RIGHTEOUS? NO, NOT ONE!

  

  All have sinned                                  

Romans 3:9-20

• King James Version (KJV)

ARE CHRISTIANS MORE DESERVING?

I have been present in African homes where the guests, the minister, and the missionaries present were served with their host in the living room, while the ladies of the families involved ate a more simple meal in the kitchen, and the children sat on the back steps eating from the kettle, leftovers with their fingers.

Are some people more deserving than others? Not at all. Among christians, it should never be the plan, and in more recent years it isn’t, even in Africa.

Paul, writing to the Roman church had to contend with racism, probably as pronounced as any we see. There were the Jews, who considered themselves contaminated if they ate with Gentiles, slaves, who probably ate on the steps, and of course there were the Samaritans. Paul asks a simple, leading question.

• 9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
• 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
• ARE THEY MORE INTELLIGENT?
• There are always those who look down upon someone else. But, there are none anywhere who can answer every question others can ask. It is not a matter of intelligence. We are not expected to know everything, no one does. I remember being told in my first classes in Bible college, that our professor does not know everything, but if you seriously need an answer he was willing to search for the answer, however, God did not see it necessary to tell us everything we can ask. For example, He did not deem it necessary, or even desirable, that we should know when this world is going to end. We know where and how it began. “In the beginning God created...” Genesis or John 1.

How true it is that everyone goes his own way, and does what benefits him the most, and “there is none that doeth good, no. not one” The same tongue that praises the Lord on Sunday, may hurl curses at the referee at his favorite sporting event, Sad, sad, that bitter wail ”no, not one.”

• 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
• 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
• 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
• 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
• 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:
• 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:
• 17 And the way of peace have they not known:
• 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
• WHAT WAS THE LAW FOR?
• The law given to Moses, gave guidance and definition to His people as He led them through the wilderness. It defined what was, and is right. But, the rich young ruler discovered that, though he had observed and evidently succeeded, in keeping as much as most men did of it, that was not enough. He loved his wealth more than Jesus.
• 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
• 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
• IF RIGHTEOUSNESS CAN NOT SAVE US, WHAT CAN?

To the Jew, circumcision was not enough, He must love the Lord, but also the Samaritan.  The Gentile must love the Jew, and all must love one another. So let us praise the Lord, for His grace toward us and do all we can to love the sinner, but not the sin. Through faith in him, we must repent of those things we have been doing, and take Him as our Lord and Saviour through obedience to his commands. We must, like him, become obedient servants.  As he was leaving, His last command was, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:15,16)

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READ YOUR BIBLE THROUGH THIS YEAR

JUNE

30th  -  Sunday    1 Kings 22,    Acts 21:1-16,    Psalm 78:40-55

JULY

1st  -  Monday    2 Kings 1,    Acts 21:17-40,    Psalm 78:56-72

2nd  -  Tuesday    2 Kings 2,    Acts 22,    Psalm 79

3rd  -  Wednesday    2 Kings 3,    Acts 23,    Proverbs 16:1-15

4th  -  Thursday    2 Kings 4,    Acts 24,    Psalm 80:1-7

5th  -  Friday    2 Kings 5,    Acts 25,    Psalm 80:8-19

6th  -  Saturday    2 Kings 6,    Acts 26,    Psalm 81:1-7

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MEMORY VERSE FOR TODAY

“Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”    -    Ephesians 4:32

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A friend is someone who is there when he needs you.

Something is old when you are trying to sell it, it’s obsolete, but if you are trying to buy it, it’s a collector’s item.

The real menace in dealing with a five years old, is that it’s no time at all for you to sound like a five year old.

The quickest way for you to get  child’s attention is to sit down and look comfortable.

Competition brings out the best in products and the worst in people.

What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not been discovered.

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A LIFETIME IN THE WORD

Newsletter 353                                                                                          June 16, 2013

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Our scripture for today is a portion of the second letter written by the apostle Paul to his younger, we might call him an apprentice, Timothy. Timothy often travelled with Paul, but on this occasion was elsewhere, thus this letter to assist and guide him. While it was written to Timothy, it has much valuable instruction for us even today. Circumstances may be different today, but people, and churches, have the same basic problems.

2 Timothy 3:14-17

14  But continue thou in the things that thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

This reminds me of the flannel graphs which I used to teach Bible truths years ago. They were put together in layers. The first layer was made of flannel and it was the background for other layers which changed as the lesson progressed. Sometimes one used the plain blue background of the board, but I had an interior scene which could represent the temple, or a castle, whatever the story called for.

(2 Timothy 1:13, Titus 1:9)

TIMOTHY HAD A BACKGROUND OF BIBLICAL KNOWLEDGE

The young preacher Timothy had the background of the Old Testament which had been taught to him by his mother, and grandmother, Lois and Eunice. That is often true today. Many children grow up being cared for by their grandmothers, because their mothers have full time jobs to help pay the bills. Timothy was also cared for by his mother and grandmother; then Paul took over building his faith on that background. It is a serious problem today that families are often fragmented and scattered widely. It is a sad fact that, while we have over a dozen great grandchildren, we may never even see more than two of them. Those two, we see on rare occasions.

15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Try to give a good background of the Bible to your children, grandchildren, and if the opportunity makes it possible, your great grandchildren. This will prepare them for greater spiritual growth when the time comes.

(2 Timothy 1:5, John 5:47, Romans 2:27, Psalm 119:98, 1 Corinthians 1:21, 2 Timothy 1:1)  

16  All scriptures is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

(Romans 4:23, Romans 15:4, 2 Peter 1:20)

17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

(1 Timothy 6:11, 2 Timothy 2:21, Hebrews 13:21)

THE TIME TO PREPARE THIS BACKGROUND IS THEIR EARLY CHILDHOOD.

They began by teaching Timothy all the stories of the Old Testament, about the judges and the prophets and finally Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God. On this background, Paul could tell him of the fulfilment of the prophecies, and of the teaching of Jesus. We found somewhat the same thing in Africa when we went there. Many of the people were well founded on the Old Testament stories, but very lacking in the teachings of Jesus Christ, the way the truth and the life.

THE NEW TESTAMENT COMPLETES THE PICTURE.

As adults, we must learn the full message so we can teach others also. The account of Jesus, who told us, “I am the way the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me,” and “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” to which John adds “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.” The whole Bible from the beginning recorded in Genesis to the end, Revelation, involved Jesus. It is all about Jesus from creation to eternity with Him in Heaven. or eternity without Him in Hell, where the price for sin will be collected from those who refuse to repent of their sins and live for Christ Jesus here and now.

Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Every minute, every hour that clicks by on our clocks brings us that much closer to the time when our Lord will separate all mankind into only two great groups, those who accept and obey Him, and those who reject Him as their Lord and redeemer. Those things which divide us now, race, language, religion, they have nothing to do with it, but “Is Jesus your Lord and Savior?” That will make all the difference. Note, Christianity is not just another “religion”, it is a way of life. It encompasses all that you are and all that you do every day. “Do you take Him, the Son of God, as your Lord and Savior?” You are why he came and why he died on Calvary. It is all because he loves you.

Because Phyllis and I lived in Africa for so many years, and live a life of comparative poverty. we have been singled out for very special financial temptations. I receive, almost daily, emails telling me that there are millions banked in my name in remote parts of the world, especially in Western Africa. Of course, they are all fiction to reap the harvest of my “wealth,” also fiction. Like mine, they bear the names of living people, Hillary Clinton, Robert Muller, Joseph Biden, assorted major UN and Banking officials and made up titles. For variety, the name of one of the world’s billionaires wanted to make me her heir to be used for charitable projects.

What does it boil down to? Satan knows, as he did with Job, what ought to be our weakest point for our very own special temptation. Because of my wife’s illnesses, our Dr. wants us to change to “assisted living”, but that is far beyond our ability, so that is his attack. It will differ with each of us. Just remember this, money is just paper.  Paper burns. This world, and all in it is destined to burn. So, invest in gold, he will say. Gold is used to describe the paving material of the streets of Heaven.  Look ahead.

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READ YOUR BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN THIS YEAR

JUNE

23rd.  Sunday  -  1 Kings 12,    Acts 16:1-18,    Psalm 77:10-20

24th.  Monday  -  1 Kings 13,    Acts 16:19-40,    Psalm 78:1-8

25th.  Tuesday  -  1 Kings 14,15,    Acts 17,    Proverbs 15L19-26

26th.  Wednesday  -  1 Kings 16, 17,    Acts 18,    Psalm 78:9-20

27th.  Thursday  -  1 Kings 18,    Acts 19:1-20,    Psalm 78:21-30

28th.  Friday  -  1 Kings 19:1-20:21,    Acts 19:21-41,    Psalm 78:31-39

29th.  Saturday  -  1 Kings 20:22-21:29,    Acts 20,    Proverbs 15:27-33

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MEMORY VERSE

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  -  2 Timothy 2:15

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A TOUCH OF HUMOR

Am exasperated mother, whose son was always getting into mischief finally asked him, “How do you expect to get into Heaven?”

The boy thought it over and answered, “Well, I’ll run in and out, and in and out, and keep slamming the door until St Peter says, ‘For Heaven’s sake, Dylan, come in or stay out’”

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SIMON'S SIN

Acts 8:9-25  

MAGIC  -  WITCHCRAFT

Just the word stirs some response in everyone’s mind!, but it differs probably with each of us.

To the African mind, it is seen in the local “witch doctor” with her herbs, and other items, and the dress of her pagan ancestors, she claims to cast a spell of evil, to deliver escape from some els’ spell, to heal the sick, or just about do what ever people are prepared to pay for. I know of at least two times I was personally on the receiving end of an evil spell. The first was, when there was a church problem. This particular African black church wanted rid of their Coloured Minister so they turned to the missionaries in the hope that they would solve everything for them. When things did not seem to go their way, they began singing and dancing, to cast a spell on the missionaries and solve their problem in their own way. Their “knobkerries” and convenient stones would finish it all. Sometimes they simply hid a packet of evil objects on the property of a white employer and no one would work for that person. Sometimes a baby, or an adult, would simply die for no apparent reason. (They no longer fed them, because they were going to die anyway.) This is the reality of witchcraft, still throughout Africa. My second personal time, I simply turned away a women demanding money at my door. She stood in the street and cast  spell over us. We are still here, and she is not after many years.

In the mind of the South African European, white person, it is more likely represented by the “Gipsy” fortune teller and financial advisor who when the weather turns warm enough, will leave her affluent home, and park her travel trailer beside a major street in the city. I have even seem them parked downtown beside a parking meter! She will advise guidance in decision making, financial matters, in fact whatever you may want, again for a fee. She will “read your palm,” consult her crystal ball, read your tea leaves, or call back the dead.

This is the type of thing that Saul had forbidden in his kingdom and then he, himself, consulted the witch of Endor. The word “witch” is of Medo-Persian” source, so it has been around for a very long time, and is still alive, and very evident, not only in Africa. I think it is the same as the “demons”, the fallen angels, of the Bible.

  

9  But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

The local such person was Simon. He was evidently a man of means and this had been his

source of income, so when he became a believer, he began to look for ways to keep his income flowing. His faith was weak, so he certainly was attracted by the miracles he was seeing. He could adapt this to his own benefit! In that way he could retain his wealth and his power!

SOME GREAT ONE

(Acts 8:11, Acts 13.6, Acts 5:6)

10  To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

His title was being challenged, but he could turn this in his own favor. His talent was that he was confident, and he was a leader. He had proven that. If he were living today, he would probably be the charismatic leader of thousands with a television program and a budget to prove his power. There have been many such men who consider themselves to be “some great one.” and their proof of their greatness to be the size of the church they minister toI recall one such man in South Africa. His base was a large and affluent, and his message and personality impressive. This was so much so that one April 1, the leading newspaper of Johannesburg announced that he had bought a LearJet to reach his many followers. That was one of the paper’s most successful “April Fools” jokes. Many believed it.

(Acts 14:11, Acts 28:6)

11  And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

(Acts 8:9, Acts 13:6)

12  But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

At that time Philip, who had been appointed a deacon to help in the church’s widows aid, was preaching in Samaria. This Philip was also a gifted evangelist in that many men and women were believing, repenting of their sinful lives, and being baptized for the remission of their sins.

(Acts 1:3, Acts 8:4, Acts 2:38)

13  Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Simon also believed, seeing their miracles and signs. One wonders about the repentance of his past sins, for his attraction seems you have been the miracles and signs. These things he could certainly use to his advantage. Since he was wealthy, and Philip and those with him were clearly not, he assumed that they would be eager to sell this ability to him.

(Acts 8:6, Acts 19:11)

14  Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

(Acts 8:1, Luke 22:8)

15  Who, when they were come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

Peter and John prayed for the Samaritans. That was enough of a shock, for the Jews hated the Samaritans.

(Acts 2:38, Acts 19:2)

16  (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only that they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

This verse gives us reason for thought. I have personally been concerned that most baptisms have been done only, “in the name of Jesus Christ.” and not “in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Spirit” as we read was the case in Acts 2:38. How are those who witness these baptisms to know anything about the Holy Spirit and his work, if they are not told so at this time?  

(Matthew 28:19, Acts 19:2, Acts 2:38, Acts 10:48)

17  Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

In this case, they apparently gave the power to perform miracles to the Samaritans, here was the opportunity for Simon to also receive it. This was his opportunity, They received it, why not I?

(Mark 5:23, Acts 6:6, Acts 2:4)

18  And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19  Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

20  But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

Peter’s response was a shock to Simon. Smon went for the heart, not the question. His heart was not right. How many of us make our decisions for other than from a heart felt need to be serving God better?

(2 Kings 5:16, Isaiah 55:1, Daniel 5:17, Matthew 10:8, Acts 2:38)

21   Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

(Deuteronomy 10:9, Deuteronomy 12:12, Ephesians 5:5, Psalm 78:37)

22  Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

The mind may be responsible for sending the message to the rest of our being, but the purpose, and that which we do arises from the heart. The mind deals with logic, but the heart with love. We do not love because it is logical. I recall that I was married at a most illogical time. Logic would have said, “Get your degrees out of the way first,” but the heart said, “Now.”

(Isaiah 55:7)

23  For I perceive that thou art in the gall of wickedness, and in the bond of iniquity.

(Isaiah 55:6)

24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have  spoken come upon me.

It is said that the early church fathers, credit the first steps of Gnosticism to Simon.

(Genesis 20:7, Exodus 8:8, Numbers 21:7, James 5:16)

25  And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem,and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

(Luke 16:28, Acts 13:12, Acts 8:40, Matthew 10:5)

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READ YOUR BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN THIS YEAR

JUNE

16th  Sunday  -  1 Kings 2,    Acts 11,    Psalm 74:10-17

17th  Monday  -  1 Kings 3, 4,    Acts 12,    Proverbs 15:1-8

18th  Tuesday  -  1 Kings 5, 6,    Acts 13:1-25,    Psalm 74:18-23

19th  Wednesday  -  1 Kings 7,   Acts 13:26-52,    Psalm 75

20th  Thursday  -  1 Kings 8,    Acts 14,    Psalm 76

21st  Friday  -  1 Kings 9, 10,    Acts 15:1-22,    Proverbs 15:9-18

22nd Saturday  -  1 Kings 11,    Acts 15:23-41,    Psalm 77:1-9

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MEMORY VERSE

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

-  Acts 17:11

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IT WASN’T ME

Coming through the church just before the service was scheduled to begin, a visiting special speaker, noted that there was a very sparse congregation.

“There are not many people in church today,” he commented, “Did you tell them I was coming?”

“No, sir,” his host replied. “Someone else must have told them.”

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