Author: preacherpollard

From Bellbottoms To Skinny Jeans And Beyond.

Neal Pollard

Born in 1970, I was (thankfully!) too young to get sucked into bellbottoms and leisure suits.  However, I was a fashion-child of the ’80s.  I am proud to say that I never owned a pair of parachute pants, but my African-American best-friend, Greg Gwyn, and I did wear Miami Vice apparel to school many days in the mid-1980s.  Since I had a fro and his hair was cut closer, he was Crockett and I was Tubbs.

In the last few years, we have seen such fashion-savvy choices as “sagging” and skinny jeans.  Sometimes, people’s fashions cross the line of decency, good taste, and modesty, but some fashion statements are more embarrassing than evil.  Given a few years, we live long enough to be embarrassed that we were drawn into something that seemed so cool at the time but in retrospect is funny if not mortifying.  I don’t suppose this is a new phenomenon (have you ever seen the 18th Century pictures of our founding fathers in powdered wigs and stockings?).

Humanity is infamously fickle, ever-changing and in search of something new.  It is not unusual for a culture to be like the Athenians, spending “their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new” (Acts 17:21).  We have a tendency to be ever-ready for the next new thing.

In stark contrast to this remains this immutable, rock-solid entity that transcends culture and fashion.  It is the Bible.  Remarkably, as fickle fashion comes forward then fades as fast, the Bible remains timeless and true.  Certainly, it claims this for itself.  David writes, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven” (Ps. 119:89).  Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away” (Mt. 24:35). Peter adds, “The word of the Lord endures forever” (1 Pet. 1:25).

But, observation constantly proves the truth of it.  The “Golden Rule” will continue to prove fruitful for human relations (Mt. 7:12).  The Beatitudes will yield blessings on anyone, anywhere, and anytime who incorporates them (Mt. 5:3-12).  The Bible gives blessed assurance to those suffering whenever and wherever (Rom. 8:28-39).  The Psalms give universal comfort, Proverbs give universal wisdom, Job gives universal insight and inspiration, and the list of examples is endless.  Those who truly live by its pattern find the happiest, most meaningful life possible.  Those who have tried it have proven it repeatedly.  Thank God that for a changeless message in a constantly changing world!

Neal Pollard

There is nothing like a hospital to provide a reality check.  Most large, urban hospitals have hundreds of patients most of whom have family and friends who love and care about them.  Many of the concerned are spouses, parents, and children.  When you visit someone in the hospital, you will walk past a number of these concerned people.  How often do you look them in the eye and see their faces?  If you will, you will see many emotions betrayed.  While their hearts are concealed, their faces, in so many instances, show sorrow, fear, stress, fatigue, anxiety, and despair.  A good number of them look to be carrying figurative, elephant-sized burdens that weigh down on them.

For much of life, a person can put off thinking about mortality.  For one thing, we have so much to do in our daily lives–work, care for family, a bevy of sundry activities.  For another, we do not have to waste mental energy on such an enormous topic when we and our loved ones are healthy.  Besides, at other times, we can afford to pursue our interests and desires.  But when we face the prospect of death it seems that all else in life fades with muted colors into the background of life.  Front and center in vivid color, life and the fragility of it stares us in the face.  It is then that we may ponder, perhaps more intently than at any other time, about “what’s next.”  Those confronting illness and death may be more prone to consider that beyond mortality lays immortality.  Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has also set eternity in their heart.”  Does that mean God, who created us, put within us a knowledge and conviction about eternity at our most innate level.  As we face crises and dark moments, we attempt to gaze through the dark mystery of death and see such imposing figures as Accountability, Judgment, and Eternity standing before us.  This must be a disturbing moment for those unprepared to cross that dim divide.  Yet, God intended and desires for us to come to such moments with blessed assurance.  It is not unqualified assurance, open to those who live any old way they please.  But, it is an assurance that alters one’s gaze into that mysterious abyss of death.  Death is stinging and victorious over many, but not the Christian. God through Christ allows us to stare into that treacherous chasm with unbroken calm.  “Thanks be to God” (cf. 1 Cor. 15:54-57)!

Neal Pollard

Dave Chamberlin gave me a copy of the latest Civil War Times.  On page 14, there is a story about two of my great-great-great grandfathers and a picture of one of them, Stephen Pollard.  Apparently, the photo of great-grandpa has been “widely publicized” and went unattributed for some time.  It was found in the Liljenquist collection of Civil War portraits in the Library of Congress.  This grandfather survived the war and farmed in Haralson County, Georgia, until his death in 1899 (Petranek, Ed., Vol. 51, No. 6, 12/12, p. 14).

It’s the story of the other grandfather mentioned in the article, John Rigby, of the 35th Georgia Infantry, that is so fascinating.  The authors, Linda Wheeler and Sarah Richardson, did not know this story.  My cousin, Paul Pollard, told me about grandpa Rigby.  While fighting in the battle of Gaines Mills in 1862, grandpa Rigby was wounded seriously enough to be discharged.  He walked from Mechanicsville, Virginia, back home to Haralson County, Georgia.  While he was recovering at home, he and grandmother conceived their first child. About two years later, he was well enough to rejoin the 35th as they fought in the Wilderness Campaign of 1864. Though he received only a flesh wound, grandpa was captured by Union Forces and imprisoned in the infamous Elmira Prison Camp in upstate New York.  He died shortly after the signing of the Appamattox Treaty in the Spring of 1865.  But, if grandpa Rigby had not been wounded in Mechanicsville (where I preached almost 12 years!), I would not be here! What seeming providence, as God’s hand preserved a lineage that has produced several preachers and may well produce several more!

One of the most faith-building exercises is to study the eternal scheme of redemption in Scripture.  God worked out His salvation plan historically, through time and events, to bring the Christ into the world (cf. Gal. 4:4).  There were times, such as Noah’s day, awaiting the birth of Isaac, the period of the judges, the divided kingdom, the Babylonian Captivity, and many other events or eras where that plan seemed imperiled.  Yet, more than merely a story of providence, God’s eternal plan involves the sovereignty and intentional grace of God.  Peter said Jesus was crucified as part of “the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23).  God announced it beforehand (Acts 3:18).  It was foreknown by God from before the foundation of the world (1 Pet. 1:20).  To see the people and events used by God to bring us Christ should excite us.  Be reminded that this same God is at work today, providentially bringing about His purpose through willing people like you and me.  Be a part of God’s unfolding history simply by being at work to accomplish His purpose!

Yesterday morning’s sermon:  “Change, Then Hope” (http://www.bearvalleycofc.com/storage/sermonaudio/2012_1111AM_Change.mp3)

Improving Foreign Diplomacy.

Neal Pollard

Being roundly criticized for its handling of the Benghazi embassy attack, facing the continued threat of “Arab Spring,” ongoing awkwardness in dealing with foreign powers like China and Russia, and now replacing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the new administration is going to be challenged by foreign affairs issues in the foreseeable future.  It is an important issue because how we handle ourselves with the rest of the world determines our strength and weakness as a nation.  Proper diplomacy is key!

Churches and Christians in them continually face a similar challenge in interacting with non-believers and that system of thought identified in Scripture as “the world.”  New Testament writers identify the Lord’s church as “a holy nation” (1 Pet. 2:9), but we are also said to be “aliens and strangers” in this world (1 Pet. 2:11). Inasmuch as diplomats are those tasked with managing international relations and representing their country abroad, we must understand as mission as “ambassadors for Christ” (cf. 2 Cor. 5:20).  Peter gives us insight into how to improve our “foreign diplomacy.”

First, share generously (1 Pet. 2:9). Because of the important role we fill, chosen, royal, holy, and “possessed by God,” we need to “come to the table” ready to share.  Whether the world realizes it or not, they are poor in the most dire way possible.  Peter tells us to “proclaim the excellencies of Him” to the world.

Second, humbly recognize the importance of your status (1 Pet. 2:10).  Instead of being pompous and arrogant, we will feel the weight of our responsibility.  We represent God to the world, which is spiritually blind, deaf, and ignorant of the Bible and its teaching.  We also realize that we were once in darkness (2:9) and we have a checkered past (2:10).  This should make us more vigilant and determined as we reach out to the world.

Third, distinguish yourself in conduct (1 Pet. 2:11-12a).  According to these verses, that means avoiding what will lead us to self-destruct (“fleshly lusts”) and putting our best foot forward with the world (“keep your behavior excellent”).  You will be watched more closely, held to a higher, stricter standard, and criticized just for the “post” you hold.  You will even endure “slander…as evildoers.”

Finally, serve with honor and distinction (1 Pet. 2:12b).  Criticisms can be weathered. Accusations can be proven specious. Conduct is the key.  Because “of your good deeds, as they observe them,” they will “glorify God in the day of visitation.”  Stay true to what you know is right.  Jesus said, “Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children” (Lk. 7:35).  In other words, time will tell through the fruit of your deeds, as you remain focused on your mission.

It is hard to say how the President and his cabinet will deal with their foreign diplomacy challenges.  Let us pray for them.  Meanwhile, let us stay focused on the indispensable role we have in that “holy nation” of the church!  That work impacts eternities.

THE LORD WHO LOOKS FROM HEAVEN.

Neal Pollard

The writer of Psalm 33 is unknown to us, but his words are powerful and poignant.  Particularly comforting is the heart of the psalm, verses six through seventeen.  From these verses, we are reminded about God’s position in the affairs of mankind on earth.

The Lord who looks from heaven created everything (Ps. 33:6).  He is neither caught off guard by nor unprepared for the things that happen over all the earth, in a single nation, or a single person’s life.  He preceded us under the sun He created, and, unless Christ comes again in our life, He will succeed us as we head to the grave.

The Lord who looks from heaven sustains everything (Ps. 33:7).  He even controls the weather, the water cycle, and every other facet of nature.  He has a firm grasp over all the things, nor’easters, tornadoes, earthquakes, blizzards, and other storms, that threaten to overwhelm and eclipse us.

The Lord who looks from heaven controls everything (Ps. 33:8-12).  He controls the world and nature (8-9).  He controls what happens in nations (10).  His plans cannot be thwarted by men (11).  He blesses nations that serve and acknowledge Him (12).  That is never in doubt for even a single moment.

The Lord who looks from heaven sees everyone (Ps. 33:13-15).  He sees more than politicians and voters.  He understands complex matters like quantum physics and electoral colleges. His understanding goes infinitely deeper.  He knows all hearts and understands all works, at the most intimate level.

The Lord who looks from heaven saves everyone who follows Him (Ps. 33:16-17). It is not kings, mighty armies, warriors, great strength, horses, or anything else.  The rest of the Psalm reveals the comfort for any who look to the Lord for salvation.

He delivers the souls from death who fear Him and hope for His lovingkindness (18). He helps those who wait for Him (20).  Those who trust in Him rejoice in Him (21).  May we pray with the psalmist, “Let Your lovingkindness, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in You” (22).

Neal Pollard

• Politics is not as important as civility.
• Politics is not as important as a spiritual opportunity.
• Politics is not as important as a soul.
• Politics is not as important as the Bible.
• Politics is not as important as righteousness.
• Politics is not as important as family.
• Politics is not as important as prayer.
• Politics is not as important as Sunday morning or Wednesday night Bible class.
• Politics is not as important as forming Christian relationships with all our spiritual family.
• Politics is not as important as the Lord’s church.
• Politics is not as important as unity in truth.
• Politics is not as important as faithfulness.
• Politics is not as important as Christianity.
• Politics is not as important as Christ.

We should do our civic duty and vote with a conscience guided by Scripture.  Unborn babies and biblical marriage are more important than any economic platform or energy plan.  But, inasmuch as Paul, Peter, Christ, and others were neither Republican, Democrat, or any other party affiliate (they declared no Roman political party, so far as scripture reveals), let us keep things in proper, spiritual perspective.  Outcomes of elections for president, house and senate may impact our national freedoms and direction, but what is most important is for Christians to be Christians all day every day, trying to win people to Christ and getting people to heaven.  Our greatest energy and emotion need to be for Christ and the church.  May we remember that, today and every day!

Neal Pollard

Love is one of the most misunderstood and abused words in the English language. Some of the more unloving things are done in its name. It is confused with lust, neglect, abuse, ignornace, and encouragement of evil. Even in religion, love is the banner of everything from hatred and terrorism to gross immorality and perversion. It is helpful to remind ourselves what constitutes love.
LOVE DOES NOT ENABLE WEAKNESS. Pretending that a loved one does not have a sin problem or character flaw is not loving. Protecting someone in a compulsive, addictive behavior from the consequences of their sin is extremely unloving. This is nurturing negative behavior.
LOVE DOES NOT EXCUSE SIN. Giving someone an out for sinful lifestyles may seem like the warm and fuzzy way to go, but God strongly condemns such validating (Rom. 1:32). We can go to incredible lengths to legitimize what transgresses God’s law.
LOVE DOES NOT ENCOURAGE PERVERSION. Jesus condemns sexual relationships that fall outside the original marriage grid (Matt. 19:4-5). Whether we are speaking of “shacking up,” “open marriages,” “gay marriages,” “alternative lifestyles,” or the like, we are referencing things which condemn the soul. That some would even push and promote such things in the name of love certainly disgusts our God (Hab. 1:13).
LOVE DOES NOT ENDORSE A LIE. Lies are of Satan (John 8:44). God is love (1 John 4:8). Therefore, lying and love are incongruous. They are from opposite sources. Telling someone who is not right with God that they are is a lie rather than an act of love. Leaving the impression that moral decadence is acceptable is disingenuous and thus unloving.
LOVE DOES NOT EXPECT PERFECTION. In fact, Paul says that love “does not take into account a wrong suffered” (1 Cor. 13:5). It “covers a multitude of sins” (1 Pet. 4:8). In other words, love is not something we offer only on stringent conditions and unrealistic expectations. That is manipulation and not love. Thankfully, our loving God does not expect perfection from us. He knows we are incapable of it. If we, imperfect beings, cannot give a perfect God perfection, how could imperfect human beings give us, imperfect human beings, perfection? Think about it!
LOVE DOES NOT END RESPONSIBILITY. Love is not a substitute for performance. The abuser hopes that profuse profession of love will make his wife forget that he has beaten her. The liar hopes that verbal affirmation of love is enough to negate the hurt and anger of the one harmed by his or her dishonesty. The person who has yet to obey the gospel will freely confess, “I love the Lord.” That may well be, but it is an inadequate love that does not respond to God’s great love in humble obedience.
The world will never get love “right.” It is up to us to demonstrate it to them. We do this by loving one another (John 13:34-35). We do this by loving God enough to do His will (John 14:15). We do this by loving the world enough to show them the Light (Matt. 5:46; 28:19).

Neal Pollard

The modern definition of “pedagogue,” a strict teacher who gives meticulous, laborious assignments to the student, is a transliteration of the Greek word from which it comes.  The New Testament uses the word in multiple places.  In the first-century world, a pedagogue was a service whose job it was to take the children to school.  According to AMG’s annotated Strong’s Dictionary, it was “usually a slave or freedman to whose care the boys of a family were committed, who trained them up, instructed them at home, and accompanied them to the public schools” (2240).  He had general charge over a boy during the stage of life spanning about age 6 to 16 (Reinecker 510), a stage known in the Greek as “epheboi” (or, youth).  Once a Greek and Roman male reached adulthood, he no longer needed his pedagogue.  He was full-grown and mature.

Interestingly, Paul calls the Law of Moses our pedagogue.  In Galatians 3:23-24, he writes, “But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith.”  That word “tutor” (NAS; “schoolmaster” in the KJV) is from the aforementioned Greek word, literally meaning “child-conductor.”

• The “pedagogue” served for a particular religious stage of life for mankind.  That stage is recorded for us in Old Testament history and spanned from the giving of the law at Sinai (Exo. 20) until it was taken out of the way at the cross (Col. 2).  It was in force throughout that time, though it was never God’s permanent solution to lead and instruct mankind.
• The “pedagogue’s” work existed until a later date when it was replaced by something else.  When Jesus took this pedagogue out of the way, He put a new, better law into effect.  We are led by His will (Col. 3:17).
• The “pedagogue” could not justify us to God.  Paul says as much, stating that it led us to Christ who justifies us by faith.  The writer of Hebrews speaks of a new and better covenant (Heb. 8:7ff).

Our pedagogue served its purpose.  The Old Testament pointed ahead to Christ.  The New Testament shows that Christ was known, foretold, and prophesied in the Old Testament.  All history centered around Christ, and that pedagogue sees to it that we learn that essential truth!

Neal Pollard

A historic storm is bearing down on the east coast.  Many forecasters are claiming that the impending weather phenomenon poised to hit the Mid-Atlantic and northeast, called a nor’easter, is the largest in history.  Coupled with that is the surging, strong category one hurricane, Sandy.  The two will clash together in a super storm being called “Frankenstorm”–due to its proximity in time to October 31st.  It will bring hurricane-force winds, storm surges, blizzards, tornadoes, possible tidal waves, and more.  The dramatic nature of this event was expressed this way by Stu Ostro, meteorologist for the Weather Channel: “”History is being written as an extreme weather event continues to unfold, one which will occupy a place in the annals of weather history as one of the most extraordinary to have affected the United States” (Doyle Rice, USA Today online, 10-29-12).

Events like this give perspective to who we are in contrast to the living God!  We are small, dependent, and relatively fragile, as events like this prove.  Arrogance and defiance are exchanged for humility and dependency.

The Christian’s confidence is in Christ, who proved Himself the Master of winds and waves (Mat. 8:26-27).  As the One who created everything that was made, including the elements of nature (Col. 1:16), His power exceeds anything that it can demonstrate.  As tens of millions face power outages, as property damages will be in the multi-billions of dollars, and as lives will be endangered by the unprecedented storm, this fact becomes more incredible and reassuring.  When the storms of life rage, He is our shelter.  If the physical storms threaten, we can rest in His eternal protection.  When that great event comes that ends it all (2 Pet. 3:10), we can be safe from eternal harm!  The Master of the winds and the waves mastered a problem even bigger than Sandy.  He mastered the sin problem.  If we make Him our Master, we need fear nothing this life may throw at us.

Please pray for the millions of people threatened by this storm, including a great many of our brothers and sisters in Christ.  –NP

Neal Pollard
I believe Hugh Stowell, many years ago, penned one of the most beautiful songs ever written. The song, “From Every Stormy Wind That Blows,” reads…

From every stormy wind that blows,
From every swelling tide of woes,
There is a calm, a sure retreat,
‘Tis found beneath the mercy seat.
There is a place where Jesus sheds
The oil of gladness on our heads,
A place than all besides more sweet;
It is the blood-bought mercy seat.
There is a scene where spirits blend,
Where friend holds fellowship with friend;
Though sundered far, by faith they meet
Around one common mercy seat.
There, there on eagle’s wings we soar,
And sin and sense seem all no more,
And heaven comes down our souls to greet,
And glory crowns the mercy seat.

To fully appreciate this song, one must understand what the mercy seat is. We are introduced to the mercy seat in Exodus 25, after the Lord had made the covenant with Moses and Israel upon Mt. Sinai. The people were voluntarily to give of their means for the building of the tabernacle and its furniture (Ex 25:9). The pattern for the ark was given first (:10-16), followed by instructions for the mercy seat (:17-22).
The mercy seat covered the ark of the testimony in the holy of holies (cf., Ex 26:34). God told Moses, “There I will meet with you…” (Ex 26:22). It was a place of holiness, fellowship, righteousness, and instruction. Not even Aaron, the High Priest, could come before the mercy seat without offering a sin sacrifice for himself (Leviticus 16:2ff). God was there, appearing in a cloud over the mercy seat. The ritual Aaron had to follow to approach the holiness of God there was extensive (read Leviticus 16:3-14). Included in that was the placing of blood upon the mercy seat to make “atonement” for himself and his household. The same thing was done to the mercy seat to make atonement for the people (Leviticus 16:15). Later on, when the temple was built, a place was reserved for the mercy seat (1 Chronicles 28:11).
When the New Testament speaks of the mercy seat, the primary audience is the Jews. The mercy seat is figuratively used to represent the importance and significance of what Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross does in taking care of our sin problem. We depend on the mercy of God to save us from the guilt of our sins, and the symbol of the mercy seat is designed to help us see both the ugliness of our sin and the complete holiness of God. He absolutely will not receive us and forgive us without an “atonement” for our sins.
Therefore, when you come to New Testament verses speaking of “propitiation,” “atonement,” and “reconciliation,” take into consideration their Old Testament background. These words describe God’s justice and wrath being satisfied in some way. The “some way” is Jesus’ blood sacrifice on the cross. 2 Corinthians 5:19 explains this by saying, “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them…” Jesus, our High Priest (Heb 9:11-12), offered up His own blood, not for His sins but for our sins. By that sacrifice, we are made alive and right with God (Rom 5:11-21). But we must go to the designated place to receive the benefits of Jesus’ shed blood. The Bible says both that the blood (Revelation 1:5) and baptism (Acts 22:16) wash away our sins. So, Jesus’ blood washes away our sins at the point of baptism, submitted to by a repenting believer who is being baptized in order to have his or her sins forgiven (Acts 2:38).
It was certainly a relief to God’s Old Testament people to have their sins atoned for by the High Priest. But, each sacrifice each year was a reminder that the debt had not been fully satisfied (Heb 10:3-4). Thank God that what those sacrifices could NOT do, Jesus’ sacrifice did once for all time (Heb 7:27). When we do what God says to be saved, the debt against us is canceled and fully satisfied. If we continue to live faithful to God, that blood continues to save us (1 John 1:7). Because of this, no matter the hurts and heartaches we face in this life, we can have the peace and fellowship of God to hold us up “beneath the mercy seat.” What comfort!

Neal Pollard

A “straw man,” by definition, is “a sham argument set up to be defeated.”  If the term needs further defined, some examples should help.  Consider a few common, recognizable “strew men.”

• “…Even in the case of rape and incest.”  This is a straw man used by proponents of abortion on demand, a practice that will incur the wrath of God in keeping with His timeless, sovereign nature and character (Prov. 6:16-17; Ezek. 16:21).  Beyond that, consider the hard facts.  It is impossible to find any credible reporting agency that would assert a number higher than one percent of all abortions being for these reasons (between 1987-2004, the Alan Guttmacher Institute never found a statistic above one percent).  On the other hand, Dr. David C. Reardon writes that “in the only major study of pregnant rape victims ever done, Dr. Sandra Mahkorn found that 75 to 85 percent chose against abortion” (“Pregnancy and Sexual Assault,” 55-69, as quoted on abortionfacts.com).  A sinful practice, most often exercised for socio-economic and birth-control reasons, is shielded behind a straw man.
• “…But there are hypocrites in that church.”  This is a straw man used by some who have abandoned the assemblies.  They muster up examples of shallow or hollow Christianity to justify their own forsaking.  Their argument is that they are no worse off staying away than some who faithfully attend, but whose examples nullify any good in their attending.  Hypocrisy is an ancient evil (Mat. 23:28; 1 Pet. 2:1).  Preachers, elders, and deacons can even be guilty.  Yet, to cite such to justify rebelling against God’s will (Heb. 10:25), to defend that which jeopardizes our own soul, and to practice something that will have eternal consequences for ourselves and those we influence is incredibly weak and flimsy.  There are hypocrites among co-workers, fellow parents on our kids’ teams and activities, civic organizations, and anywhere else there is group dynamics.  Yet, we stick with those. One’s own disobedience cannot be hidden behind this straw man.
• “…Serving God is about love, not law.”  This is a straw man usually pulled out when obedience to God’s commands is stressed, even in uncomfortable, trying circumstances.  It is trotted out to oppose lessons with doctrinal “teeth,” that take a stand and come to an absolute conclusion.  With it, the idea is espoused that commands that might offend, disturb, and challenge (like church discipline, God’s law for marriage, divorce, and remarriage, the essentiality of baptism, or the singular nature of the church) should be avoided, that love and grace should be promoted instead.  Such a fallacy fails to see the biblical connection between love and obedience (John 14:15,21; Rom. 13:10).

May we reason well the foundation of our faith.  May we stand upon the rock solid foundation of Scripture.  It is unstable to lean upon a straw man.