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<Previous Message Next Message> Tuesday, November 18, 2014 ![]() Sunrise at JK Mechanical office near Willow Street, PA (Photo taken by Ester) ![]() This week we are sharing a series of messages from Romans 13:11-14 "Understanding The Present Time"
(Part 2) "The Call To Not Be A Safe Church" "And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature" (Romans 13:11-14). I recently read a blog article about being a "safe church". Now who wouldn't be in favor of having a safe church? ![]() ![]() However the "safe church" blog article I referred to was written in the sense of "a safe church" not being a good thing! He wrote of a "safe church" being one that anyone can attend and always, regardless of their lifestyle, feel comfortable with the messages being preached. ![]() Yesterday we had opportunity to listen to Alistair Begg's "Truth for Life" radio broadcast where he presented an excellent message dealing with "Graven Mistakes". (link below) I believe it was Alistair who also said to his people (to the effect), "Some feel that a good sermon will make people feel comfortable, but I feel that a good sermon will challenge the people." Today's Scripture section contains some hard-hitting truths that I suspect many safe churches would stay away from addressing if the leadership's goal is solely intent on making the congregation feel comfortable. We encourage you to read it again slowly and allow the grave meaning to sink deep into your spirit: "And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature" (Romans 13:11-14). Quoting again from the blog article, "You will never hear such words [such as the Romans passage above] in a safe church. They are too busy trying to give uplifting little ditties to make you feel good about yourself, no matter how sinful you really are." Several years ago I had an interim pastoral role in a small country church. In the course of preaching the "whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27)* God laid upon my heart a Biblical message dealing with sexual morality. As I preached I observed a young college-aged girl who grew noticeably uncomfortable. As I greeted the people at the conclusion of the service I detected a distinct coldness from her. Later I spoke to her mother who told me that she indeed was quite uncomfortable with the message. "I would not be comfortable bringing my friends to a church like this", she related to her mother. She did not come back and it saddened our hearts to consider that she, along with growing numbers of youth and adults in recent years, are embracing lifestyles not aligned with the teaching of Scripture, due to its acceptance and endorsement through the media, education, politicians and the experimental social engineers of our day. ![]() This repentance remains the Biblical call for all believers who want to truly follow God. We must be sober minded and behave decently. Let us "clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature". Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber ![]() * "Whole counsel of God" is phrase used by Paul in his message to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20. The sense seems to be that he preached on every aspect of God's Word. The NASV renders it, "For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God." The faithful preacher will see that He preaches a balance from all of God's Word. Certainly messages on God's love, faithfulness, grace and forgiveness will be at the forefront but also messages on living holy lives and specifying what the Bible affirms as sin. One dynamic I have noticed in the last several years is an amplification of any preaching on moral matters to those who have been conditioned by the world to be sensitive to this truth. ![]() Willow Valley stone farmhouse and barn Last Friday morning we had our first light snow cover of the season. We first saw it in an area south of Lancaster City in Willow Street. (Click for larger view) Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Monuments" Video Legacy Five One of Brooksyne's favorite songs that speaks of the monuments we must leave for our children to find the way home. "Don't move the landmarks set up for your children so they can find the way home." "Heroes Of The Faith" Video Legacy Five Listen to this song and consider someone in your life who left a legacy of faith. Are you leaving a legacy of faith? "Is Your Church Safe?" Article referred to in the message "Truth for Life" with Alistair Begg An excellent Bible teacher Finally: Yesterday I came across this video that demonstrates just how crazy things are getting as man abandons God. "They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen" (Romans 1:25). If you choose to watch this keep in mind that these people almost certainly would have no problem with the killing of unborn babies. To receive the "Daily Encouragement" each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe to our email list. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or through a Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page.) ![]() Permissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. I do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact. Text only version for printing: To make a text only version for printing (without photos or any of the supplemental materials) 1) Open the basic text editor that comes with all computers (known as wordpad, textpad, etc.) You can also use a program like Word and select paste text only. 2) Select and copy the text from the portion of the message you want to print. 3) Paste into the text pad. (The photos won't show up but you will have a brief text description of the photo which you can delete or just ignore.) 4) Format if you desire (change font, increase or decrease size, etc.) 5) Print! Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version. Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity." © Copyright 2014 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA |