FROM A PASTOR’S HEART
May 6, 2004

TRAGEDY OF BACKSLIDING!

Ephesians 2:8-9 tell us how to be saved, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Salvation comes by God’s grace as a gift to any person who will hear and obey the good news about what Jesus Christ has done for the unbeliever.

Verse 10 tells how a Christians are to live, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” God has a wonderful plan already laid out for the believer.

This means that a long time ago God had some things He wanted done. He then designed and equipped people to do those things. This means that we were created with certain abilities, talents, or handicaps in order that we would be uniquely prepared to do the things God wanted done. Of course, the first step in getting in on this glorious life of doing God’s will is to be saved.

This also means that God created each one of us to be a success in life. He has already prepared and ordained the good works He wants us to do. God does not create people to be failures! Second Peter 3:9 says, ... not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” It is God’s will that all be saved and that all saved walk in the good works He has planned for them.
It is sad that all people will not be saved because all people will not believe. It is also sad that all the saved will not walk in the good works that God has prepared for them. The best life that can be lived in this world is the life lived in the will of God. When a Christian stops living obediently, he will eventually stop doing the good things God has prepared for him to do. He then begins to do things God does not want him to do. He begins to backslide!

Proverbs 14:14 says, “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways.” When a person begins to backslide, he allows his own ways to replace the ways of God in his life. This is why the worst thing about a Christian not going to church, is not that he is not going to church. The worst thing is that if he is not going to church, he is going somewhere else. He is leaving undone the things that God wants accomplished. The backslider walks in his own way.

Are you a backslider? To answer that question, think about this statement, “Are you actively engaged in doing the will of God for your life?” Most backsliders are not bad people. They are people who have stopped doing the good that God ordained for them to do. They left the will of God for their lives. God did not save you so that you could use all your time, energy, money, and resources on yourself. God has certain things He wants done and has equipped you to do them.

Proverbs 16:25 says, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Many people don’t go to church because they are busily engaged in making money, resting, building their business, etc. They think they are successful if they make a lot of money. They think they will be happy if they have time for pleasure. They are sacrificing the spiritual for the physical. They sacrifice the temporary for the eternal. It is the way of man to do this, but it is also the way of death. Jesus said, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul” (Matt 16:26)?

The tragedy of the unsaved of not learning and obeying God’s word is an eternity separated from God in a burning hell. The tragedy of a Christian who fails to keep learning and obeying is that he will not be doing what God created and designed him to do and be. This produces a life of “USELESSNESS!”

We are shocked when we hear about a person who goes into deep sin, but the backsliding did not start when that person went into that deep sin. It started when he stopped reading and obeying the Word of God. He then began to allow other things to creep into his life that began to steal his love and affection for his Lord and his church.

The end result will be a useless life. A life that is actively engaged in walking in the good works that God has laid out for him will not only be useful, but it will be the best life one can life here. Wouldn’t it be sad for a person to attend a church for many years and leave but not be missed? There are many church members who are leading useless lives. If they left the church, the attendance would drop by one, but the offering given and the work accomplished would remain the same. They were leading useless lives.

Backsliding begins when a Christian stops doing the will of God in his life. This allows him to be filled with his own ways instead of the ways of God. The tragedy about this is not that he begins doing things he should not do, but that he leaves undone the things God has laid out for him to do.

If you are watching soap operas on television, that is bad, but the worst thing is that you leaving undone what God wants you to do. Doing bad things is bad, but the worst thing about doing bad things is that the good things are not being done. If you stop doing the bad but you fail to do the good, God’s will is still left undone. God did not save us to leave us here so that we would not do certain things. He saved us and left us here to do the good works that He wants done and has equipped us to do.

The good news is that God is as close to the backslider as he is the one actively engaged in God’s perfect will. When God spoke to Jonah in the whale’s belly, it was not a long distance call! “The Lord is at hand” (Phil. 4:5). When Jonah left the will of God and got into the boat, God was there.

If you are unsaved, call on the Lord and He will save you. If you are out of God’s will, you can call on Him and He will restore you. If Christ died for you while you were a sinner, how much more will He do for you as a child of God!

(IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH: Pastor, Arnold Martin)

FROM A PASTOR’S HEART
May 13, 2004

A BELIEF THAT BEHAVES!

Your response to Scripture reveals much about you. Jesus said in John 8:31, “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.” A true Christian wants to know and obey truth. John 8:47 says, “He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” Many think they are saved, but their lives reveal a lack of obedience to Scripture. Jesus said in John 14:23, “If a man love me, he will keep my words.”

It is Scripture that brings us into the Christian life, “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth...” (James 1:18). It is by Scripture that a Christian grows, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). Physically dead people do not desire physical food and neither do spiritually dead desire spiritual food.  A desire to learn and obey truth is an indication that a person is saved.

James 1:19 tells us how to receive God’s word, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” Since Scripture is the vehicle God uses to bring life to the sinner and growth to the believer, it should be swiftly received.
Since the Word is the will and mind of God, we should be slow to speak it. Why? Because it is a tragedy to say that God said or meant something when He did not. This is why there are not to be many teachers, “...be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation” (James 3:1).

We are told to be “slow to wrath.” If the preacher preaches on a sin in our life, don’t get mad at the preacher. Let the Word do its work. We are not to allow anger in our hearts unless it is a “righteous” anger. Anger is an emotion that will cause a person to do things even though God has spoken against it. James 1:29 says, “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”
We must receive truth with a submissive heart. We should say, “This is God’s word. I will obey what it says.” The moment we refuse to obey truth, the Holy Spirit will stop revealing things until we obey what we already know.  Our Lord does not present His will for our “consideration.”

We must receive the Word with a pure life. Verse 21 says, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” We must lay aside anything that would hinder the word from doing what God intended it to do. All impurities must be removed.

There are things which hinder truth from transforming us. These must be laid aside. Ephesians 4:22 says, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

God’s word will produce the righteousness of God, but the garbage must be removed. The word in the mind is like seed planned in a field. There are things in a field which prevent the seed from germinating and producing fruit. There are things in our minds which will prevent the Word from producing fruit in us. These must be laid aside. Just as junk food steals our appetite for nutritious food, so junk things in our minds steals our appetite for the Word of God.

God calls the things which hinder truth in us filthiness. Anything which hinders our appetite for truth and a growing relationship with our God is filthiness. Anything you allow in your life that hinders you from obeying truth is filthiness. If you are engaged in any pleasure that takes you from God’s house or God’s word is filthiness. Any kind of business practice that takes you from learning and obeying God’s word is filthiness. Any person you run with that lessens your love for God is a filthy relationship!

Many church members say the preaching has changed or the church has changed. Many times there has been a change, but it was not the pastor or the church. There were things they allowed to come into their lives that hindered the word from producing godliness.
It is God’s word that saves the sinner, produces growth in the believer, and gives power over sin, but it must be received in the right way. It must be received with a submissive heart, a pure heart, and a humble heart. Verse 21 says we are to receive the word with meekness. This means we are to be teachable. We are not to be fighting for our rights, but we are to find out what are our responsibilities!

If we get rid of the impurities, we will be blessed. Psalm 119:1 says, “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.” Do you want to have less sin in your life? “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). Do you want grow? “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17).

Your spiritual condition is revealed by your life, “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother” (1 John 3:10).

(IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH: Pastor, Arnold Martin)

 

FROM A PASTOR’S HEART
May 20, 2004

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

Not many years ago, our country was a considered a Christian nation. The main place in the community was the church and the Bible was the main book. No one believed abortion was right. Homosexuality nor pornography was even mentioned because everyone knew it was wrong. Everyone wasn't a Christian, but everyone believed in God and the Bible.

Today, we live in a land that has kicked the Bible out of the schools and refuse to allow the Ten Commandments in public places. Pornography is one of the biggest businesses in the country and abortion is a means of birth control and we had our first gay marriages. We are at the place Israel was when God said of them, "As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths" (Isaiah 3:12).

Children today control and manipulate their parents. They not only oppress the parents but have become a plague on society because of involvement with drugs and crime. Parents do not want their little darlings disciplined; therefore, spanking as a means of discipline has been removed from the schools. This has led to rebellion of the children and a loss of control in the schools.

Both men and women have left their God ordained roles because of pleasure and material things. Few men and women even want to know what God says about how they are to lead their lives and families. Our leaders have caused our nation to go wrong because of wicked laws and wicked leadership. We know that leaders are a reflection of the people. Our congress has militant homosexuals who use their influence to pass laws which will lead our country down the road of Sodom and Gomorrah.

How did we get to the place where the word of God is taboo and the courts say, "Save the whales but kill the babies?" How have we come to the place where the lazy, rebellious, and drug addicts are rewarded by checks from the government instead of being disciplined, trained, and given good help?

Who would have imagined that Romans 3:29-31 would describe our country, "Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

What has happened to us? How did we get here? We don't have to wonder. The Bible tells us in Romans 1:21, "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."

The first step down was when we stopped giving glory to God. It use to be that Americans prayed for the rain and depended on God and hard work for the crops, prosperity, and protection. Now, we depend on the government. If the crops fail, it is no big deal, the government will bail us out. They will even pay us not to raise certain crops to keep the price high.

We now rely on Social Security or the welfare instead of God for our provision. Relying on the government instead of God makes the government an idol in our lives. When we stopped glorifying God, we forgot about, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19). The more power the government has, the more the people rely on and trust the government for protection, provision, and security instead of God.

When we stopped giving God glory, we stopped being thankful. If we do not recognize God as the source of every good and perfect gift, there is no reason to be thankful to Him. Every time we moan, groan, and complain, we are thinking we deserve more or better than we have. Therefore, we will be unthankful to God for what he has given . When we stop giving God glory and thanks, our foolish hearts become darkened. We begin to think we are pretty smart. We become "wise guys." Romans 1:22 says, "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." The unthankful will be transformed into fools who thinks they are wise.

The next step down is idolatry. Verse 23 tells us that foolish people change the true God into an idol. They develop a God in their minds which is not the God of the Bible. Verse 24 describes the next step, "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves." This was when we turned to adultery and fornication. This happened to our country when we promoted Hollywood which defiled natural sex and prompted a turning to perverted sex.

The next step is humanism which means that the word of man is more important than the word of God. Our schools and government are controlled by this humanistic philosophy. God says, "Repent." Man says, "turn over a new leaf." God says there is a hell. Man says, “Oh no, that would be cruel and unusual punishment.” Anyone who teaches things contrary to God’s Word is a humanist.

The road back begins with us giving God the glory and thanks for who He is and for what He does. The first step is receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Then, as a Christian, continue to give Him glory by living for Him. Each of us can was created by God to know, love, worship, and serve our Creator. As we do that, we will be used of Him to bring others to a saving knowledge of the only true God. If you would like to know God and know you are saved from His wrath to come, please call us at Immanuel Baptist Church: (606) 573-6839.

(IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH: Pastor, Arnold Martin)

FROM A PASTOR’S HEART
May 27, 2004

THE MINISTRY OF REMEMBERING!

This is Memorial Day weekend. If we fail to remember the things we ought to, we will forget! If we forget the things we should remember, we loose the blessings that come from remembering what God and others have done for us. When God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt, He did so by bringing ten plagues on the land. He could have done it by one miracle, but most of the time, God works by a process. He wanted to show the wonder and power of God so that Israel would know that their God was the God who controlled everything. Every plague was an attack on some of Egypt’s gods. The tenth plague affected every first born in the land, but there was a means of escape.

Any home which took a lamb on the 10th day, kept it until the 14th, killed it, collected its blood, spread the blood on the door post and lintel would be spared. The shed blood of that lamb applied to the door post saved the physical life of the first born. As we remember that, we remember that the shed blood of Jesus on the cross was the means to save us from eternal death.

We remember that just as the shed blood of the lamb had to be applied to the door post, Jesus shed blood must also be applied before we can be saved. We remember that they applied the lamb’s blood by hyssop, but we apply Jesus blood by faith by trusting Him by faith to be Lord of our lives.

We remember that the Israelites were to feed on the roasted lamb that night in preparation for their journey. We remember that we are to feed on Jesus for the journey in this life. We feed on Jesus as we feed on the precious word of God. Jesus said in John 6:63, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

God knows we are quick to forget! God knew all that He did for Israel would soon be forgotten unless there was some means to pass the truth to coming generations. God told Israel in Exodus 13:5 to keep a memorial every year called the Feast of Passover. For seven days they were to eat unleavened bread along with some other things. When the children would ask why they were doing those things, the parents would explain to them how they had been slaves in Egypt for 400 years and that God brought them out by His mighty power.

The Israelites have been observing Passover every since they came into the promised land. Even though about 4000 years have passed, almost everyone in Israel still knows what happened in Egypt. They had something to remind them of the wonder and power of God. If it had not been for the Feast of Passover, no doubt they would have forgotten long ago what God did for them.

The reason we celebrate Christmas is so that we will never forget about God becoming human flesh and being born of a virgin in a stable. Practically everyone knows that Christmas is the celebration of the birthday of Jesus. Of course, few know the real implications of that. Christmas as other religious holidays has been secularized so that much of the real meaning has been lost, but it is still a reminder that God sent His son to this earth, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, in order to die for our sins.

The reason we celebrate Easter every year is so that we won’t forget what God has done for us in dying on the cross to set us free from sin, death, and hell. If the Easter had not been established, few people would remember Calvary. Easter is usually a time people will go to church even if they seldom go at other times. It is a time of remembering Jesus dying for our sins, raising from the dead, and ascending to heaven. God has given us things to prevent us from doing what comes so naturally to us, forgetting things we should always remember.

September is a special month for Immanuel Baptist Church. This last September, we remembered that 20 years ago we started a small church in the living room of the pastor’s apartment. That was a time to especially remember what God had done for us. It is a sin against God for us to forget or take for granted all the blessings He has generously given to all of us.

If we fail to remember and appreciate what God has done, we will begin to take for granted his many blessings. The next step is to expect the blessings. Next comes gripping and complaining because things are not as we expect them to be. We forget that what God gives are gifts! Our lives are not deserved! They are gifts from God. How we use them is our gift to Him.

It seems a short time ago that five people met in a small apartment on Soukey Ridge in 1983 for our first meeting. In one year, we had the building on Soukey Ridge with one third of an acre of land on the property that was known as the “flea market.” In a few years, God blessed us with 81 acres of land where we are now. We saw the hand of God as we got a bridge built and 3 buildings constructed. Later we got land cleared for a soft ball field and later added a large shelter house.

May we never forget what God has done for us! One way to insure that we don’t is to be in church. We must have God’s word continually going into our minds. Whatever enters your mind is what you think about. What you think about determines what your attitude will be. Your attitude determines what your behavior will be, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Pro 23:7). Whatever you think about is what you are or will soon become. If you think on worldly things, you will become worldly. If you think of godly things, you will become godly.

We must guard our mind and select what goes into it. This Sunday, please attend a good Bible believing church to help you learn and remember the things God has done and has promised He will do!

(IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH: ARNOLD MARTIN, PASTOR)

FROM A PASTOR’S HEART
May 27, 2004

COUNTDOWN TO ARMAGEDDON!

Prophecy is pre-written history. Only God can predict what will come in the future and control the circumstances so that what He says will come about. As you study prophecy, you learn that there is a God who controls this earth and is involved in the lives of both individuals and nations.

When Daniel was in captivity in Babylon, he asked God to show him what was going to happen to the nation Israel. God gave to Daniel and to us the countdown to Armageddon. He gave the events and the time which would lead to the great battle that would result in establishing the one thousand year reign of the Lord on this earth. This article is the calendar of events that will take place before Jesus comes to set up His kingdom. It is an outline of history.

Daniel 9:20 begins the story, “And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God; Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

Verse 24 begins the count down to Armageddon. “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.” God is telling Daniel that in 70 weeks, the Jews and Jerusalem will have God’s plan to them fulfilled.

The time period is 70 weeks. We think of a week as seven days. Seventy weeks would be 70 x 7 = 490 days. But, these are weeks of years instead of days which means it is 490 years instead of 490 days. In 490 years, all these things in verse 24 will be fulfilled. The transgression will be finished. The Jews great transgression was the rejection of their Messiah. When Jesus came, they not only rejected Him, but they nailed him to a cross. When these 70 weeks are over, this transgression will be finally finished.

There will be made an end of sin. Romans 11:26-27 tells us, “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.”
During these 70 weeks, a “reconciliation for iniquity” will be made. The only reconciliation for iniquity was a perfect sacrifice dying for the sins of the world. This happened when Jesus died on the cross, paid the penalty for all sin, and made it possible for every sinner to be reconciled to God.

When these 70 weeks are over, “everlasting righteousness” will be brought in. Now we have personal and imputed righteousness, but then, there will be an everlasting righteousness on this earth. Also, God will “seal up the vision and prophecy.” That means that all that God has promised Israel will be fulfilled. Finally, God will “anoint the most holy.” We know this will not happen until the great battle of Armageddon takes place. Then King Jesus will sit on His throne on this earth. All this will happen in this 70 week period. At the end of it, Christ’s everlasting kingdom will be physically established.

Verse 25 tells us when this 490 year period will begin, “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks...” The command to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem was given in March 14th, 445 B.C. This command given to the Jews in Babylon started the clock ticking. Seven weeks was 7 x 7 = 49 years. Three score weeks was 3 x 20 (20 is a score) = 60 weeks which would equal 60 x 7 = 420 years. Two weeks is 2 x 7 = 14 years. At that time, Messiah would be presented.

Add 49 + 420 + 14 = 483 years. From the giving of the command to rebuild Jerusalem to the time Jesus walked into Jerusalem proclaiming Himself to be the Messiah, was exactly 483 years. It was exactly as was told to Daniel.
Verse 26 tells us that Messiah will be cut off. He was killed, but not for himself. He died for the sins of the whole world. But wait, God told Daniel in 70 weeks or 490 years that all would be fulfilled and everlasting righteousness would be brought in! There are 7 more years left to be fulfilled. What about those years?

God has called a time out on Daniel’s 70 year prophecy. After Jesus was rejected as Messiah, God stopped the clock. Now, Israel is temporarily blinded. God is now selecting a Gentile Bride for His Son. We are now living in the time span between Daniel’s 69th and 70th week. This is known as the church age. When the Bride of Christ is completed, God will take the church to heaven to have the “Judgment Seat of Christ.” This is known as the Rapture of the Church.

At that time God will say, “Time in.” This will begin the final week of Daniel’s 70 week prophecy. This is also known as the time of the Tribulation. It will be the final seven years of 490 year prophecy given to Daniel. It is the time of the rising to power of the revived Roman Empire and the Anti-Christ. It will be the time of the mark of the beast and slaughter of most of the world’s population.
At the end of the seven year tribulation period, the great battle of Armageddon will take place. Jesus will destroy the forces of antichrist and bring in his glorious 1,000 year kingdom on this earth. Ready or not, here He comes!

(IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH: Pastor, Arnold Martin)

FROM A PASTOR’S HEART
April 1, 2004

GOD’S ANSWER TO ANGER!

Anger is a part of our emotional make up given to us by God, but if it is not under control, it can do much damage to us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Ungoverned anger can steal our friends, our jobs, and our happiness.
Many blame their out of control anger or “temper” on things outside of their control such as heredity or environment. Some brag about their hair trigger temper which can be easily set off when which causes them to fly into a rage. Will Rogers said, “People who fly into a rage seldom make a good landing.”

Proverbs 19:19 says, “A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.” If you cannot control your anger, you will get in trouble. Your friend or family may help get you out of the trouble, but your anger will bring you trouble again. A child who gets in trouble at school because of his uncontrolled anger will have his parents come down “to deliver him.” Those parents need to get ready for many trips to the school.

Many have lost their friends, jobs, families, and even their life by losing their temper. The reason for is that “He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly” (Proverbs 14:17). You act like a fool when you allow anger to control you.

Proverbs 15:18 says, “A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.” We decide if strife is put down or stirred up. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” We can stir up anger, strife, and hatred, or we can be used to promote peace.

The Bible does not say silence turns away wrath. It says a soft answer does. A soft answer comes from a person who is in control. We are to speak, but speak in a soft voice that is under control. Proverbs 25:28 describes a person who cannot give a soft answer, “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”

If you cannot control your attitude and your words and make them come out like you want them to, you are being controlled by emotions. You are then like a city without walls which is a city without protection. The result of this is given in Proverbs 19:19, “A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment.”

We must deal with this kind of anger as we do any other sin. We must not “suppress” it, but we must “confess” it. Suppressed anger is like putting a fire in a waste paper can and putting it in a closet, shutting the door, and saying, “It is not there.” One of two things will happen. It will either burn out, or it will burn down the house. Don’t repress sinful anger, but confess it as sin to God and repent of it.
Proverbs 14:29 says “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.” If you slow down in getting angry, God will give you understanding. The old saying about counting to ten before you speak is very biblical. It may even be better to count to 100 before you speak.

We are not only to confess our unrighteous anger as sin, but we are to control it. Some say they cannot control their anger, but that is wrong. When you are having a quarrel with your spouse and shouting so loud that they can hear you a mile away, what happens when the telephone rings? You answer and say, “Hello Mrs. Jones! It is so nice of you to call. I was just thinking about you!” Immediately, you change the tone of your voice. It is not that we cannot control our anger. It is that we will not control it.

Have you had joy and peace one moment and the next have everything change? Maybe someone said something or did something, and the peace and joy was gone? We can be in the Spirit one minute and in the flesh the next unless we are controlled by biblical principles. Remember, the fruit of the Spirit is ours to enjoy. No one nor any thing can take it from us. We are personally responsible for losing the joy of the Lord.

The situation may be bad, but you can always have the joy of the Lord. If the Apostle Paul could have joy in a cold, damp prison not knowing if he would live or die, surely you and I can have joy in our situations. We must learn that unrighteous anger is not weakness, it is wickedness and it must be controlled and condemned.

Unrighteous anger wants to get even with someone who has offended you, but remember, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay saith the Lord.” Don’t steal something that belongs to God. If your anger is accompanied by an unforgiving spirit, it is unrighteous indeed! Proverbs 19:11 tells us how we can demonstrate the glory of God, “The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.”

If there is the love of God in your heart, you will be able to pass over a transgression against you, forgive the person, and not even confront the one who has offended you. The Bible tells us that “love covers a multitude of sin.” Unsaved people or rebellious Christians cannot do this. If we fail to confess, forsake, and repent of unrighteous anger, we are opening a door to Satan to get a foot hold in our life. Ephesians 4:26 says, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath. Neither give place to the devil.”
If we fail to control our anger, or any other sin, we are telling Satan to come on in and wreck our lives, ruin our health, and kill our happiness. Once Satan has a place in your life, he will continue to take more and more ground. Unrighteous anger is like any other sin. It will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay!
When we think we have been wronged, there is a feeling of resentment that springs up in us. The danger of this is given in Hebrews 12:15 “Lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” Anger not confessed nor forsaken will trouble you and many others. It is not worth the cost!

(IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH: Pastor, Arnold Martin)

FROM A PASTOR’S HEART
April 8, 2004

THE REASON FOR EASTER!

This time each year we focus attention on a place outside the northern wall of Jerusalem where the body of our Lord lay for three days. Even though Easter messages will be preached all over the world, few people know the reason why we celebrate our Lord’s resurrection. A study of the Passover reveals why God had to raise Jesus from the dead!

Israel was in captivity in Egypt. God sent Moses with a message to pharaoh to let them leave Egypt to go to a land God had given them. Pharaoh refused; therefore, God then sent nine plagues on Egypt which devastated the land. After each plague, Pharaoh agreed to let them go, but immediately changed his mind when the plague was removed. Before the tenth plague, God gave Moses instructions to give to the people so that they could avoid the coming judgment of God on Egypt.

God instructed the people to get a male lamb on the tenth day of the first month that was without blemish. On the fourteenth day, they were to kill it, collect the blood, and then apply it to the door posts of their homes. During the night after fourteenth day, the death angel would pass over the land of Egypt and kill the eldest child in every home not protected by the blood. The blood on the door post provided the safety for that home. After the Passover, Pharaoh did let the nation of Israel leave the land of Egypt.

Remember, it was not the shed blood of the Passover Lamb that protected the families from the wrath of God. It was the shed blood that was applied to the door. To be protected from this judgment of God, a person must know what God had said, believe it, and be obedient to those commands. If the lamb was killed and its blood collected, but remained in the basin, there would have been no protection. It was not only the shed blood of the lamb, but it must be the shed blood applied that brought salvation to the Israelites.
God instructed Israel to have a "Day of Atonement" each year after they were in the land. At this event a lamb would be killed, its blood collected by the high priest, and then taken into the Holy of Holies in the Temple where the "Ark of the Covenant" was kept. The "Mercy Seat" covered the ark. The blood was to be applied by the high priest on the "Mercy Seat." Before the high priest could go into the Holy of Holies, he must offer a sacrifice for himself. He had to be right with God before he entered this most holy place. This provided protection for him. Notice again that it was not the shed blood of the sacrifice which protected. It was the shed blood applied which caused God to forgive their sins for another year. It was not the blood on the altar nor the blood in the basin, but it was the blood on the mercy seat that saved.

When Jesus was on the cross, Isaiah 53:6 tells us what happened, "God laid on Him the iniquity of us all." The sins of the whole world was placed on Jesus while He was on the cross. He was punished for your sins and mine. He became our Substitute. He took the judgment of God meant for you and me. He was God's lamb. When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he said, "Behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." He was God's perfect lamb without spot or blemish to die in our place. Jesus was the fulfillment of what every lamb killed on the day of Atonement represented. He was God's Passover Lamb who must be sacrificed and have His blood shed. But the shed blood of Jesus does not save anyone. It must be the applied blood which saves.

Jesus is not only our Sacrifice, He is also our high Priest. Just as the high priest of Israel took the blood and applied it to the mercy seat in the temple, Jesus is our high priest who took the blood that was shed and applied it to the mercy seat in heaven. Hebrews 7:25 says, "Jesus ever liveth to make intercession for us."

Someone may say, "Well, I know what I will do. I'll quit my sinning." That sounds good, but what about the sins you have already committed? If you ask for forgiveness, what about the sins you are going to commit? What about the sins you may commit and not even know it? The sin question must be settled if you are to gain eternal life. The reason Easter is so important is that if there was no resurrection, there was no applying of the blood to the mercy seat in heaven. Why? Jesus is the only one who could ascend into the heaven where the Mercy Seat is. He is the only one who could apply the blood which would provide salvation for the world. If He did not raise from the dead and take the shed blood to apply to the mercy seat in heaven, we of all people are most miserable.

The way has been paved for all to be saved, but you can know all these facts of the gospel and still come under the judgment of God. Why? Because it is not the shed blood that saves. It is not even the blood applied to the mercy seat that saves. That just prepared the way for God to be able to save us and be just and holy at the same time. The blood must be applied. Jesus did apply the blood, but there must be a personal applying of the blood of Jesus. How? By faith in the Lord Jesus as your Savior and Lord. Just as the Israelites physically applied the blood to the door post would save them from judgment in Egypt, we must apply the blood by our faith in what Jesus has accomplished for us.

What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! The blood has been shed and the penalty has been paid for your sins. The only question is, “Have you applied the blood?” The Bible says, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans. 10:13). When you call on Jesus for salvation, you are applying the blood.

(IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH: Pastor, Arnold Martin)

FROM A PASTOR’S HEART
April 15, 2004

THE BLESSING OF RIGHT ATTITUDE!

It has been said that attitude determines altitude! Have you heard someone say, “He has an attitude?” It usually means behavior is not what it should be such as huffing and puffing when asked to do something. Attitude reveals the way we feel about something or someone. Since our attitude affects our behavior, we need to know how to get and maintain the right attitudes.

When a child develops a bad attitude, it is revealed in his behavior. When the behavior is punished correctly the attitude is adjusted. The tool God has given parents to adjust behavior and attitude is the rod applied at the right place, at the right time, and with the right force. Proverbs 13:24 says, “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes (early).”

It will grieve a parent to physically discipline a child when the behavior gets bad, but God says this is what they need. Parents who fail to do this hate their children according to this verse! Why? Because the child’s creator says to treat them in this way for their good, but parents fail to do so because it causes them pain. The same parent will turn a child over to a doctor to be cut on with a knife because the doctor says he needs it. They trust the doctor more than the creator!

God has also given His Word to adjust our attitudes. When we learn and obey Scripture, our attitudes are changed which results in changed behavior.

When our attitude is not right, we are not teachable nor usable. You may be intelligent and skilled, but with a bad attitude, you will be of little use. What you know and believe will determine what you do. This is why we must spent time daily in God’s word. As the word saturates our mind, our attitude is adjusted.

Mark 14:1-9 contains a story where several attitudes are revealed. Jesus is the guest of honor at the home of Simon the leper. Lazaus was there along with Mary and Martha. Mary comes with some expensive ointment to anoint the feet of Jesus. This situation revealed many attitudes. Remember, situations do not cause attitudes, they reveal them.

The attitude of the Pharisees toward Jesus was hate and envy. They would not allow the word of God to penetrate their minds. They wanted to keep what was in their minds rather than to submit to the truth. This represents some people in our area who are hostile to God’s word and His work. Their attitude is resentment and disgust for the things of God which is revealed by their behavior.
Mary demonstrates the attitude of adoration. Since she had the attitude of worship, she gave to our Lord. There is no worship nor love shown without giving. Mary came and gave expensive ointment. She had an attitude of love and worship and it was revealed by the behavior of giving. If you love someone, you are not stingy with them. Acts of love come from the attitude of love.

Since Mary loved and worshipped the Lord, she learned things the others didn’t. Jesus said in John 12:7, “...Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.” She knew Jesus was going to die, but the others didn’t. They were still wondering who was going to be the greatest in the kingdom. When you love, you begin to understand things others do not. When you love the Lord, you not only hear His word, but you obey it. Remember James 1:22, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
Mary’s giving to the Lord revealed the attitude of indignation shown in verses 4-5, “And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.” Mary did not cause this bad attitude, but what she did revealed it.

It sounded like they were interested in the poor, but such was not the case. Those who criticize are usually the ones who want others to think they are concerned and spiritual, but are usually demonstrating their selfishness. This was the case here. John 12:4-6 reveals who it was that started sowing this discord, “Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.”

When you criticize and complain, look at the company you are in! Judas was trying to appear concerned for the poor, but he just wanted the money put in the treasury so he could steal it. Beware of the complainers! People who get mad and complain many times do so because of selfish reasons.

Mary had the attitude of love for Jesus and it resulted in the behavior of generous giving of herself and her material goods to the Lord. Judas was a thief and it resulted in an attitude of indignation which resulted in the behavior of complaining and sowing discord. His attitude came from his beliefs. He did not believe in Jesus as the Messiah and King. He was in it for what he could get.
Mary gave the most precious thing she had to the Lord. This brought a commendation from our Lord, “She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her” (Mark 14:8-9).

Mary put the ointment on Jesus, but that same ointment was on Mary’s hands. That which she gave to the Lord became a blessing to her. The fragrance of that ointment filled the room and every one there was benefitted by it. What you do for the Lord will rebound back to you, it will benefit others, and the Lord will commend you for it. What kind of attitude do you have? Does it need to be adjusted? If so, one source is learning, believing, and obeying the Word of God.

(IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH: Pastor, Arnold Martin)

FROM A PASTOR’S HEART
April 22, 2004

APATHY IN CHRISTIANITY!

Apathy means the lack of concern, feeling, interest, or emotion. Politicians tell us that apathy is the cause of so few people voting in elections. Apathy is the reason people miss so much church. Whether a church grows or dies is determined by the amount of apathy in it. A concerned citizen will try get the best person elected. A concerned Christian will be desire to grow, mature, and try to bring people to the Lord Jesus.

The greatest need people have is not more money, education, or health care. Our greatest need is to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. A Christian who has a compassionate heart will not be apathetic about his church or his Christian life. Amos 6:1 says, “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion.” Those who are not concerned will have trouble coming. Many Christians wrongfully think that if saved, they can ease through life without being concerned about others.

Jesus said to the disciples, “Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder” (Matt. 26:36). He did not ask them to die for Him. He just asked them to sit and watch and pray. When He came back, they were asleep. There is a concern that when Jesus comes back to call us to heaven, he will find most of us asleep.

There are some like Peter who said, “Though I should die with thee, I will not deny thee,” but he was asleep like all the rest. Jesus said to them, “What, could ye not watch with me for one hour?” Unless we learn from the disciples, we will commit the same mistake they did. They did not watch nor pray; therefore, they did fall into temptations that they could not handle.

Why is it that there are over 150 million professed Christians in our land, but we are making so little impact on our moral condition? Why is it that on Sunday Morning in our churches, most of the seats are empty and the doors are locked on Sunday night? Why is it that we know so little about the Bible, but we claim that it is the holy word of God? Why is it that we believe prayer will move the hand of God, but we pray so little? Why is it that we believe there is a heaven to gain and a hell to avoid, but we keep so silent about the gospel? The problem is apathy and a lack of concern, but why?

Before a Christian was saved, he realized his need for a new life and a right relationship with his Creator. He knew he was under the wrath of a holy God and did not want to go to hell. He asked for the mercy of God and forgiveness of his sin. He believed on the name of the Lord and received Him as Savior. After being saved, there was a joy of having eternal life and forgiveness of sin.

These same people go through life as Christians but fail to learn God’s will for them after they are saved. Many of them never come to a place of presenting themselves to God for His use in His kingdom. If a Christian is in a church where he learns God’s Word, he begins to understand that being saved is not the end, but it is the beginning. He learns of all the glories of being saved, but hopefully, he will begin to think about those who are still under the penalty of their sin.

Romans 12:1-2 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” We must decide whether or not we will obey what these verses say. Failure to obey them will lead to apathy!

This is a call of God to the Christian to commit his total life to the Lord. Commitment means to turn something over to someone. When we get saved, we have committed our souls to the Lord for safe keeping. As we mature as Christians, we learn that there is more to the Christian life than being saved from hell. There is a job God wants us to do as believers. To do this, there must be a new commitment to the Lord as a child of God for the work He has for us to do. Most Christians have never done that; therefore, apathy slips in their lives and they can become unconcerned and apathetic.

Most of us know that we need a deeper level of commitment. Most people may even want to be more committed and they intend to be, but they never do. Commitment is when we come to a place where we yield ourselves completely for the Savior’s use. This is becoming a living sacrifice and separated unto God for His service.

This is what every Christian wants, but there are some things which prevent it from happening. There is the lure of the world, the love of convenience, the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life which prevent us from being totally committed. We like to curl up in front on the TV instead of finding out what God might have us to do.

Some people say, “Lord, I’m willing to serve you, but only in these areas.” But, that is not commitment nor is it pleasing to God. If we become living sacrifices, we do not set the limits of our service. Another reason for lack of commitment is that we do not really know the God who saved us. We must learn that our God is the eternal, almighty Creator of this universe, infinite in power, and absolute in sovereignty and faithfulness.

Once we realize who it is that saved us and who we serve, we can become committed. When we learn that all that makes us “somebody” is our relationship with the Lord, we can become committed and avoid the sin of apathy. The sin of apathy causes the Christian to be lazy and to put his goals and values on things of this earth instead of on things above. It will prevent him from knowing God and receiving the blessings He wants to give. The sin of apathy, or lack of concern, causes the unsaved from seeking eternal salvation!

(IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH: Pastor, Arnold Martin)

FROM A PASTOR’S HEART
April 29, 2004

THE GREATEST ABUSE!

In Luke 18:18-23 Jesus responds to a question from a rich young ruler who asked, “Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus told him to obey the commandments. The man said he did. Jesus then told him in verse 22-23, “Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.”

This man is like many people who want to do something for God so that they can earn eternal life. This man thought he had obeyed God’s commands. The fact is that he never had nor has anyone ever obeyed all of them, except Jesus. He did not know how sinful he was nor how holy God is. The Pharisees believed they were right with God because of their good works, but Jesus told them they were of their father the devil.

This young man failed to obtain eternal life because he did not have enough confidence in Jesus to obey what he said. Every person who goes to hell does so because of this same reason. There are many who have the devil’s kind of faith. James 2:19 says, Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” Many believe what God says, but not to the degree that they are willing to obey!

Every religion except true Christianity will tell people they must do certain things to be saved. They are told to quit sinning, join the church, or get baptized, but the fact is that even Christians have not quit their sinning. When the jailor asked, “What must I do to be saved,” he was told, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” John 3:36 says, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

When a person believes on the Lord, he is saved. The believing is first, but true belief will produce good works. This is why James 2:26 says, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” The Pharisees had good works but they had no faith in the Lord Jesus, so their works were not only useless, they were harmful. Their good works produced an illusion in their minds that they had gained favor with God.

When a person is saved, he has come to the place of believing what God says about Jesus and about his own sinful state. His faith is so confident in God’s that it affects his will. He will begin to produce good behavior. The obedience and good works are brought as the result of his faith in Christ.

Most Christians come to the place in their lives where they have a hard time overcoming sin, and as a result, lose their peace and joy. They try to work harder at over coming their sins, but, after a while, they realize they are still without the joy and peace even with all their effort. Why?

Ephesians 6:16 has the answer, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Satan continually throws fiery darts at believers. Many of our troubles, trials, and heartaches are caused by these darts. The only thing that can extinguish these flames is the shield of faith. All believers will be struck with darts from Satan, but only believers who are walking by faith will have the shield to protect them.

This shield of faith is given to us by the Holy Spirit as we subject our mind and wills to the word of God. There must be knowledge of His word coupled with our trust and confidence in it. We learn from His word that God is Almighty. That means He is sovereign. We learn that He is Righteous. That means all He does, brings, or allows is right. We learn that nothing can come our way that He will not turn out for our good according to Romans 8:28.

Christians want to overcome sin and have pure hearts, but they must learn that this is accomplished by increasing their walk of faith. Acts 15:9 says, ...purifying their hearts by faith.” We are saved by God’s grace and our faith. As believers, we are to grow in the Christian life the same way. Good works have no capacity to bring salvation to a lost soul, nor do good works have the ability to bring maturity to a child of God. It is always by God’s grace and our faith that we are saved. It is also by God’s grace and our faith that we grow and mature.

If we walk by faith, there will be good works flowing from our lives. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” If we are not living by faith, we may still do the right things, but it will become a drudgery to us. If our minds are on the Lord and His word, it will produce in us a love for Him. If love is in us, we will look for ways to show it.

As we read, study, and meditate on the word of God, it brings the knowledge of God to us. The more we know about our Lord, the greater our love for Him grows. The greater the love, the greater the desire is to obey Him.

Jesus told us about the work that is pleasing to God in John 6:29, “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” Faith that pleases God believes what God said is true and has such confidence in it that it activates the will to obedience.
The lack of good works such as giving, witnessing, going to church, and leading a holy life is because of a lack of faith. Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Any Christian who withholds his mind from the reading, teaching, preaching, and obedience of God’s word will be weak, defenseless, joyless, and useless. The greatest abuse man can experience is not to withhold food from his body, but to withhold the word of God from his mind!

(IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH: Pastor, Arnold Martin)