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THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO ENDURE SUFFERING

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THE BENEFITS OF SUFFERING

Man With Back PainBy Ken Blue

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-6

All too often we are guilty of complaining about the very things God uses to strengthen us and equip us to help another brother or sister in Christ. If you never have problems, God can never solve them. If you are never lonely, you can never enjoy God’s presence. There must be discomfort in order to experience and appreciate His comfort. So, don’t kick against the “pricks”. They are intended for your good.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Life changing experiences make is possible to empathize with those who are suffering.[/pullquote]

Also, your experiences will be life changing and make is possible for you to identify and empathize with those who are suffering. None of us want or enjoy heartache or misery in life; but those things are necessary. I do not wish misfortune on anyone, but a death in the family, a divorce, a bout with cancer or a wayward son or daughter will change your prospective completely, and make it possible for you to understand the hurt and grief of others. You will then “be able to comfort them which are in any trouble”.

SHOW ME THE PICTURE OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH

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WHY THERE IS NO BAPTIST CHURCH

Baptist CHURCHBy Ken Blue

Recently a family took a two week vacation, traveling across the country to visit sites of interest. They were faithful in church attendance each Sunday and sought out a Baptist Church whenever possible. The wife said to her pastor, “Pastor, I was so disappointed. It was almost impossible to find a ‘Baptist Church that looked Baptist.’”

Her response echoes the thoughts of many who believe churches must look like other baptist churches to be considered Baptist. She was not speaking of the physical configuration of the buildings. What she meant was every Baptist Church was different and none were like her home church.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]There is no such thing as the Baptist Church. There are only Baptist Churches, and every one of them is independent and autonomous.[/perfectpullquote]

This is the mentality of many. They have in their mind that the Baptist Church is God’s favorite and that each one should be a carbon copy of their own. Once a group of churches form a close net fellowship, the next move is for a leader to arise and begin teaching how the other churches must look and believe. What many have forgotten is that there is no Baptist Church. There is a Catholic Church, a Presbyterian Church, a Lutheran Church; But, there is no such thing as the Baptist Church. There are only Baptist Churches, and every one of them is independent and autonomous.

The reason some are so critical of other churches, is because they have a mental picture of what a Baptist Church must look. Of course, they think it should look somewhat like theirs, or it isn’t truly a Baptist Church. Perhaps the reader could give us, from the Pastoral Epistles, a clear picture of what a Baptist Church looks like; then we could all conform to their image. Until then, each pastor should pastor his own church and wait for the picture.

THE NON-EVANGELIST; EVANGELIST

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THE ROLL OF MISSIONARY – EVANGELIST

DCP00346By Ken Blue

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;” Ephesians 4:11.

I have no interest in hurting anyone’s income. My objective is to give a biblical definition and explanation of what I, and many others believe the ministry of the evangelist should be.

In the early church, all of these were contemporary. However, in time, the apostles and prophets passed of the scene. Some suggest that the call of the evangelist also ended. Personally, I do not believe it has, but I do believe the title and the purpose has been greatly misunderstood and abused.

The Bible does not mention the missionary at all. Although all believers have a mission, the title of the missionary is never mentioned. The reason for this, I believe, is that the evangelist did what the missionaries are now doing. In other words, they were missionaries. Also, every local church is to do the work of an evangelist, or missionary, by starting new churches.

The evangelist/missionary went to the cities and villages and preached the gospel to the lost. Sinners were saved and in time, a pastor was appointed to pastor the new church.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The evangelist went and preached the gospel to the lost. When enough sinners were saved, a pastor was appointed to pastor the new church.[/perfectpullquote]

Albert Barns says. “What was the precise office of the evangelist in the primitive church it is now impossible to determine. The evangelist may have been one whose main business was preaching, and who was not particularly engaged in the government of the church. The word properly means, “a messenger of good tidings;” and Robinson (Lex.) supposes that it denotes a minister of the gospel who was not located in any place, but who travelled as a missionary to preach the gospel, and to found churches. The word is so used now by many Christians; but it cannot be proved that it is so used in the New Testament.” (Barns notes).

“Evangelists were itinerant preachers like our missionaries, as Philip the deacon (Ac 21:8); as contrasted with stationary “pastors and teachers” (2 Ti 4:5). The evangelist founded the Church; the teacher built it up in the faith already received.” (JFB).

“The gift of an evangelist (euaggelistas ). This is the gift of carrying the gospel all over the world. It is the gift that specializes in proclaiming the gospel to the lost of the world. It would include both what we call the evangelist and the missionary”.—Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible – Commentary.

Easton’s Bible Dictionary says, “a “publisher of glad tidings;” a missionary preacher of the gospel (Eph. 4:11). This title is applied to Philip (Acts 21:8), who appears to have gone from city to city preaching the word (Acts 8:4, 40). Judging from the case of Philip, evangelists had neither the authority of an apostle, nor the gift of prophecy, nor the responsibility of pastoral supervision over a portion of the flock. They were itinerant preachers, having it as their special function to carry the gospel to places where it was previously unknown. The writers of the four Gospels are known as the Evangelists.”

Many of today’s evangelists are anything but the founders of New Testament churches. Today we have Evangelist that: Sing, Tract, Clown, Construct and even tell pastors how to run their churches.  It is not uncommon to see evangelist who: work at county Fairs, Rodeos and Stock Car races.  There are evangelist who work with: Children, Teens,  families and a host of others. The only true Evangelists are those who are winning souls and establishing churches. The rest are nothing more than traveling gypsies.

ROADBLOCKS ON THE ROAD TO HELL

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ROADBLOCKS ON THE ROAD TO HELL
hellBy Ken Blue

“And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments…” Luke 16:23.

1. You will have to step over the church.
Certainly, not every church in America preaches a clear saving gospel. But, there are enough who do, in every city, where a person can find out how to be saved. Even the steeple points toward heaven. To go to hell, you would need to ignore all the churches that preach the gospel; regardless of their denomination.

2. You will have to step over the prayers of those who have prayed for you.
Many will be in hell because they have trampled on the prayers of their mother or father. Some of you have a saved friend or relative who is and has been praying for you for years. If you go to hell, you must ignore the prayers offered on your behalf.

3. You will have to step over the Bible.
The Bible is found in practically every hotel and motel room. It can be seen and purchased in practically every store in America. Check Wall-Mart next time you are there. If you are unsaved, you have been stepping over the Bible on your way to hell.

4. You will have to step over those who have witnessed to you.
Perhaps someone at work or school has witnessed to you. You may have received a gospel tract from a friend or a stranger. This is one of God’s methods to keep you out of hell. But, many will ignore God’s message and step over it on their way into hell.

5. You will have to step over the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit shows your conscience that you are a sinner and that you deserve God’s wrath. If you have a conscience, the Spirit of God has told you that you need a savior. Many push Him away and deaden their conscience through alcohol, drugs, music, entertainment, and pleasure. He stands between you and hell. Don’t push Him away.

6. You will have to step over the cross.
Emblems of the cross are everywhere. They are God’s roadblock to getting you to think for a moment. Someone died on that cross for you and paid your sin debt. The Innocent died for you; the guilty. He was your substitute.

7. You will have to trample on the blood of Christ.
Not only did Jesus die on the cross for you; His blood was perfect and was required as payment for sin. “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22. To go to hell, you must reject the blood of Jesus Christ, shed for your sins.

Don’t ignore your eternal destiny by ignoring these seven roadblocks God has placed between you and hell. Accept Jesus Christ as your Savior today! If you will, let me know.

HOW TO GET ATTENTION IN CHURCH

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ATTENTION GETTING TRICKS

ATTENTIONBy Ken Blue

For anyone to claim that he or she has not enjoyed the attention of others would be less than telling the truth. But, if you are the sort who craves it, here are a few tips that usually work.

The first is, to loiter in the foyer or stand at the back of the church until after the music or the announcements have started. Then, simply walk in by yourself, and make sure you go all the way to the front two rows of the church. There is absolutely no way this method can fail. People from every location within the building will turn their eyes in your direction and notice you!

Now, just in case this method doesn’t satisfy your craving for attention, you can add heel-taps to your shoes. Each step will say, “Here I am! Look at me!” The only thing that could possibly surpass this tactic would be to come in on roller-skates.

Not every person who arrives late is seeking attention, but when the same people, or the pastor, walk down the aisle after others are seated, and the service has started, you can bet they are attention seekers.

Now you know the secret to getting noticed at church. If you are not among the attention seekers, would you please look our way as we strut in so our efforts will not be in vain?