Month: April 2013

Christ is Our Promised–Seed and Our Savior

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CHRIST IS OUR SEED, OR PROMISE, OUR SAVIOR

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Charles e Whisnant, Teacher Outline/Notes:

April 2013 Isaiah 9:6-7

When the battle is over, the wars there shall come a period of peace. For their weapons will be for burning, their cloths for food. A sign of victory. A high funeral pile to have victory.

Isaiah 9:6: FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN

The O.T. is like a thread that winds itself in and out of each book with a PROMISE AND PROPHECY which stretched on unbroken until the Son of Man comes.

The puzzle map was quickly put together because there was

A PREVISION: There are a far reaching threads, a Sign which has infinite meaning. In a SEED, you have a Harvest.

BRIEF OUTLINE: The Name of the Deliverer

1. Wonderful-Counselor

2. God-in-mighty One.

3. Father-in-Eternity

4. Prince-of-peace.

Isaiah could only see to a point: we see the whole picture. He knew the Deliverer and

He must filled out this outline to be the predicted Messiah:

  1. He must fill the imagination.

  2. He must satisfy the judgment

  3. He must satisfy the religious instinct.

  4. He must have a sense of brotherhood.

Christ, the GIFT of God, was sent veiled and wrapped up in our nature:

What A GIFT this was!

1. The worth of it.

The balance of 10,000 words the gift of love and grace

2. The suitableness of it

Acts 4:2; Hebrews 7:25; I John 5:12

3. The Seasonableness of it.

4. The Comprehensiveness of it:

Romans 8:32; Colossians 2:9-10 and I John 5:121

5. The Unrestricted freedom of it. A gift total free to us.

The GOVERNMENT SHALL BE UPON HIS SHOULDER:

Upon Jesus will get to Heaven. He has the power, over all things.

Hebrews 1:6-14; Matthew 28:18 and Psalms 2:6

We have a need for a Governor – As Lost Sinners.

His wise authority:

  1. Legislative powers – solely His

  2. Supreme executive power – John 5:22-23

  3. Power to grant remissions and pardon – Acts 5:31

  4. Vast dominion – Matthew 28:18,m Revelation 1:18 over Heaven and Hell.

He has in His Hands

  1. The Kingdom of Grace.

  2. The Kingdom of Glory:

  3. The Kingdom of Providence

The Burden of His Government

  1. To purchase it.

  2. To war with the devil to recover it.

  3. To subdue sinners.

  4. To reconcile them with Heaven

  5. To protect and defend them

  6. To give provision in all things necessary for life and godliness.

  7. To have wise/whole management and conduct as they come through the wilderness, till they come into Heaven.

The Setting and Occasion for this Prince and Government

  1. Sinners need.

  2. The laying of this Government upon Him

  3. The power and authority laid upon Him.

  4. The burden of His government.

  5. The Receiving of the Governor of the Government

1B Let His Spirit be your guide and leader

2B Let His Word be your Rule.

3B Let His will be the determining point to you.

IN RECEVING THE CALL OF CHRIST YOU RECEIVE CHRIST

1B Receive him in your heart and spirit.

2B in your tongue.

3B in your practice.

4B in your place and condition in the world. Be content what’s carved out in you.

5B never go out of God’s way to mend your condition.

6B In changing your condition in life acknowledge Him for direction and guidance.

 

FIVE descriptive titles that tell us who and what the hoped for Messiah would be:

JESUS IS WONDERFUL In character, teaching and mission.

  1. For what He has been in the past

  2. For the incarnation.

  3. Trace the Savior’s course and all the way He is Wonderful.

  4. For what He is in the present

  5. For what He will be in the future

  6. Jesus would be a “wonder” due to His nature as the “God-man” Matthew 7:28; 25:1.

JESUS IS COUNSELLOR: Management in all matters.

On all advice we can act.

  • On all advice we can act.

  • A member of the cabinet-council of Heaven.

  • Of the church, by His word.

  • Full of wisdom: Proverbs 8; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Psalms 49:7-8, Proverbs 11:14; Romans 11:34

  • Who never misses the point.

  • By His Word, confirms it by His providence, makes it effectual by His Spirit.

  • Communicating His wisdom by wise instruction.

  • It’s necessary, its needful, and its special.

  • The proverb writer states of God, “counsel is mind, and sound knowledge: I am understanding; I have might: Proverbs 8:14; Colossians 2:3, As well as priest and king, Jesus administers counsel. Zech. 6:13

JESUS IS THE MIGHTY GOD

  1. The Irradiation: i.e. He who give light to men

  2. The Illustrious: i.e. The Bright and Shining One

  3. He is God: i.e. He freed us from the bondage of sin.

  4. Why? He bare our sins. He wrought out a perfect righteousness, He converts the hardest heart. He supports the feeblest with grace. How? By His Grace. Binds up with His own hand, by His own spirit, with His own blood,

  5. He raised the dead, judges the world, destroy sin, gives eternal possession of Himself.

  6. Deity is depicted in the Messiah: Jeremiah 23:5-6

JESUS THE EVERLASTING FATHER

  1. The tender, faithful, and wise trainer, guardian, provider of His one in eternity

  2. He ever lives, He is life, He ever loves: Psalms 102:25-27; Hebrews 1:10-12

  3. The Possessor, originator, controller in all the eternal age.

  4. The administration of its whole affairs is in His hand.

  5. If the Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to be the Mighty God, He then is of necessity the Everlasting Father; John 1:1. Jesus, our LORD ever shall be….

PRINCE OF PEACE:

  1. Since sin separates man from God: Isaiah 59:1-2; and the work of jesus is reconciling man back to God through His sacrifice: Colossians 1:20l He is therefore called the prince of peace. Ephesians 2:17.

Charles e Whisnant Teaching and Preaching Sunday April 28, 2013

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Preaching and Teaching is what I love to do best. I am grateful for the privilege that I can speak and teach from the Word of God.   Sunday Morning the message from Romans 9:9-13 was only 35 minutes long: this was a miracle,  I must admit I was just a little discourage. I know its not allowed.  Oh I had prepared a great message, but when I looked at the congregation I was a little bit  disappointed.  Knowing some were at another church, and some were sick, and some stayed home with family and that only left a hand full.  But I went ahead anyway and gave the message.  I was glad that I did because Romans 9 is a great book.

We had a good group back on Sunday Evening and if you put them together we had 95% of our regulars for the day, so how can I complain.  We had a good fellowship after the service and Bro. Bill Bower had a good message from I John 5.  

So how was the Revival last week.  Its only as good as we are revive and spiritual uplifted. Bro. Winston Hall brought five good messages.  Four on Law and Grace and the last one was on Hell. 

ROJBC Winston Charles Tie Wedns

30 REASONS JOHN PIPER GIVES TO BE A PASTOR

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30 Reasons Why It Is a Great Thing to Be a Pastor

from Desiring God Blog by John Piper

Original

  1. God is the greatest Reality in the universe.
    And pastors swim in that sea with ever-replenished joy.

    I am the Lᴏʀᴅ, and there is no other, besides me there is no God. (Isaiah 45:5)

    Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:33–36)

  2. Jesus is the greatest Savior, Master, and Friend that ever was or will be.
    And pastors contemplate and commend him every day.

    Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)

    At the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil 2:10–11)

    No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15)

    Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel. (2 Timothy 2:8)

  3. The Holy Spirit is the greatest Helper in the world.
    And pastors are driven to have his fullness constantly.

    And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever. . . It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7, 16)

    Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? (Galatians 3:5)

    And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18)

  4. The Bible is the greatest book there is.
    And pastors delight to mediate on it day and night.

    The words of the Lᴏʀᴅ are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. (Psalm 12:6)

    Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lᴏʀᴅ, and on his law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:1–2)

  5. The gospel is the greatest news ever sent.
    And pastors revel in believing it and telling it every day.

    And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:3–4)

    I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. (Romans 1:14–15)

  6. Corporate worship is the great overflow of life together in treasuring Christ.
    And pastors soar with the sacred privilege of fanning that flame.

    Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)

    To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. (Ephesians 3:8)

  7. Faith is the great union with Christ and the embrace of all God is in him.
    And pastors aim at this with every word, since faith comes by hearing.

    I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

    Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith. (Philippians 1:25)

  8. Hope in future grace is the great furnace of gospel obedience.
    And pastors fuel it daily with the promises of God.

    For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. (Hebrews 10:34)

    Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5–6)

  9. Joy is the great impulse in pain and pleasure that makes its source in God look great.
    And pastors renounce all abuse and live for the holy joy of their flock.

    Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)

    Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. (Philippians 3:8)

    Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy. (2 Corinthians 1:24)

  10. Love is the greatest act.
    And pastors make it the great aim of all their acts.

    So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

    The aim of our charge is love. (1 Timothy 1:5)

  11. Holiness is great likeness to the thrice holy God.
    And pastors daily kill their own sins for the sake of the holiness of others.

    As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:15–16)

    For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (Romans 8:13)

    Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

  12. Suffering is a great seminary.
    And pastors must attend it for the sake of their people.

    Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. . . It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. (Psalm 119:67, 71)

    If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. (2 Corinthians 1:6)

  13. Explaining great truth is a path to great understanding.
    And pastors are charged to explain the greatest things relentlessly.

    It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35)

    And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11–12)

  14. Heralding the greatest realities is a great privilege.
    And pastors are the heralds of the living God.

    I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word. (2 Timothy 4:1–2)

    Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)

  15. Humanly impossible aims throw us on a great Helper.
    And all the spiritual aims of a pastor are impossible.

    Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” (Luke 18:26–27)

    And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Timohty 2:24–26)

  16. Heaven is a great destiny.
    And pastors aim in everything to help people get there.

    Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. (Matthew 5:12) But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. (Philippians 3:20–21)

    I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (2 Timohty 2:10)

  17. Hell is a great danger.
    And pastors aim in everything to help people escape it.

    And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28)

    I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. (1 Corinthians 9:22)

  18. Prayer is a path to the great presence and power of God.
    And pastors pray without ceasing.

    Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. (Ephesians 6:17–18)

    Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. (Psalm 50:15)

  19. The new birth is a great miracle.
    And pastors are the ever-amazed midwives of God.

    The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. (John 3:8)

    I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. (1 Corinthians 3:6–7)

    You have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; . . . And this word is the good news that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:23–25)

  20. Communion is the greatest supper.
    And pastors hold the sacred emblems in their very hands.

    I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. (Luke 22:15)

    The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? (1 Corinthians 10:16)

  21. Baptism is the greatest emblem of death and life.
    And pastors enact this drama on behalf of Christ.

    Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3–4)

    Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)

  22. Funerals offer a great vista of eternity.
    And pastors stand there full of hope with wide-eyed people.

    So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:6–8)

    Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:54–57)

  23. Weddings are God’s great, life-long joining together of man and woman.
    And pastors put this drama on display for all to understand.

    They are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate. (Matthew 19:6)

    Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. (Ephesians 5:22–25)

  24. Hospital visits are a sacred imparting of great hope.
    And pastors mediate this holy transaction with their voice and hands.

    Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. (James 5:14–15)

    May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)

    It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him. (Acts 28:8)

  25. The devil is a great enemy.
    And pastors make holy war every day.

    Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith. (1 Peter 5:8–9)

    Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

  26. Wise, biblical counsel is greater than much fine gold.
    And pastors make many rich.

    A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. (Proverbs 25:11)

    How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. (Proverbs 16:16)

    Him we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. (Colossians 1:28)

  27. World missions is the greatest enterprise in the world.
    And pastors preach and pray and agitate till all are goers or senders.

    And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)

    The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. (Matthew 9:37–38)

  28. Loving money is the great root of countless evils.
    And pastors sever it in their homes and seek its cheerful death in all their flock.

    Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. (1 Timothy 6:9–10)

    Godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. (1 Timothy 6:6–8)

    Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

  29. Leadership in holy paths is the great need of all the sheep.
    And pastors wear this mantel humbly under the Great Shepherd.

    Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Hebrews 13:17)

    Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20–21)

  30. Lowly servanthood is high greatness.
    And pastors rejoice to say: He must increase I must decrease.

    But whoever would be great among you must be your servant. (Mark 10:43)

    He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30)

Should Pastors and People Be Discourage about Their Church

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Charles e Whisnant, April 29 2013 Pastor/Teacher of Rivers of Joy Baptist Church in Minford, Ohio since July 2008

Should the pastor/teacher be discouraged about the current condition of the local church that he is the pastor?  Good question.  You con either ignore or revisit about the situation that you are in.

Let me be honest about this matter.  Since I have pastored four churches, and have been assoc. pastor/youth/bus/children/education/camp./property manager, and a few other titles in a number of church.  Churches where the attendance have been from 25 to 7,000 (in one service). So what would make a pastor want to be discourage anyway? 

How about being in a church where 10,000 people attend and the pastor has been given 12 years in prison for improper sex with a minor!  (I was a member of this church at one time.) How about a church where the attendance climbed over 150 in a year and 200 first time visitors attended your youth class and you were ask to leave?  How about a church where the church finally reached 1000 in church and the pastor resigned? How about a church where 400 people got up and walked out of the service and started a new church, that would discourage you even if you had 300 left.  How about a church where you were the founding pastor and had reached 700 were attending and the deacons accused you of improper actions with several women in the church, that would hurt and did happen in a church where I was on staff. 

Then you have a church of 25 and you say you are discouraged because there has been no growth, as a matter fact some leave, visitors come one Sunday and that is it!  A church that is not declining it is just not inclining.  (speaking over the last 5 years)  It doesn’t matter if the church has 10,000 or twenty-five, you could get discouraged and want to join another church or get another church to pastor which will have the same problems.

I could go to every church I have been associated with and see how and was at times discourage or the pastor was. I have never found a church that the devil did not have a influence in.  We do not need to blame the devil for everything that happens bad in the church, sometimes it just happens.

So how do you need to get over the discouragement?  Check the car-facts. or the bible facts, or the facts first.  You say the church down the road is growing? Yes, and their growth has come by means of three other church splits.  

A restaurant in the area when it was established had one other restaurant of the same kind. In the last ten years there have been 20+ restaurants come and go in the area.  I walked into Wal-Mart today and they had 21 places that you could check out, and only two were open. 

So as we check out our situation in our churches how do we evaluate wither we could be discourage or not? Yes there are good reasons why pastor/members should be discouraged as I mention above. There is many events that could lead to discouragement.

But there are some reasons why we should not be discouraged as we look at the facts.

1.  Decline in attendance should not necessarily be a cause of discouragement.

2.  Seeing visitors come and go after one service should not necessarily be a sign that you should be discouraged. 

3.  Seeing a decline in the population of the city, town, county that  you live in should be factored in.

4.  Seeing that a numbered of new churches have sprung up within a five miles of your church would should be viewed as a factor of decline.

5.  Seeing two dozen churches within five to 10 miles from your church doesn’t help either.

6.  View the history of the church! What has gone before you has a lot to do what is about to happen after you come.

7.  View the number of homes being build, the number of new families moving in within ten miles of where the church is.

8.  View the age of the members of your church.

VIEW WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR CHURCH THAT COULD BE VIEWED AS A POSITIVE.

1.  The number of members who attend each service is over 90%

2.  The preaching and teaching could be viewed as Biblical, Expository preaching chapter by chapter.

3.  A great spirit among the ones that come, 90% are involved in some kind of ministry.

4.  There is an  interested in the people to learn and live for Christ and want to learn and listen to the teaching of the Word of God.

 

Pastors, remember God know all things, including the area of which you minister and shepherd you people.  He determines our faithfulness and no one else.  Press on and be faithful to care for your sheep in that place until the Chief Shepherd returns for them and us.

20,000 population in Portsmouth Ohio 2012  -1% change since 2000.

79,277 population in Scioto County in 2011. Didn’t know that.  616 sq miles. Didn’t know that.

1,382 listings of churches in Portsmouth Ohio.  358 listing of Baptist Church.

Someone said that only 03% go to church regularly in Portsmouth, Oh. I can’t find that but it could be true.

SOME FACTS ABOUT MINFORD, OHIO

Minford, Ohio

—  Census-designated place  —

Nickname(s): Hillhound City, Falcon City

Location of Minford, Ohio

Part of a civil township

Area • Total
1.7 sq mi (4.5 km2)

• Land 1.7 sq mi (4.5 km2)

 

 

Minford is a census-designated place located on the border of Harrison and Madison townships in northeastern Scioto County, Ohio, United States, about 14 miles (23 km) northeast of the county seat of Portsmouth.[1] As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 693.[2]

The Church’s Problem is not

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Why Martin Luther Stood Alone — Martyn Lloyd-Jones

from Reformed Bibliophile by Eric T. Young

Lloyd-Jones,

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981)

Everyone is aware of the fact that the Church is lacking in power. The leaders are trying to seek the cause of this in order that they may discover how to remedy it; and apparently, they are all jumping to one conclusion, namely, that the cause of our lack of power is found in our divisions. So we must all come together. That is the argument. The divided Church is the cause of the trouble, and so the argument follows that if only we all come together we shall be blessed, we shall obtain the missing power, and tremendous things will happen. But how are we to come together? One believes this, another believes that. The main trouble, we are told, is that some put far too much emphasis on what one believes. Surely, they say, we ought to recognize that the one thing that matters is that there are great common enemies against us. . .so we must all come together, all who call themselves Christian in any shape or form. We are all one; why divide about these things? We must all come and stand together as Christians, and then we shall have power.

We read about these things constantly in the newspapers. Some are rejoicing because Protestantism and Roman Catholicism are drawing nearer together. ‘What does the past matter?’ they say, ‘Let us have the right spirit, let us come together, all of us, and not be concerned about these particularities.’ I have but one comment to make about this matter, and I regret to have to make it. To me, all such talk is just a denial of the plain teaching of the New Testament, a denial of the Creeds and the Confessions and the Protestant Reformation! It is carnal thinking, in addition to being a denial of the truth. According to the teaching of the Bible, one thing only matters, and that is the truth. The Holy Spirit will honour nothing but the truth, His own truth. But that, He will honour. . .

I do not understand that mentality in the Christian Church today which says that we must all come together and sink our differences; and that what we believe does not matter. It is a denial of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, and of the story of the twelve ignorant, untutored and unlettered men who knew whom and what they believed, and who had the power of the Spirit upon them, and who ‘turned the world upside-down’. This is surely one of the central messages of the Bible. The great concern of the New Testament Epistles is not about the size of the Church, it is about the purity of the Church. The Apostles never said to the first Christians, ‘You are antagonizing people by emphasizing doctrine. Say more about the love of God and less about the wrath of God. They do not even like the Cross, and they cannot abide the story of the resurrection! Drop that talk about the wrath of God and Christ’s ethical teaching!’ Not so do the Apostles speak!

Small painting of Martin Luther.

Martin Luther (1483-1546)

There is an exclusiveness in the New Testament that is quite amazing. The Apostle Paul writing to the Galatians says, ‘Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached, let him be accursed’ (Galatians 1:8). ‘My Gospel!’, says Paul writing to Timothy. He denounces other teachers. So many of these modern preachers are much nicer people than the Apostle Paul! They never say a word against anyone at all, they praise everybody, and they are praised by everybody. They are never ‘negative’! They never define what they believe and what they do not believe. They are said to be ‘full of love’. I am not misjudging them when I say that that is not the explanation. The explanation is that they do not ‘contend for the truth’, they are innocent concerning the ‘wiles of the devil’. It is not for us to decide what to leave out and what to drop for the sake of unity. My business is to expound this truth, to declare it — come what may! We must not be interested primarily in numbers, we must be interested in the truth of God. Why are many today denying the glory of the Protestant Reformation? Martin Luther — one man, standing against the whole Church — would be dismissed today as ‘just an individualist who never cooperates’. But he stood up and said in effect, ‘I am right, you are all wrong!’

Without realizing it the moderns are dismissing Luther as a fool, and as an arrogant fool, because he stood alone. But why did he stand alone? There is only one answer. He stood alone because he had, seen the truth of God, and had known and experienced the blessed liberation it brings. He had seen the light and had also been awakened to ‘the wiles of the devil’. When a man sees this truth he has no choice. He does not force himself to stand alone. He does not even want to do so; but he can do no other. As Luther said, ‘Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God!’ And God did help him. Of course He did! God will always honour His truth and the man who stands for it.

taken from: Heresies.

Romans 9:9-13 Bound By The Lord’s Purpose

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BOUND BY THE LORD’S PURPOSE: UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION AND THE INVINCIBLE PURPOSE OF GOD

ROMANS 9:6-13

Pastor/Teacher Charles e Whisnant April 28 2013

Romans 9:9 For this is the word of promise: “AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON.”

  • Genesis 17:21; 18:10, 14; Hebrews 11:11; 12:17

PROMISE (1860) to tell, declare) originally referred to an announcement or declaration (especially of a favorable message). Mention 53 times in the KJV

  • Paul is reminding his readers that God’s choice is not based on natural descent. Isaac’s  birth is supernatural and represents God’s sovereign choice.

TIME (2540) (kairos means a point of time or period of time, time, period, frequently with the implication of being especially fit for something and without emphasis on precise chronology. It means a moment or period as especially appropriate the right, proper, favorable time (at the right time). Refers to a specific and often predetermined period or moment of time and so views in terms of events.

Romans 9:10 And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived * twins by one man, our father Isaac

  • Romans 5:3,11; Genesis 25:21-23

AND NOT ONLY THIS: – The connective “and” indicates Paul is giving another example to illustrate his point.

BY ONE MAN OUR FATHER ISAAC: – Rebekah’s children had one and the same father.

  • Paul’s point is that unlike Ishmael and Isaac who were of a single father, but two mothers, Esau and Jacob had one mother and one father and that furthermore, they were twins conceived in the same act of union .

Romans 9:11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose (according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, (kjv: election rather than choice. )

  • Romans 4:17; Psalms 51:5, Ephesians 2:3
  • GOOD:(18) (agathos) means profitable, benefiting others, whereas the related word kalos means constitutionally good, but not necessarily benefiting others.
  • BAD OR EVIL (5337) (phaulos) [ worthless, bad or of no account. It describes the impossibility of any true gain ever coming forth. The notion of worthlessness is central to the meaning. Note the KJV (Textus Receptus) translates a different Greek word (kakos) which denotes a lack of something and thus that which is bad or not as it ought to be.

John 3:20;5:29; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Titus 2:8; James 3:16.

IN ORDER THAT GOD’S PURPOSE ACCORDING TO HIS CHOICE MIGHT STAND (remain continually):

Romans 8:28-30; Isaiah 14:24-27; 23:9; 46:10-11; Jeremiah 51:29; Ephesians 1:9-11; 3:11; 2 Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 1:4-5; I Thessalonians 1:4; 2 Peter 1:10; Ephesians 2:9; Titus 3:5;

PURPOSE (4286)  (prothesis) from protíthemi = set before oneself and so to purpose or plan) means to plan in advance. It describes that which is planned or purposed in advance. Here it describes God’s intention beforehand. Matthew 14:4; Mark 2:26; Luke 6:4; Acts 11:23; 27:13; Ephesians 1:11.

  • speaks of the action of an individual setting before himself a proposed action. Thus, it presupposes deliberation upon a course of conduct, and then the determination to carry it through.

CHOICE Election (1589) (ekloge from eklegomai ) in turn from ek = out + lego = select, choose, eklegomai meaning to choose or select for oneself, but not necessarily implying rejection of what is not chosen.

  • Means literally a choosing out, a picking out, a selection or an election (2 Peter 1:10; I Thessalonians 1:4- referring to God’s selection of believers).
  • In the passive sense refers to God’s selection for a purpose or task. In other words it represents a special choice as when God referred to Paul as “my chosen instrument” (Acts 9:15). In Romans 11:28 choice speaks of God’s choice of Israel, who were selected by Him to carry out His specific plan of redemption for mankind.
  • In the context of Scripture ekloge speaks of election, the benevolent purpose of God by which any are chosen unto salvation so that they are led to embrace and persevere in Christ’s bestowed grace and the enjoyment of its privileges and blessings here and hereafter. Although not used in this way in the present context, ekloge, can describe election which is vocational. The Lord called out the tribe of Levi to be His priests, but Levites were not thereby guaranteed salvation. Jesus called twelve men to be apostles but only eleven of them to salvation. After Paul came to Christ because of God’s election to salvation, God then chose him in another way to be His special apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15; Romans 1:5).

NOT BECAUSE OF WORKS BUT BECAUSE OF HIM WHO CALLS:

  • Ephesians 2:9; Titus 3:9, Calling: Romans 8:218; 1 Thessalonians 2:12, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 1 Peter 5:10 and Revelation 17:14

NOT BECAUSE OF WORKS, BUT. – Literally the Greek reads “not out of works but out of the calling”

  • In other words, it is not because of anything that man does within himself. In the current verse Esau and Jacob were not born so they could not have done anything yet. Man does not obtain salvation by his works. He cannot manipulate God by His works. God is sovereign in election and in salvation.
  • CALLS: in this content means “calls to salvation” . God’s call to salvation in the epistles of Paul and Peter is an “effectual” call so that in essence those who are called equates with those who are chosen (the elect).

Romans 9:12 IT WAS SAID TO HER THE OLDER (Esau) WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER (Jacob):

  • (Genesis 25:22-23, 2 Samuel 8:14; 1 Kings 22:47)
  • SERVE:(1398) (douleuo from doulos = slave or one who is in bondage or bound to another, in the state of being completely controlled by someone or something) means to be in bondage or in the position of a servant and to act accordingly, dutifully obeying the master’s commands.

Romans 9:13 JUST AS IT IS WRITTEN:

  • WRITTEN (1125) (grapho) is in the  perfect tense) which emphasizes the lasting and binding authority of that which was written. It has been written at some point in time in the past and it “stands” written.
  • God’s election is…Not based on natural descent Not based on works (good or bad) But According to His purpose

JACOB I LOVED BUT ESAU I HATED:

  • Malachi 1:2-3
  • LOVED: (verb) (25) (agapao) means to love unconditionally and sacrificially as God Himself loves sinful men (John 3:16), the way He loves the Son (John 3:35; 15:9;17:23-24). Also is a verb and by its verbal nature calls for action. This quality of love is not an emotion but is an action initiated by a volitional choice. And MacArhtur says: expresses the purest, noblest form of love, which is volitionally driven, not motivated by superficial appearance, emotional attraction, or sentimental relationship
  • JACOB I LOVED: – The Hebrew idiomatic phrase (according to Rienecker) can mean “I prefer Jacob to Esau”. In other words in context God choose Jacob even though Esau was the firstborn. Don’t forget though that Esau sold his birthright for a mess of porridge — he despised his birthright (Genesis 25:34)
  • HATE (3404) (miseo from misos = hatred) means to dislike strongly or to love less. However, God’s favor and blessing upon Jacob was so extensive that by comparison Esau would appear to be hated. The verse could be understood to mean that God has chosen Jacob to fulfill His elective purpose, but He has passed over Esau. Keep in mind that Esau rejected God. The divine rationale for this action is simply the elective purpose of God in Israel

Comment:  Let me say I do a lot of research for the lessons I must say I am not original very much. I gleam from Martyn Lloyd-Jones and John MacArthur, and have over the last 40 years.  My notes reflect my study from a number of resources.  But I would say as I view them when I am teaching,  I am original in how I will say what I am going to say, if that makes sense.  My notes could take 10 minutes to read and I will teach 40 minutes, thus much of what I say are not in my notes.  But what I do say, I have more than likely hear or read.

  • .

http://bibleencyclopedia.com/slides/romans/9-9.htm

Charles e Whisnant Study Research for Romans 9

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Charles e Whisnant, Pastor/Teacher/Preacher

Research material for lessons from Romans 9

  1. Romans: Exposition of Chapter 9 God’s sovereign Purpose – D. Martyn Lloyd Jones

  2. The Complete Word Study New Testament: Spiros Zodhiates

    1. Coded to Strong’s Greek dictionary, introduction to each book, Exegetical notes, Grammatical codes of the trext. Lexical aids, Greek concordances,

  3. Hebrew and Greek Bible: Spiros Zodhiates: (personal bible of mine)

  4. MacArthur Commentary on Romans 9-16

  5. The Complete Biblical library: Ralph W. Harris Executive Editor

    1. 16 Volumes:Verse by verse commentary, Various versions, translation of Greek words,Textual apparatus, intertinear . 1984-1992.

  6. The New International Dictionary of New testament Theology Vol. Colin Brown

  7. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament by Geoffrey W. Bromiley

  8. An Exposition of Romans by Robert Haldane

  9. Wagram Englishman Greek Concordance of the New Testament

  10. The Biblical Illustrator: Romans Joseph S. Exell

  11. The Moody Handbook of Theology” Paul Enns

  12. Word Study in the New Testament Vol. 4 Epistles of Paul: A.T. Robertson

  13. Romans An Interpreetive Outline: David Steel and Curtis C. Thomas

  14. Twenty Translations of the New Testament : Curtis Vaughan

Books on my Kindle Fire:

  1. The Pulpit Commentary Vol. Romans

  2. Romans: Martin h. Franzmann

  3. Romans: David Guzik

  4. Romans: Roy E. Gingrich

  5. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Osnova

  6. Zondervan Dictionary of Bible and Theology Words: Matthew S. DeMoss

  7. Holman N.T. Commentary: Max Anders

  8. Systematic Theology: Wayne Grudem

  9. Strong’s Dictionary of the Bible, Greek and Hebrew: James Strong

  10. Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary: W.E. Vine

  11. Interpreting the N.T. Text: Darrell l. Bock, Buist M. Fanning

  12. A History of the Jews: Paul Johnson

FROM THE INTERNET I HAVE GLEAMED A NUMBER OF WEBSITES

  1. StudyLight.org What a great site. More resources and tools for study than you can ever use. If you no not know Greek, this site has the N.T. Greek Lexicon that helps you know the Greek word meaning. Also this site has commentary from a number of great writers

  2. Google: Romans. You will see a number of sites on the subject.

  3. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom38.xiii.i.html Christian Classics Ethereal Libery is a great site for commentaries

  4. http://archive.org/stream/commentaryepist00hodg#page/462/mode/1up Charles Hodges

  5. http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/1318 John MacArthur, video sermon and notes

  6. http://bible.org/article/justification-faith-case-abraham-and-david-romans-41-8 Outstanding

  7. http://www.theoldtimegospel.org/comm/spurg_066.html

  8. http://books.google.com/books?id=qyA2AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA166&output=html HCG Moule

  9. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/newell/romans.x.html

  10. http://classic.studylight.org/com/rwp/view.cgi?book=ro&chapter=9. Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testatement.

  11. http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0239.htmYou can find Charles Spurgeon’s sermons here

  12. http://www.raystedman.org/romans1/0020.htmlRay C. Stedman great preaching

  13. http://www.godrules.net/library/vincent/vincentrom9.htm: Bible Explore.com God Rules. A great stie for resources. Here Word Studies Romans 9 Vincent’s New Testament

  14. http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/unconditional-election-and-the-invincible-purpose-of-god John Piper video sermons and notes, Outstanding for sure.

  15. I love “google image” great site for photos I used and then the site the photo is on.

This list really is just about endless. 

Back when I first taught Romans in 1982 I just had John MacArthur’s tapes, and my library of books.  Like Oliver B. Greene, John R. Rice, J. Vernon McGee, etc. I printed by hand my manuscript. Those days were great.

Today in 2010-2013 I am over whelmed with the material that is readily available to study.  There is no excuse to be ignorant  about the Word of God.

Well this is but a taste of sites available for study the Bible. I know you believed that the Lord sent an email each week with the sermon He wanted me to preach. Or you believed I just opened my bible up and read the scripture and studied and that was all I did.

I know many preachers don’t want you to see their notes, and want you to believe they just read the scripture, prayed and preached.  Maybe some can do that, but as of this date and time in my life I can not do that. The Holy Spirit seems to make me work at what I say, and then I have trouble saying it.

Yes I Am A Member of A Church

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I AM A CHURCH MEMBER: SO WHAT?

Many church members evaluate the pastor through the lens of “what is he doing for me?” We need to ask how can we help our pastor serve others than ask what can he do for me.   Most church members have little awareness of the daily demands and reassures of a pastor. His calling is one of the most challenging a person can have.  Indeed, it is an impossible task in the pastor’s own strength.

Many church members are focused on their own preferences rather than on the church’s missions.   The self-focused church becomes a church in conflict. No church can satisfy all the preferences of all the churc members.

Question: Some say the plateaued and declining churches in North America as seen in declining evangelical influence in the culture. We are tempted to blame secular culture, national politics, or church leaders. But you believe church members should “look in the mirror.” Why?

“If outside forces and culture were the reasons behind declining and non-influential churches, we would likely have no church today. The greatest periods of growth, particularly the first-century growth, took place in adversarial cultures.

We are not hindered by external forces; we are hindered by our own lack of commitment and selflessness.”  Thom Rainer

I am a church member

  • “I will seek to be a source of unity in the church. I know there are no perfect pastors, staff, or other church members. But neither am I. I will not be a source of gossip or dissension. One of the greatest contributions I can make is to do all I can in God’s power to help keep the church in unity for the sake of the gospel.”

I am a church member:

  • “I will not let my church be about my preferences and desires.  That is self-serving. I am in this church to serve others and to serve Christ. My Savior went to a cross for me. I can deal with an inconveniences and matters that are just not my preference or style.”

I am a church member:

  • “I will pray for my pastor/teacher every day. His work is never-ending. His days are filled with constant demands for his time, with the need to prepear four sermons a week, with those who are rejoicing in births, with those who are traveling through the shadow of death, with critics, with the hurts and hopes of others, and with the need to be a husband and a father, and grandfather. My pastor cannot serve our church in his own power. I will pray for him and his wife every day.”

I am a church member:

  • “I like the metaphor of membership. It’s not membership as in a civic organization or a country club.  It’s the kind of membership given to us in I Corinthians 12 “Now you are the body of Chrsit and individual members of it” 12:27.  Because I am a member of the body of Christ, I must be a functioning member, where I am an “eye” and “ear” or a “hand”. As a functioning member, I will give. I will serve. I will minister.  I will evangelize. I will study. I will see to be a blessing to others. I will remember that “if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it, if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” 12:26.

I am a member:

  • “This membership is a gift. When I receive the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, I became a part of the body of Christ. I soon thereafter identified with a local body and became a member of the local body. And now I am humbled and honoured to serve and to love others in our church. I pray that I will never take my membership for granted, but see it as a fit and an opportunity to serve others, and to be a part of something so much greater than any one person or member.”

I am a member:

  • “And I think God that I am.”