A Nation Built on Forgiveness? YES! It's OUR'S!

Words mean things. New Testament words have original, permanent and unchanging meanings.  Despite this fact, many forget the true meaning of words and embrace later false and allegorically "assigned" meanings.  One such a word is "liberty."  Today, www.Merriam-Webster.com defines "liberty," among other ways, as "...the power to do as one pleases, the power of choice, an action going beyond normal limits..."  In short today's post-modern existentialist man or woman, when hearing "liberty" really hears "license."  In today's fallen culture, "liberty" is license to do as one pleases despite consequences or impact upon others.  That was NOT the case in 1776!

The New Testament use of the word "liberty" is found it two primary passages, one spoken by Christ and the other spoken about Christ under apostolic authority.  Quoting Isaiah 61, Christ says the following: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." - Luke 4.18 - 19 (ESV)

Paul also conveys the same thought: "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace..." - Ephesians 1.7 (ESV)

The words "liberty" in the Lucan passage and "forgiveness" the Ephesian passage are BOTH translations from the same Greek word, aphesis.  "Aphesis" means literally; "from letting" or "sent forth."  "Aphesis" means, according to Thayer, "...release from bondage or imprisonment, pardon of sins, letting them (sins) go as if they never were committed, remission of the penalty."  "Aphesis / aphesin is found 15 times in the New Testament.  It is translated either "liberty," "forgiveness" or "remission" in all 15 cases. 

Liberty is Forgiveness and Forgiveness is Liberty!

Though WE may have forgotten what "liberty" means, the Founders did not!  One such Founder was the governor of Connecticut during the War for Independence.  He made several proclamations to his state, to General Washington and to the entire nation.  He had a larger than would be thought likely platform for he was one of but a few colonial governors that did not support the tyranny of the crown.  Most colonial governors in 1775 were Tories and were opposed to independence.

 

In February of 1775, Gov. Trumbull issued the "For a Day of Fasting and Prayer" proclamation:

By the Honorable Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire, Governor of the English Colony of Connecticut, in New England in America; To offer up fervent Supplication to GOD, for His gracious Presence with us--to give us true Repentance and Reformation and to make us fully sensible that our Dependence must be on His Power and Grace alone, to deliver us from all the Evil that we feel or fear;---that He would not leave us to trust in an Arm of Flesh;--(1)

 

That summer the United States Congress (Yes, CONGRESS!!) proclaimed that July 20, 1775 was to be a National Day of Prayer and Fasting.  In response, Gov. Trumbull issued a proclamation to General George Washington upon his assumption of command of the Continental Army at Boston, MA.  He urged the commander that:

 

...the English Colonies on this continent to stand before the Lord in one day, with public humiliation, fasting and prayer, to deplore our many sins, to offer up our joint supplications to God, for forgiveness and for his merciful interposition for us in this day of unnatural darkness and distress(2).

This proclamation was not just a proclamation to the general personally, it was "carbon copied" to the entire nation!  The American nation and her leadership clearly understood the meaning of "liberty" and used it prominently in the Declaration of Independence the very next summer on July 4, 1776.  Many revisionists have said that the Founders were just "channeling" John Locke and Edmund Burke.  That assertion could not be further from the truth!  The Founders were avid Bible readers and knew the Book far better than many today would dare to suppose.  The principles found in both the Declaration (a biblical case for separation from the crown) and the Constitution (implementation of a biblical government) are replete with allusions to Scripture.  In reality, our Founding documents are some of the finest examples in human history of biblical exegesis!  This is why the profoundly biblical word LIBERTY is so prominent!

Liberty is Forgiveness - Forgiveness is Liberty!

The Founders believed in something they called "Natural Law."  Natural laws were laws that descended from Heaven itself and could not be changed by the whims of mortal men.  Our Lord brings Natural Law to bear on Pilate in His own trial; "So Pilate said to him, "You will not speak to me?  Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?"  Jesus answered him, "You have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above..." - John 19.10 - 11c (ESV)  The Apostles understood that Natural Law could be usurped by men and therefore had to be opposed.  In Peter and Johns trial before the Sanhedrin, they said this when they were "ordered" to cease speaking in the Name of Christ; "So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.  But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." - Acts 4.18 - 20 (ESV) 

 

The Founders applied Natural Law to the Declaration for they would rather have had forgiveness from God (LIBERTY) than the favor of a usurper and his parliament! 

Yes, there was a revolt in 1776, there was revolution against Natural Law, there was a munity against the English Constitution.  The revolutionaries and mutineers were King George III, his Parliament and his minions led by Lord North and others of his ilk.  Some 27 +/- of thier crimes against Natural Law are presented in the Declaration.  Here again the words of our Founders who sought forgiveness from God;

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation...

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.  That to secure these rights Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government...

...it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such a government, and to provide new Guards for their future security...

A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, us unfit to be the ruler of a free people...

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown...  

And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

This is why Founder John Adams said regarding our Republic, "Our form of government is suitable for a moral and religious people and none other."  Our Republic was founded upon the eternal principle of LIBERTY!  The opposite is very true as well...when our people become immoral and irreligious we will lose our liberty, our forgiveness!

Liberty is Forgiveness - Forgiveness is Liberty!

Postscript: Ironically and sadly, history has come full circle.  The Connecticut statehouse that under Gov. Trumbull led the Nation in Repentance, Confession of Sins and Humiliation before God in 1775 is now attempting to lead our Nation in the opposite direction - libertinism.  Just last week on June 25, the sitting governor of the state of Connecticut ordered the so-called "rainbow flag" flown over the state house upon the usurping by the Supreme Court of God's Natural Law concerning marriage as being only between one man and one woman.  Were that the sitting governor could spend just five minutes with Gov. Trumbull and learn about Natural Law!  Roe vs. Wade usurped God's Natural Law over Life and now the overthrow of a Constitutional Vote in California disavowing homosexual marriage will together destroy America's opportunity to "pursue happiness." 

 

The SCOTUS is now standing with Pilate, the Sanhedrin, King George III, Lord North and his Parliament.  Where do YOU stand?  Once again, it is time to "Rise Up O Men of God!"

Do you want forgiveness and liberty?  There is only one way to receive it!  When convicted in their hearts regarding the murder of the very Son of God, the Jews called upon the Name of the Lord for salvation asking "What must we do?!"  Here's what Peter told them; "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness (remission) [aphesis] (Liberty!) of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." - Acts 2.38 (ESV)

Christians are 100% liberated people regardless as to what kind of government they live under.  Won't you be liberated today?

 

Happy Independence Day - 2013!                      - Russ McCullough



NOTE: Flag image courtesy of www.bing.com/images

(1) As quoted in www.americanchistianhistory.com

(2) Ibid.

NOTE: Trumbull portrait courtesy Wikipedia.com

 

 

 

 

Just What Is Biblical Preaching?

A  Bible question deserves a Bible answer!  Paul clearly and emphatically states:

 

“For if I preach the gospel, there is nothing for me to boast about, for necessity is pressed upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” – I Corinthians 9.16 (EMTV)

 

It is very and abundantly clear that Paul was under a tremendous focus to preach the gospel, the proclamation of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It is preached for the express purpose of saving those “who call upon the Name of the Lord for salvation” by repentance and baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.  (Acts 2, Acts 9, Acts 22 et. al.)

 

Today marks what would have been the 117^th birthday of my grandfather, Clyde Larimore Taylor.  He was born on June 6, 1896 in Beech Grove, KY.  Brother Taylor was a Christian, a missionary and a gospel preacher.  He was and IS my mentor.  Being able to see him again in Heaven continually motivates me to always “preach the gospel both in and out of season.” He once said to me; “Russell, if I can take my lesson down the street to the denominational church and get “amen’s,” its NOT gospel!”  It is fitting, therefore, to explore the question; “Just what is biblical preaching?” on this,  his 117^th birthday.

 

ANY sermon that proclaims this gospel is by default…biblical!  Sadly, ALL denominational preaching is non-biblical for it is accursed as Paul asserts in Galatians 1.6 – 9.  Preaching within the Fellowship of the Saints, as well, often falls short of the high standard of biblical preaching.  Let’s examine some examples of this kind of preaching:

 

Biblical preaching is not a topic in search of a text.  Biblical preaching is not shallow.  Biblical preaching is not “story telling.”  Biblical preaching is not a text in search of a meaning.  Biblical preaching is not just social commentary.  Biblical preaching is not just a review of current events.  Biblical preaching is not pop psychology.  Biblical preaching is not selective.  Biblical preaching is not random.  Biblical preaching is not just reflective.  Biblical preaching is not simply engaging.  Biblical preaching is not entertaining.  Biblical preaching is not relevant for relevance’s sake.  Biblical preaching is never pragmatic.  Biblical preaching is not a mantra or a narrative.  Biblical preaching is not without an application.  Biblical preaching is not without a call to action.  Biblical preaching does not play on one’s emotions for emotions sake.  Biblical preaching is not man generated or man focused.  Biblical preaching is not allegorical.  Biblical preaching is not without a clear text within context.  Biblical preaching is not without a contextual theme.  Biblical preaching is not without a contextual thesis.  Biblical preaching is not without a conclusion.

 

Even among the most faithful of congregations in the Lord’s church, one often finds sermons that are random, shallow, without theme, without thesis, lacking direction, void of purpose, out of context.  Essentially lukewarm spiritual rice water is often fed to the flock while steaming hot “meat and potatoes” remain left behind in the kitchen.

 

What characteristics, then, would we ascribe to biblical preaching?

 

·       (Biblical preaching) express(es) exactly the will of the glorious Sovereign – allow(ing) God to speak, not man.

·       (Biblical preaching) brings the preacher into direct and continual contact with the mind of the Holy Spirit who authored Scripture (through the Scripture.)

·       (Biblical preaching) frees the preacher to proclaim all the revelation of God, producing a ministry of wholeness and integrity.

·       (Biblical preaching) promotes biblical literacy, yielding rich knowledge of redemptive truth.

·       (Biblical preaching) carries ultimate divine (and apostolic) authority…

·       (Biblical preaching) transforms the preacher, leading to transformed congregations.[1]

 

When the gospel is proclaimed BIBLICALLY, individuals are saved, families are reunited, congregations are revived, communities are transformed and nations are restored!

 

-        Russ McCullough – 6 June 2013

Happy Birthday bro. Clyde Taylor!

---

[1] John MacArthur (Rediscovering Expository Preaching, W Publishing Group, a Division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN), Introduction, pg. XV

Worship the King in Public Prayer

We are studying through what the New Testament teaches regarding the congregant worship of the Lord’s church assembled each Lord’s Day.  We have established the fact that no one will engage in any activity this side of eternity more urgently important than worship to God Almighty.  We begin with prayer.  Congregant prayer is at the very core of worship, in fact every aspect of public worship involves prayer in some way or another.  We all pray – or should pray – during the Lord’s Supper, during the singing of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, during the giving of our means, during the reading of the Word and during the proclamation of that Word.

Daniel’s prayer in 2.19 – 23 is both inspirational and instructive.  Daniel’s faith is unwavering in this context of what “appears” to be a life ending crisis for both him and his companions.  Daniels faith expects an answer from the Lord and he receives it during the night in a vision.  God reveals to Daniel both the dream itself and it’s interpretation – just as the king demanded.  His prayer is iconic and powerful –

Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might.  He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.  To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king's matter.

This prayer has nine major components:

1.     Vs. 20 – Daniel ACKNOWLEDGES God for who He is -    14 times the Name of God is named either directly or indirectly in this very short yet very spiritual prayer.

2.     Vs. 20 – Daniel PRAISES God for His eternal existence.

3.     Vs. 20 – Daniel acknowledges God for His SUSTAINENCE.

4.     Vs. 21 – Daniel acknowledges God’s SOVERIENTY.

5.     Vs. 21 – Daniel acknowledges God’s POWER.

6.     Vs. 22 – Daniel praises God for His REVELATION.

7.     Vs. 22 – Daniel praises God for giving him KNOWLEDGE.

8.     Vs. 23 – Daniel gives THANKSGIVING to God.

9.     Vs. 23 – Daniel praises God for his BLESSING of being heard.

As we consider these components, we observe that congregant prayer in worship has seven focuses.  Prayer in worship is: Public, Private, Purposeful, Planned, Praiseworthy, Powerful and Pure.  Let’s observe these focuses.

THE CONGREGANT PRAYER IS PUBLIC:  Since public worship is, after all, public – the publically led prayer is very much a proclamation.  The publically led prayer proclaims that there is but one God – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  It proclaims, not only who God is, but who we are - sinners worthy only of death and damnation.  It also proclaims the Love the Mercy, the Grace AND the Judgment of God to surely come.

THE CONGREGANT PRAYER IS PRIVATE:  Ironically, public prayer is also intensely private as well.  When a man prays publically he reveals his private meditations, not only to God, but to all those assembled.  This is necessary for in order for the individual worshipper to pray in public worship, one must be led.  A public prayer is one man’s surrendering his private worship to God in a public forum, inviting all hearers to follow his lead.

THE CONGREGANT PRAYER IS PURPOSEFUL:  The public prayer is, more than most anything, an address to the King of the Universe.  The leader must be constantly aware that our public prayers must glorify God, His Majesty, His Awesomeness and His Perfection.  Secondary purposes should also be met as well.  The saint should be comforted and the sinner should be disturbed.  Finally, the public prayer is the purposeful place and time to petition the favor of Heaven for those known and loved by the congregation as well as to ask for blessings on the leaders of the land.

THE CONGREGANT PRAYER IS A PLANED PRAYER:  As one anticipates leading in public prayer it is a more than appropriate to plan what is to be said.  Planning for prayer begins with meditation upon what is needed to be said and how best to say it.  It therefore goes without saying that one should pray about his upcoming opportunity for spiritual leadership in prayer.  It is always appropriate to “pray the Scriptures” as well as much of the Word is either in prayer form already or suitable for prayer use.  As thoughts gather, taking notes about what one ones to say is very useful so that memory will not fail.  As  things come together, a written outline or even a complete text will fine tune what is needed for the real event.  It goes without saying that rehearsal is a good final touch in preparation.

THE CONGREGANT PRAYER IS FULL OF PRAISE:  As Daniel praised God, so should we.  The public prayer acknowledges Gods sovereignty, sustenance and total provision is all things.  Our public prayers, as did Daniel’s, should be in a mindset of total humiliation before God.

THE CONGREGANT PRAYER IS A POWERFUL PRAYER:  It is universally acknowledged that “prayer changes things.”  Why?  It is the simple fact that prayer is powerful.  The powerful prayer must come from a righteous man (James 5.16) or it will avail little or nothing.  Not only that, the man who leads the public prayer in worship must have a broken and contrite heart before God regarding both his own sins and the sins of the greater society as well.

THE CONGREGANT PRAYER IS A PURE PRAYER:  All the above is a mockery if the man leading in the public prayer does not have a pure motive.  The public prayer that leads the congregation in pure worship is one that prays from pure motive.  That pure motive?  The “mind of Christ” that says “not my will but thine be done.”

Our Most Kind and Loving Father in Heaven;

Blessed be your Name forever and ever.  You possess all wisdom and all might.  You change times and seasons throughout history.  You remove rulers and establish rulers.  You give wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.  You reveal deep and hidden things to Your children.  You know what is in the darkness.  All light dwells within You.  To You, Oh God of our fathers, we give thanks and praise, for You have given us wisdom and might.  You have made known to us the plan and pathway to eternal life through Your Sacred Word.  Bless us all in You will, forgive us of our many and grievous sins.

In the Name of Jesus Christ we pray - AMEN

A Moment of Silence?!?!?

Wednesday night marked the first time since the Newtown tragedy for a school sporting event.  The Newtown High School girl’s basketball team hosted a neighboring school district at home.  Before the game it was announced that in “honor of the victims” that there would be a “moment of silence” before the game began.  How sad!  How tragic!  If the slaughter of 20 innocent children and 6 brave adults is not enough to turn us to prayer to God Almighty, what is?!

The public, the media and the “experts” are all wringing their hands asking; “Why?”  Sadly, these discussions are just so much “rearranging the chairs on the deck of the Titanic.”  People are driven to just “fix” the problem, not solve the problem!  We don’t have a gun problem, a mental illness problem, a divorce problem, a video game problem, a school security problem…even a “moral problem.”  These are all unfortunate and tragic symptoms of THE REAL PROBLEM.  WHAT IS IT?  WE HAVE A SIN PROBLEM!  The sin dross of one young man’s heart murdered the innocents and the adults at Newtown’s Sandy Hook Elementary School.  The same sin dross has fueled every mass murder in American history since 1622 when 347 men, women and children were massacred at Jamestown, Virginia.  That same sin dross will fuel every future murder, mass and otherwise, until the end of time.

In the long ago, the God of Heaven answered the question “Why?”  “…your iniquities have made a separation between you and God, and your sins have hidden his face from you…” – Isaiah 59.2 (ESV).   As our Lord has often told us…unless we repent we will perish.  America, and all of mankind, is lost without hope in its separated state.  We must all “repent and be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” in order for true progressivity to take place in society.  “It is not within man to direct his own steps” as Jeremiah put it.

The entire nation should pray as Daniel did in the long ago; “…we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules.  We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.”

A “moment of silence” makes a mockery of the truth and to the memory of the innocents.  God must once again be held in the same high esteem as He once was for our nation to survive.  Adams put it best; “Our form of government is suited for a religious and moral people and none other.”  It is sheer folly to ask God to protect our schools when He is barred at the front door.

There is, however, GOOD NEWS!  God has solved our sin problem through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Sin and dross can be defeated through Him!  That message is entrusted to you and me, the church of Christ.  Truly, “Jesus IS the Answer!”  Let’s get busy in dispensing the salt and light of the gospel to a dark and deteriorating world.

BAAL - Found Alive and Well in America!

Many might say that the ancient Canaanite god known as “Baal” is long dead.  He is so dead that he is totally forgotten to the point that most people in America have no idea of who he was / is.  Having said that, Baal is very much alive and well in 2012 from every little crossroads to the biggest cities in America!  Here’s proof:

·   As a god, Baal was both a single god and multiple gods, ones choice.  In America we are extolled to “attend the church or synagogue of your choice this weekend.”
·     Every locality that wanted could have their “brand” of Baal.  One town’s Baal was different from every other towns “Baal.”  They had “unity in diversity.”  So does America, or so she thinks.
·    The theology of Baalism was interpreted individually by each adherents own experiences and “stories.”  He was not interpreted lineally but allegorically.
·        Baal worship was thought to “manipulate” the god into doing what the people wanted.  Today the so-called Word of Faith movement claims that we can “force” God into doing what we want as long as we say the
“right words” and the so-called “sinners prayer” commands Christ to “come into my heart and save me.”

·  Baal worship was extremely entertaining and very popular.  Narcissistic motivations are used almost exclusively among denominations and TOTALLY by the so-called “Emergent Church.”
·   Baal worship allowed and even encouraged sexual sin outside the marriage covenant in ways that we cannot even speak of.  Today it is increasingly common in denominational “churches” to accept and encourage fornication, adultery and even homosexuality.
·         Ultimately, Baal required the human sacrifice of innocent children in order that the worshippers might get what they wanted…prosperity.  A good crop was far more to be desired than the life of a child.  Not much has changed in America today, just ask people who “choose” death over life at the local abortion mill.

Is Baal alive and well in America?  Absolutely!  In EVERY way he is every as much alive as he ever was EXCEPT in name only.  Beelzebub lies about who he REALLY is.  Let’s reject Baalism and worship the One True God in Spirit and in Truth! 

Picture courtesy of: en.wikipedia.org

When and Where Was Saul Saved? - Acts 9 and 22

Yes, the question is; "Where and when was Saul saved?"  (In our next post we will examine the question; "How was Saul saved?")

Nearly  all people say Saul was saved on the road to Damascus.  But...was he?  Was Saul told to "pray through" or say the "sinners prayer?"  If so, whose version of that prayer was he to pray?  Did Christ or Ananias tell Saul to "say a prayer "something like this?"

Another presumed "truth" from Acts 9 is that "Saul was knocked off  his beast of burden."  But...was he?  The picture to your left illustrates it so but is it history or speculation?  We will not answer these questions by reason, logic, emotion, conviction or opinion.  Let's, rather, look at what the Scriptures say!
  

That's what the Bereans did in Acts 17.11, why not us?  First of all Acts 9 tells us that Saul simply "fell tot he ground."  It never says whether he was riding an animal or walking.  We simply don't know, the Scripture is silent on that account.  This account of Saul's trip to Damascus is one of the most misunderstood and, therefore, one of the most abused passages in all the New Testament.  Out of such misunderstandings come the nightmares of allegory, presumption and error.  

We will approach out subject like an interview.  Questions are asked of the Scripture and the Scripture answers.  We will not speculate, presume or spiritualize the answers...the answers will neither add to nor take anything away from the Word of God.  Here goes!

1. Was Saul saved when he was still in Jerusalem?  Were his sins at this point washed away?  Did he "call upon the Name of the Lord" at this point?  No.  Acts 9.1a - "But Saul still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord..."  Acts 22.4 - "I persecuted this Way to the death..."

2. Was Saul saved when he went to the High Priest for letters of extradition?  Were his sins at this point washed away?  Did he "call upon the Name of the Lord" at this point?  No.  Acts 9.1b fl. - "...(Saul) went to the High Priest and asked for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem."  Acts 22.4 - 5 - "...binding and delivering to prison both men and women as the high priest and the whole counsel of elders can bear me witness."

3. Was Saul saved when he saw the light and fell to the ground?  Were his sins at this point washed away?    Did he "call upon the Name of the Lord" at this point?  No.  Acts 9.4 - "...he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting [present tense - RM] me?"  Acts 22.Acts 22.6fl - "As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me....And I fell to the ground."

4. Did Saul "know the Lord" on the road?  Were his sins at this point washed away?  Did he "call upon the Name of the Lord" at this point?  No.  Acts 9.4 - "Who are you, Lord?"  Acts 22.8 - "And I answered, "Who are you, Lord?"

5. Did Jesus tell Saul what he needed to do for salvation on the road?  Were his sins at this point washed away?  Did he "call upon the Name of the Lord" at this time?  No.  Acts 9.6 - "But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do."  Acts 22.10 - "And I said, "What shall I do, Lord?"  And the Lord said to me, "Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do."

6. Did Saul find salvation during the 3 days in Damascus?  Were his sins at this point washed away?  Did he "call upon the Name of the Lord" at this point?  No.  Acts 9.9 - "And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank."  Acts 22.11 - "...I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus."

7. Did God send a preacher to Saul?  Yes.  Acts 9.11 - "Rise and go to the street called Straight...for behold he is praying."

8. Was Saul saved when he was praying?  Were his sins at this point washed away?  Did he "call upon the Name of the Lord" at this point?  No.  Acts 9.12 - Jesus told Ananias that "...he (Saul) has seen in a vision a man named Ananias..."

9. Did Saul's vision of Ananias contain instructions for his salvation?  Were his sins at this point washed away?  Did he "call upon the Name of the Lord" at this point?  No. Acts 9.12 - "...and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay hands on him so that he might regain his sight."  (Note that the word "might" is conditional.)

10. Was Ananias' gospel message to Saul conditional?  Yes.  Acts 9.17 - "...(Jesus) has sent me so that you may (conditional - RM) regain your sight AND be filled with the Holy Spirit."

11. Was Saul saved when he received back his sight?  Were his sins at this point washed away?  Did he "call upon the Name of the Lord" at this point?  No.  Acts 9.18 - "And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight."  Acts 22.13fl - "....(Ananias) came to me, and standing by me, said to me, brother Saul receive your sight"  And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him."

12. Was Saul saved when he was baptized?  Were his sins at this point washed away?  Did he "call upon the Name of the Lord" at this point?  Yes.  Acts 9.18c - "...Then he rose and was baptized..."  Acts 22.16 - "And now why do you wait?  Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His Name."

There we have it!  Saul was saved in Damascus.  His salvation took place AFTER the light, AFTER the voice of Christ, AFTER three days of prayer and fasting, AFTER he received back his sight and AFTER he heard the Word of God preached to him by the preacher Ananias.  Saul was saved when he was BAPTIZED when his sins were WASHED AWAY which, together, constitutes CALLING UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD!  Though nearly everyone denies the reality of where and when Saul was saved, the Word of God makes it plain...one "calls upon the Name of the Lord" in baptism which "washes away sins!"  Where was Saul saved?  In Damascus.  When was Saul saved?  When he was baptized, washing away his sins and "calling on the Name of the Lord."

The POWER To Arise!

Image Courtesy wikipedia.com

It was 46  years ago.  I should not still be so affected by an event nearly 5 decades in the past.  But...it's Father's Day again and I remember that morning, January 10, 1966.  It was a morning like any other for a 14 year boy in junior high school.  I was still half asleep while my Dad was finishing his breakfast and preparing to head off to work.  He and I had a "conversation" but I don't remember the specifics.  We both fully expected to see each other again that evening.  It was not to be.  In a moment, in the "twinkling of an eye," he was gone.  The "why" questions still cascade from my mind.  "What if...?"

For years to come I have a recurring dream.  It is winter, cold and dark.  There is a terrible snow storm and my Dad is delayed in coming home.  Just before despair sets in, I look out the window and see his car swing into the driveway as always.  I am elated in my dream, Dad is coming home after all!  Then I wake up and the reality of his passing presses down once again on my soul.  My mooring is gone and I am adrift on my own.  God began that day in 1966 to call me to become the mooring in his place.  Over the years He has, and continues to give me the power to be a mooring to others.  That power He gives, not only to me but to all of us who call Him Father.  He gives us all the power to arise.

I grew up in Hampton, VA, just 8 miles from the Chesapeake Bay.  Hampton is located on a peninsula with water on 3 sides making it possible to hear the fog horns nearly every night.  Moorings for all kinds of boats, ships and barges are everywhere up and down the shoreline.  Moorings are the connection to safety for any water craft.  They are rock solid, unmoving and nearly indestructible.  From the smallest of row boats to the mighty carriers of the Atlantic Fleet...all vessels rely on a strong mooring.  However, time and weather deteriorate even the most solid of moorings.  Alongside the newer moorings made of steel and concrete are the remains of earlier, now abandoned, moorings of yesteryear.  One is reminded that a mooring is reliable for just a span of time and eventually must be replaced.  Around Hampton one can see several generations of moorings now little more than shadows of their former strength.  Since the early 17th century the moorings of Hampton have seen ships go from wood to steel, from sail to nuclear and from the 120 ton Susan Constant  of 1607 to the 106,000 ton modern day U.S.S. Harry Truman super carrier.

A mooring must be stronger than that what ties to it, always available and reliable at all times.  It is no less true for our "spiritual moorings."  Just as off Hampton, as we grow, older moorings are replaced by newer and stronger ones.  Finally the time comes when we no longer are called to be tied to a mooring, we become a mooring for others who would "drift out to sea" otherwise.  Such was the case with Joshua when Moses, the great mooring of the Exodus, died.

For the first time in his life, Joshua was alone.  For 40 years he was the faithful servant of Moses.  He was defined, not by leadership, but by servitude.  Now it was all different.  HE was now, not the servant, but the leader.  He was no longer tied to a  mooring, he WAS the mooring!  Moorings do not come on line by themselves, there is a process of preparation.

God prepared Joshua to become a mooring for all Israel in Joshua 1.  Those "mooring preps" are still valid today as God prepares each of us to moor others so that they can more still others in the future.  Here they are:

1. 

TO BE CONTINUED