The Right Picture

This is the third our attempts to suggest a picture of Jesus or to bring Him closer into clear focus. One of our favorite portraits of Jesus is one of Jesus and the little children. We are sure that they were drawn to Him as a strong magnet picks up metal.

Then we see Him having compassion on the sick and suffering and also those hungry physically. He went willing also to touch and heal the leper. He was severely criticized for His close association with tax collectors, and even eating with sinners! A favorite picture of many is that one of Christ knocking at a closed door. What a graphic and powerful, silent message!

There are but a few Old Testament references to God as Father. But Jesus was always speaking of the Father. He taught us in that model prayer to say, "Our Father". He spoke of the everlasting home of the saints as "In my Father's house are many mansions . . ."

So many think of God of the Old Testament as a stern giver of the law and as a solemn Judge. And while we can say that this is not totally inaccurate, for God is just; it is also true that "God is love" (I John 4:8). Heaven is a holy place. One preacher we heard stated, "God won't live in a dirty house." That was what Jesus was teaching Nicodemus, "Except a man be born again - born of the Spirit - he cannot see the Kingdom of God" John 3:3 . . Jesus stated "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" John 14:9. We can then state plainly that any picture or idea we have  of God that is different than that of Jesus is not the right picture.

"Well, that sure looks like him!"

Without a doubt, one of the most difficult mysteries for beginning theology students to unravel is that of the trinity and the incarnation. That is, how God the father and God the Son are one in essence and yet two in manifestation. In the text of Heb. 1:3 it is stated that Jesus is "the express image" of God. This is the King Version. The RSV translates this; "The very stamp of his nature." and the New English Bible: "the stamp of his very being." In both of these the Greek text this word stamp is "character" and is derived from a sharpening tool or "sharpened to a point" like an engraving tool to stamp an exact or perfect likeness of the original.

There is a story of a little boy who asked his mother what the picture of God looked like. She tried to explain that in the time of Jesus on earth they had no photography and that no one had a picture of Jesus. Yet right there on the wall of their home was that famous Holman-Hunt paint of Jesus. Looking at the framed "picture", the little boy stated firmly, "Well, that sure looks like him!"

No, we don't have a picture. But we do have a scripture, "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself" II Cor. 5:19; and we do have part of a song, "Stamp thine own image deep on my heart", and "O to be like Thee". That's where belief really counts!

Lord Horatio Nelson

Lord Horatio Nelson, as you may remember, was the English Admiral who defeated the fleet of Napoleon in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, and lost his life in that battle. The grateful English people erected a towering 170 foot statue at Trafalgar Square in London in his honor in the years 1839 - 1843. That is the monument that is that high, but the statue of the man atop the monument is that high, but the statue of the man atop the monument is so high above the street that the people objected that one could not see the man that was so honored. When I was in there in a long-ago January he was up there with the London fog and the pigeons.

The bringing of Lord Nelson down to street level is, I think, the perfect illustration of what our Heavenly Father did when He sent the Lord Jesus to earth in human form. Primarily, of course, this was so He, as a man, could die as the all sufficient atoning sacrifice for mankind. In response to Philip's question, Jesus stated, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father." John 14:9. This truth is stated many times in scripture. See also John 1:1; John 10:30; 12:45; 17:11- 22; Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3.

A Short Lesson in Practical Theology

Quite often necessity triumphs over convictions. We saw this demonstrated one night in Kansas City. Our boys were quite happy paying cops and robbers or cowboys and Indians or some sort of boy games. When they offered to include a neighbor boy in their sport, he responded by saying that the Jehovah God does not use carnal weapons. This his mother and her religion had taught him. She was a follower of a religion we are inclined to call a "cult".

It is not our purpose here to defend toy gun play. Obviously, it would be better to play Bible games, but boys (and girls) do not see the logic of this.

The immediate sequel to this backyard theology lesson on the prohibition of the Jehovah God and the use of carnal weapons, there was a revelation of a modified theology and a demonstration that necessity may triumph over a weak theology.

It happened this way. One night we heard a loud clamor from the house of our neighbor. Obviously, there had been some violent disagreement. The husband was crying for help, saying that he was "bleeding bad". His wife who had denied the use of carnal weapons had deployed the use of a heavy ceramic lamp by breaking it over the head of her husband.

This peace loving lady rushed to our house to use our phone to summons aid for her husband, then with her little boy fled into the night. Her little son had learned another lesson - a different one - cap pistols are "out" and ceramic lamps are "in" when certain conditions of necessity exist.

Salt of the Earth

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said of his followers "Ye are the salt of the earth" Matt. 5:13. He did not say, "Ye will resemble salt" or "ye will be salt" but "Ye ARE salt", God's purifying element sent to keep a world from purification. Salt, then, is a preservative.

For ages - before the days of refrigeration - salt was the principal element for the preservation of meats. Salt is also a condiment, a seasoning, or flavoring substance. Maybe you've heard of the little boy's definition; "Salt is what makes the beans taste bad when it's left out." Its particular unique quality is that it loses its identity in the service it renders.

Salt also has medical value. Once in my college days I was referred to a throat specialist because of a serious and prolonged affliction of extremely sore throat. The doctor informed me that there were several good drugstore products available, but that the best was a strong salt solution in very warm water that should be used as a gargle several times in succession.  I found this to be very helpful, and also economical.

Oh! And do you recall the remainder of the verse from which our text comes? "But if the salt has lost has lost his savor, . . . it is therefore good for nothing ." God created a perfect world, but when sin entered, its people began to putrefy and rot down. In too many cases the church of today is compromised and corrupted and has lost its salt.

Hence, we are in the middle of the mess we are in!

Sunday Fishing?

I know of only one place in the world where you can go fishing and at the same time spend a day in church! I'll explain.

Many years ago when I was a member of our mission board, I was sent to Mexico on a mission. In the course of our travels, we passed the sleepy little village of Padillo.

Years later, I made another trip down there, and low, and behold! The large lake of Guerrero now covered the spot where the village had been! The village church had not been removed, but now stood not far from shore. It was now possible to enter the main entrance, cast for bass and motor out through a window.

Later, I talked with a longtime fisherman friend and learned that he had many times fished this lake with good success. I didn't ask him if he caught any church going fish.

But it did occur to me that here's the perfect alibi for that fellow who likes to fish on Sunday instead of going to church. He could honestly state that he went to church, while in reality, he was not in the pew, but in his boat!

"Something Rests Me"

Author William Skeath tells a story of a Negro laundress who was carrying on her head a basket of clothes. As she passed the main building of Scarritt College she stopped in front of the tower, took down her basket and stood for a time in silent contemplation of the tower.

The college president one day asked her whether she liked the building. Back came her answer: "Sir, I come by this building two times a week with my clothes, and I set them down because I'm tired. And as I look at that tower, something gets into my soul and rests me." Then she took up her burden and walked away.

I don't recall anytime lately getting rested by looking at any big building or tower, but there are other things that "get into my soul and rest me." Like: "As thy days so shall thy strength be." And "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." Deut. 33: 25, 27

And these are only the beginning, for there "are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises" II Peter 1:4. Of all these, what could be greater than that promise of Jesus in Matt. 11:28, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest", ?

New Relegion?

Auguste Comte, French philosopher and former positivism once told Thomas Carlyle that he was going to start a new religion to replace Christianity. The old Scotsman was ready for him and replied: "Very Good. All you will have to do is to be crucified, rise on the third day, and get the world to believe you are still alive. Then your new religion will have a chance."

Here are more saying by Carlyle:

"Silence is the element in which Great things fashion themselves."

"It is better to build a dog hutch than to dream of building a palace."

"A great man shows his greatness by the way he treats little men."

"The greatest enemy of the prince of darkness is a thinking man."

"Conviction is worthless unless it is converted into conduct."

Three appearings of Christ

It has been a good many years now, and we were in an afternoon service in General Camp. Our little grandson was with us and was listening attentively when Bro. Robert Carrol announced that he was to preach on 4 "R"s. Shocked the little fellow asked, "Did he say he was going to preach four hours?" Today I want to preach to you about 3 "A"s. Well, not really preach, but suggest an outline. The text would include Hebrews 9:24 - 28 and tells of three appearings of Christ. You will note three times: Past, Present and Future.

Verse 26 - He hath appeared - In infancy, humility and obscurity. Long promised Messiah -

·       Born of a virgin. Isa. 7:14; 9:6; 11: 1;

·       Born in Bethlehem - Micah 5:2.

·       Baptized at Jordan by John the Baptist at age 30 - Lk. 3:13 and age required of priests - entered His Priestly office;

·       Acknowledged by God the Father, Also the Holy Spirit descending as a dove.

·       Died on the Cross - God's perfect atoning sacrifice.

·       Rose from the dead.

·       Ascended.

Verse 24 - He Now Appears - In the presence of God FOR US.

·       He's our High Priest. Heb. 9:11

·       Entered the holy place "having obtained eternal redemption for us Heb. 9:12

·       He placed his blood on the altar "not made with hands"

·       Now sits at the right hand of God

·       Mediator of the "better covenant",

·       Makes intercession for us , Rom. 8:34

Verse 28 - He Shall Appear - "Unto them that look for Him" - Rom. 8:34, that is, for those who are ready to meet Him!

·       The Second Coming of Christ is the world's greatest future event.

·       "of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end" - Isa. 9:7.

·       "Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me. . . I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. . . I am the root and offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. . . Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so come Lord Jesus." Rev. 22: 20.

I'm Back

According to the story Old Rip Van Winkle reappeared after an absence of many years, but I've made it back to the blogosphere much sooner. There's no such word in my New World Dictionary. It doesn't even have Blog.

So I'm back; for how long no one can say. Last month I crossed the 94 mile marker, and my excursions are limited. However, I did attend General Camp. In May I went to preach at Parvin Rd. Church a couple of times. I also went to Huntington, W.Va. for Bro. Trotter's funeral. I have just completed a brief History of the Bynumville Church and also a history of the Holiness Church at Reform. The latter has been in operation more than 125 years.

So far, I'm teaching the adult (really old people's) S.S. Class and conducting a monthly missionary service. In recent years I have done some work for the local Historical Society and written a brief history of the Young People's Society of the Church of God. For years I have been the only surviving member of that group established in 1940. I've written a bunch of stuff, but that's a few years back. Since I'm computer illiterate, my son Jim does that job for me and also does a lot more. He is much involved in our local Tea Party meetings twice a month and also active at our State Capitol.

On Jan. 4, on the opening day of the Missouri General Assembly, a Consent of the Governed Rally was held in the Capitol Rotunda. The meeting was well attended and proved to be quite influential. I had been asked to give the invocation. There were four powerful speakers who each addressed the Preamble and the first four sections of Article One of the Bill of Rights of the Missouri Constitution.

The event was videoed and is available at: http://conservativetvonline.com/VideoPlayer.php?LoRes=Yes&ThumbnailName=C000740_I.C.+Holland.jpg&Button=LoRes http://conservativetvonline.com/VideoPlayer.php?LoRes

The Missouri Constitution Preamble reads: "We the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness, do establish this constitution for the better government of the state.

"Everything is subordinate to God"