1Thessalonians 1:8
“For not
only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia,
but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say
anything.”
My dad, Sam Rice enjoyed history, and often made this
statement, “The only thing we learn about history is how to repeat it.” In my studies of the early church, I
believe we are more like the church at Corinth, we are repeating the history of
that early church. That church was
proud of their knowledge and philosophy, but at the same time was grossly
immoral. They, like us, were drawn
to the silver tongue oratory, and they, like us, put stock in physical
appearance, over substance. In
Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, chapter 13 and verse five, we have
this final warning; “Examine yourselves to see
whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of
course, you fail the test.”
For me this morning is gut check time, Jan will say, Bob,
can you use another word to express that thought, but folks, that is the only
way I know how to say it’s time to examine myself, to see whether I am in the
faith. We, like the church at
Corinth, have been sold a bill of garbage, we have pollution of the teaching of
Christ everywhere, and many are being lead to churches or preachers who say
what they want to hear. It matters
not what your preacher or teachers are saying, unless it lines up with the
truth of Scripture. God will hold
you accountable, you and I are to examine ourselves, and it is easy to become
polluted, the deck is stacked against us, the world system, our government, our
schools, our universities of higher learning are all teaching a gospel of
independence from God’s control over your life.
This morning I’m asking myself, are my words stacking up
with my faith, is my faith going forth everywhere, so that my life is being
talked about? Do I realize that
Christ Jesus is in me? Why am I
still letting the fears of uncertainty fill my mind and heart? Do I foolishly believe that a
Republican victory on November 2, 2010, will change the hearts of this country,
if so, I’ve failed the test. Only
in my understanding of this truth, “Christ in me the hope of glory,” only then will
my faith show forth.
From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice
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