Letter To SSBC

This last Sunday we finished up with the second major section in the book of Revelation, the seven letters from the Lord Jesus to seven churches in ancient Asia Minor.  We have seen that each of the letters have something to say to us, both individually and corporately as a family of faith.  We want to be careful not to lose our first love (Ephesus) and to trust God in the midst of our suffering (Smyrna).  We must also be on guard, lest we begin to compromise (Pergamum) and to fully embrace sin in our life (Thyatira).  Unlike Sardis, who was spiritually dead, we seek life by walking through the open doors (Philadelphia) that Christ puts before us, avoiding at all costs that lukewarm and unsatisfactory condition of Laodicea.  These letters clearly continue to transcend their historical context and they speak to us today (as does the whole of God’s Word), if we have ears to hear what the Spirit says (Rev. 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22).

But what if we got a personalized letter?  I realize that in some sense, each of the letters in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 are letters to us, but what if the Lord Jesus actually wrote a personal letter, addressed to Sublette Southern Baptist Church?  What would it look like?  How would Christ identify Himself?  What might He commend?  What might He be concerned with?  What counsel might He offer?  Of course, there is no way we could answer that question with the weight as if it was coming from Christ, but I’m sure we all have thought something along those same lines as we’ve made our way through each of these letters in Revelation 2 and 3.  I wanted to share with you some of my thoughts about what such a letter might look like.

I believe Christ might identify Himself as the Mighty Chief Shepherd who dwells among us.  He is mighty, reminding us not just of His strength, but of what He has done among us over the last few years!  Over the last four years our church family has grown in mighty ways.  We’ve seen many new faces and families that we’ve come to embrace as part of our own family of faith!  We’ve seen many new believers turn and embrace Christ as their only hope of salvation!  Physically, we’ve seen God bring together scores of volunteers from numerous states to help us build the new sanctuary!  And mighty is the only word I can think of to describe just how God has moved in our hearts, moving us to sacrifice financially over the past four years!  Jesus is the Mighty God, who has done great things and who has, I believe, greater things in store!

Christ is also the Chief Shepherd, reminding us that He is the One in charge, and all of our opinions and preferences take a back seat to His desire for us.  The image of Shepherd brings up lots of pictures of guiding, loving, protecting, etc., and He is among us, once again reminding us that He is the source of all things good that happen in and through SSBC.

What might Christ commend?  I believe He would commend our doctrine.  We are a church that believes the Bible.  Period.  We are a church that teaches the Bible.  Period.  I think Christ might also commend our deeds.  We are a church that reaches out.  From the many mission trips (WV, KS, TX) to financially backing other churches and pastors, and even in our efforts right here in Sublette (GO Sundays, etc.), our deeds speak for themselves.  Christ might also commend our perseverance in the sense that we’ve continued…to give, to serve, to reach out, to teach the Bible in a time when it’s becoming very unpopular to do so, and to borrow from Revelation 2:19, our works of late are greater than at first!  In other words, the ministry and influence of the church is more now than it was four years ago!

But…it seems like that word has come up in nearly all the letters, so why should we expect it not to come up in ours, right!  But, what might Christ be concerned with?  What do you think?  I think one thing He might be concerned with is misplaced identity.  What I mean by that is, very simply, an understanding that you are the church.  That’s right, you.  You, who are reading this, you are the church.  Very practically that means if anybody is going to give financially, it’s you.  If anybody is going to invite and bring others to church, it’s you.  If anybody is going to care enough to pray and share the gospel with others, it’s you.  If anybody is going to step up and serve, it’s you.  If anybody is going to strengthen the weak and encourage the downhearted, then it’s you because you are the church!  We have this tendency to think that somebody else will do whatever, when in reality, you are that somebody else.  You are the church, and if the work of the church is going to continue to go forth, it will do so through people just like you.

So what?  That’s what I ask nearly every Sunday, so let me ask it here.  So what?  Let’s thank God and praise Him that He is the Mighty Chief Shepherd in our midst.  He has done great things, we acknowledge that, and we look for Him to do more for His name sake.  He is in our midst, we also acknowledge that, and through Him we can step out and do great things for His Kingdom.  With all that being said, we must also understand that He wants to work through you to do those great things for His Kingdom.  So let’s seek His wisdom and understanding into how He has uniquely shaped each of us to fit within this body of believers, and then let’s get busy serving and trusting Him to show Himself mighty!

Is It Possible To Be Saved During The Tribulation?

“Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth”  Revelation 3:10. 

We’ve been studying through the book of Revelation on Sunday mornings, and this past Sunday we came across Revelation 3:10.  After mentioning the historical significance to the believers in Philadelphia, we brought up a whole host of additional questions by connecting this to the Tribulation Period.  One of the observations I shared was that the Tribulation was a time specifically for rebellious humanity (…”to test those who dwell on the earth”).  We spent considerable time looking at how John used this phrase throughout the book of Revelation, particularly those chapters related to the Tribulation, and in each reference it was clear that he was speaking of unbelievers (6:9-10, 8:13, 11:7,10, 13:8,12,14, 17:2,7-8).

The natural question that follows goes something like this: “But does that mean folks can’t get saved during the Tribulation?”  Because of time-limits (and “yes” I do have time limits, as difficult as that must be for some of you to believe     Because of time-limits, I had to move on in the text and didn’t really get a chance to answer that question, so I thought I would tackle it on the blog.

Let me begin by stating that  just about any question related to “end times” is a difficult and complicated one.  However, when we started our journey through Revelation, we approached it (myself included) with the conviction that God’s desire was not to conceal, but to reveal truth.  So our affirmation was that through prayer and careful study, it would be possible to understand God’s message in this wonderful, and yet often mysterious, New Testament letter.

With all that in mind, let me get back to the question: can folks come to saving faith during the Tribulation?  It would seem to me, and I’m by no means an “end-times” expert, that a casual reading through the book of Revelation would force us to answer that question “YES”.  Consider the following passages:

When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintain: and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”  Revelation 6:9-10.

Here you have some folks, and this is within the context of the Tribulation, and apparently they have been died for the cause of Christ.  So from this passage alone we could say “Yes; during the Tribulation it appears that some will repent, believe the Gospel and wondrously be saved by the grace of God.”

Another passage to consider:

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”  And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever, Amen.”  Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?”  I said to him, “My lord, you know.”  And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb…”  Revelation 7:9-14

Again, it would seem clear from this passage that yes, during the Tribulation, some will repent and be washed in the blood of the Lamb (a great picture of salvation)!  There are other passages we could turn to as well, such as 13:10 and 14:4, but the point seems to be clear enough.

Can folks be saved during the Tribulation?  The Scriptures would appear to say “yes”.  However, I would say to anyone who might ask a question about the possibility of being saved during this time, “Don’t wait until then to be saved.  The Bible says that today is the day of salvation, so turn to Jesus now!  Believe the Gospel now, and trust Jesus alone to save you now.”

The Relentless God

Samuel tried to convince the people of Israel that the only king they needed was King Jesus.  The Lord was, and is, the only rightful king for His people.  However, like it is in every culture, the tug to be “like” everyone else is strong (1 Samuel 8:19-20).  By the time we reach 1 Samuel 12, Israel had already demanded a king, chosen Saul to be that king, and crowned him king over all Israel (1 Samuel 8 – 10).

In chapter 12 Samuel wants the people to understand the reality of what they were doing (v.7).  He reminded them about their own unfaithfulness and how that it didn’t end too well (vv. 8-9).  They repented and the Lord sent godly men to lead them back to Himself (12:10-11).  When Israel began to once again feel pressured by unbelieving neighbors, they wanted a king to rule over them…just like everyone else.  God was gracious in allowing Saul to be king, although His displeasure was evident to all (vv. 16-17).

At first glance the theme of this chapter seems to be “judgment”, but in reality God’s grace and mercy are on display.  In reaction to Israel’s sin, twice we read the phrase “the LORD sent” (vv.8, 11).  Even in the midst of our sin, God loves us and He relentlessly pursues us with His grace.  Over and over again, God sent…Jerubbaal and then Bedan and then Jephthah and then Samuel, and it was always because of His grace!  I’m sure many in Israel would have argued that God was nowhere to be found at the end of chapter 12, but the reality is, God’s grace was right there in front of them the entire time in the form of Samuel.  He would not only urge the people to follow the Lord with all their heart (v.20), but he would also pour out his heart praying for them (v.23).

So what?  God pursues us, even when we, as His people, choose to live in sin.  In fact, I think you say that often our sin is the platform God’s uses to display His love and mercy towards us.  He doesn’t beat us up over our sin, nor does He allow our sin to go unchecked, but He continually pursues us regardless of how far we are from Him.

Take a moment and reflect on how God has pursued you, even while you were in the midst of your sin!  Rather than abandoning you over to your own selfish desires and ways, God moved in love and mercy towards you!  Think about how has God moved to “get you back on track”?  Maybe it was through a friend, a book, a pastor, a message, an event?  Think about that, and then rejoice and praise Him from the depths of your heart!

“Shout aloud, Israel!  Be glad and rejoice with all your heart!  …the LORD has taken away your punishment; He has turned back your enemy”  (Zeph. 3:14-15).

God Is In the Details

John 6:1-15 records what many of us know as “The Feeding of the Five Thousand”.  It’s a very familiar story, both to those within Christian circles and  those without.  It’s a story we’ve heard numerous times, and we’ve heard it in ways that point out all the various elements.  The miracle of Jesus.  The compassion of Jesus.  The doubt, obedience, and then wonder of the disciples.  The crowds who were hungry…for truth and for food.  We’ve even heard this story from the perspective of the little boy who was willingly to give all he had to Jesus.  Jesus takes the small gift and multiplies it for His glory!

But what about the fish?  Recently I’ve been thinking about this story from the perspective of the fish.  (I may just have fishing on my mind, being  that my wife and I are leaving next week for Table Rock Lake, or maybe there’s something profitable and edifying here as well).  At first glance the fish seem to be the most insignificant part of the story.  They’re just fish.  Small, smelly, and insignificant to most people.  But God, in His sovereignty, had a plan for “these fish.”  And so one day they were free, swimming around and doing whatever fish do, then suddenly they were caught, prepared, and then brought by a little boy who had come to see Jesus.  God is in the details.

Looking at the Biblical narrative, verse 6 says that Jesus knew exactly what He was going to do.  In other words, long before the disciples found the lad with the bread and fish, Jesus knew about him and Jesus knew about the bread and fish.  Don’t miss this: the fish were part of the plan!  Not the most important part, nor the most notable part, but they were part of what Jesus was planning to do to show His glory.  God is in the details.

At the risk of others misunderstanding what I’m saying, let me be clear: the fish are not the point of the story.  However, I do believe the fish remind us of just how much God was in control as He prepared to show His power through the teaching of His Son, Jesus.  One day I believe God moved these fish to be at a particular spot, so that they might be caught and then prepared, so they they might be part of a miracle that would show thousands that Jesus was more than just a man (v.14).

God is in the details.  I hope that encourages you, especially as you face situations that seem impossible and out of your control.  God is fully aware of the details, and you never know what seemingly insignificant things He might use to put His power on display in your life.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 / Where Do We Find Hope?

Following is a transcript of the funeral message I shared for the late Jim Greeson.  Many have asked for a copy of my notes, so I was given permission to post this by his wife, Gayle.  If you are in a time of loss, my prayer is that these words might encourage you.  If you know someone dealing with loss, may the truths shared here help equip you to minister to them in Jesus’ name

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Let me begin (on behalf of Gayle and the other family members)—by simply saying “thank you”.  Thank you for the many acts of kindness and love over the past few days.  For every card, every phone call, every visit and plate of food that was dropped off–  Thank you for every prayer that was offered and even your presence here this morning…   As always, this is not an occasion that we would ask for, but it’s also an occasion that we would not want to miss.

Let me also say to Gayle and the other family members that—(on behalf of your church family)…  We are so sorry for your loss.  Jim was such a great guy…(he always will be in our hearts)—and we are very, very sorry for your loss.  When it comes to times like this in life there are never simple answers (so I won’t try and give you any)…  But I do want you to know, and I’m sure I speak for the entire family of faith here–  We love you guys.  We’ll continue to pray for you, and we really do want to help any way we can, so please don’t hesitate to ask for anything.

The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.I think that when we are confronted with death–  I think there are two mistakes we commonly make as Christians.  The first is we forget the reality of our hurt.  The second is we forget the reality of our hope.  But both are there–  Both are here–  Both hurt and hope stand side-by- side as we are forced to face the reality of this experience we call “death”—and we must embrace both.

To deny the reality of our hurt is to short-circuit the process of grief.  And grief is not something unnatural–  It’s not something to be ashamed of or to be hid or denied, but it’s natural.  We grieve because we love, and we love because that’s who we are (that’s how God has wired us)–  And so, the hurt & the grief–  The bottomless pit that you feel in your heart right now–  That’s all natural, and it’s all part of how your mind & your heart deals & catches up with the reality of what has happened.

So don’t deny your hurt.  The Bible doesn’t!  What the Bible says is that we shouldn’t grieve as if there was no hope (and we’ll get to that in just a minute)—but grieve we will & grieve we should—(because we have loved), so don’t deny the hurt!The reality is—you have lost a very precious husband…a precious father…a great brother…a great grand-father, a great friend to so many…  You have lost someone who played an important part in your life—and hurt will be there because life & love was there.  So don’t deny your hurt.  To that I would add; we all have to deal with hurt in our own     way.  So however God has wired you to deal with loss—do it!  For some that means talking; so talk.  For some that means a closed door and many tears–  And if that’s the case, don’t shy away from it.  If it means sitting around a table and sharing some of those memories that race through your mind–  Don’t hesitate to speak up!  Whatever it means for you—embrace it and engage in it—and through that process God will bring comfort to your heart.

So we don’t want to make the mistake of denying our hurt, but we also don’t want to make the mistake of denying our hope.  That’s why the Bible says (in 1 Thess. 4:13), we don’t grieve as if there is no hope.  But where do we find that?  On a day like today—very practically, where do we find hope?  I believe it is found in the truth—and the truth of God’s Word would tell us that we know what has happened to Jim.Jesus made an interesting statement about death in John 5:24.  In that passage He says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.”Now that statement becomes especially significant in light of Hebrews 9:27, where it says it is appointed for men to die once, and then to face judgment.  But Jesus said in John 5:24, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.”You see, that’s what has happened to Jim!  There may be a certificate somewhere that says he is dead—but Jesus says, “No, no, no–  He has passed out of death & into life.”  And please note that it’s all because of Jesus.  Because at a point in his life Jim heard the word (he heard the gospel) and he believed—and so Jesus says he has passed out of death & into life.That’s why the Bible, back in 1 Thessalonians 4:13–  That’s why the Bible uses the word “sleep” to speak of death.  Sleep is used because to be asleep carries the assumption that it’s a temporary state!So the Bible would say that Jim’s physical body is asleep–  It’s in this temporary state—and here’s the part that I think brings some real hope, ok.  Sleep (the word “sleep”)–  It’s never used of the soul, only the body.  Please get that–  Sleep is never used of the soul—only the body.You say, “Well, what does the Bible say about the soul, as it relates to death”?  Well the Bible actually speaks very specifically to that in several places, but perhaps none are as clear as 2 Corinthians 5:8: “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”Now we know that Paul isn’t talking about our physical body there because our physical body isn’t “present with the Lord” until when?  The Resurrection!  So if Paul isn’t talking about our physical body, then what is he talking about?  Our soul!  Paul is saying that when we experience this thing called “death”—our soul is “present with the Lord”.Now, note how the language puts those two up there as if they were one in the same!  In other words, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.  They are one in the same.  You see in the same thing in Philippians 1:23, where Paul said as he talked to some believers about the possibility of his death, and he stated that in some ways he thought it might be better for him “to depart and be with Christ.”Again, you’ll note that it’s the same language (it’s one in the same).  Paul says if I die, then I will be with Christ.So I believe we can find hope in knowing that Jim is in the presence of Christ…  And I mean that in the sense of now…like right now–  Right now at this very moment, the Bible would teach us that Jim Greeson is in the presence of Jesus Christ!I shared with Ceann this past Tuesday night as we were making our way back from Super Summer, that the very last breath Jim breathed out here on this earth was immediately followed by his very first breath in Paradise!  Isn’t that an amazing thought!  The very last time his tired, worn-down body exhaled out on this earth, was immediately followed by his very first inhale in Paradise, and in an instant everything was different for Jim!

So according to the Bible, Jim Greeson is in the presence of Christ.  The Bible would also teach us that Jim knows he’s  in the presence of Christ (so it’s not some kind of unconscious existence), and furthermore, the Bible would also say there is unparallelled joy & fulfillment in the presence of Christ!

So we find hope in knowing what has happened to Jim–  In the words of Christ, Jim has passed out of death and into life.  That life is with Jesus, and it’s a life that is both full & meaningful to Jim.

So I think we can find hope in that, but I also think we can find hope in knowing what will happen!  I think we can find hope in know that one day we will see him again.  That’s the hope of the resurrection!  And in the Bible, guys—resurrection & reunion always go together!

Never forget that!  Resurrection & reunion always go together.  So while Jim’s soul is enjoying the presence of Jesus—his physical body goes into this temporary state (the Bible describes as sleeping)—and then one day this body & his soul will be reunited into a new glorified body.  And remember–  Resurrection & reunion always go together.

That same passage in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 will put it like this:

1 Thessalonians 4

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first (there’s your resurrection).

17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them (reunion) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord (reunion).

Another passage that puts those two themes side-by-side is in 2 Thessalonians 2:1, which reads:

2 Thessalonians 2

1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (that’s the resurrection part) and our gathering together (that’s the reunion part) to Him.

So it’s a gathering together–  Jesus returns and as we are brought to Him—we are also brought to one another (we are gathered together to be with one another)!  Do you see that!  Resurrection and reunion always go together in the Scriptures, and never, ever forget that.

Now, very practically, what does that mean?  It means there really are no final goodbyes…  It means there really are no last times…  It means there will always be another time…(do you realize that)–  There will be another time!You will feel his embrace again.  You will feel the touch of his hand again.  You will see the smile of his face again—and you will hear the laughter of his voice again.Resurrection & reunion always go together.  What a great hope!  That’s why the resurrection is called “The Blessed Hope” in the Scriptures, and it is, isn’t it?  It is a blessed hope!Let’s pray together…