don’t treasure your treasure. You can exchange earthly treasure for heavenly treasure.

Are you drowning in your own prosperity?

If it’s not fun, you shouldn’t be doing it. When it ceases to be fun, it’s time to go home. Shelley Treadway

When you give yourself 100% to God ask what He wants you to do. You can be assured that the resources of the universe will be available to you to carry out His mission.

If God is God, then what God says must be absolute—man must have moral boundaries. He cannot devise his own morals to fit his own situation. The Bible tells us that with what judgment we judge we shall be judged. So we must avoid hypocritical and self-righteous glee at the evil that has been done.

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Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read at TheLife.com.

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©2018 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618