WHEN A LITTLE MEANS A LOT

 “Little is much when God is in it.”  That was a line from a Gospel song they used to sing in the small church I attended as a lad.  It is the truth we observe in Acts 23:11-22.

But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.” And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy. They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul. Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near.” So when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.” So he took him and brought him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to say to you.” Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside, and asked privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more fully about him. But do not yield to them, for more than forty of them lie in wait for him, men who have bound themselves by an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him; and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from you.” So the commander let the young man depart, and commanded him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.” (Acts‬ ‭23‬:‭11‬-‭22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬, emphasis added)

Here is when a little meant a lot.

There was A NAMELESS PERSON, “Paul’s sister’s son,” (v. 16a). We know he was Paul’s nephew, but we do not even know his name. Yet, God would use this lad in a large way. The Apostle’s ministry would have been terminated and his impact truncated had it not been for this nameless person. 

There are preachers’ names we know. Like Paul, their impact is huge. But, for all of those, there are many whose names will never make headlines. Maybe you feel that way. But, God knows your name. He has written it down in His Book. One of the strangest things is that the Lord may summon you to the front of the crowd to receive your crown in that eternal day! 

I love Hebrews 11–“Faith’s Hall of Fame.”  Household names like Noah, Abraham, and Moses are prominent. Then, there is this encouraging word:

Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. (Heb.‬ ‭11‬:‭35‬b-‭40‬‬)

“Others,” not even named; no miracles noted. Yet, God sets them up as a shining standard of faith and summons us to join their ranks.  The fulfillment of the promise of God’s ultimate triumph requires both the heroes and the zeroes. We fit in there somewhere!

There was AN OBSCURE PLACE, “Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush,” (v. 16b). Where was he when he heard?  The location is as unknown as the young man’s name. But, he was in the most strategic spot for a service that was spiritually significant.

So, we may labor for the Lord in obscure places. We serve a small church back in the holler. It may be a name associated with a little creek or a grove of trees. There are prime places in large cities with prominent pulpits. Where we serve, maybe not so much. We walk outside on the porch in front of the small country church and do not hear cars going by, but the sound of the creek flowing along. There are more birds singing in the trees than people singing in the congregation. Far from having a worldwide broadcast, we are so deep in the woods we don’t even have the internet.

Take comfort in the fact that though the denominational executives do not know where you are, God does. We may discover on the Judgment Day that a mini-church had a mega-impact. It may be that a young farm boy will get saved in that little chapel, and grow up to be called into ministry.  That man’s service might then have a worldwide impact!  It happens. But, it would not happen without that “Little Brown Church in the Wildwood,” as the song goes.

I will never forget one of my mentors, Dale Fisher, telling me as a 21 year old called to Gospel ministry, “God knows where you are and He can get you where He wants you to be.”  So, I have served Cane River, Oak Grove, Centerview, Sugarfork, and Pole Creek. None of those are household names in the church world. But, I was where God wanted me, and that is good enough. Someone needs to pastor, “Suck Creek Baptist Church,” (yes, that is a real place).  

Here is the crucial part: there was A DIVINE PROVIDENCE, “he went and entered the barracks and told Paul,” (v. 16c). The Sovereign God was directing a nameless person to an obscure place to the fulfillment of His Divine providence. 

The Lord Jesus had the night before showed up in Paul’s prison cell and made a promise, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome,” (v. 11). 

Satan sought to stop that mission. He moved the conspirators to plot Paul’s assassination. Yet, the Lord’s purposes cannot be thwarted. This instead set a series of events in motion that instead of stopping Paul from reaching Rome, brought him there. The Devil did not halt the Gospel, but instead took the Apostle to a worldwide platform!

Man of God, you are in the Lord’s hands. His providence will lift you up and bear you along to places you did not anticipate. I would have never thought it possible that an unknown young preacher speaking to a small group of about 60 (on a good day) of mostly senior citizens would one day regularly preach to 400 on Sunday morning in a place called Pole Creek, located between Milk Sick Cove and Hookers Gap, not quite to Jugtown. When I attended Fruitland as a young ministerial student, I would have laughed had you told me I would someday be a professor at Fruitland Baptist Bible College. After seeking counsel from our Missions Director as I faced a crisis from conflict in the church where a bunch were trying to fire me, I would not have believed that I would one day be in that position dispensing counsel to other pastors. Sitting in the back of an NC Baptist Convention Meeting, where no one knew my name, it would have been the most unlikely scenario that I would one day be on the platform, giving the report as Chairman of the Nominating Committee, and also nominating the man who would ultimately. become President of the Convention.

I never tried to climb the ladder. I just tried to be faithful where I was. Give the Lord the five loaves and two fish and he can multiply them miraculously. Pass on the news you overheard and the Lord can use that to make an enormous difference and save a preacher. He knows your name. He knows where you serve. His providence will direct you. In heaven, you will discover:

In the harvest field now ripened
There’s a work for all to do;
Hark! the Master’s voice is calling,
To the harvest calling you.

        Refrain:

        Little is much when God is in it!
Labor not for wealth or fame;
There’s a crown, and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ name.

        In the mad rush of the broad way,
In the hurry and the strife,
Tell of Jesus’ love and mercy,
Give to them the Word of Life.

        Does the place you’re called to labor
Seem so small and little known?
It is great if God is in it,
And He’ll not forsake His own.

        Are you laid aside from service,
Body worn from toil and care?
You can still be in the battle,
In the sacred place of prayer.

        When the conflict here is ended
And our race on earth is run,
He will say, if we are faithful,
“Welcome home, My child—well done!”    (Kittie L. Suffield)

(The photo is of Young’s Chapel Baptist Church, where I preached my first revival as a Fruitland student, and the chairman of the pulpit committee from Cane River heard me, leading to my call to serve Cane River in my first pastorate.)

SAYING GOODBYE

Every pastor will come to the end of his tour of duty at the church he serves.  I am currently interim pastor at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, but have already told a them that in four weeks it will be my final Sunday with them in that capacity. Like Paul “we [will] come to the end of those days.”

I recall the first time this happened, on my final night in the first church I pastored—Cane River Baptist Church. I sat in my car—just the Lord and me—and wept my eyes out. It was hard to say goodbye. For three and one half years, I had been with them and come to love them. They were family. These mostly senior saints had taken a young twenty-something and allowed him to “cut his teeth” in ministry. They had been so patient and kind.

Each church brought a similar experience. Saying farewell is tough. Yet, it is a reality. Some men are even forced out. That is a different and and even more difficult departure. But, none of them are easy. 

Yet, sooner or later it will happen. If we are not taken away in a moving van, then we will be removed in a casket—or perhaps the rapture. But the final sermon will be preached by us in that pulpit eventually. 

This precious scene of Paul gathered with these member of his spiritual family, getting ready to board the ship and sail into the unknown, touches us at the deepest level. The Apostle was sailing into a storm of suffering. 

    And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not  knowing the things that will happen to me             there, except that  the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and  tribulations await me.         But none of these things move me; nor  do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race          with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord  Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of         God.” (Acts‬ ‭ 20‬:‭22‬-‭24‬‬)  

May we have the same spirit—coming or going or abiding—pouring out our lives for Christ and His church. Let us run to the finish line and cross with victory. Brush away the tears and rejoice that we have been privileged to be called by God’s grace, sustained by it, and able to testify of it!

THE STANDARD FOR SHEPHERDS

When Paul summons the Ephesian elders, the message he has for them sets the standard for those who are called to shepherd God’s flock. His model for God’s shepherds matched his message to them. The portion of the passage we will focus on is Acts 20:26-28. 

Paul spoke of having A CLEAR CONSCIENCE. “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men,” (v. 26). Doubtless, Paul was reflecting on the words found in Ezekiel’s prophecy, where God’s man is portrayed as a watchman on the wall, (cf. Ezek. 3:16-21; 33:1-11). If the watchman fails to warn the people of the enemy’s attack, then the blood of those who perish is on the hands of the watchman. People hopefully will heed the warning, but if they do not, then we are not responsible. We have done our duty. Our hands are not stained with blood. Our conscience is clear.  

Paul presented A COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNICATION. “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God,” (v. 27). It is easy to “cherry pick” texts that will gain you approval and applause. The temptation is to avoid the tough words that will convict of sin and may arouse criticism. Everyone enjoys sermons about salvation and heaven—sermons on sin and hell, not so much. It is also possible to fail at the opposite end of the spectrum in having a pet doctrine or particular sin that we pound on repeatedly to the neglect of other truths. Our task is to preach the Word comprehensively.  There are certainly occasions where a topical sermon may be preached—as long as the texts are not taken out of context. We may be led to preach expository sermons on a particular theme for several Sundays. The pattern that best assures a comprehensive communication is to take a Bible book and preach through it. The sheep need a balanced diet.

Paul concluded with A COMPELLING CHARGE, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood,” (v. 28).  The impact of men who preceded me in ministry has been indispensable in shaping me. The charge they have given me still burns in my heart and compels me to faithfulness. As an Olympic torch is passed from one runner to the next, so the torch of truth has been handed to me. Now, as I near the end of my leg of that race, I must pass it on to the next generation. To use Paul’s analogy here, he is handing off the shepherd’s staff to the next generation of shepherds. He gives them a compelling charge. I submit that our task as faithful shepherds is to raise up those who will replace us. Who are you mentoring in ministry?

SEMPER FIDELIS

 

“Semper Fidelis,” is the Marine Corps motto. It is Latin for, “always faithful.”  It is an apt description for a soldier of the cross, also, and is illustrated by the Gospel general, Paul, as we see him in his ministry. Like the Apostle here, we find ourselves in a carnal Corinthian culture.  The words of our Lord to Paul speak to our ministry today. 

It is a call to COURAGE, “Do not be afraid.”  Fear will bid us flee if we listen to its threats. Yet, we are called to go forward in faith. Don’t look around at the danger, but look up to the Savior—“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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb.‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬‬). 

It is a call to COMMUNICATE, “speak, and do not keep silent… for I have many people in this city.”  There is power in the Word of God. It is the Sword of the Spirit and will always accomplish its purpose, (cf. Rom. 1:16-17; Isa. 55:11). We call out those God has already chosen. We do the speaking, God does the saving. Even in a pagan place like Corinth, God had His elect.

It is a call to COMMUNION, “for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you.”  God + 1 = a majority!  With Christ by our side, what do we have to fear?  Let us cultivate our communion with Him instead of concentrating on the challenges before us.  That communion will inspire confidence.

It is a call to COMMITMENT, “And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.”  Stick with it—always faithful. Stay in the Word and share it consistently. It will get the job done.

Semper Fidelis!

AFTER GOD’S HEART

 

There was a Marine slogan I saw on TV years ago, “We’re looking for a few good men.”  So is God. He is a seeking God—from Genesis to Revelation, we witness His search. God called Abraham, Jesus called Simon, and the Spirit and the Bride communicate the pursuit of God in saying, “Come,” (Rev. 22:16). The Lord is still after men who will respond and be “after My own heart,” as David was. We focus on Paul’s sermon illustration in Acts 13:22, as he quotes 1 Samuel 13:14. 

Consider, THE PERSON, “a man.” David was a real man—the son of Jesse. He was not Superman, but a spiritual man. We know he was a sinner saved by grace and set apart by God for God. We are aware that he was a man who sometimes stumbled—and once egregiously so—yet, the orientation of his soul was for God’s heart and the direction of his steps was toward God’s heart. 

God is not after perfection, but progression. If being a perfect man is required then we are all disqualified. There has only been One Perfect Man—Jesus Christ. This is not an excuse for sin. David paid a price for his failure—and others suffered also. Yet, God called the “chief” of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15) and made him the great Apostle Paul, who said, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,” (1 Tim. 1‬:‭12‬‬). Paul, like David, was a man—but a man after God’s own heart. 

Thus, there is THE PASSION, “after My own heart.” To be “after” the heart of God is to exhibit a relentless pursuit. Think of a dog in the hunt, who has picked up the scent of the prey and exerts all that is in it to seize that quarry. Is there a passionate fire burning in you?  Is that pursuit to find the heart of God?

This is important. Don’t bark up the wrong tree!  Success in ministry is not the goal. If you want headlines—status and significance—then even if you get it, you will find it hollow and slippery to hold.  How many church “heroes,” have a pride producing fall and become “zeroes”?

It is the heart of God we are after—to know Him, to love Him, to glorify Him, and to enjoy Him, forever. As we read David’s story and listen to David’s songs, we cannot fail to see his passion for God and God alone. Here is one such expression in Psalm 63:1-8:

O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts  for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land  Where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the  sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. Because Your  lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You.  Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your  name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,  And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. When I  remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night  watches. Because You have been my help, Therefore in the  shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close  behind You; Your right hand upholds me.

Does your heart pound, “Amen” when you read that?

We conclude by considering THE PATTERN, “who will do all My will.”  To be “after the heart of God” is to walk in the will of God. Such a man has Christ as the pattern and seeks to conform to His heart. Our Master is our model and His mission is our mandate. Jesus described it this way in His call to disciples to follow Him, “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matt.‬ ‭20‬:‭28‬‬)

This is a servant mentality, “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”  Do we demand, “serve us,” or engage in “service”?  The servant’s heart is revealed by how we respond when someone treats us like a servant!  The King of Glory stooped to wash dirty feet!

It is also a sacrificial ministry, “and to give His life a ransom for many.”  As John Maxwell’s leadership principle states, “you have to give up to go up.”  We are to be poured out as living sacrifices, (Rom. 12:1). Paul saw his ministry as being “poured out as a drink offering”—a sacrifice to God for men, (ref. 2 Tim. 4:6a). 

May God find in this imperfect man that I am, “a man after [God’s] own heart”!

SERMON PREP 101

“Peter explained it to them in order.” – Acts 11:4 

Dr. Stephen Olford—one of the best examples and equippers of expository preaching writes this about Acts 11:4:

Here is the correct way to rehearse, declare, or teach the Truth. Paul says, when writing to the          Corinthians, “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40), and it applies here as well. To expound Truth in or by order presupposes: 

Study. No one can expound on a subject about which he knows nothing.  In this case, Peter had seen the vision, had heard God speak, and had a  good grasp of the Truth which God sought to impart. 

Sequence. There is no order where there is no sequence. All thoughts or  points should be marshaled in order of sequence. 

System or Synthesis. The putting together of the message ready to be  delivered. 

Lord, enable me to approach the preaching and teaching of Your Word in a worthy manner. (According to Your Word, p.99, Kindle version)

So, I would summarize the results of this as: study—yielding the accurate interpretation of the text; sequence—producing a systematic organization of the points; synthesis—birthing an understandable presentation of the message.

A CHOSEN VESSEL

God informed Ananias that Saul of Tarsus—better known as Paul the Apostle—would be “a chosen vessel.”  In His sovereign grace, the Lord Jesus saved him and would set him apart to serve Him. Christ made the choice to reveal Himself and Saul chose to respond to His call. Those who are set apart for God’s use have no reason to boast of their worthiness, but only to glory in the grace of God. We are mere vessels that He pours into that we may pour out His Word.

Paul’s task would be to take the saving name of Jesus to all the world—Gentiles, Jews, even kings. It is such a privilege to represent the King of kings—to be His ambassador, (cf. 2 Cor. 4:20-21). 

While it is a privilege, it comes with a price.  Paul was to be told upfront that he would suffer much for the cause of Christ. As His ambassadors, we travel into hostile territory, and our message while welcomed by some, will bring the wrath of many. The world has a measure of tolerance—at least indifference—to religion. It is the exclusivity of the Gospel—the name of Jesus as the only means where one must be saved—that is the demand that ignites the world’s fury. 

There are several characteristics of a chosen vessel suggested in Acts 9:10-25. 

First, we see PRAYER.  Ananias was told of Saul of Tarsus, “behold, he is praying,” (v. 11). As natural as an infant who is born, crying out at his or her arrival, this is indicative of a spiritual birth into the family of God. Instinctively, we know we must pray. Yet, too often as we get busy in public work, we may neglect private worship. We will never be a choice vessel that God can use apart from a consistent prayer life. Paul was a productive worker, because he was a prayer warrior. 

Then, consider PERCEPTION. Ananias was to lay hands on him and pray, “so that he might receive his sight,” (v. 12). Paul had been blinded by the glorious light radiating from the Risen Christ—a light brighter than the noonday sun. Now, physically the scales would fall from his eyes so he could see, but spiritually his eyes would be opened also to see God’s purpose for his life. God gives vision to those He uses in His service. We can lead others because we have seen the path to travel.

Also, we must have POWER.  Paul would, “be filled with the Holy Spirit,” (v. 17). The assignment God has for us is too great for us. It is spiritual work and demands supernatural power. When we are saved, we have the Spirit residing in us, but when we are serving, we need the Spirit presiding over us. As we die to sin and become empty of self, the risen life of Christ fills us and makes us fruitful.  God fills the chosen vessel with His Spirit and pours out His power through us. 

This enables PERSISTENCE. We are told that Paul ate and, “was strengthened,” (v. 19). Just as his physical healing gave him sight, this literal food gave him strength. Metaphorically, this would be true in the spiritual dimension. Feeding upon the Bread of Life, he would be able to persist in service despite the opposition he would face. This might for ministry is mentioned in verse 22, “But Saul increased all the more in strength.”  God supported and sustained him as the Jews sought to kill him, (v. 24). J. Vernon McGee noted, “That all of God’s men are immortal until God is through with them.”

There will also be PROCLAMATION. “Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God,” (v. 20). God called this chosen vessel to be a preacher. His proclamation pointed to a Person—the Lord Jesus Christ. What a privilege it is to open the Bible, preach it, and point people to the Savior!  While it is true that every child of God is called to confess Christ—to bear witness to the world—there are those selected to stand in the pulpit and preach. Spurgeon put it, “If God calls you to be a minister, don’t stoop to becoming a king.”