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MISSIONARY VS. EVANGELIST

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By Ken Blue

 

I don’t expect this article will win the good neighbor award. However, I think it is time we give the subject some thought. We are well aware that there are “evangelist” for about every subject on earth. There are clown evangelist, singing evangelist, vintriqualist evangelist, carpenter evangelist, and evangelist telling established churches how to run their church. This is only the tip of the iceberg.  Then we find the same thing concerning “missionaries.” They come in all varieties, and many are doing everything except what Paul did.

Technicality, there is no office in the New Testament for missionaries. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;” Ephesians 4:11. The “evangelist” is supposed to be doing what the missionary is “supposed” to be doing. These are not two different ministries. There is but one, and it is the evangelist.

The question is, what is a “real” evangelist supposed to be doing? Evangelist are supposed to go on a mission into an area where the lost are, preach, and win people to Christ. Their task is not to have some “unique” ministry where they entertain members of local churches. Their task should be to win a group of believers, and then let the group call a pastor, or chose one from the group. The evangelist moves on, and repeats that same form of ministry; that is his “mission.” We have given that task to a group called missionaries, while evangelist do everything except start churches.

I’m sure I’ll be accused of straining at a gnat, but it is time we take a long, hard look at what we are doing, and supporting. Evangelist have written their on job description, and missionaries have been pushed out into another category. Paul, the Apostle, had a mission, and did the work of an evangelist. He went everywhere preaching the gospel, and establishing churches.

Now if you disagree with me, that’s ok, we can still get along, I don’t expect anything to change. I am contemplating becoming a missionary to retired pastors in Arizona. I need your support, and help purchasing a truck and a fifth wheel. I just want to be a blessing to others.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN BABIES DIE?

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By Ken Blue

I am confident that there is nothing that grieves the heart more than the loss of a child or infant.    The saddest part of my ministry was counseling couples whose infants had died. However, in the midst of all their grief, there is hope.

Jesus loved little children and said, “…Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:16. I cannot but believe infants go to heaven at death.

Also, King David was informed that his infant son had died. He had fasted and prayed for days that God would spare the child. However, after receiving the news of its death, he did the following. “But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. 20  Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. 21  Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. 22  And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? 23  But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” 2 Samuel 12:19-23.

Paul, in Romans 5:19 gives us an answer to the question. “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” Romans 5:18. He is contrasting the actions, and consequences of Adam with those of Christ. Through Adam’s disobedience, all are condemned to die. However, through the obedience of Christ, one can be made righteous.

Now, we realize that those capable of understanding the gospel message are required to accept it by faith. And let there be no misunderstanding here. The text is not teaching universal salvation for all men. Faith in the finished work of Christ is always the requirement for those capable of having it. However, we have ample reason to believe that those too young, or who are incapable of faith, are saved by His free grace, without faith.  

The following epitaph from St. Andrew’s churchyard in Scotland is a case in point.

  • Bold infidelity, turn pale and die. Beneath this stone, four sleeping infants lie: Say, are they lost or saved? If death’s by sin, they sinned, for they are here. If heaven’s by works, in heaven they can’t appear. Reason, ah, how depraved! Turn to the Bible’s sacred page, the knot’s untied: They died, for Adam sinned; they live, for Jesus died!

Thank God that He has not left us in the dark on this important matter. There is no reason to doubt that infants, and little children are ushered into the very arms of Jesus at their death. “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:18.

HEAD, HANDS, AND FEET, THAT EVEN DOGS WOULDN’T EAT

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jazebelBy Ken Blue

“And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands.” 2 Kings 9:35.

I can’t remember a time when we didn’t own a dog or two. They make great pets, and I enjoyed training and, working with them. Someone has said that a dog is man’s best friend. A good test is to lock your wife and your dog in the trunk of the car. Open it after thirty minutes, and see who is the happiest to see you. You’ll have a greater appreciation for your dog after that experiment.

However, there is a negative side to dogs also.

Dogs can be disgusting much of the time. In fact, there are very few things they will refuse to eat. They are meat eaters, and are attracted to the smell of blood. That is what makes the above text so interesting.

Jezebel may have been the most wicked, and the most corrupt woman who ever lived. I have yet to find any child who was so named by their parents. Her vile nature is also demonstrated in that the dogs refused to eat the spawning ground where her wickedness originated.

The dogs would not eat her skull. It was as if divine providence made it repulsive to them. Her brain was the incubator that hatched every form of wickedness and cruelty imaginable. It was there, she plotted the death of God’s prophets. It was in her immoral and twisted mind she established the worship of Baal. The dogs must have been repulsed at the skull that gave birth to the plot to have righteous Naboth killed, and his land stolen by her wicked husband, Ahab. Thus, against their nature, they refused to eat her wicked skull.

The second thing the dogs refused were her feet. Those feet were too vile for the dogs to stomach. Her feet had walked the path hundreds of times to where the “groves” stood, and Baal was worshipped. Her feet had led the ten tribes of Israel into total apostasy, and to forsake the true God or face death. Those feet led her soldiers to where God’s prophets were in hiding, and she had defiled her feet by having them executed. Elijah was also on her “most wanted” death list.

The third item the dogs could not stomach were her bloody hands. Dogs, who scavenged garbage dumps for any scrap they might find, were repelled at the scent of her vile hands. Those hands had signed, and falsified documents with orders to have the righteous put to death. She had lifted those hands in worship to the idols of Baal. God did not give a record of the extent of the wickedness those hands had committed. The dogs, themselves, testified to her wickedness.

All her wickedness was produced in her perverted skull. It demonstrated itself through her bloody hands and corrupted feet. There is no doubt that God had this text recorded to amplify for us the wickedness of Jezebel. Whatever a dog refuses to eat is indeed beyond description. Thus, the dogs refused to eat her skull, her hands, and her feet.

 

POLITE SINNERS

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By Ken Blue

Not all lost people are rude or impolite. Some are quiet, kind, and unoffending. During my 40 years of pastoring, I have knocked on literally hundreds of doors in the Lynnwood area. I have encountered just about every reaction imaginable on those visits.

I have had people who opened the door, and before I could say one word, they  yelled, “NO, we don’t want any.” On other occasions, when I introduced the church, and myself they told me where to go, and it wasn’t heaven. Then I have had some who listened briefly, and then slam the door. In every case, I was shut out, and left standing alone on the porch.

However, there was one experience I will never forget. It happened just a few blocks from the church. I knocked on the door, and a very polite lady came to the door. I introduced myself, gave her a piece of literature about our church. She smiled, and thanked me for it. I ask for permission to ask her a question, which she gave.

I ask her if she knew for sure she would go to heaven when she died. She responded, “I believe we make our on heaven or hell right here on earth.” I then ask, “Which are you in?” See assured me that this was not heaven. She then thanked me for the invitation; she smiled, and gently shut the door. As all the others mentioned above, I was still shut out and standing on the porch alone.

I’ve met a few like her. They are polite sinners, but they have no time for Jesus Christ, or the gospel. They just gently close the door, and shut Him out. Regardless of the attitude, the end result is all the same. Christ is rejected because they haven’t time for Him.

What about you? Are you just a well-mannered, polite sinner? Politeness and spirituality are two different things. You may not curse Jesus; you just don’t have time for Him. Well, let me say as politely as I know how, those of you who have no time for Jesus, will find at the judgment, He will have no time for you, and He will not be polite.

 

 

 

THE FOLLY OF THE FEARLESS

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By Ken Blue

 

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

The world’s definition of fear, to some people is, “a sign of weakness.” I believe the greatest fear Americans have is the fear of rejection. Thus, they assume the more material possessions, or approval from others, the more acceptances they will have. This kind of fear leads to anger, disappointment, and depression.

First, there is great safety, and reward in having the right kind of fear. The absence of all fear shows a lack of wisdom and understanding. There are many things we should fear. Sadly, most are ignorant of what these are. Out text states, that the fear of the LORD is the “beginning” of wisdom and “understanding.” Some have not reached beginning point yet.

Secondly, “… fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” Proverbs 3:7-8. Fear will keep one from things that will destroy health and strength. The word “navel” refers to physical strength. Marrow of the bones speaks of renewed strength. The body is refreshed with new blood that comes from the marrow. The fear of the LORD will guard your physical health, and renew your strength daily.

Thirdly, glaring evidence that one does not fear the LORD is their attitude toward wickedness. “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” Proverbs 8:13. One thing God hates is pride. Other than unbelief, pride may be man’s number one sin. God hates, “pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the forward mouth…” A believer should hate what God hates. We must deal with this sin in our own heart before we point a finger at others. Do we hate the sin of pride in our own life? How do we deal with it? The fear of the LORD is to hate this sin. The reason we should hate it in our life, is that it exalts self above God.

Fear and obedience to the LORD brings great peace, satisfaction, and tranquility. That which we so desperately wanted, and thought would make us happy, soon loses its ability to do so. The lust for more money only leads to the desire for more. We believe, if we go against God’s will, and do our own will, or have more material possession, we will find happiness. It is better to have a little, with contentment, than to have more, with strife and misery. “Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.” Proverbs 15:16.

There is no end to the benefits of having the right kind of fear; common sense tells you that. Men and women, who boast of not having any fear, are lying, or delusional. Why not think for a moment, and come to terms with what you really fear? Are you wise, or herwise?