The Importance of The Home

Temple Baptist Church - 10-16-2013

 

Colossians 3:18-21

 

Introduction:

A. In Colossians, we have been preaching on the unity of the local church. It is of no coincidence that, while speaking of the things which bring about unity in the local church, Paul begins to deal with the home life of the members. I cannot stress too much the importance of our homes. Satan has done a number on the homes in America. Marriages are breaking up or being traded for living together. Many marriages and homes are in shambles. Why? Because they are not founded right, they are not ordered right, or both.

B. I heard somewhere a statement that goes somewhat like this: “As goes the home, so goes the church; as goes the home, so goes the nations.” There will never be unity in the local church without unity in our homes. If we are out of God’s will at home, then we will be out of sorts in the local church.

C. Did you know that:

1. 73 percent of black children are born out of wedlock.

2. 66 percent of Native American children including Alaska’s Eskimos.

3. 53 percent of Hispanic children.

4. 29 percent of white children.

5. 17 percent of Asian and Pacific Islander children.

D. Homes in general are places of strife instead of peace and, for the most part, they eventually become broken homes! Several years ago, I prefaced my message on the subject of the home with Bro. Craig Ledbetter’s preface for his series on the home. Here it is again because it gets straight to the point concerning the degeneration of the home.

“We are a “homeless” generation! Fifty years ago it would have been impossible to conceive of the devastation to family life that is spreading throughout the world. One magazine article stated, “We are fast becoming a homeless race. We are born in hospitals, raised in daycares, taught in schools, married in churches, we vacation in resorts, we entertain our friends in restaurants, we die in hospitals, and are buried via funeral parlours. To most families, home is a dull place that family members resort to for the minimum of sleep, a rushed meal, or to wait for the return of the family car before heading out again! The homes that we do have, that we live in, are crumbling under the weights of sin, and human failures!”

E. The institution of the home preceded all others in Genesis 2-3. We need to stress what God stresses and He stressed the importance of the home first and foremost. Just a few things for tonight:

1. The Importance Of The Home

a. The Home Is Important To Our Spouses (a haven of peace and rest in a wicked and weary world)

b. The Home Is Important To Our Children (a nest of safety, stability, provision, and instruction)

c. The Home Is Important To Our Churches (a type of the relationship of Jesus Christ to His Church)

d. The Home is Important To Our Nation (a stabilizing force in unstable days)

e. The Home is Important To The Lord (He established it in wisdom)

2. The Establishment Of The Home – Genesis 2:18-25

a. The Home: A Place Of Companionship “It is not good that the man should be alone”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

b. The Home: A Place Of Divine Order “I will make him an help meet”

1 Corinthians 11:3, 7-9 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God … For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

c. The Home: A Place Of Completion “An help meet for him”

Proverbs 18:22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

1 Corinthians 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

d. The Home: A Place Of Oneness “He took one of his ribs … bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh”

1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

e. The Home: A Place Of Approval “Brought her unto the man”

Genesis 1:27-28 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

f. The Home: A Place Of Division “Leave his father and his mother”

Proverbs 5:18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

Genesis 24:58-59 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go. And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant, and his men.

g. The Home: A Place Of Cleaving “Cleave unto his wife” (to stick with or to stay close to)

Matthew 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Romans 7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

h. The Home: A Place Of Union “They shall be one flesh”

Ephesians 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Genesis 4:25 And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.

i. The Home: A Place Of Beauty “And were not ashamed”

Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. (Intimacy outside of marriage is dirty, defiling, and to be hidden in the dark – Intimacy in the marriage is beautiful and fulfilling.)

Biblical Inspiration

Temple Baptist Church - 10-13-2012

 

2 Timothy 3:15-16; I Peter 1:18-25

 

Introduction: Inspiration: divinely breathed in, to infuse.

Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Breath: divine inspiration. God literally breathed into Adam life and that life continues in every person born after Adam. God does not breath or re-inspire life into each of us; it is inherent through Adam. Thus it is with biblical inspiration: God gave the word by divine inspiration and that inspiration continues to give life through our bible today. It is not re-inspired; it is inspired through preservation.)

A. This morning, my introduction will be long but a necessary one. This is not a complete biblical study but a single message so I will not go into great detail at this time. Everything is moving to the left: morally, politically and spiritually. The problem with the political shift is the same as the problem with the spiritual shift. As a matter of fact, the two are tied together. As the world turns from the bible and Christ, they progressively become more liberal. I want to take a look at a subject that is of vital importance to each of us in these last days of apostasy.

1. The subject of inspiration and preservation of the Scripture. It is a problem that has been around since the Garden of Eden when, soon after God said, “Thou shalt surely die,” Satan said, “Thou shalt not surely die.” The word of God has been under attack since that time.

2. Paul alluded to this same attack in 2 Thessalonians 2 when he said, “Letters as from us.” False manuscripts were already in circulation in the first century AD. This attack has continued to our day and has escalated over the past 130 years.

3. When I was a child, I was raised in a Baptist church and knew of no other version of the bible other than the King James. I was taught it; I memorized it; I believed it! While in Bible College, a friend of mine was preaching at a nursing home, mentioned the existence of other false “bibles” and one of the old ladies asked, “What other bibles?” She was “old school” and knew of only one bible, the King James.

4. Over the last 60 years, the controversy has grown as many “other bibles” have come into existence and been promoted by liberal seminaries, liberal preachers, and worldly “Christian” book stores. Therefore, I feel the necessity of preaching on the subject occasionally to a good King James Bible preaching church.

a) You and I, who still stand for the King James Bible, are the “Tea Party” in this world of religion!

1) We stand where our fathers stood 50-100 years ago. We have not moved, they have moved. We have not compromised, they have compromised and, yet, we have become the enemy (though they may not openly call us such) because—by standing in the Old Paths—we expose these moderates and liberals for what they are! We believe what our Fathers believed: that we have the very word of God in our hands: inerrant, infallible, preserved, and inspired! Yes, I said inspired! That is what our text just said.

b) What has turned America against the “Tea Party?” Look at these Tea Party people in America and see who they are: they are the older generation; they are our parents and grandparents who still love this nation and see the impending destruction caused by the progressive liberals who are spending us into oblivion. America has a spending problem and cannot pay its debts while our parents lived within their means and paid their bills; America is aborting precious babies by the millions while our parents had their children in wedlock and cherished them; America is sanctioning the marriage of sodomites and blaming God for their lascivious lifestyles while our parents recognized sodomy as perversion and sin while avoided it; Our government is making America a welfare state where everything is a handout instead of forcing people to get a job while our parents would have never taken public assistance and would have worked two jobs instead (when I graduated from High School, no one even thought of going on welfare or public assistance of any type; we went to school or got a job!) The liberal biased news media and progressive left have demonized these America loving people which are called the “Tea Party.”

c) Thus we who stand where our forefathers stood are now demonized by the liberal religious left. We are narrow-minded and full of hate and cruelty in their minds because we believe this blessed old book I hold in my hand this morning.

d) No, this is not a political lesson though we can learn from it. Hang on! I know where I am going with this message. Let us go back to the political world for a moment. What has destroyed our youth in America? Higher education! Colleges and universities are permeated with liberal progressives who stand against what our parents stood for and brainwash our youth. Now, the same thing is killing our churches and young Christians: higher education in so called Christian schools where the bible is taught as errant and fallible; where its preservation and inspiration is called into question. Liberal progressive bible teachers are destroying the faith of the next generation in the name of Christian education. Enough said!

B. These liberal schools and churches have a common thread that is found in their doctrinal statements that is foundational to their liberal teachings:

1. We believe in the Holy Scripture, accepting fully the writings of the Old and New Testaments as the very Word of God, verbally inspired in all parts in its original autographs, our infallible and authoritative rule of faith and practice. (Notice that their infallible and authoritative rule of faith and practice is found in the “original autographs” with no mention of the bible. They may use a King James Bible but will not stand on publicly. My question is this: “Which bible do you stand for and is it inerrant and infallible?” We have no originals and neither do they! Our text declares Timothy’s manuscripts as “holy scriptures” and verse 16 declares them to be inspired!)

2. What would you think if I asked someone if they owned a dependable car and they answered, “I had one back in the late 1950’s.” Two things immediately come to mind:

a) He does not have a dependable car now!

b) The dependable car he owned 60 years ago is not here now!

3. Such generic statements of faith let me know where they stand! If we have the word of God in English, then we need to say so! If not, then we need to find ALL of the originals so we can know for a certainty what God said to us. I believe that the King James Bible is all that we need. We do not need Greek and Hebrew! We need to believe, read, and obey our bible. We do not have the originals but we do have the bible!

C. Though we are a conservative Baptist church, we need to know not only what we believe about the bible but also why we believe what we believe about the bible.

1. It is important that we have a basis for our faith. The bible asks this question, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The bible is the sole foundation for both faith and practice. Without it, we have nothing to base our salvation or blessed hope on; we have nothing with which to teach sound doctrine; we have no basis for holiness and sanctification; there is no right or wrong and every man can do that which is right in his own eyes. Therefore, I am not “majoring on a minor” as some would have you believe. I am majoring on the MAJOR! The word of God is the foundation upon which we base all that we believe.

2. As fundamental Baptist, the question of which bible to use was not a problem in days gone by. A couple of years ago, we celebrated the 400^th Birthday of the King James Bible. Here is a poem written for that celebration:

Happy Birthday KJV:

400 years you've stood the test,

Converted lost souls and often blessed!

While others sought an easier read,

You've met my every spiritual need!

You gave me faith when my soul was lost,

You calmed my fears when my ship was tossed!

You've led me step by step each day,

You kept my heart from going astray!

I can't express what you mean to me,

Happy Birthday KJV!

3. The fundamental, (which, by the way, is not a derogatory term) independent Baptist movement came about because of the increase of liberalism in Baptist denominations. Notice that we are a movement, not a denomination. We are autonomous Baptist churches!

4. Now, the liberalism that caused separation by the independent Baptists has now permeating many of independent schools and churches. Those who do not study history are prone to repeat it: thus, the message for this morning.

D. It has often been said, “A text taken out of context becomes a pretext.” Context and pretext defined:

1. Context - the parts of a written or spoken statement that precede or follow a specific word or passage, usually influencing its meaning or effect:

2. Pretext - a reason that you give to hide your real reason for doing something.

E. Two mentions of the word “inspiration” in the bible:

1. In the Old Testament, Job 32:8 which speaks of the inspiration from God of a man’s spirit that gives understanding: “But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.”

2. In the New Testament, 2 Timothy 3:16 speaks of the inspiration of the scripture which is given by God: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

F. Now, let us look at our text in its biblical context. If you are going to interpret a verse, do it within its context. It does not matter what I think; it does not matter what you think; it does not matter what a school, church, or pastor thinks; it does not matter what a Greek or Hebrew scholar thinks; it only matters what the bible says!

1. What was the Book of 2 Timothy written for? 2 Timothy is one of the Pastoral Epistles. In 1^st Timothy, 2^nd Timothy, and Titus, the Apostle Paul is writing young pastors instructing them in the work of the ministry and the operation of the local church.

a. 1^st Timothy’s key verse is 1 Timothy 3:15: “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” It is a doctrinal book that explains the operation and regulation of the local curch.

b. 2^nd Timothy’s key verse is 2 Timothy 2:15: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2^nd Timothy is a foundational book that explains how to refute false doctrine through rightly dividing the word of truth. In order to refute error, one must have truth!

c. Titus’ key verse is Titus 1:5: “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.” It is a corrective book that sets in order the things that were wanting in the local church.

2. What is the context of our verse: 2 Timothy 3:16? In order to properly interpret the verse, we need to look at the verses both before and after it.

a. Verse 13 speaks of spiritual deception through evil men (false prophets, grievous wolves).

2 Peter 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (3) And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

b. Verse 14 speaks of biblical succession. Continue, learned, assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.

2 Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

c. Verse 15 speaks of the holy scriptures that Timothy was saved under and that continued to give him wisdom. These were not original manuscripts! To make them such is to willfully twist the scriptures in order to make them fit your particular doctrinal error.

Psalms 19:7-11 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. (8) The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. (9) The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. (10) More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. (11) Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

d. Verse 17 speaks of the perfecting and furnishing the man of God. This refers to Timothy and the rest of God’s called men, not the prophets who wrote the original manuscripts. You cannot be perfected or throughly furnished by scriptures that you do not have!

Psalms 119:98-100 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. (99) I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. (100) I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

3. Now that we have seen that the context deals with the preparation of God’s man to deal with apostasy through scripture, let us look at verse 16, which is in the middle of the context.

a. All scripture speaks of the present day manuscripts that Timothy had in his day, not the original autographs. It is not double inspiration but rather one act of inspiration couple with a continual preservation that keeps the inspiration intact. Ignorant scholars always apply verse 16 to the originals only when the originals are not mentioned in the context. These manuscripts that are being referred to are the ones that brought Timothy to Christ and what were to throughly furnished him for the ministry.

b. To maintain the perfection of the original manuscripts (which I do believe that they were) does absolutely nothing for us today! It is a pretext! It has no present value! They are gone! You cannot reference them!

c. Paul called Timothy’s scripture “holy scripture” and verse 16 is speaking of them! Notice that they are now profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness! The inspired, holy scriptures are something that must be available to us today! I do not preach out of manuscripts, I preach out of a bible. I do not learn my doctrine from manuscripts or Greek-Hebrew scholars; I learn it from my bible. I thank God that He gave us His eternal word and I hold in my hand.

Conclusion: Most doctrinal statements find inerrancy and infallibility, and inspiration in the original manuscripts only. That is not what God said in these verses! 2 Timothy 3:16 says it is inspired. We have the inerrant, infallible, preserved, and inspired word of God today it is still the Authorized King James Bible! The King James Bible is not just the best translation off of the best manuscripts, it is God’s Word!

The Importance of Little Things

Temple Baptist Church - 10-8-2013

 

Colossians 3:17

 

Introduction:

A. We live in the day of “big things.” Today, it is always:

1. How much did you make last year? A great salary does little to impress God.

a) I am not against making a good living if it is done in such a way as to glorify God. The Lord did not have much good to say about the rich of this world. It was the poor that were rich in faith.

b) The problem with this “big thing” thinking is that people with modest incomes think they are either not as important as the rich or that they are failures.

2. How big is your home or automobile?

a) I pray that you have a beautiful home and the best automobile on the road but I am also thankful for a 23 year old truck that still runs and a modest home filled with quietness and love. That is more impressive to both the Lord and me.

b) The problem with this “big thing” thinking is that people with less impressive homes and autos feel impoverished instead of blessed.

3. How many points did you score or how many yards did you run?

a) I am not against scoring points or running yards but where are the assists and blocks statistics? Media and fans always make men of numbers their heros while those who assist are overlooked. Try to score 30 points without rebounders and passers; try to run 100 yards a game without blockers.

b) The problem with this “big thing” thinking is that it overlooks the fundamentals and team players who make the big plays possible for others.

4. How many people attend your church?

a) We live in the days of the “super” or “mega” churches. I am not against numbers but numbers can define who we are in a wrong way. If we have great numbers by adhering to the Old Paths of doctrinal correctness and holiness, then these numbers impress and glorify God but, if we have great numbers because we neglect to preach and practice the whole counsel of God, then the numbers only impress and glorify men.

b) The result of the “big thing” concept is that men who pastor small but sound churches feel that they are a failure in the sight of men and, therefore in the sight of God.

5. The list could go but I think you have the point.

B. Now, let me say that “big things” are important!

1. I am not minimizing the importance of doing great things or having great thing but “big things” are normally a result of the “small things” in your life.

2. If your “small things” are not impressive to God, then your “big things” will not impress Him either.

1. Your “Little Things” are important to God. They either glorify the Lord or they bring shame to the Lord.

a. Your little cares are important to God. 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (We so often think that God only cares about the burdens that we bring to Him but we are so wrong. God cares for everything you and I care about. “Casting all” means just that. God cares about what you care about as every aspect of your life is important to Him.)

b. Your little prayers are important to God. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing. (I call this our “small talk” with God. Most pray only when they have something big to ask for but God wants to hear from us when we have not big things to worry about. Enoch walked with God. I used to walk a lot with a friend and, when we first started walking each day, we would discuss the “big things” that we had on our minds but, after a couple of miles, we would just “small talk.” God wants you to tell him your “little things” as well as the big ones.)

c. Your little things are important to God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (Here we find a couple of “little things” that precede the “big things” of “whatsoever ye do, do all!” Even what we eat and drink is important to the Lord. What we desire is as important as what we accomplish. What we think is just as important as what we do.)

d. If our little things for God are wrong, then our big things will be wrong.

2. Your “Little Things” are important to you. Our “little things” develop character in us that will later define our “big things.”

a. Think on “little things.” Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Thinking big is great at times, but the “little things” of our thinking mold the “big things” of our thinking.

Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

b. Be thankful for the “little things” of life. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (Learn to smell the roses once in a while. Our Lord rebuked Martha because she was “careful” about many things while missing the “needful” ones. Too often the cares and problems of this life cause us to miss the little blessings that grace our days. A breath of fresh air; a sip of cool water; the smell of the honeysuckle in the spring; a sunbeam showing through the trees; a rainbow after the storm; feeling good when you get up in the morning; food on the table, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, shelter from the storm, wind, cold, and heat. Did I make this one clear? God has so blessed every one of us that, if we would count our blessings, we would be blessed!)

c. Practice “little things” that develop character. When we practice doing the “little things” right, we will do the “big things” of life right without having to even think about it. Samuel Smiles once said:

“Sow a thought, and you reap an act;
Sow an act, and you reap a habit;
Sow a habit, and you reap a character;
Sow a character, and you reap a destiny.”

(Before someone “shoots me,” let me say that our character does not reap for us an eternal destiny. The quote is a good one to show us the progression and result of “small things” in our lives. “Little things” in your life develop character while “big things” in your life define your character. Someone once said, “Hard times do not develop character, they only expose it.”)

Conclusion: We that are saved belong to Christ. We were bought with a great price at Calvary. Let our lives bring glory and honor to the Lord in all that we do: both big and little things.

A Good Soldier

Temple Baptist Church - 10-6-2013

 

2 Timothy 2:3-4

 

Introduction:

A. As Paul continues to instruct Pastor Timothy, he likens Timothy unto a soldier who is at war. We need to recognize that we are in a perpetual state of war as God’s children. We war against:

1. The flesh that we carry with us.

2. The world that tries to influence us – principalities and powers, spiritual wickedness in high places

3. The devil who hates everything God loves.

4. The wolves that continually infiltrate and destroy.

B. Paul admonishes Timothy to be a “good soldier.”

1. When I was in the military, I knew good soldiers and then there were some real “duds!”

2. I met professional soldiers and then there were “lifers.”

3. There were men who were combat ready and then there were those I would never choose to be in a foxhole with!

4. We were a “Band of Brothers.”

C. A good soldier: must take orders well, learn to use his weapons, get along with his brothers, learn to identify and neutralize his enemies, stay in good shape, determine to finish his work, adjust to adverse circumstances, endure hardness, and be proud of who and what he is.

D. We are soldiers: either good or bad; ready or not ready; dependable or not dependable! I look back over my short stint in the military and see many likenesses to the Christian life.

I was drafted. I did not choose to be a soldier, I was chosen by a higher power.
I received a letter two weeks after Barbara and I were married in June of 1969. No “Greetings” as I was told by some. It said, “You are ordered to report for induction into the armed forces of the United States of America!”

I was sent to Basic Training or “Boot Camp” at Fort Knox, Kentucky, in July 1969. Men from all over: single and married, city and country boys, college educated and high school educations, every color and race, from the north and the south, city and country boys.

I was sworn in at the Reception Station at Fort Knox. I pledged allegiance to our nation and I had no qualms about doing so. I loved my country.

I was given a G.I. haircut and issued a uniform.

I was taught discipline and obedience (police call, etc)

I was exercised into good physical shape.

I was taught well to use my weapons.

I was taught to fight our nation’s enemies.

My second post was Fort Bliss, Texas. Advanced Infantry Training or AIT. There I learned a specific job working with Army Air Defense Systems.

Upon completion of AIT, I was issued orders to report to Headquarters Battery, 10^th Artillery Group, 32^nd Army Air Defense Command (AADCOM) in Darmstadt, Germany.

On December 18^th, 1969, I got home for my first Christmas (and last for a while) with Barbara. Three weeks later, I was sent to Fort Dix, New Jersey to await my flight overseas from McGuire Air Force Base.

January 14, 1970, We landed at Bonn-Cologne Airport in Germany. Took a train to Frankfurt, Germany where we were placed in the Reception Station until I took another train to Darmstadt.

I spend 18 months in Germany with only one leave when Barbara’s dad died.

I did not get involved with the affairs of Germany nor its people. I was married and stayed on base the vast majority of time. I did not get “entangled.” I was there for a purpose and that purpose was foremost.

July 9, 1971, I landed at the McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey, sent back to Fort Dix, and then home.

I spent four years in the reserves and was honorably discharged July, 1975.

I am glad that I was privileged to serve my country!

I was specifically chosen

I was specifically trained

I was specifically placed

E. I am going to give to you an outline that Bro. Bret Groves sent to me because it would be hard to improve upon.

We are at War!

II Timothy 2:1-5

Bret Groves

I. Enlist others "the same commit thou to faithful men" We cannot win this war by ourselves, we need soldiers, not sissies!

A. The orders "the same" No new regulations, the same Bible, commandments.

B. The officers "commit thou" Not mama called, papa sent!

C. The only useful men "to faithful men" Who can find a faithful man?

II. Expect trouble "endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."

A. Be realistic about war - it's gonna get rough!

B. Be ready for it when it comes - prepare for the worst

C. Be resourceful - it could last quite some time

III. Escape entanglements "No man that warreth entangleth himself"

A. Free yourself from the world

B. Focus on the fight, not focus on the family (Don't be stupid, don't win the world and lose your family)

C. Find favor with God (Remember, you can't please everyone, so please the One Who really counts!)

IV. Examine tactics "except he strive lawfully."

A. Consider the commandments "lawfully"

B. Consider the casualties "strive"

C. Consider the crown "masteries"

V. Encourage yourself "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."

A. Personal encouragement "Thou" everyone needs to be encouraged.

B. Parental encouragement "my son" God's family is your family.

C. Powerful encouragement "be strong" don't fail, don't be frail.

D. Present encouragement "in the grace that is" He's not running low on grace.

E. Positional encouragement "in Christ Jesus." Go to the source of true strength!

Conclusion: I am a soldier in the army of my God! The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer! The King James Bible is my code of conduct! Faith, prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare! I am enlisted in this army for eternity! I will either retire in this army at the rapture or die in this Army; But I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out! I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable! Wherever my God needs me, I am there! I am a soldier! I am not a baby! I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up or pepped up! I am a soldier! No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me or lure me! I am a soldier! I am not a wimp! I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name and building His kingdom! I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for or catered to! I am committed! I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around! I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside! I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit! When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing! If I end up with nothing, I will still come out ahead! I will win! My God will supply all my needs! I am more than a conqueror! I will always triumph! I can do all things through Christ! Devils cannot defeat me! People cannot disillusion me! Weather cannot weary me! Sickness cannot stop me! Battles cannot beat me! Money cannot buy me! Governments cannot silence me and HELL CANNOT HANDLE ME! I am a soldier! Even death cannot destroy me! For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me to a captain and then bring me back to rule this world with Him! I am a soldier, in the army, and I'm marching, claiming victory! I will not give up! I will not turn around! I am a soldier, marching heaven bound! Here I stand! WILL YOU STAND WITH ME? Guess what?!? If you've accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you're already enlisted! Or are you AWOL: Absent With Out the Lord.

“Clear Colors”

"I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer and labor by power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, and my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go until He comes, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He stops me -- and when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me -- my banner will be clear.