You are here: Home / Archives for ARTICLES

WHEN WILL THE SIN OF THE WORLD TAKEN AWAY

by

 

 goat

 

 

 

 

 

By Ken Blue

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29.

What was John saying, and expecting when he made this statement? We know John did not expect Jesus to die, so he could not have been speaking about the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

Here are two examples that may help us understand. The first is by Zacharias, when he said,  “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69  And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; 70  As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: 71  That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 72  To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 73  The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 74  That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75  In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. Luke 1:68-75.

One can see from the text the redemption and salvation expected was militarily and physical. There is no thought of the cross in the mind of the prophet.

The second example is found in Luke 24. “And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20  And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21  But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22  Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23  And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.” Luke 24:19-23.

Again, we see the expectation was that they would be “redeemed” from their enemies by the King. So, there is no suggestion by John that the Lamb would die on the cross.

The answer is found in the book of Revelation. Although Paul never calls Jesus the Lamb, John speaks of Him in 25 verses alone in Revelation. That ought to be a clue to what was meant in John 1:29. The key is in Revelation 6:16-17. “And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17  For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” Revelation 6:16-17.  

The Lamb will begin His work of “taking away the sin of the world” at the Second Advent, He will complete it at the end of the thousand years. John 1:29 will indeed be fulfilled. 

SHOULD YOU IGNORE IT?

by

 

dueling

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Ken Blue

 

Ministry wars are inevitable. Therefore, the pastor must know the difference between a breeze and a tornado. The pastor who is insecure and suspicious of everyone will constantly be plagued by fears and doubt.

If you believe a matter requires confrontation or a war, contact older pastors in whom you have confidence and seek their counsel and advice. If you have mature and trusted men in your church, it may be helpful to seek their guidance. Regardless of the decision, you must stand up to the challenge and accept the outcome.

Most problems are power struggle or frustrated ambition on the part of some member. Your problems will most likely come from someone who is close to you. That is, a staff member, a deacon, a treasure, a music director or their wives. These people usually get offended because of a policy decision you have made or over budget allocations.

In order to minimize wars, communicate clearly and lovingly with your congregation. Be transparent in money matters. Give people more information than they need. Remember, people in the dark tend to be more suspicious and will believe the gossip mongers. Silence them, if you can, with light. You should show humility, but never show weakness. A church that will not change, will not grow. Be slow to make changes and expect to lose some people when you do. The pastor should not seek war or start them. But, he must be alert to the fact that the devil uses wicked men and women to hinder or destroy his ministry. Therefore, get all the advice and help available to you; spend much time in prayer and when the war is over, move forward in victory to build a greater ministry for Christ! I recommend to every pastor and church worker a book by Marshall, Shelley titled, Well Intentioned Dragons. You can purchase it at Amazon.com

WHY I NEVER WILL MARRY

by

       (The philosophy of many)

 attitude

 

 

 

 

 

By Ken Blue

I’ll never marry because of the divorce rate.

Divorces’ are messy, ending in probate.

I’ll shop around before it’s too late,

And find me a compatible mate.

 

We don’t need a license to live as two.

We’ll live together as many folks do.

No silly vows to love, or be true,

And when we’re bored, we’ll just say “we’re through.”

 

Without commitment, we do as we please.

It’s freedom we enjoy that keeps us at ease.

We don’t care what the world thinks, or it sees.

Its 2013, not those old 50’s.

 

There will be no kids to keep us tied down.

Children are shackles that keep one bound.

Chlamydia, Syphilis, Herpes, from sleeping around,

Hold no fear for me, I’ll medicate, and I will rebound.

 

 So, I’ll never marry, regardless of God’s plan,

That marriage consist of one woman and a man.

That outdated idea, they should ban,

And change those old laws throughout the land.

 

If there is a God, don’t be preaching to me.

It’s my life, and I’ll live it as I please; See?

I never will marry, `cause I love being free.

So, if there is a judgment, then I’ll pay my fee.

(Yes, you’ll pay it now with your health, and later with your soul) 

ARE YOU TOO FREE TO BE MARRIED?

by

MARRIED TO CHRIST

MARRIED

By Ken Blue

“Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.” Romans 7:4.

Death certainly absolves one of all responsibility. No more bills to pay, no more pain or sickness to contend with, and no one to offend. Death brings complete liberty. Oh, the sweet liberty of death! “Free from the law, O happy condition, Jesus hath bled, and there is remission; Cursed by the Law, and bruised by the fall, Grace hath redeemed us once for all.” Enough could never be said about God’s wonderful grace!

BUT, I fear many professing Christians are either confused about grace, or they haven’t really experienced it in their life. Anyone who ignores the second half of the verse has a serious spiritual problem. If a person remained in a state of death, there would be little concern, but that is not so with one who is saved. His resurrection in Christ is just as real as his death. One is dead, only in relation to the Law.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]If you are saved, you are now raised with Christ, and married to Him![/perfectpullquote]

If you are saved, you are now raised with Christ, and married to Him! Just as in your old life under the Law brought forth sin through the members of your body, now you are to bring forth fruit acceptable unto God. That fruit will be demonstrated through the members of your body. This does not mean that you will never sin or be tempted. But, it is clear that you are NOW married to Christ, and your life should glorify Him. “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:15-16.

When a man or woman is freed from prison, they are not freed to go back to the old life of crime. They are freed to live right. When a spouse dies, the one is free from responsibility to the other, and they may marry another. But, they are not free to live a life of immorality.

Yes, we are free from the old master, or previous marriage, but we are not freed to live a life in sin. We are now married to Christ and are to glorify Him with our bodies. “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” Romans 6:13.

THE SECRET MADE KNOWN

by

VACATION, FAMILY AND FRIENDS_307

 

 

 

 

 

By Ken Blue

We were poor as red dirt in the Ozark hills.

So each year we went east to the cotton fields.

I say we, doesn’t mean that I was born yet.

But, as you read my poem; the point you will get.

 

Mother was single, and met a handsome man.

It took several years, but now I understand.

With sorrow and regret for that foolish day,

Much of her life was plagued with the scarlet “A.”

 

She loved and cared for me, yet I never knew,

All the work and the shame she must have gone through.

About age ten, I ask of my unknown dad.

You see, you never miss what you never had.

 

She made up a story; my father had died.

I never ask again, I was satisfied.

But this was not the truth; truth, she must conceal.

Her fear was all for me, and how I would feel.

 

Many years would pass, but thoughts came now and then.

Were there other siblings who would be my kin?

But, through circumstances, which I’ll not explain.

I discovered the whole truth, and his full name.

 

With help of others, the mystery was made known.

Father’s gravestone was found, and the sibling’s home.

A few phone calls, explaining what had come to be.

The truth became evident for all to see.

 

So, we planned a reunion in Walnut Ridge town.

At Catfish café, we went in, and sat down.

It was a sight, as we talked to each other.

I met two of my sisters, and a brother.

 

There’s much more to this story, you’ll never know.

To tell it all would take a volume or so.

I leave you to read between the lines yourself.

Until then, we’ll keep the rest upon the shelf.

 

I’m glad my mother’s secret has been made known.

I discovered her love, and care for her own.

There are unwanted children, but none unplanned.

God has a purpose, and it’s all in His hand.