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ARE YOU GOING TO MISS THE KINGDOM

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INHERITING THE KINGDOM

lion and lamb

By Ken Blue

“ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21.

The following is an explanation of the sins of the flesh from Dake’s Bible Notes. Will you make it into the Kingdom?

1. Adultery: unlawful sexual relations between men and women, single or married (Mt. 15:19; Mk. 7:21; Jn. 8:3; Gal.5:19).

2. Fornication: same as adultery above besides all manner of other unlawful relations.

3. Uncleanness: whatever is opposite of purity; including sodomy, homosexuality, lesbianism, pederasty, bestiality, and all other forms of sexual perversion (Gal. 5:19; Mt. 23:27; Rom. 1:21-32; 6:19.

4. Lasciviousness: licentiousness, lustfulness, unchastity, and lewdness. Lasciviousness is the promoting or partaking of that which tends to produce lewd emotions, anything tending to foster sex sin and lust. That is why many worldly pleasures have to be avoided by Christians — so that lasciviousness may not be committed.

5. Idolatry: image-worship (1Cor. 10:14; Gal. 5:20; Col. 3:5; 1Pet. 4:3). Idolatry includes anything on which affections are passionately set; extravagant admiration of the heart (Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5).

6. Witchcraft: sorcery, practice of dealing with evil spirits; magical incantations and casting spells and charms upon one by means of drugs and potions of various kinds (Gal. 5:20; Rev. 9:21; 18:23; cp. Rev. 21:8; 22:15.. Enchantments were used to inflict evil, pains, hatred, sufferings, and death, or to bring good, health, love and other blessings.

7. Hatred: enmity; hatred (Gal. 5:20). Bitter dislike, abhorrance, malice and ill will against anyone; tendency to hold grudges against or be angry at someone.

8. Variance: Rom. 1:29. Dissensions, discord, quarreling, debating; and disputes.

9. Emulations: envies, jealousies; striving to excel at the expense of another; seeking to surpass and out do others; uncurbed rivalry spirit in religion, business, society, and other fields of endeavor.

10. Wrath: “indignation” (Rom. 2:8); and “fierceness” (Rev. 16:19; 19:15). Turbulent passions; domestic and civil turmoils; rage; determined and lasting anger.

11. Strife: Disputations; jangling; strife about words; angry contentions; contest for superiority or advantage; strenuous endeavor to equal or pay back in kind the wrongs done to one.

12. Seditions: divisions, parties, and factions (Gal. 5:20). Popular disorder; stirring up strife in religion, government, home, or any other place.

13. Heresies: a choosing, hence, a sect. The word heretic is used once in Scripture (Tit. 3:10), and means one who holds a heresy; a dissenter, nonconformist.

14. Envyings: Pain, ill will, and jealousy at the good fortune or blessings of another; the most base of all degrading and disgraceful passions.

15. Murders: to kill; to spoil or mar the happiness of another; hatred (1Jn. 3:15).

16. Drunkeness: Living intoxicated; a slave to drink; drinking bouts.

17. Revellings: rioting (Rom. 13:13). Lascivious and boisterous feastings, with obscene music, and other sinful activities; pleasures; carousings.

“There is so much good in the worst of us,
And so much bad in the best of us,
That it hardly behooves any of us
To talk about the rest of us.” Edward Wallis Hoch, Marion (Kansas) Record (1849 – 1925)

THE FINAL JUDGMENT

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By Ken Blue

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them…” Revelation 20:11.

Appearance stern and countenance of stone;
He seated Himself on a Great White Throne.

Sinners were called from each dispensation;
To hear their fate, and their destination.

Witnesses were summoned to testify;
And sinners were asked for their alibi.

Conscious was then called to the witness stand,
Swearing to the truth; he raised his right hand.

“Do you know the accused?” Conscious was asked.
“I do,” He said; “his conversion, my task.”

“He forced me out, while refusing my call,
Until my voice, was scarcely heard at all.”

To the witness stand next, was called the Law;
Was ask to attest what he knew and saw.

“I reasoned with his conscious every day,
But he cast aside and pushed me away.”

Creation was called to the witness stand;
With no place to hide, he saw every man.

“I spoke each one’s language; in every land.
They refused to listen or understand.”

When ask for a verdict, each did agree;
Light was rejected; and all were guilty.

The Judge stood up in His dazzling array,
Sentenced to hell; they were all sent away.

Avoid this judgment and its coming date;
By trusting Jesus before it’s too late.

THE WATER MARK

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money

Keeping your money tank full

By Ken Blue

“There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.” Proverbs 21:20.

“He that gathereth in summer is a wise son…” Proverbs 10:5.

“The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;” Proverbs 30:25.

Pastor Dallas Dobson was a dear friend of mine; he is now with the Lord. Both of us were from Arkansas and had many of the same childhood experiences. I remember a story he told me that is worth repeating. Hopefully, it will help other pastors.

We were discussing church finances, and he asked me if I remembered the water towers use by the old steam engines that came through our town. I assured him I did. He said, “If you remember, there was a gauge on the outside of the tower to indicate how much water was in the tank.” I told him that I remembered clearly the tower and the gauge.

“Well,” he said, “I look at our church finances like one would look at the water tower. I know how much money it takes to operate our church each month. I keep the tower filled with enough money to keep our church running for at least three months; even if we never have another penny come in during that time. That way, if there is a major emergency, we could continue to operate while we waited for rain.”

From that time forward, I determined that we would maintain enough in the tank to keep our church operating for a minimum of three months. I know many churches are struggling and it is very difficult for them to put anything in the water tower. But, I suggest that you start now and put a little in this special fund until you have an adequate reserve on hand.

Some pastors believe they must spend every penny each week. Therefore, when a special need arises, they are unable to do anything about it. If you work a secular job, you should not attempt to purchase property or build buildings. Also, you should not start supporting missions until you are fulltime, and have started this fund. Missions is not the golden calf, nor should you assume that God will increase your income because you increase your expenses. Many of the special meetings may need to cease until this fund in established.

Beware of borrowing money, and be wise as to how you spend or save it. “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7. Put money in the tank and then keep an eye on it. It is not a lack of faith to save; it is Scriptural, and it is a mark of good senses. In fact, it is an act of biblical wisdom!

THE POISON PEN

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THE POWER OF THE PEN

PEN

By Ken Blue
The pen is a powerful tool, and it expresses the thoughts, disposition, attitude, and intent through its point. When the communist conquered China, they placed a printing press in the back of a truck with a sign which read, “With this we conquered.” One cannot underestimate the power of the pen.

This is why young pastors should use discretion when selecting reading materials. Jerry Falwell said, “Every one of us will be the same in five years, as we are today, with the exception of the people we meet, and the books we read.” Now, to show how some of you have been corrupted; you would have said “amen” to that quote had Falwell’s name not been mentioned. Instead, you went into convulsions. That ought to tell you something about yourself.

When we are young, we seldom have convictions of our own. We adopt those of our parents, our pastor, or our religious hero. These convictions may be correct, and if they are, they should become ours. However, in time we should be able to say as the Samaritans did, “…Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.” John 4:42. I am confident that many fundamental pastors are on the “pill.” They haven’t given birth to a new idea in years.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]One cannot underestimate the power of the pen.[/perfectpullquote]

It takes about two minutes to discern who a pastor is reading or listening to. He can’t help but pick up the attitude and demeanor of others. You should balance your reading materials. If all you have are books and pamphlets that spew out negative sewage, you are going to take the stench to the pulpit with you. Only those who live in a sewer will feel at home with you.

Preach on hell when the text calls for it. Preach against all forms of immorality when it is in the passage. Preach against gossip and division, when necessary. But, for God’s sake, don’t allow someone’s pen to poison your attitude, disposition, or manners.

Paul never mentioned hell in any of his writings, yet we know he believed it existed. No one questions Dr. Jack Hyles commitment to truth, but listen to what he said, “This will surprise you. I am going to preach on a subject that you have never heard me preach on Sunday morning probably in the almost a quarter of a century that I have been Pastor of this church. … Also, it is a subject about which I do not like to preach!- Sermon ―Why Hell?” It is a sign of insanity to attack men for what you have not heard him say.

Not all poison is sweet; some is bitter. The trouble with many pastors is that they have been taught that anything sweet is poison and anything bitter is good. Both approaches are wrong. Some pastors live on the poison pen. Dear brother, it will be decided at the judgment seat of Christ how pure our motives and works were. You will have enough to answer for. So, avoid the poison pen ministry.

A COMPLETED SALVATION

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By Ken Blue

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predeestinat to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” Romans 8:29-30.

The believer’s salvation is a completed work from beginning to end. In God’s plan, Jesus was crucified before the foundation of the world. However, the crucifixion materialized over 2000 years ago. Likewise, the believer has been to the cross and is now seated in heaven. The realization of that truth will take place when Christ; who is our life shall appear. While we are on earth, we live and walk in the light of that truth by faith. The following poem declares that truth.

Those who would be save, He always foreknew,
Before earth’s creation; crucified for you.
His image is our predestination.
His Word creates that sanctification.

Providential working, reached the called;
Drawn by His Spirit, at His feet they fall.
Declaring us just; wholly justified.
With Him on the cross, we’re identified.

Secured in heaven; fully glorified.
Seated and sealed; we are immortalized.
From foreknowledge to, glorification;
Forever we’re saved from all condemnation!

Foreknown, predestined, and effectually called;
Justifying and glorifying us once and for all!