Do You Know?
Good Morning,
John 13:3 “Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;”
I am amazed at the foolish company so many Christians keep. We are going to be influenced by those around us, by what we read, by what we see, and by what we hear.
Acts 4:20 “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
1John 1:3 “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us…”
John said, that which was seen and heard was declared, and it brought about fellowship. That is not hard to accept! I am careful to judge my books and companions on the basis of what they believe compared to what I believe, where I came from, and where I am going. Someone recommended a great book on missions by a well-known Southern Baptist. I glanced at it, then chose instead, Don Sisk's book on missions. He lived a lifetime success story.
Back to the text in John 13: Jesus was able to wash the feet of the disciples and play the part of a servant because …
1. …knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands,
2. …and that he came from God,
3. …and went to God.
When you know where you came from, where you are going, and what you are, it is much easier to make good choices and to have wisdom for the countless decisions of life. A pastor above all others must have this discernment because so many people pay attention to his words. Likewise, political leaders should have this insight, as the course of nations depends upon their perspective of life.
Over twenty years ago, a preacher came to me, a good man, a man who had more years of experience than I, yet trouble had come his way. In starting a new church, someone from the SBC had asked him if they might help. He came to my church bragging about the money they were going to give him, the help they had promised him, etc. I did my best to cut the conversation short, for I do not need that kind of talk. I was sitting in a tent, financially broke, and without help from anywhere (except God). I hoped he would do well and that everything would turn out well for him. Yet, I did not need to hear that conversation. I knew from where I came, I knew what I was, and I knew where I was going. I did not need to hear talk of how wonderful someone else was, even if they were! A year or so later, he stopped by to tell me about church pictorial directories he was selling. The church plant had not worked out and he said the SBC was “a bunch of liars…” I did not want to hear that either. I just wanted to keep my mind clear, straight, and certainly not critical. I just wanted to stay tight with those who believed like me and to keep my focus on who I was and where I was going.
I do not need anyone trying to turn me. If someone starts talking about how surprisingly good the contemporary church is, I will start avoiding them. Sure, you will find good people there, but I cannot be close to everyone; so I will stay close to my crowd.
I am amazed at men who were saved in Independent Baptist churches and trained in Independent Baptist churches who embrace the Southern Baptist movement. Besides its friendship with rock-and-roll, a total absence of standards, and soul winning being rare, they have been the biggest enemies of the old-time Gospel. Whether it was Lester Roloff, Jack Hyles, Lee Roberson, John R. Rice, or J. Frank Norris, the SBC has made our roots their enemy.
Because President Obama had no clue about our Bible-based roots (or at least no love for it), he had no problem treating Israel like trash and Castro as a friend. (Any patriotic American over the age of fifty knows Castro as a murdering tyrant — he no one to befriend, to say the least.) The idea of entertaining those who said the Holocaust was fabricated brings shock and disgust to true historians; yet, it has been said in the news in the last decade.
Do not try to tell me about the good someone else does; good can be found everywhere. There are not enough days or hours to be influenced by everyone, so I will stay with my crowd. Too many men are wanting to experiment with a group that has already exposed itself as wrong in many areas. Yes, you will find some wonderful folks at Calvary Chapel or at the Methodist church, but they are not my crowd. Some community churches are doing a good job in their towns, and I would assume that missionaries from Mormon churches have helped some folks in some way, but —
I know who I am; I know where I came from, and I know where I am going.
Men, you must study your roots. If you have not, you are still not sure what you are. You certainly do not know where you are going and have no clear destination. You have no set course. You are drifting like a “leaf driven with the wind.” Dozens of members of our church, who were saved and baptized here, are more clear on their spiritual identity than many Bible college graduates who have heard an “uncertain sound” too often. Stop listening to the “good” about the world you did not come from. It will cause you to be unsteady in life decisions.
You may be surprised to know that God gave a pastor to you so that you will not be blown around by every new doctrine or preacher.
Ephesians 4:11 “And he gave … pastors …”
vs. 14 “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”
Because men do not have clear roots, and they have yet to solidly identify who they are, they are driven around by every cute “tweet,” catchy “website,” or well-spoken “ideologue.”
But… I know who I am, I know where I came from, and I know where I am going.
Our Lord was able to do what He did because He knew some things. Today, we sit with preachers who try to decide if they are even supposed to be a preacher, pastor, man of God, teacher, reverend, prophet, or Southern Baptist — or whether or not any of it even matters. Yes, by all means, it matters.
You better figure out who you are, what you believe, where you came from, and where you are going. Lock down what you believe, and whenever you are nudged to change, simply toss that influence out. I do not read good things about other denominations. I do not stand in fellowship with Presbyterian folks that happen to believe the Gospel. (We will do that in Heaven -- when we are all Baptists.) My roots and clear identity guide me in every book I read, every sermon I hear, every text and tweet I read, and every person I serve. I recommend you do the same.
Pastor