Son, Be a Man!

1 Kings 2:2-3
I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:

In our scripture we find King David talking with Solomon about his days being few here on earth. David said that the time for him to die, just as all others on earth, was soon. So in his final words to his son David said, "Be strong son, show yourself as a man."

What does this mean, show yourself to be a man? If you don't play manly sports such as football, baseball or rugby then you're not a man huh? If you can't take a whoopin' without crying then you're not a man huh? What if you don't carry a long barrelled 45 and spit tobacco? Still not a man some would say. But what is David telling Solomon? Show yourself as a man. Be a man son! We could speculate on what David was getting at or we could read the Word of God and see exactly what David classified as a man. Now remember, this was the David who tore bears and lions into with his hands and cut off the head of the greatest soldier that came against Israel.

A man is one who would "keep the charge of the Lord thy God." A man who would "walk in his ways."  A real man who would "keep his statues' commandments, judgments and his testimonies (written word) found in the law of Moses." I can hear David, "Solomon, when you do these things as a man of God, you will prosper in all that you do and wherever you go."

Dads, what is your standard for being a "man"? If it's not after this pattern, which is actually God's pattern more than it was David's, then you are measuring up your child with the wrong ruler.

The Way We "Were"

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

What a motley crew of people listed here. Fornicators, which includes all manner of sexual sinners. People who worship idols and false gods. Adulterers that have cheated and lied to their spouses. Effeminate, which deals with men acting like women or without natural affection, dealing with bisexual or homosexuality. Those who have abused their bodies with sex and other things. Those who steal and covet. A drunkard, fighter or those who extort money.  The scripture plainly says WILL NOT inherit, or enter, the kingdom of God (which speaks of the blessing of Heaven). 

Now I know that some of you have just placed the halo atop of your head, considered your life and come up with the conclusion that this isn't you. But if you will look closer you will probably find that we are are guilty of at least one of these sins mentioned. 

I'm so thankful the story doesn't end there!  The scripture goes on to say... "But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name or the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God". My favorite part of this scripture is just before this section... "And such were some of you:"  if you knew who I was before Christ you would find that I just about fit the bill in everyone of these categories. But thanks be to Jesus for the word "were". 

If we have been washed in His blood then don't wallow in sin.  If we have been sanctified, then don't entertain sinful temptations. If we have been justified, then live in and through the name of Jesus!  Remember, you "were" that way, not that you "are" that way. 

I am not what I need to be, but thank God I'm not what I used to be!

Fear Not

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Fear is a common feeling today. The news pumps it out like sewage to our televisions, radios and newspapers. Reports of beheadings, suffering and threats are all too common. From adults to children, the common talk is about what is going on in the world and the fear it brings. We have become a people that only speaks of what is wrong or sinful with the world. The "fear factor" is key in anything that is spoken. 

Hezbollah, ISIS, Hamas, Al-Qaeda, etc... Fear, fear and more fear. This is one of the greatest tools of satan. He loves and thrives on fear. Every attack recorded about satan invokes fear. People live in fear of his appearance. They think he shows up with the horns, forked tongue and pitchfork. If he only would show up like that...maybe people would not listen to his lies. You see he doesn't come like that. He comes beautifully subtle and aggressive in his lying speech. He aims precisely and injects fear. It's even told to all that he will use this approach in the last days of judgment. 

But what about our Great God?  He says, "Fear not..."  27 times just in the New Testament alone. God does not want His children to live in fear. 

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Romans 8:15

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Pray with me this morning. Lord please help me, us and our nation. Help me Jesus to obey your word and not fear what men may do. Help us to follow your commands and preach the Gospel. Lastly help our nation to turn unto your wisdom and repent of our ways. Lord remind me right now that if I can't start with me that I cannot focus on us our where we live. Do a work in me Lord. In Jesus Name...

Just a Greeter

Psalms 84:10

For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.

I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God,

than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

What is the church?  Well it is not the brick and mortar. It's not the carpet or the chairs. It's the people that enter into it. The body of Christ. The church is a fitly joined together living body. The members consist of those washed in the blood of Jesus. No one can join apart from salvation. Those in this body must have been adopted into His family. 

But in some sense people call the place where they worship the church. There is nothing terribly wrong in doing this. It's our way of relating where we worship. Look at David this morning and what He says about the house of God. He said he would rather be a doorkeeper at God's house than to dwell in the tents of the wicked. David is telling us that when it comes to the Lord and His house that he doesn't have to be the one in charge. He doesn't have to be the one with the biggest seat or position. He would be just as fine opening the doors for the ones entering than to sit on the highest of counsels. He said that dwelling in the wicked tents could never compare to keeping the doors at the house of God. 

This was so true in David's life. You know the scriptures tell us that David wanted to build the house for the Lord. He wanted to build the Temple but God wouldn't let him. He told him no. God said his son, Solomon, was going to build the house for the Lord. David didn't argue with God. He just loved God so much, and wanted to be where He was so bad, that he would be happy opening the doors. 

How many of us love the house of God like that?  If you're not the singer, are you going?  If you're not the preacher, are you going? What if the only thing left to do was opening the door?  I say that a day in is courts are better than a thousand and just to open the door, what a privilege to be the greeter at the house of God. 

I Heard It Somewhere

Matthew 5:43-44

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Years ago I preached a Sunday morning message on gossiping. After the morning service my family and I went home for dinner. While my wife was cooking in the kitchen the telephone rang. I heard her answer it and then I heard these words, "Hold on, I'll get him for you". When I walked into the kitchen she handed me the phone with a smile. I took the phone and said, "Hello". Then a stern voice on the other end said, "Brother Steve, this is Sister..."  I knew the gloves were off, hahaha. 

This older and absolute Godly woman had a bone to pick with me about the message that was preached. She said to me, "I want you to know something. I felt as if you were pointing at me this morning. You stared at me the whole time. Brother Steve, I don't gossip! And another thing... I don't lie!  If it was a lie when I told it I didn't know it, that was just the way I heard it". At this time I had to put the phone down to my side because I was laughing out loud and I didn't want her to hear me. My wife was looking at me like I was crazy. I said, "You're not gonna believe what she just said". 

Isn't it funny how truth has a way of coming out. By the time the conversation was over she was confessing to me that she had a problem talking about things too much on the phone to others. She said, "You know what brother? That message was probably just what I needed". I thank the Lord often for that woman of God. I'm so glad the Lord allowed us to worship together. My prayer is that maybe she is up there in Heaven today talking to the Lord about me. Hahahaha. 

In our scripture this morning Jesus is addressing things that have been said out of context. He says, "You've heard it been said..."  Start today!  Right now! Tell people just the Holy Words of God. Don't add anything to it. Don't repeat things you've heard spoken or quoted in church. Give them the pure, unadulterated Words of Jesus. See those religious leaders added hating the enemies but if you will read the Word you will never find that. When people ask you the message don't say, "I heard it somewhere". Tell them the facts!

For the Love

John 14:15

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Nothing compares to people telling how much they love the Lord Jesus.  I love to hear how great He has been to them. In church we will have times of testimonies. This is times where Christians will stand up and speak of their love for God. Some will tell of their past and how He saved them by Grace. Some will tell of a situation that just happened and how God is teaching them through it all. But everyone ends up with telling others of how much they love the Lord. To see these people living in the love of God, nothing compares. 

But you know, nothing compares to those who stand and declare how much they love Jesus only to walk away and take His very name in vain. I'm sure you've seen some stand and speak of how thankful they are and how much they are in love with Jesus, and then you see them on the very next day or weekend doing things that are not of Christ. You see, Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments". Many people will always say they love God, but our obedience will SHOW how we love God. 

A wife can say all day that she loves her husband, but if she is unfaithful to him then she has lied about her love for him. Husbands can tell their wives everyday and every moment that they love them with all of their heart, but if they continue to beat them and abuse them they have lied!  Just the same, a Christian can testify over and over of how much they love God, but if they continually do that which is contrary to God's Word, then they also have lied. 

If you love me, it will SHOW!  For the Love!

Let Me See Your Glory

Exodus 33:18

And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

Moses was about to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. He was a man who was humble and not very self confident. He knew that there was no way he could do this without the hand of God leading and guiding him. He even said earlier in this chapter that he didn't even want to go if God wasn't going to be with him. But now, right before the march through the desert, Moses is found talking to God as a man would talk to his friend. God was telling Moses what was about to take place and Moses asked God for one thing... "Show me your glory"

This was a big request by Moses, but he knew God was his friend so he asked. God knowing that Moses' physical body couldn't handle the glory of the Lord, He allowed Moses to see only part of His glory. God took many steps so that Moses could see His glory. He placed him in a cleft of a rock, covered His hand over him and lifted it only in time for Moses to see the back of God passing by. But even in this glimpse of glory, Moses had to cover his face to the congregation of people because he was glowing. 

Did you know that throughout your life God has strategically placed you in a position to see His glory?  He wants to reveal Himself to you. Maybe it's time you lead yourself, your family, or even your church to the place God wants to take you and you are asking for His glory to be revealed. Maybe it's between a rock and a hard place so that you would be able to see His glory!