“The Sunday Post” – July 13, 2014

Articles of Faith, sermons, poetry and devotions…Sunday Post church slider b

Smokey Barn News
Sunday July 13, 2014
Robertson County, Tenn.

“The Sunday Post” is a column comprised of articles of Faith, sermons, poetry and devotions……….

My Attorney…

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous 1 John 2:1 

courtroomAfter living what I felt was a “decent” life, my time on earth came to the end. The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house. The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table. As I looked around I saw the “prosecutor.” He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen. I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney, a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him.

The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room. I couldn’t take my eyes off of Him. As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, “Let us begin.”

attorneyThe prosecutor rose and said, “My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this man belongs in hell.”

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Romans 8:34 

He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and in the past when I cheated others. Satan told of other horrible perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank. I was so embarrassed that I couldn’t look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about. As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all. I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life – couldn’t that at least equal out part of the harm I’d done? Satan finished with a fury and said, “This man belongs in hell, he is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise.”

Jesus handWhen it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward. As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty. I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior. He stopped before the bench and softly said one word to the Judge, “Father”, and then slowly turned to address the court. 

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5 

“Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned, I won’t deny any of these allegations. And, yes, the wage of sin is death, and this man deserves to be punished.” Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, “However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and he has accepted Me as his Savior, so he is Mine.” My Lord continued with, “His name is written in the book of life and no one can snatch him from Me. Satan still does not understand yet. This man is not to be given justice, but rather mercy.” As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said,”There is nothing else that needs to be done. I’ve done it all.”

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25

The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from His lips… “This man is free. The penalty for him has already been paid in full.

Case dismissed!”

As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, “I won’t give up, I will win the next one.”

I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, “Have you ever lost a case?”

Christ lovingly smiled and said, “Everyone that has come to Me, and asked Me to represent them has received the same verdict as you,

“PAID IN FULL.”

For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Hebrews 9:24  

biblequiz

Did you know a lot of old sayings actually came from Scripture?…..

“The Skin of my teeth”  – Who said that?

“Red sky in the morning” – Who said that?

“A little Bird told me” – Who said that?

“A thorn in the flesh” – – Who said that?

Answer to be revealed in next week’s “Sunday Post”………The answer to last weeks quiz is “Nothing!”

Kids are funny, aint they?…

I have never met anyone who really did not want to go to heaven. Once a preacher was preaching on heaven and asked, “Raise your hand if you want to go to heaven.” Everyone raised their hands except a little boy toward the front. The preacher was perplexed, stopped his message and said, “Son don’t you want to go to Heaven?” The little boy replied, “Yes Sir, but I thought you were getting a bus load to go right now.” We all want to go to Heaven, but some of us don’t want to get there too soon.

Forty Wrestlers for Christ…

centurions blurIn the days of the Roman emperor Nero, there lived and served him a band of wrestlers known as the “Emperor’s Wrestlers.” Fine. stalwart men they were, picked from the best and bravest of the land, recruited from the great athletes of the Roman Amphitheater.

In the great amphitheater they upheld the arms of the emperor against all challengers. Before each contest they stood before the emperor’s throne, Then through the courts of Rome rang their cry: “We the wrestlers, wrestling for thee O emperor, to win for thee the victory and from the victor’s crown.”

When the great Roman army was sent to fight in far away Gaul, no soldiers were braver or more loyal than this band of wrestlers led by their Centurion, Vespasian. But news reached Nero that many soldiers had accepted the Christian faith. Therefore this decree was dispatched to the Centurion Vespasian: “If there be any among your soldiers who cling to the faith of the Christian, they must die.”

The decree was received in the dead of winter. The soldiers were camped on the shore of a frozen inland lake. It was with sinking heart that Vespasian the Centurion read the emperor’s message.

Vespasian called the soldiers together and asked the question: “Are there any among you who cling to the faith of the Christian? If so, let him step forward.” Forty wrestlers instantly stepped forward two paces, respectfully saluted, and stood at attention. Vespasian paused. He had not expected so many, nor such select ones. “Until sundown, I shall await your answer,” said Vespasian. Sundown came. Again the question was asked. Again the forty wrestlers stepped forward.

Vespasian pleaded with them long and earnestly without prevailing upon a single man to deny his Lord. Finally he said: “The decree of the emperor must be obeyed, but I am not willing that your comrades should shed your blood. I am going to order that you march out upon the ice of the lake, and I shall leave you there to the mercy of the elements.

campfire by lakeThe forty wrestlers were stripped and then falling into columns of four, marched toward the center of the lake of ice. As they marched they broke into the chant of the arena: “Forty wrestlers wrestling for thee, O Christ, to win for thee the victory and from thee the victor’s crown.” Through the long hours of the night Vespasian stood by his campfire and watched. As he waited through the long night, there came fainter and fainter the wrestler’s song.

As morning drew near one figure, overcome by exposure, crept quietly toward the fire; in the extremity of his suffering he had renounced his Lord. Faintly, but clearly, from the darkness came the song: “Thirty-nine wrestlers wrestling for thee, O Christ, to win for thee the victory and from thee the victor’s crown.”

Vespasian looked at the figure drawing close to the fire. Perhaps he saw some eternal light shining there toward the center of the lake. Who can say? But off came his helmet and clothing and he sprang upon the ice, crying: “Forty wrestlers wrestling  for thee, O Christ  to win for thee the victory and from thee the victor’s crown.”

God give us the courage of the Centurion!!

Walter Cronkite always ended his news cast with the words, “And That’s the way it is, June 19, 1962.” An old time preacher by the name of Vance Havner  said that he always felt like saying, “No Walter, that’s just the way it seems. It’s not the way it is.” God is on the throne and in control of every detail…

walter cronkiteCareless seems the great avenger

Truth forever on the scaffold

Wrong forever on the throne

BUT—on that scaffold sways the future

and beyond the dim unknown

Standeth God within the shadows

Keeping watch above His own.

testimonies

When Lee Yih looks back over the first third of his life, he sees a directionless young man with no anchor to base his identity. No father figure. A mixed ethnicity as a Chinese-American. Varied spiritual experiences. Murky job prospects.

Then came the day he found himself in the army in Germany, bored and stoned all the time, and with a marriage that was failing. The seemed to be no hope. Nothing he could see could change his situation. Yet at that lowest moment, someone intervened. Nothing fancy, just an offer of friendship. An act of kindness that would change his life, his wife, and many others he would later encounter.

A Decision…

Three elements of personality are involved in making a decision to become a Christian, or in making any significant decision for that matter. They are:

  • the emotions
  • the intellect
  • and the will

couple silhouetteFor example, a young man meets a young woman. They are immediately attracted to one another. They both say to themselves, “Now there is someone I’d like to marry.” At that point, if the emotions had their way, there would be a wedding. But the intellect intervenes, questioning the impulsive emotional response. Would we be compatible? What is she really like? Can I afford to support her? Both conclude it would be better to take some more time and answer a few questions before they proceed. So the two begin spending more time with each other. He eventually concludes that she is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. Now his intellect has sided with the emotions on the idea of marriage.

But the final and heaviest vote remains to be cast — that of the will. It stops the march toward the altar with the questions, “Am I willing to give up this lifestyle for another? What about my freedom — is it worth the trade? Am I willing to assume the added responsibility?” The marriage will occur only when the will finally agrees with the emotions and the intellect.

And so it is in coming to Christ.

“But What About You?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” – Matt 16:15

(Source: Jim Peterson, Living Proof , NavPress, 1989, p. 170.)

why this trialGod whispers to you in your prosperity

God Speaks to you in your need

God shouts at you in your affliction

Whatever trials you are facing seek God and His wisdom and strength. Pray without ceasing! He is faithful!

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

READ LAST WEEKS  Sunday Post July 5, 2014

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Comments (3)

  1. RD July 14, 2014
  2. B.R. July 13, 2014
  3. M.S. July 13, 2014
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