Ironworks

If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:   How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,   Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ. Ephesians 3:2-4 It has been said many times by the various religious groups that the source of their difference is that they just don’t understand the Bible the same way. This is presented as an answer that you should accept. If you were to object to their truth on this matter, you would simply be intolerant. So, if there are many different peoples believing many diverse things about the Word of God, we must answer the question, “Can we all understand the Bible alike?” It is not up to me to say so; it is up to God. We must always look to the Word for all answers when it comes to matters of faith. Paul wrote in his epistle the dispensation of the grace which God gave him. He added that by revelation God made known th...

  Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.   Yea, I hated all my labor which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. Ecclesiastes 2:17-18             “Love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Have you heard this famous adage? Before I was a full-time preacher I worked various jobs managing businesses. In each job I excelled. I gave it my all. In the end, I found myself in each situation feeling like King Solomon. Okay, maybe I was not all that dramatic. I never said I hated life, but my labor was pretty much unrewarding to me. I am grateful that I had the ability to work. I am grateful I was able to provide for my family. However, it just did not have the rewarding feeling that went along with it. That was my fault. Yes, my fault. I could have used each waking...

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10   One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth forever.   Eccl. 1:4   Is this an inconsistency? Is it possible that the Bible contradicts itself on the status of the earth? Is it possible that the advocates of a renovated earth are correct? No, no, and no. Come let us reason together from the Scriptures and look at just the meaning of “forever.”   First, the word here in Hebrew is olam . This word means forever in a more limited sense as in "a long duration." Unfortunately, many are confused between things which are eternal and things that were going to last for the foreseeable future but would have an end one day.  Shall we consider the Passover? Exodus 12:24 And ye ...

            Giving is the fifth of the five acts of worship covered over the last four weeks. This is often a topic that is avoided or looked upon with great skepticism. The main reason is that often we do not want to hear about it because we forget the importance of it. Like all of the acts of worship, we do it because we are commanded to do so. Paul wrote, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.” 1 Cor. 16:1-2 From this passage, we see that the collection was to be taken regularly on the first day of every week.   It was to be something which each saint had planned for; that which is put aside and saved. We are to give proportionately; that is as each may prosper. Our giving should keep up with our income and moreover our he...

            I am so grateful for the opportunity to preach every Sunday. This is something into which I put much energy, time, and prayer. Yet preaching is not about me. It has never been about me, and it will never be about me. Paul said, “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” (1 Cor 1:23-24).   Preaching is the fourth of five elements that we partake on the first day of the week. Yes, we partake together.             I am reminded of Paul’s word in Romans 10:14-17 , “ How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How be...

Worship is a great privilege that God has given His church. Over the last two weeks, we have examined 2 of the 5 elements of our worship in singing and prayer. Today our subject is the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper is a memorial. “ For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 1 Cor 11:23-24 It is also a proclamation. When we gather together, we proclaim the death of the Lord. This proclamation unifies us all in Christ . “ For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.” 1 Cor. 11:26 The Lord’s Supper is communion or fellowship with Christ. “ The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ...

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Ephesians 5:19 How prepared are you to sing praises to God? We are very blessed each Lord’s Day to gather together to worship God and one of those acts of worship is singing. Sadly, some do not truly take advantage of this. Is it that we forgot our purpose? What are the hindrances that keep us from practicing this act of worship? In the above passage, we are told in what manner we are to practice this act of worship.   Paul also wrote, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord .” Colossians 3:16 Do you get the impression that singing is important? It is even described as that which teaches and admonishes our brothers and sisters in Christ. Thus, our songs must be scriptural to effectively fulfill those requirements. T...

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 1 Timothy 2:8 From the very beginning of the church, prayer is something that was ever present (Acts 1:23-26; 2:42; 4:23-32). This is one of the five elements of worship in which we participate every first day of the week.  Paul wrote to Timothy on how to conduct himself in the church (cf. 1 Tim 3:15).  This included instruction on prayer within the assembly. From the Word, we find that men are to lead in prayer within our assemblies. This is not to devalue women but simply that God has given us the pattern that men preside over the assembly (cf. 2 Tim 2:9-15). The required men are those who can lift up holy hands without wrath and dissension. This is not a posture. The type of man God desires to lead the congregation in prayer is one living a holy and righteous life. A man whose attendance, habits, divisiveness, and wrath are questionable should not be one who is in this...

  Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.   With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.   Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.  Psalm 119:9-11          Would you be surprised if in the longest chapter in the Bible there would be certain words that are repeated? Repeated words in the Scripture remind us of the importance of those words. For instance, the word "Word" is used 43 times in Psalm 119. Also, the word "law" appears 25 times, "commandment" 22 times, and "statute" 22 times. This is the acrostic of all acrostics. 25 demarcations correspond to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In each of these, we find the Psalmist referring to the Word of God.           Consider the above scriptures. A young man cleanses his way by taking heed thereto according to the word. ...

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring ? Psalm 22:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  Psalm 23:1 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory .  Selah  Psalm 24:10             Three Chapters in the Psalms. Three pictures of the Lord. Three aspects that describe the mission and purpose of Jesus. The first gives us the image of the cross. These were the words that the Lord cried out in anguish on the cross,  Eli, eli, lam sabachthani, that is to say, My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me  (cf. Matt. 27:46). Even in the time of great pain and distress, our Lord remained focused on the task at hand. He kept, even then, with the example of His entire life by quoting the Word. What a blessed reminder of what the Lord was willing to suffer for each of us. He loves us enough to bear the cr...

        Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Psalm 143:10      I wanted to learn how to learn Russian but I did not watch more videos on YouTube that just the first two. I wanted to learn French but I only went through a few basic words in different categories on the app I downloaded. I wanted to learn how to learn how to paint but I never bought an easel, paints, brush, or made it through a Bob Ross show growing up. I wanted to learn how to ride a bull but my parents never let me. There is a lot of things I “wanted” to do and sometimes still want to do even if it be for a fleeting minute.                       Do you want to live eternally with the Lord in Heaven. Do you live assured of that salvation as you walk faithfully with the Lord all your days. I will be honest...

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.But his delight is in the law of the  Lord ; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:1-3         When you seek advice, to whom do you go? Perhaps it is a parent, a friend, or the mature in age. To whomever you go, you certainly want someone who is wise, experienced, and, most of all, Godly. When we share the same values with a counselor, we are truly seeking the best advice.          In the world, there are many people that would seek to give the Christian advice: from the religious to the irreligious. Both are ungodly for they do not share the same goals as the Chris...