Author: preacherpollard

Just For The Taste Of It!.

Neal Pollard

An old soft-drink slogan used the words in the above caption.  The idea was that, despite it being a diet drink, people drank it for the taste.  Whether or not consumers in those days liked the taste of this drink, the slogan was catchy and memorable.

Regarding sin, many have sacrificed their marriages, their parental influence, and their influence just for the taste of it.  It was unfulfilling and brought unanticipated misery, but “in the moment” it seemed worthwhile.  “Forbidden fruit” may taste good going down, but it leaves a bitter after taste.

Some search long and hard for “living water” just for the taste of it.  They have found the road of sin unsatisfying and they are searching.  They long for purpose, peace, and purity.  Thank God for those who, in searching, have found the way.  Many are dying to know Him, and many are dying without having known Him.  Often, those who come to Christ, rather than being raised in the church, seem to find that “water” tastes sweeter.  They knew the feeling of spiritual thirst and the satisfaction of having it slaked.

Some study God’s word just for the taste of it.  David said, “How sweet are Your words to my taste!” (Ps. 119:103).  Can some of His Word be “hard to swallow”?  Absolutely!  But, His word does us good (Micah 2:7).

Some trust in God’s goodness just for the taste of it.  Again, in the Psalms, we read, “O taste and see that the Lord is good” (34:8).  How many of us have repeatedly experienced God’s deliverance, even when such seemed unlikely?  His providential care is something tangible, its evidence strewn before our pathway if we will look carefully.

For what do you have a taste?  Is it for something wholesome and healthy, or is it for that which is harmful to you?  Make all your pursuits and actions tasteful!

Swallowed By A Sinkhole.

Neal Pollard

I sat in unbelief as Fox News reported about the death of Jeff Bush, a 36-year-old who was asleep in his Seffner, Florida, house on March 1st when a sinkhole opened up and swallowed him.  The instability of the site was so dangerous that the sinkhole became his tomb, as workers could not retrieve him.  Family was distraught and in disbelief.

What a tragic, unexpected circumstance!  You lie down not knowing that you will not arise in the morning.  You are taken in such dramatic fashion.  Along with my feelings of sympathy for a grief-stricken family, my mind went to a couple of biblical accounts.  I thought of Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and their households, swallowed up by the earth in Numbers 16.  The difference in that instance is that, incredibly, the earth closed over them.  But, whether miraculously or naturally, such events clearly demonstrate the unmatched power of God. Then, I thought of Jesus’ words about the Galileans killed by Pilate and the eighteen people killed by the tower of Siloam in Luke 13.  That passage would implicitly say that, even in Mr. Bush was a depraved, wicked sinner, he was in no worse a condition than anyone who needs to repent (3,5).

But, I suppose the thing that dominated my thoughts most of all was how fragile life can be and how unexpectedly death can come.  Some day, Judgment will come.  Scripture describes that instantaneous moment as coming in the blink of an eye, as a thief in the night (cf. 1 Th. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:10; 1 Cor. 15:52).  Whether in our lifetime or not, one day many on earth will be awakened from sleep by the second coming.  In that moment, it will have to be an utter and final realization for the lost that it is too late.  For the impenitent and unbaptized or for the unfaithful Christian, they may call out but to no avail.  They will have made their decision (cf. 2 Th. 1:7-9).

I cannot imagine too many things on earth more unexpected than waking up to one’s end like Mr. Bush.  However, I can think of at least one thing which has yet to occur.  Let us make sure we are ready for it!

SINGING WITH THE UNDERSTANDING: “WE HAVE HEARD THE JOYFUL SOUND”.

Neal Pollard

The King James Version has long been a beloved, trusted translation of scripture.  Its influence is also still seen and heard in our teaching, preaching, prayers, and songs, with the melodic, Elizabethan English.  The song “We Have Heard The Joyful Sound” is but one example of the influence of this grand old version upon songs we still sing today.  Priscilla Owens wrote this song at the tail end of the “Great Awakening,” a time when the industrial age and inventions for efficiency were being created, and a time when our nation, from Manifest Destiny to various reforms and emerging from the ravages of the Civil War, was greatly optimistic.  Churches not only felt that jubilation, but felt that such privileges meant heightened responsibility.  Though times seem bleaker overall today, Christians still enjoy unmatched privileges and are faced with as great a responsibility. Consider the lyrics.

The first verse proclaims the fact of salvation, urging the worshipper to tell others. “Spread the tidings all around” is an exhortation to share the gospel, the glad tidings of good things.  “Bear the news” means to take it, and we are urged to take it up the mountains and across the ocean–wherever we can.  Why? The Lord has commanded it.

The second verse begins with a word we seldom use: “Waft.” Again, “Praise For The Lord” helps us with a glossary entry at the bottom, showing us it means “propel.”  Again, the call is to take the gospel to not only our neighborhoods, but to foreign lands. The impact of evangelism is shown in hyperbole and personification, that even islands and caves will reverberate their joy of the taught word. The Jubilee (Lev. 25) was the year of a new beginning.  It seems the songwriter is referring to the new life brought by the gospel, and those who obey it enjoy the greatest new beginning of all.

The third verse speaks of the circumstances in which the gospel must go.  It must be shared in time of war, when times are sad, and when we struggle with personal problems.  No matter the adversity, the cause for rejoicing remains: “Jesus saves!”

Finally, the fourth verse may well be an allusion to Psalm 68, or at least a call to do as God did in the long ago in showing His might and power (see Psalm 68:33 in the KJV).  This last stanza is the most urgent call to fulfill the Great Commission. Speak the word which will cause mankind to rejoice. Tell it everywhere.  Let everyone know the reason for the hope that is in us: “Jesus saves!”

The entire song makes me think of Psalm 107:2: “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary.”

STUBBORN AS AN AMAZIAH.

Neal Pollard

So far as I know, it is not a proverb or even a saying.  But, it could be.  No mule has anything of this king of Judah.  When he is introduced to us, the Holy Spirit through the penman has these positive words: “He did right in the sight of the Lord” (2 Chron. 25:2a).  There are not a great many kings of Judah (and none in Israel) of whom this could be said.  Yet, Scripture continues, “…yet not with a whole heart.”  He honored the law of Moses (25:4), but he showed from the earliest days of his reign a fighting spirit. He assembled Judah, appointed them for battle, took a census, and even hired 100,000 men of the northern kingdom to combat the Edomites.

For a man who gets relatively little notice in Scripture, he was repeatedly given warnings.  After hiring the Israelites as mercenaries, Amaziah receives a visit from a man sent by God.  The prophet tells him not to let the army of Israel go with them to battle, then tells him, “God has the power to help and to bring down (8).  Ultimately, Amaziah would ignore this message.

After routing Edom, Amaziah brought their gods back, “set them up as his gods, bowed down to them and burned incense to them” (14). This provoked God’s anger, so He sends a prophet to rebuke the Judean king (15). Amaziah promptly threatens the prophet if he does not be quiet.  The prophet replies, “I know that God has planned to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel” (16). Nowhere does Scripture indicate Amaziah even pausing to contemplate the warning.

Instead, his next move is to challenge Israel’s king, Joash, to fight (17). Joash, though far from righteous, tells him a brief parable with a clear message: “Now stay at home” (19).  Of course, Amaziah did not listen and was humiliated in battle and plundered by Israel (21-24).  That is all we know about Amaziah until he slinks off the stage of life ignominiously fifteen years later by conspirators who assassinated him (27).

King Amaziah is one of the best biblical examples of the high cost of stubbornness. What about us? Are we those capable of distinguishing and following wise counsel? Do we listen or do we have to learn the hard way? Beware! Stubbornness can be costly.  Various people are actually called “stubborn” in Scripture, and it is never a good thing (see Pharaoh, Israel in Moses’ generation, Israel in the period of the Judges, etc.). No one should be gullible, but neither should one be incapable of receiving counsel.  Don’t be as stubborn as an Amaziah!

What Causes Road Rage?.

Neal Pollard
Yesterday’s local news included the report of two vehicles, a minivan and mid-size pickup truck, whose drivers became embroiled in an alleged road rage incident.  Before it was over, the truck flipped over and three children had to be hospitalized.  Such incidents produce mixed reactions in most of us–anger and indignation at such recklessness, but also perhaps a modicum of guilt and shame.  Have you ever had your temperature rise over another motorist texting or otherwise distracted with a phone while driving, going under the speed limit in the fast lane, seemingly camping out under a green light, cutting you off in traffic, or otherwise violating the road rules of courtesy? Too many of these incidents have famously ended in death because the rage grew so severe.

What produces a more dramatic, heightened response, typified by “road ragers”?
Certainly, it can be stress.  Speed, stop and go, and just commuting is certainly anxiety-producing. It might also be the tendency to dehumanize or objectify the other drivers from within the safety of our metal (plastic?) boxes.  But, so often, it begins because of one’s inability to properly handle their own anger.  In other words, it is so often simply a shortage of self-control.

Perhaps we all need reminded of God’s thoughts on the matter.  “A fool’s anger is known at once” (Prov. 12:16a). “He who is quick-tempered exalts folly” (Prov. 14:29b). “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife” (Prov. 15:18a). “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city” (Prov. 16:32). “A man of great anger will bear the penalty, for if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again” (Prov. 19:19). “Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood” (Prov. 27:4a). “Anger resides in the bosom of a fool” (Ecc. 7:9). Outbursts of anger are a work of the flesh (Gal. 5:20). “The anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God” (Jas. 1:20).  Much more is said, but we get the point.

The principle applies to more than operating a motor vehicle.  God feels the same about all sinful anger.  It does not matter what provokes us or is bothering us.  He expects us to master self with its potential evil deeds.  In a word, we cause our own rage.  Let’s kill such danger by rooting it from our hearts.

A HEART FOR MISSIONS.

Neal Pollard

I just sat through one of the most enjoyable half-hours of my life, listening to Tony Johnson talk about his first year of work as a missionary in Tamale (TOM Uh Lee), Ghana.  While I listen as one who considers Tony a dear friend whom I had the blessing of teaching “Preacher And His Work” while he was in school, the thrill came from who Tony is and what he is doing.  He has a superior understanding of what it takes to do missions, a rare intellect and knack for analysis, and a heart for soul-winning.  He would excel in a pulpit anywhere in America, but he has chosen to help evangelize, edify, and extend benevolence to the almost entirely Muslim areas of northern Ghana, western Togo, and southern Burkina Faso.  He joins other excellent workers in that region like Steven Ashcraft, men of ability, intellect, and integrity who are faithful to the Word.

As I sat there, this thought occurred to me.  Wherever you and I find ourselves, whether in lesser or greater fertile fields, we need to have a passion and fervent heart for our Lord’s mission.  While listening to Tony made me want to make plans to go to a third-world nation, I was made aware of how diligently God wants me working in the field where I have been planted.  Wherever we find ourselves on this earth, our heart must beat for the purpose for which God has us on this earth.  It meant so much to Jesus that He left these as parting words to the disciples before His face and those who would thereafter read them:  “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”

Doesn’t that stir your heart to missions? To His mission?

Press This

via PREDESTINED.

 
Neal Pollard

Predestination simply refers to deciding on something beforehand or determining in advance. John Calvin’s ideas about it notwithstanding, predestination is a thoroughly biblical concept. The word is used a good handful of times, referring to things God determined from His mind from before eternity. It is interesting to see the things God has predestined.
The New Testament teaches a predestined plan (Acts 4:28). The early church recognized this as they faced their first instance of opposition. As they petitioned for divine help, they acknowledged how the Father saw as part of His divine plan that Herod, Pilate, and the Romans would crucify Jesus. Reading passages like Ephesians 3:9-11and as we look at the Bible from a historical viewpoint, we can see this plan unfold with Jesus as the hero and central figure of scripture.

The New Testament teaches a predestined behavior (Rom. 8:29). Christians are predestined to be conformed to the image of God’s Son. “Conformed” means to have the same or similar nature, and the point of context is that God’s plan of redemption featuring His Son opened the door for us to also become children of God. Through Christ’s redeeming work at Calvary, God looks at us as He does His only begotten Son. But, conformity is more than about form. It is about substance. Being in God’s Kingdom means we have a new identity, but it also means we have a new way of thinking and acting. We will think and act like Jesus! God determined that as part of His plan, that Christians would behave differently from the unredeemed!

The New Testament teaches a predestined message (1 Cor. 2:7). 1 Corinthians two speaks of the process of God revealing His Word to mankind. Paul calls it God’s wisdom, pointing again to His eternal scheme of redemption, predestined to our glory! God’s message to us involved the marvelous, thankfully intelligible, process of revealing or unlocking His mind and will through spiritual words. Scripture is the deliberate and intentional communication from heaven to earth.

The New Testament teaches a predestined position (Eph. 1:5). The book of Ephesians, in exalting the church of the Christ, exalts the position of those who have accepted Him. Adoption into the family of God means access to all spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3). God determined before making us from the dust of the ground , before breathing into our nostrils the breath of life, and before making us in His image that we should be given a place in His family through Jesus! He did this, making us sinless but knowing that we would become sinful. No wonder grace is central to Paul’s writing in this epistle.

May we never allow man’s distortion and false teaching of a subject cause us to cower or avoid the truth on that subject. It is a rich and marvelous study to look at the things and people (Christians) determined by God before even time began. It elevates the way we look at ourselves and the way we look at Him!

Peter’s Successor?.

Neal Pollard

An important element of thinking among our Catholic friends involves the idea of papal succession.  In this concept, Catholic scholars attempt to look all the way back to Peter and trace a line of papacy.  This elaborate effort to defend the idea of a universal pope goes back to fairly ancient times.  The further back they go, however, the more difficult this effort to find Peter’s successors.

A case in point of this involves the so-called third successor of Peter as bishop of Rome.  Everett Ferguson points out that Irenaeus looks at Clement as this bishop.  However, as Ferguson points out, “As many Protestant and some Roman Catholic historians have observed, the difficulty arises because there was a plurality of presbyter-bishops at this time in the church at Rome, and Irenaeus and others read back into this time the later organization of only one bishop in a church” (Church History, 53).

Though the New Testament does not say where, Peter served as an elder in a first-century congregation (1 Pet. 5:1-4).  Yet, as he indicates in that very passage, the divine model was for a plurality of men to be among their respective flocks.  Those who met Paul from Ephesus were elders (Acts 20:28).  Paul urges Timothy (1 Tim. 3:1-8) and Titus (1:5-11) in their work of identifying a plurality of men who were qualified to serve as elders.  Ferguson later gives theological, organizational, geographical, and political reasons for why Rome was elevated above other cities and Peter was elevated above other men in the whole papal discussion (ibid., 301ff), but the important point is that this “progression” was without New Testament foundation.  In fact, it is generally agreed that the first, officially recognized pope, Leo I, did not emerge until 440 AD (or over 400 years after the Lord’s church was established).  Even if one were to point to Marcellinus, this innovation of recognizing an earthly head over all the church would still be over 250 years after the first generation of the church and without the sanction of Scripture.

It is important that the authority of Scripture not be shared with any other source.  The Bible alone is sufficient to lead, guide, and govern (cf. 2 Pet. 1:3; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Gal. 1:6-9).  Let the Bible be the measuring rod by which every practice, every doctrine, and every name is measured.  What cannot be supported as true to God’s Word must be dismissed as of human rather than divine origin (cf. Matt. 7:24-27; 15:13).

HELPING YOUR OPPONENT WIN.

Neal Pollard

Those within professional golf did not raise an eyebrow, though some outside observers found the gesture baffling.  Before the just completed WGC-Cadillac Championship tournament at Doral, Florida, Steve Stricker helped Tiger Woods work on his putting game.  While Stricker’s putting was the best in the tournament, Tiger’s was second-best.  The improved putting helped Woods to the victory.  While no one will feel sorry for poor Stricker, who finished second to Woods and nabbed a purse of $869,852.94, Woods by winning pocketed $1,441,176.47.  Once you have finished staggering at such incredible “earnings,” consider the magnanimity of Stricker.  He helped his opponent win.

While you do not hear of that very often among those in the world, the Bible commands Christians to do that every day.  Certainly, Jesus shows the attitude a Christian ought to take in his or her relationships with those from the world he calls “opponents” (Mat. 5:25; Lk. 12:58).  Paul says that the Christian, through soundness of speech, can put the opponent to shame (Ti. 2:8).  But, listen to what Jesus says later on in the Sermon on the Mount.  It defies worldly wisdom.

He says not to seek revenge (Mat. 5:38-39), to treat enemies charitably (Mat. 5:40-42), and to love them (Mat 5:43-47).  What He does not say here is “why” to do this, except that in doing so we “are perfect” like our heavenly Father is perfect (Mat. 5:48).  The Greek word translated perfect here means “Finished, that which has reached its end, term, limit; hence, complete, full, wanting in nothing” (WSNTDICT, elec. ed., 2000). So, the idea is of not being found wanting or lacking.

In evangelism, to be a complete, finished product as a soul-winner, we must be willing to reach out to those who are God’s enemies and even those who may in some way be our “opponents.”  We are seeking to help them overcome their shortcomings and reach the prize.  It is not debasing or undignified.  It does not deprive us of our prize.  It only helps add stars to our crowns.

“And Matthew (The Tax Collector)”.

Neal Pollard

It is interesting to me that Matthew, who lists himself eighth among the twelve apostles, adds a qualifier to his name different from any notation he makes about the others (10:1-4).  He identifies one as a traitor, gives an ethnic detail about another, tells us that there are two pairs of brothers chosen by our Lord, gives surnames, nicknames, and tells us James is the son of Alphaeus.  Yet, only after his own name does he specify occupation.  We know there are fishermen in the group.  At least one professional nationalist stood among the chosen.  Perhaps one was in the finance business.  Strangely, however, he mentions only his trade.

By Matthew’s own account, tax collectors had no qualms hanging out with sinners (9:10-11).  Luke records at least one known for unscrupulous, unethical behavior in that occupation (19:1ff; cf. 3:13).  In fact, Matthew repeatedly lumps together tax collectors, prostitutes, and pagans (11:19; 18:17; etc.).  That is apparently how they were seen, especially by the scribes and Pharisees.  Yet, Matthew does not hide the kind of work he did before Jesus called him.  He openly lists it as the thing that distinguished him.

Did he do this to give hope to people who wrestled with the guilt of their own sins, who would know what he overcame to follow Jesus and see him as an example of Jesus’ power?  Did he do this to show that even he, who picked to be an apostle and to write one of the four sacred records of Jesus’ life, had a sinful past (cf. Rom. 3:23)?  Did he do this to show the unity possible in Christ?  How much interaction did he and Simon the zealot have in fulfilling Jesus’ ministry?  Did they ever “door knock” together?  How far apart were they when reclining to eat together?  A Jewish nationalist would not have had deep, inherent appreciation for a guy collecting taxes to enrich the Roman coffers.

What is clear is that Matthew tells everyone what he did and who he was.  Yet, what he became through Christ is what is most important.  He is still faithfully serving after Christ’s resurrection and ascension (Acts 1:13).  He had a role in doing the initial preaching of the gospel of Christ (Acts 2:14).

What about Joe the alcoholic?  Or Ted the foul-mouthed?  Or Susie the liar? Or Sally the adulterer?  If they repent and obey Jesus, can they find a useful place in the kingdom, too?  We already know the answer.  The Lord wants us to believe it!