Things I Saw This Past Week

Jesse Flowers

     I saw a father and his young daughter arrive at the building to clean the baptistery. Yes, it’s a job that needs to be done from time to time, but its use is divine. For there is “one baptism” (Eph. 4:5), and that “one baptism” is immersion in water (Acts 10:47-48; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12). Preparations were made for any sinners who might decide to obey the Lord during our gospel meeting by being “baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).

     I saw young people and older people out seeking the lost. I saw young mothers with their young children walking the streets together in order to invite our neighbors to come hear the saving gospel (Romans 1:16). I saw the excitement and enthusiasm of young boys (Matt. 19:14) racing up to each door to ring the doorbell and hand the one who answered a meeting flyer. They reminded me of the fearlessness and zeal that I need to possess in my efforts to reach the lost (2 Tim. 1:7-8).

     I saw eighty year old men working hard outside clearing out weeds, overgrown bushes, and cutting away branches. And I was reminded of the words of Caleb long ago - “and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in” (Joshua 14:10-11). “They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing” (Psalm 92:14).

     I saw teenagers, deacons, and elders working and sweating side by side to help make the outside of the building look much more presentable for our meeting week. I was reminded of what young Timothy was taught. “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (I Timothy 4:12). I was reminded of what Paul said concerning deacons: “For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus” (I Timothy 3:13). And I was reminded of what Peter wrote to elders when he said, “nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” (I Peter 5:3).

     I saw some of our women working hard inside the building. Bathrooms were cleaned, floors vacuumed, fans up high dusted, burn out light bulbs replaced, and miscellaneous things straightened and organized. These women reminded of Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. Paul said of her that “she has been a helper of many and of myself also” (Romans 16:2).

     I saw the hospitality and generosity of godly widows. One who has not been a widow long, bravely signed up to have the preacher in her home for a meal. Another widow unable to entertain the visiting preacher and company in her home provided money for brother Price to be treated to a nice meal at a restaurant. These acts of kindness reminded me of the apostle Paul’s instructions to the saints in Rome: “distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality” (Romans 12:13).

     I saw members present at every service of the gospel meeting. I saw our elderly members with all their aches and pains in their usual seats there to worship God and edify the saints (John 4:24; Heb. 10:24-25). I saw our tired members who worked all day, but who like David were “glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the LORD’” (Psalm 122:1). I saw young parents bringing their young children so that from childhood they may know the Holy Scriptures which are able to make them wise for salvation (2 Timothy 3:15).

     These are some of the things I saw this past week. And as a result our God was glorified, and my faith was greatly strengthened!

You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS

     God wants all to be saved, but most reject Christ, 1 Tim. 2:3-4; Jno. 12:37-40.

I. JESUS SAID FEW ARE SAVE, Matt. 7:13-14.
  A. It is False Security to Think Everybody Goes to Heaven, Matt. 7:13-14; 1 Pet. 3:20; Matt. 7:21-27; 20:16; 22:14.
  B. Those Who Strive to Enter the Narrow Gate, Lk. 13:23-24 (16:16); Acts 26:27-28; Lk. 19:8-10; Josh. 24:15; 2 Cor. 6:2.

II. JESUS SAID THERE ARE FEW LABORERS, Matt. 9:37.
  A. Those Who Truly Care for the Spiritual Welfare of Others, Phil. 2:19-22; Matt. 20:26-28); Rom. 12:11; Rev. 3:1.
  B. Those Who Serve Instead of being Served, 3 Jno. 9-10.
  C. Those Who Preach the Whole Counsel of God, Acts 20:26-28; 2 Tim. 4:2; Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:17.

III. JESUS SAID TO BE FAITHFUL OVER A FEW THINGS, Matt. 25:21-23.
  A. The Lord has Placed Something into Our Hands to be Used in His Service, Matt. 25:14-19, 21, 23, 25-30; cf. Exo. 4:2.

Conclusion

1. Does Jesus have a few things against us? Rev. 2:14, 20.
2. Or, are we among those who have not defiled themselves? Rev. 3:4

Top

By now many of you have seen the video advertising Ram trucks using a 1978 speech by the late Paul Harvey, “So God Made a Farmer”. The video honors the work ethic of farmers and their contribution to our nation.

     God made the first farmer when He made the first man. God “took the man and put him in the garden to tend and keep it”, making Adam responsible for the daily care of the garden (Gen. 2:15). Sin introduced a curse on the ground that brought the corresponding hard work of tilling the soil: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life…in the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground” (Gen. 3:17-19). The farmer accepts the challenge of hard work; it defines his character and, when allowed, helps shape his faith.

     Farmers work to eat. They feed themselves, their families and us. Bread, fruit and vegetables do not come from the grocery store, they come from farmers. By observing farmers we learn the necessary part labor plays in our own survival: “if any will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Ths. 3:10). Thank God for the blessing of being able to work and provide for yourself and your family.

     Farmers depend on God. They rely on God’s sun, God’s rain and God’s seasons when they plant, when they cultivate and when they harvest their crops (Gen. 8:22). These are evidences of God’s presence and power, and the wise farmer realizes his life depends upon God (Acts 14:17).

     Farmers are patient. Year in and year out they endure storms, blight, crop failures and more. Sometimes they see bumper crops. Through it all they keep working and waiting for the harvest (Jas. 5:7).

     Let us follow the farmer’s example.  Let us go forth and sow the seed of the kingdom, the word of God (Lk. 8:11). Let us labor in Christ, knowing it is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58). And, let us trust God to give the increase as we await His return (1 Cor. 3:6; Jas. 5:8). 

Top
 

Created by Chuck Sibbing, last updated.  02/11/2013