Baptist City Blog

We Have Heard

Psalm 44:1

"We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old."

The greatest need of the hour is the need for revival. The Psalmist made a sad statement when he said, "We have heard with our ears...our fathers have told us,..." The sad part about this verse is that they heard what God did in the past, but they had not seen God do the same in their day. Their fathers told them what God did in the past, but their fathers did not continue to do what it took to have God work in their day.

These people heard how God delivered them from the land of Egypt. They heard the story of God parting the Red Sea. They heard how God gave them manna every day for forty years. They heard how God gave them water from a rock when there was no water to drink. They heard how God defeated the great armies that tried to destroy them in the wilderness. They heard how God parted the Jordan River when they were going into the Promised Land. They heard how God used Joshua to lead the people to walk around the walls of Jericho for seven straight days before He knocked them down. They heard of the great works of God. They heard all of these great works, but they had not seen them in their day. Hearing of the great works is not what they should have been satisfied with, but they should have longed, and I believe they did, for God to do something in their day.

Christian, just like these people, we have heard of the great works of the past. If you have been saved for any length of time, you have heard of some of the great movements of God in the past. We have heard of the great revivals in D.L. Moody's ministry. We have heard of the great moving of God under Jonathan Edwards. We have heard how God used Charles Spurgeon to reach England for Christ. We have heard of the great prayers of George Müller and how he would pray down daily sustenance for the orphans in his orphanage. We have heard how God used Hudson Taylor to reach England for Christ. We have heard of the great works of J. Frank Norris in reaching America.

However, don't just be satisfied with hearing of the great works of God. Christian, you should realize that the same God Who worked for these people will still do a work for you. Just because we live in a different time does not mean that God doesn't want to do a work through you. Let me remind you what 2 Chronicles 16:9 says, "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him." God is looking for someone who is willing for Him to do something great through them.

D.L. Moody said, "The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to him. By God's help, I aim to be that man." Christian, would you be like D.L. Moody and be willing to pay the price to not only hear with your ears, but to see it with your eyes? Psalm 81:10 says, "I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it." These great works in the past were done because people paid the price for God to work through them. You also can see what they saw if you are willing to pay the price through prayer and hard work. I challenge you today not to be satisfied with just hearing with your ears, but to say that you will see it with your eyes. Consecrate yourself wholly to God, and you will see that God can work through you just like He did through those in the past.

Inferior Generation

Daniel 2:39

"And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth."

It has been said by many preachers that what the present generation does in moderation, the next generation will do in excess. This has been proven over and over again. When you look at the decline of generations, you see that each generation takes things further than the previous generation. It is astonishing to me how in my lifetime I have seen things that would have be unacceptable as a child become mainstream, not just in the world, but even among Christians.

When Daniel interpreted the dream of Nebuchadnezzar, part of the dream was to show him the kingdoms that would follow. When Daniel described the kingdoms, he said, "And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee,..." In other words, he was saying the next kingdom would not be as strong as his. In fact as you look at the description, each kingdom become inferior to the previous. It started out describing the kingdom as gold, but ended with a description of the kingdom as clay. Clay is a far cry from gold. Gold is certainly valuable, but clay is worthless. You can sell gold, but you can't sell clay.

One of the lessons God is trying to teach with this illustration is that we must be careful to understand that each generation will not be as strong as the previous. The standards of this generation will be less than the previous generation. What this generation accepts, the previous generation would call sin. Things don't get better, they will always get worse. Why? Because we are a sinful people. Under our own strength and guidance we will get worse.

Because of this, we must be careful that we tighten the line of how we do things so that the next generation still has a chance. Every parent should tighten their dress standards so that the next generation has a chance of not being immodest. Every church needs to hold a strong line on what they believe so that the next generation won't compromise. In other words, instead of loosening our stand on standards and beliefs, we should strengthen them so that we can keep the next generation from compromise and sin.

Furthermore, you are a next generation. That means that if you are not careful, what you believe and where you stand may be inferior to the previous generation. You must be careful about thinking that you know more than those before you. One of the greatest mistakes we make is thinking the previous generation wasn't as smart as we are. If something worked for the previous generation, then it will work for this generation. Be careful about acquiring the attitude that you are better than the previous generation.

You may think there is no hope for this generation. There is hope, for God shows us how we can make this generation as strong as previous generations in verse 44 when He says, "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed:..." The answer to making sure you are not an inferior generation is to build your life on God. If each generation will stop trying to make its own mark and simply build itself upon the Scriptures, then each generation can be as strong as the previous.

Christian, don't try to make your mark by trying to prove that the previous generation was wrong. Instead, build your life on God and you will stop the demise of your generation. Teach the next generation the importance of building themselves upon Christ. This is the only way to keep the next generation from becoming inferior. When you build yourself upon the kingdom of God, then you are building yourself upon something that "shall never be destroyed."

The Price Tag of Blessings

Ezekiel 36:9-10

"For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown: And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, even all of it: and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded:"

They often say that there is nothing free in life, and that is very true. Yes, salvation is free for us, but Jesus Christ still paid the price for it. Yet, when it comes to being blessed in life, many people want the blessings without paying the price for them. Just like there is a price tag for sin, there is also a price tag for God's blessings.

In the verses above, God promises Israel that He would multiply them again. This was a promise of restoration to Israel after their bondage; however, there was a price they had to pay for God's blessings. Notice, God said, "...I will turn you, and ye shall be tilled and sown:..." Israel had to pay a price if they wanted God to bless them again. God would have to turn the soil of their heart. He would have to till their spirit. He would have to sow the seeds of blessings before they were multiplied. Yes, God wanted to bless them, but they had to be willing to pay the price for the blessings.

God used the illustration of reaping a harvest for these people to help them understand what it took to get His blessings on their life. Everyone enjoys the fruit of the harvest, but few want to pay the price to receive that fruit. Before the fruit is placed in your hand, somebody had to pay the price for it to grow. Someone had to turn the hardened soil. Someone had to till the land to get ready to sow the seed. Someone had to take the time to sow the seed. Then, someone had to pull the weeds to keep them from choking the fruit. Finally, someone had to harvest the fruit for you to enjoy its blessings. There is a price tag attached to enjoying fruit.

Likewise, you will never enjoy God's blessings on your life until you pay a price. I think of the price of freedom and what many had to pay so we can enjoy it. Many men and women gave their lives so that we could enjoy freedoms in America. Many men and women have endured prison camps so that we can enjoy our freedoms. Many people endured the war zones so that we could enjoy the freedoms in our land. The blessings of freedom that God has given to America did not come without a price, and will not continue without someone paying a price.

So, you want God's blessings on your life? Are you willing to pay the price for those blessings? Many people want God to bless them, but they want those blessings without paying a price. I have news for you, there will be days when God will have to till the soil of your heart through hardships. There will be times when the enemy will turn the soils of your life with battles. There will be hours upon end when you will have to sow the seed of hard work and obedience to the Scriptures before you ever see God's blessings upon your life. You will never experience God's blessings without paying a price.

Let me encourage you not to give up on God's blessings. You may have done right for a long time, and you may think that you can't take any more, but God's blessings will come if you keep doing right. Always remember that God's blessings are one step beyond the quitting point. When you want to quit, if you will keep going you will find that God's blessings will come. Don't give up! Don't let the price that you have paid be in vain. If you will hang in there, you will experience God's blessings.

On the other hand, don't think that God will give you His blessings for free. You must pay a price for those blessings, but the blessings will far outweigh the price tag. Step in and pay the price for God's blessings. The price may be hard, but the blessings are great.

Leadership's Duty

Ezekiel 34:6

"My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them."

Leadership is more than filling a position. There are many people who want a position of leadership, but rarely do they fulfill the duties of leadership. People enjoy the title and privileges of leadership, but many times they neglect their duties. Our society lacks true leadership. It is no wonder that our society is in the condition that it is in when you look at the those who fill the position of leadership.

In the verse above, God addressed the shepherds of Israel. Though the shepherds were the priests and prophets, they were also the leaders. God pronounced His judgement upon these leaders because they were not doing their duties. When you look at why God judged them, you find the duties of leadership defined in the eyes of God. Let me show you the duties of leadership.

First, leaders are to feed those whom they lead. Verse 2 says, "...should not the shepherds feed the flocks?" When I think of feeding, I think of teaching your followers how to do things. Many leaders like to give commands, but a good leader will show their followers how to do what they are doing better. They feed them with information on how to do a better job. They feed them with personal illustrations on how to do what they are supposed to do. Leaders are not just to tell people what to do, but they are to teach them how to do it.

Second, leaders are to encourage those whom they lead. Verse 4 says the leaders were to strengthen those they led. One mistake I have seen leaders make is constantly degrading their followers instead of encouraging them. A leader would help his followers far more by encouraging them than by constantly correcting them. I have found that if you will encourage people, they will work harder to do what is right.

Third, a leader is to fix problems. God says that the shepherds were to bind up "that which was broken." Part of the unpleasant side of leadership is having to correct people when they do wrong. Yet, if you are going to be the right type of leader, when you see something that needs to be fixed, no matter how unpleasant it may be to correct someone, you are to fix the problem.

Fourth, leaders are to protect from harm. In verse 5 you see that the sheep were left to be a prey for the beast. If you are a leader, it is your duty to be sure your followers are kept from harm. You are to protect them. You are to find out what will damage and destroy them, then keep them from that which will harm them.

Fifth, leaders are to give direction. In the verse above, you find that the sheep wandered because they had no direction. Simply put, leaders are to lead. People will not know what to do if they have no direction. You need to be sure that you give clear direction in your leadership.

Leadership is more than a position, it carries duties that are unpleasant at times. Yes, there are perks to leadership, but the purpose of leadership is to help those you to lead reach their fullest potential. If you are a leader, then be sure to fulfill your duties of leadership. If you are a follower, then allow your leader to fulfill his duties with you. When both leader and follower are doing what they are supposed to do, then you will find that together you will reach your greatest potential.

The 12/16/12 FBC Hammond bulletin is up at www.baptist-city.com.

• The Pattern In The Mount
• You Have No Right To All Your Rights

Two outstanding sermons for the week of 12/09/12 await you at www.baptist-city.com.

Do You Hear What I Hear? is the song of the week now at www.baptist-city.com.

Do You Have Any Value

Jeremiah 41:8

"But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren."

The story in the verse above is about the captivity of Israel. Ishmael came upon a group of people who tried to flee from the destruction of their country. When he caught them, he slew them. But, there were ten men in this group of people who wisely told him that they had treasures that could benefit him. They asked for his mercy because of their treasures in the field.

It is interesting that the thing that allowed these men to stay alive was that they made sure they had value to Ishmael. Apparently, the other people in this group did not prepare for this day. They apparently thought that everything would always go fine. Yet, these ten men took the time and energy to make sure they had treasures saved up for a rainy day. It was their value that salvaged their lives and the future of their families.

When I think of this, I cannot but help to think about how many people have never invested in their relationships for a rainy day. I am not talking about putting money aside, I am talking about investing in your relationships so that there is value to keep it together when hardships come. Too many people have no treasures to fight for to keep their relationships going through the hard times. If you want every relationship in your life to last, then you need to be sure to add value to that relationship.

I have found that the best way to make relationships valuable is through time. There is no substitute for time. If a marriage is going to work, then you are going to have to spend time together. Many people spend more time with their friends than their spouses, and then they wonder why there is no value in their marriage relationship to motivate them to keep it together. You should have too many memories to give up on your marriage. Be sure to spend more time with your spouse so that you can add value to your marriage.

Likewise, parents need to spend time with their children if they want that relationship to be valuable later in life. When you think of the good memories you have with your parents, most of them are not about what your parents spent on you, but they are about time that you spent with your parents. The value of your relationship with your children will be determined by how much time you spent with them; time working around the house, time serving the LORD, time having family devotions, time doing activities together. Invest enough time in your relationship with your children that they consider their relationship with you more valuable than a relationship with anyone else.

Moreover, if leaders want their followers to stick with them, then leaders need to spend time with their followers. I have watched many preachers hibernate in their office instead of spending time with their people. This is not how you win their hearts over to you. Whether you are a pastor, Sunday school teacher, bus worker or leader in society, those you lead need you to spend time with them. That is what adds value to that relationship.

The most valuable commodity is time. There will come a time in every relationship when the only thing that will keep it together is the value you added to it in the past. Let me ask you, how much are your relationships worth? Every day you need to add value to each relationship by spending time with the people in them. If you will invest your time in relationships, then you will reap great benefits in the end.

Proper Trust

Jeremiah 17:5

"Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD."

In whom you put your trust is very important. It is as important as to whom you would give your heart. When talking to young people, I often tell them be careful not to give their heart to just anybody. When they give their heart to someone, they allow that person to be their influence. Whomever you give your trust to is the person who you will follow no matter what they do.

In the verse above, God said that the man who "trusteth in man" is cursed. You have to understand, it is not God who curses that person, but it is the action that will curse them. God is saying that the person who trusts in man is doomed. He is saying that the person who trusts in man will live a life filled with irritations. God is saying that when you put your trust in man that you are bound for failure. So, what does it mean to put your trust in man.

First, it means that you put your confidence in man. In other words, God is saying that the person who believes that man will always be there for them in every situation is bound to be disappointed. Christian, man will let you down. Man will disappoint you. Man will not always be there for you. I have found many well-meaning people who tell me that they will be there for me, but when the battles come they are somewhere in the background hiding saying, "We're praying for you brother." When it comes down to man being there for you in every situation, I can tell you man will let you down. Placing your confidence that man will be there for you when you need them is going to lead to great disappointment. You are cursed if you truly believe that man will be there for you when you are going through the tough times in life.

Second, it means you get your strength from man. In other words, you get your strength in your belief system from man. Let me be very open with you, very few men are able to keep the same belief system their whole life. Many men will change throughout life as it fits their lifestyle. Just because a man says something is right does not make it right. Man is not the final authority on every thing we face. There is nothing wrong with having men whom you admire, but you must not make them your final authority. Don't curse yourself by getting your strength from man.

Third, it means you receive your hope from man. God is simply saying that if you put your whole trust that man is going to do something for you then you will be greatly disappointed. Just because someone says they are going to do something for you does not mean that they will follow through. I have had many people promise something and never come through. You are cursing yourself if you truly believe man will always come through.

So, what is the answer? The answer is found in verse 7 when it says, "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is." You will notice that trusting in the LORD will bring blessings. Why? Because He is the One Whom you can trust. He will never disappoint you. He will always be there for you when you need someone. He will always come through on His promises.

You have a choice today. You can either trust man and be disappointed, or you can trust God and never feel disappointment. Let me challenge you to follow and trust God. Yes, God uses man to do His work, but keep your eyes on the LORD and you will find that you will never be disappointed in Him.

We Looked for Peace

Jeremiah 8:15

"We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble!"

One of the biggest lies the Devil feeds people is that you have to look for peace. Whenever someone looks for peace, they often compromise to obtain it. The first mistake that the people made in the verse above is that they looked for peace as if it was a possession. Peace is not a possession that you hold, but peace is the result of taking right actions.

I recently helped a pastor who was experiencing turmoil in his church. As he told me about his situation he said to me, "All I want in my church is peace." You could hear the sincerity in his heart. I felt for this pastor as it was evident he loved the people of his church. I told the pastor that his desire for peace was keeping him from having it. I told him if he would take the right actions, he would find peace in his church.

Too many churches, homes, organizations or nations look for peace and never find it because they don't take the right actions to obtain it. Having peace in the home or a church won't be easy. Leadership must make tough choices, but if they will do the right thing they will discover an atmosphere of peace. Jeremiah 8 shows us what it takes to get peace.

First, sin must be removed. Verse 14 says, "...we have sinned against the LORD." Sin is the cause of turmoil. As long as you allow sin, you will continue to see turmoil. A person who wants peace in their life must remove the sin from their life. Every time a person gets rid of sin, they experience a feeling of peace. Why? Because they removed the sin. You will never experience peace as long as sin is allowed.

Second, if you want peace, then truth must be present. The leaders said in verse 11, "Peace, peace; when there is no peace." These leaders thought that if they talked and preached about peace that they would have it. Absolutely not! Their lying caused more unrest. As long as truth is not revealed, then unrest will prevail. John 8:32 says, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Notice, once a person knows truth they are free. When people know the whole truth it brings freedom, and freedom is the result of peace. Don't cover sin in an attempt to have peace. Let the truth be known and you will find peace.

Third, if you want peace then you must put your foot down. The leaders in verse 11 were so worried about talking about peace that they forgot to perform the actions that cause peace. Right must be established. Sin must be dealt with. That means someone must have the backbone to put their foot down if they want peace. You will never find peace with weak leadership. Parents who won't put their foot down in the home will have a home filled with unrest. Leaders who are not strong enough to put their foot down are leaders who cause unrest in the group they lead.

Fourth, if you want peace, then get busy in the harvest. Verse 20 says, "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." Soul winning has a way of getting people refocused on what is truly important. Soul winning keeps people from being selfish and gets them focused on others. One of the biggest causes of unrest is selfishness. Get busy reaping the harvest, and you will find people will get focused on others instead of themselves.

Christian, stop looking for peace because you will never find it as long as you look for it. If you want peace, then follow the actions above and you will discover it. Peace is not a possession, but peace is a result of proper actions.