Titus 4 - (2:10-16) – 23 April 2020, Anno Domini

B

 UT speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. 9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.   (Titus 2:1-15)

Sound Doctrine

That is the foremost entity that is missing in most preaching of our day. Unfortunately opinion, speculation, hearsay, lessons learned on the golf course, and downright fables predominate in the sermons (?) preached in some churches. Ministers seem to believe the scriptures need human embellishment to make them germane to current society. Of course, that is worse than wrong. The Bible means exactly to us today what it meant to those to whom its words were first shared millenia ago. There are ministers who spend endless hours in sermon preparation trying to include a fanciful story or illustration for the sermon, and in outlining their sermon to produce the greatest effect. To me, that is simply an exercise in futility. If God has gone to the effort to tell us something in His Word, I believe that Word will be sufficient for the preacher as well as the congregation in its exposition. I do not mean to say Godly illustrations are not useful. 

            This chapter of Titus is a perfect example of the outline form the Scriptures give of itself. Please note that the overall topic is ‘sound doctrine’ and the importance of preaching that doctrine. Included in the outline is the effect and fruit of sound doctrine. Paul delineates six different features related to the fruits of sound preaching of doctrine: 

1.        The effect on behavior aged men.

2.        The effect on behavior aged women.

3.        The effect on behavior of young women.

4.        The effect on behavior of young men.

5.        The effect on behavior of teachers and ministers.

6.        The effect on behavior of Christian laity.

The above divisions seem to me to be an outline that this Scripture text gives of itself that cannot be improved upon by mortal man. One salient point that stands out in common to all six subdivisions in the emphasis on BEHAVIOR. Our behavior has not led us to salvation since salvation comes by unmerited grace; but Godly Behavior will follow in the path of salvation as evidence of the new man in Christ brought to life by that salvation.

Behavior of Aged Men

That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.” When the older men have been rightly fed with the Bread of Heaven in the preaching of the unstained Word of God, that fact will be born out in exemplary behavior. Knowing the time of sleep draws near, the aged men will be sober; serious; temperate in food, drink, and leisure; strong in faith and wisdom of the word; generous with their resources; and patient with those of lesser age whose eagerness has yet to have been tempered by time and experience.

Behavior of Aged Women

“3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” Some greater detail is given for the behavior of aged women than aged men. I believe it is because aged men stand more as a greater example of character while aged women, like Martha of Bethany, never finish their service and labors until the evening sun sinks below the horizon. The motherly instinct survives the aches and pains of age. Womanhood is the most honorable of the two sexes, and mankind has come to attach a higher expectation of holiness, forebearance in daily intercourse with others, certainly sobriety, and finally full of wisdom gained over a life of sacrifice and love. Being so, they are peculiarly able to teach the young women like values of how to love – especially their husbands and children. The older women are strong role models for the younger. They must tender advice to the younger women who will not fail to seek their counsel on household management, nurture of children, and fidelity to family that honors God.

Behavior of Young Women

That will be behavior that reflects the example provided by the older women. It will reflect a purity of thought and action in their families, an undying love, and a high regard for the needs of others. They will be the builders of a happy home well-provided with warmth, cleanliness, sound diet, and a welcoming smile.

Behavior of Young Men

One of the best expositions on this quality of young men may be found in the writings of Bishop J. C. Ryle who said: “Young men, I beseech you earnestly, beware of pride. Two things are said to be very rare sights in the world — one is a young man humble, and the other is an old man content.” In his book, Bishop Ryle summarized the various principles and counsel for young men from an array of biblical references. “6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.” It is quite a challenge to show oneself in “all things” to be a doer of good works, using pure doctrine as a rule of life, serious (a great challenge for young men), honest and of pure speech.  George Washington, I believe, embodied all these qualities as a young man. 

Behavior of Servants

Ministers and teachers: “9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.” It may occur to you that I may have mislabeled ministers under the category of servants. I did not! The minister must be servant to all including other servants. We are to follow the example of Christ to serve and not be served. If the servant of God pleases His Master in all things, he will have simply done his minimal duty. Purloining is theft. Unfortunately, men who preach for filthy lucre are guilty of this injunction.

Behavior of Christian Laity and All of The Church

“11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” We should conduct our lives as if we were going to stand before God this very night to give an account of our lives. The track champion does not glance aside at the cheering crowds in the race – his focus is fixed on the all-important ribbon of the finish line. So should the Christian be focused on the eternal truths and values that honor God.  If such doctrines are strongly preached, the society will reflect that learning both in, and out, of the church.   

Titus 3 - (1:10-16) – 22 April 2020, Anno Domini

F

 OR there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (Titus 1:10-16)

            For some reason unknown to man nor beast, there are far more wagging tongues in churches than in brothels. Why could this be the case? In my opinion, it all boils down to false pride of righteousness. Many in church believe the length of their membership, their much giving, and their social status qualify them as members of the disciplinary committee of the church. The damage done by loose tongues and uncharitable gossip would exceed that of the bubonic plague. But the far greater danger arises from those who are false teachers – wolves in sheep’s clothing - posing as preachers of the Word which they subvert. 15 ¶ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Matthew 7:15)

            Christ warned us of false prophets, and we may have considered them to be more rare than common; however, our Lord also warned that these false prophets would not be few but MANY! 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. Matthew 24:11 Not only will there be MANY false prophets, but MANY who are deceived thereby. Mass deception builds without logical consideration. 

            Even in the mouth of an idle tale-bearer is much poison, but that poison is multiplied by dark spiritual powers that embody false prophets. 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. (James 3:6)

            They present us with these facts:

1.     The evil false prophets oppose truth. (v 10-12)

2.     Such men must be rebuked (v 13-14)

3.     They are totally impure (v 15)

4.     They profess belief in God, but deny Him by their works. (Jesus said, By their fruits ye shall know them.

Those deceived by false teachers, such as Osteen and Meyer, will suffer the same fate as their teachers. 13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.(Matthew 15:13-14) These are the words of the Lord, not my opinion! (see 2 Pet 2:1)

What defense do the people have against such false preachers of our day? The key is knowledge! The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. If you fear your standing with the Lord of Heaven, learn all that you can from His word. Study to show yourselves approved of God. A daily study of the Word of God will open the mind of the reader to such truth as cannot be overcome by deceiving charms of false minsters. Being well acquainted with the true Word, counterfeit gospels cannot deceive you. You will immediately know the false from the genuine. Every word you hear preached from the pulpit must be confirmed by a reference to Holy Scripture – and that will come from informed and conscientious study.

We read of the many heresies that arose in the first century almost like wild flowers on the desert scape after a spring rain. Those heresies were fought against by the early fathers; yet, they have a frequent re-introduction in preaching of our own day. Though they were plentiful in the early church, they will be just as plentiful in the latter church. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:13)

False prophets teach a works-oriented religion – not one based upon grace and faith. The false prophet teaches that our salvation is based on our works and not upon the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we could be righteous by our works, why would our Lord have come to suffer for our redemption?  8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10 In plain bold-faced letters, the Lord has told us that we could do NOTHING to awaken ourselves from the death of sin – it was unmerited grace that called through our stone-walled tombs to arouse us to the Lord’s call. Our good works are only filthy rags. We must come before the Throne of Grace by Faith, and that salvation will then be evidenced by good works. Those good works will then belong to our Lord working in, and through, us – not works of our own good pleasure.

15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. A glass of pure water is pure until polluted by some mixture of poison. One drop of strychnine will render the glass deadly even though the volume of pure water has remained unchanged. A glass of strychnine will remain deadly regardless the pure water added. But the blood of Christ purifies, and it is that purifying blood that provides a constant cleansing to the redeemed. The outward works of the defiled is also impure. Their outward appearance belies an inward filth. It is for this reason that salvation ALWAYS begins in the inner man – in the heart! Before the outside of the cup is cleansed, we must first clean the inner part.  7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Hyssop is a green plant which is used, even today in Asia, as a purgative to cleanse the alimentary canal.

Digestive health must precede a complete bodily restoration in times of illness. God cleanses the heart first before He washes our outward appearance – wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. This is one of the most impressive text in the Old Testament. Its science is golden. How can we be whiter than snow? Any reader of my devotions will know the answer to that question since I have written often about it. Every flake of snow has a tiny impurity at its core. In order to crystalize in the upper atmosphere, there must be a tiny point of dust or smoke around which the forming flake can coalesce. So, there is a tiny speck of dust at the center of every flake. But when God washes your soul, you will be whiter than snow because the inner core is free of dirt.

16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. If so much harm were not done by false scientists and philosophers of our day, their actions would be humorous; but they deceive and mislead the simple who have lost the gift of logic and reason.  20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: You can command multitudes if you convince them that it is science that motivates your commands. There is no conflict between God’s Word and science – in fact, God is the Author of science. God would have men and women to be true scientist, not dabblers in the politico-science of our day. Remember the four Israelites chosen by King Nebuchadnezzar to be trained in his royal court: 4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. These were well-versed in science, wisdom, and practical knowledge, yet, they were pure and without blemish of character – Godly. Thus should we be. Our failure to know the wisdom of God and His will has led to a great vulnerability to deception. We see it in all churches of our day. Good conduct, wise reason, righteous character – these all require cultivation. But sloven ignorance and deluded faith require no such cultivation, but spring up everywhere as the wild weeds of the wilderness.

Hymns of the Church – Taps – 21 April 2020, Anno Domini

Y

E are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

(1 Thessalonians 5:5-10)

I

 WILL lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. 3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.  4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.  (Psalms 121:1-6)

            Though you may not recognize it as a hymn, this hymn is probably heard more often than any other – TAPS. There are few who have not heard this plaintive hymn played at close of day, or at a military funeral, and there are no soldier, sailor, or airman who is not intimately familiar with its every note if not its lyrics. The name of the original author is lost in obscurity, however, Brigadier General Daniel A. Butterfield of the Union Army of the Potomac is credited with the lyrics we have today as revised by him.  I have written a history of this tune before, but will now do so as a hymn. There are conflicting reports as to the author of the tune and original notes, but this version that we have today was first played following the Wilderness Campaign (1862) in which the Union Army was badly mangled by the Confederate forces under General Robert E. Lee. The tune wafted across the battle lines and was taken up by both sides (North & South) as the second and final Tattoo of the day.

            Every day of my life at the Military Academy, I heard this piece played as the last bugle notes of the day. There are five major calls played in the evening in the military – Retreat, To the Color, Call to Quarters, Tattoo, and, finally, Taps (lights out). TAPS (sometimes referred to as the 2^nd Tattoo or last tattoo) may bode well to a nation that needs to silently consider and meditate upon the engagements of our day and resolve to awaken after the dark night of her soul to a new heart and a new direction under God.  According to Jari Vilanueva of the Arlington Bugle Exhibit, the lyrics are as follows:

Taps

Day is done, gone the sun,

From the hills, from the lake,

From the sky.

All is well, safely rest,

God is nigh.

Go to sleep, peaceful sleep,

May the soldier or sailor,

God keep.

On the land or the deep,

Safe in sleep.

Love, good night, Must thou go,

When the day, And the night

Need thee so?

All is well. Speedeth all

To their rest.

Fades the light; And afar

Goeth day, And the stars

Shineth bright,

Fare thee well; Day has gone,

Night is on.

Thanks and praise, For our days,

'Neath the sun, Neath the stars,

'Neath the sky,

As we go, This we know,

God is nigh.

            Day is done, gone the sun,  From the hills, from the lake, From the sky. All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.There is a chilling memory I have of a cold day of 21^st February 1967 when our family we gathered on a hillside cemetery overlooking Dug Gap Valley. The occasion was the burial of my younger brother, Spec4 Kenneth Ogles who was KIA in the Ia Drang Valley of Vietnam on 16 February 1967 with the 1^st Cavalry Division. The funeral service had earlier included the hymn, Jesus Loves Me, This I know, which seemed a bit out of place in the presence of a military Honor Guard; but it was not. Ken was still a child at the age of 19 when he died; moreover, that hymn was written and first sung at the United States Military Academy at West Point. At the conclusion of the burial and the gun salute came the notes of the bugler playing Taps. It is both sad and also inspiring to hear. For the warrior, whether of mortal combat, or in the service of the Lord, the day is finished and the light fades with the sun. The sharp, piercing notes of Taps echoed and re-echoed from the mountains and ridges surrounding that cemetery. It was the final salute, yet it was so memorial that all present will never forget the event. The soldier was finally home and the attending his last bivouac. God is always nigh the heart of the believer in Him, and my brother was certainly a believer from the early days of his childhood. 

            Go to sleep, peaceful sleep, May the soldier or sailor, God keep. On the land or the deep, Safe in sleep. Whether the bed be made on land or at sea, the meaning is the same. Sailors go to the swirling deep with the same notes as the infantryman. The honors paid are particularly meaningful for those who died in defense of liberty and freedom. The peace they could not enjoy on the battlefield is grant ed finally in the bosom of Abraham. No more cannon artillery fire, mortar bursts, or muffled screams and rifle fire will be heard by the sleeper. That day will come as if by a blinking of the eye when the deep shall surrender her dead, and the ground will give up those who have slept in silent rest. “13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.” (Revelations 20:13) The largest cemetery in the earth is the sea bearing her untold millions.

            Love, good night, Must thou go, When the day, And the night Need thee so? All is well. Speedeth all To their rest. No love can beckon more strongly than the loved of God to His own.. The midnight hour comes for every child of dod as well as those of the world. The appointment cannot be broken. Our love for the departing soldier-soul cannot delay his posting to his new duty station with God. Taps is a way of saying goodbye to a gallant soldier. It is a final goodbye this side of Jordan Waters. Soldiers must always obey orders, and there are no orders from a Higher Headquarters than Heaven. So, we bid Godspeed in the final bivouac of the soldier.

            Fades the light; And afar Goeth day, And the stars Shineth bright, Fare thee well; Day has gone, Night is on. Suffering from either the bloody wounds of battle or else the sudden blast of the cannon, the soldier sees his vision began to fail and fade. He has never seen it so, but the time has come for his posting Beyond.. Though the mortal lights fade, the heavenly lights gleam more brilliantly than ever before the soldier’s failing vision. The soldier has gone to his narrow home in the heart of the earth, and his soul to his Maker on High.

            Thanks and praise, For our days, 'Neath the sun, Neath the stars, 'Neath the sky, As we go, This we know, God is nigh. The nation owes a debt of gratitude and honor to her soldiers who have given the last full measure of devotion to its defense and preservation. Rightly so, the American flags line the boulevards of our cities on Memorial Day. We must go thankful to our Lord for those wonderful past days “'Neath the sun, Neath the stars, 'Neath the sky.” We have no regrets, for every second of our days were gifts from God. AS the final notes of Taps fade away on the hills and valleys, the Christian soldier awakes to a different Bugler playing Reveille!

AOC Sunday Report - First Sunday after Easter

Happy First Sunday after Easter.  The AOC Sunday Report can be downloaded RIGHT HERE!

There are really great sermons today from Bishops Jerry and Roy, as well as Revs Jack, Ryan and Bryan.  Each is different, each is interesting and each will bring you a bit more knowledge.  Please take the time to read through them.

There are a lot of people in need of your prayer, please start with Bob and Shamu and work out from there.

There is a great week ahead.  While a lot of our readers are in 'lock down', 'quarantine' or 'self-isolation' and others are still hard at work, your minds are not.  Take a bit of time to think about the contents of the report.  Rev Jack talks a lot about the Holy Ghost, read it and think about Him.

Have an EPIC WEEK.

Godspeed,

Hap

Church of the Faithful Centurion

Descanso, California

Sermon Notes - First Sunday after Easter - 19 April 2020, Anno Domini

The First Sunday after Easter.

The Collect.

A

LMIGHTY Father, who hast given thine only Son to die for our sins, and to rise again for our justification; Grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always serve thee in pureness of living and truth; through the merits of the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

T

HEN  the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. (John 20:19-23)

It is a little baffling to understand why the people of God are shocked to know that our Lord is with them – even in mundane places. Mary was surprised with joy to see Christ right beside her, and the two men on the Road to Damascus were equally surprised that Christ had walked all the way home with them – he does for us as well.

It will prosper our love and understanding of the fear the disciples experienced following the crucifixion. Only having heard, through a veil of ignorance, the Words of Christ that after the third day He would arise, the disciples were not expecting the Words of Christ to become a literal fact. So they hid and cowered behind closed doors.

While He was yet with them, their courage never failed, but when separated from the physical presence of Christ – they were mere cowards.

You will note that Christ rose from the Tomb with a living body though different in some respects than His pre-crucifixion body. He was recognizable in appearance, but He could also pass through material barriers without any impediment.

He came to His disciples in Peace as He always comes to us. “Peace be unto you!”

His glorified body still retained the scars of His sacrifice. Did you know that when we all get to heaven, we will have perfect bodies? There shall be only One whose body is marred from suffering – the Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ sends us into the World as His Father had sent Him. Let us stop to contemplate how the Father sent the Son into the World? 

1)    He came under humble circumstances having been born of a humble mother and laid in a wooden manger used for feeding sheep.  That was appropriate for Christ is our Bread of Life and we are the Sheep of His Pasture.

2)    Christ lived a normal life for His time and was a carpenter for his surrogate father, Joseph.  We must, likewise, labor for our daily bread.

3)    He was notable in His innocence of life. When we are notoriously wicked, the whole world notices. But when we are humble and righteous, the world makes no mention of it. We, too, must live lives that are righteous and above the contempt of men.

4)    He came to set the captives free, but who are the captives? Those who are burdened with their heavy sins – all of us. He preached and taught. Our true testimony of Christ will likewise set the captives free. Before we can teach others of the means of coming to Christ to lift their burdens, we must first allow Him to lift our own unbecoming yoke and burden.

5)    He showed compassion to all, but greatest of all to sinners who KNEW they were sinners. We must show compassion to ALL men and, especially, those who are hopelessly drowning in a sea of sin. A drowning man flails helplessly in the briny foam, unable to save himself. That burden of throwing out the life raft falls to us.

6)    Christ proved Himself by His works. So must we. Though we cannot perform miracles, we have a Master who can, indeed. 

7)    He changed the requirements of obedience from that of strictly adhering to Commandments written on Stone Tables to that of the Commandment of Love written in the soft sinews of our hearts. That which we love warrants that we commit no sin against.

8)    He was the only Man ever born without sin, and the only One who lived a sinless life. Thereby He was worthy to die in our stead for our sins. “For all have sinned and fallen short of the righteousness of God’ and “The wages of sin is death.”  If we all have sinned, we deserved to go to the cross instead of Christ. But He went in our stead so that we may have the privileges of sonship with the Father as sons and daughters of God.

9)    He bore all of our sins on the cross when, at any moment, He could have come down from the cross. He was WILLING to go all the way for us. We must be WILLING to go all the way for Him and those He loves.

10) He arose from the Tomb on the third day as He had promised. That gives us the privilege to rise from our own graves if we are in Him and He in us. He is our Ark of Salvation that shall insure our living above the floods and terrors of this world.

11) He ascended to the Father and there intercedes for us with Him. He has left us as keepers of the Vineyard to labor in His stead. The teaching of the Apostles persists today though many have waxed cold and passionless in our day. Our task is to press on to the mark set in Christ by living a pure and clean life and telling others about the hope that is in us in Christ Jesus.

Have you lived the kind of life that causes men to know you belong to Christ?