Teague Bible Church

Industrial building; 3 stories high; steep roof; installing Mexican tile roof. The pitch of the roof so steep we had to wear parachute harnesses tied to a rope, with a “friend” holding onto the rope at the top of the roof ridge. No movement could be made without that rope pulling or releasing my body to get in position. Nerve-racking at first , but after a while, it was like a ballroom dance in its coordination.
At lunch we were supposed to switch places. My friend had never roofed so I ask him to sit on the roof all day and hold the line tight as I moved about. Also, it seemed reasonable, since he weighted 220 lbs. and I was about 160 lbs. Got the picture?
What did I think was the most important thing to do before we started? Get to know this person. He was holding my life in his hands.
We talked 20 minutes before work, then at break, then ate together at lunch, and even talked after work. My original motive? I want to be nice to him because so much depended on it, from my point of view.
An odd thing happened, however, by the time the job was completed. We really liked each other. Go figure. At that point I was a little ashamed of my original motive. This guy was worth knowing, no matter what he could do for me.
I think we treat God like that at times. Is God just a means to an end, or is He worth getting to know no matter how much or how little he may do for me?
Perhaps as we grow we can take the path of good children and move from what we thought was love, to real love, that only an adult child can give. He holds our lives in His hands but He never threatens with that. He keeps loving us because He cannot help Himself. I John 4:19 JWP

Please join us in today’s word. And let us know what you think….either in our comment section or in person at our next service. Join us every Sunday at our new worship times–9:30am for Sunday School and at 10:45am for Worship Service. We’d love to see you here!

Please join us in today’s word. And let us know what you think….either in our comment section or in person at our next service. Join us every Sunday at our new worship times–9:30am for Sunday School and at 10:45am for Worship Service. We’d love to see you here!

Please join us in today’s word. And let us know what you think….either in our comment section or in person at our next service. Join us every Sunday at our new worship times–9:30am for Sunday School and at 10:45am for Worship Service. We’d love to see you here!

Please join us in today’s word. And let us know what you think….either in our comment section or in person at our next service. Join us every Sunday at our new worship times–9:30am for Sunday School and at 10:45am for Worship Service. We’d love to see you here!

Please join us in today’s word. And let us know what you think….either in our comment section or in person at our next service. Join us every Sunday at our new worship times–9:30am for Sunday School and at 10:45am for Worship Service. We’d love to see you here!

Please join us in today’s word. And let us know what you think….either in our comment section or in person at our next service. Join us every Sunday at our new worship times–9:30am for Sunday School and at 10:45am for Worship Service. We’d love to see you here!

Please join us in today’s word. And let us know what you think….either in our comment section or in person at our next service. Join us every Sunday at our new worship times–9:30am for Sunday School and at 10:45am for Worship Service. We’d love to see you here!

Reconstructing My Own History

Ecclesiastes 7:10 ” Do not say, ‘Why is it that the former days were better than these?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.”

When we were kids we all had to take the brow-beating of our elders who went on and on about how their days were better. It only takes a little to see through that flawed line of reasoning. Each generation has its own triumphs and its own shame. Although, as we get closer to the end of the age, a general and short-lived rebellion against God and His people takes place, one should not abandon making this world better in every way possible.

It is a battle for the souls of men. I am the light of the world, Jesus said. I spend time with Him, THE light and then I reflect that to others. I received no orders to neglect and lambast Millennials, or the elderly, or the boomers. They are just people folks. Just lost people. When did I become so afraid of people? When did I start believing I could isolate myself from the people who need the light in me?

My command was to be in the world , but not of it. The command given to every Christian (and not a suggestion) was to “Go into the world and make disciples.”

We are leaving a few things out when we “reconstruct,” i.e. “re-remember and edit” our own history. There has always been sin. It has peaked severely, several times in history. Righteousness has had good effect also. The command to me and you is the same. If I love the lost then I can’t be afraid of them. Cautious yes, fearful; no. I don’t want to go back in time because I am not a fool. I need to be fully engaged, right now, with the things that count for Christ. I need to build relationships with those who need the light that comes out of me by God’s grace.

This light is strengthened in you and me because of the things we do and think while in private. If that private time is thinking of another way to escape the discomfort of this world, and blather internally about “the good old days,” then our life failed being what it was meant to be. The Lord gives a comfort and a joy as we are fighting the good fight. There is no heavenly comfort or joy , however, for those wanting only earthly comfort, then complaining about how much better the old days were. Even if we were right about, “the good old days” it is still earthly days, and far from the wonder and majesty of what is to come for you and me.

Really, we are saying to them, “Not only were my days better, but I am better than you!” All this, while smugly believing we have God’s approval in our ( holy?) isolation.

Would you like to know a secret? One of the predominate signs of the end times is that “because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.” Is that what’s happening to you? Have you stopped “leaning into” the battle?

I love how Romans 12:3-21 gives the right attitude to have in all things, especially the work of the Lord to be done by every believer; right here; right now. Who reads that and does not want to be that person! Paul said it while Nero ruled! He did not want to go back to the comfort of his rich life as a Pharisee. How wise Paul was to live his new life in Christ and impact his world, right in those moments!

Look, you cannot go back. Stop dreaming of it, for while you are seeking comfort in dreaming of ” the good old days” others are having to do double-duty in the current battle of this age; of this day; of this moment. Engage; engage; engage!

Matthew 5 / Matthew 24 / Romans 12 JWP 3/2/18

So What Da Problem Is?

If you just wanted to live a well-adjusted life down here, and act like that would be enough of a “life,” I could suggest the works of Aristotle or other philosophers who could guide you into a good moral life. Or you could go to the self-help section of your book store. ( I went into my book store once, and ask where the self-help section was, but got no help from the clerk because she said that would defeat the purpose!)

The problem is that not a one of my suggestions would satisfy anyone completely.

There is a gnawing of the soul, that we all had, when we were unbelievers, that cannot be healed with tips and techniques on how to live a better life. Imagine, if you will, falling off a cruise- liner. You do not know how to swim. At least you will not make it back to the boat or to the shore. It is just too far; it is just too, too far.

The crowd gathers about on the railing shouting, ” Move your arms and legs, start swimming!” All this while your panic level has reached terrifying proportions. You know you are helpless. Others have punched up Youtube tutorial videos; calling out instructions.

In the same way , the problem of life is not that we do not have enough good advice to live right; the problem is having the power to do good for very long and for the right reasons.

Christ throws out a life-preserver to us by His grace ( which means you do not deserve the help). A grace that saves us from eternal drowning based on what He has already done for us through His death on the cross, and verified by His resurrection. (He did something for you that you could not do for yourself.)

Then, with what He accomplished, we begin to live a very different and wonderful life. No longer trying to live life on our own, and then hoping to present that to God as “good enough.” But rather doing the good because He is alive in us, giving us power to do true goodness, reflecting His life and motives in us; through us.

Sunday we begin the book of Romans. Paul’s letter to the Romans is more systematic that his other letters. He sets out to prove that the gospel is no new innovation, but God’s plan from eternity past.

Here is a man who said he excelled far above all his contemporaries in righteous living; being a good man, and yet was still a prisoner to sin, and miserably lost and separated from God! (Romans 7). As far as “comparative righteousness” goes, there was none better than Paul. He could swim better than all others, but could never reach the safety of the shore. He knew the right thing to do, but it did not provide the power to really be a transformed person.

We are never judged for eternity based on how well we did compared to others. Hey, that was going to be my story ( before I reached out for that life-preserver who is Christ Himself) as I imagined standing before God and saying, ” Well I did my share of wrong, but I can show you many others who lived a worst life than me!” Talk about a statement that will melt faster than a snowball in hell!

The book of Romans has a lot of wonderful, applicable things to say. Please be with us for this study. I cannot stress enough how this study will clear up your thinking, and give you power to deal with many of your most pressing concerns.

And most importantly, you find out how much love this Savior has for you; how He has known you before you were ever born; how deeply He can transform you; and how worthy He is of all your praise! You find out that He is not a means to an end; He is the end and fullness of the meaning of this temporal/eternal life. When you are in love with the Savior, you do many good works; not to get saved or keep saved, but because you are saved already. JWP 2/23/18