Tag: Stephen Kuntzman

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Bible Preaching

True Cross

Stephen Kuntzman | 12/12/2022 | 6:30 PM

Luke 9:23-24

(23)  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

(24)  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Hebrews 12:1-2

(1)  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

(2)  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

In Luke 15 we have the account of three men – a father and two brothers.

Prodigal son was met by his father, and the older son was met by his father.

The father met both because he loved them both equally.

However, the prodigal son had a son mentality, but was willing to be a servant – Luke 15:17-20, “(17) And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!  (18)  I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,  (19)  And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.  (20)  And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (KJV).

The elder brother had a slave mentality longing to be a son – “All these years I’ve worked like a slave for you” (ISV).

We need a revelation of the Father’s love.

“Jesus, give me a revelation of Your love for me.”

Without a revelation of the Father’s love we will try to somehow earn our place in His family,

Children don’t earn a place in the family –  they are born into the family, and we are born into the family of God.

The new birth puts you in the family of God.

What does it mean to be a bastard and not a son?

What does it mean to be illegitimate in the eyes of God?

The church is a family.

When Jesus says I go to prepare a place for you, He is preparing a place for His Bride, His Church, His family.

Why?

So that where He is there we will be also.

Relationship

Relationship demands proximity, it demands closeness.

It’s that “where I am there you may be also” intimacy found in healthy relationships.

The devil’s tool for destruction is isolation.

To put a gap between you and God.

Sin will surely do that, but so will your inability to see yourself as a son.

You need to be confident in your identity = I AM A CHILD OF GOD.

To be unaware of your true identity and all that comes with it — the benefits of sonship is – detrimental to you.

Know the benefits of carrying His name

Ephesians 3:14-21

(14)  For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

(15)  Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

(16)  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

(17)  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

(18)  May be able to comprehend [to understand] with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

(19)  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

(20)  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

(21)  Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Verse 18-19

  • You are the temple of the Holy Ghost
  • The Church of God is a building: a heavenly house, a habitation for God to dwell in through the Holy Spirit
  • The Love of God for His Church is wide and long and deep and tall.
    • Length = Love is eternal.
    • Breadth = All people have access to His Love in every place, age or nation.
    • Depth = His love will find people at their lowest point.
    • Height = His love will take people to the highest state of glory in Christ.

I remember laying in the top bunk at the age of 11 or 12 with my Walkman cassette player on listening to the Imperials and crying as I told God

I’d do whatever He wanted me to do,

go wherever He wanted me to go,

and be whomever He called me to be.

I can still feel the wetness of the tears as they pooled in my ears.

I don’t remember the exact song, but I remember the moment of calling, response, and commitment I made on that top bunk with my pillow wet with salty tears.

It was there I took up my cross to follow Jesus.

After that night, the devil worked to destroy my young heart, innocence and pure desire.

You may think that devil ain’t worried about a child’s commitment, future, destiny, or ordination. 

You would be wrong

The Antichrist Spirit in Herod tried to kill the Christ, and did indeed kill many children in the process.

Abortion is a satanic tool to destroy the hope and future of our next generation.

All the OT youth: David (lion, bear, giant), young Joseph betrayed, Josiah barely escaping Athaliah’s treachery.

Moses in the bulrush escaping death.

New Converts – young babes in Christ – fighting for their spiritual lives against an enemy who seeks to kill, steal and destroy.

The devil will sift because he wants to destroy, but what he sees as victory is actually God blowing away the chaff that hinders you from fulfilling your purpose.

“The 3D Strategy of Satan: Detour, Distract, Delay.”

-Ken Gurley ?

The devil will try to put a false cross on you if you let him.

This weight might be a legitimate concern that the devil inflates into an illegitimate cross.

The burden he wants to saddle you with doe not lead to victory and resurrection power,

But it leads to hopelessness and despair.

He seeks to get you isolated in order to plague you and burden you down the inner struggles and secret parts of your life,[1]

There – Alone – feelings of depression, desolation and inadequacy overwhelm us.

We then keep the struggle of this False Cross to ourselves and tell ourselves the lie, “This is just my cross to bear.”

That’s a lie.

You have a cross to bare, but this ain’t it.

If you carry this illegitimate cross you’ll be worn away.

Your true cross will lead to full and complete deliverance, power and victory.

The true cross will lead to death, yes, but also to true resurrection:

Philippians 3:10, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings…”

Take up your cross and follow Jesus.

Stop carrying the false cross of weights and sins.

Quit listening to the voice of the serpent whispering in your ear.

The devil is a LIAR, and the father of all lies.

Because of this, whatever he tells you is a lie and an attempt to get you to believe what he knows is untrue.

So, anytime the devil tells you something just ask yourself, “what is the exact opposite?”

When you find out what that opposite is, it’s a good indication of where the Lord is likely taking you.

Also, if the devil tells you he’s going to kill, destroy, ruin, harm, rob, etc.

You can be certain that he will not do that because he doesn’t have the permission to do it.

If he did then he would have already done it and wouldn’t warn you.

When he speaks it is a play to intimidate and a sign that you are safely in the protection of God.

Praise the Lord[2] -The Imperials

When you’re up against a struggle that shatters all your dreams

And your hopes have been cruelly crushed by Satan’s manifested schemes

And you feel the urge within you to submit to earthly fears

Don’t let the faith you’re standing in seem to disappear

Praise the Lord, He can work through those who praise Him

Praise the Lord, for our God inhabits praise

Praise the Lord, for the chains that seems to bind you

Serve only to remind you that they drop powerless behind you

When you praise Him

Now Satan is a liar and he wants to make us think

That we are paupers when he knows himself we’re children of the King

So lift up the mighty shield of faith for the battle must be won

We know that Jesus Christ has risen so the work’s already done

2 Corinthians 2:11

Four Attacks of Satan

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

John 10:10

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

  • Obsession
    • Compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea or an unwanted feeling or emotion, often accompanied by symptoms of anxiety.
    • A compulsive, often unreasonable idea or emotion.[3]
  • Oppression
    • The act of oppressing; arbitrary and cruel exercise of power:
      • “There can be no really pervasive system of oppression… without the consent of the oppressed.” -Florynce R. Kennedy
    • The state of being oppressed.
    • Something that oppresses.
    • A feeling of being heavily weighed down in mind or body.[4]
  • Depression
    • A mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity.
    • Sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy.
    • A state of depression and anhedonia (the absence of pleasure or the ability to experience it) so severe as to require clinical intervention.[5]
  • Possession
    • The state of being dominated by or as if by evil spirits or by an obsession.[6]

Seven Weapons Against Satan’s Attack[7]

Isaiah 59:19b

“When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.”

  1. The Blood of Jesus Christ.
    • Revelation 12:11, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
    • Exodus 12:13, “And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.”
  2. Our Testimony.
    • Revelation 12:11, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
  3. The Name of Jesus.
    • Mark 16:17-18, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
    • Colossians 3:17, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
  4. The Written Word of God.
    • Matthew 4:1-10, “1Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. 3And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”
  5. Prayer and Praise.
    • Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
    • I Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
  6. Angels of the LORD.
    • Hebrews 1:13-14, “But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”
    • Psalm 103:20, “Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.”
  7. The Holy Ghost.
    • John 14:18, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
    • Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
    • Galatians 5:16, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”

[1] Kenneth V. Reeves. The Angels, Demons & People (Vol. 1). p. 20

[2] https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/6616995/The+Imperials/Praise+The+Lord

[3] The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 4-20-2005.

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=obsession

[4] Ibid. http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=oppression

[5] Ibid. http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=depression

[6] Ibid. http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=possession

[7]Kenneth V. Reeves. The Angels, Demons & People (Vol. 1). p. 33-47.

Categories
Bible Teaching

A Need for Seed

Apostolic Life Cathedral | 12/11/2022 | 10:00 AM

Genesis 1:11-12

(11)  And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.

(12)  And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

Genesis 3:15

(15)  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Galatians 3:16-29


(16)  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
(17)  And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
(18)  For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
(19)  Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
(20)  Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
(21)  Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
(22)  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
(23)  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
(24)  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
(25)  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
(26)  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
(27)  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
(28)  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
(29)  And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

1 Peter 1:22-23

(22)  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

(23)  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Romans 9:7, “Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.”

Luke 8:11-15

(11)  Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

(12)  Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

(13)  They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

(14)  And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

(15)  But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Categories
Consider this...

Be a Risk Taker & Trust the Riskbreaker

Psalm 20:7-8, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.”

There are some who have traded their trust in God for that which they’ve made with their own hands. They trust in chariots and are more confident in human talent, philosophy, and ability than in the provision and strength of the Lord.

They trust in human sufficiency and abort God’s will by their doubt and forgetfulness. They trust in their own ideas and manufacture scenarios thinking their finite understanding is better than the infinite wisdom of the LORD.

They use the policies of the world to obtain that which can only come by the proven principles of the Word of God. They invent strategies without prayer and forget (or ignore) to call upon God. They’ve forgotten His name, fame, and reputation. What He’s done and what He wants takes a backseat to what these purveyors of self foist onto the good and trusting flock of God.

Lack of trust is evident by their preoccupation with what they can form, cultivate, or influence. Afraid to show faith in something outside of themselves they resist what they don’t understand and grasp onto that which is temporal, known, and comfortable.

Isaiah 31:1, “Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!”

Some have forgotten the freedom and liberty that comes with trust in God and have traded that assurance for the illusion of control. They’ve trusted in horses. They trust in what they think they can direct. Their attempt at control and manipulation is a mirage. The only control they have is the choice to trust in God, or to trust in their own frail human ways.

I was with Pastor Edwin S. Harper for a few days this week. He asked me this question (once asked of him), “How do you spell faith?” My first thought was the predictable one, “F-A-I-T-H,” but he said, “Faith is spelled R-I-S-K.”

RISK! You get nowhere in life without taking a risk. The four bearers of the Ark of the Covenant took a risk by stepping out into the Jordan, but their risk was rewarded with the miraculous parting of the waters, and, as I heard Buddy Buie say recently, “When they stepped into the Jordan their feet kicked up the dust in the dry riverbed.” God doesn’t just answer prayer, He goes the extra mile in displaying His majesty as He works on your behalf.

It is easy to sometimes be paralyzed by the need to know for sure what a decision will bring to pass before we do something, but this is not faith. Faith is taking God at His Word and risking everything of comfort for uncertainty.

The wonderful thing about taking a risk on God is that it’s not really a risk. Remember and trust in His reputation, fame, and power. Recall the authority resident in His name, the name of Jesus.

Next time you are thinking of taking a risk remember the true Riskbreaker and personalize these words: “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Deut. 31:6).

Vagrant Story

Shout out to my good friend, Stewart A. Bertram: Happy Birthday!

Originally posted on 24 May 2009 on https://thepillarandgroundoftruth.blogspot.com/2009/04/be-risk-taker-trust-riskbreaker.html

Categories
Bible Teaching

A Time of Preparation

Esther experienced a time of preparation (purification) before she was introduced to the king and subsequently gained his love and was made queen:

Esther 2:2-18 (KJV), “(1) Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:  (3)  And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them:  (4)  And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.  (5)  Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;  (6)  Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.  (7)  And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.  (8)  So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.  (9)  And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.  (10)  Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.  (11)  And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.  (12)  Now when every maid’s turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)  (13)  Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house.  (14)  In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.  (15)  Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.  (16)  So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.  (17)  And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.  (18)  Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.”

Apostolic Life Cathedral | 2/12/2023

This time of purification was a time of instruction and examining for these young ladies. They learned what their role was to be and how to act and please the king. It was more than just cleaning and preparing the body, but also the decorum and grace of the maiden.

Hadassah? Well, she excelled and her time of preparation resulted in great success.

The psalmist David wrote, “The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.”[1] 

In this passage, when we read that God “trieth” it simply means that this is God’s way of “examining, scrutinizing, proving, and testing” the hearts of those who are His people.[2]  These tests are for the sole purpose of preparing us for greater responsibility and spiritual growth. 

The apostle Paul makes it quite clear that the process of being approved by God follows a particular process: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”[3] 

As this process takes place we witness the varying degrees of preparation God places us in as they accomplish. Work out, and achieve God’s purpose for our lives.

So, what we think of as pressure, stress, or trial God uses as a means to bring about a patient, enduring, sustaining, perseverant, and steadfast quality to our Christian character.  These times of preparation are purifying our motives and actions through the teaching of grace in our lives.

When this quality is part of our spiritual nature we have become God proven because our character has been tried and found worthy.  This experience results in the establishment of hope in our lives, which is the “joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation” and the understanding that because I came through previous trials intact then I’ll make it through this one as well because God is with me.”[4]

This is why, when Esther, as queen, had to go before the King to deal with the threat of genocide her people faced because of Haman’s jealous treachery, she did to with complete faith and hope.

Esther was prepared beforehand “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:4). It likely never crossed her mind in her time of purification that she was actually being prepared to be more than a queen, she was being readied for a role of mediation and deliverance.

Right now you are being prepared through trial and tests and difficulties for a greater work than you can imagine. Let those tribulations purify and prepare you for your own God designed moment.

[1] Psalm 11:5

[2] Brown, Driver, Briggs and Gesenius. “Hebrew Lexicon entry for Bachan”. “The KJV Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon”. https://www.studylight.org/lexicons/eng/hebrew/974.html.

[3] Romans 5:1-5

[4] Thayer and Smith. “Greek Lexicon entry for Elpis”. “The KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon”. https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/kjv/elpis.html.

Categories
Bible Preaching

More Than A Song: A War Cry

Apostolic Life Cathedral | More Than A Song | 5/11/2021

Text: Song of Solomon 2:12-13

“(12) The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; (13) The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.”

Psalms 104:10, 12

“He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills….By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.

Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (You will be judged by the type of speech that comes from your mouth).

Spring has come, and with it the beautiful melody of birds singing. I particularly love to sit on my porch, or in my home office with the windows open, and listen to peaceful songs delivered by the birds.

We even have a rooster here in the Hills of Guyandotte that crows all day long: morning, noon & night.

We tend to equate the singing of birds to the praise of the saints, and while we can agree with that we also see that their singing teaches us a far greater lesson.

Nature teaches us.

Birds are territorial.[1]

They need to have proper space and conditions to raise their offspring.

They will do many things to raise their families.

I understand that there can be a danger in people being too territorial when it comes to trying to reach the world and not allowing others the opportunity to do a work for Jesus, but tonight I am focusing on your families.

You need to guard your family.

Birds will choose their territory based on the availability of food, water, shelter and nesting locations, and then they seek to attract a mate.

Well, the Church is the perfect location for you to begin nesting, and you already have a mate:

Isaiah 54:5, “For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.”

Paul wrote:

(11) Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.  (2)  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.  (3)  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:1-3).

Birds also claim territory to renew bonds and to let other fowl know that this area is taken.

Birds claim territory through several behaviors, including:[2]

  • Nest building: Some birds, such as different types of wrens, will claim territory by taking advantage of the nesting sites it offers. The males will build multiple nests in suitable locations throughout their territory. The females will then investigate those nests and choose the one they prefer, even if they eventually rebuild the male’s construction to suit their preferences.
    • The Lord Jesus Christ is preparing a place for us, as we prepare ourselves for Him:
      • John 14:2-3, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  (3)  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
  • Drumming: Woodpeckers and several types of game birds claim territory by drumming as an alternative to singing. These low-pitched, rhythmic sounds, whether made by pounding on a hollow tree or by using air sacs, will carry great distances. This alerts competing birds that the territory is not available, as well as lets potential mates know that a strong, healthy bird has claimed the location.
    • “O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph” (Psalm 47:1).
    • Clapping, like drumming, shows an encroaching enemy that we are strong and victorious
    • And to our Lord, it is offered as an expression of praise, worship and thanksgiving for who He is and what He has done.
    • Psalm 66:1, “Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands.”
  • Visual displays: Visual displays such as puffing up colored feather patches, tail flicking or fanning, wing spreading, and other behaviors are all part of claiming territory. These postures and actions also show off a bird’s strength and health to a potential mate. These behaviors are commonly a part of courtship rituals between opposite sexes as well as territorial displays between two male birds.
    • We lift our hands as a visual display of praise and worship:
      • Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.  (Psalm 63:4)
      • Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.  (Psalm 134:2)
      • I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.  (1Timothy 2:8)
        • Worship is closely tied to a life of holiness.
        • Everyone can praise the Lord, but not everyone can worship Him.
    • We dance before the Lord as a visual demonstration of praise:
    • Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.  (Psalm 149:1-3)
    • Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.  (Psalm 150:4)
    • And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. (2 Samuel 6:14)
  • Chasing: As a last resort, aggressive birds may directly chase intruders or competitors out of their territory. This is frequent in areas where many birds are seeking to claim the same space, or when a dominant male is discouraging younger males that are struggling to claim their first territory. In bird species where family groups remain together in the winter, the male parent may chase away his mature offspring the following spring so they do not infringe on his territory.
    • In this day, you better be aggressive about protecting your home, your nest, your territory.
      • The devil is trespassing on your home and in your mind with all the competing distractions. Why is he so set on distracting you, because he wants your most precious possession:
        • Your relationship with God.
        • Your family’s soul.
          • That old serpent will slip near your nest just to consume your future hope.
  • Singing: Singing is one of the most common ways birds advertise that territory belongs to them. Songs will carry quite far, and birds will perch near the edge of their territory to broadcast their claim to the maximum range. At the same time, a strong, vibrant song will help attract a mate. For some species, such as the northern mockingbird, a more complex song will help birds defend a larger territory and are more attractive to females.
    • Singing is so important that the largest book of the Bible is a songbook – Psalms
    • Psalms 66:1-4, “Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:  (2)  Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.  (3)  Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.  (4)  All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.”
    • We are told to “be filled with the Spirit;  speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:18-20).
    • Psalms 150:1-6, “(1) Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.  (2)  Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.  (3)  Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.  (4)  Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.  (5)  Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.  (6)  Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.”

Your Song is More Than A Song.

Your Song is A War Cry.

You are conducting Holy Warfare

Hebrews 13:15, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

Psalms 149:1-9 

  • Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.  
  • Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.  
  • Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.  
  • For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.  
  • Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.  
  • Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;  
  • To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;  
  • To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;  
  • To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.

[1] SOURCE: https://www.thespruce.com/how-birds-claim-territory-386444

[2] Ibid.

Categories
Bible Teaching

Rahab’s Faith

Faith is a conviction or belief that one holds.  To be convicted of something is to be convinced, and to have a belief is the “mental act, condition, or habit of placing trust or confidence in another.”[1] 

Rahab showed her complete faith in the God of the Hebrews by her statement, “The LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.”[2]  This is why she could hide the two spies and then put out the red cord. 

She did it in faith and because of this the scripture states, “And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.”[3] 

The action on Rahab’s part was a response to the fact that she was convinced of the omnipresence and complete deity of God because she believed that He was the only God of heaven and earth.  This is why James wrote, “Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?”[4] 

When we have faith, we will also have a response to that faith.  Rahab’s response to her complete faith in Jehovah was in helping the spies.  Thus, “…faith without works is dead.”[5]

[1] Dictionary.com. http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=belief.

[2] Joshua 2:9-11

[3] Joshua 6:25

[4] James 2:25

[5] James 2:20

Categories
Consider this...

He Took the Law In His Own Hands – Steve Richardson

I always enjoyed hearing Steve Richardson sing his own songs, and he was such a gifted songwriter, and Jeff Harpole was one of his best friends and a great singer.

In particular, I love this song…just wish my brother, Phillip Kuntzman, was with me so we could sing it together. 🙂

I know this was recorded at the UPCI General Conference, but I don’t know when it was recorded.
______

He Took the Law in His Own Hands

By: Steve Richardson

Verse 1:

Every time a nail was driven deeper in the wound, it signified the law was doomed.
Every time another drop of blood flowed down, it set us all on level ground.
God of Heaven had a reason that was you and I, and even in His dying He did more than die.

Chorus:

He took the law in His own hands.
He took the nails in His own blood and signed redemption’s plan.
And the covenant upon that tree promised grace to you and me.
I praise the Lord for Calvary where Jesus took the law in His own hands.

Verse 2:

Though they tried the innocent He offered His own life, the perfect lamb, the perfect sacrifice.
So the Word fulfilled the law and brought eternal life, He knew the cost and still paid the price.
He who knew no sin became the sin of everyone, and He set us free by shedding His own blood.

End:

I praise the Lord for Calvary where Jesus took the law in His own hands

Categories
Bible Teaching

Progressive Revelation

Progressive Revelation[1]

Revelation of Truth is progressive and is best explained by this passage:

“For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear” (Mark 4:28).

Notice Albert Barnes’ note on the progression of maturity in Mark 4:28[2]:

1.    For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself – That is, it is done without the power of man. It is done while man is engaged in other things. God gives it its power.

2.    First the blade – The green, tender shoot, that first starts out of the earth before the stalk is formed.

3.    Then the ear – The original means the stalk or spire of wheat or barley, as well as the ear.

4.    The full corn in the ear – The ripe wheat. The grain swollen to its proper size. By this is denoted, undoubtedly, that grace or religion in the heart is of gradual growth.

a.    It is at first tender, feeble, perhaps almost imperceptible, like the first shootings of the grain in the earth. Perhaps also,

b.    Like grain, it often lies long in the earth before there are signs of life.

c.    Like the tender grain, also, it needs care, kindness, and culture. A frost, a cold storm, or a burning sun alike injure it.

d.    So tender piety in the heart needs care, kindness, culture. It needs shelter from the frosts and storms of a cold, unfeeling world. It needs the genial dews and mild suns of heaven;

e.    In other words, it needs instruction, prayer, and friendly counsel from parents, teachers, ministers, and experienced Christians, that it may grow, and bring forth the full fruits of holiness.

f.      Like the grain, also, in due time it will grow strong; it will produce its appropriate fruit – a full and rich harvest – to the praise of God.

Hebrews 12:29, “For our God is a consuming fire.”

It would appear at first glance that these two verses oppose each other, but when we take into account the progressive nature of revelation we see a parallel between plant growth and the spread of fire.

2018 California Wildfires:[3]

The 2018 wildfire season was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire season on record in California, with a total of 8,527 fires burning an area of 1,893,913 acres (766,439 ha), the largest amount of burned acreage recorded in a fire season….as of December 21. The fires have caused more than $3.5 billion (2018 USD) in damages, including $1.792 billion in fire suppression costs. Through the end of August 2018, Cal Fire alone spent $432 million on operations. The Mendocino Complex Fire burned more than 459,000 acres (186,000 ha), becoming the largest complex fire in the state’s history, with the complex’s Ranch Fire surpassing the Thomas Fire and the Santiago Canyon Fire of 1889 to become California’s single-largest recorded wildfire.

…On August 4, 2018, a national disaster was declared in Northern California, due to the extensive wildfires burning there.

In November 2018, strong winds aggravated conditions in another round of large, destructive fires that occurred across the state. This new batch of wildfires includes the Woolsey Fire and the Camp Fire, the latter of which killed at least 86 people with 3 still unaccounted for as of 4 December 2018. It destroyed more than 18,000 structures, becoming both California’s deadliest and most destructive wildfire on record.

…Humans have been recorded as the main cause of wildfires in California. Various causes, both intentional and accidental, such as arson, unattended campfires, fireworks, cigarettes, cars, and power lines have contributed to this increase in the number of fires.

A direct contributor to the 2018 California wildfires was an increase in dead tree fuel. By December 2017, there was a record 129 million dead trees in California.

Wildfire defined: “A wildfire or wildland fire is a fire in an area of combustible vegetation occurring in rural areas.”[4]

Wildfire types can be generally characterized by their fuels as follows:

1.    Ground fires are fed by subterranean roots, duff and other buried organic matter. This fuel type is especially susceptible to ignition due to spotting. Ground fires typically burn by smoldering, and can burn slowly for days to months.

2.    Crawling or surface fires are fueled by low-lying vegetation on the forest floor such as leaf and timber litter, debris, grass, and low-lying shrubbery. This kind of fire often burns at a relatively lower temperature than crown fires (less than 400 °C (752 °F)) and may spread at slow rate, though steep slopes and wind can accelerate the rate of spread.

3.    Ladder fires consume material between low-level vegetation and tree canopies, such as small trees, downed logs, and vines. Kudzu, Old World climbing fern, and other invasive plants that scale trees may also encourage ladder fires.

4.    Crown, canopy, or aerial fires burn suspended material at the canopy level, such as tall trees, vines, and mosses. The ignition of a crown fire, termed crowning, is dependent on the density of the suspended material, canopy height, canopy continuity, sufficient surface and ladder fires, vegetation moisture content, and weather conditions during the blaze. Stand-replacing fires lit by humans can spread into the Amazon rain forest, damaging ecosystems not particularly suited for heat or arid conditions.[5]

A true revelation is an unveiling of existing truth of which the individual was previously unaware.  Others may already know that truth, but the revelation is a personal opening of biblical truth.

Romans 16:25-26, “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.”

This concerns the revelation of the Church, which was spoken of in the Old Testament but not revealed in its entirety until the birth of the Church in Acts 2. Now, today, we read the Old Testament and see parallels, types and shadows which reveal the Church. These truths were always present in the Word of God, but not understood, unveiled, and revealed until the Church’s nativity.

According to David P. Johnson and Jared S. Runck, “progressive revelation indicates that divine revelation unfolds across the story of Scripture with ever-increasing detail and dimension; later revelation always and only adds to prior revelation and never detracts or overturns it.”[6]

Galatians 1:10-24 speaks of Paul’s travel through the Word of God and how Christ revealed the message of the Gospel to Him.  Then he met certain Apostles and found that the same revelation he had received from the Lord was the same Gospel they received and preached:

“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother. Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. And they glorified God in me” (Galatians 1:10-24).

A true unveiling of revelatory truth will be “line upon line” and “precept upon precept” (see Isaiah 28:10). In other words, progressive revelation builds upon what you already know.

Sometimes God gives clear, sudden and supernatural insight, which Paul identified as either the gift of the Word of Knowledge, or the gift of the Word of Wisdom (1 Corinthians 12:8).

Things to remember:

Scripture interprets Scripture.

1.    Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses let every word be established:

a.    Deuteronomy 17:6, “At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.”

b.    Deuteronomy 19:15, “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.”

c.    Matthew 18:16, “But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.”

d.    2 Corinthians 13:1, “This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”

e.    1 Timothy 5:19, “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.”

2.    Your revelation will never contradict biblical truth – the old illustration of a man who said God told him to divorce one woman to marry another – this contradicts all biblical precedent.  Only one reason in the New Testament for divorce (adultery, fornication).

3.    If it’s “too good to be true” it probably is.

Deut. 29:29, “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

1 Sam. 3:7-21, “(7) Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him….(21) And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.” 

This implies that the revelation of God’s Word is a matter of maturity.  As we grow in the wisdom and stature of God’s Word we will receive (be entrusted with) more truth.

Truth is multilayered like an onion.

When we realize that God is revealing truth to us we are humbled and need to realize that while others may not know the truth – yet – we are responsible for the manner in which we share it.

With regard to Spiritual gifts, some people think that they are more Spiritual than others because of their gifting, but this is not true. Truly spiritual people are into the ministry of:

·       Reconciliation – 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, “(18) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  (19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  (20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

·       Restoration – Galatians 6:1, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

The more of the Word of God you read and hide in your heart (by memorization and meditation) the greater opportunity you give God to reveal deeper truth to you.  As God reveals more truth you will hunger more and more for His continual revelation: “Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me” (Ps. 42:7).

“…The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (1 Cor. 2:10).  A balance of God’s Word and living in the power of the Holy Ghost will reveal Spiritual truth as well.  Simply put, there are some things people never see in the Bible because they are not Spirit led (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Amos 3:7-8, “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?”

When God speaks or reveals truth to His servant they can’t help but be filled with a desire to speak it, regardless of the positive or negative consequences.

Jeremiah 20:9, “Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.”

Fire spreads and as long as there is fuel it will grow. Our hungry heart searching for more of Jesus Christ is the fuel that ignites the fire of progressive revelation, and when our hearts can no longer contain the fire the compulsion, a drive, to share the flame of the progressive revelation of truth that our Lord has revealed to us.

[1] Notes from an email to Dave Martin regarding progressive revelation dated 9/11/2006.

[2] Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Mark 4:28.

[3] 2018 California Wildfires. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_California_wildfires. Accessed: 2/26/19.

[4]  Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (Third ed.). Cambridge University Press. 2008. ISBN 978-0-521-85804-5. Archived from the original on 13 August 2009.

[5] Wildfire. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildfire#Spread. Accessed: 2/26/19.

[6] David P. Johnson & Jared S. Runck. (2017). Handbook of the Prophets, p. 8-9.

Categories
Bible Teaching

The Weapon of Prayer – E. M. Bounds

E. M. Bounds on the necessity of constant prayer, from his book The Weapon of Prayer:

GOD’S great plan for the redemption of mankind is as much bound up to prayer for its prosperity and success as when the decree creating the movement was issued from the Father, bearing on its frontage the imperative, universal and eternal condition, “Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thy inheritance and the uttermost part of the earth for thy possession.” In many places an alarming state of things has come to pass, in that the many who are enrolled in our churches are not praying men and women. Many of those occupying prominent positions in church life are not praying men. It is greatly to feared that much of the work of the Church is being done by those who are perfect strangers to the closet. Small wonder that the work does not succeed. While it may be true that many in the Church say prayers, it is equally true that their praying is of the stereotyped order. Their prayers may be charged with sentiment, but they are tame, timid, and without fire or force. Even this sort of praying is done by a few straggling men to be found at prayer-meetings. Those whose names are to be found bulking large in our great Church assemblies are not men noted for their praying habits. Yet the entire fabric of the work in which they are engaged has, perforce, to depend on the adequacy of prayer. This fact is similar to the crisis which would be created were a country to have to admit in the face of an invading foe that it cannot fight and have no knowledge of the weapons whereby war is to be waged. In all God’s plans for human redemption, He proposes that men pray. The men are to pray in every place, in the church, in the closet, in the home, on sacred days and on secular days. All things and everything are dependent on the measure of men’s praying. Prayer is the genius and mainspring of life. We pray as we live; we live as we pray. Life will never be finer than the quality of the closet. The mercury of life will rise only by the warmth of the closet. Persistent non-praying eventually will depress life below zero.

Categories
Bible Teaching

The Turning Point

Wellington depot before the avalanche: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wellington,_Washington#/media/File:Wellington_before_the_Avalanche.jpg

“The Turning Point”

Stephen. Kuntzman

(7/16/19)

Text: 2 Timothy 2:15-21

(15)  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

(16)  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

(17)  And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

(18)  Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

(19)  Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

(20)  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

(21)  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

Ancillary: 1 Timothy 1:18-20, “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme [defame, rail on, revile, speak evil].”

It is known as “The Wellington Avalanche,” and it occurred on March 1, 1910, in Wellington, WA.

It “was the worst avalanche in the history of the United States, marked by the total death count, which numbered to 96.[2]

For nine days at the end of February 1910, Wellington was assailed by a terrible blizzard. Up to a foot (30 cm) of snow fell every hour, and, on the worst day, eleven feet (340 cm) of snow fell. Two trains, a passenger train and a mail train, both bound from Spokane to Seattle, were trapped in the depot.”[1]

“Late on February 28, the snow stopped and was replaced by rain and a warm wind. Just after 1 a.m. on March 1, as a result of a lightning strike, a slab of snow broke loose from the side of Windy Mountain during a violent thunderstorm. A ten-foot high mass of snow, half a mile long and a quarter of a mile wide, fell toward the town. A forest fire had recently ravaged the slopes above the town, leaving very little to impede the avalanche.”[2]

“The avalanche missed the Bailets Hotel (which also housed the town’s general store and post office), but hit the railroad depot. Most of the passengers and crew were asleep aboard their trains. The impact threw the trains 150 feet (45 m) downhill and into the Tye River valley. Ninety six people were killed, including 35 passengers, 58 Great Northern employees on the trains, and three railroad employees in the depot.”[3]

 One witness, Charles Andrews, a Great Northern engineer, said it looked like:

“White Death moving down the mountainside above the trains.  Relentlessly it advanced, exploding, roaring, rumbling, grinding, snapping – a crescendo of sound that might have been the crashing of ten thousand freight trains.

It descended to the ledge where the side tracks lay, picked up cars and equipment as though they were so many snow-draped toys, and swallowing them up, disappeared like a white, broad monster into the ravine below.”[4]

 

Train wreckage from Wellington WA avalanche: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wellington,_Washington#/media/File:Train_wreckage_from_Wellington_WA_avalanche_cph.3b13980.jpg

I remember reading the writer and commentator George Will years ago, and in his essay he quoted these words from the Polish poet, Stanislaw J. Lec, “Each snowflake in an avalanche pleads not guilty.”

There is power in accumulation.

Things don’t just happen overnight, but there is a buildup of either positive or negative amounts that produce a point of no return.

Paul was warning his son in the gospel of the dangers of “the little foxes, that spoil the vines.”[5]

Just as in the days of Jude, there are “…certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”[6]

These false teachers come into the church from time to time and little by little they feed on the tender grapes who have not fully grown to maturity, and destroy them.

It is time to do as the Apostle directed Timothy, “(1) This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  (3)  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  (4)  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  (5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”[7]

“FROM SUCH TURN AWAY”

Isaiah was clear about the issues of his time and fallen human nature is still the same today (Isaiah 28:9-13):

(9)  Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

(10)  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

(11)  For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

(12)  To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

(13)  But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

They scoffed at the prophet and the Word of God.

They mocked the words spoken by prophets who had been “moved on by the Holy Ghost” to write and speak what they divinely uttered. 

Doing so, these mockers and blasphemers continued on into a total backslidden state, were broken by the breaking of that Word, and were bound and placed in captivity.

Too many are bound today, by these false teachers, scoffers, mockers, and spoilers.

It is the devil’s plan to do so and he’ll use false teachers, as he did in Paul’s day, to deny truth and overthrow the faith of some.

2 Timothy 2:15-17

(15)  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

(16)  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

(17)  And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

They were profane and vain words because they were not based on the Word of God. Their words, their teachings, were blasphemous, and every one that heard them unwittingly were eaten up spiritually like a cancer, like gangrene setting in.

It is almost impossible to expunge false doctrine because it accumulates like snowflakes on a mountain until one day – WHITE DEATH pushes everyone in its patch into the cold abyss.

“FROM SUCH TURN AWAY”

2 Timothy 2:19-21

(19)  Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

(20)  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

(21)  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

 v. 21 – “purge himself from these” = the corrupting influence of false teachers and blasphemers

 It didn’t happen overnight, but it was years (and sometimes centuries).

 “FROM SUCH TURN AWAY”

 The foundation of God standeth sure:

Ephesians 2:19-22, “(19)  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (20)  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (21)  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (22)  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
The Word of God is sure:

·        Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.  (Proverbs 30:5)

·        And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.  (Luke 4:4)

·        “…The seed of the word of God.” (Luke 8:11) – [It’s incorruptible and full of life]

·        So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  (Romans 10:17)

·        Heb. 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

·        1 Peter 1:22-25, “(22)  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: (23)  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (24)  For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: (25)  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”

In conclusion, Wellington, WA, changed its name soon after that horrible avalanche to Tye, WA.

Changed their name and redirected their future.

Someone needs to redirect their future and turn away from false teachers and blasphemers: “…Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (2 Timothy 2:19b)

This Is Your Turning Point

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wellington,_Washington

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] https://www.awesomestories.com/asset/view/Wellington-Disaster-America-s-Worst-Avalanche

[5] Song of Solomon 2:15

[6] Jude 1:4

[7] 2 Timothy 3:1-5