Male & Female

Good Morning,

One way we can know where to apply our energy is by seeing the places the enemy attacks.  In battle, the military does not need to defend a place where there is no attack.  The place with much enemy activity and value is the place on which we ought to focus much of our attention.  

Since the late fifties, an assault on masculinity and femininity has taken place.  The homosexual movement is not an end in itself, but one part of a massive attack on something sacred to God: men and women. 

Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

Genesis 5:2 “Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.”

In case you wondered, God only let male and female animals on the ark, the others were left off.  

Genesis 6:19 “And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.”

Of course, there were no others, but God did specify that He wanted both males and females on the ark.  We must understand that just because God made us male and female does not mean that men and animals do not act against nature at times. Do not try to use stupid activity to create another gender or erase the ones God designed. 

From Genesis to Revelation, you see God dividing the genders, and yes, there are only two.  Long hair or cute feminine hairstyles on boys is one assault on manhood.  Another assault on masculinity is feminine attire working its way into the man’s closet.  Likewise, masculine attire and masculine hairstyles on women are gradual assaults on the woman God created.  Whether it be among movie stars or in the job market, the biblical role of men and women is facing a slow attack, and great work is being done to erase the lines of gender and gender roles.  If gender does not matter, why would Satan work so hard to make a change?  Why do we see so many cultural pressures on the girls to be masculine? Why would Satan do so much to make boys more feminine?  Important territory must be defended by the people of God, and we can be sure that it will be attacked by the enemies of right and decency.  You have to admit that the attack is obvious: gender lines are not just being attacked and becoming blurred, they are being reversed as often as possible.  

God draws lines in the style of hair that men and women should have.

1 Corinthians 11:15 “But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.”

vs. 14 “Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?”

Revelation 9:8 “And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.”

Dress and hairstyles are not just matters of preference, but also matters of gender set up by the Lord.  The issue is not about modesty alone, but the very nature of mankind.  God made a man and a woman; from that moment, men and women were different in all areas: from the body to behavior, and from purpose on earth to place in society.  Men and women are not the same, and they are not to be the same. We are not talking about superiority, but purpose.  God created each man and woman for a reason.  Each gender has gifts that make him or her perfect for His work and for the glory of God.  Men and women are not here for the glory of men and women, but for the purpose the Lord created.  So when men and women pervert who they are, they limit their ability to do their divine job.  

If these things do not matter, why is there so much satanic work attacking these roles set up by God?  Italian fashion designer Miuccia Prada says, “Basically, I’m trying to make men more sensitive and women stronger” (brainyquote.com).  That quote was not from a Baptist, but from one explaining her purpose as a designer.  

God said that some clothing styles belong to a man and other styles belong to a woman — the two should not trade.  


Deuteronomy 22:5 “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.”

The why’s and what’s are not the issue: the issue is that God thought it was important to keep a distinction!  The obvious attack of Satan shows that Satan also thinks the distinction is important. 

I would like to step into the secular world for a moment:  Who is fighting for woman’s rights to be masculine?  Who is trying to eliminate feminine and masculine traits?  Who screamed obscenities and showed off lewd and vulgar things after the Trump election?  Was that the crowd we admire and respect?  No, evil, low-minded people tossed off the standards of decency and propriety — we do not want these people to be our role models. 

When we identify who is fighting for something, we can often determine on which side of the issue he stands.  If Hollywood and the music industry are fighting for something, often they fight for the side on which I do not want to be.   If the teacher’s union or democratic leaders fight for something, their view is not the same as mine.  Can we not see who is trying to erase gender lines and reverse family roles?  

I do not know all the reasons, but I know family and church mean a great deal to the Lord. As such, every family needs a mother and father, not two of the same. In the church, important positions were set by God, and we do not want to blur the lines.  

Yes, it matters who you are, and you should be happy being who God made you.  You matter; you do not need to fight to be like another gender.  When we see the devil trying to get our boys to be more feminine and our girls to be more masculine, we need to act!  The blurring of the line needs to be fought just as we would fight lying or cheating.  There is a reason God does what He does, and it does not matter if we agree or if we understand: He is God, and His will makes it right.  

The family, the church, and society, in general, will be happier and more honorable to God when we do things the way God wants them done.  Trust Him; He is God, and He knows best. 

Pastor 

Simplicity

Good Morning,

One of the troubles in life is the desire to impress others, a desire which manifests itself in our dress, our home, our car purchases, and countless other areas.  Many preachers have faced this desire when preparing their sermons, rather than preaching simple truths, they seek to WOW the congregation.   

Romans 12:8 “Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

Paul said to give with simplicity,  not to make ourselves look better than we actually are.  As far as preachers and their sermons are concerned, how can a man think that he could improve on the Word of God? The most basic truth of the Scripture is Divine in origin, supernatural in effect, and beyond understanding in every way.  How often have we read a verse over and over, and then one day, we read it again or hear a sermon on the same passage and realize that we have never before seen that truth. Of course, we have not seen it before — the Bible is infinite and eternal; the truth of yesterday was great, but the same passage has so much more to offer to a humble, seeking heart.

What was the desired testimony of Paul?  Simplicity.

2 Corinthians 1:12 “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.”

Paul needed no fleshly wisdom, just to live the simple Christian life and to humbly obey the Word of God. Pastors get in trouble for failing to take heed to Paul’s warning. They become weary of their own simple messages and dull routine of soul winning, visiting, and study.  Routines cause us to seek some new truth.  This is the point at which heresy and foolishness are born into the pulpits of our churches.  This principle of simplicity applies not only to preachers, but also to many situations (for example: a young lady who tries to compete with the other girls for the attention of the guys, or a guy at work seeking to catch the eye of the boss).

2 Corinthians 8:2 “How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.”

Relax, be honest, real, obedient, and stay SIMPLE!   We need to stay focused on these principles, even in troubled times. The word liberality that is used to describe the spirit and manner of giving in times of trouble is the same word simplicity.

Because they could become hypocrites.  Paul greatly feared that the people would get caught up in trying to impress others, seeking to be someone special,  or striving to be someone they were not.

2 Corinthians 11:3 “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

Satan beguiles us to seek what we should not want and to desire things that make us “as gods, knowing good and evil.”  Wrong thinking will cause us to desire the knowledge that is not meant to be revealed to us.  We ought to be our best.  We ought to seek to achieve all God allows us to achieve, but by all means, we ought to be thankful for who we are, yielding ourselves to the loving Lord for His glory, no matter the cause for which He calls us.  

Simplicity is the root for self-esteem.  Faith in the work of God in and through us is the simplicity God requires; but simplicity is also the way to find contentment.   

Pastor

People Know

Good Morning,

Matthew 28:11 “Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.”

vs. 12 “And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,”

vs. 13 “Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.”

vs. 14 “And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.”

vs. 15 “So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.”

The soldiers knew, and the chief priests knew; do not think that word did not circulate around to others who then also knew.  No one spoke up for the truth.  

Popularity, staying away from controversy, and fitting in will all move people to act against what they know to be right.  These soldiers  knew enough to send them to Heaven or Hell; the choice was theirs.  

Do not think that people will be honest, especially if it risks their position, popularity, or money.  If playing ignorant will get them cash, most folks will quickly forget what they know.  If saying what they know will get them in trouble, cost them friends, or risk economic repercussions, most people will avoid testifying to the truths they know.  Folks use the term “snitch;” that is simply someone who values a friend or cash more than their own honor and the truth. 

It would be good for us to do our best to lay aside expediency and to be honest, but do not expect it from everyone else.  

Pastor

Have Ye Not Read

Good Morning, 

Here are a few similar statements from our Lord. It seems He made it a practice to “get in the face of His critics.”

Matthew 12:3 “…Have ye not read…”      

19:4 “…Have ye not read…”    

21:42 “…Did ye never read in the scriptures…”

22:31 “…have ye not read that which was spoken unto you…”

Mark 2:25 “…Have ye never read…”

These religious leaders had read, studied, and even memorized much of the Bible, yet they missed it.  Jesus had to point out passages and truths accented with the question, “have ye not read?” 

To read is a beginning, to apply to our lives is entirely different.  To memorize a passage is great, but to allow it to change the way you live is the Christian life in its fullest.  To read and not implement the truth into our lives is, in fact, disobedience. 

The Bible is not just a book to be studied, but a Book to live! In each of the above passages, Jesus was correcting the behavior of the religious leaders with the Word of God.

To America’s casual Christians I would say, have ye never read “come out from among them and be ye separate;” have ye never read, “go unto all the world and preach;” have ye never read, “look not upon the wine,” have ye never read, “a woman shall not put on that which pertaineth to a man,” and on and on.  Our society wants a Christianity that does not bother them or make them misfits in society.   

By Peter, we are called “strangers and pilgrims.” 

With all that said, I would like to suggest that we read, “call unto me … and I will shew thee great and mighty things,” and then, “open thy mouth wide and I will fill it,” as well as, “ask and it shall be given.”  Believing in answered prayer,  I would like to challenge you to join me, and to seek to accomplish something great for God. Pray for souls to be saved and baptized, and for the Lord to call our young people to the ministry.  

In addition:

1. I would like to challenge you to keep doing what you have been doing, and to start doing anything God is nudging you to do.

2. I would like to challenge each of our members to be financially prudent on earth, and to invest in things eternal for the days to come.

Here are some projects for us to prayerfully consider:

• $120,000 for roofing the back half of our Sunday school building

• $60,000 for a beautiful patio/picnic area behind our Sunday school building

• $60,000 for continued remodeling of our auditorium bathrooms

• $1.3 million for a spacious auditorium

Have we not read, “…ye have not, because ye ask not?” 

Pastor 

A Confused World

Good Morning,

The world is more comfortable with demoniacs than the Saviour.  Jesus makes folks uncomfortable, while demon-possessed men are not far from their comfort zone.  

The man possessed with devils wandered around the cemetery naked, and people were okay with it.  When they saw him clothed and in his right mind, they asked Jesus to leave town.  The world is so confused that they do not know what to do or how to face life.  

Matthew 8:34 “And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.” 

Do you ever wonder why people are okay with staying up late, drinking themselves stupid, and mingling with ridiculous and rude folks?  When someone invites them to church, they act as though church people have the plague. Has it not occurred to most of us that the world accepts the reality of their child sleeping around or experimenting with drugs, yet they panic when a child starts being faithful to church and changing their life for God?  

The world would rather have devils hanging around than Jesus!  If a child brings a Hindu book to school they are cool (even though it still says the world rests upon the back of elephants who stand on a giant tortoise), but a child who brings a Bible to school (the only Book that has continually stayed a thousand years ahead of science) is suspended for hate literature. The world hates the Bible.

Do not allow yourself to think that third-world nations are primitive and participate in heathen rituals while first-world nations are modern and logical.  Not on your life!  Europe and America are as comfortable with heathen living and godless immorality as any half-dressed jungle resident (not that the dress at American pools and beaches does not surpass jungle attire for nudity). 

When Paul writes that all are sinners, he did not stretch the truth. 

Romans 3:13 “Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:”

vs. 14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:”

vs. 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood:"

vs. 16 “Destruction and misery are in their ways:”

vs. 17 “And the way of peace have they not known:”

This godless world hates the Bible, hates truth, hates morality, and even hates logic and facts.  

We applaud those who have several months of sobriety under their belt, while we mock those who abstain from all booze from their youth.  

You cannot honestly tell me that this is an intelligent society.

We will never get this world to be logical or honorable, nor will we ever get them to base their decisions on truth – BUT we can do those things personally. May we have enough sense to do so!

Pastor

Death to Life

Good Morning

1 Corinthians 15:31 “I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.”

Humanity, frail, sinful, selfish, corrupt, and much more are in the hands of God being transformed to "Christlikeness."  The process is in His hands, and changing the literal nature of someone is no small task – therefore, we have Romans 8:28-29.  

God: divine, perfect, holy, righteous, pure, and an infinite list of other adjectives could follow. As bad as we are, we are being transformed into the divine nature, and the processes no easy task.  

2 Peter 1:3 “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”

vs. 4 “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

There are things we need – things we must be passionate about to begin the work of changing our very nature.  The carnal, casual, or unconcerned Christian will have little Christlikeness in this life. I am not sure of the path, but at the end, when we see Him, we will be like Him.  (1 John 3:2)  Cultivating a longing to walk in His presence and to be like Him will require the need for a daily filling of His Word and meditation on His truths, as well as surrender to the Divine hand that brings into our lives those things that will help to develop a life of glory and honor for His purposes.  

We read about denial (Mark 8:34) and death of our carnal desires (Romans 6:6) that we might be alive unto God (Romans 6:11).

Romans 8:36 “As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”  (Also see Romans 12:1-2)

We are to be available for sacrifice, death, and surrender of all our longings and desires.  This is not about God helping us fulfill our dreams, but about God using us to accomplish eternal and divine deeds. In His wonderful mercy, He allows us to be partakers in the magnificent work of the Almighty.

We mistakenly think that the Lord is here for our good, our needs, and our work. We almost treat God as though He is a trainer in the boxer’s corner; someone to be there, to make a few comments, to help out, and to cheer us on to carry out our plan, our purpose, and ultimately, our glory.  Not so!  The work is God’s, and the power is God’s, and the purposes are God's.  We are the tool (and not a very good tool yet).   More realistically, we are the raw iron, and He is the blacksmith who heats and pounds, and heats again to shape us until we become useful. Only then can He begin using us.  The best blades take the longest time to temper and shape.  

Paul says in the following verse that the life of Christ cannot be seen in us until we die:

2 Corinthians 4:10 “Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.”

vs. 11 “For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.”

Pain, suffering, forced conformation, and tearing away at our selfish arrogance is no easy path to travel to Christlikeness. Those who help us, likewise, suffer much in their work with us.

Galatians 4:19 “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you…”

Trust Him with your days, no matter the journey.

Pastor  

Co-workers

Good Morning,

Following the ministry of Paul, we see that Titus and Demas left him.  Paul’s other writings indicate many others who walked away from Paul and back to their old lives (or whatever it was they picked instead of the ministry).

In John 6, Jesus asked the apostles, “Will ye also go away?”  Our Lord also had followers leave His side.  

The first admonition of our Lord is to deny ourselves.  Paul used comparisons such as sheep being led to the slaughter and dying daily.  The life of Christian service is difficult, and some people simply do not keep going in the fight. 

Candidly speaking, some of our friends will not finish their course. Paul made the exclamation, “I have kept the faith, I have finished my course,” meaning that it was a great success to stay on track to the end. He also indicated that it is not uncommon or surprising that some do not finish the race. 

The Lord told of seeds that were sown in a place where they did not sprout, and of other seeds that grew for a time and wilted in the heat; yet some seeds brought forth fruit.  Remember that even the fruit-bearing seeds varied: some thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred fold.  (Matthew 13:8, 23)

This is not a despondent lesson today, but a reminder that road we travel is not easy, and some situations simply do not end well; be wary of weariness, sinfulness, selfishness, or the attacks of the wicked one.  

Of the churches in Revelation 2-3, we read correction directed toward all but one.  Churches have people in them; people are frail, and therefore churches slip, drift, and need revival or correction.  If the problem is not fixed, the church may lose its candlestick from its place. (Revelation 2:5)  Churches, like individuals, do not all stay on track. 

Among the Apostles there were three who were brought into special situations where others were left aside; Peter, James, and John found their way into unusual intimacy with the Lord.  

Paul said we are to war a good warfare and to fight the good fight, and Peter said to resist Satan steadfast in the faith.  We are at war; some soldiers are special forces, some win the Medal of Honor for valor, some will serve well, and some will turn from the truth. (2 Timothy 4:4)

Recently, I found a box of old photo albums. While, looking through forty years of pictures, I see dear friends who served and joined us in ministering the Gospel to the lost at home and across the ocean. Sadly, many of them now sit idly in church, and some do not attend church at all.  Some are the dearest of co-laborers, others could not speak a word of kindness towards me.  Wherever they are today, I would not have missed the joy of serving with them for anything. We had wonderful times together.  Although I miss them, I do not want to miss the next opportunity to take part in preaching in a park, running a camp, teaching a class, or visiting a widow.  I love the dinners, beach barbecues, big days, and Vacation Bible School – and I anticipate the next ones! 

My memories and love of friends from the past is clear, but I have no intention of missing out on tomorrow.  I will press on with new friends or no friends, as God gives grace.  Did you ever considered how many times the apostles must have sat talking and remembering things they did, and then Judas’ name entered the conversation?  I am sure the names of other dear friends who had left their work were mentioned along the way, and they reminisced over great works that were accomplished, even though they had not seen that good friend for a long time.  It had to have happened many times, even if was only remembered in their hearts and minds.  A great work needed to be done, and they “turned the world upside down.”  

We do not all finish the race; we do not all end the race the same, and the rewards at the end will most certainly be different.  May we be found faithful.  

Pastor

The Environmental Solutions

Good Morning,

 “Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.”

What is going to destroy the earth and humanity?  Bear with me through a few illustrations and I will tell you. 

I remember being on a bike trail with one of our children, we were deep in the hills of Northern California and enjoying the day.  The child, getting in front of me was speeding away and I noticed a sharp corner with dirt or sand on it.  To me, experience said, “This is a place to lose traction and crash.”  The child did not have the experience I had and sped toward the sharp bend in the road.  Too far ahead to hear my warning and trusting in their own perception and limited experience, the inevitable occurred and I, seconds later, came upon the crash. 

Experience gave me the superior ability as guide and lead biker, but inexperience took the lead (assured of their own ability) and disaster followed.  Most of our earthly wisdom is gained by experiencing or watching another experience something.  

Proverbs 19:25 “Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware…” 

Proverbs 27:12 “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.” 

This last passage illustrates the bike incident.  Simple does not mean bad or sinful, just inexperienced.  Time and experience allows us to learn much, and as such, we ought to listen to those who are older than us.  

When it comes to God, morality, and spiritual truth, we have no true experience – only shallow earthly circumstances.  We have no knowledge except our own eyes and ears, and they cannnot know truth about eternal things.  Therefore, we need to look to the Bible, for It tells us what cannot be learned by walking in the world. 

Humanity tends to have opinions based upon nothing at all.  We form our thoughts or develop our views based upon what seems logical or what we heard.  Boastful speakers will insist that their views are correct, yet, their few decades of life give them no possible ability to understand the eternal perspective. Experience is how we learn about hot and cold, slippery corners on roads, and most everything else – we learn through our senses.  When faced with long-term problems, our opinions are worthless and our views are vain; the Bible becomes the basis for all truth.  The inexperienced and simple will end up in a wreck as my child did.

Regarding our personal behaviour, we tend to think our life is our own, and that it is our business what we do or do not do. This philosophy leads to the use of alcohol and drugs, moral depravity, and other corrupt activities.   What most do not know is that God deals with societies, centuries, and the planet based upon our behavior.  

That is a long introduction to get us to the point. 

Isaiah 24:4 “The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.”

vs. 5 “The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.”

vs. 6 “Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.”

These foolish environmentalists think plastic straws or gas-powered cars are destroying the earth.  Read what God says is causing the ruin of our planet:

Isaiah 24:5 “… they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.”

vs. 6 “Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth…”

The sense of touch, smell, hearing, and taste cannot predetermine the end result of violating the law of God.  When man changes what is right and wrong, God promises a result, globally. Humanity needs to go to the wiser One (God) and seek His understanding so the world does not end up in a wreck.  God says that when we transgress, change, and break Bible commands, the earth is destroyed. 

This is the cure for all environmental ills.  Obey the Bible!  The trouble is, man will trust his senses rather than the Bible so people will crawl down that pitiful hole of self-reliance.  Trusting in the vain perspective of a brief life, humanity will force others to drive electric cars (that get their power from coal), and rid the world of cows (who exude CO2), while fighting for “equality” and “diversity,” while thinking they are saving the world.

Look at what God said: 

Isaiah 24:4 “The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.”

vs. 5 “The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.”

vs. 6 “Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.”

Mankind and the earth will be destroyed because mankind refuses to submit themselves to the law of God.  

Pastor

My Rights

Good Morning, 

1 Corinthians 9:12 “…lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.”

Paul was talking about his rights as an apostle, his privileges as a minister, and the simple fact that those who work should be paid. There was a question about Paul receiving pay for his work, and although Paul had that right, he did not accept it because he did not want to “hinder the gospel of Christ.”

I have no right to hinder the work of God. The very foundation of Christianity is a cross and self-denial. The most basic elements of the Christian life is to put others first. Scripture makes it clear that, though he had certain rights and privileges, he would take advantage of none of them, for fear he might hinder the great work of the Gospel.

There is nothing more important than God’s work, God’s people, God’s house, and God’s Book. As we plan various events in life and consider certain actions, we should always consider whether or not this will hinder or aid the work of God, God’s people, God’s house, or the gospel ministry.  We need to ask ourselves if our actions will help or hinder the work of God.  This is the ultimate question regarding what we do and say. 

We are surrounded with talk of rights.  Driving through the Bay Area I saw a giant sign painted on the side of a building that read, “Healthcare is a Right.”  Really?  Who promised it?  What guarantees were offered to assure it?  If it is a right, how have thousands of years passed without it being enjoyed?  

The right to free speech and free exercises of religion is a RIGHT given to us in the Constitution.  Prior to that, those freedoms were not RIGHTS, they were wishes.  A person who does not work, does nothing to aid society, gives nothing to mankind, only takes, and gives nothing at all cannot possibly DESERVE anything or have any RIGHTS!   A right is guaranteed by a power, a person, or an agreement. Paul had Scriptural RIGHTS to receiving pay and to having provisions for his companions, but Paul would not exercise those rights, “…lest we should hinder the gospel ministry.”  Understand this: my RIGHTS are not as important as the work of God.  A wise person puts God’s work far above his own RIGHTS. 

Just because you CAN do it, or just because the law gives you the RIGHT to do it, does not give you the right to hinder the work of the Gospel. 

Mankind runs selfishly, Christianity runs selflessly.

Pastor

Failing At Grace

Good Morning,


We have all been in a classroom and heard of failing.  I do not think I ever failed a class; I cannot even remember if I ever failed a test (although I am sure I did).  

What I do not want to fail at is securing the grace of God to stand in trials.  The book of Hebrews speaks of this:

Hebrews 12:15 “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God…"

The answers to how and why, and the results are more than I can cover in this brief morning thought. (You will have to stay tuned for a sermon on the entire chapter, for you need all of it to get this truth clearly in your mind.) 

Today’s article is simply A "DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT" NOT A "DOCTRINAL THESIS.”  For a brief illustration, consider a schoolroom and a test: you are given material to learn, and then you are tested.  The test in this chapter is "chastening."  Some form of the word "chastening" is used six times in seven verses. The book of Psalms uses some form of this word seven times in 150 chapters. No other book of the Bible uses any form of this word more than three times.  Hebrews 12 alone uses a form of "chasten" six times.  This chapter is about chastening!  


The next question is, who or what is God using to chasten us? 

God will use shame (vs. 2), sinners (vs. 3), and grievous situations (vs. 11); all of these things are in the Father's hands.  

The question is, can we run our race while suffering?   Can we run (vs. 1), resist (vs. 4), endure (vs. 7), and stay peaceful towards all men (vs. 14)?  That is how we "pass the test."

It is impossible to do these things on our own so the Lord offers grace.  Grace is the Divine ability to do that which mankind cannot do on his own.  We fail when we do not secure and hang on to grace. 

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

vs.15 “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;”

If we fail the test of chastening because we do not cling to the grace of God, bitterness possesses our heart, many people around us will be defiled, and disciplinary warnings follow. (For example – "If you fail this test, you will have to take the third grade over again.”)

Accept these warnings without explanation (for there is just no time to explain here); the warnings ought to be enough to urge us to seek and to secure the grace of God.

Warning 1- turned out of the way (vs.13)

Warning 2- no man shall see the Lord (vs.14)

Warning 3- many defiled (vs.15)

Warning 4- rejected and no place of repentance (vs.17)

(None of these warnings mean you are not saved.)

Do not "fail of the grace of God.” (12:15)  

THERE ARE TESTS and THERE IS CHASTENING, but THE GRACE OF GOD IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE.   Do not fail to get it. You may end up taking the class over again.

Pastor

The Way of Peace

Good Morning,

Isaiah 32:17 “…the way of peace…”

Sadly, even in a nation so advanced, most people have no clue where to find peace.  We are seventy years into a nation that tossed God, prayer, and the Bible out of their schools, public arena, and politics.  I would like to ask, “How is it going?”  

Isaiah 32:17 “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.”

That’s not too hard to figure out.  If we bring righteousness back into our lives, peace, quietness, and assurance will follow.  Why so few people have any strong beliefs?  Why are so few people sure of their gender?  The majority are living godless lives; they have tossed out the ONE thing that shows truth and security – THE BIBLE.

Righteousness produces peace, rest, quietness, and assurance.

Peace, quietness, and assurance come from righteousness. Our nation’s turmoil is a byproduct of unrighteous living.  The confusion in our churches is a result of men being afraid to preach the righteousness of God.  The priest in the Old Testament was to show what was righteous and what was wicked.  The religious leader was to “make a difference.”  Nowadays, it seems that religious leaders are doing all in their power to make wrong okay, and blur the difference between right and wrong – in turn making NOTHING WRONG.

If you want peace in your home, strive to create a more righteous environment. Decide what is righteous and unrighteous; do not allow the unrighteous activities into your house.   Make sure there are no unrighteousness video games, no unrighteousness movies, no unrighteous actions taking place.  Righteousness is the doorway whereby peace, quietness, and assurance enters your home and church.   Lift it up!  

Pastor

Response to Trouble

Good Morning, 

When people think they are in danger (notice I said THINK, they need not truly be in any danger), they will often panic. Just as the story of Chicken Little, they will run around in a frenzy, and all kinds of stupid follows.  

Numbers 14:1 “And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.”

The twelve spies had returned; two spies said it was fine, but the other ten said it was terrible and that they would all die. 

The trouble began when the masses chose to listen to the wrong individuals.  They listened to men of fear rather than men of faith.

1. They listened to the wrong people.

2. They got angry and blamed godly leaders – men who were proven and men whom the Lord had obviously blessed and guided.  Who were these ten doubters? Had they parted any Red Sea?  Had they called down any plagues? 

vs. 2 “And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron…”

3. The discouraged folks made foolish accusations and made ridiculous statements without any fact or logic. 

vs. 3 “And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey?” 

No one had died; no one had even been hurt; in fact, they had not yet entered into a battle.

4. They forgot all that God had done: the ten plagues, crossing the Red Sea, or the presence of God shown in a cloud or pillar of fire. How much did they need to keep their faith? 

5. They wanted new leadership – worldly leaders that would guide them back to Egypt (the place where their lives were comprised of bondage and slavery).  

vs. 4 “And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.”

God’s people will often turn to worldly leaders who ask little of them and will not push them to victorious Christian living.  Sometimes, people would rather live under the normal worldly influences than fight the fight of faith and continue to see God do mighty works among them.  

We will all face fear; some people will turn back to the world, and others will follow men of faith – the choice is yours. 

Pastor

Who Says?

Good Morning,

As children, many times, one child will give orders to the others. Before any orders are obeyed, the question, “Who says?” is often asked. The child being ordered to do something wants to determine if the order was the sibling’s opinion or whether the order came from a parent or a teacher (strange as it may seem). If the order is from the sibling, the subordinate will not care to follow, but if the request is from the teacher or parent, the order is followed.

Many years ago, a man in our church lived on dirt road, and he got tired of the people driving fast. He kept telling people to slow down. He carried no authority, and he had no right to demand certain driving (other than common courtesy which was lacking on that street). I drove by his home one day, and although he was old and very frail, I found him in the street with a pic, digging trenches and building speed bumps. If he could not get people to do slow down out of courtesy, he would get them to slow down out of necessity.

Our world is promoting every kind of perverse, immoral behavior imaginable. Conversations that never would have been talked about or done in public before, are now constantly being shoved in our faces. There are many different people with opinions, but the big question is, “Who says?”

Leviticus 18 gives us the answer to, “Who says?“ 

vs. 2 “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the LORD your God.” 

vs. 4 “…I am the LORD your God.”

vs. 21 “… I am the LORD.” 

vs. 30 “… I am the LORD your God.” 

This chapter says you are not to marry your aunt or sister, as well as many other specific moral laws of God.  The reason they should have obeyed was because “I am the LORD your God.”

This chapter describes very clear and specific moral restraints; the answer to “Who says?” is very clear in the chapter, and mentioned four times!  He is God, and He makes the rules.  

The perversion, vulgarity, and moral lawlessness of the land into which Israel was going to enter caused the land to “spew” out the prior inhabitants.  God warned that if Israel did the same, they would also be vomited out of the land. The behavior of people defiles the land. 

Leviticus 18:25 “And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.”

vs. 28 “That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you.”

Do not allow the tv, radio, and social media to convince you that wrong is right and right is wrong; right is right because God said so. 

In the law, God is clear:

vs. 22 “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” 

These laws are not just Old Testament laws, Paul repeats these same rules of behavior in Romans 1: 

vs. 26 “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:”

vs. 27 “And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.”

Vile,  unseemly, unnatural… “Who says?”  God says!  

We need to shut off the advertising of shame on television, radio, internet, social media, and perhaps even conservatives who seem to constantly say, “Everyone has a right to live as they wish…”  Well of course they do, Adam and Eve had freedom to live as they wished, but it was still wrong to eat of the forbidden fruit.  It almost seems as though some conservative folks are justifying wrong under the guise of freedom.  

I can speed in my car, but the police might still give me a ticket.  I can live in adultery, but that does not make it right. One is against the laws of the land, and the other is not; but “Who says?” is what matters?  I can rob a bank, but the freedom to do so does not make it okay. We have laws! The laws of the land can say anything mankind wants them to say, BUT GOD SAYS some things are right and some things are wrong.  

Pastor 

Reverence

Good Morning,

Leviticus 19:30 “Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD.” 

Reverence is not used very much in the Bible, and almost never used today. In the prior verse, God told Israel to reverence the place He met with them. In the times of the kings, Mephibosheth, the crippled son of Saul,  fell down and reverenced David as king. 

Bathsheba reverenced the king, her husband, though they had been married for decades: 1 Kings 1:31 “Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king.”  

In the book of Esther, chapter 3, the people reverenced Haman, the wicked assistant to the Babylonian king (except for Mordicai; he would not bow).  Psalm 89:7 says that God ought to be reverenced.

The New Testament says that two other people ought to be reverenced, the father and the husband:

Ephesians 5:33 “Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”

Hebrews 12:9 “Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence…”

There is no end of sermons on loving one’s wife, but when have you heard a sermon on the wife reverencing her husband? 

There is no New Testament mention of reverence for the mother, nor is there any mention of reverence for the pastor or political leader.  The clear instruction to the New Testament child is to REVERENCE their father.  The wife is to be sure she reverences her husband. 

(This word is so unused that my spell correction keeps changing reverence to reference.  Five times it has done this as I typed this short note!)

Few, if any people, reverence anyone, let alone the dad and husband.  

I was speaking to a young adult, age 20 or 21, a good person.  The young adult’s dad had handled a situation in a manner that they did not approve, and said they were not sure if they should scold him or something else similar.  I do not believe I said anything; I just thought for a moment.  I assured the young person that the Lord will care for the situation if He wished to do so.  The matter involved a family gathering of importance to this young person, and the dad did not choose to attend.  I am sure that young adult loved the father, but had, at least mentally, forgotten the word reverence. (Probably, many of us have been there as well.) 

I never heard my parents fight, yet one time, there was an exchange of some tense words over my step-brother who was causing difficulties in the home.  I said they sounded like a couple of two-year-olds fighting.  That stopped the fight for the moment, and they were both very unified in correcting me (seventeen years-old at the time). Children are to reverence their fathers, and they are not to correct their mothers.  In that situation, I shut my mouth, and my parents were in agreement that I better stay that way.  

Consider the word REVERENCE.  In your New Testament, the two people to be reverenced are dad and husband – this is another politically incorrect thought, yet it is straight from the Good Book.  

Pastor

You Cannot Please Them All

Good Morning,

Seek to please God not men (for they are most impossible to please, especially when you are seeking to please God).

Matthew 11:18 “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.”

vs. 19 “The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners."

No matter which political candidate, godly Bible church, or converted family that sold out to the Lord, the world will not like you.  The world will criticize you for one thing or another; they slandered John for being different, isolated, removed, and aloof.  The same folks criticized Jesus for being friends with "sinners."

You cannot please this evil world!  


It is far better to please the Lord.  Micah 6:8 tells us what God requires of us: “do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly" with God.  Isaiah writes of the man pleasing to God: "but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." (Isaiah 66:2)  We can please the Lord.  

God is far easier to please than the deceitful world around us.  God is honest, true, faithful, and never changes; He is everything opposite to the world around us.  

The problem with too many Christians and churches today is that they are trying to fit in with the world, seeking to be accepted by the world, and desiring to create an atmosphere in their church in which worldly influences will like them.  Folks, the world hated our Lord – they killed Him; they hated His followers and His church. One cannot please God and the world.   If you live in such a way that the world approves of you or your church, you can be sure the Lord does not!  

I remember when I made the decision to get saved. I knew I was walking away from my friends and my old lifestyle, and it did not bother me one tiny bit; they had nothing worth living for, and their world was empty and unsatisfying.  It still amazes me when I see churches or individual believers trying to shape their faith into something the world likes – the world hates the things of God!!  

You cannot love God and the world.  You cannot be friends with the world (James 4:4).  You cannot fashion yourselves after your old life and please the Saviour at the same time (1 Peter 1:14).  If you try to please both, you will fail at both.  Why not please God, love Him, and live a separated life honoring to the faith delivered to the saints (Jude 3).

Pastor

Strangers & Pilgrims

Good Morning,

When the law was made that no one could pray to anyone except the king, that was no big deal to the people who bowed down to a rock or a wooden statue; bowing down to the king was no big deal, everyone did it – except for Daniel because he was strange.

The people in Babylon had no problem worshiping multiple gods. When the king said pray to the statue, they just did it – except for Daniel’s friends… you see, they were strange.

1 Peter 2:11 “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;”

They call us strange, and we are; but consider who is calling us strange:

• People who attend a ball game, paint their face (and often their chest) with team colors. (They call US strange for wearing decent clothing!)

• People who sit with 50,000 people and scream at 22 men on a field in the snow. (Yet, they say we are strange for gathering with a few or a few hundred and saying, “Amen” during the sermon.)  

• People who paint their hair odd colors, dress guys and gals alike. (Yet, we are called strange because our men look masculine and our ladies look feminine.)

The element that makes us strange is that we believe something – and we really do believe it!

Strange?  I will tell you what is strange:

• Folks not knowing which restroom to use! 

• People who live as though they will never die - yet, we all know we will.

• A mom or dad working countless hours, while allow kids to raise themselves; and they wonder why their children have self-esteem issues.  

Yes, we are strange.

While they boast of how drunk they became and of the stupid things they did, and laugh about the incidents (for fools make a mock at sin), they label us "strange" for teaching abstinence, restraint, and temperance.  Strange?  Really?

While they prance their youth around beaches in less than underwear, we are called strange for not mixing boys and girls for a swim activity.

They call us strange because our girls wear skirts while their gals wear nothing more than thick nylons.

The world will spend endless piles of cash on casinos and parties while calling us strange for not gambling and avoiding the party life.

Public schools have failed in academics and morals, yet we are considered strange for spending money on private education.

No, we are not…. well, to be honest we are strange.  We march to a different beat.  We respond to a higher calling.

The Bible even calls us strange.

1 Peter 2:11 “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;”

Really, being strange is only a matter of the environment in which one exists.  If I were in Japan, I would speak a "strange" language. In California, my speech is not strange.  When it comes to who we are and how we behave, once in the presence of the people of God and the house of God, we are "no more strangers."

Ephesians 2:19 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”

When we join in song and Bible preaching, we are not strange to each other.

We belong in Heaven; we are not strangers there.

We are not strangers to God; He knows our names and has prepared a place for each of us.

We are not of this world; we are strangers here.  

It all depends upon your choice of company and where you are that makes you strange.

Pastor

Word of God

Good Morning,

On occasion, I will address a subject that is needful because of the continued attacks upon a biblical truth.  Gender and family issues are certainly under attack, and booze and separation from the world are likewise under constant assault, but today, I would like to address the subject of our Bible again.

Jesus said to the devil, “…man shall not live by bread alone but by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)  We do not need to think too deeply to grasp the truth that in order to LIVE by every word, we must of course, HAVE EVERY WORD. 

Paul writes to Timothy, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (1 Timothy 3:16-17) 

Again, it does not take an intellectual mind to discern that if ALL SCRIPTURE is profitable for the things listed, of necessity, one must secure a copy of SCRIPTURE.  It is evident that Timothy says that Scripture IS INSPIRED, as the beginning of verse sixteen states.  How could Timothy know the inspired Scripture from a child, if he could not secure a copy of the inspired SCRIPTURE? 

1 Timothy 3:15 “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 

It seems obvious that this “child” had and knew the very words of God, words that were given by INSPIRATION.

Obviously, Timothy had no “original” copies of the Bible; he could not physically hold the first editions of what Moses or Jeremiah wrote.  A well-read modern Bible usually starts falling apart after about twenty years; what condition would the writings of Moses or Ezra be a thousand years after being written? 

I do not think anyone would argue that the Scripture Jesus referred to when He said, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word,” or what Timothy knew from a child could not be originals.  

With these obvious truths before us, we must assume that God is capable of preserving the exact words He had written, and that He could preserve those words for us. (Note Psalms 12:6-7.) 

The question for today is, why are our college teachers telling our young people that there is no perfect Bible in their hands? If the perfect Bible is in another version or in another language, why have they not found it and placed it in the hands of our students? 

Those questions reveal a great deal more than I have time to deal with today, but sufficient it to say, Jesus said, we will live by EVERY WORD that proceeds out of the mouth of God, and that Timothy knew those Words as a child.  Do not let any professor or “parrot” pastor tell you that the Bible in your hands is flawed, or that the REAL Words of God are hidden in countless manuscripts around the world (that only a handful of Greek and Hebrew scholars can understand). 

Just a friendly reminder that the Bible is true word for word; but allow me to add, if you do not read it, what difference does it make that you have it?  A kitchen full of the finest foods will not help a man who will not eat regularly from its stores. 

Pastor

All the Glory

Good Morning,

Isaiah 42:8 “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.”

Isaiah 48:11 “For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.”

God will often allow incredibly good things to enter into our lives; at other times, trials will come. We enjoy abundance, while others around the world see very little of what we call “blessings.”  

Whatever we face, God wants the glory, thanks, and honor.

Ephesians 5:20 “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

God wants the “credit” or the “glory” as Isaiah wrote above.  We are here to do what He wishes, to achieve His goals, and to accomplish things pleasing to the Lord.  Way too often we invite God to bless, to provide the things we desire, and to help us accomplish the plans and goals we seek – that philosophy of thinking is backwards.  

God is sovereign; God will achieve the things He determines to do, and the journey, as in the case of Jonah can be very difficult if we do not listen to His instructions.  Sometimes, as in the case with Joseph, the situation can be difficult while being in the center of the will of God.

The important detail is that we strive to carry out God’s instructions the way He directed them to be done; leave the results to Him. We do not do what we do to be blessed or to prosper. We do what we do because it pleases Him.

When situations end well, God should receive the glory and thanks.  When circumstances go wrong (in our minds), we still need to give God thanks and honor; for we are here for Him, not Him for us.  Just as a good soldier, we are ready and at His service if the commander needs someone for a difficult mission.  No one plans on dying when they put on the military uniform, but we do understand that some will give their lives after doing so.  Is there any reason God could not ask us to suffer for His name’s sake?  Then give Him the glory and thanks for using us.  

Philippians 1:29 “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.” 

In the temple, the priests were to keep the incense burning all the time; it was a picture of our prayers.  Though blood sacrifices might not be as frequent as fresh bread, candles, and incense, all were a part of Old Testament worship.  Our job is to be available, and to give God all the credit for His loving kindness and tender mercies.

As Job said, “…shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall not we receive evil?”  (Job 2:10) Whatever He needs, may we be available and thankful.

Pastor

Plastic?

Good Morning,

We all know that these evil plastic bags the stores SELL us are bad.  I mean, honestly, how could any decent citizen use a plastic bag to carry their groceries?  So to help motivate us to not use these satanic bags, the store charges us for them, and that makes it all somehow better? 

Some of you still use those demented plastic bags though, really, how could you in good conscience use that grocery bag at the checkout line?  You have seen her, the lady in front of you in line is the conscientious shopper, the one who brought her own cloth bags; she is revered as a noble citizen of planet earth.  The dirty bag, used over and over is pulled out and proudly set on the counter, and the admiring glances of others see someone with a heart of gold.  

The box boy (sorry, box person for they themselves are not sure of their gender today) picks up the meat, wrapped in plastic, and places it in the cloth bag. The milk, cheese, deli potato salad, lunch meat, and organic cereal (all wrapped in plastic) is securely placed in the dirty cloth bag.  Wait, I see organic apples, oranges, and broccoli that are also placed in a plastic bags (somehow different from those vile bags at the check out stand). The ice cream is in a plastic tub; the orange juice is in a plastic bottle, and the bacon (even health-conscious folks love bacon) is also sealed in plastic. 

While stopping by Costco, the nature-loving person buys their Kirkland coffee in a plastic container, their organic blueberries in a plastic bag, and their chocolate tuxedo cake in a plastic container. Carefully carrying these items out of the store, without the purchase of an evil plastic bag, the royal shopper places everything in their electric car (made half of plastic and powered by electricity produced by coal), and drives home feeling as if they have made a difference for mankind.   

Really, if we want to make a difference, perhaps we should teach a Sunday school class and tell others how to get to Heaven and out of this messed-up world.  If we want to make a difference, let us keep our bus routes picking up the poor and forgotten.  If we wish to help our family, perhaps we should shut off the television, eliminate the screens, and read books or even read the Bible together.   Now, there is an idea that will help the world.  

2 Peter 3:10 “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 

God is going to burn this world – cloth bags and electric cars included. He will literally burn it! These things simply do not matter much to the Lord. May we stay busy telling others how to be saved and how to secure a home in Heaven.  Forget the silly little things invented by blind, emotionally-guided, deluded men (like not using plastic bags) and learn the Word of God.  May we focus on things that truly will make a difference.

Pastor

Proud IFB

Good Morning,

Our world is infinitely provided with foolishness, ignorance, and assumptions. One such ignorant assumption crossed my path recently; someone said that I was an IFB. Saying so, as if it were a cuss word. They were talking as though the behavior of someone across the nation or across town was somehow tied to our church.  IFB… INDEPENDENT – They missed the “I” of IFB. We are not tied by finance, by leadership, by organization, or by fellowship – we are independent.

Slanderers and accusers love to lump folks together in groups, thereby maligning them because of others who have stumbled.  Nevertheless, that would be like saying the first place team is the same as the last place team because they both play the same sport.

We understand that Satan is an accuser of the brethren.  It is his specialty to slander you when you do not want to drink liquor at a company gathering, or for skipping a family gathering for church on Sunday. It is the specialty of Satan to bring railing accusations against you for simple things like attending church on Sunday or putting your children in a private school, rather than the public education cesspool.

Of course, Satan is going to slander anything that is good and godly. Slanderers attacked the prophets; they also attacked Jesus, Himself. The apostles all faced their share of verbal and physical assault as well – that is what Satan does.

I have two pastors, both in Heaven, who both pastored Independent Baptist churches. Independent – that means nobody is over anybody. That means the church next-door or across the street is none of my business. That means the Bible and the membership are the ones who make the decisions in our church planning. Independent means we are independent, and whatever another independent entity does is no more our business than what Ecuador has to do with Estonia. These are independent nations; they do not oversee each other.

Let me quickly define IFB.

Independent means we are independent as a church. I think I have made that clear. We pay our own bills, and we give to whomever we choose on the mission field; no one outside our church tells us what to do.

Fundamental means that we stick to the basics, the most foundational truths and principles of our church. Fundamentals meaning we believe the Bible to be the Word of God. We believe Jesus was virgin-born, that He died for our sins, that He rose again three days later, and that He is coming again for us. Fundamental means we believe the simple old principles that old-time Baptists believed throughout the ages. We believe that baptism is for believers, and that it is under water. We believe that the church is to be separate from the state, and that the church members are to be separate from the world. The Bible says friendship with the world is enmity with God.

Baptist means we are Baptist. We are not Lutherans; we are not Presbyterians; we are not Methodists – we are Baptists! We are not Protestants – we were never Catholics, and we never did protest and come out of the Catholic Church. As our Wednesday night Bible studies have shown, Baptist churches, as well as others who are Baptistic in their philosophies, have been around for 2000 years. We did not come from the Reformation, and in reality, we were reformers long before the Reformation ever took place.

I, for one, am proud to be what I am spiritually and organizationally. I love that I am an American, and I am proud of it. America has its flaws, but it is my country, and there is nowhere else I would rather be. I am thankful, proud, and honored that I can have a wife and a family. I am certainly proud to be called a child of God. I am a member of an independent church, and that church believes in the fundamental doctrines that Baptists have always held. We are Baptists! Therefore, yes, I am an IFB!  I do not believe I have ever identified myself or our church as IFB, as if it were a title (for the very essence of independent does not allow it).  If I said we were a part of a group called IFB, then we would not be “I” or independent.  Yes, we are Independent; we are Fundamental, and we are Baptist, but we are unaffiliated with anyone – so we are not in a group, denomination, or association.   It is nobody’s business how our church is run, and it is none of our business what other churches do because we are independent.

Pastor