The Jewish Dilemma

Scripture

“Who would have believed what we now report? Who could have seen the LORD’s hand in this?

~Isaiah 53:1, GNT

Quote

Jesus was treated the way we [all humankind] deserve so that we [all who repent and believe] can be treated the way Jesus deserves.

~Tim Keller

There is no question in my mind that Isaiah’s prophecies of the suffering servant refer both to the nation of Israel in general and the Messiah in particular. The prevailing rabbinic interpretation of Isaiah 53 ascribes the “servant” to the nation of Israel who silently endured unimaginable suffering at the hands of its Gentile oppressors. The unbelief expressed in the two exclamations…Who would believed what we now report? Who could have seen the LORD’s hand in this?–refers to Gentile shock over the coming Jewish triumph and world domination. God will crush all Gentile rulers and the Jews will rule the word through their messianic king. In other words: Gentiles are the bad guys and Jews are the good guys. We are the oppressors and they are the victims.

There is one tiny problem with their wishful thinking: there are no good guys. Both Jew and Gentile stand condemned before holy God. The Jews have suffered oppression in part due to their rebellious nature and their defiance of God. Isaiah made in clear in 53:8 that the sacrifice would be a person of purity. We know that Jesus was this person and He fulfilled all the Jewish demands of an acceptable sacrifice. The idea that the Jewish nation can save itself by its own merit is ridiculous. The trial and the execution of Jesus is proof that the Jews are as depraved as everyone else. Annas and Caiaphas orchestrated the entire thing and both were far more concerned with power and wealth than with justice.

The Jews have one hope and its JESUS. We have one hope and its JESUS. We are all in the same boat and to withstand the coming judgment, that boat [Our Ark] must be Jesus. We are all at the mercy of a holy God who shows no partiality: if He did, He wouldn’t be holy.

• Bumper Sticker of the day: Rich people stay rich because they live like they are poor. Poor people stay poor because they live like they are rich.
• PTL we got an inch and one half of rain last night around 7:00 pm: THANK YOU JESUS!
• VBS going great. Evangelism emphasis today, so pray. We had 206 on Monday, 212 on Tuesday and 222 on Wednesday. I think we have enrolled 287. You can see pics on my Facebook page. I’m not sure they are on the church page. Holly has posted hundreds.
• The Gator Train is powered by the old gator Tom gave us. I guess we could call it Thomas the Train.

A Word To The Wise

Scripture

I expose the false prophets as liars and make fools of fortune-tellers. I cause the wise to give bad advice, thus proving them to be fools.

~Isaiah 44:25, NLT

Quote

True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves and what goes on around us.

~Socrates

I was truly amazed at how much my father learned while I was in college and seminary. At age 17, I thought I knew everything and he knew nothing. This attitude began to change with time but I was grossly unaware of my ignorance. After graduating seminary, I knew nothing and suspected very little, but even then I did not fully appreciate the wisdom of my parents. At age 40, with teenagers in the house, I began realizing my ignorance and at age 50 I came to the conclusion that I was totally ignorant. Now, as a patriarch, one of my forms of entertainment is to watch people make fools of themselves. Some people assume they are the most intelligent person in the room; in reality, this is never true because Jesus  is in the room. The most intelligent person is usually the one listening.

Prophecy is the most fascinating subject in the bible and Isaiah is probably the most fascinating book. Isaiah made it crystal clear in chapter 44 that no one can get ahead of God. You don’t know what He’s going to do and when He’s going to do it. You cannot program Him with your interpretations or your predictions. These folks who have special revelations are idiots and the people who buy their books are bigger idiots.

Years ago there was an evangelist named Anis Shorrosh. I called him the Mad-Arab. He was Jordanian born and at some point converted to Christianity. I heard him say in person that Jesus would return in 1988. A few years later, I heard him nominate himself to be the president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Of course, by the time he nominated himself, not many of us were taking him seriously. Some folks will say anything to draw crowds, sell tapes and books. You can take every book written on prophecy and put them in one room and you have nothing other than conjecture and man’s opinion. No one knows what God is going to do or when He is going to do it. No one can predict the future.

I had an interesting conversation with a couple Tuesday evening after Tom’s COLS: the lady said, “I think God is using Obama to judge us for our disobedience.” My response was, “You may be right.” I don’t know if she is right or wrong. I do know this, God used the Assyrians and the Babylonians to bring judgment on Israel. It is very possible that He is using Obama to judge us.

While I am on the subject: I am running into Christians who say, “I can’t vote for Trump.” My response, “Do you want Hillary?” Presidential politics is about choosing the lesser of the evils. There are no Ronald Reagans in the picture.  Trump has the right idea about immigration [no more Muslims]. He is not on the take and he is a business man. I will take a businessman over a politician any day. Politicians got us in the mess were are in now: surely, we don’t expect a politician to get us out.

• We got an inch of rain on Thursday and Decatur got another rain on Friday but I did not say anything about it because we noticed on the way to Bessemer Thursday night that the rain stopped in the bottoms. Those to our South got nothing. I am praying for you to get rain. 

• About the Blog. I accidentally found a page the other night that I did not know I had, it gives me a list of followers. These are computer elites who know how to do things that most of us do not do. We have 59 followers [not readers] and I was shocked that more than half are strangers: people I do not know personally. I want to thank you for reading the blog and apologize for not responding to comments. Of course, I am thankful for our readers. In the near future, we will be changing our DOMINION name. I would like to get in done in the next couple of months. The church will keep danvillebaptist.org.

• GOLDEN GIRLS this morning at Cracker Barrel.

• Big Mama’s latest hit is Red Velvet Cup Cakes. She made 93 on Wednesday evening. I ate the last one last night at 9:54.

• Mavis Fitzgerald was better: Kathleen Anders my get to go home today. She lives in an apartment behind Tammy’s house. It is very nice.

• Front Pew Shower Sunday for Summer School: snacks and juice boxes. VBS meeting Sunday morning at 9:00 am in Sanctuary.

• Vote on PASTOR SEARCH TEAM Sunday–9:00-10:30

• Business Meeting Sunday June 12th after am service.

• Attend Hartselle Camp Meeting Sunday night June 12th and hear Junior Hill. They will be celebrating Juniors 80th Birthday that night.

• Vacation Bible School June 13-17

VBS June 3-7

VBS June 3-7

VBS June 3-7

The Amen

Scripture

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

~2 Corinthians 1:20, NIV

Quote

The Old Testament is a book of prophecies and promises but a part from Christ, these promises are worthless.

~Ya’akov

Paul said in Ephesians 1:4, “Every spiritual blessing comes through Christ.” You cannot name one exception. Forgiveness, peace, purpose, privilege of prayer, justification…you name it, they all come through Christ. This is why so many Jews hate Jesus. Although Jews have been privileged as the chosen people, it gives them no advantage unless they repent of their sins and turn to Christ, which they refuse to do. Jews cannot secure the spiritual blessings of God without coming to Christ and neither can anyone else.

Paul went on to say...He destined us for adoption as His children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace that He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight He has made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure that He set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Did you notice all those possessive pronouns? His children, His will, His glorious grace, His blood, His Son, His good pleasure, His plan, . It is God’s plan {He set it forth} to gather all things, in heaven and earth, in HIM [Jesus]. Christ rejecting Zionism has no future. Israel has no future a part from Christ. God has one door–Jesus. He has one way–Jesus. He has one plan–Jesus. Get with the plan!

• Good crowd at church last night: I was pleasantly surprised. Thank You Jesus.
• Revised schedule for Sunday: Donuts and biscuits at 9:30, and worship at 10:15. No Deacons meeting, No LCBS and no PM services.
• Election June 5,12: Pastor Search Team. Business meeting June 12 after am worship.

VBS June 12-17

VBS June 3-7

VBS June 3-7

Moses The Prophet

SCRIPTURE

“But Israel soon became fat and unruly; the people grew heavy, plump, and stuffed! Then they abandoned the God who had made them; they made light of the Rock of their salvation.

~Deuteronomy 32:15, NLT

QUOTE

Could a mariner sit idle if he heard the drowning cry? Could a doctor sit in comfort and just let his patients die? Could a fireman sit idle, let men burn and give no hand? Can you sit at ease in Zion with the world around you damned?

~Leonard Ravenhill

Change one word in Deuteronomy 32:15 and it is as current as today’s news paper–“But America soon became fat and unruly; the people grew heavy, plump, and stuffed! Then they abandoned the God who had made them; they made light of the Rock [Jesus] of their salvation. Someone other than Moses wrote Deuteronomy 34 because verse 8 reads, There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. One thing is certain, he had the Israelites pegged and it seems that Americans have a lot in common with the ancient Israelites. This nation was born in adversity and suffered through more wars than you can count on one hand but we can not handle prosperity. We have abandoned the God who made us the greatest nation in history and we have treated His Son, the ROCK with great disrespect.

• There was a wreck yesterday morning [10/15/15] on Danville Road across from John and Cyndi’s. It involved Marlon Cole and Morgan Weatherwax. I was told that both escaped serious injury but I think Marlon went on the Huntsville to check out his back. It was a bad wreck and it is a miracle that no one was killed. LORD willing, I will check on Marlon today.
• Bill Wilborn remains in very serious condition. Bill has a staph infection and he needs a surgery but he is too weak. They are going to try to build him up so they can amputate the bad foot. His heart rate is also very high: Debbie has requested that you pray. I was there early yesterday but he got worse as the day progressed.
• Kane Update: Well….that is a deep subject. We will not be home this weekend. Plans have changed. Kane’s Colon is nor well enough to be that far away. I do respect Dr. Poi he has Kane’s health in mind. It is hard on us here and family home. Pray that when sonogram time comes Monday all is well.
• Corey Orr [Chanda’s GM] is growing weaker. She was not able to converse with me yesterday. She is getting good care from her daughters.

Family Feud

 

SCRIPTURE

“Because of the violence you did to your close relatives in Israel, you will be filled with Shame and destroyed forever.”

Obadiah Verse 10, NLT

QUOTE

Many men profess to hate another, but no man confesses the reason which is rooted in envy and jealously.

~Ya’akov [Adapted from Jeremy Taylor]

You will recall that Isaac and Rebekah has twins: Esau and Jacob. They were far from identical; as a matter of fact, they were nothing alike. Esau was your typical red neck [literally]. Esau was into lifestyle [hunting, fishing, fighting, food, and chasing females] and had no time for life itself. He did not have a spiritual bone in his body. Jacob was the contemplative type, the thinker, dreamer and schemer. You did not want to play cards with Jake or trade camels. He had a reputation of coming out with the long end of the stick leaving his victims to simmer in their resentment.

Long story short, Jacob cheated Esau out of his birthright and blessing: two extremely important things in their culture. At the advice of mom, Jacob fled the scene and stayed gone for 20 years. Although Esau controlled his temper and did not kill Jacob upon his return to the Canaan, they parted ways shortly after and Esau moved to the mountains of Seir which is Southeast of Canaan. His descendants became known as Edomites and they had a perpetual hatred for Israelites {Jacob’s descendants}.

So intense was this family feud that 1,000 years later, the Edomites helped the Babylonian’s slaughter Israelites. They even celebrated Israel’s demise. Obadiah’s prophecy was: “Because of the violence you did to your relatives in Israel, you will be filled with shame and destroyed forever.” You can search the world over but you will not find the Edomites: they no longer exist. An entire nation destroyed by hate.

EXTRA/EXTRA

After a long search, our Music Search Committee came to the conclusion that we already have our Minister of Music. The Personnel Committee will be recommending that we call David Hopper. David was reluctant at first but after further consideration he has agreed to take the position upon the church’s call. We will schedule the business meeting for June 14 on a Sunday Morning. It will be a secret ballot vote requiring a 3/4 majority. It is a part time Staff Position and I will give you the salary after I have meet with the committee’s one more time. Here is the plan: you have over a month to pray about this: we are asking God to give us wisdom and I believe He is going to do just that. During this month, talk to the Lord about this and feel free to talk to any member of the Search Committee or the Personnel Committee. Personnel Committee members are Jason Bowling, Gregg Holladay and Jeff Garner. I’m not sure who was on the Search Committee because they made some changes after two of our member moved away but I know Jamie T. Glenn and Linda Glenn are on that committee. I will get the rest of the names. Any question, reservation you have, please talk to the committee members. They will listen and we will meet and discuss any issue of great concern. Whatever you want to throw in the mix, now is the time to do it. If we need a hearing we will do it Sunday night June 7. We want to do this is a way that will edify David and Rebekah and the Church.

TODAY WE PRAY FOR FAMILIES HAVING TRIALS

Floyd and Lucille Bailey

• Uncle Floyd {Daddy’s baby brother and the only survivor of his generation has been battling cancer. He has lost a lot of weight since this picture. It’s been a long hard battle and he is discouraged. Pray for God to encourage him.
• GOLDEN GIRLS THIS SATURDAY
• This Sunday last chance to get Roses for Mama.
• Senior Day May 17th. Joe David and Lori are taking all High School Seniors to Logans for lunch.
• For all you 2nd amendment rights lovers and conservatives, you would like NBC’s Chicago PD which comes on Wednesday night after church. You will like the Sergeant, he knows how to get things done.

What’s In Your Future

 

 

SCRIPTURE

Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace.  But the rebellious will be destroyed; they have no future.

~Psalm 37:37-38, NLT

QUOTE

God is more interested in your future and your relationships than you are.

~William Franklin Graham

Humans have a fascination with the future. They say at least one out of five Americans read the horoscope daily and one of three check it occasionally. False prophets have made millions of dollars with their books on prophecy. Actually, we do not need the horoscope, false prophet or physics: the bible will reveal our future.

God speaks in Isaiah 46:9-10…Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish. Although none of us can predict the future, God has given us the gift to determine some aspects of our future. Moses told Israel: you have two choices–You can obey the LORD and enter the land where you will live or you can disobey, stay here in the wilderness and die. Your choice is life or death, a blessing or a curse.

Rebellion is a curse. Samuel said, “Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft.” Those who rebel against God have no future, period. Proverbs 24:20, For evil people have no future; the light of the wicked will be snuffed out. And you can throw in Proverbs 13:15 for boot, “The way of transgressors is hard.”

Do you bristle with resentment and anger every time someone gives you instructions? Do you feel above taking instructions from anyone but especially spiritual leaders? Just remember, you attitude determines your future.

• Today we pray for FAMILY. Folks we have a lot of hurting families. I was on the phone last night with a broken hearted mom. I am telling you folks, the pain and devastation that sin produces is everywhere. Pick out a family and pray for them. I am leaning very strongly toward connect groups so that we can pray for each other.
• Have not heard from B’ham since yesterday morning. We will probably go down today. Seth came in from Atlanta last night and said all was clear until he got to Hartselle.
• Our front yard is a sheet of ice about an inch thick and nothing melted yesterday.
• Remember, no DEACON’S meeting Sunday. We begin at 9:15 with LCBS. Gregg and I will have coffee and donuts at 9:00. Remember, you have to run your clocks up one hour Saturday night. It is time to Spring Up!

LCBS LESSON PREVIEW for March 8th

“A Birth Like No Other”

Jesus is fully human and fully God.

²⁶ In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. ²⁸ Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” ²⁹ Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. ³⁰ “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³² He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. ³³ And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

³⁴ Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” ³⁵ The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.

Unique Birth

Jesus could have been born in a palace. Actually, there was a palace with indoor restroom facilities and hot and cold water just a few miles [6] from where Jesus was born. Herod’s palace was one of the most modern buildings of the time but Jesus was born near by in a stable. The KING of kings born in a stable with no nurse maid, no servants to attend to his needs. His birth was celebrated by angels and shepherds. The shepherds were the lowest of the lowly. Most people despised them and no one wanted to be life them.

Just think, Mary had the heartbeat of God within her for 9 months. As the song says, “When she kissed the face of Jesus, she kissed the face of God.” Jesus was a real baby, He cried when hungry, He pooped in his diapers, He had blood in his veins just like you and I.

The Paradox

Reason would have Jesus either be fully God or fully man or perhaps half-God and half-man but Jesus was fully God and fully man. It is a statement of truth that does not make sense and it seems to be a contradiction. Many truths in the scripture are of a paradoxical nature and they require faith. Most of the major decision you make in life require faith.

I believe Jesus is fully God and fully man but I cannot explain it. His unique birth helps me understand but that does not dispel all the mystery. Jesus entered this world and the world of flesh and blood through the portal of Mary’s womb. He existed before He was incarnated. He was the same age of His father but older than His mother. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit not Joseph’s sperm. Therefore, Jesus did not inherit our sinful nature. He took our human nature from Mary but He took God’s sinless nature from the Holy Spirit. Jesus was fully human but He was not twisted, perverted in his thinking. He could sin I suppose but He had no desire to sin. It was as natural for Jesus to be perfect as it is for me to be imperfect. He was tempted but not in the same way that you and I are tempted: we are tempted to rely on the flesh, He was tempted to rely on His divine powers. You and I have never been tempted to turn rock in to bread or jump from high building without a parachute and it is because we don’t have supernatural capability; He did.

REASONS FOR A VIRGIN BIRTH

1. One reason for Jesus’ virgin birth is that it identified Him as the Messiah. Isaiah 7:14 prophesied that a virgin would be with child. Ever since that prophecy, the Jews had looked for that particular sign. God uses miracles to validate His messengers. A virgin birth is a powerful validation.
2. Another reason for the virgin birth is that having a biological father would have annulled Jesus’ deity. He could not have been the son of Joseph and the Son of God at the same time. Every person born of man has inherited Adam’s sin nature (Romans 5:12, 17, 19).
3. The virgin birth is also a picture of GRACE. Joseph had no part whatsoever in the conception of Jesus. Mary’s role was passive; she merely accepted God’s gift. As Ephesians 2:8-9 says, the work of salvation is done by God alone. Neither holiness nor salvation can be brought about by the effort of man.
4. Since man sinned, technically for God to remain holy, a man had to die for those sins. Jesus became human so that He could qualify as our sacrifice for sin. Jesus is our atonement. He is the lamb without spot or blemish. Thus He had to God-Man to fulfill this role. The Just {Jesus} became the Justifier.
5. Jesus is Unique. He is not merely a man as some would have us believe. Napoleon said, “I know men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man.”
6. To deny the virgin birth is antithetical to the Christian faith. It is a denial that a virgin with conceive and give birth to the Messiah. It is a denial that Jesus is God. It is a denial that the word of God is infallible.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1. We live in a Republic: what is the difference between a Republic and the Reign of Christ?
2. Which heresy is more destructive: to deny the deity of Christ or to deny His humanity?
3. What encourages you about Jesus humanity?
4. What excites you about Jesus deity?
5. Can you name something in fiction that comes close to the story of Jesus birth?
6. In your personal opinion, who is the most popular woman in history?
7. Why are we having a lesson on Jesus birth in March?

 

Presumption

SCRIPTURE

“Do whatever he tells you.”

~John 2:5, NLT

QUOTE

The same Jesus Who turned water into wine can transform your life. He is still in the miracle-working business, and His business is the business of transformation.

~Adrian Rogers

THOUGHT

No one knew Jesus like Mary. She had spent more time with Him than anyone on earth. She went to Him with her problem but His verbal response was, “It’s not My problem.” Actually He said, “Woman, it’s not My problem.” He was either disrespecting her or kidding her and I choose to believe the later. She knew He would do something but she dared not tell Him what to do. She knew that whatever He did, it would be something new, refreshing and probably incredible. I love this woman and this story…she says to the servants, “Do whatever He tells You,” and walks off.

Presumption may be the mother of all sins. The Jews presumed the Messiah would be a king in the mold of David and would lead the Jewish Nation to military victory over the domineering Romans. They never imagined a suffering servant who would be crucified by the Romans, with their help of course.

Now days we have all these prophecy experts telling us exactly what is going to happen in the end time. Time will reveal them to be as presumptuous as the Jews. He will do something they have never imagined. It is His nature and Mary knew Him well and so she said, “Do whatever He says.” She left all the details to Jesus. To quote Yoda,  “Intelligent woman she was!”

EXTRA

• Essie Holladay, Gregg’s Aunt and the last of her generation was promoted on Tuesday June 17th at the age of 100. She was pretty active until the last year or so. Her COLS is today at FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH at 11:00 am with Dr. J. Wayne Penn, Dan Compton and Don Gentry. Mrs. Essie was born November 17, 1913, in Lawrence County to Dr. James Samuel Crow and Dona Bell Miller Crow. She and her husband, Clyde Holladay had six children. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two children: Parris Holladay and Lyle Holladay, and her siblings: Coy Crow, Myrtis Crow, Evie Holladay, Hazel Holladay, Zemon Crow and Christine McKay, and her son-in-law: Bob Puckett. Essie was a homemaker, quilter, gardner, hospital employee and caretaker of children and the sick. She was a life-long faithful member of Friendship Baptist Church.
• Full slate this Sunday beginning with Deacon’s meeting at 8:00. We have one surprise which we will share with you Sunday morning. I know how much you like surprises.
• Adam’s family, not the Adams family, left for China yesterday morning and the Guatemalan crew came home yesterday evening except for Haley Rae who is going to spend the Summer is beautiful Guatemala. Haley Rae is a good Missionary: she never gets home sick. You have to love the country and the people to be effective and I think she does both.
• I am not responsible for what my daughters post of FACEBOOK!

Palm Sunday

SCRIPTURE

Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet He is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.

~Zechariah 9:9, NLT

QUOTE

“Ride on, ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die; O Christ, thy triumphs now begin, O’er captive death and conquered sin”

~ Henry Hart Milman

Jesus make His entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Why would Jesus choose a donkey? One reason was to fulfill the Old Testament prophecy above [Zechariah 9:9] but I do think there are other reasons. Jesus is a King and a conquering King but He does not use force. The donkey is a sign of humility and peace. Jesus had no royal garments, no prancing steed, no garrison of troops, no body guards: He wore the garb of a common man and his entourage was a group of peasants praising Him as the One who comes in the name of the LORD. Jesus did not ride to a palace to be entertains by dignitaries, He rode straight to the Temple because His mission was spiritual in nature.

Personally, I am glad He came to where we are on this tiny speck of dust and I admire His courage to enter Jerusalem in any fashion but very impressed that he would come in such a humble and gentle manner. What a King! He is the King of kings. He has no rivals. He is the greatest and I bless His name.

• Mrs. Eloise Maddox fell and broker her arm a few days ago. She is a sweet lady.
• I also forgot to mention the promotion of Arvid Wakefield in yesterday’s blog. Arvid had ALS. I think he was 46 years old.
• It’s a small world. I stopped at DG in Lexington yesterday and while I was in line I got to talking to a couple of ladies and I ask about my old college class mate Larry Bullard. There were three Baptist preachers in my graduating class of 1971 at Athens College. The other was Mickey Dalrymple. Larry has brain cancer the ladies told me and I understand Mickey is also having problems again. Life is short and fragile.
• I was not able to get any details about the Wayans. I think their children are coming down tomorrow.
• Baptism today and Egg Hunt at 4:30. Big Mama has ordered 40 Pizza’s for tonight. You can bring a 2 liter drink or something sweet if you want.
• We will also have Deacon’s Meeting this morning.

Not A Professional

Pray for MY HOPE

SCRIPTURE: Then Amos answered Amaziah, “I am not a professional prophet, and I am not from a prophet’s family. I raise cattle and take care of sycamore trees. I was a shepherd and the Lord took me from following the sheep. The Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ [Amos 7:14-15, ERV]

QUOTE: Success is the world’s criterion of merit; fidelity is God’s. ~Charles S. Robinson

Sycamore Fruit [Figs]

COMMENTARY: Amos was a native of Judah, a herdsman and a gather of sycamore fruit, sometimes referred to as sycamore figs. He was scratching out a living by the sweat of his brow when God spoke to him and told him to go North and prophecy at Bethel where a Reverend Amaziah was the pastor and spiritual advisor to king Jeroboam II. Amos obeyed the LORD, he went to Bethel and prophesied the downfall of Israel and this prophecy was fulfilled 25 years later. Ironically, at the time of Amos prophecy, Israel was at its zenith in terms of prosperity and they scoffed at Amos prophecy. They saw Amos as an uninvited intruder whose presence and prophecy were insulting. Amos was unwelcome and unappreciated. Amaziah told him to go home and prophecy in Judah.

I am impressed with Amos. He was uneducated and unprofessional. He had no ordination papers or seminary degree. He was a layman, a common hard-working man.  He did not make his living preaching as did Amaziah. Although Amos was rejected and rebuffed, he remained true to his mission. Amaziah tried to intimidate him but Amos was unimpressed with the Reverend Amaziah.This was Amos response to Amaziah… ‘Your wife will become a prostitute in the city. Your sons and daughters will be killed with swords. Other people will take your land and divide it among themselves, and you will die in a foreign country.’ Public opinion, nor lack of respect deterred Amos: he had a job to do and he did it.

Every preacher could learn from this simple man: answer the call and deliver the message. It does not matter if they respond, that is not your call. It does not matter if they appreciate you or not. It doesn’t matter if you get invited back–all that matters is being faithful to deliver God’s message.

EXTRA

• Beautiful day yesterday…THANK YOU JESUS
• Ann Vest is in Huntsville Hospital
• Kenny Holladay is also in Huntsville Hospital. He had back surgery yesterday. May get to come home today, I am not sure.
• We had 414 for Worship and only 202 for Sunday School. Twenty two years ago yesterday we had 214 in LCBS, a new record at the time. It was our first day in the new building.