Newsletter 239 April 17, 2011
First impressions are lasting impressions. The unusual dress of the “Herero” women of Namibia can’t help but be noticed. Using hand cranked Singer sewing machines, they made their own dresses and turbans, basically in the style that the earliest missionaries wore. Their skirts swept the ground in several layers. The waists were fitted, and the “mutton” sleeves covered the entire arm. These ladies considered themselves to be Christians, because they dressed as their missionaries had dressed.
These women fled if they spotted a camera, lest you steal their souls, they drank to excess their home brewed mixtures, and we found the first night, they stole what was not fastened down under lock and key. The meaning of “repentance” seemed not to be in their lives.
Later among church members in South Africa, we found they had no problem with “baptism,” but they ignored “repent” in the same sentence. “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19). Christianity is more than dress, or even singing loudly and attending every worship service.
Luke 13:22-30 (King James Version)
22 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. (Luke 9:51)
23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
NOT ALL WHO KNOCK SHALL ENTER
The apostles enquired, “Are there few that be saved ?” They had witnessed the feeding of thousands of eager people, they had seen people being healed their illnesses, but now the excitement seemed to be waning, and the excitement less. The bottom line was motivation. What motivates great crowds ? Many are attracted. They “knock” at the door, but they don’t open their hearts, and make that commitment that means a total new way of life; a new birth of water and Spirit. A new beginning as a result of totally repenting of the old ways. Strive to enter in. The way is narrow. It takes a good eye and a concentrated mind to thread a needle, and it takes a controlled life to enter into the narrow gate ahead.
24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. (Mark 7:13)
GOD WILL CLOSE THE DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY
The time is coming when the door of opportunity will close. Only Noah and his immediate family. Still living with him, entered the ark, then God closed the door. There would have been millions of people all about them. The ark is a “picture” of the church. There will be millions who have not repented of their sins, who will be outside when He comes again.
25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: (Matthew 25:10, Matthew 7:22, Matthew 25:11, Matthew 7:23, Matthew 25:12, Luke 13:27)
EVEN ANY APPARENT FOLLOWERS WILL BE REJECTED
The sad fact is that there will be millions who have lived under the delusion that they are serving God. Several things can be wrong. They may have never made the right start at all. They may not have repented of the old way of life. They may have never been obedient to the Lord in the new birth, baptism. Their motivation may have been wrong. Even their witnessing may be at fault. Jesus said “enter in by the straight” gate, meaning narrow. There will be, and are “false prophets.”
(Luke 3:8)
26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
WE ARE NOT SAVED BY WORKS
But, one of the greatest reasons is that many think they are saved by their works, whereas works are a product of Christianity. One does works because he is a Christian, not to make him one.
27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. (Luke 13:25, Psalm 6:8, Matthew 25:41)
AWARE OF BEING REJECTED
There shall be many who will be rejected.
28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. (Matthew 8:12, Matthew 22:13, Matthew 25:10)
29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
EVERY NATION INCLUDED.
All are invited. All want to be accepted, and we can know that we will be by being in the Lord Jesus. Where we start out is meaningless, but where we consciously chose to stay makes all the difference. Repentance means a change from living in the manner of the world to living in the manner of Christ. The rewards are eternal and can not be measured by this world's measurements.
(Matthew 8:11)
30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last. (Matthew 19:30, Matthew 20:16, Mark 10:31)
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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
APRIL
17th. Sunday – Joshua 2, 3, Luke 18:18-43, Psalm 47:1-9
18th. Monday – Joshua 4, 5, Luke 19:1-27, Proverbs 10:1-10
19th. Tuesday – Joshua 6, 7, Luke 19:28-48, Psalm 48
20th. Wednesday - Joshua 8, 9, Luke 20:1-26, Psalm 49:1-10
21st. Thursday - Joshua 10, Luke 20:27-47, Psalm 49:11-20
22nd. Friday – Joshua 11, 12, Luke 21:1-19, Proverbs 10:11-20
23rd. Saturday - Joshua 13, 14, Luke 21:20-38, Psalm 50:1-15
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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” – Luke 18:25
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SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
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SIGNS THAT YOU'VE GROWN UP:
-6:00 a.m. is when you get up, not when you go to bed.
-You watch the Weather Channel.
-Jeans and a sweater no longer qualify as 'dressed up.'
-You don't know what time Taco Bell closes anymore.
-Your car insurance goes down and your payments go up.
-You feed your dog Science Diet instead of McDonald's leftovers.
-Dinner and a movie is the whole date instead of the beginning of one.
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