No Need of Salvation? - A Sampling of Websites Among churches of Christ

There was a time when nearly every Christian could share the gospel plan of salvation with anyone who would listen,  Not only that, numerous persons in every congregation were "at the ready" to study the Bible with anyone, anywhere, anytime.  Sadly, times may have changed.  For the last twenty years or so most every congregation has posted and maintained a website.  The website is a snapshot of one individual congregation of the churches of Christ (Romans 16.16) and is a reflection of the spiritual health and teaching found there.  

The other day, I viewed three websites of prominent "churches of Christ" (1) in three cities (2) that openly espouse Calvinist / Baptist error on the subject of salvation.  All three state without

equivocation that salvation comes to one without and prior to baptism.(3)  In other words, baptism is simply an "outward sign of an inward grace."  Disturbed, I began to wonder, "Just how prominent is this sectarian error among us?"  "How can we know?"  I needed a sample, a sample that everyone would agree that it was not random on my part.  Where would I find such an objective sample? I decided to list every congregation mentioned in the current issue of the Christian Chronicle for any reason.  Though my count may be off somewhat, I found 42 congregations mentioned by name.  I proceeded to look up the 42 congregations and discover for myself what kind of salvational message each one had on their respective websites.  I then grouped the 42 into 5 separate categories based upon what I discovered.  Here they are:

1. NO - No website
2. N/A - No salvational message of any kind
3. AMB - A salvational message written in ambiguous language that contains some Bible and some Calvinism.  These salvational messages seem to want to have in both ways, "Calvin and Christ"
4. BIB - A salvational message consistent with what the New Testament teaches.
5. BAP - A salvational message clearly Calvinist and clearly anti-biblical.

The results are not encouraging.  Of those 42 congregations:

• 11 congregations have a clearly articulated and biblical salvational message clearly stating that "baptism is for the remission of sins."  This is where the "good news" ends.
• 11 congregations have no websites whatsoever.
• 9 congregations have no salvational message of any kind.  In other words these 9 websites do not answer the question of the ages; "What must I do to be saved?"
• 9 congregations have a salvational message that contains "some Bible" and some "Calvinism."
• 2 congregations have a clearly articulated Baptist / Calvinist salvational message in clear contradiction with Scripture.

Here are the chilling conclusions:

• In this sample, only about 26% of all the congregations mentioned by name in the current (August, 2018) edition of the Christian Chronicle have communicated the gospel message on their websites.
• An equal amount of about 26% of the 42 congregations mentioned have no kind of website at all!
• Another approx. 21% of the 42 congregations mentioned have no salvational message whatsoever!
• Disturbingly, yet another approx. 21% of the mentioned congregations have an ambiguous salvational message, mixing Christ and Calvin.
• At least honestly, an approx. 5% of mentioned congregations openly admit their Baptist / Calvin error by publishing it on their website in a "salvational message."

What does this say about churches of Christ in America?  Can God be pleased when 75% of these "mentioned congregations" either have no website at all, have no salvational message at all, have mixed "Christ and Calvin" in a synchronistic Yahweh / Baal kind of way, or have apostated completely from the Truth by teaching the "doctrines of men?"

Simply, these say that each and every eldership must monitor and revamp their website to biblically answer the question of the ages; "What must I do to be saved?"  Each and every eldership must purge it's website of all Calvinist teaching.  Each and every congregation must make sure that no elder, no deacon, no preacher, no Bible school teacher, or anyone else openly articulates Calvinistic error.  God help us!

NOTES:

(1)  Though their salvational statements are consistent with the teachings of the Baptist Church and other "evangelical" sectarian bodies, these congregations continue to promote themselves as what they once were but are no longer.... "churches of Christ." 

(2) These 3 are: The Providence Road "church of Christ" in Charlotte, NC, the Williamsburg "church of Christ" in Williamsburg, VA, and the Madison "church of Christ" in Madison (Nashville), TN.  

(3) Here are the specific links to which I refer:

a. http://prcoc.org/new/new-life - "If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and      Savior, then your are ready to be baptized,  Just like a bride and groom show others their love for one another by a wedding ceremony, your baptism is your opportunity to show others that you trust in Christ and are now walking with Him,,, It is a pronouncement of belief.  It is like preaching a visual sermon.  It is a public way of saying to everyone that you have decided to give your life to Jesus Christ... Baptism doesn't make you a believer it shows that your already believe.  The Bible teaches that faith in Christ is the source of our salvation.  Baptism is the biblical response to saving faith.  It is the visible symbol of the commitment you make in your heart....Does water baptism save me?  No.  Scripture is abundantly clear that only Jesus saves (Acts 4.12).  Faith in His actions is the heart of our salvation.  The work of salvation is a finished work by Christ on the cross (Hebrews 9.23 - 28; 10.10 - 14).  Baptism has no redemptive powers of it's own.  There is nothing special about the water in the river, pond or baptistery."

b. https://www.williamsburgcoc.org/baptism  - A very similar statement to Providence Road's appears on the Williamsburg website as you can see by the link.

c. http://www.madisonchurchtn.org/what-we-believe/- "SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH - We believe in the salvation of sinners by grace through repentance and faith in the perfect and sufficient work of the cross of Calvary by which we obtain remission of sins.  (Ephesians 2.8 - 9; Hebrews 9.12, 22; Romans 5.11).  WATER BAPTISM - We believe in the necessity of water baptism by immersion in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in order to fulfill the command of Christ. (Matthew 28.19; Acts 2.37 - 39; 19.1 - 6).

NOTE: Public Domain Image of John Calvin Courtesy of Wikipedia.  "Church of Christ" photograph courtesy of the Archdale church of Christ, Charlotte, NC.

Ephesians 3 Lesson, Answer Grid and Podcast

At the Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210 we are currently studying the Book of Ephesians.  Each week we provide a lesson sheet, answer grid, and a recorded synopsis of the lesson.  We are now turning these recorded synopsis's into a podcast.  These podcasts are found on Sound Cloud.  It goes without saying that everyone is always invited.  Worship times are 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Lord's Day.  Bible Study times are at 9 a.m. on Lord's Day morning and at 7 p.m. on Wednesday evenings.

LISTEN! now to "Ephesians 3, Episode 7" on SOUNDCLOUD linked below:

https://soundcloud.com/archdale-church-of-christ/gospel-call-podcast-episode-7-ephesians-3-russ-mccullouh-host

Ephesians

Paul’s Greatest Church Planting Success

 7 February 2018

Archdale church of Christ – Russ McCullough

Lesson # 7 – Ephesians 3.1 - 21

1.     As an introduction to this passage, just what does the word “Dispensation” mean?

2.     For WHAT reason?

3.     Paul is a what and for whom? 

4.     God’s grace is characterized as a S________________ (or in the KJV, D___________________.)  What does this mean?

5.     Per Strong’s, D_________________ means; “…A_______________ of a H______________ or an E___________; specifically a religious E_______________...S___________________.”

a.      The word occurs only _____ other times in the NT

b.     All uses are by P_________ and him alone.

1)    I Corinthians 9.17_________________________________

2)    Ephesians 1.10 ___________________________________

3)    Colossians 1.25 ___________________________________

6.     What was made known to Paul by revelation?

7.     What, exactly, will prove Paul’s insight into this Mystery of C__________?

8.     Paul’s generation was the very first have this R_________________.

9.     To who was it revealed and by whom?

10. Vs. 6 says the mystery is what?

11. Through what vehicle did this mystery come?

12. Name the 3 characteristics of the now Christian Gentile:

a.      F___________ H___________

b.     M_________________

c.      P__________________

13. Who was made a minister of this gospel?

14. Paul came to be such a minister according to what gift?

15. How was this gift administered to Paul?

16. Discuss how Ephesians 2.7, Colossians 2.11 – 12, and Acts 22.16 are all inseparably connected.

17. If God is “no respecter of persons,” how is Paul the “least of all the saints?”

18. BTW, the question is not “how can a saint be alive,” it is instead, “when does one become a saint?”

19. Through which vehicle is the “manifold wisdom of God to be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places?

20. How is the eternal purpose of God to be realized?

21. Through our faith, we have what 3 things per vs. 12?

22. What does Paul ask of the Ephesians?

23. Vs. 14 – For WHAT reason?

24. Vs. 14 – 21 is a what?

Answer Grid

Paul’s Greatest Church Planting Success

 7 February 2018

Archdale church of Christ – Russ McCullough

Lesson #7 – Ephesians 3.1 - 21

1.     As an introduction to this passage, just what does the word “Dispensation” mean?  Most stated something having to do with a specific time frame

2.     For WHAT reason?  That the Gentile is no longer a stranger or alien but an equal partner with the Jew in the on-going construction of the House of God built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets anchored to the Chief Cornerstone, Jesus Christ.

3.     Paul is a what and for whom?  A prisoner for Jesus Christ on behalf of the Gentiles.

4.     God’s grace is characterized as a S________________ (or in the KJV, D___________________.)  What does this mean?  Stewardship / Dispensation

5.     Per Strong’s, D_________________ means; “…A_______________ of a H______________ or an E___________; specifically a religious E_______________...S___________________.”  Dispensation means – Administration of a household or an estate specifically a religious economy…Stewardship

a.     The word occurs only _____ other times in the NT.  Three

b.     All uses are by P_________ and him alone.  Paul

1)    I Corinthians 9.17_________________________________

2)    Ephesians 1.10 ___________________________________

3)    Colossians 1.25 ___________________________________

6.     What was made known to Paul by revelation?  The Mystery

7.     What, exactly, will prove Paul’s insight into this Mystery of C__________?  The Mystery of Grace through Christ was made to him by revelation; i.e. Paul knows he’s writing inspired Scripture.

8.     Paul’s generation was the very first have this R_________________.  Revelation

9.     To who was it revealed and by whom?  To Paul by the Holy Spirit

10. Vs. 6 says the mystery is what?  That the Gentiles are equal partners with the Jews in the church of Christ

11. Through what vehicle did this mystery come?  The Gospel

12. Name the 3 characteristics of the now Christian Gentile:

a.      F___________ H___________

b.     M_________________

c.      P__________________ 

Fellow heirs, Members of the same body, partakers of the same promise

13. Who was made a minister of this gospel?  Paul

14. Paul came to be such a minister according to what gift?  The Gift of God’s Grace

15. How was this gift administered to Paul? By the working of his power

16. Discuss how Ephesians 2.7, Colossians 2.11 – 12, and Acts 22.16 are all inseparably connected.

Paul received the gift of God’s Grace by God’s power, The powerful working of God is granted in baptism, Paul had his sins remitted in baptism where the powerful working of God forgave him and bestowed upon him the gift of the Holy Spirit

17. If God is “no respecter of persons,” how is Paul the “least of all the saints?”  Only in Paul’s own human estimation for God is no respecter of persons.  All have sinned and come short of the glory of God and there are no good people in their own right

18. BTW, the question is not “how can a saint be alive,” it is instead, “when does one become a saint?”  One becomes a saint upon repentance and baptism, he is not designated such after he is long dead by other men who just happen to still be alive

19. Through which vehicle is the “manifold wisdom of God to be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places?”  The church which is made up of both Jew and Gentile saints.

20. How is the eternal purpose of God to be realized?  His eternal purpose realized in Christ Jesus our Lord

21. Through our faith, we have what 3 things per vs. 12?  Boldness, access, and confidence

22. What does Paul ask of the Ephesians?  Not to lose heart over what he is suffering

23. Vs. 14 – For WHAT reason? His suffering is for their glory

24. Vs. 14 – 21 is a what?  A prayer for the church of Christ at Ephesus

1984 - Shall I be Connected or Disconnected?

LISTEN! right now on SOUNDCLOUD!

https://soundcloud.com/archdale-church-of-christ/sermon-pm-020418-1984-romans-831-acoc-russ-mccullough

One can go to hell by oneself but Heaven is a group destination!  It's "if God is for us, who can be against us?" ...NOT...  "if God is for me, who can be against me?"

Just What Is Lipscomb's "Institute for Christian Spirituality?"

Gospel Call Media: (Charlotte, NC)   On June 25 - 27, Lord willing, this reporter will attend an event to be held at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN.  The event is entitled, "InterGenerate Conference 2017."  It is a yoked effort by two organizations, the InterGenerate Task Force, and Lipscomb University's Institute for Christian Spirituality.

While there I will verify in person the veracity of what is taught as being biblical, or not. 

In this current report we examine the history, philosophy and the outreaches of the "churches of Christ affiliated" Institute for Christian Spirituality (ICS).

David Lipscomb (1831 - 1917)  (pictured right) was a pioneering 19th century gospel preacher who along with James A. Harding  founded Nashville Bible School in 1891 which was renamed David Lipscomb Junior College after Lipscomb's death.  In 1948 after graduating it's first senior class the school then became known as David Lipscomb College. In 1988 it became known as David Lipscomb University after adding post graduate studies.  In 2005 the school dropped "David" from it's name and is now known as Lipscomb University.  In it's storied past the school has produced a number of great men of God including H. Leo Boles, Batsell Baxter, Batsell Barrett Baxter, Athens Clay Pullias, and G. Willard Collins among many others.  The university established the Institute for Christian Spirituality in 2010.

The ICS has a dedicated page on the Lipscomb website.  There we find a mission statement:  "In March 2010, Lipscomb opened the Institute for Christian Spirituality, bringing together several seasoned spiritual formation programs with added programming for nurturing intentional personal spirituality and discipleship through study, seminars and conferences. The institute’s goal is to help students and the greater community understand, enrich and share their experience with God." (1)

On the heading for the institute we read this:  "The Institute for Christian Spirituality nurtures the the discipleship of Christ's followers by cultivating a deeper awareness of and participation in the Holy Spirit's redemptive activity among us, within us, and in the world.  We pursue this mission by exploring spiritually forming practices and facilitating the journey with others. Through spiritual friendships and spiritual direction." (2) (3)

In an open letter the director of ICS, Leonard Allen, says this about its mission: "ICS wants to partner with your church and provide resources that will positively affect the life of your congregation. Five offerings do this in different ways. We’ll share tools that help revitalize your sense of mission, manage conflicts that arise, renew your hunger for God’s Word, better attend to the spiritual life of your children, and introduce new practices (emphasis RM) that enrich a daily walk with God."  The ICS has an ambitious outreach to all congregations of the churches of Christ with a number of tools such as Special Programs, the Nurture Conference and the Children's Spirituality Conference.(4)  "You’ll also see ICS’s commitment to church leaders. Retreats for refreshment and equipping, a certificate programs focused on pastoral care, and an intensive program for those in senior leadership roles all minister to those who serve our congregations." (5)

SPECIAL PROGRAMS: The designated contact for "Special Programs" is Kris Miller.  He states this regarding the purpose for the ICS Special Programs:  "The institute has several offerings that will positively affect the life of your congregation.  Through them we share a range of tools that can revitalize your sense of mission, manage conflicts that arise, renew your hunger for God's Word, better attend to the spiritual life of your children, and introduce new practices (emphasis RM) that enrich a daily walk with God".  (6) These "Special Programs" include Healthy Churches, The Ministry of Reconciliation, Enter the Story, Pilgrims Together, The Ministry of Spiritual Direction, and Senior Minister's Sabbath.  With the exception of the last two, these are all "road show" programs designed to held at the client's congregation.  The latter two are held only on the Lipscomb campus.(7)

NURTURE CONFERENCE: This years "Nurture Conference" was held April 4, 2017.  Here's the description: "The Nurture Conference, sponsored by Lipscomb University’s Institute for Christian Spirituality, brings nationally recognized leaders in Christian spirituality to a special event featuring keynote addresses, workshops, and a luncheon. Previous speakers include Randy Harris, Gordon T. Smith, Glandion Carney, Gary Moon, Chris Webb, John Ortberg, and Terry Wardle." (8) (9)  This years speakers are John Mark Hicks and Chris Altrock.  Hicks will speak on the neo-pagan fiction book and movie The Shack (c) entitled; "Meeting God at the Shack."  The website describes the address as; "...how this well-known story impacted his (Hicks) own spiritual recovery, answering the question: how do wounded people come to believe that God is “especially fond of them”?  (10)  Altrock will speak on "Walking Down the Aisle with God." The website describes the address as; "...how a spirituality centered on what we believe about God only magnifies misery(emphasis RM), while a spirituality centered on what God believes about us hastens healing." (11)

CHILDREN'S SPIRITUALITY CONFERENCE: The website says little about this conference except: "Every three years hundreds of spiritual formation leaders, children's ministers, developmental psychologists, Christian educators, sociologists, and theologians from a broad spectrum of Christian traditions gather around the children's spirituality table to discuss child theology, best practices, sociological research, and ministry implications for nurturing the spiritual formation of children." (12)

To hear and see for yourself past material presented by the ICS, go to this link: http://www.lipscomb.edu/ics/online-resources

For more information on the direction, philosophy, and theology of the ICS director, Leonard Allen, you can watch three videos of his presentation at last years Pepperdine Lectureship.  The first 8 minutes of video 3 are especially instructive:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUlT5bBWedU&t=1439s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezw3hUDMng8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAat43c2900

NOTES:
(1) www.lipscomb.edu/ics
(2) Ibid.
(3) These two statements are very precise and purposeful using both words and phrases that are full of ambiguity and self definition cast in post-modern, post-Christian, and post-Restoration molds in the neo-Gnostic tradition set forth by Brian McLaren who has a continuing and  profound influence on DLU. (RM)
(4) www.lipscomb.edu/ics
(5) Ibid.
(6) Ibid.
(7) Ibid.
(8) Ibid.
(9) Who are these people?  Randy Harris appears to be the only one of this group with any connection whatsoever with the church of Christ.  All the rest do not. Gordon T. Smith is a Nazarene, Gladion Carney is associate rector at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham, AL and goes by the title "reverened," Gary W. Moon is an interdenominationalist affiliated with Westmont College of Santa Barbara whose faculty according to their website, "...who participate in many different churches..," Chris Webb is a Benedictine Anglican Priest, John Oltberg is an ECO Presbyterian minister, and Terry Wardle is affiliated with the Church of the Brethren and founder of the Risen King Community Church in Redding, CA that adheres to a "repentance and faith only" salvational scheme.
(10) www.lipscomb.edu/ics
(11) Ibid.
(12) Ibid.
Images courtesy of: Wikipedia Commons

Pieces of Tile or Pieces of Art?

Public Domain Image Courtesy of: Bing Images

Life is perspective.  Half full or half empty?  Evolution or creation?  Random or purposeful?  Tile or art?

Mosaics have intrigued me for some time.  Plain, boring and purposeless individual tiles become engaging, purposeful and definitional together.  A community of tiles, if you please.  Mosaics are an awful lot like life. 
Life, like a Mosaic, requires a creator, a vision and a purpose.  A random pile of tiles has no purpose, no message and no inspiration.  With the reach of the artists hand randomness becomes purpose and tile becomes art.  A single tile placed by the artist may for a time appear boring, out of place and questionable to the uninformed critic.  Before the completion of the finished Mosaic, individual tiles may seem so awkward, unappealing and disquieting as to call out for their own immediate removal and discarding.  The vast majority of these scattered tiles must be put in place before a vision of the finished product can be seen.  The most talented of artists image and message may be hidden until the last few tiles are inserted.  Such is life.  Some lives defy purpose and understanding until the very last tile is placed.  Remember Sampson?  The very last act of faith in his life defined his entire life.  His Mosaic was made with the tiles of sin, arrogance and defiance.  When the final tile was placed his life took on a brand new, eternal and faithful significance that lives forever.  [Hebrews 11.32 - 34]What beautiful art out of what such ugliness!

Ironically we are all interchangeable Mosaics.  Individual tiles represent people, events and experiences that over time paint a picture of a life.  You are a tile (or more) in my Mosaic and I am a tile (or more) in your Mosaic.  God is the artist.  As we near the end of our lives the people, events and experiences paint our life's picture plainly.  The finished artwork is then hung in the hallway of remembrance by those we leave behind.  Unlike mankind who  forgets very quickly the Mosaic of a life, God never forgets!  Not only does he long to have our Mosaic in His Heavenly Hallway, he continuously pays the highest prices ever for such art.  The Blood of Jesus Christ redeems broken Mosaics out of the trash heap behind Satan's house.  As we rise from the waters of baptism Jesus Christ restores, reassembles and remakes our broken Mosaics as our sins are remitted by His Blood.  Sons of disobedience become Sons of God.  What a beautiful Mosaic, redeemed, remitted and restored!

When I was in college I was on the road to perdition.  I was bitter, lonely and without purpose.  I had grown up in my most formative years without a father.  Dad died suddenly at age 46 when I was 14.  I reeled at his loss for years.  I made many poor choices and was a "chief among sinners," having no direction most of the time.  However, there was a tile in God's Hand of which I was unaware.  Among my peers I was without friends.  Among my professors and counselors not a one saw any good in me or even a potential for good...save for Dr. Ron Bever.  During my 4 years of study only Dr. Bever took any kind of interest in me and my potential.  In fact, only he and his wife Doris ever had me in their home.  It all came as a shock to me.  He actually asked for my participation in a mission trip to Belize!  Me, non-descript me, became a missionary with Dr. Bever!  What an amazing tile in my Mosaic!  Even more amazing, two years later I was interested in a very pretty girl at church.  I began seeing her in January of 1976.  Just a few weeks later Dr. Bever asked me if I wanted to come over his place as he was having a number of young people over for a fellowship and devo one night.  Guess who was there?  You guessed right, my life long sweet heart of nearly 40 years now, my dear Nancy.  On December 23, 1976 we were married.  Who officiated?  Dr. Ron Bever, the indisposable tile in the Mosaic of my life.  God be praised!

If you are not a teacher, you can still teach by example.  If you are not a leader, you can still lead someone to a Bible study.  If you are not an elder you can still encourage a weaker brother or sister.  If you are not a deacon you can still serve another with the love of God.  If you are not a missionary, you can still pray for one, render kindnesses to one and support one.  Regardless of our talents, regardless of our perceived self worth and regardless of any other factors...we all can be tiles in the Mosaics of others as we all have the "fragrance of Christ."  [II Corinthians 2.14 - 17]  God is always looking for otherwise ugly tiles with which to make beautiful art!    

Long-suffering - To What End?

This sermon was delivered on 27 July 2016 at the Mountain Island church of Christ in Charlotte, NC as part of their on-going "Summer Series."  I am grateful to God and to the elders of MICofC for the opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Painting by William Blake Courtesy of wikiart.org / Public Domain

AudioLink: "To Follow Soon"

“Long-suffering – To What End?” 

Mt. Island church of Christ Summer Series

“From Ulster Plantation to the Carolina’s with the Gospel!” *

Russell H. McCullough / Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210

www.archdale.org / gospelcall.blogspot.com - Date: 27 July 2016

Texts:

Gal. 5.22 – 23; Ex. 34.1 - 9;  Job 2.11 – 13;  Job 37.23 – 24; Job 42.7 - 10

Thesis:

The end of longsuffering is much more than we might imagine.

1           Introduction

A. The reading of the Scripture – Galatians 5.1; 13; 22 - 23

B. Greeting

C. Longsuffering in 2016 – “Sitting through a sermon longer than 23 minutes and is devoid of video clips to keep one engaged beyond the 7 minute attention span.”

D. The word defined:

             1. Old Testament

                       a. Ark-aphim – “Slow of angers,” “far feeling”

             2. New Testament

                       a. Mak-roth-umia

1) THAYER – “Endurance, constancy,      steadfastness, slowness in avenging wrongs, long-an-imity.”

a) WEBSTERS 1828 – “Disposition to endure long under offences.”

2) WEBSTERS 1828 – “Bearing injuries or provocation for a long time; patient; not easily provoked.”

          a) Why an 1828 dictionary in 2016?

(1) Words have true meanings in NW1828 (Bible based)

(2) Today’s dictionaries have only evolved and ever changing meanings (Darwinian based)

          E. Tonight we will see that:

1. Longsuffering is neither purposeless or for self-improvement.

2. Longsuffering is descriptive of God Himself.

3. The Longsuffering of Job is not as it appears.

4. It was the friends that sinned, not Job

5. The end of Job’s Longsuffering was the for the salvation of his 3 friends!

2          Longsuffering is neither purposeless or for self-improvement

A. Galatians 5.1 – “For freedom, Christ has set us free”

B. Galatians 5.13 – “For you were called to freedom, brothers”

C. Galatians 5.14 – “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word; “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”

             1) How does God illustrate this?

a) John 3.16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

D. We suffer long with others for the gospels sake as He suffered long with us to bring us into the Kingdom.

E. The end of Longsuffering is more than we might imagine

3          Longsuffering is descriptive of God Himself – Exodus 34.1 - 9

A.   God seeks the longsuffering who will “stand in the gap”

1. “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” – Ezek. 22.30

2.  Moses was longsuffering and stood in the gap – verse 9

3. The end of the longsuffering of Moses was the salvation of Israel.

B. The end of Longsuffering is more than we might imagine

4         The Longsuffering of Job was not as it appears – Job 2.11 - 13

A.   Job lost everything men think of as essential

1.      Family

2.     Possessions

3.    Health

4.    Self-sustainability

5.    Pride

B.   Job – my circumstances are not indicative of sin

C.    3 friends – Job’s circumstances ARE indicative of sin

D.   God – Job’s circumstances are not indicative of the either the presence or absence of sin in Job’s life.

E.    The end of Longsuffering is more than we might imagine.

5          It was the friends that sinned – NOT Job – Job 37.23 - 24

A. Job asserts that God can be known

B. The 3 friends assert the opposite – He cannot be known

C. Job fears God by faith

D. The 3 friends fear God out of fear itself

E. Even at the very end, Elihu implies that Job is “wise in his own conceit.”

F. In truth, it is Elihu and his 2 friends that are “wise in their own conceit.”

G. The end of Longsuffering is more than we might imagine.

6         The end of Job’s Longsuffering was the salvation of his friends! – Job 42.7 - 10

A. Job spoke right of God

B. Elihu and his 2 friends did NOT speak right of God

C. Job will pray for you

D. God will accept the prayer of Job on their behalf

E. The Lord accepted Job’s prayer for his 3 friends

F. When all this transpired, God restored and increased Job

G. The end of Longsuffering is more that we might imagine.

H. This principle of suffering long with people for the gospels sake is summarized by Paul in II Corinthians 5.10 – 11a; 17 - 21

7          “The Gospel Call”

·         My fifth great uncle was Hugh Gaston who was rector at the Ballywillan Presbyterian Church (pictured above left) in County Antrim, Ulster Plantation (Northern Ireland) and wrote the most dangerous book of his time; Gaston’s Collections.  It allowed “the ploughman to know more Bible than his clergyman.”  Hugh fled to South Carolina where he died prematurely of the measles.  He is buried just one hour south of Charlotte in Chester County, S.C. in “Burnt Meeting House Cemetery.”   Uncle Hugh continues to inspire my ministry to this very day.  You can read more about Uncle Hugh here: http://www.ballywillanpci.org/rev-hugh-gaston  Ruins photo courtesy of: ballywillanpci.org.

·         On Friday night, August 12, 2016 Russ will dramatically portray the life and times of his 5^th Great grandfather, John “Justice” Gaston entitled; “A Patriot of the Revolution.” A portion of the event will cover also the life and times of his brother, Hugh Gaston.  The event will take place at the Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210 at 7 p.m.   The public is invited to this free presentation.