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&
Brooksyne Weber
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Monday, August
8, 2022
Safe Harbor Trestle
Click on photo to enlarge
Click on photo to enlarge
"The
Peril Of Silence"
Message
summary: God's people in any age are
called to confront evil and not remain silent.
"For if
you remain silent at this time, relief
and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another
place, but you and your father’s family will perish.
And who knows but that you have come to your royal
position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).
Today's verse is
Mordecai's challenge to Esther when the Jewish people were
threatened with annihilation at the time of Haman's evil
plot. It refers to a specific situation but is a timeless
example for God's people in any age as we confront evil
and acquiesce into silence rather than take a stand for
righteous living and speak up for truth.
I read a blog article
about being a "safe church". Now who wouldn’t be in favor
of having a safe church?
We
are thankful for good leadership that strives to keep
church safe in a variety of ways; safe, in the sense of
having protections against predators; safe, in the sense
of removing physical dangers that may cause harm; safe, in
the sense of seeking to protect congregants from threats.
We have check points in our church and enlist volunteers
who are on the look-out for any such dangers. You might
also consider people in your church who work hard behind
the scenes. Many churches, even smaller ones, now have
defibrillators available for any who may have an immediate
need to have their heart shocked back into proper rhythm.
Another
positive sense of being a safe church is a place where the
pastor and leadership are committed to sound Biblical
doctrine. You can listen to messages from the pastor’s
sermons, guest speakers, Sunday School, youth and
children’s ministries and be assured that your family is
consistently being taught the truth.
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 in the sense of a "safe church" being one that anyone can attend and always, regardless of their lifestyle, feel comfortable with the messages being preached. Essentially a safe church is a silent church.
This
type of safe church is where, "the messages are affirming
everyone in who they are without regard to their… well,
eternal state." A safe church in this sense is silent
regarding the moral, hot button issues of our day. After
all, someone might be hurt or offended and the message may
seem unloving. Of course there are now many "churches"
that affirm and even celebrate sinful behavior. But many,
many more, including so many in the category of
"evangelical", are just silent on these matters.
Alistair Begg said (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".
We
are thankful for good leadership that strives to keep
church safe in a variety of ways; safe, in the sense of
having protections against predators; safe, in the sense
of removing physical dangers that may cause harm; safe, in
the sense of seeking to protect congregants from threats.
We have check points in our church and enlist volunteers
who are on the look-out for any such dangers. You might
also consider people in your church who work hard behind
the scenes. Many churches, even smaller ones, now have
defibrillators available for any who may have an immediate
need to have their heart shocked back into proper rhythm.Another
positive sense of being a safe church is a place where the
pastor and leadership are committed to sound Biblical
doctrine. You can listen to messages from the pastor’s
sermons, guest speakers, Sunday School, youth and
children’s ministries and be assured that your family is
consistently being taught the truth.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 in the sense of a "safe church" being one that anyone can attend and always, regardless of their lifestyle, feel comfortable with the messages being preached. Essentially a safe church is a silent church.
This
type of safe church is where, "the messages are affirming
everyone in who they are without regard to their… well,
eternal state." A safe church in this sense is silent
regarding the moral, hot button issues of our day. After
all, someone might be hurt or offended and the message may
seem unloving. Of course there are now many "churches"
that affirm and even celebrate sinful behavior. But many,
many more, including so many in the category of
"evangelical", are just silent on these matters.Alistair Begg said (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".
The Scripture 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. Here's an example from Romans 13:11-14. We
encourage you to read it slowly and allow the grave
meaning to sink deeply 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".
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."
About 13 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 was noticeably uncomfortable. As I greeted the people at the conclusion of the service I detected a distinct coldness from her.
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."
About 13 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 was 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
and indicated she had a friend who was experimenting with
same sex attraction. 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
approving, embracing, or even celebrating 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.
A vital part of the high calling to preach the whole inspired counsel of God’s Word includes, "teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). The preaching of convicting passages from God’s Word should not be ignored, nor should "uncomfortable" passages be paraphrased in such a way as to be more palatable based upon the culture of our day or because some might perceive the message to be unloving. The truly loving message from the ministers of the gospel is to do everything possible to call sinners to repent and cease indulging in sinful attitudes and behavior that can lead to loss, destruction, and eternal damnation.
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". Let us not be silent!
A vital part of the high calling to preach the whole inspired counsel of God’s Word includes, "teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). The preaching of convicting passages from God’s Word should not be ignored, nor should "uncomfortable" passages be paraphrased in such a way as to be more palatable based upon the culture of our day or because some might perceive the message to be unloving. The truly loving message from the ministers of the gospel is to do everything possible to call sinners to repent and cease indulging in sinful attitudes and behavior that can lead to loss, destruction, and eternal damnation.
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". Let us not be silent!
Daily
prayer: Father, we seek
to be alert and sober-minded in this
generation where messages come from
every direction seeking to confuse,
delude, and undermine that which we
learn from Your holy Scriptures. Instead
of remaining silent or feeling despair
help us to see it as a challenge to more
deeply embrace and live according to the
timeless ancient Holy Word. Its truth
does not change according to the whim of
society. We resolve not to interpret
Scripture in light of our generation,
but instead we interpret our generation
in light of Scripture, clearly defining
right and wrong, good and bad as taught
in Scripture not in the “scholarly”
academia of our time. We must keep our
head in all situations on a personal
level as well as that which affects our
society at large. We desire a clear
mind, trusting spirit, and a steady aim
at following You no matter the cost. In
the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.* “Whole counsel of God” is a 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.
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"Same
God/Great Is Thy Faithfulness"
Video
Calvary Church worship team from our
service yesterday. A nice medley of a
new song followed by an old one,
timeless biblical truths presented in
each of them!
"What He's Done" Video Passion
Conference Praise God for what
He's done! Let this song lift your
spirit and give you perspective!
Live version Video I am
blessed to see the variety of people
worshiping. Red and yellow, black and
white, just like heaven!
My sins
are forgiven,
my
future is heaven,
I
praise God for what He's done!
Early
Saturday morning I took a long bike ride
along the Susquehanna River to visit the
recently renovated Safe Harbor trestle
which is now open to rail trail traffic.
The view
from above looking down the Susquehanna
River which runs into Chesapeake Bay.
This section of the trail is very remote
due to the bluffs along the river. Five
miles to the trail head above here and
three miles below.
Click on photo to enlarge
The view
looking up the Susquehanna River. The
lower rail line is still active.
Seen to
the left is the Safe Harbor Dam and
Generating Station.
Click on photo to enlarge
This
section of the rail trail is called the
Enola Low Grade, named for the special
line put in during the early part of the
last century. The Atglen &
Susquehanna Branch of the
Pennsylvania Railroad (commonly referred
to today as the Enola Low-Grade) is one
of the greatest feats of engineering
marvels in Lancaster County. The goal of
this ambitious project? Create a
low-grade railroad line with no slope
steeper than one percent and no curve
sharper than two degrees. It was used
for freight while the historic main line
(which still runs through Mount Joy) was
used for passengers.
Click on photo to enlarge
A close
up of the way letters are formed on the
sign!
To me
it's a reminder of a key truth in Titus 2:11-14.
This
setting looks like a pleasant place to
watch the sunset.
Click on photo to enlarge
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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 make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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