Michael's Reflections

Article - How Are We Justified by Works

2008-05-03T17:26:00.002-05:00

How Are We Justified by Works?

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. – James 2:21-24

The Bible speaks of Abraham being justified by his works. How can this be true when the Bible teaches that we are eternally saved by the grace of God? Could it be that the Bible speaks of other justifications besides eternal? It is my intent to explore the uses of the word justified in the New Testament and discover exactly how it is that there we are justified by our works.

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines justification as the remission of sin and absolution from guilt and punishment, or an act of free grace by which God pardons the sinner and accepts him as righteous, on account of the atonement of Christ. This is indeed the case in Jesus Christ laying down his life on the cross for the sins of his people. The Apostle Paul writes of this in Romans 5:9. “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” We are saved from eternal damnation because of Jesus’ precious blood. It is just as if I’d never sinned because of his work of salvation. Thus we observe one important aspect of justification from the Bible.

We also experience justification in our own consciences. In Romans 5:1 Paul writes, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I believe this to be referencing justification in our own minds. Christians have a peace which passes all understanding when they are able to comprehend the work that Jesus accomplished on the cross. In the verses that follow Paul writes of rejoicing in hope, having patience and experience. This is a confidence in the Lord that resonates in the conscience of those who embrace the teachings of Jesus Christ. When we believe that Christ is who he says he is we enjoy a peace that compares to nothing in this world.

Finally, we observe that the Bible teaches justification in the sight of other people. This is how Abraham was justified by his works. In our opening verses James takes us back to the time when God instructed Abraham to offer his son Isaac upon the altar (Genesis 22). Although God’s request did not make sense to Abraham, he was faithful to obey all that God had commanded him to do on that occasion. Hebrews 11 provides some insight into what Abraham was thinking on this occasion. In verse 19 we read that Abraham’s faith was so strong that he knew that even if he sacrificed his son, God was able to raise him again. Abraham’s obedience was a tremendous example of showing faith by works. It was an example to those that knew Abraham thousands of years ago and it continues to be heralded as a pattern of faithfulness today. Abraham is justified in the sight of others because he showed his faith by his works. It is my prayer that we would follow his pattern and show the love and truth of Jesus Christ through our unwavering obedience in the word of God. When we do this, we are living testaments of a living faith and God is glorified!

Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.

Article - The Simplicity of the Gospel

2008-05-03T17:19:00.002-05:00

The Simplicity of the Gospel

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. –Ecclesiastes 12:13

It never ceases to amaze me the great lengths that men will go to muddy the waters of God’s word. A couple of years ago, many people were in a panic about the book, The Da Vinci Code. Were there additional accounts of the life of Jesus? Was Jesus really God? Was he married to Mary Magdalene? These questions were easily refuted from scripture and found to be totally false. To make a long story short, this story was proven to be a complete work of fiction. Yet many were influenced by this erroneous writing.

Today, many are stirred up about a book that Oprah is promoting called, The Power of Now. While I have not yet read the book, I have heard some of the hype about this so-called guide to happiness. The author promotes his book as a guide to spiritual enlightenment. It appears to teach a pathway of enlightenment by releasing oneself from their mind. Oprah has praised this book as an essential of spiritual teaching. I will reserve any commentary until I have read the book, but want to point it out as yet another example of many attempts to complicate the simplicity that is provided to God’s people through his word.

It will do us well to heed the teaching of one of the wisest men to ever live on the Earth. By the inspiration of God, Solomon writes that the whole duty of man is to fear God and keep his commandments. Any deviation from this pattern will only bring confusion and lead us astray from our service to God. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon writes of his involvement in numerous worldly pursuits. He states that all of this was vanity and vexation of spirit (2:11). This can also be said of the wisdom of men. It is vanity! The Apostle Peter writes that, “We have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty (2 Peter 1:16).” From scripture we can easily conclude that happiness does not come through some journey of self-discovery and enlightenment. These are merely fables. It comes from obeying the word of God.

As Christians we must understand that the ideas and philosophies of men will always be flawed. Why is this so? It is because all men have a flawed, sinful nature. Paul writes that all men have sinned and come short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Carnal writings may contain some truth, but they are usually followed with a lot of error. The true pathway to happiness and contentment in this world is a life of obedience to Jesus Christ. There is no higher truth out there. God has given us his word. Peter writes that, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:3-4).” Any philosophies and writings that deviate from the clear teachings of the bible will do nothing but confuse the little lambs of God. He has given us all things that pertain to life and Godliness.

When we follow the simple teachings of scripture, we will have a joy and peace that passes all understanding. In his dialogue with Thomas, Jesus says that, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the father, but by me (John 14:6). It is my prayer that God would bless us to see the simplicity of his truth.

Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.

Article - A Worthy Walk

2008-03-16T21:18:00.002-05:00

A Worthy Walk

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, -Ephesians 4:1

How are we to properly serve the Lord? Is it merely attending church every once in a while or is there more to it? Does the Lord only require a verbal commitment to him or does he command us to actively serve him? These are questions that the Apostle Paul answers in his epistles. In our above verse it is clear that we are to be engaged in a worthy walk as Christians.

Paul likens our Christian service to a job. The word vocation literally means an occupation or profession. When God’s children are born again by the Holy Spirit, they are pressed into his service. Their vocation is to serve God! Paul thought of himself as the Lord’s prisoner. In other places he calls himself a servant of the Lord. He took his Heavenly calling seriously! He prayed that the Colossian church would, “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God (1:10).” Is this your prayer and desire?

Our primary job in this life is to be about the Father’s business. However, we oftentimes put vain worldly things before the service of God. Does your secular career define who you are? Are you known for your dedication to recreational endeavors? Do your things own you instead of you owning them? All of these things mean nothing in the grand scheme of life. We need to adhere to Jesus’ teaching a seek first the kingdom of God in all things and he will take care of everything else we need.(Matthew 6:33). The things of this world are temporary. Walking worthy of the Lord is far more lasting.

In Ephesians 5:8, Paul instructs us to walk as children of light. Did we get to this state based on our own merit? No indeed! He states that we were sometimes darkness, but now we are light in the Lord. We can walk in light because, “God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). The good news for those that are the light of the Lord is that they have the ability to know the things of God. Those of us who have been exposed to Biblical teaching are able to obey God’s commandments and serve him acceptably. Later in chapter 5, Paul writes, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise (v.15).” One who walks circumspectly is spiritually aware of his/her surroundings. All of their decisions in life are tempered with scriptural teaching. When we are walking circumspectly as Christians, we are fulfilling our God-given vocation.

Those of us engaged in secular professions are usually given an annual performance review or observation. Sometimes our compensation is tied to meeting certain standards on these reviews. If you were given an annual review on your service to the Lord, how would you fare? How would you perform in the area s of bible study and prayer? What about meekness and humility. Would you meet the biblical expectations in the area of evangelism? We must realize that we all fall short of God’s standard. However, we must also recognize that our service to God is a lifelong profession that we are to be engaged. May the Lord bless us to better serve him in the days ahead!

Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.

Article - Who Will Be in Heaven?

2008-03-16T21:15:00.002-05:00

Who Will Be in Heaven?

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: -Matthew 25:34

Have you ever wondered who about who will be in Heaven. Some believe that it will be populated by a select few while others suppose that everyone will be there. Will Heaven be populated by professing Christians only? What about those who never heard the gospel or Jesus’ name spoken? Is the native living in a hut deep within the jungles of South America out of luck because the missionary has not reached him? There is also the issue of the countless millions throughout human history who have died without hearing the gospel and the unborn that never see the light of day in this world. Do any of these have any hope of being in Heaven? If so, how will they get there?

The answer is simple. All whom Jesus died for are or will someday enjoy Heaven’s immortal glory, no more or no less. If anyone is to make it into Heaven it is by the glorious grace of God. The biblical term for this group of people is the elect (Romans 9:11, Titus 1:1, 2 John 1:1). The elect of God are those who were chosen in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). In Matthew 25, Jesus calls the elect his sheep. Upon his return to the earth, he will place his sheep on his right hand and shout the words, “Come, ye blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Before the world was created the destiny of God’s elect was settled. They were chosen to inhabit Heaven after death. Jesus Christ was the redeemer for all of the elect family of God. He paid our sin debt on the cross of Calvary.

Those that will inhabit Heaven are not limited to a select few. The Bible says that if we are in Christ, then we are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:39). How is Abraham’s seed described in Genesis? First, they are likened to the stars of the heaven (the sky) and the sands of the seashore (Genesis 22:17). This divine proclamation assures us that there will be a large number of people in Heaven. God then tells Abraham that in his seed shall all nations of the earth be blessed (v.18). If you can count the stars in the sky or the grains of sand upon the beach, then you will be able to number the elect in Heaven! Needless to say, there will be a great host of people from all nations in Heaven.

In Revelation 17:9, John gives us a view into Heaven. He writes of a great multitude that no man could number standing before the throne of God. They represent every nation, kindred, people and tongue. It is a comfort to know that the Lord will reach and save everyone of his elect. Though the missionary may never reach the whole world, God knows them that are his. We don’t sorrow for those who may have died not hearing about Jesus. Jesus knows them that are his. In John 10:27 Jesus says that, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Jesus knows them that are his and he will not lose one. “All that the father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out (John 6:37).” This promise applies to the most pious Christian. It is also true for the lowly nomad in the desert that feels his sinfulness. It is real for the native running through the jungle that looks to the sky and recognizes that there is one greater than himself. God can even reach the unborn babe in his mother’s womb. Though he may never see the light of day in this world, God knows his situation. The Lord knows them that are his! All that Jesus died for will someday be with him in Heaven forevermore. He shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).

Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.

Article - A Worldwide Epidemic

2008-02-04T16:39:00.000-06:00

A Worldwide Epidemic

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: -Romans 5:12

It appears that we are in the midst of a cold and flu season. There is sickness all around us. Pews have been empty and desks unoccupied because of people battling the bug. Usually, these illnesses last but a few days. With some medication and rest colds and flu’s run their course and we are back to business as usual. However, there is a fatal illness that all of humanity is suffering from. The worldwide epidemic is sin. It is a disease that we are unable to recover from apart from the grace of God!

The Apostle Paul writes of this epidemic in his letter to the Roman church. The Jewish converts thought that they had some advantage over the Gentiles. They were the people whom God dwelt with during Old Testament times. Indeed they had they oracles of God, but they were as guilty as their Gentile counterparts. In fact, they were without excuse because God did dwell with them. Paul would write in Romans 3:12 that, “There is none that doeth good, no not one.”

We are all suffering the effects of sin. This is because of the first man Adam transgressing God’s law. He was our federal representative. When Adam disobeyed God’s commandment, sin passed upon all of his posterity (us). Therefore, in God’s view there is no man that is good. This truth destroys any notion that we have any ability whatsoever to save ourselves. We are totally dependent upon almighty God for eternal salvation! Paul describes the sickness of sin as terminal. Death is the result of sin, both spiritual and physical. While no one looks forward to the suffering involved with a natural death, the spiritual consequences of sin are far graver. Spiritual death involves a separation from God, namely an eternity in hell.

All of us have suffered the consequences of sin. We are all rendered spiritually dead because of our disobedience. This is where we would be apart from the mercies of our Great Physician, Jesus Christ. We have no ability to save ourselves from the dreaded disease of sin. However, we can take comfort in the words of the Apostle Paul that, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” In Jeremiah 8:22 the question was asked, “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?” These mournful words were uttered during a dark time in the nation of Israel. I sometimes wonder if we are heading down the same path as those that Jeremiah spoke to concerning the things of God. I am thankful that Christ indeed came into the world to save sinners such as myself!

It is a great blessing to know that there is a remedy for the sin epidemic. Jesus Christ was born of a virgin and came into the world to save His people for their sins (Matthew 1:21). All of the elect family of God will enjoy Heaven’s glory because of our redeemer. In Matthew 9:12, Jesus states, “They that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.” If you have been blessed to realize that you are suffering from the disease of sin, and you see your need of a savior, you are blessed indeed! Christ short-circuited the sin cycle and suffered the consequences of our sin that we may live with him in Heaven forevermore. Though we may suffer sickness and afflictions in this present world, we can rejoice in knowing that sin and death was conquered by our Redeemer.

Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church ( www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.

Article - The Kingdom of God

2008-01-20T17:52:00.000-06:00

The Kingdom of God

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. –Romans 14:17

Many people have intermingled serving God with the things of the world. One of the most popular teachings amongst religious circles today is the health, wealth, and prosperity gospel. This is the idea that God wants us to enjoy perfect health, amass great wealth and enjoy material prosperity. According to proponents of this theology, these rewards can be reaped when Christians faithfully obey and serve the Lord.

In the above verse, Paul draws a contrast between the things of the world and the service of God. There were those in the church at Rome that were disputing days of the week and whether or not it was acceptable to eat meat sacrificed to idols. Some thought that it was inappropriate to worship God on any other day besides the Sabbath. Others thought that they could worship God any time. There was one group that thought it okay to eat meat sacrificed to idols while another group thought it sinful to eat this meat. Paul writes that these arguments are fruitless. He teaches that these worldly things do not make up God’s kingdom, but righteousness, peace and joy are the results. This principle rings true today.

We cannot equate financial gain, material wealth and a life free from sickness with the kingdom of God. The fact of the matter is that our Christian walk is fraught with tribulations. In John 16:33 Jesus says that, “In this world ye shall have tribulation.” Just a brief examination of the life of Christ supports this fact of life. Jesus was born in the poorest of conditions. He had nowhere to lay his head. During his public ministry he was constantly troubled by the religious elite of his day. Then, he was crucified for the sins of his people. His life was full of turmoil. While we will never be called upon to suffer as our Savior, we should expect tribulation in our lives. Jesus also said, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you (John 15:18).” Our days upon this earth will be troublesome.

It is a blessing to know that Jesus also taught that he has overcome the world (John 16:33b). Enduring pleasure will never come from the things of this world. Meat and drink only brings a temporary fulfillment. Sustained righteousness, peace and joy come from the Holy Ghost! This is true in our families. Some think that the key to a happy home is a lot of money in the bank, a luxury car and a grand residence. There are numerous broken marriages and families that disprove this theory. One cannot turn on the television without hearing of another occurrence of family and personal problems amongst the rich and famous of America. The old adage that money cannot buy happiness rings true.

The Bible also teaches that the church is not identified by worldliness but by an adherence to the things of God. In an effort to fill the pews, many religious institutions have adopted worldly practices. Scriptural worship has been adjusted to reflect the changing culture. The doctrinal truth of the Bible has been scuttled for the flesh pleasing ‘meat’ and ‘drink’ of the world. The problem with this is that God is not glorified in this action. He is unchangeable. When a church starts down the path of imitating the world, it must constantly reinvent itself to remain attractive to the ever-changing culture. If this continues a church will fail to have any identity with the things of God. If we are going to truly enjoy the blessings of the Spirit of God, then we must seek first the kingdom of God.

Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.

Article - Letting Go

2008-01-20T17:49:00.000-06:00

Letting Go

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 3:13-14

As I was driving through Crestview the other day I could not help but notice about ten houses that are continuing to display their Christmas lights. Not only were they still hanging, they were lit! I couldn’t help but laugh to myself. I guess that some people just don’t want to let go of Christmas. The end of January is rapidly upon us. It is time to move on and look toward future things.

It is our nature to hold on to the things when we should be letting go. Sometimes these things might be pleasant memories while others could be traumatic experiences. Whatever the case, the Bible teaches us that we are to be moving forward as Christians. The Apostle Paul emphasized this lesson to the Philippian church. One of the themes of Philippians is rejoicing in the Lord. Paul teaches us that if we are to bask in the joy of the Lord, then we must forget the things that are behind us and press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. He enjoyed the highest of highs in his Christian service but also experienced the lowest of lows in his life. Regardless of the experience, Paul understood the need to go forward. The old adage that a rolling stone gathers no moss definitely applies to our service in the Lord. This is true in our work life, family life and definitely in our religious life. We need to constantly be moving in God’s service.

Sometimes we dwell on past glories. We all have been associated with those who are living in the past. Maybe it is the high school football star that insists on wearing the letterman jacket years later and constantly relish in the accomplishments of bygone days. Those that constantly dwell in the past are usually not very productive in future endeavors. This is true with people and with churches. This principle is echoed in Proverbs 29:18 where Solomon writes, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” I have known groups of people that are trying to maintain churches by reminiscing about the past blessings of God. They constantly recall the good old days or refer to pastors/members who are long gone. They display no vision for today, much less the future. This is a church that is not pressing toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God. Let us beware of falling into the trap of living off yesterday’s blessings. While memories can be precious, we need to focus on today and the future. Paul reminds the Corinthian church that today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:9). We need to serve him in the ‘here and now.’

We also have the propensity to ruminate on negative things that happen in our lives. I have noticed working in the education field that you remember the ‘bad’ students more than the well-behaved ones. This is also true in our marriages. If a husband/wife makes a mistake the spouse will often bring up gaffes that occurred years ago. Some will allow a negative experience in life define who they are. This ought not be the case! Today is a great day to let go of the experiences that have negatively impacted your life. If one has wronged you, follow the example of scripture. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32).” If we fail to let go of past grief, we are at risk to be destroyed by it. Many of us have been deeply hurt by others. Things have been done to us that we don’t deserve. But in the light of what Jesus Christ did for his people on the cross, we can forgive those that have done us wrong. In Hebrews 12:14-15 Paul writes, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” If we are to have joy in the Lord, then we must let go of the past.

All of our pasts are checkered with triumphs and tragedy. Wherever you find yourself in life, remember that today is a new day. It is not too late to commit or recommit yourself to the service of God. It is time to take down the Christmas lights and live for the Lord today. Let us press forward in our Christian service. Our service to God is like a race. We know how it ends, so let us let go of the past and move forward.

Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.

Article - The Coming Savior

2007-12-24T10:42:00.000-06:00

The Coming Savior

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. –Micah 5:2

During this time of year, many Christians try to reflect upon the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. However, in the materialism and revelry that accompanies the holiday season, thoughts of Christ are often lost in the shuffle. Although we do not know the exact time of year Christ was born into this world, we have an excellent opportunity to meditate upon the purpose for which Christ was born, and to share these truths with others.

In the above verse we witness the power and sovereignty of God in sending forth Christ to become our Savior. By the inspiration of God, Micah says, "Out of thee (Bethlehem) shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel." It should be comforting to us to know that Jesus was sent of God. He was sent to be the Savior of His people. There was perfect harmony in Heaven in the work of redemption. Jesus spoke of this truth in John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

In observing the humble birthplace of our Savior, we are blessed with a glimpse of God's mercy and grace. He was born in Bethlehem, one of the most insignificant cities in Judah. Our Redeemer did not enter into this world with pomp and circumstance; instead He was born in a manger in a small town! The Bible says that there was nothing physically impressive about Christ that men would be attracted to him. Bethlehem--the name itself is quite humble, meaning 'house of bread.' What hope that gives to the least of us! Christ came for all of His children, not just the rich or the mighty or the powerful or the beautiful!

Prophecy was fulfilled when the Bread of Life was born of the Virgin Mary in the house of Bread. Bethlehem was also the birthplace of David, the second King of Israel, and one who also had meager beginnings. Jesus was often referred to as the Son of David. David was a type of Jesus, but unlike David, Christ's kingdom was to be an everlasting one. Ephratah means, "Fruitfulness" or "abundance." All Christians would readily affirm that these characteristics aptly describe our Redeemer. We have abundant, everlasting life through Jesus Christ!

Finally, we observe why Christ came. Micah prophesied that Jesus was to be ruler of Israel. Was the Bible speaking about Jesus ruling as a natural king, or something greater? His rule far surpassed earthly kingdoms. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Jesus Christ is the head of spiritual Israel, His elect family. In John 18:36, Jesus explained that His kingdom was not of this world. His kingdom is an everlasting, spiritual one. He came into the world to save His people (spiritual Israel) from their sins (Matthew 1:21). He accomplished this work when He laid down His life on the cross. When He said, "It is finished" the work of salvation was complete! Speaking of God, the Apostle Paul wrote, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." Christ suffered in our stead that we might have fellowship with Him in His kingdom.
Christ was born into this world to redeem His elect family. When we think of Jesus' birth, it ought to point us to His work on the cross. Child of God, Heaven is your home because of the full, complete, finished work of our Redeemer. We know that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and yet, though we be so undeserving, we have been given such astounding graces! In the midst of all of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season let us think upon the greatest gift that has ever been given; the free gift of eternal life. It is my prayer that we would share these truths with one another.

Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.

Article - How Are We to Worship God? Pt. 1

2007-12-07T21:50:00.000-06:00

Article - How Are We to Worship God? Pt. 1

"God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." -John 4:24

What does it mean to worship God? The Oxford English Dictionary defines worship as the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity. It also describes it as a great admiration or devotion towards another. Both descriptions aptly describe the relationship that Christians should have towards God. While the worship of God should be woven into every aspect of our lives, I hope to explore the issue of public worship (attending church). I believe that the Bible gives us a clear guideline on why and how we are to worship God as a church body. It is my hope that we would all search the scriptures and serve the Lord to the best of our abilities.

First, we must understand that in public worship, the primary focus must be God, not man. When we assemble ourselves together as Christians, the goal is to praise and glorify the Lord. In Psalms 29:1-2 David writes that we are to, "Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." Our God is due all of the glory. David had enjoyed many successes as the King of Israel, but he knew that the Lord deserved all glory in worship. As we study both the Old and New Testaments we will notice that God was the center of all proper worship. Any deviation from this pattern constituted idolatry. In Acts 17, the Apostle Paul observed many different types of worship in Athens. Some historians write that there were more altars than people in this city. Verse 16 states that Paul's spirit was stirred in him when he saw Athens wholly given to idolatry. They were a religious people, but they were not worshipping God in spirit and in truth.

Sadly, we are often guilty of not making the Lord the center of our public worship. We become like the Gentiles of Romans 1:25 and worship the creation more than the Creator. Is your public worship Christ-centered? Many today believe that the assembly of believers must be constantly changing to reflect the culture around it. Is this Biblical? There is a great movement in many churches to reinvent themselves to look more appealing to the world. When this becomes our focus, it behooves us to ask: "Are we fulfilling the scriptural mandate to be the light of the world and salt of the earth?" In John 15, Jesus says, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

The carnal world hated Jesus and it hates those who make Him the center of their worship. However, when the Spirit of God touches one of His children, they begin to love the things that they once hated. Though your public worship offers no appeal to the carnal world, it gives great hope and edification to the children of God. Is your worship centered around expressing reverence and adoration to God Almighty? Or is the focus on entertaining people so they will be drawn into your establishment? Are you focused on fostering a true admiration, love and devotion to your Savior, or are you focused on becoming the most popular and most populated church in town? It is my prayer that God would be the center of our worship when we assemble ourselves together as His visible church.

Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.

Article - Black Sunday

2007-12-02T20:32:00.000-06:00

Black Sunday

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. –Matthew 6:33

I hope that everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family. It is nice to fellowship with family members that you generally do not see except on special occasions. Thanksgiving is also a wonderful time to meditate upon all the blessings that God has given us as individuals, families, churches and as a nation. One of the weirder traditions that I have recently observed is the tradition of Black Friday.

This is supposedly the busiest shopping day of the year. I’ve never paid a lot of attention to this day, but observed an amazing phenomenon while watching the news on Thanksgiving morning. The reporter was interviewing several people out of about eighty that were lined up at a local electronics store in anticipation for Black Friday. These people were camping out in the cold and rain to save a couple hundred dollars on the latest electronic gadget. There are very few things that I would camp out for in the rain and cold, especially for a gizmo that will be obsolete when you leave the store. However, you must admire the individual’s zeal that will brave the elements to accomplish their goal. It is incredible to see the lengths people will go to obtain material possessions. We observe this behavior in people pursuing entertainment. Have you ever waited in line for hours at an amusement park? All of us have spent time in such vain pursuits. Wouldn’t it be a blessing to observe such zeal in our service to the Lord?

Sadly, most Christians place their service to God at the bottom of the priority list. We wait to pray at the end of the day. Financial offerings are given when everything else is cared for. God’s people rarely minister to others in need. Bible reading is done sporadically and family devotion time is virtually nonexistent in most homes. To say that we are complacent as Christians is an understatement. The Bible says, “Woe unto those that are at ease in Zion.” The Apostle Paul writes, “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” Our time would be much better spent on first seeking the kingdom of God. He will take care of the rest of our needs.

Maybe we should propose a date for Black Sunday. This will be a time when God’s people come to the place of worship the day before and camp outside waiting for the doors to open. Regardless of wind, rain or snow we excitedly brave the elements in anticipation for worship of the Lord. When the doors open we spend countless hours singing songs of praise and learning from the truth of God’s word. Those in attendance will be very interested in scripture and ask many detailed questions about the messages being preached. Young and old will assemble together for instruction and not entertainment. Praise will be freely expressed without fear of what others might think. Then when we finally leave, we will share our excitement with any and all who would listen.

Does this sound preposterous? It shouldn’t. The early church assembled together in a similar manner daily! While Christians need not camp out overnight to attend worship services it would be nice if they arrived at church in a timely manner. Pastors across America would be greatly encouraged if less time was spent looking at watches and more time was given attending to sermons and note-taking. Much more could be said about this. Jesus said that we are to first seek the kingdom of God. If we can exhibit so much excitement for material things, should we not be zealous for spiritual endeavors?

Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.

Article - We Shall Behold Him

2007-11-10T20:51:00.000-06:00

We Shall Behold Him

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a
shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the
trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in
the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words. - 1
Thessalonians 4:16-18

The truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the
heart of our Christian faith. It gives life to all
that we hold dear as God's people. In 1 Corinthians
15, the Apostle Paul states that if Jesus were still
buried in a tomb, preaching and our faith would be
empty (v. 14). Our witness would be false (v.15) and
we would yet be in our sins (v.17). We would indeed be
miserable creatures!

In our introductory verses Paul writes to a group of
young Christians who were worrying about their
deceased loved ones. They were worried about the
eternal destiny of those who died without the benefit
of the preached gospel. Paul's good news to them was
that the Lord is coming down from Heaven to gather all
of His people. This includes an innumerable host that
died without the benefit of the preached word. Jesus
is coming back to call ALL of His elect home. Those
who are dead in Christ will rise from the graves and
meet Him in the air! None of His sheep shall be lost.

Jesus' return is going to be powerful. The Bible
states that He is coming back with a shout! In the
midst of battle, generals will shout orders to their
obedient soldiers, who in turn dutifully heed the
instructions of their commander. In like manner, when
our King of Kings and Lord of Lords returns on the
last day, we will heed the shout to get up! The dead
in Christ will obediently rise first and then those
who are alive will follow. When Jesus shouts,
everything obeys!

The voice of the archangel marks the final victory
over the devil and his angels. In Jude 9 we read about
Michael the archangel contending with the devil. On
the resurrection day, there will be no contending.
The archangel will simply cry, "Surrender!" to Satan
and his emissaries. The Bible states that at the end
of time, the enemies of the Lord will be made His
footstool (Hebrews 10:13). They will be cast into the
everlasting lake of fire (Matthew 25:41). The return
of the Lord will mark the end of the warfare that we
fight with the devil and his angels.

Finally, the trumpet of God will be sounded. The
trumpet was another important communication device on
the ancient battlefields. Certain sounds directed
armies into certain formations on the battlefield. It
directed them to press forward in the midst of
conflict. Sometimes it was sounded to command a
retreat. When Jesus returns, the trump of God will
play the tune of victory and will direct His people to
go up unto Him. Dear child of God, on the resurrection
day you will be called up to meet Jesus in the air. He
will personally lead you into Heaven's eternal glory.
Paul wrote that we will be with Him in Heaven forever
(1 Thessalonians 4:17). It is comforting to know that
when we enter the gates of glory there will be no more
battles to fight. There will be no more sickness,
sorrow, or pain. Our days will be filled with the
majesty of God and we will be in the presence of our
Savior forever and ever. All for whom Jesus died will
be with Him in Heaven forevermore. Comfort one another
with these words!

Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive
Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL.
Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and
Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at
(850) 689-3383 or by email at
pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly
invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel
Primitive Baptist Church.

Article - God Does Not Need Our Help!

2007-11-03T20:47:00.000-05:00

God Does Not Need Our Help!

Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, where is now their God? But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. –Psalms 115:1-3

Many of us are under the mistaken notion that God needs our assistance to accomplish his will. The truth is that he is not dependent upon us for anything. Simply stated, he is God. The Psalmist understood this concept and exclaims that God does whatever he wants. In other words, he is sovereign. Why is it important? It is essential to have a proper perspective of God if we are going to give him the appropriate glory he deserves. In this article we will explore a couple of areas where God exercises supreme authority.

First, we need to recognize that God is sovereign over his creation. This has been the case since the beginning of time. Genesis 1:1 states that, “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.” Did God require any assistance or input from man when he flung the stars out into space? Did he solicit ideas about where to place the mountains and how much water needed to be added to the seas? No indeed! It was all done according to his will. He did what he pleased in creation. Psalms 19:1 substantiates this fact. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork.” This wondrous universe that we inhabit was spoken into existence by God alone.

God also created us. The Bible teaches that God created man on the sixth day (Genesis 1:26). He made male and female for his glory. Many today will claim that humans exist because of chance. Some will even say that we are no better than the animals and we are what we are because of billions of years of evolution. The Bible claims otherwise. We were created by God to glorify him and show his handiwork. In Psalms 139:14, David writes, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Dear child of God, you are no accident. God’s elect are known as his workmanship. We were created in Christ Jesus unto good works (Ephesians 2:10). The idea that we are here by mere chance leads to the ‘every man for himself’ attitude. You are here because of God almighty.

We also need to recognize that God does what he pleases in the realm of salvation. Many Christians mistakenly believe that they have some part in their eternal salvation. Some say that we must make a decision to serve God or let him into our hearts. Others say that you have to be baptized or one’s good works must outweigh their bad. Many of God’s children dedicate their lives to saving souls from eternal damnation. While these ideas may be backed with the greatest of intentions, they do not harmonize with scripture. We must first understand that we are spiritually dead because of our sins. We are not merely sick and in need of some medicine we are dead. Romans 3:9-12 records this truth. “There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Who is the Apostle Paul writing about? All of mankind throughout history. We are all spiritually dead because of sin. What can a dead person accomplish? Nothing! Therefore, we are wholly dependent upon God for our eternal salvation. In Ephesians 2:3-5 Paul later writes of how we are made alive by the mercy of God. “But God who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace are ye saved;)”

God does not need our help with saving his children. Heaven is home for his elect because of his power. You are not saved because of a decision you made to serve the Lord. You are not going to enjoy eternal glory because of your works. Heaven is the blessed home of the child of God because of his sovereign love. For more insight into the power of God in salvation, read Ephesians chapters 1-2 and Romans 8-9. God did not need our help in creation and he certainly does not need our assistance in determining the eternal salvation of his people. He has commanded us to obey biblical teaching and glorify his name in all that we do while we are in this world. May God bless us to honor him in all things.

Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.

Article - Tearing Down - Part II

2007-10-26T20:25:00.000-05:00

Tearing Down – Part II

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. – James 3:2

As children we would oftentimes recite, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” This would be helpful if it were true! Words do hurt others. Author Robert Fulghum stated correct sentiment when he wrote, “Sticks and stones will break our bones, but words will break our hearts.” We all have been harmed by the words of others. While the pain is not physical, the emotional wounds can last a lifetime. I have counseled with people that continue to feel the pain of a cruel word that might have been spoken decades ago. In this article we will explore what the Bible says about our words. In light of scripture we can determine if our words are building up or tearing down others.

In the verse above, James describes the great challenge of bridling our tongues. The first step to using edifying words is to understand that it is a great challenge to keep our tongue in check. James writes that a man who does not offend in his speech is a complete man who is able to display self-control in all aspects of his life. Are you at this point in your life? I continue to be a work in progress! The tongue is a small organ but wields great influence. James likens it to a horse’s bridle and a ship’s rudder (James 3:3-5). In verse 5 he writes of the great fire that the tongue can start. This week we have been made starkly aware of the devastating force of natural fires. Hurtful words, gossip, slander, and evil speaking can cause its own destruction.

The Bible instructs us to bridle our tongues. While it is a challenge to our carnal natures, it is entirely possible for the Christian to accomplish. James likens us to fountains and fig trees. In James 3:11-12 he writes, “Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? Either a vine, figs? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh?” As God’s children that have been made alive by his Spirit, we are to produce sweet waters. Our tongues are to bear fruit that is honoring to our master. He concludes in writing that wisdom is manifested by a good conversation seasoned with meekness (v.13). Are your words seasoned with wisdom?

In Matthew 12:34 Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Our words are indicative of what is going on in our heart. In light of Jesus’ teaching we need to understand that inappropriate words are not merely ‘slip-ups.’ They are outward manifestations of what we are carrying inside of us. If we are harboring anger, bitterness, etc. then our conversations will be seasoned with such things. This should motivate us to put away evil thinking and focus on things that are lovely, just, and pure (Philippians 4:8).

Take care when you speak to others. The things that we say can cause great damage to others. Pay careful attention when you converse with your wife, husband or children. Sometimes we say things to them that we would never speak to anyone else! Be careful not to offend your brother or sister in the church by engaging in gossip or careless communication. Remember, the tiny tongue can start a huge fire! Solomon wrote that, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” While hurtful words can cause great damage, a fitly spoken word can be a beautiful thing. Let us labor to build up others with our words.

Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.

Article - Tearing Down

2007-10-18T21:25:00.000-05:00

Tearing Down

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. – Romans 14:19

I have recently undertaken a project that involves disassembling an old structure on my property. I had forgotten how much easier it is to tear down something than it is to build it up. Boards are pounded out with ease and there is even a certain euphoria involved with busting through old drywall with reckless abandon. One does not have to exercise much care when tearing something apart. However, there is usually a big mess left to clean up afterwards as you sift through the battered debris.

The same principle applies to the manner in which we interact with other people. We find it easier to tear other people down than build them up. The satisfaction derived from this practice is that it somehow makes us feel better about ourselves. I assure you that this emotion is short lived and like my construction project at home, there is usually a mess to clean up. The wreckage of hurt feelings, resentment, and bitterness is infinitely more difficult to mend than any natural destruction that we can cause.

The Bible instructs us to follow after things that edify. The word edify means to build up or establish. The Apostle Paul instructs the Roman church to seek those things that make for peace and build up those around them. They were fighting over days of the week and what type of meat was acceptable to eat. Paul recognized that there were those in this church that were tearing one another down. His command was for them to build up one another. In his letters to the Corinthian and Ephesian churches, he states that God blessed them with gifts for the edifying of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 14:12, Ephesians 4:12). As God’s children who have been quickened by the Spirit, we all have unique abilities that can edify another in many aspects of life. Is your church a place where people are constantly being built up or is everyone trying to selfishly tear one another down? What about your home? What about work? We all have the capacity to either encourage or discourage someone else.

It takes some work on our part to build up another person. First we must put away selfishness and pride. The Bible refers to our tendency to be selfish as “living after the flesh” (Romans 8:12). It is our nature to be selfish. When we are living after the flesh we will both knowingly and unknowingly tear others down in order to make ourselves look better. However, whatever satisfaction is garnered from this action is short lived, because the flesh is never satisfied. We must further tear down others to feel better about ourselves. This is a very destructive cycle! The Bible teaches us that true joy and contentment comes from the labor of building up others. If we actively seek ways to encourage others then we receive true joy. This is our responsibility as citizens in the kingdom of God. Paul wrote, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men (Romans 14:17-18).”

You can choose to build up or tear down by the words you speak to another. How many times have we caused hurt feelings amongst our brothers/sisters in Christ, family members or friends because of an inappropriately spoken word? In Proverbs 25:11, the wise man Solomon wrote that, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Let us labor to build up one another in both action and deed, and follow after peace.

Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.

Article - The Author and Finisher

2007-09-22T20:10:00.000-05:00

The Author and Finisher

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, 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.
-Hebrews 12:1-2

What or who is the source of our faith? Some will say that it originates from within. We have all heard the saying, “take a leap of faith” or, “all you need is faith.” Many sincere Christians believe that it is their faith that saved them and will allow them to enjoy Heaven’s eternal glory. The health, wealth and prosperity gospel teaches that we can enjoy great riches and have no problems whatsoever in this world if we have enough faith. Do these beliefs pass the test of scripture? The Bible and life experiences offer a stark contrast to these ideas.

In Hebrews chapter 12, the Apostle Paul encourages us to patiently run the race of life. He challenges us to lay aside the weight of trials and tribulations that we encounter daily. He instructs us to put away the sin that hinders our Christian walk. Then, he counsels us to look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. We are commanded to keep our eyes on the Lord because he is the originator and completer of our faith. Faith does not originate from us but from Jesus Christ!

In Hebrews 11:1 faith is defined as, “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” In the spiritual sense, Paul is teaching us that we have a hope beyond this world and the ability to believe things that we cannot see with our natural eyes because God reveals himself to us. In other words, we believe in God and know that Jesus is our Savior because he has imparted his faith to us.
The Bible teaches that we do not have the ability to understand spiritual things apart from the spirit of God. In John 3:3, Jesus said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” If faith is the evidence of things not seen, then we must understand our Savior to be teaching that we are given faith when we are born of the Holy Spirit. In verses 5-6 Jesus reiterates this truth. “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Hence, faith is from God.

In Ephesians 2:8-9 Paul writes, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” We are saved because of the Lord’s faith. He is the author of our faith. The Bible teaches that we were chosen in Christ Jesus before the foundation (beginning) of the world (Ephesians 1:4). The result of this choice is that the elect should stand before the Lord in holiness and without blame. Jesus is not only the author, but the finisher of our faith. When he sacrificed himself on the cross for his people, he did all that was necessary to secure our faith. Therefore, we can run with patience the race that is set before us! It is not our works, but the work of our Redeemer that empowered us with faith.

Critics will argue that if it is not of our faith that saves us, then we have no responsibilities towards God. On the contrary, we should be zealous workers in the Kingdom of God because of the faith he gives us as his children. Paul’s illustration of us running a race provides an excellent example of Christian zeal. Those that have run natural races understand the great effort involved in accomplishing this task. Likewise, the Christian race is challenging and we must approach it with the end in mind. We might run a natural race and not finish due to fatigue, etcetera. But rest assured that as one of God’s children you will finish your spiritual race because of Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. It is not our own!

Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.

Article - We Have all Fallen Short

2007-09-14T20:44:00.000-05:00

We Have all Fallen Short

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; - Romans 3:23

One of the problems of our society today (especially amongst the younger generation) is the tendency for us to think more highly of ourselves than we ought. In many educational circles, “self-esteem” has been the mantra. Sadly, this has created a generation of narcissists that think that they are the center of the universe and are accountable to no one. This mentality has also deceived people into thinking that they deserve rewards, accolades and attention regardless of their qualifications or behavior.

Spiritual narcissism has crept into many of our churches. Sound doctrine has been replaced with the idea that we are able to do something to procure our eternal salvation. God-centered theology has been replaced with the philosophy that all men have some degree of goodness within them and only need to be reformed in order to be fit candidates for eternal salvation. Both of these ideas are foreign to the teachings of scripture.

In the above passage, the Apostle Paul writes that we all have fallen short of God’s glory. He teaches the doctrine of total depravity, which means that all of us have failed and deserve nothing more than eternal punishment because of our disobedience of God’s commandments. The short statement, “For all have sinned,” negates any ideas that we have the ability to act in such a way that warrants eternal rewards. The failure to meet God’s glory also destroys any thought of man having any degree of goodness in his/her own nature. Our sins have convicted us. James writes, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all (2:10).” If we commit only one sin in our lifetime, we deserve eternal hell as our just punishment. The reality is that we transgress God’s righteous law on a regular basis. All of us are guilty sinners with no hope of reformation!

When we sin, it means that we have missed the mark. The mark that we have missed is the glory of God. Be not mistaken, God will receive his just glory. Scripture teaches us that everything was created to bring glory unto the Lord. But when we sin, we are essentially thumbing our nose at the Creator and saying that his laws and commandments are worthless. We are placing our desires above his direction and therefore coming short of his glory. This is the makeup of all mankind; even God’s elect before being born again of the Spirit.

The sinful, depraved nature of man necessitates redemption from one who is able to fulfill God’s righteous law in order for them to be fit subjects for fellowship with God. In Romans 3:24-25, Paul writes of the work of Jesus that was done in order to save God’s elect from their deserved wrath. “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” He redeemed us through his blood that was shed on Calvary’s cross. The one who knew no sin was made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). We who have sinned and come short of the glory of God have been justified (judged not guilty) before God because of Jesus. It is my prayer that we would meditate upon this monumental doctrine and give credit where credit is due. All praise and glory belongs to the Lord! It is not our work that saves us, but the sovereign power of God almighty. Let us all live humbly before our heavenly father.

Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.

Article - Laboring in the Kingdom

2007-08-31T19:45:00.000-05:00

Laboring in the Kingdom

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. –Ephesians 4:1-3

Monday is the day that we celebrate Labor Day. It has always been interesting to me that we celebrate work by taking a day off. However, it is beneficial to stop and think about the importance of hard work. I am thankful for the dedicated example provided by my parents and grandparents as they struggled to provide for their respective families. My grandparents were part of what is oftentimes referred to as the ‘greatest generation’ of people to be born in the United States. There is much that we learn from their work ethic and dedication to persevere through some of our nation’s greatest trials. This is an amazing accomplishment, but what made a greater impact than their physical labor was their dedication to the kingdom of God. They worked hard to feed their family physically, but the greater portion of their efforts was dedicated to laboring to serve God.

The Bible teaches us about labor/work. Some works in the Bible were accomplished for us approximately two thousand years ago. The work of salvation was wholly completed when Jesus laid down his life on the cross. Jesus came into the world to save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). He died for the elect family of God (Romans 8:28-33), and all for whom he died will be in Heaven some day (John 6:39). Is there any labor that you engage in that will assist you (or anyone else) in entering eternal glory? No! In Ephesians 2:8-9, the Apostle Paul writes, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” The work necessary to save you from your sins was completed on the cross of Calvary. When Jesus cried out, “It is finished” the work of eternal salvation was complete.

In light of what Jesus did on the cross, Christians are instructed in scripture numerous times to labor. In our introductory verse, Paul instructs us to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called. The word vocation literally means an occupation. Paul is teaching us that Christian service is not merely a part-time job or a hobby, but an occupation that we are wholly dedicated. In light of the work that Christ accomplished on the cross, we need to be laboring in serving him. Paul’s prayer for the Colossian church was that they “might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10);”

Is your life pleasing to the Lord? Would an accurate appraisal of the decisions that you make reflect Christ-worthy thinking? If not, you need to repent and follow after the Lord. Paul teaches us that we are to labor in meekness. Pride is something that we all struggle with. We want to take care of our wants and needs first. If we are laboring in the Lord, then we are seeking him first. After that we are placing others above ourselves. This includes the needs of your spouse. This involves ministering to those in your church and neighborhood that are in need. Jesus teaches us to seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33). We are not to worry about our needs. He will see to them!

We are also called to labor in love; even in those times when we are confronted with those that are unlovable. We are also to labor to do that which is good. The Bible also teaches that we are to labor to increase in the knowledge of God. The Bible teaches us in the aforementioned verses (and hundreds more) that we are to labor while we are living in this present world. As you have already figured out, there is much to be busy about in serving the Lord. It is my prayer that we will get to work. While we enjoy periods of rest in our physical labors, let us never take a vacation from serving the God of Heaven and Earth! Whatever our burden in this life, it is light as a feather when compared to the work of eternal salvation that was accomplished on the cross.

Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.

Article - A Message to Our Youth

2007-08-25T20:09:00.000-05:00

A Message to Our Youth
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. – Romans 12:1-2

This week marks the time that many of you have started your educational program for another year. Whether you are in public school, private school, college, or are homeschooled you face daily challenges. Some are facing pressure from peers that want you to do something that you know is immoral. Articulate instructors may be trying to cast shadows of doubt upon everything that you have been taught from the Bible. Perhaps you have a horrible home life and do not really know what is right or wrong. There are numerous people that feel like a ship being tossed about by the waves of life. Wherever you find yourself, know that God is in control and he is able to bless us through any trials that we encounter.

In the above passage, the Apostle Paul instructs us to live for one that is greater than anything or anyone in this world. We are commanded to present our bodies as a sacrifice to God. This should be our goal as Christians, both young and old. We are oftentimes willing to sacrifice our bodies for the most trifling things in this world. Have you sacrificed your body in an immoral manner? Is the majority of your time devoted to the vain things of this world? If this is the case, we should repent and present our bodies a living sacrifice to God. Proverbs 14:12 states that, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” We might think it right to compromise our values/morality in order to gain the attention of others, but this is wrong. Misery and heartache follow a compromise of God’s commandment.

Presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice is our reasonable responsibility as Christians. There are many things that you can find to occupy your time as a youngster. In high school and college people will encourage you to be involved with numerous organizations and causes. Well meaning parents and educators will try to occupy your time with sports and extracurricular activities. While many of these things not inherently sinful and some can even be beneficial, our primary concern ought to be our service unto God. Jesus teaches us to, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33).”

When we first serve the Lord, he will bless us with those things we need in our lives. All of the other activities that we engage in are vanity at the best.
In Ecclesiastes 2:11, King Solomon wrote, “Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.” As you read this book in the Bible you will notice that Solomon did a little bit of everything! He said that all of this was void of any true substance. The wise king concludes in Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” It is my prayer that you will not wait until you are old to come to this conclusion. Serve the Lord in your youth! Refuse to conform to the standards of this world. Study the Bible and stand up for Godly values. Seek a place to worship God in spirit and in truth. Our Heavenly Father will never lead us astray!

Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.

Article - Do and Done Doctrine

2007-08-19T20:36:00.000-05:00

‘Done’ Doctrine and ‘Do’ Doctrine

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

The epistles of the New Testament can oftentimes be separated into two categories. They contain those things which God has done for us and the things that we ought to be doing as Christians. It is our responsibility to diligently study the Bible and rightly divide the work that the Lord has done for his people from the works that we are to be engaged in.

The Book of Ephesians contains both ‘done’ and ‘do’ doctrine. The first 3 chapters address what the Lord has done for his people. Chapter 1 addresses the doctrine of predestination. Some will argue that election and predestination is the act of God looking down through time to see who would accept him and choose to serve him in this world. Thus, they try to place this doctrine in the ‘do’ category of Biblical teaching. However, we read in Ephesians 1:3-6, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” The Apostle Paul clearly writes that we were predestinated according to the good pleasure of Christ’s will; not our own. Notice how many occasions God is referenced in this passage. He did all of the work necessary to make us (God’s children) accepted in the beloved. When rightly divided, the word of God unequivocally teaches that predestination is a ‘done’ doctrine.

The new birth, salvation and faith are some other works that were done for us by God through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:1 states, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” In the following verses Paul lists the ways of carnal man. Then, he highlights the source of our new life in verse 5. “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).” The Bible teaches that all men are spiritually dead. They are not merely sick people in need of someone to bring them the medicine of the gospel. They are completely dead to the things of God. Therefore, they cannot do anything to save themselves. However, Paul teaches that as God’s elect we who love the Lord and his word have been quickened (made alive) by the work of God. It is his work that gives us the ability to glorify his name. It is his spirit that enlivens us to the things of God. We observe in Galatians 5:22 that the faith we manifest is a fruit of his spirit. We are saved by the grace of God Almighty (Ephesians 2:8). Ephesians chapter 3 continues expounding the wonderful works of God in our lives and his power to bless beyond all of our expectations.

As we begin reading Ephesians chapter 4, the Apostle Paul begins to admonish Christians about their responsibilities in the service of the Lord. In verse 1 Paul writes, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” Serving the Lord is not to be a trifling endeavor. Paul likens our work in the service of the Lord to a vocation or job. What are we to be laboring for in the Kingdom of God? In the following verses Paul states that we are to walk in lowliness, meekness, and longsuffering (v.2). We are to labor in forbearing one another and work towards peace (v.3). This is easy to say, but challenging to put in practice. Although this is hard work, these principles (and many more) are the things that we are to ‘do’ in our service to the Lord. We are to use the talents that God has given us to edify his people (v.12), and put off corruptible things in our lives (v.22). In the final chapters of Ephesians, Paul instructs us to be followers of Christ and elaborates on how we are to accomplish this task in our families and with those we come into contact with in our everyday lives.

God will not force his people to engage in the ‘do’ doctrines of the Bible. Our disobedience does not undermine those things that he has done for his people. Psalms 89:30-34 records, “If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; if they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.

My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.” We are secure in those things that God has done for us, but when we are disobedient we will be chastened in this world. As Christians we ought to be empowered when we realize that God did the work necessary to save and quicken us. Then, we can go forward and do those things God requires of us. We serve God as a result of what he has done for us, not to obtain eternal life or the new birth.

Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastor@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.

Busy

2007-08-19T20:30:00.000-05:00

I found this in my 'keepers' archive. Enjoy!

******************
Busy

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons. In his opening address he said, "We can't keep Christians from going to church. We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth. We can't even keep them from cultivating an intimate relationship with their Savior. Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken. So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to cultivate a relationship / with Jesus Christ. "This is what I want you to do" said the devil: "Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"

"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted. "Keep them busy in the nonessentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds" he answered. "Tempt them to spend, spend, and borrow, borrow. Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles. Keep them from spending time with their children. As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work! Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still small voice. Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive. Keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly. This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ. Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers. Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards. Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes.

Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands. If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere. That will fragment their families quickly! Give them Santa Clause to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas. Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death. Even in their recreation, let them be excessive. Have them return from their recreation exhausted. Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, 'and movies instead. Keep them busy, busy, busy! And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences.

Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek the Lord. Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause. It will work! It will work!" It was quite a plan!
The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there, having little time for their God or their families, having no time to tell others about Jesus. I guess the question is has the devil been successful in his schemes? You be the judge!!!!!

Does "BUSY" mean: B-eing U-nder S -atan's Y-oke? Let us only be busy about the Master's business.

Article - Time Marches On

2007-08-10T17:35:00.000-05:00

Time Marches On

Go to now, ye that say, to day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
- James 4:13-14

Several years ago there was a popular county music song that dealt with the inevitability of time moving forward. It seems that one day you are a child with no cares in the world, and the next you are employed, married, and raising children of your own. I recently turned 30 and am acutely aware of how time flies. It seems like it was just yesterday that I was in my teenage years. Now, I have my own family (and even a few gray hairs). Some of my older friends have told me that time goes faster as you grow older. It certainly appears that way! There never seems to be enough time to do all that needs to be done. Days and weeks seem to fly by where they once seemed to crawl along at a snail’s pace. Time indeed marches on!
James addresses the celerity of time in his epistle to the churches scattered around Asia Minor. He states that our life is but a vapor. From birth to death our time is at best a wisp of air. It appears for a little time and then fades away. In spite of all our doctors and drugs and technology, the best we can really hope for is maybe 90-100 years on this earth. The reality is that we don’t really know what tomorrow has in store for us. It does not matter how grandiose our plans are for the future, they are framed within the vapor of our lives. The pertinent question for us is how are we going to use the wisp of air that comprises our lives?
I am afraid that many Christians have their priorities askew. Many of us are sacrificing our short lives for things that are not that significant. How do you spend your time? We oftentimes dedicate much of our time seeking financial gain and worldly notoriety. We must work and the Bible states that a man that does not provide for his own household has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel (2 Timothy 5:8). However, this should not be the focal point of our lives. Many have dedicated numerous hours beyond what is needed to provide for their families in order to amass material possessions. Families suffer because the father works 10-12 hour days and mothers are also away from the home to provide a second income. All of this results in a dereliction of our Christian duties and a neglect of our family responsibilities.
In Matthew 6:33 Jesus instructs us to, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” The “things” that shall be added includes food, drink, and clothing. The same God that feeds the birds and dresses the lilies will see to our needs as we seek to serve him. We must engage in secular work while we are in this world, but our first priority is to serve God. The blessings of Christian service far outweigh the worldly possessions and notoriety that result from pouring your all of your time into your career.
One aspect of first seeking the kingdom of God involves making your children a priority. How much time do you spend with them? Do you know what is going on in their lives? Who their friends are? What they are watching on the T.V./computer? Are you your child’s primary teacher? Are you teaching them biblical/spiritual principles? Scripture teaches that the parents have the responsibility to train up their children in the way that they should go (Proverbs 22:6). Deuteronomy 6 commands parents to diligently teach our children to love the Lord and keep his commandments. It is not a once-a-week responsibility, but a 24 hour-a-day duty. Parental responsibility is far more important than dual family incomes or working overtime to finance more carnal entertainment.
Time marches on and it passes quickly. How are you spending your days? Using your resources? I have been with several people who know that they were at the end of their lives. Never once have I met with anyone that wished they had worked more hours, built a bigger home, amassed more wealth. Their regrets have always focused upon the amount of time they spend in serving God. Some are sad that they did not spend more time in their youth worshipping the Lord and serving others. Others wish that they had spent more time with their children. God is gracious to bless us despite our shortcomings, but what will be your story at the end of life? Will you be regretful about how your spent your short life? It is my prayer that we would finish our lives like the Apostle Paul. Towards the end of his life he wrote, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (2 Timothy 4:7)” It is never too late to focus your life on what matters most.

Article - If the Foundations be Destroyed

2007-07-29T17:07:00.000-05:00

If the Foundations be Destroyed

“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Psalms 11:3, KJV.

The wise words of Jesus are recorded in Matthew chapter 7. He compares those who do not hearken unto his words to a foolish man who builds his house upon the sand (v. 26). When the floods and wind come upon this man’s house, the foundation is destroyed and the fall of the house is great. Do we as Christians fall under the description of the foolish man or the wise man that builds upon the rock (v. 24)? It is imperative that we understand what foundation we are to build upon as Christians.
In Psalms 11:3 the Psalmist David writes, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” This question is of utmost importance in this ‘anything goes’ age that we are currently living in. If our spiritual foundation is manufactured from anything other than Jesus Christ and the word of God then we are setting ourselves up for a fall. In Ephesians 2:20, Paul explains that the church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus calls himself (not Peter) the rock that under-girds the church. If we are not seeking the will of the Lord and searching his word for the true foundations, then what can we do that will be profitable?
Sometimes we like to build our spiritual foundation upon our feelings. If it feels good then we ought to do it. I am thankful that God gave us emotions, but they should not govern the decisions that we make in life. Many well meaning people have disregarded the clear commands of scripture and substituted what ‘feels’ right for truth. Our worship of God is not to be directed by emotion. In an effort to attract people into their congregations, many churches have orchestrated their services to appeal to our emotions. Jesus says that our primary purpose for gathering together as God’s people is to worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24), not to be entertained.
Oftentimes in the midst of worship we become emotional as we hear the truth proclaimed (and rightfully so), but our feelings do not govern our worship of God. Our feelings can lead us astray. The Bible speaks of sin being pleasurable (Hebrews 11:25). Should we sin because it feels good? No, we obey the commandments of the Lord because the pleasures of sin are but for a season. This principle applies to all of our emotions
If we try to build our spiritual foundation upon popular opinion we are also setting ourselves up for failure. We observe the effects of this philosophy in the area of creation. Many people have rejected the idea that God created the heavens and the earth in six literal days. They say that we are a result of an evolutionary process and are in existence because of chance. Although the theory of evolution has been discredited numerous times, many people hold to its tenets. Sadly, many Christians have integrated it into their belief system. Thus they have built upon the sands of error.
It does not matter how many esteemed and educated people continue to advertise evolution as the answer to our existence, we are directed by the word of God to stand upon His truth. In Romans 3:4, Paul commands us to let God be true, but every man a liar. There is much more evidence in our world that points to a divine creator than this world coming into existence accidentally.
We see the effects of the rejection of creation in our society. It seems that our nation is increasingly turning away from the moral teachings of the Bible. Millions of unborn babies continue to be slaughtered in the name of choice. Our children are increasingly exposed to sexual perversion and wickedness. I believe that this is directly related to God’s people building their spiritual foundations upon worldly opinions. This results in a downward spiral of families, churches and our nation. We should be emboldened by the promises of Jesus and the word of God. If our foundation is not built upon the ROCK, Jesus Christ we are good for nothing in this world.

Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastor@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.

Article - The Wiles of the Devil

2007-07-12T09:47:00.000-05:00

The Wiles of the Devil

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:11, 12, KJV.

Did you know that we are engaged in warfare in this world? All of us are in a daily spiritual battle against the devil and his emissaries. Jesus assures us that if we are his sheep then we do not have to fear our eternal security. “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand (John 10:28).” We should take strength from this and the many other promises of eternal life contained in the Bible. However, we must never forget that the devil is a wily enemy determined to wage war on the children of God until the end of time. The Apostle Peter likens him to a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 4:8). When the Bible speaks of the ‘wiles’ of the devil it means that he is not simply lying in wait to harm God’s people, but rather he is actively hunting them down! How does Satan attempt to harm God’s children, and what can we do to protect ourselves?

The devil is undeniably searching for our children to devour them. He is waging
a full frontal assault on the hearts and minds of our young people. It begins in the womb where many babies are snatched from what should be the safest place in the world for them - in the name of choice. These little ones never see the light of day. The attack does not end there. From an early age our children are taught that they are accidents; here in this world because of the process of evolution. Then, they are assaulted with a philosophy that right and wrong are relative. It is up to the individual to determine morality and there is no real authority in the society. This coupled with the bombardment of sex, violence and mocking of sin by the media causes many casualties amongst our youth in the spiritual battle.

The fight does not end with young people. Satan has set a snare for you, to, and is doing his best to drive you into it. He consumes so much of our time with the pursuit of wealth and material things. Many of us work above and beyond what is needed to provide food and clothing for our families. Many homes have become ‘two income’ families as we pursue bigger homes, nicer cars and more stuff. With mothers away from the home because of careers and father gone most of the time, children have been institutionalized for much of their lives. This leads to the problems mentioned in the previous paragraph and opens the door for the devil to obliterate a family. If our time is not taken up with wealth, then it is easily filled with the distractions of the world. It is amazing to observe how many people are distracted by their Ipods, cell phones, and computers. It is rare to see people engaged in meaningful interactions with others, much less spending quality time with God. I believe that Satan has been successful in casting these and many other stumbling-blocks before God’s people.

What is the solution to this problem? Paul instructs us in Ephesians 6:11 to put on the whole armor of God that we may be able to withstand the devil’s wiles. What is this armor? He lists it in the following verses. We are to have our loins covered with the truth (God’s truth) and the breastplate of righteousness (V. 14). Our feet are to be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (V. 15) and we are to defend ourselves with the shield of faith (V.16). Our head is to be covered with the helmet of salvation and our weapon is the sword of the spirit, the word of God (V.17). God’s armor is different than the solutions of the world. If we are truly to withstand the devil’s attacks we must abandon the false ideologies that abandon our youth and consume our time to the point that we neglect all things spiritual. Jesus said, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust
thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever (1 John 2:15-17).”

Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastor@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.