Editor and Wife -- Married 12 Years This Month
EDITORIAL
REPENTANCE, if not a forgotten word, is at least a forgotten experience in many fundamental churches.
"I . . . have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house," said Paul to the Ephesian elders, "testifying . . . repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." What was it this early preacher demonstrated by life and taught by word publicly and privately to all he met? -- Repentance! He exhorted one and all to be sorry for and turn from their sins. And then he called them to faith in Christ.
Somewhere along the way churches have dropped the first part of this message. I would be the last to minimize the latter part, but without the former, that of repentance, "faith toward . . . Christ" means absolutely nothing.
So, what happens? A man attends a fundamental church. He likes the church and its pastor and people, and decides to join. He makes his desire known and is called before the deacons where he answers in the affirmative some questions concerning the fundamentals of the faith, and concerning his faith in Christ. He is baptized, given the right hand of fellowship, and received as a member in good standing in the church.
All well and good, or is it? Where has there been any godly sorrow for sin and a turning from it? All has been done so matter-of-factly. And life goes on as usual. No repentance--no change in the life.
I am convinced the deadness of many of our doctrinally-sound churches is due in large part to receiving members who have not repented "toward God." I say it lovingly, but firmly, these people are not saved. My reader, if you find yourself here, weigh carefully the words of Jesus: "Except ye repent, ye shall . . . perish."
Sincerely,
Arthur E. Gordon, Editor
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Dear Shut-In . . .
EXCERPTS from
LILLIAN'S LETTERS
ISN'T IT GOOD to belong to the Lord? For you who don't, I feel sorry for you. In Jesus I've found the real joys of life. The things that really last and really satisfy come from Him. Why people do not accept a loving God just plain battles me. What is there outside of Christ? -- A self life.
What are self's naked qualities? -- egotism, greed, selfishness, the crisis moment of living, not really having foresight. With foresight we'd surely love ourselves enough to save ourselves an eternity of suffering. This life is but a vapor (James 4:14).
When I said, "Here I am Lord . . . all of me; not my will but Thine be done," here is what I found in Christ: an honorable associate, one full of wisdom, one who sticketh closer than a brother, royalty (and just think, He loves me!). Praise His name!
He is my Supplier, my Comforter, my Peace, and best of all my Savior. Take Christ out and Lillian is a skeleton--dead, dead, dead, without spirit, empty, lost, bewildered, completely frustrated, in darkness, without aim or purpose in life. He is my life, my joy, my all.
Losing ourselves and finding it in Him is not the worst thing that can happen. It's the "best-est." How can you enjoy such synthetic rollick for the moment, when the real, precious, and ideal is waiting for you?
No, Lillian is not perfect, not while she lives in this frame, but the heart determines to go through with Christ. Many are the times I've had to say, "I'm sorry Lord, forgive me;" maybe once in awhile to others too. The flesh is weak. We dare not trust ourselves, but HIM.
Someone wrote saying they thought that within our family was the idealism of life. There is perhaps a speck of truth in that, but perhaps I've misled you too. The devil is hot on our trail. Often he seems so close as to blister. Idealism is a word from heaven's dictionary. It does not really fit here. The devil has a big swift kick for anyone who's not on his side. That, we can count on.
The Lord says, "Put on the whole armour of God" (Ephesians 6:11). Now God wouldn't tell us to do that just to show us off or to inconvenience us. There's a battle, and He'll lead us safely. But we're not to act so self-righteous and sanctimonious as though we needed not a leader nor any fighting gear.
God wants a healthy army. What does it take to bring this about? It takes good meals, vitamins, work and exercise, joys, right companionships, rest. Good meals--Bible reading, church attendance. Vitamins--good gospel radio programs, devotionals, etc. Work--winning the lost, kindly entreating, the labor of love or participating in the work of the Lord. Exercise--jumping the devil's stumbling blocks. Joys--what greater joy than to have cleared the hurdles the devil set? Also what greater joy than to feel God squeeze you with His love?
Right companionships--communion with the Father (prayer), Christian associates. Rest--is determined by God as He sees the need. Then at the end the prize, HEAVEN.
What does the devil have to offer? He offers momentary thrills and then without warning a good swift kick into hell. Don't trust him. He lies. So many have fallen for his line. He feeds the ego till you're fatally asleep.
Remember, often the hard places are only protective wrap hiding the hidden treasure. We can't always see the why. God loves us. Love will not allow but the best. "All things (not just a few) work together for good to them that love God" (Romans 8:28).
Miss Lillian Butt suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. Before her illness she was a nurse.
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Prayer should be as natural to us as breathing,
and the Word of God as necessary as daily food.
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"I Thought I Was Finished"
By DANA M. PANKEY, D.D., Th.D.
The following article is part of two letters received by the editor from Dr. Pankey. It is reprinted here to introduce Dr. Pankey and his work to the readers of Triumph and with the hope that those in similar circumstances may be encouraged to keep on keeping on. It is also hoped that those who are well might be challenged to "look on the needs of others." The Lord willing we shall hear further from Dr. Pankey in future issues of Triumph.
I WAS VERY ACTIVE in preaching for almost 30 years, in radio, evangelistic meetings and pastoring. But suddenly on July 1, 1954, I had a cerebral hemorrhage, caused by high blood pressure, which paralyzed my entire left side and speech. Three more strokes followed within a month and each one was like kicking a fellow when he is already down. In short, the strokes finished my speech entirely, and got my throat too so that I couldn't even drink water.
As I lay in bed so long and was so long house-confined, I got very blue. Visitors just didn't come after a little while. Day after day I'd lay there without a soul coming near. I felt so helpless and thought I was "done for" and finished because I couldn't preach anymore. It was awful on a preacher to lose his power of clear speech. I felt like a piano player with paralyzed hands. I felt useless.
But I could still write, rather, scribble and print, so I began writing to other sick people. I'd write to every name on any sick list I could get hold of. Some answered and some didn't. But I soon discovered that most were very happy that someone was taking an interest in them. It seemed they all had the same old story, namely, that nobody came to visit them and they all felt lonesome and forgotten.
A few days ago a lady phoned me from here in Phoenix. She is bedfast. Hers was the same story of no visitors and she felt blue and forgotten. She ended up crying over the phone when I promised to come see her as soon as I could get out myself and agreed to write her now and send her my tracts. I told her I'd be glad to act as pastor to her and count her as one of my "members."
I used to be pretty good about visiting the sick, but now since I have become disabled myself I am surprised and amazed at how truly neglected they are. What I've heard more than anything else is: "Take care of yourself" . . . "Take it easy" . . . "Keep your chin up." But God's Word teaches that we should comfort and do something about it.
Jesus said, "Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Here He is talking about visiting the sick, helping the needy, etc. We are to "look on the needs of others," and to "weep with them that weep."
Some call me their "shut-in pastor," and I like it because it makes me feel that God still has a use for me in His service. I truly enjoy this type of ministry. I feel that I am ministering to a people who may otherwise not be reached with the gospel. It was very hard on me to give up an active public ministry for this more quiet type, but this is a much needed ministry and and a special ministry. And I think this is still preaching.
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THEY CAME OUT OF GREAT TRIBULATION
Revelation 7:14
EVERY ONE that gets to the throne must put his foot upon the thorn. The way to the crown is by the cross. We must taste the gall if we are to taste the glory. When justified by faith, God led them into tribulations also.
Some believers are much surprised when they are called to suffer. They thought they would do some great thing for God; but all that God permits them to do is to suffer.
Go round everyone in glory; everyone has a different story, yet every one has a tale of suffering. One was persecuted in his family, by his friends and companions; another was visited by sore pains and humbling disease, neglected by the world; another was bereaved of children; another had all these afflictions.
Mark, all are brought out of them. It was a dark cloud, but it passed away; the water was deep, but they have reached the other side. Not one of them blames God for the road He led them: "Salvation" is their only cry.
Are there any of you, dear children, murmuring at your lot? Do not sin against God. This is the way God leads all His redeemed ones. You must have a palm as well as a white robe.
No pain, no palm; no cross, no crown; no thorn, no throne; no gall, no glory. Learn to glory in tribulations also. "I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us."
-- Robert M. McCheyne
From "Memoirs of McCheyne" by Andrew A. Bonar. Used by permission of Moody Press, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois.
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ADVENTURE IN PRAYER
By REV. HARRY W. RICKARDS, JR.
(PART III)
(CONTINUED FROM THE APRIL ISSUE)
AS I SAT in my seat in the plane, thinking of all the experiences that were already behind us--experiences that spoke of the performance of God on our behalf, I wondered what lay ahead.
This was the first experience for us of flying any great distance, and here we were planning to fly through the night and much of the following day, over every type of terrain and, perhaps, through all kinds of weather. My thoughts went to that wonderful verse, John 10:4--"And when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them . . ." How good to know that He would go before us all the way. No matter what the difficulties--He would go before us? no matter what the weather--He would go before us. We were in the air just a few minutes when we flew through our first thunderstorm; but why worry when He goes before.
In a little over an hour and a half we landed in Detroit, Michigan, for a short stop; then, on to Chicago where we changed planes. From Chicago we flew, non-stop, to Seattle, Washington. All through the night we flew over the great Northwestern section of our country. We slept with confidence in our God. Are you familiar with the verse of Scripture in Psalm 4:8--"I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep; for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety?"
The last part of our flight was from Seattle to Anchorage. Most of this was over water and, consequently before our plane had even left the ground, the stewardesses were going through the cabin giving each one printed instructions as to what to do in case of a "ditching." Then we were shown where to find our life preservers and how to put them on. "A strange way to relax at the beginning of a trip," you say. Yes, but no need to be concerned. As "His own" we were conscious of His "going before."
Much of our flight was above the clouds. Up there in the bright sunlight it was hard to realize that those on the ground were having cloudy weather. We were reminded of a spiritual truth. This is where every Christian belongs--living above the "clouds" in the "sunlight" of His love. Only when we allow the clouds of circumstances to get between us and the Lord, is there "cloudy weather."
As we began our descent, in preparation for our landing on the Anchorage field, we flew down into this thick cloud-bank. It was rather a strange sensation to see, every little bit, a snow-capped mountain peak "fly by" our plane window. And although we could see nothing (at times, hardly the wing tips of our plane) we made a perfect landing and suddenly realized--we had arrived.
In Alaska!
How our hearts did rejoice that our God had so performed for us as to make this possible! The praise, the glory, the honour belongs to Him.
We planned to live with our missionary family, Rev. Fred Crozier and his wife, Sue, and the children, Jimmy, Ricka, Carol Sue, and Gordon. Fred and Sue were at the airport to meet us. How good it was to see them again, particularly, to see them in the setting where God had placed them. We had some one hundred and eighty miles to drive from Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula where Fred and Sue live and minister. The Kenai Chapel was our headquarters for all of our visiting.
We went to Alaska primarily to visit missionaries and see missionary work. We wanted to get a "picture" of missions. Fred and Sue took us everywhere on the peninsula that we might really "see" missions.
We visited the seaport town of Seward where we met a missionary family who have ministered there for eighteen years. In all that time they have had just one furlough. Think of it--eighteen years and home only once. Our lives were challenged as we met these dear servants of God who left home, loved ones, friends, things that were dear to them, that they might be found in the very center of God's will, living lives that "counted" for Him.
One Sunday morning we preached in a little chapel in Sterling, where there is a very fine young couple and their son. My, but I wish I could take you with me into the homes of some of these missionary couples, that you might listen to them praising the Lord for what they have (so little in comparison with what you and I have), listen as they laugh at themselves and some of their experiences, look at the home they live in--some with no plumbing, no running water, no lights. This couple in Sterling was telling us that in the wintertime they could never have a hot meal because the cold so went through their little frame house that the meal would be cold by the time they were ready to eat.
Another Sunday we preached in Soldotna, where there is another fine missionary couple. They live in a trailer, far too small for their needs. Theirs is a basement church that they literally built (with the help of some other missionaries) with their bare hands. We were told of one missionary family who had very little to eat and who had more than once sat down to a meal of popcorn. What little money these missionaries get does not always go into their own pocket. Much of their own personal funds finds its way into the missionary's church. We at home talk about all that we have "belonging to the Lord;" these missionaries practice it.
In the evening service in the little basement church at Soldotna we gave an invitation to those who would yield themselves completely unto the Lord. We had been preaching on the subject of Consecration. There were four or five who responded. One of them, a fine young man of about twenty-two, talked to me after the service. When I asked how long he had been saved, to my surprise he answered, "Two weeks." Here I had had the privilege of presenting to him for the first time from the Scriptures the message of a dedicated, wholly-yielded life to our Lord. And he accepted as soon as he heard it.
I asked him how he came to know Christ and was surprised to learn it was through Lee, the young carpenter of whom I wrote in the last article (see April issue of Triumph.) Lee saw this young man in the chapel one morning at Cooper's Landing, where Lee was building a church, and asked him if he was saved. The young man did not know what he was talking about. Lee took him over in the corner of the chapel and led him to Christ. And two weeks later the Lord gave me the joy of seeing him present himself wholly to God, Jesus Christ becoming not only his Saviour but also his Lord.
It was a peculiar joy for me; the Lord took a pastor from Pennsylvania and a missionary, who were originally separated by five thousand miles, and used them to lead a young man into a surrendered life in Christ. I thank God for a carpenter who went to Alaska to use his skill and ability for Christ in a very needy place. And I thank God also for the vision he is giving me as a pastor, of missions.
(To be continued)
From "OUR TRIP TO ALASKA," by Harry W. Rickards, Jr.; Condensed and adapted for TRIUMPH by the Editor.
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ABOVE THE CLOUDS
How lovely are clouds in the valley below,
With the sunshine above in golden glow!
With shifting fog and hazy mist,
And silvery raindrops, all sun-kissed!
May I see life's clouds from a lofty height,
But moments removed from pure sunlight,
Forever shifting, never still,
Yet, moving always at God's will.
Firm in the Heavenlies far above,
Clean surrounded by Christ's love,
May I look down on the clouds below
As heralds of blessing He'll bestow.
-- Cosa Elizabeth Reynolds
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SERMON SERIES
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER
No. 10
ON THIS ROCK
You Stand Or Stumble
I Peter 2:6-8
"WHAT DO YOU think of the Christ?" asked Jesus one day of some Pharisees who had gathered to hear Him speak. Varied have been the thoughts concerning Him ever since that day.
In the thinking of God, Christ is chief and precious. I, along with countless other believers, consider Him precious. But to others, and this the majority, He is an offence.
This same question Jesus directs to you: "What do YOU think of the Christ?" This is not something you can put from your mind with: "Oh, it make little difference one way or the other." Your place in eternity depends on your attitude toward Him. He stands squarely in your way. He stands directly between you and the future. What you do with Him determines what becomes of you.
Think with me through the verses which are before us. Judge yourself by the truth here presented. And remember, your destiny rests upon a right application of God's truth to your own heart.
CHRIST ESTABLISHED
"Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious . . ." (6a)
The verb in the Greek is in the present tense. Sion refers to Jerusalem. Thus God is saying: "I am laying in Jerusalem a chief corner stone." The corner stone refers to Christ.
God is in the process of building a spiritual edifice which will not only stand through time but throughout eternity for His pleasure and glory. But a building, to be sturdy, must have a firm foundation. More than 700 years before Jesus made His appearance in the flesh, God had prophesied through His servant, Isaiah, concerning the foundation of His edifice. "Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation."
God sent Christ to Jerusalem the first time, as He said, "a tried stone." He was born of a virgin, lived among men, suffered and was finally crucified. He was sent then as a Servant "to seek and to save that which was lost." But the laying of the foundation was not complete with that. God will yet send Him a second time to Jerusalem. This time He will come as King to reign, "a precious corner stone, a sure foundation."
Note, it is God who establishes Christ in both of these capacities. He is chief, chosen, and choice in the mind of God. What is He to you? "Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
CHRIST RECEIVED
" . . . and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious . . . " (6b-7a)
Some souls see Christ in the same light as does the heavenly Father. To them He is precious above all else. With them I gladly join my voice in praise to our great Redeemer: "Thou art fairer that the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever." Surely He "is the chiefest among ten thousand . . . Yea, he is altogether lovely."
But to whom is He precious? To those who "believe, he is precious." He is precious to those who put their trust in Him, to those who trust Him as their Savior, to those who yield to Him as their Lord.
He is precious to those who receive Him as God sent Him the first time--a Servant who, though "being in the form of God . . . made himself of no reputation . . . and . . . humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Many would readily take up the standard of a conquering, hero-type Christ; but to follow this lowly, suffering, dying Nazarene who offers only a cross, never! Let it be known to all such, however: to reject Him as Servant is to reject Him as King.
But there is a vast multitude of all ages who count Him precious:--they who have believed in Him. And what will be the end of those who believe? "He that believeth on him shall not be confounded." In an old-fashioned Methodist camp meeting, this would be the place for a hearty, AMEN.
This phrase in the original text may more accurately read: "He that is believing on him shall not, (emphatically) not to be put to shame."
"Are you sinking, Auntie?" came the anxious query to the aged and dying relative. "Sinking? she retorted, "How could I sink through a Rock?"
Jesus told of "a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended . . . the floods came . . . the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it FELL NOT: for it was founded upon a rock."
Who will weather the storms of life? Who will stand firm throughout eternity? Who will never be put to shame, confounded? They will stand who have build their lives on God's chief and elect and precious Cornerstone. Take courage, you who believe in Him, you who count Him precious, your foundation is sure and eternal.
But there is another side to the picture.
CHRIST REJECTED
" . . . but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed." (7b-8)
Unfortunately all do not see Christ in the same light as does the heavenly Father, and as do the believers. Many, rather, take offence at Him. They see nothing in Him worthy of their affection--"no beauty that (they) should desire him." Instead of being precious, the "chiefest among ten thousand," He repulses and offends them.
And to whom is He offensive?--"even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient." He is offensive to those who refuse to put their trust in Him, to those who will not trust Him as their Savior, to those who will not yield to Him as their Lord.
He is offensive to those who will not receive Him as God sent Him--a Servant, to suffer and die. "He came unto his own, and his own received him not." "(The) citizens hated him . . . saying, We will not have this man to reign over us." "And they were offended in him." "(And) they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him."
Your voice is raised with these if you have not believed in Christ as your Savior and Lord.
But wherein is the offence? People took offence when Christ came claiming to be the ONLY way to the Father in heaven. The same is true today.
"But what of the heathen?" you ask. Without Christ they are lost. "What of dear old grannie, who was always so kind and loving/" Without Christ she is lost.
"Do you mean to say that there is no other way to heaven, even for those who have never heard about Christ, who have a different religion than ours, who have their own prophets and religious leaders? You can't make me believe that!" you say.
But when you say this, you are really saying that Christ is to you "a rock of offence." You are stumbling "at the word" of God. And your main trouble is that you are "disobedient," and unbelieving.
What will be the end of those who disbelieve? They will "stumble" to their own destruction. The Bible says, "And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken." Jesus said, " . . . whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder."
You are dying, Thomas Hobbs, noted skeptic, what are your last words?--"I shall be glad to find a hole to creep out of the world at . . . about to take a leap into the dark." You are dying, Napoleon Bonaparte, military strategist, what are your final words?--"I die before my time, and my body will be given back to the earth. What an abyss between my deep misery and the eternal kingdom of Christ!"
You are dying, Francis Voltaire, infidel, what have you to say as you go out into eternity?--"I am abandoned by God and man." Let's hear from you, J. Wilkes Booth, assassin, what say you on your deathbed?--"Useless! Useless! And from you, Thomas Carlyle, philosopher, we would hear your parting words.--"I am as good as without hope . . . a sad old man gazing into the final chasm."
"A foolish man . . . built his house upon the sand," said Jesus, "and the rain descended . . . the floods came . . . the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it FELL: and great was the fall of it."
Who will stumble in the day of trouble? Who will stumble and fall into eternal ruin? Who will be confounded, put to shame? They will stumble who have rejected God's chief and elect and precious Cornerstone. They will be broken and crushed; "whereunto also they were appointed."
As the Father lays in Sion His chief corner stone whereby men by believing may be saved, just as surely has He appointed to eternal punishment those who reject Him. But you, my reader, need not pass into eternal punishment. God offers you His choicest gift. Christ will become your sure foundation if you but turn from your unbelief and receive Him as your Lord and Savior.
Indeed it is true that "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. BUT as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."
"The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal. The Lord knoweth them that are his." "I know them" said Jesus, "and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish."
On This Rock You Stand or Stumble. The choice is yours.
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Deep in our happy hearts we know that all that grieves us is but for a moment, and all that pleases is but for a moment, and only the eternal is important. -- Amy Carmichael
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