By the Waters of Babylon We Set Down and Wept!

High Drama in the Negeb - Pragmatism Fails Again

Sarai, Abram, Hagar and GOD.  High drama in the Negeb desert as pragmatism is once again shown to be utter foolishness as Sarai has a meltdown, Hagar flees, Abram acts like a poltroon and...God shows His Sovereignty to all!  (Video may be shortened due to a battery failure in the computer.)

Sunday night sermon at the Archdale church of Christ in Charlotte, NC - 21 August 2016.

Delivered, Sacrificed and Raised!

“Delivered, Sacrificed and Raised!”

“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:  21 August 2016

Text: Mark 9.30 – 32; Matthew 17.22 – 23; Luke 9.43 - 45

Thesis: Forgiveness, Remission and Redemption are made Unilaterally and Unconditional by God through Jesus Christ.

1           Introduction

A.   He and the disciples have left the region of Caesarea Philippi

1)     Golan Heights

2)    AKA as Caesarea Paneas per Josephus

3)   Center of worship of the Greek pagan god, Pan(eas), the god of “desolate places” (Hades)

4)   A great cave is there of which flowed much water then

That formed the headwaters of the Jordan

5)   The cave was known as “The Gates of Hades”

a.    This where Peter made his great confession

6)   Herod Agrippa had his palace here

B.   They now passed through Galilee

1)     Located in the region of the tribes of Naphtali and Dan

2)    West and SW of the Sea of Galilee

3)   Solomon rewarded his ally, the Phoenician king Hiram, with 20 cities here, hence the name; “Galilee of the Gentiles”

4)   Here was Jesus’ center of operation, Capernaum

2          Delivered to the Hands of Men

A.   John 3.14 – 17

B.   Isaiah 52.13 – 53.7

C.    When man is given total control – He plots to kill God

1.      The most prolific murderers of all time, Mao – Stalin – Hitler were all disciples of Charles Darwin

3          Murdered by the Hands of Men

A.   Isaiah 53.8 – 10a

B.   His life was not taken, it was given as “a ram in the bush”

1.      Genesis 22.9 – 14

C.    John 10.14 - 18

4         Raised for the Sins of Man

A. Isaiah 53.10b – 54.1

5          The Meaning of the Text

A.   God delivered Him

B.   We murdered Him

C.    He was raised for our

1.      Forgiveness

2.     Remission

3.    Redemption

6         The Challenge of the Text

A.   Repentance

B.   Forgiveness of others as Christ forgave us

C.    Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly before God

7          “The Gospel Call”

A.      How shall we neglect such a great salvation?

·         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.

Faith in Conflict

“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: 14 August 2016

Text: Mark 9.14 - 29

Thesis: Faith is in conflict until surrender to the One who has all power.

1           Introduction

A. Profound weakness illustrated after the profound power of the Transfiguration

B. Profound weakness illustrated after counting the cost of discipleship

C. Profound power in Christ is coming!

D. It is NOT within man to direct his own steps! – Jeremiah 19.23

             1. No such thing as self-determination

             2. No such thing as self-improvement

             3. No such thing as self-development

             4. Man is not evolving towards perfection, he is devolving

 into death and destruction.

2          The “Who’s Right” / “Who’s Wrong” Argument – 9.14 - 18

A. The scribes assert that the disciples are a fraud

B. The disciples assert that the scribes are a fraud

C. Christ asserts that we are all frauds without Him

3          The Conflict of Faith is Confessed – 9.19 - 24

A. Not great faith, not little faith but FAITHLESS is who we are at the core.

B. Jesus inquires before Jesus takes action.  It’s not about “who’s right” but WHAT’S right.

C. “IF” not a faithless word but a faithful word

D. ALL things are possible for one who believes!

             1. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”

 Philippians 4.13

4         Profound Weakness is Victorious in Christ – 9.25 - 29

A. “Immediately”

B. He didn’t simply ask, he CRIED out, he shouted with passion

C. A private expression of faith becomes a public blessing

D. Despite all this, doubt and disbelief remains

E. Despite all this, the disciples still wanted to know; “What’s wrong with us?”

F. It’s not “us,” it’s “ME”

5          The Meaning of the Text

A. Arguing about “who’s right” is pointless and futile

B. Any “faith” preceded with the word “self” is less than worthless

C. All power to do anything is in Christ Jesus alone!

6         The Challenge of the Text

A. We must admit that, at best, our faith is in conflict

B. We must admit that “self” has absolutely no power whatsoever at all

C. We must admit that all power, all authority and all results lie in Christ and in Him alone

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 19, 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.

  NOTE: I bungled a statement regarding Ephesians 2.  In truth, we are saved "by grace and not works lest any man boast."  We work, not to get saved but because we are saved.  Though we are not saved by works of man, we ARE saved by the work of God, a work applied to us in baptism per Colossians 2.11 - 12.

Micaiah - Israel's Don Quixote, Between Fear and Faith

“Micaiah – Israel’s Don Quixote”

“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: 07.31.16

Text: I Kings 22.13 - 28

Thesis: Between fear and faith is the Truth!

1           Introduction

A. Ahab and Ben-Hadad were adversaries in the 9^th century B.C.

B. Ahab – “father’s brother”

C. Ben-hadad – “son of Hadad”  A title of all Syrian kings

D. Ben-hadad made two demands of Ahab

             1. He agreed to give his wives, children and gold

          2. Refused to let him into his palace and take whatever he

               wanted.

E. God gave victory to Ahab “and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

F. Ben-hadad and 32 kings were drunk and defeated

G. The next spring Ben-hadad came back because they surmised that God was only God of the Mountains and not of the plains.

H. God told Ahab that “you shall know that I am the Lord, the God of both hills and valleys.”

I. Ahab captured Ben-hadad alive and did not kill him but rather made a treaty with him and sent him home.

J. Since Ahab refused to “devote to destruction” Ben-hadad and his host, God promised that he would require of Ahab both his life and lives of his people.

K. 20.43 – “And the kind of Israel went to his house vexed and sullen and came to Samaria.”

L. Chpt. 21 – Naboth

          1. Elijah prophesies the doom of Ahab and Jezebel

M. Chpt. 22 – Ahab makes an alliance with Jehoshaphat of Judah and plots war again with the Syrians to retake Ramoth-gilead which Ben-hadad’s father had taken from Ahab’s father, Omri

2          Two kings wrestle with a decision

A. Ahab – let’s get up and go

B. Jehoshaphat – let’s inquire of the Lord first

C. 400 say “yes,” yet Jehoshaphat wants another opinion

D. Ahab – I hate Micaiah

E. Jehoshaphat – Don’t say that

F. Ultimately, both are swayed by the vast majority – 400 – 1

G. BETWEEN FAITH AND FEAR IS THE TRUTH

3          The heroism of Micaiah

A. Was told by the king’s messenger to “let your word be as their words.”

B. Told the messenger; “what the Lord tells me that I will speak.”

C. Sarcastically agrees in 20.15

D. Ahab demands the truth and Micaiah gives it to him

E. Tells Jehoshaphat – “Didn’t I tell you so?”

F. Micaiah relays a vision of the heavenly realm – 19 – 23

H. Micaiah is struck by Zedekiah as he demands how Micaiah could prophesy such things.

I. Micaiah gives him a sign of the future

J. Micaiah is seized and thrown into prison on bread and water until peace comes.

K. “IF” peace comes Micaiah says

             1. The fate of Micaiah is unknown to history

M. “Hear all you peoples!”

N. BETWEEN FAITH AND FEAR IS THE TRUTH

4         Defeat and Death

A. Ahab disguises himself

B. Jehoshaphat battles as a king

C. Ahab is killed by a stray arrow and dies

1. His chariot is washed of blood in Samaria where the dogs lick up his blood.

D. Jehoshaphat escapes to continuing leading Judah

E. BETWEENFEAR AND FAITH IS THE TRUTH

5          The Meaning of the Text

A. No matter what, HEAR the Word of the Lord

B. Never submit to the demands of the majority

C. Never be swayed by the sheer number of the camp of the wicked

D. Never be swayed by the insistence of one’s superiors to do evil.

E. Never add to nor take away from God’s Word

F. There is a greater reward that life, safety and freedom

G. Fear surrenders, faith fights on driven by the TRUTH

H. BETWEEN FEAR AND FAITH IS THE TRUTH

6         The Challenge of the Text

A. Hear the Word of God

B. Believe the Word of God

C. Obey the Word of God

D. BETWEEN FEAR AND FATIH IS THE TRUTH

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.

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.

The Peaks and Valleys of Abram's Faith Journey