Those Faithful Few...the Wayfarer 9/6/13

Those Faithful Few
 9/6/13

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

(Matthew &:13&14)

I may wander a bit through the scriptures today, for a change, although preferring to remain in specific lessons from the writings given us as normal. Please bear with me as I attempt to rightly divide the scriptures as is demanded by any true servant of God.

The scriptures tell us:

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Romans 10:17

This same chapter from Romans, used in a previous sermon, tells us also:

“Brethren, My heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That The Man Which Doeth Those Things Shall Live By Them .

Romans 10: 1-5

AND:

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THEM THAT PREACH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE, AND BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS!

Romans 10:14&15

Just where are today’s preachers who have been given the mission to do exactly this and no more?

In years past, I was influenced greatly by Billy Grahm, as were many, many more.  Another, of fame that influenced me, was Herbert Armstrong.

Today, there are few that I still find even plausible, fewer still that seek only to promote the gospel rather than themselves and their own goals.

Far too many have either forgotten that the great commission says that we are to TEACH all nations, not entertain them, or intentionally choose to ignore that commission in preference of assuring a large body attend, in anticipation of the amount of money to be gained from the offering plate passed to that large assemblage.

It has been said that James Brown was the “Hardest working man in show business”

I would have to disagree, having seen far too many preachers vying for that title both on the airwaves and in our churches.

This leads me to the meat of today’s dissertation. Taken from yet another scripture found in the book of Acts:

 “As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and hailing men and women committed them to prison.

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

(Acts 8:3&4)

Saul, (Later to be called Paul) was a zealous Jew, both educated and powerful, and as we saw both in the seventh chapter and this one, pursued the elimination of Christianity. This had the opposite effect of what he intended at the time, since as the apostles, and those other few that believed, continued to teach the gospel as they scattered to find safety elsewhere!

“Then went Phillip down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Phillip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

And there was great joy in that city.

But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime, in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God,

And to him they had regard, because that of a long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

But when they believed Phillip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Phillip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Now when the apostles, which were at Jerusalem heard  that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them  Peter and John:

Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

And when Simon saw that through laying on the apostles hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

(Acts 8:5-23)

Phillip, having been singled out for persecution, decided to go to Samaria, a land that had previously been visited by our Lord.

Upon arrival, instead of seeking shelter and cowering in the protective confines of some dark corner where he would not be recognized, he began instead to continue the mission given the apostles earlier when Jesus told them that the fields were ripe for the harvest. He did this while exercising the gifts given him by the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, and by TEACHING the same things taught by our Lord.

Nowhere do I find that he charged a farthing for what he was doing, as he considered it his duty.

Nowhere do I find that this was done with anything, except by the gravity and sincerity of his belief, nor do I find any gimmicks used in the performance of this duty.

It was because of that gravity and sincerity that those he reached believed and were later baptized.

Before continuing, I go to yet another scripture, for edification as to the various gifts given us by that Holy Ghost, and just what we may expect of them:

“Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.”

1 Corinthians 12:27-31

Paul took great pains to explain to the church at Corinth, that not all receive the same gifts, nor should we wish to, but should exercise only those given us, always seeking the better gifts, with the foreknowledge that God gives what is needed by each to each!

Getting back to the scripture in Acts, we find that Simon, a one time, self-proclaimed man of God, claimed the very power of God himself, and made a lucrative living through being a charlatan, convincing all about him of his greatness.

Unlike Phillip, he used every gimmick and trick available to him in the pursuit of further wealth.

We find that, he, after seeing the large numbers that were converted through the efforts of Phillip, and the true  miracles, performed through the power of God, did himself believe and was baptized.

He had a serious flaw though. He assumed that the power of the Holy Ghost could be bought for money.

The old lust for mammon that held him in its grip still had not subsided, and he didn’t understand that a gift is in fact a gift, and cannot be bought, or more importantly to God, sold.

Peter’s answer to his request rings loudly past the centuries and echoes still more loudly today as we find those still attempting to buy and sell the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and thereby still trying to sell our Savior for the same pittance given to Judas to betray Him.

The betrayal continues each time a charlatan promises that the money given will result in some specific blessing that may only come through the receipt of that money given some individual.

It continues with the promise of prophecy for, “more folding money in the offering plate.”

It continues with each and every gimmick used to increase the reputation of some self-proclaimed “Great One”.

It continues as those perpetrating fraud lead so many to believe, that their way is the way to a kingdom, that we were given the only way to attain,  through the blood sacrifice of a Savior as a GIFT from a cross so long ago, Whose own words echo more loudly than any charlatan ever could:

“REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND”

One final piece of scripture comes to mind before I close, found in Matthew.

Because of its length, I ask the reader to go, and read once more, the Sermon on the Mount as was given by our Lord himself for the direction to be taken with our lives, no words of my own, but simply the pure gospel given by Him found in the fifth through seventh Chapters!

Close attention needs be given Christ’s statements regarding prayer, alms, true righteousness, how to treat our fellow men, and, a particular emphasis, placed  once more on the 21^st through 23^rd verses of the 7^th Chapter.

I close for now, as always with a true and sincere love for all my fellow beings given by my Savior. I close also with a sincere sorrow and trepidation for those who refuse to see the simplicity of the promised redemption through repentance demanded of us by that same Savior.

I remain, who I am and no more, a simple sinner saved by grace through the love of that Savior, who alone, may pardon all sin, still and always the lowly and unworthy soldier in HIS service awaiting with great anticipation the day of resurrection when I will be worthy because of HIS love, not through anything I may ever say or do.

2 Timothy 1:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Amen and Amen
the Wayfarer