"But refuse profane and old wives fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness." I Timothy 4:7
It never ceases to amaze me at how much time is wasted within many fellowships on internal bickering and infighting when there is a world of lost and dying sinners needing to hear the gospel. The primary mission of the church is missions. The late Charles Ashmen, founder of Camp Ha-Lu-Wa-Sa, was fond of saying that there are only two kinds of people in the world - missionaries and mission fields! The best use of a believer's time can be found in soul-winning - "He that winneth souls is wise." (Proverbs 11:30)
Time wasted on things other than exhorting (encouraging) the brethern (see Hebrews 10:24-25) and winning the lost to Christ. We have been set as watchmen on the wall (see Ezekiel 33) and I wonder how much blood we will have on our hands at the Judgement Seat of Christ because instead of being out soul-winning we allowed ourselves to be involved in internal pettiness within the body of believers!
"....If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32
In the next three months we will as a nation observe several patriotic occasions, beginning first with Memorial Day, which is a remembrance of those who have sacrificed their all for this country. Next comes Flag Day, June 14, which honors the creation of our flag. Finally comes Independence Day, which was intended to celebrate the founding of the independent, sovereign Unites States of America. Unfortunately there are those who are working covertly as well as overtly to surrender that which has been fought for and won through massive efforts. Of a truth, government, even with the best of intentions cannot give us a permanent freedom such as is available only through our Lord Jesus Christ. The only real freedom is found only through a knowledge of the Word of God and a relationship worth the Lord Jesus Christ!
2008 is almost history and soon 2009 will be upon us. Founded in 1809, Lighthouse Baptist Church will this year be observing it's 200th anniversary. The highlight of the year will, of course, be a series of special meetings which we will say more about on another occasion. In the meantime let us reflect on higher, more important matters.
While the heartbeat of any body of believers is it's people, sometimes those very same people, due to their original sinful nature cause problems and difficulties within the body. As an example see the Apostle Paul's several rebukes in his first letter to the Corinthian Church. It is my belief that the root cause of these problems is ignorance of John the Baptists' ringing testimony found in John 3:30. "He must increase, I must decrease."
The very human tendancy to point out someone else's faults is caused by none other than removal of one's eyes from the saviour and looking to (failable) men instead. Sometimes it is caused by placing another (or oneself, as the case may be) upon an unneccesary pedestal, placing trust in a (sinful) human being instead of looking to the sinless Saviour and placing...
"For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil....If thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Romans 13:3-4
The City of Philadelphia has lost another Law Enforcement officer to crime. While admitedly there may be a few officers who use their uniform wrongly, there is no excuse for the violence that has cost the City of Philadelphia another one of it's finest. While watching the news reports and seeing the emotion amongst fellow officers (and in at least one case, even the news reporter) my heart has gone out to those who have sworn to uphold the law and protect the citizens of this city. As the above passage indicates, those who protect us from the ravages of evil around us are ministers of God for the express purpose of protecting us from evil. May I encourage you today to do something kind for the officer on your beat and thank him for what sometimes is a thankless job.
"For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase." I Corinthians 3:4-6
The above verse highlights a problem and misunderstanding that still exists today. Many are those who proudly (and mistakenly) proclaim: "I am Baptist (or Methodist or Lutheran or Episcopal or....). I will never forget witnessing to a dying woman about the Lord Jesus Christ who continued to say "I am all right, my church will take care of me." Those who are trusting in a church, or pastor, or anyone but the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation are in for a rude awakening. "There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12
"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." Revelation 7:9-10
Lighthouse Baptist Church is blessed with 17 national backgrounds in it's "on roll" membership (this does not count those attending who are not members). A true International church, it's diversity reflects the complexity of the neighborhoods surrounding it. The above verse is a reflection of that same diversity which will be found in heaven. Unfortunately, this still does not include the unsaved. In spite of the diversity represented above, there are still two kinds of people in the world - the saved and the unsaved. Charles Ashmen, the late founder of Camp Ha-Lu-Wa-Sa Near Hammonton, N. J., was fond of rewordiing that into "there are only two kinds of people in the world - those who are missionaries and those who are mission fields." No matter what your national background may be - which one of the two...
I have always found it to be interesting that the human race as a whole (both saved and unsaved) is so quick to point fingers of blame at the "other fellow" when things go wrong. For the saved this is something that should not be. I recently saw a sign on a church billboard that said "God does not judge a person until after he is dead, so why should you?" I have noticed that when one makes a finger pointing gesture with his hand that there are three fingers of that gesture pointing back at the finger pointer. The first five verses of Matthew Chapter 7 make it clear, along with other passages, that there will be personal accountability (no finger pointing) when we all stand before the judgement seat of Christ. God's word teaches personal responsibility as opposed to the world's philosophy of blaming everyone else for our problems. As more of God's people realize this, there will be more harmony in our churches. And speaking of harmony, I was reminded recently by a now retired pastor whose entire ministry was as an assistant that in order to have...
The third Sunday in June is annually set aside as "Father's Day" in this nation of ours. Unfortunately, much of our modern media; i.e. the "entertainment" industry as well as many magazines and tabloids has seen fit to deride, debase, and otherwise make a mockery of fatherhood and of men in general. This is NOT the case in God's Word, the Bible. Proverbs 4:1 admonishes us to "Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father..." The Ten Commandments tells us to "Honor thy father and mother..." (Exodus 20:12)
Also, father's are given a position of leadership and responsibility in the family by the Word of God. In Deuteronomy 6 fathers are told "These words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shall teach them diligently unto thy children..." In Ephesians husbands (fathers) are told to love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it."
The true relationship of a father towards his family is reflect the relationship of God the Father to His children (the saved). Fathers have a position of responsibility, respect, and reward. NOT of ridicule and rejection!
"A bishop then must be....given to hospitality...." I Timothy 3:2
One of my favorite portions of ministry is to sit down and chat with people. I enjoy knocking on someone's door and sitting down over a cup of coffee and having what the southerners call a "neighborly chat." One of the distresses to my soul occurs when fellow Christians reject friendliness. My hearts desire for the fellowship known as Lighthouse Baptist Church is that it will become known as the friendliest church in South Philadelphia. Granted, in many ways already, it is. The fellowship after services is a delight to my soul. There are not many churches of any type that have that open a spirit. May it not only continue, but expand as God adds to His church.
In His Wonderful Service,
Pastor Kerr
"I went out to find a friend, and there were none to be found.
I went out to be a friend, and there were friends all around."
"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Matthew 6:14-15
Stopping to think about these verses and the phrase "forgive us our debts,as we forgive our debtors...." (vs. 12) should give us pause to think about those toward whom we have an unforgiving spirit. What would your answer be at the Judgement Seat of Christ when reminded of those whom you have failed to forgive? (see II Corinthians 5:10) Our best advice is from God's Word as found in Galatians 6:1; "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."