HOPE FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS

June 30, 2013

“When Your Concern For Your Nation Intensifies” was the title of a sermon I heard today.  The sermon was presented by Pastor Mark Cain of Village Bible Church.

So what do we do about all of the things in our society that sadden us?  Pastor Mark mentioned many of the issues that can make one wonder just where we are headed: lack of morality, abortion, ungodly living arrangements, euthanasia, etc.

The answer Pastor Cain gave was not surprising.  It came from the Bible.  Isn’t that where we are supposed to look for our answers? He found a great answer.

“When your concern for America intensifies, calm that concern through the theology of Psalm 46.” 

Here is your answer:

Psalm 46

God the Refuge of His People.

For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, [a]set to Alamoth. A Song.

46 God is our refuge and strength, [b]A very present help in [c]trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the [d]sea; 3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. [e]Selah.
 
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her [f]when morning dawns. 6 The [g]nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He [h]raised His voice, the earth melted. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
 
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, [i]Who has wrought desolations in the earth. 9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. 10 “[j]Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the [k]nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 46:1 Possibly for soprano voices
  2. Psalm 46:1 Or Abundantly available for help
  3. Psalm 46:1 Or tight places
  4. Psalm 46:2 Lit seas
  5. Psalm 46:3 Selah may mean: Pause, Crescendo or Musical interlude
  6. Psalm 46:5 Lit at the turning of the morning
  7. Psalm 46:6 Or Gentiles
  8. Psalm 46:6 Lit gave forth
  9. Psalm 46:8 Or Which He has wrought as desolations
  10. Psalm 46:10 Or Let go, relax
  11. Psalm 46:10 Or Gentiles (1)

Pastor Mark calls the Psalms “God’s Pharmacy.”  This Psalm shows why.

The Psalm is a song or poetry set in three stanzas.  Each stanza ends with the word “Selah.”  As the good pastor stated, no one knows for certain what the word means.  Many feel that “Selah” is word that means pause.  Pausing is always good for reflection.

Dr. Cain broke the Psalm into two sections.

1. (vv. 1-3) GOD IS (a way of saying “theology”) so personally present there is no reason to fear the cataclysmic chaos.

2. (vv. 4-11) God is so powerfully present He can overrule any national threat.

The conclusion:

“Peace and security are not the absence of threatening circumstances, but the close presence of our powerful, personally involved God.”

I appreciate men who are not afraid to dig for God’s nuggets.  I am fortunate to know Christian leaders of integrity, men who are not afraid to talk about moral issues that enter the political arena, in my community.  I must list a few: Pastor Doug Jones of The First Free Will Baptist Church (and head of The Watchmen of Garland County), Pastor Ken Carney of The First Church of the Nazarene, Pastor Bill Carter of Antioch Baptist Church, and Pastor Larry Spader of Living Faith Church.  These are a few of the twenty or so pastors that I have met in my county who are men of God.  Guys like this are getting harder to find.  I am grateful to God for His faithful servants.

Our nation’s celebration of Independence is not far off.  God has richly blessed our nation in the past.  Psalm 46 is a great scripture upon which to dwell in the present.

CR

(1) http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2046&version=NASB

2 Comments | Helps, Sermons, theology, Words that Uplift | Tagged: , , | Permalink
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1,586 Pastors Challenge IRS Intimidation on Pulpit Freedom Sunday

October 9, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 8, 2012, (LifeSiteNews.com) – Vowing to put their alleegiance to the Gospel ahead of their tax-exempt status, more than 1,500 pastors from coast to coast challenged IRS regulations by endorsing candidates from the pulpit on Sunday.

As of this writing 1,586 churches have been recorded taking part in Pulpit Freedom Sunday, an initiative led by the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF).

(The rest of the story may be seen here.)

2 Comments | BIG GOVERNMENT, Commentary, News, Sermons | Permalink
Posted by Chris

BEGINNING TO SINK

February 11, 2011

I recently heard a wonderful message given by Mr. Alan Redpath.  The title of this post is the title of his sermon.  A friend of mine, Pearl, posted it on her blog, Be Thus Minded.  Unfortunately, Pearl’s wonderful blog no longer exists but I was able to find this video on YouTube recently.

The message was a great encouragement to me.  I hope you take a listen.  I think it will have the same effect on you.

Chris Reimers

2 Comments | Sermons, Words that Uplift | Permalink
Posted by Chris

GOING ON WITH CHRIST IN 2011

February 3, 2011

I went to Kari’s blog, “Let Him Hear,” yesterday and found that she had posted a sermon from one of my favorite sections of scripture.  As I do so often, I got sidetracked.

I wanted to know about the preacher.   His name is Rev. John Greer.  I don’t remember how it happened but I stumbled on a list of his sermons, found that he is alive, and that he had given a sermon after the recent New Year entitled:

Going On With Christ in 2011

Even if you don’t read the following statements about Rev. Greer’s denomination from his church’s webpage, you really should hear this sermon.   You can watch it by clicking here.

In an era when the majority of church websites say little about beliefs, I found this one refreshing.  Here are a few samples of what can be found on a webpage from Rev. Greer’s church:

Contending that God’s people are “separated unto the gospel” of Christ (Romans 1:1), we are free from all association with liberalism or ecumenism. Specifically, we are separated from the World Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches, and every other form of theological compromise that would undermine the truth of Scripture.

Fundamental in Doctrine, believing in the divine authority and verbal inspiration of the Bible and the great fundamental doctrines of grace it contains. The Scriptures alone are the supreme authority in matters of faith and practice.

Evangelical in Outreach, in obedience to the great commission of Christ to “go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel”. A virile program of Gospel preaching, missionary endeavour and radio ministry is actively pursued with the great objective of leading people of every class, colour and creed to an experimental knowledge of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.

Presbyterian in Government, being ruled by elders and deacons chosen from the people, by the people, to serve the people. The Free Presbyterian Church stands for a born-again membership and the ministers, elders and deacons are men genuinely born-again by the Spirit of God, and dedicated to the extension of the Kingdom of Christ.

Protestant in Conviction, gladly taking its stand alongside the great Christian leaders of the Protestant Reformation. The twin pillars of Protestantism, namely a positive witness for Christ, and a protest against error, are cherished and defended.

These folks seem serious about God’s Word.

It is a wonderful thing.

Chris Reimers

Here is the church webpage describing where it “stands.”

4 Comments | Sermons, Words that Uplift | Permalink
Posted by Chris

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