Proverbs Wednesday - April 18

Proverbs Wednesday for April 18, 2018 - Observations and Prayer

Observations:

* Isolation seeks one's own selfish ambitions and opposes all wise judgement.  (The "anthem" of the recluse is "I Am A Rock" by Simon and Garfunkel): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKlSVNxLB-A

* The lazy in work are the ally of destruction.

* "The Name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are saved."

* To interrupt another's speech is foolish and shameful.

* A good spirit will make a sick man well but a broken spirit will kill him.

* The wise heart accumulates knowledge and the wise ear looks for it.

* An offended brother is harder to win than a well fortified city.

* The produce of one's labors brings both life and satisfaction.

* A man of many contacts may come to ruin - BUT - a friend sticks closer than a brother!

Prayer:

Our Most Kind and Generous Holy Father;

All glory, power, and honor to Your most Holy Name!  May we reject isolation and instead embrace fellowship, friendship, and brotherhood in ever expanding hospitality.  May we reject laziness and instead embrace hard work and dedication to our vocation.  May this be always on our lips each day; "The Name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are saved."  As we speak with others may we cease interruption and answering out of turn for this is both foolish and shameful.  May Your Spirit infuse our souls so that we will live a sustained life here on earth.  May we all continually seek and accumulate knowledge until the day of our death.  May we seek never to offend others and work even harder to win back those whom we might offend.  May we dedicate ourselves to production of goods and services for this brings about profit, benefit, and satisfaction for both others and ourselves.  May we seek and keep real friends and never be satisfied with mere contacts.
Forgive us, Lord, when we fall short of these things.

In the Name of Jesus we pray; AMEN

The Hallowed Name of God

God is not limited to just one name.  The OT lists at least 21 formal names for God.  We serve and pray to a God who is intrinsically and definitionaly Holy.  Anything else and / or anyone else is only declaratively holy.  God must declare it to make it so.  Holiness can never be self obtained.  In this lesson on prayer, we learn that the God to whom we pray is the only Father, the only Hallowed One, and has many powerful Names for His Infinite Holiness.

LISTEN! now on SOUNDCLOUD!

https://soundcloud.com/archdale-church-of-christ/sounds-from-sunday-evening

Believing Prayer

In the very biblical mode of prayer where we approach our Holy God, here is a prayer that emulates just how Christ taught us to pray.  It is thankful, hopeful, content, joyful, doctrinal and edifying to all!

http://believingprayer.com/you-are-god/

Prayer - Our Spiritual Reality Check

LISTEN! to this sermon on: SOUNDCLOUD!

https://soundcloud.com/archdale-church-of-christ/prayer-our-reality-check-acoc-am-031818-russell-h-mccullough-voice-180318

“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:  18 March 2018

Text: Matthew 6.5 – 13; II Thessalonians 3.1 - 5

Thesis: “As we approach God in prayer both God and we know precisely where we are in our Walk”

Introduction

Roger Scruton, an Englishman, once observed; “God is defined in the act of worship (and prayer) far more precisely than He is defined in any theology.” (1)

·         What I believe about God is immediately known to both God and me.

·         This should terrify us.

·         This should bring us to elation!

·         Emulating biblical prayers will soon erase our terror and bring us to elation.

·         Today, we will take a “reality check” regarding our beliefs, our priorities, and our doctrine as they are revealed in prayer.  We will then make application by considering and emulating Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians in the text just read in your hearing.

·         PLEASE STAND

Our Most Kind and Gracious Heavenly Father;

May our ears, our hearts, and our minds now come open to the implanted Word that can save our souls.

In the Name of Christ, we pray; AMEN

·         PLEASE BE SEATED

·         WE WILL NOW HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD!

I Our Prayers Reveal Our True Beliefs (2) About God and His Holiness

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!"

And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!"

a.   Reality Check One: “Just what do I think of God as I pray?”

1.   Am I fearful?

2.   Am I distracted?

3.   Am I bored?

4.   Is God Holy or is He not?

5.   OUR PRAYERS REVEAL OUR TRUE BELIEFS ABOUT GOD AND HIS HOLINESS

II Our Prayers Reveal Our True Priorities (3) for Both God and To Us

a.    Reality Check Two: “What are my priorities before God?”

1.   What do we pray for?

2.   Do we use formulaic words and phrases?

3.   Are we just trying to get through?

4.   Are our prayers intercessory or self-centered?

5.   Are we trying to convince God to do something our way?

6.   OUR PRAYERS REVEAL OUR TRUE PRIORITIES BEFORE GOD.

III Our Prayers Reveal Our Doctrine (4)

a.   Reality Check Three: “Do I truly seek to embrace the Apostles Doctrine in its entirety?”

1.   Who is God the Father?

2.   Who is God the Son?

3.   Who is God the Holy Spirit?

4.   Is the Word of God true and without error?

5.   Who is man?

6.   What is sin?

7.   Who will be saved?  Who will be lost?

8.   What must I do to be saved?

9.   The Power of the gospel

10.       The reality of death and judgement

11.       The hope of the resurrection!

12.       The POWER of prayer!

13.       “How shall I now live?”

14.       OUR PRAYERS REVEAL JUST WHAT OUR DOCTRINE TRULY IS AND ISN’T

IV Paul’s Beliefs, Priority’s, and Doctrine Are All Revealed to the Thessalonians in II Thessalonians 3.1 - 5

A.  Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

B.  Paul’s prayer is mutual

a.   He asks the church to first pray for him

b.   He then prays for the church

C.   Paul’s Prayer List:

a.   It’s profound to see just what is and is not on his list:

1.   He prays that the Word of God speeds ahead.

2.   He prays that the Word of God be honored

3.   He prays that they be delivered from evil and wicked men as not all have faith.

4.   He prays that they be established.

5.   He prays that they be guarded from the evil one.

6.   He prays that they be blessed with confidence

7.   He prays that they be directed to the Love of God and to the Steadfastness of Christ

8.   Paul’s prayer action words are: SPEED, HONOR, DELIVER, ESTABLISH, GUARD, CONFIDE, DIRECT.

-      7 Power words of prayer!

9.   Paul reveals his beliefs, his priorities, and his doctrine to God, to the church and to himself as do we as we pray.

V As We Have Learned from God’s Word Today, Let Us Pray:

        Our Most Kind and Gracious Heavenly Father;

       

We pray for all our brothers and sisters worldwide that labor in Your Vineyard that Your Word, O Lord, may speed ahead and be honored!  We pray that they may be delivered from evil and wicked men for not all have faith.

But we know that You are Faithful!  Lord, establish us and guard us against the evil one.  Bless us with confidence in You, O Lord, that we may do the things that You command.  Direct our hearts to Your love, O God.  Direct our hearts to the steadfastness of Christ in Whose Name we pray.

        Let All the Church Say; AMEN

CONCLUSION:  

The Meaning of the Text:

Our Bible’s teach us how to pray so that we will approach God with fear and reverence, so that we will give our own wills over to God, and so that we will know His Word more fully.

The Challenge of the Text: 

Is for us to prayerfully set aside our casual approach to our Holy God, to forge our wills into His, and to know His Word more fully. 

“Just how did your reality check come out as you prayed here today?”

“The Gospel Call”

Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

NOTES:

(1) As quoted by: Mohler, Jr., R. Albert (The Prayer that Turns the World Upside Down), Nashville, TN, Thomas Nelson, 2018, pg. 10.
(2) Point is from IBID, pg. 12 - 17 - Content is mine - RHM
(3) Point is from IBID, pg. 12 -17 - Content is mine - RHM
(4) Point is from IBID, pg. 12 - 17 - Content is mine - RHM

·         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.

Let's Learn to Pray Once More!

“Let’s Learn How to Pray Once More!”

“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:  4 March 2018

Text: Matthew 6.5 - 13

Thesis: Jesus can teach us to pray!

Introduction

Martin Luther’s barber, Peter Beskendorf, once asked him for advice on how to pray.  Luther wrote him out some instructions in a short work called; “A Simple Way to Pray, for Master Peter the Barber.”

So, as a diligent and good barber, you must keep your thoughts, senses, and eyes precisely on the hair and scissors or razor and not forget where your trimmed or shaved, for, if you want to talk a lot or become distracted thinking about something else, you might well cut someone’s nose or mouth or even his throat.

How much more does a prayer need to have the undivided attention to the whole heart alone, if it is to be a good prayer?(1)

I Biblical Prayers are Different than Contemporary Prayers:

A.  Biblical Prayers are Prayed by the Broken Hearted

B.  Biblical Prayers are Prayed in Desperate Times and Circumstances

C.   Biblical Payers are Similar Regardless if Prayed in Private or in Public

II Why Do We Pray Differently Today?

A.  We are Free

B.  We are not at war in our own space

C.   We are fed

D.  We are housed

E.   We are prosperous

F.   We are educated

G.  We are mobile

H.  We are healthy

I.   We are clothed

J.   We are conditioned

III Why Should We Pray Biblically Today?

A.  For the church of Christ Here – She’s Going Into Apostasy

B.  For the church of Christ Elsewhere – She’s Being Persecuted

C.   For the Unfaithful – They Are Headed for Hell

D.  For the Nation – She Is Turning to Immorality and a Culture of Death

E.   For Our Community – She Is Embracing and Teaching Immorality

IV How Can We Learn to Pray Biblically?

A.  Jesus will teach us!

CONCLUSION:  Prayer is to the Christian as nuclear weapons are to the military

The Meaning of the Text in It’s Theological, Historical & Cultural Context:  Biblical prayer is mandatory and not optional.

The Challenge of the Text for Christians Today – “Lord, teach us to pray!”

“The Gospel Call” – Acts 2.38

NOTES:

(1) As quoted in:  Mohler, R. Albert, (The Prayer that Turns the World Upside Down), Nashville, TN, Thomas Nelson, 2018, pg. 14 - 15

·         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.

Boldness, Access, and Confidence Through the Faith of Christ

Lord's Day morning worship service sermon OUTLINE - 11 February 2018, Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210.  Your speaker is Russ McCullough.  The ACOC is a congregation of the undenominational church of Christ found exclusively in the New Testament.  "We preach Christ and Him crucified."  You will find presented "100% Organic Christianity - Nothing added, nothing deleted, nothing artificial."  Worship services are held at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Lord's Day.  We also meet for Bible study at 9 a.m. on Lord's Day and at 7 p.m. Wednesday evenings.  YOU are always welcome!

LISTEN! to this entire sermon on: SOUNDCLOUD:

https://soundcloud.com/archdale-church-of-christ/sermon-am-021118-ephesians-312-boldness-access-and-confidence-acoc-russ-mccullough

“The Faith of Christ Gives Boldness, Access, and Confidence”

“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: 11 February 2018  

Text: Ephesians 3.7 - 12

Thesis: It’s not the power of our human faith but the Holy and Righteous faith of Christ in which we have DARING boldness, A DOOR of access, and DETERMINENT confidence!

Introduction – Today, many American theologians focus on the faith, or lack thereof, of individuals.  It is an ego centric rather than a God centric approach.  Man has the power if he just has enough faith to say the right words to God who then will be obligated to do the will of what man desires.  We call this the Word of Faith movement.  Kenneth and Gloria Copeland are two of the more prominent leaders of this movement.  Recently she said this regarding the flu:

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=gloria+copeland+video+of+the+flu&view=detail&mid=D7F03A161609C458FA24D7F03A161609C458FA24&FORM=VIRE

Quote from Gloria Copeland as reported by Anna Sheffer on February 6, 2018 @ 10:45 a.m. per her blog; “Hello Giggles”

Thankfully, none of us has to rely on our faith, our imagination, or our own “power of positive thinking” for salvation for no man could ever have such faith…but Jesus Christ DOES have a PERFECT faith! 

For He, as John Gill once said, is “both the author and object of our faith.”

The key verse in this passage is vs. 12: “in whom we are having the boldness and the access in confidence through the faith of Him.” – Literal Greek to English translation from the Textus Receptus

Today, let’s look at the 3 blessings we have which Paul describes as “through the faith of Him.”:

·       DARING or “boldness” of faith in Christ

·       DOOR or “access” to God Himself through Christ

·       DETERMINATION or “confidence” in the faith of Christ

I Our Faith in Christ is DARING

a.   Boldness is directly connected to Jesus – Acts 4.13

b.   Boldness is one thing for which we must pray – Acts 4.23 – 31

c.   Example of the Boldness of George Washington at Princeton on January 2 and 3, 1777.

d.   Video clip on Boldness from Mt. Vernon historian, Rick Atkinson:

https://vimeo.com/152296577

II Our Faith in Christ gives us ACCESS to God Himself through prayer

a.   By one Spirit unto the Father – Ephesians 2.18

b.   I John 1.9 – 10

c.   Psalms 80.3 – 7

1.   The Congregation stands:

III Our Faith in Christ gives us CONFIDENCE

a.   All confidence comes from God – Psalms 65.5

b.   Confidence is a “refuge, a secure place, a fortress”

c.   Proverbs 3.26

d.   Proverbs 14.26

CONCLUSION:  Through Christ we have faith to be BOLD, to have ACCESS and to be CONFIDENT.

The Meaning of the Text in It’s Theological, Historical & Cultural Context: 

The power of God’s Will is not in our power but in the power of Christ whose faith was perfect and blazed a trail for each of our weak souls.

The Challenge of the Text for Christians Today:  In our weakness we find the power of Christ and in His power, we find faith.  With God everything is possible but with man, nothing at all is ever possible.

“The Gospel Call” – “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” = Acts 2.38

·         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.