Ironworks

  The Bible is full of examples of godly men and women whose behaviors we ought to take note of and emulate. We could consider the faithfulness of Abraham. We would see that he took God at His Word and followed Him. We could consider the patience of Job. From his example, we would learn that God cares for us even when we are hurting and that we can make it through anything because of Him. We might also look at the wisdom of Solomon. From his example, we would learn that the only true wisdom in this world has a divine source and only that source can sustain us in walking in wisdom.            All of these men’s examples are a pattern that we should follow. Jehovah also has provided a perfect pattern in the actions of His Son, Jesus. Paul recorded, “But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9). How can we be assured that...

          How amazing it must have been to sit at the feet of Jesus. Have you thought much about that? What would it have been like to be around the Master? It was obviously life altering for His disciples, the majority of which (by historical accounts) would go on to violent deaths. Christians would go on to be persecuted throughout the centuries. Why? Jesus is worth the shame (Acts 5:41). Jesus is worth it all, because “there is no other name, under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). It is for this very reason we think about how amazing it would have been to personally sit at the feet of Jesus. To Talk to Him Must Have Been Tender           Talking to Jesus must have been so tender. We know that He would tell people what they needed to hear, and sometimes that was rather forthright (see Matt. 23), but he was loving and compassionate to those who wanted to learn from Him. Remember when parents were b...

“Because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Rom 10:9-10 A Proclamation and a Promise Who are you willing to confess? Did you know that your salvation depends on it? I trust that many of you who are reading this do know this, and others have heard something along those lines but we must not lose sight of what God has required for salvation. Paul reminded the Christians in Rome that this was something that they had done and brought them unto salvation. This was not some cleverly added thing of Paul's own volition but the Inspired Word of God. This was the same thing that Jesus said prior. “Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven.” (Matt10:32). As Christians, our proclamation is based on Christ’s promise.  ...

“So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”  Romans 10:17 God’s Revealed Word Reveals Salvation     Over the next five weeks, I want to write about each of the steps of the Gospel Plan of Salvation. I will contend that the Bible teaches not a single man will be saved outside obedience to the Gospel. Additionally, I will address some questions regarding such.           The first thing one must do is hear the word. We often reference Romans 10:17 as I did above for this. For the origin of faith has no other source than hearing or reading the Word of God. How did Cain and Abel know what to offer? How did Noah know how to construct the boat? How did Naaman know how to be cleansed? The Word of God is the answer. This is the only place where we come in contact with the God-breathed, inspired Word (cf. 2 Tim 3:16). Our God is a gracious God who has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness (cf. 2 Pet 1:3). When we...

          This last Tuesday evening it was getting to be about supper time, I had been working outside for a while, and the sun was beating down on me. I was thirsty and very hungry. I was so hungry that when my daughter came to call me for supper, I stopped what I was doing and I went inside immediately. I had a need, and I knew a short walk would fill that need and I would have the energy to continue on with the task with which I was busy. What if I would have just stayed outside and kept working? We all have done it before I am sure. Worked through lunch, worked through dinner. Whatever we were working on became our main focus. Yet, at some point, we had to eat and drink for our survival.            Jesus said, Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6. Hungering and thirsting for righteousness is the natural result of some of the things you would find leading up ...

     One of the ways we show our love for Christ is by our love for one another. Each time we gather, this is not the meeting of a social club, a group of individuals with similar interests, or hobbies. If we were to do that, there would be no difference between the Lord’s church and the Rotary club. We are called to be so much more. We are called to be the body of Christ (Rom. 12:3-5): that which is comprised of many members. If we only knew that we were one body comprised of many members, surely we would remember how we are to treat one another, and surely we would remember to love one another.       Paul further wrote, “Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, unto edifying. For Christ also pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me..” Romans 15:1-3       Je...