Archive
Just a Finger of Influence
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1
We all heard the old saying, “do as I say and not like I do,” but the apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians is saying follow what I do, as I follow what Christ did. Paul’s desire for these Christians was not for them to follow his philosophical ideology, but rather follow Christ. Paul not only preached Christ, but he led such a life so as the people around him would imitate Christ. Christ was Paul’s example and model in all things. Paul denied himself, just as Christ denied Himself. Paul showed no prejudice between Jew and Gentile, just as Christ showed no prejudice between Jew and Gentile. If Paul could influence these Christians to follow him as he followed Christ then Paul was actually influencing them to follow Christ.
Believers are not only to be a witness to the world, but also an encouragement within the Church so that other believers would follow Christ through their example. For someone to have influence it must first come by example. Is it not true that actions speak louder than words?
There was a man who worked in a steel mill who was a rough gambler. One day as hot molten iron was being poured from a furnace, he gathered a group of men and bet each one of them ten dollars that he could take his finger and whip it rapidly through the inch-thick stream of fiery glowing iron. They all covered his bet. He stooped down and took up a handful of the powdery dust from the floor and used it to dry all the oil from his finger. Coating his finger with this dry dust, he thrust it at the liquid iron and caused sparks to fly in many directions with no harm. Another workman watched from a distance, and he went to another place in the mill where a similar stream of iron was flowing. He also bet a group of men that he could whip his finger through the molten metal without harm. As he whipped his finger through the stream of hot liquid metal, he did not know the secret of removing the body oil from his finger with dust. They took this man to the first-aid station where a surgeon removed his entire finger. The first man’s influence caused the loss of his co-workers finger.
As Christians within the body of Christ, we can either be an influence for good or for ill. Oh how important it is for Christians to imitate Christ! When we do, we have in mind the welfare of our fellow believers to influence them unto “love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). So when we follow Christ, we are influencing others to be like Christ. There is no better example! – (Published in the Marshal County Tribune)
David C. Hale, pastor
New Life Community Church
Lewisburg, TN 37091
The Faithful Donkey
Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham… So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
Galatians 3:7,9
Paul writing to Christians encourages them that they are the children of Abraham, blessed with faithful Abraham. Being blessed by God means that God has said a good word about us and that nothing and no one can curse what God has blessed.
Being blessed reminds me of Numbers chapters 22-24. In this account Moab was afraid of Israel, and their king named Balak knew that Israel was too mighty for them. Instead of reaching out in peace he decides to curse Israel by a false prophet named Balaam. However, God gave a clear command to Balaam “Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.” Nevertheless, king Balak promised Balaam money and honor if he would curse Israel. Instead of turning away, Balaam saddled his donkey and went to Moab. That angered the LORD! As Balaam was riding his donkey, two times the donkey saw the LORD and turned aside, but Balaam’s greedy heart blinded him. He could only see a stubborn donkey and so he struck her. Then the donkey saw the LORD a third time, so she lay down. Balaam in anger struck the donkey again. At that point the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” Balaam immediately replies to the donkey, “Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!” How astonishing! Balaam does not blink an eye. He responds right back to the donkey leading to a conversation. Finally, the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the LORD with his sword and he bowed down, and the LORD told him how this faithful donkey saved his life. God then allowed Balaam to go to Moab and told him that he would speak a blessing. Balaam tried three times to curse God’s people but each time God put blessings upon his lips which infuriated king Balak.
Understand child of God that the enemies of this world are not smart as a donkey when they come up against God’s people. No one can curse what God has blessed and as believers in Christ, WE – “the Church” are the children of Abraham by faith. The Church is blessed with faithful Abraham, which means that no “Balaam-like-spirit” can ever curse us no matter what. God can use a fearful king, a dumb false prophet, and a faithful donkey to demonstrate His sovereign power, to fulfill His will, and also to bless His people – the Church. Is that not good news! – (Published in the Marshall County Tribune)
David C. Hale, pastor
New Life Community Church
Lewisburg, TN
Speak to the Rock!
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Take the rod, and gather the assembly and speak unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water… and Moses took the rod from before the LORD… and said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank.”
Numbers 20:7-11
In our passage, Moses was instructed to “speak” to the rock. Instead Moses in anger spoke to the people, and smote the rock disobeying the LORD God.
Now think with me! Is not Moses at fault? So why would God command Moses to take the rod if he was commanded only to “speak” to the rock? Understand that the rod of God was identified with judgment. It was the same rod used in judgment against the Egyptians. Also the rod was used to strike the rock some thirty-eight years earlier (Exodus 17), which pictured the judgment that was to come upon Christ “our Rock” (1 Corinthians 10:4).
Moses was commanded to “speak” to the rock in order to show grace, but instead he struck the rock with the rod of judgment and that was emblematic of re-crucifying Christ. God is not pleased with man-made religious rituals that re-sacrifice His Son. God’s children are “sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). Only one sacrifice for sin and therefore the rock was to be smitten only once.
Clearly, this is teaching that judgment is in the background when grace is given. If judgment did not lurk in the background then how would we understand God’s amazing and sovereign grace? Israel seeing the rod may fear, yet if Moses spoke to the rock it would produce a river of grace. Moses in anger struck the rock – but God graciously did not withhold water from the people. Nevertheless, the reaction of Moses was not without consequences. Moses did not sanctify God’s holiness before the people and therefore he was not allowed to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 20:12).
We all need to be reminded that God’s holiness will never be compromised. Wonder of wonders it is that God in His sovereign purpose gives grace to the lost in a way that does not violate His holiness and His purpose, through His Son Jesus Christ. That is why Christ “our Rock” was smitten on the cross, which both satisfies God’s holy justice and reconciles lost sinners. What a plan! The Holy God remains holy, and sinners receive abundant grace. I hope you can see that it is a joy for God to pour out abundant grace for those who “speak” to the Rock. (Printed in the Marshall County Tribune)
David C. Hale, pastor
New Life Community Church
Lewisburg, TN 37091
A Tale of Twin Sisters
Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
1 Peter 1:21
The believer in Christ has been graciously given faith and hope as a powerful gift to be used in this life. Faith and Hope works together as twin-sisters. Faith helps us in the moment, while Hope encourages us toward the future. Faith and Hope are never negligent in their duties for the believer. When sister Faith is struggling, sister Hope encourages the believer of the future promises of God found in Christ. When sister Hope is quiet, then sister Faith speaks up and reminds us of the promises that God has already kept for Christ’s sake.
The world speaks about a faith and hope that is worthless. It is a restless faith and an unsure hope. A restless faith is a self motivating faith that comes and goes with ones feelings when obstacles arise. An unsure hope is base upon uncertain knowledge of the future, which leads to a “hope so” kind of hope. Biblical faith does not look at the obstacles, but rather looks to God. Biblical hope is not a “hope so,” but rather a “know so” hope in the sure promises of God.
Many try to stir up faith and hope within themselves, by having faith in their faith and hope in their hope. Many try to convince themselves of faith and hope by striving to do better. This may be sincere, but it is in vain. Our faith and hope is only as good and strong as our object. Having faith, and hope in one’s self, or in another person, or even in a church organization is worthless. Once again, our faith and hope is only as good, and only as strong as our object, and at the end of our scripture it clearly teaches that the object of our faith and hope “might be in God.”
A dear elderly woman expressed such faith and hope in her life toward God that some one said to her, “I believe that if you thought the Lord told you to jump through a stone wall, you would jump.” The lady replied, “if the Lord told me to jump through a wall, it would be my business to jump, and it would be His business to make the hole.”
Although we do not understand every step that we must take in this world, we do know that sister Faith and sister Hope are there to help us persevere in this wicked world. These twin sister are held together by the common cord of LOVE, according to 1 Cor 13:13, and they work together to remind us that a “real faith” that works, is in the God who raised Christ from the dead, and a “real hope” is in the God who gave Christ glory, according to 1 Peter 1:21. – (Printed in the Marshall County Tribune)
David C. Hale, pastor
New Life Community Church
Lewisburg, TN
“Three-sixteen”
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.
Revelation 3:16
As Christian we all know John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Now how many of you know Revelation 3:16? What an interesting contrast! In one “three-sixteen” God is giving His only begotten Son so that we should not perish, while in another “three-sixteen” God is regurgitating a church out of His mouth for a lukewarm spirit.
As Christians we need to be aware of things that pull us away from following the LORD, and one of the most dangerous things in our Christian life is indifference. In Revelation 3:16 the word “lukewarm” is used. Being “lukewarm” or “indifferent” to the spiritual things of God comes from an apathetic spirit toward God’s sovereign love in John 3:16. Indifference is dangerous because it allows doubt and unbelief to grow and fester. Indifference is dangerous because it is hard to notice, it’s like a chameleon always changing colors. Indifference is dangerous because it whispers the lie, “oh, it’ll be okay.” A good illustration is Kris and his truck.
One day Kris saw an old pick-up truck in a field and thought it would be nice to have a work truck to haul his stuff. So Kris bought this old truck at a cheap price. All it needed was a few adjustments. Kris drove this truck around for a few weeks and one day his father rode with him. His father asked, “What is that awful smell – that stench?” Kris said, “I know it’s bad, but just roll your window down and it’ll be okay.” A couple weeks later Kris was driving down the road when to his surprise a fat, long snake came out from under the passengers seat and slithered upon the dash while he was driving. He immediately pulled over, grabbed a tire tool to get the snake out and killed it.
I fear that among God’s people that there are seasons of indifference, in which we apathetically go through the motions of praising, praying, and preaching without Christ’s leadership. All the while indifference is saying, “just roll your window down, it’ll be okay.” How long will we drive down life’s road with the horrible smell of sin and that Old Serpent called the Devil underneath our seat. Dear Christian do not slight the sin of indifference because it makes God nauseous. The good news is that the same sovereign God in Revelation 3:16 who would have every right to spit us out is also the same sovereign God of John 3:16 who loves us beyond explanation, and if you come to Him through Christ and confess your indifference He will renew your spirit. – (Printed in the Marshall County Tribune)
David C. Hale, pastor
New Life Community Church
Lewisburg, TN
Does the Bible have authority over the unbeliever?
We have already established the fact that the Scriptures are the Word of God (see question How Do We Know the Bible is True?), and therefore, all the Scriptures carry the authority of God. Since that is has been clearly established, we need to simply accept in child-like faith these plain scriptures:
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23
Since every human being is a descendant from Adam & Eve all truth that God has revealed applies to all people everywhere at all times. The Bible clearly teaches that we all proceed out from our first parents.
“And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.” Genesis 3:20
As it is said of our first parents that they were created “in the image of God” (Gen 1:27), so it is that everyone reflects that same image of God. The image of God primarily consists of the fullness of having life with special ability to make logical & reasonable decisions, and the ability to freely love. Therefore having the image of God stamped into our very being, we are without a doubt connected to God and we are bound to a relationship (whether good or bad) with our Creator. The unbeliever’s “unbelief” does not change the fact that the unbeliever has been created by God and is accountable to Him. God requires obedience and acceptable worship to Himself alone from all His creatures.
No matter how hard one fights God’s authority – No matter how one tries to do their own thing – No matter if one considers themselves to be politically tolerant – No matter if one calls themselves a “free-thinker” – No matter if one tries to undermine the Holy Scriptures or ridicule believers. If one chose not to believe in God, or decides not to serve God, that does not eliminate God’s existence or His authority!
“For the word of the LORD is right; and all His works are done in truth.” Psalm 33:4
The unbeliever, in spite of his unbelief, is still responsible to obey whatever God says. Anything God says is authoritative to all people, at all times, and in all circumstances. Lastly, we believers were once unbelievers. The question is how did we come to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ? Answer: We were unbelievers who read the authority of God’s word, (the Holy Bible).
“…yea, let God be true, but every man a liar;” Rom.3:4
Why is the world full of immorality, violence, hatred, war, terrorism, pain, suffering, disease, and death?
This question in the eyes of many people is an enormous question to ask. The answers given can be anywhere from, “it could be the environment that a person was raised in” or “it was the parents fault due to the lack of attention given the child.” These answers still does not give us the reason “WHY?” These answers and many others are just symptoms of a much larger problem. Yet, the Bible calls such acts as the sinful “works of the flesh” which proceed out of the “heart of men” (Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 3:10-19; Mark 7:21-23). Evolution, and New Age philosophy explain such things, including death, as the “natural process” of life. In Genesis chapter 3, Satan, or the Devil, comes as a serpent to tempt man to sin against God. As a result of Satan’s work, sin was introduced to mankind. This power of sin brought with it d
isobedience, which in turn effected broken fellowship with God. Thus, through the power of sin, the human race and God’s perfect creation were corrupted (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:17-19,24). The world one sees today with all the violence, hatred, wars, and immorality is a result of SIN in the heart of man. Yes, the world in all its grandure and beauty still reflects, to a small extent, God’s original creation, but it has been corrupted by SIN. This power of SIN is so dominate that it is passed down from generation to generation. Simply put, due to Adam’s sin, all of his descendants, including you and me, “were made sinners” (Romans 5:19).
For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. (Romans 5:19) KJV
Genesis 6:11 states that, “the earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.” The reason immorality, violence, hatred, war, terrorism, pain, suffering, disease, and death comes upon us is because of SIN! This is not a popular answer nor is it a pretty picture, but there is no other reasonable explanation. All other explanations are just symptoms of a much deeper issue. The root cause is SIN in the deep dark corners of the heart of all mankind, and if man is left to himself all these sinful evils will come out and express itself in one corrupt sin or another.
The truth is that we live in a sinful world, and the power of sin has “reigned unto death” (Romans 5:21). Common sense tells us that life and death are exact opposites, not the “natural processes” of life. In fact, the Bible specifically calls death the “last enemy” (1 Corinthians 15:26). Death is a constant reminder that “all have sinned” and are in need of God’s grace in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:23-26). As long as one is in this world, there will be sin related miseries. The only way one can escape these miseries is to run to the One who is life eternal, Jesus Christ (John 1:4; 3:36; 6:35; 11:25; 14:6).
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. (John 3:36) KJV
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6) KJV
REASONS 4 BELIEVING 