TRIUMPH -- December 1958
The address above is no longer validGreetings of the Season
James, Marilynn, Arthur, Joyce, & Jack Gordon
With this issue of TRIUMPH comes our warmest best wishes for a joyous Christmas season. May peace flood your heart as you let the Prince of peace Himself reign in your life. Ever looking to Him we remain your friends.
The Gordons
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Dear Shut-In
" . . . I was envious . . . when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment . . ! Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory." Psalm 73:3,14,16-19,23,24
Have you, dear Christian, questioned your affliction something like this: "I can understand why a godless person may suffer affliction, but why me? I have become a child of God by faith in Christ. I love God because He first loved me. But here I lie tormented night and day; why should it be? Why do I suffer, while the nonbeliever enjoys good health, prosperity?
God gives us his answer to this supposed inconsistency in the above text.
I, as the Psalmist, have felt momentary pangs of envy as I watched the prosperous "wicked," enjoying his apparent good fortune. That was in the distant past, however. I have long since discovered the truth of the text "then understood I their end." What good is prosperity in things of this life when the soul is neglected. "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" They who thus abide, abide in slippery places. In a moment of time and they are gone. Their end is destruction. They are soon mown down as the green grass. They are cast into the furnace. Their end is not envious; neither should be their present prosperity.
But what of those who love God, through Christ Jesus? We are "continually with thee," reminds the Psalmist. God Himself holds our hand. He may not deliver me out of adversity, but He will go with me through it. "My grace is sufficient for thee," says our Lord, "for my strength is made perfect in weakness." He will guide us in our earthly pilgrimage and receive us at last into our heavenly abode. What of adversity then? Let come what may. Our God and Redeemer knows of it; He may permit, or He may deliver. But be sure, He loves us still, and shall never loosen the hand in which we rest secure.
The nonbeliever has all the prosperity and glory he will ever have, here and now. Then comes the judgment of God. In light of eternity, his glory is short-lived.
The believer, in this life, may be called upon to suffer affliction. But then comes his glory with God. In light of eternity his affliction is short-lived. "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." II Corinthians 4:17.
Care not at all for the prosperity of the prosperous wicked; rather, rejoice that you have an "inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you." I Peter 1:4.
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FROM THE PASTOR'S PEN
THE PARADOX OF THE AGES
by John W. Reed
Rev. John W. Reed pastored the First Baptist Church of Stryker, Ohio
From the time I was but a lad until the present day I have been concerned about something that to me is a paradox.
I used to think about this strange paradox as I drove my father's tractor over the tough clay of our farm in Huron County, Ohio.
Later in life I recall standing by the rail of the big Army Transport watching the rise and fall of the blue Pacific waters and meditating on what to me was the PARADOX OF THE AGES.
Then one day the light of eternity flashed upon my soul and I saw the answer in the heart of God. I saw it in words that my eyes had seen and my mind had read, but until that day my heart had never really seen. The tangled web of the PARADOX OF THE AGES lies unscrambled and bare in these simple words:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
Here then is the paradox: that the God of Glory should care enough for sinful insignificant man to send His Son to endure the double humility of Bethlehem and Calvary.
Good sense would seemingly tell us that a Being so great as God could never be concerned with a being so small as man. Cinderella marrying the handsome gallant prince may be all right for fairy tales and dreams, but the facts tell us that Prince Charming will lose his throne if he marries the servant girl.
But here is a break in the normal sequence of events. Here are dreams come true. The most charming Prince of the ages, the Christ of God, comes to free the slaves of Satan and take them unto Himself as His bride.
This is the strange paradox that encircled the manger in Bethlehem where God became incarnate in human flesh.
Where, in man lies the value that would cause God to pay such a dear price for man's redemption?
The answer is not in man for no value of this sort has he. The answer lies in the very heart and character of God. "He loved us and gave himself for us." Here the mind of man must stop.
Why did He love us so? Only God knows the answer to that. Love drew salvation's plan. We cannot fully explain. We can, however, accept God's plan by faith and live for Him in gratitude for what He has done for us.
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THOU SHALT CALL HIS NAME
J E S U S
"The angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:20,21.
One day, at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. Such is not the case now, much to our shame. His name has been hated by the world ever since it was first uttered. It has been the object of scorn and hatred by the Devil and his band from the beginning. It is falling, even this moment, from the lips of godless men and women as a curse-word. But, for us who have met the lowly Nazarene and found in Him our sufficiency for time and eternity, His name is precious.
Jesus is the sweetest name I know,
And He's just the same as His lovely name
And that's the reason why I love him so,
for Jesus is the sweetest name I know.
In our text we see three significant things concerning this wonderful name of our wonderful Lord.
IT TOUCHED HEAVEN
"The angel of the Lord appeared." Here was to be a birth out of the ordinary. It was a birth totally different from any other. A child born in such circumstances must not have a name picked at random. His name must be divinely chosen. And it was. God sent His angel to announce the name: "call his name JESUS," said he.
The heavenly Father was well pleased with this birth. For was not this the very One who should come according to the will of God, and to do the will of God? Was not this the One who was with the Father from eternity past? Had not He had His part in the creation story? Yes, all this and more was true of the baby which lay under the heart of Mary.
The unbelievers mocked and falsely accused the expectant mother, much as they do today. "Was not this the fruit of an affair with a Roman soldier," they ask accusingly? Such accusations show not ignorance of the facts, which are plainly written for all to read, but outright UNBELIEF. Even the more moderate accusation that Joseph begat Jesus is gross unbelief. "For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar."
This birth was God coming into flesh. "For that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost." JESUS was the Emmanuel whom the prophet had foretold would come. "Emmanuel, being interpreted is, God with us." How did the prophet know? The Lord God had spoken through him. God planned this blessed event; He foretold it; He brought it to pass; and He crowned it with His approval. The name JESUS, therefore, had vital connection with heaven.
IT TOUCHED EARTH
If the fact is precious that the eternal God came down to man, it is equally precious that He chose to be just as you and me. He came by way of the womb, and trod the byways of our world. But unlike us, in dying He paved the way to the wonderful world beyond. He had the same problems, difficulties, and heartaches; He was tempted as we are; He felt the heat of the eastern sun, the thirst that comes from long hours on the dusty roads, and the added burden of the multitude without a shepherd. Here was God, so desirous of showing His love for His creatures that He became one of us, yet without sin. The Record says, "God with us." Who is able to comprehend it? Who can explain it? Who wants to explain it? It is enough that we believe.
Jesus testified, "A body hast thou prepared me." The Bible declares of Jesus, "The Word was made flesh." This was what man needed, what he has always needed. Man's longing for the presence of God was now realized in Jesus. He had condescended to our station in life. He was to experience with us, human life as lived on the globe He had made. In fact we shall see that only in this way could He save us.
But has He lost this vital connection with the earth, since His resurrection and ascension to the Father's throne? By no means. For He still wears the body, though changed, of His earthly pilgrimage. Throughout eternity He shall remain the same: very God and truly man. As Son of man He pleads our cause continually before our Father.
The name JESUS, therefore, has vital connection with earth.
IT TOUCHED OUR SIN
Our text gives the reason for this name JESUS: "for he shall save his people from their sins." No man could save another for each is lost in sin and alienated from God. Nor could an angel save man, they being of a different nature. The animals of sacrifice could never take away sins, for we are reminded that there was a remembrance of sins every year under such a system. Even God was unable to save man since He is Spirit and we, flesh. What then could be done for man enmeshed in sin? There was only one alternative: there must be a God-man. Jesus was this God-man. He was truly and eternally God; but He took upon Himself human flesh, being born of a woman. He was without sin, yet was tempted as we are. He owned all, yet had no place to pillow His head. He was the Author of life, yet freely gave His body to death. Thus, this Person whom we honor at Christmas time was the only One who could wear this name honestly; JESUS means Savior.
Blood stained and hanging on a Roman cross, Jesus became the one sufficient, God-satisfying sacrifice. Sin's penalty was paid; man's salvation was forever assured. But, man must receive this sacrifice for his own; he must take JESUS, the God-man, as his Savior and Lord.
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Search Diligently For The Child
King Herod sought the young Christ Child,
With cruel, blood-stained sword in hand.
He found Him not, though he had all
The powers of Rome at his command.
The Wise Men also seeking came,
And rich gifts in their hands they brought.
The Lord sent down His star for guide;
By it they found the one they sought.
Think you, had Herod chanced to see
The Bethlehem cradle, rude and bare,
He would have stooped to look within,
Believing that a King was there?
With never a doubt the Magi bent,
To offer gifts and to adore.
'Twas faith that led them all their way
And gave them joy forever more.
O Christian friends, the star still leads
To Bethlehem this Christmas night,
And he who follows it in faith,
Will find the Christ, the world's true light.
-- Cosa Elizabeth Reynolds
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MY CHRISTMAS WISH
Christmas is not tinsel gay,
Nor gifts nor lighted tree;
It isn't even peace and joy;
But only Christ to me:
The Holy Babe of Bethlehem,
The Lamb of Calvary,
'Tis He who dwells within my heart
Who's all in all to me.
My only Christmas wish to you
Is just that He may be
Your Christmas joy, your Christmas peace,
Your life, your victory.
-- C.E. Reynolds
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LET US GO NOW
Come ye to Bethlehem,
Look on God's only Son--
Heaven's glory come to earth,
The Holy One.
Come ye to Calvary;
Watch from yon cross on high
Jesus, our substitute,
Redeemer, die.
Follow to Joseph's tomb,
Empty on Easter day.
Know He has risen with power,
And lives alway.
Lift up your eyes just now;
Scan well the heavenly sky.
Soon He will come again.
Our King draws nigh.
-- C.E. Reynolds
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SERMON SERIES - XVII
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE THESSALONIANS
Chapter 3, verses 11-13
"Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: to the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints."
RENEWAL OF CONFIDENCE
RENEWAL of acquaintance with the Thessalonian converts caused a renewal of joy in the Apostle Paul. This, in turn, brought about RENEWAL OF CONFIDENCE in God. This confidence found expression in three realms (3:11-13).
GOD . . . DIRECT OUR WAY (11)
Paul's confidence was in "God." This name expresses greatness. God it was who flung the heavenly bodies into their respective places. He it is who holds all things together by the power of His might. He is the One who will one day speak and the heavens and the earth will flee away. "God himself," great and almighty, is the object of the apostle's confidence.
Also, Paul calls Him "Father." As such, the Almighty has been pleased to reveal Himself to His creatures. Thus, Paul's confidence was based upon the loving, fatherly heart of the God of compassion. In His role as great Creator, God would be One to be feared; but He has revealed Himself also as a loving, merciful heavenly Father. God is great; AND God is good. He merits our utmost confidence.
Paul includes the name of another: "our Lord Jesus Christ." This One has mediated between the great God of the universe and sinful, depraved man-kind, bringing about a reconciliation. We who were once enemies of God through our transgression, can now come to Him as Father. Such an arrangement can do no less that inspire confidence.
"God . . . our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, shall guide us to you," says Paul confidently. We might say, "God is still in the driver's seat." He still directs the affairs of men. And more particularly, He still directs the affairs of His own children. Can we think for a moment that the God who sent His only begotten Son into the world to die for the world would ever betray the confidence of one who has trusted Him? Never! Can we imagine Christ, who died bearing the sins of the world on His sinless Person, forsaking or betraying one who has opened his heart's door to Him? God forbid! We need never fear that our God will ever cease to direct our affairs. May we always leave Him full control.
THE LORD MAKE YOU INCREASE AND ABOUND IN LOVE (12)
Paul expresses his confidence in the Lord in another direction. Super-abounding love was his desire for his young church. And after all, love is the very sweetest fruit produced by the union of the Vine and the branches. Love is the first fruit of the Spirit; it will never cease to be. It was the motive for the Godhead to work out the redemption of fallen man. God, through love, thought out the plan; Christ, in love, brought it down to man; the Holy Spirit wrought it in his heart. Love is the virtue that testifies to the world that we are followers of the lovely Christ. Though all other graces fail, love never faileth.
But had not Paul already commended these people for their love? He remembered, in verse three of chapter one, their "labour of love," and in our present chapter, verse six, he said: Timothy . . . brought us good tidings of your faith and love." But never to be satisfied to live forever in the initial experiences of salvation, Paul was confident that the Lord would "make (them) to increase and abound in love."
In Romans, Paul reminds us that "the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." He not only introduced us to Christ initially as the lover of our souls but daily He ministers the love of God in our hearts--channeling the ocean of God's love into our leaky, thimble-sized containers, offering our wavering love unto the unchanging Father, and knitting the hearts of the saints together in love "one toward another," and producing love "toward all men." This ministry remains for all who do not in any way "quench . . . the Spirit."
(THAT) HE MAY STABLISH YOUR HEARTS (13)
If Paul was confident that God would continually guide them and cause them to abound in love he was likewise sure that God would consummate the job He had begun and was continuing in them. Elsewhere he says, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." The coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is the event most looked-for by His waiting disciples. On that day they will be released from bondage and sorrow to dwell forever with their Lord. Oh, glorious day! And it SHALL come, though some mock and deny it. And, wonder of wonders, we shall on that bright day be "stablished . . . unblameable in holiness before God."
How can it be? One way only!
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
How thankful am I that when God looks at me He sees not my sin-stained person, but His blessed Son who bore my sins in His own body on the tree. No one, who reads these lines, can ever hope to stand before a holy God until he has first been cleansed at the cross of Christ. The Bible declares: "Neither is there salvation in any other," and Christ says, "No man cometh unto the Father, but by me." But if you have thus been cleansed, you may be forever confident that He will "stablish your heart unblameable in holiness before God."
Holy and blameless before God we stand,
But not of ourselves; for the perfect Man
Bore on His Person our sin and our shame,
That we might before Him stand without blame.
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