THE SUPERIORITY OF PRACTICAL WISDOM

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wisdom

 

 

 

 

 

By Ken Blue

 

“This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: 14  There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: 15  Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. 16  Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. 17  The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. 18  Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.” Ecclesiastes 9:13-18.

 

This little story or parable illustrates the superiority of practical wisdom over physical strength. There is much in the story that is left untold. One is left to wonder why the great king came against the city, and what the poor wise man said or did to save it.

 

There was obviously something the king wanted, or he would not plan an attack against it. Also, there was something the wise man did or said that caused the king to change his mind. What this was, we are not told.

 

I am reminded of a story that deals with such wisdom, as told by the Lord Jesus. One line in it says, “Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.” Luke 14:32. I believe this wise man went out and reasoned with the king in such a way, the king changed his plans.

 

To me, one thing is certain, wisdom is better than war, and wisdom is usually demonstrated in quiet diplomacy. The wisdom in this story is an act of practical wisdom, which so many of us lack. There are pastors who think they are not severing God unless they have a war going on all the time. They stir it up, to win an argument, or appear as leaders. I am well aware that we are soldiers, and there is a time for war and a time for peace.  But let wisdom guide you in your choice.

 

My advice to pastors is to avoid every fight you possibly can. Stop purposefully being controversial. Solomon says, “: but one sinner destroyeth much good.” The sinner could be the pastor, and the sin could be the sin of ignorance. You don’t have to be remembered for your wisdom, but you do need wisdom to rescue your church from destruction.

PERPETUITY AND HARLOT CHURCHES #1

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harlot churches

 

By Ken Blue

I am as sure of the perpetuity of the church as I am of the human race. I am here, so there must have been a line of beings from me, back to the first human. I have no way of knowing every link back to my first father, or how many were good or bad men. The Bible is clear that Adam was the first person. From there on, it’s anyone’s guess. I am thankful that God has given me a life to live. I hope I won’t be discounted since I don’t have a chart showing a reliable trail of blood back to Adam.

I also have been associated with Baptist all my life. I was raise in the Baptist south, saved and baptized in a Baptist church, attended two Baptist Colleges, and founded and pastored a Baptist church for over 40 years. Dozens of young men have gone out from that church and started other Baptist churches. (Please remember this paragraph.)

I don’t have many challenges as to my perpetuity back to Adam. But, when it comes to my church, I have taken fire from all sides. There is a little band of Baptist that tell me, if I can’t validate my church perpetuity back to John the Baptist, I have a harlot church, and all the churches we have started are little whores.

Most of the brethren agree that Adam was the father of us all. But, when it comes to the father of the first church, you will not find that unanimity. Some believe it started in Matthew 3. Others see Matthew 16 as the starting point. Still, some claim it was started in the next chapter by Jesus. A majority of Christians think the church was born in Acts 2 at Pentecost. A few see it beginning in Acts 9, with the conversion of Saul. Finally, fewer see its beginning after Acts 28. Regardless of where it started, no one church can prove perpetuity of their local church back to John the Baptist. When it comes to the church, we don’t have the same unity we do with Adam.

Well, the last thing I want is to stand in judgment before the Lord, and be judged for having a harlot church. So, if anyone can prove that the chain from his church back to the original church has never been broken; I am all ears. Now, it will not help me if you believe your church has perpetuity. We need to know how you know the chain was never broken from there to you. If the chain was broken for over one hundred years, were all those who were baptized, or ordained into the ministry valid churches? Or, are these harlot churches? If your church was unknowingly in that line, wouldn’t that break the perpetuity, and invalidate your baptism of all those you have baptized? Can you prove that has never happened in your “so called line of perpetuity?” Of course, you cannot.

“ Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21.

Perpetuity and Harlot Churches Part # 2

WHAT’S THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ACTS 1:6?

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puzzel missing

 

 

 

By Ken Blue

“When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6.

Jesus spent 3 ½ teaching His disciples about the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven, and the things that would transpire before its establishment on earth. He explained secrets to them about the Kingdom of Heaven, which were hidden from other. (Matt.13). During those 3 ½ years, not one sermon was preached by any follower of Christ about His death, burial, and resurrection.
When we follow the references, and the reaction of His followers, it is clear that no one expected His death, and resurrection. His death dashed all their hopes of the Kingdom. However, after repeated appearances, and many infallible proofs, His followers found a new born faith and hope that the Kingdom would be reestablished in Israel. Thus the queston.
That new hope tells us volumes. Their question in Acts 1:6 should be an open revelation to the reader. I ask these pastors for their insight on the passage. Below are their responses.
Pastor Al Hughes: THE QUESTION OF RESTORING THE KINGDOM (Acts 1:6-8).
I. After being tutored by “the King” for 40 days on the subject of the Kingdom, the disciples logically expected that NOW would be the time for the Kingdom to be restored.
A. The Jews LOST the kingdom back in Jeremiah 22:28-30 (approx. 606 BC).
B. The disciples were not wrong to ask this question since Daniel prophesied of this (2:44; 7:18, 27). Jesus was to sit on the throne of David (Luke 1:32). Jesus also told them to expect the Kingdom (Mt. 19:28).
II. “Hold the phone…” (v. 7). Jesus did not deny that the Kingdom would be restored. He simply did not disclose the timing of when the kingdom would be restored.
A. The reason he did not tell them WHEN the kingdom would be restored was because up to Acts 7 it could have come anytime the nation accepted it.
B. Jesus was waiting on how the Jews would respond to the OFFER of the Kingdom. It is only after the Jewish Sanhedrin rejected Stephen’s message that God postpones the Kingdom.
III. In the meantime⎯THE COMMISSION OF THE DISCIPLES. Notice the progression:
A. Jerusalem (Orthodox religious Jews)
B. Judaea (common Jews)
C. Samaria (half-breed Jews)
D. Uttermost part of the earth (Gentiles)
Missionary Mitch Muller: I think the 12 had just cause to expect Jesus to establish His kingdom immediately. There was nothing (in their minds) that should hinder its establishment.
They certainly had scripture to back their beliefs. Psalms 89:35-36 (vs. 29): Jeremiah 23:5,6
In addition to many other statements in scripture (hundreds of references to a literal kingdom) the 12 had just finished 40 days of lessons from the Lord. Luke 24 says that he has opened their “understanding that they might understand the scriptures” . The Lord had expounded to them “the things concerning himself” and this includes His reign from Jerusalem on the throne of David (Matthew 19).
In Luke 1 starting in verse 67 Zacharias begins to prophesy and ties the promises to David as fulfillment in the birth of Christ. Zacharias understood clearly that that involved deliverance, national restoration and a political kingdom. In verse 73 he says the oath which he sware to our father Abraham. He mentions dwelling in their land in peace from their enemies, obviously subdued by the promised King.
This question by the 12 in Acts 1:6 is not a foreign idea to them as Jews and neither was it a question of ignorance on their part. Without the personal teaching of the Lord they were still well versed enough in the scriptures to understand that at a future time the Throne of David would be established. Ezekiel spends several chapters on the subject; Jeremiah speaks much of the Kingdom. Daniel and many Psalms detail the kingdom.
The question is actually a very logical question on their part. They had received their commission, they had heard the Lord speak of future reign from Jerusalem and they had a clear understanding that they would play a role in the kingdom.
To charge the 12 with faulty understanding only reveals the agenda of denying a literal interpretation of prophetic events and is an underhanded attempt at bolstering the false doctrines of A -millennialism and post -millennialism. If the 12 were ignorant and foolish in this question then we are to assume that the Bible speaks nothing to a literal earthly rule of the Messiah. But, and if it is a question of logic and anticipation based upon all the information they had received not only in the last 3 years but the last 40 days, then we have only to conclude that the scriptures do indeed teach a literal, political and earthy rule of Jesus from Jerusalem with the 12 Apostles in authority.
Pastor William Bailey: Acts 1:6 always seemed to be the natural question for any Jew -especially the apostles since He often discoursed on the 2 coming kingdoms -Matthew 24; Luke 17; John 3 – not sure ur thoughts on Christ’s standing in acts 7:56 but dr psr does credit to the passage – hypothetical so not worth being dogmatic but I take his meaning and agree yet as a hypothetical case don’t get wound up over it . Afraid I’m not much help may God bless u – looking for that world where our faith will become sight!
Pastor John Cook: As far as your question on Acts 1:6, I think that the disciples, like most Jews, were expecting the Lord to set up His Kingdom when He came. They seem to think that now that the cross and the resurrection was behind them it was time for Jesus to do what He had come to do. I think that they were hoping that He would set it up even though he had told them that He must leave in order for the Holy Ghost to come.
They seem to have the same problem with the Kingdom that they had with the resurrection until it actually had been proven to them by our Lord’s appearance.
We are very much like them in that the promises that the Lord makes we want Him to do it now not later. They wanted the kingdom to be set up and thought that they Lord would do so now that all was paid for.

Ken Blue:
The Disciples had every reason to expect that the Kingdom of Heaven might, and could now be established on earth. They had preached it for 3 ½ years, and He had spent 40 days in His post resurrection teaching about the Kingdom. The King was now alive! So, what could cause its delay? He did not tell them that it would not be accepted by Israel. He left them with the answer that it was not for them to know. Had He told them the Kingdom would not be accepted, it would have ended and confused their hope and zeal. Thus they continue to offer it. God worked with them, but the Jews were adamant, and would not accept their message. It was at the death of Steven that God began to “cut Israel off.”
Therefore, the question in Acts 1:6 suggest that they knew nothing about the church, which is His body and was keep a “mystery” from before the foundation of the world. They were not confused, deceived, ignorant, nor misinformed. They were doing exactly what the “Great Commission” commanded them to do.

HOW TO DESTROY YOUR CHURCH FROM THE PULPIT

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wrecking ball

 

 

 

 

 

By Ken Blue

 

A few years ago I was a preacher’s conference where we hoped to glean some new ideas on church growth. Sitting next to me was a young pastor. He confided in me that he was troubled and perplexed as why his church would not grow. I ask him, “What kind of sermons are you preaching?” He said to me, “I rip their face off!”

 

I believe it was Charles Spurgeon who said, “Pulpits are coward’s castles.” Weak men see the pulpit as a place of power, prestige, and pageantry. They love the position more than the person, and the telling of the thing, more than the thing they tell. They learned somewhere that guilt is the key to motivating people. They also learn, in time, that it will backfire on them.

 

Here are some tips on how to destroy or empty your church.

 

  • Flog your own sins as though they were the sins of your people.

 

  • Make people feel they are not right with God, unless they do what you want.

 

  • Start a ministry, and then scold people for not participating.

 

  • Attack other religions.

 

  • Attack other Bibles.

 

  • Attack personalities.

 

  • Preach that every person must go on scheduled church visitation before they can serve.

 

  • Preach that every person must tithe before they can serve.

 

  • Tell them that if they loved Jesus, they would attend every service.

 

  • Tell women if they wear pants, they are “hussies.”

 

  • Preach against men with facial hair.

 

  • Tell people if they mean business, they will come to the “altar.”

 

  • When you preach, ride a “Hobby horse.”

 

  • Tell yourself, because you have an infallible Bible, therefore, you are infallible.

 

  • Preach to make people feel guilt, guilt, guilt, guilt, guilt, and watch your church grow!

 

I know if some observed the above, they won’t have anything to preach. Can you feel the guilt yet?

WHY YOU CANNOT OBEY THE “GREAT COMMISSION.”

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BRICK WALL

 

 

 

 

 

By Ken Blue

“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17  And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:16-20.

I find it interesting that the brethren see the above as a “Great Commission,” and ignore those in Mark 16:15-12; Luke 24:47-49; John 20:21-23; Acts 1:8. Perhaps they see a clue to their doctrinal persuasion in it. Granted, it is a great mission and soul winning passage. And all are justified to uses it as a practical motivation to world missions.

However, when it comes to the doctrinal, historical, and dispensational interpretation of the text, no one does, nor can obey it today. I am aware of the juggling act performed by the brethren in an attempt to make it fit. But I have been to the circus before, and have seen the clowns at work. I will prove beyond any doubt, to the sane, that the commission cannot, and is not obeyed by anyone.

It is spoken to the disciples. One of the cardinal rules of Bible interpretation is to discover who is being addressed. It is the eleven, and thy could obey all He taught them, after receiving “power from on high.” That power would enable them to do “greater miracles” than He had done! No Baptist has that power today. “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19  So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20  And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:17-20.

The command was for them to go into all the world, beginning at Jerusalem. This was more than a mission strategy. It was imperative  that Israel repent and accept the Kingdom Gospel they would preach. Israel must repent for the Kingdom Gospel to be taken “into all the world.” I am aware how the brethren apply their city as Jerusalem. But even that will not work.

The command to baptize is not a method or formula, but an assurance of authority from the Trinity. That is why the word “power” is used in the context. You will not find anyone in Scripture using it as a pattern.

Their ministry was to make disciples in every nation, starting with the Jews. As we said, Israel must first repent and accept Jesus as their Messiah. Converts then must be taught the rules, and principles of the Kingdom of Heaven. Thus, theirs was primarily a teaching ministry of the kingdom of heaven.

Now, the monkey wrench into the gears. They were to teach their disciples to “observe all things commanded you.” Do we need to go back over His ministry and discover what He taught them? For the honest skeptic, we will give a few examples.

Do you cast out devils?  Do you heal the sick? “Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20  And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21  Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. Matthew 17:19-21”   How does Matt. 18:19 work for you? “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” Do you let divorced people, who are remarried join your church? Matt. 19:9. Will church members sit on twelve thrones? Matt. 19:28. It would be a waste of time to take the things Jesus taught His disciples, and them attempt to make them church doctrine.  “15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19  So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20  And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:15-20.  “21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22  And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23  Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” John 20:21-23. No Baptist does it, nor can he.

I purposefully choose passages this side of Matt. 16. The reader should understand the impossibility, how ridiculous it for anyone to assume thy can obeying all that Jesus taught His disciples to do and teach. If you think differently, we welcome your corrections. I don’t mean to be arrogant, but I don’t expect any rebuttal to the challenge.