THE OPPORTUNITY IS NOW

As Paul finished his letter to the Galatians he said, "So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith." (Gal. 6:10).  Life has many opportunities to serve the Lord by serving others but time passes fast and we can miss those chances. 

If life is like a day on the clock (6 AM to 10 PM) then what time is it for you? If you are 25 then it is already almost noon. By the time you are 40 it is 3 PM and if you are 55 it is 7 PM. If you are 65 it is almost bed time. This is based on the biblical average life of 70 years. "As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away." (Psa_90:10). Americans might make it a little longer due to good health care...but not a lot longer.

This week Dr. Al Mohler spoke about an article by Pagan Kennedy entitled "No Magic Pill Will Get You to 100".  We all pretty much die right on time in spite of longevity diets, vitamins, exercise and things like that. Those who invent the diets die too. In the 1930's a Dr. McCay tested a diet on rats that he also followed and thought would double the life spans. "Though trim and athletic, he had two strokes and died at 69."  A Dr. Walford also had a low calorie diet that he thought would get you to 120. He wrote a work entitled the 120 Year Diet but he died at a fairly young age too. Nutritionist, Adelle Davis, warned of the dangers of refined foods, but she died of cancer at 70. The doctor who invented the high fat Atkins diet also died early. 

The Kennedy tells a really interesting story. "Then there is a Jerome Rodale, founder of the publishing empire dedicated to health. In 1971, Dick Cavett invited Mr. Rodale onto his TV show... Mr. Rodale then age 72, took his chair next to Mr. Cavett and then proclaimed that he would live to be 100. And then within seconds, he made a snoring sound and died." "We are then told that the recorded episode never aired." said Al Mohler.

We all die on time, God's time. We might make it to 70 or 80 "by strength" but we still die.  Why? Because "...it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgement,..."  (Heb. 9:27b). Therefore, let us be thankful for the Gospel and heed Paul's call to serve the body of Christ and others. How are you doing on the clock? I am over 70 but still ticking thankfully. With that I think I'll have a cookie and some coffee and work a little longer tonight.

Pastor Mark

WALK BY THE SPIRIT

How we live indicates if we are driven by our flesh or the Spirit of God. The book of Galatians says, “For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.” (5:17). This conflict was a problem in the ancient world and continues to be today.

Paul, while speaking of true spiritual freedom which is freedom from the Law, gives two clear lists in Galatians 5 with which to check ourselves. The works of the flesh (our old sin nature from Adam) result in us acting like animals who “bite and devour one another” like wild dogs (5:15). Then verse 19 gives a fifteen-point list that starts with sexual sins like immorality. Then it refers to spiritual sins like idolatry and sorcery (drugs) etc..  Finally, he gives a long list of relational sins like “enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these.” Those who habitually “practice” such things will not "see the kingdom of God." True Christians are not perfect and can trip up on these, but they won’t continue in them constantly. Is this where you are?

Next is a list of the “fruit of the Spirit” (singular) that genuine believers should exhibit. This is a life not lived by the Law but by the Spirit. It starts with love, joy peace etc. and ends with self-control. There are nine fruits that the Spirit here that are a picture of Christ ultimately. Therefore, we go from lust driven by the selfish flesh to love produced by the Spirit.

What is Paul saying? He is saying that if you are born again by faith in Christ alone through His grace alone then you will walk by the Spirit to live a holy life. The unseen Spirit of God abides in and walks with the believer through life. You won’t need a list of laws to tell you what to do (v.18). This is actually a higher standard that living by Law because it is direct from the Holy Spirit. However, the Law is not totally abolished. It helps man understand it is impossible to keep (the Law, that is) and  should bring us to repentance. But the Holy Spirit that dwells in every believer is the One who gently leads us along and directs us (I Cor. 12:13). Are you yielded to Him?

"If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit."  Galatians 5:25

Therefore, what do we do when we find a believer caught in sin? What is our responsibility? We will find out this Sunday (3/11) as we look at Galatians 6 next. Here we find instruction on how to humbly help those caught in sin.  Do you know how?

Building project update:  A week ago the county met with us and made minor plan suggestions except for requiring us to pave our parking lot. Plan changes are being made before we make the formal application for the building permit.

Spring you clocks ahead one hour Saturday night. If you are able, watch some of the excellent sessions from the Shepherds Conference this Thursday and Friday at www.shepherdsconference.org.  

Sunday welcome our Camp Gilead friends as they update us on the ministry there.  The Seniors Brown Bag Luncheon is happening right after church also in the Fireside Room so pack your lunch and enjoy the fellowship.

THE LAST SERMON

Billy Graham was America’s most well-known evangelist in the past century. He preached to over 200 million people in person and many more via media. His simple message of the gospel touched many lives including mine.

His final sermon was given from his home on his 95th birthday in 2013. He proclaimed that message one last time telling of man’s sickness of sin and that the cross of Christ was the only answer. Billy simply told of how Christ died for our sins and that forgiveness only comes when we humbly seek Him in prayer for that forgiveness. Christ, as the perfect payment for our sin, forgives us and rescues us from eternal hell to a life of freedom and rejoicing as we praise the Lord in Heaven for His great gift.  Have you turned to Christ to be forgiven forever? You can watch Graham’s last sermon on link below.

https://youtu.be/gQPI8hK0y8A

Graham was laid to rest in a simple pine coffin made by inmates at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, the “Alcatraz of the South.”  It was a fitting symbol of his humility.

The 99-year-old evangelist laid in repose in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, an honor accorded to only 32 other people. The President and many government officials paid tribute. He will be buried in Charlotte, NC. near the barn-like library building that has cross window on one end like our church auditorium.

Ironically our own Jerry Gary, a preacher of the Gospel, will be laid to rest this weekend at the National Cemetery in Covington at 1:30 Thursday. The memorial service will be Saturday March 3 at 10:00 AM at our church…the one with the “cross window.” All are welcome. Remember America and the Graham and Gary family in prayer this weekend.

Pastor Mark