Got Fruit? buds? anything?

Mark 11:13-14 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

Bro. Marcus covered this Sunday morning. He showed the relationship of the tree to Israel. When I read this, I see that it is still the state of our churches today. We have leaves but no fruit and no potential for fruit. We are so busy with maintenance (keeping members happy), because of a lack of pruning that we produce no fruit. Anyone who raises a a garden, fruit trees or even just tomatoes can tell you the you get more fruit by pruning. While the thought of this is scary to many, it should not be as it is scriptural. First we need to prune the sinful things from our lives. (Matt 7:3 - "And why beholdest thou the mote(twig) that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? " ). Many times when someone in a church does something someone in a position of authority doesn't like then we see the "He/She's gotta go!" mentality! No opportunity is given for reconciliation. Someone's feelings are hurt, and they just want someone to pay! This is not "Pruning", but the work of Satan! Pruning may involve asking people not to come back (2 Cor 5:5 - To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus), but never with that attitude. Discipline is about teaching, not punishment.

When was the last time some one was baptized at your church? If it has been more than a month, then that should mean that there is none lost in the community where you live. I think it is safe to say that no matter where you live that is not the case. We as Christians are not doing what we are called to do ( Matt 28:19-20 - "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." ). Most of us do not appear different from the world, except than on Sunday Mornings. Are you a "Sunday Morning Christian". Does the world simply see you as a "Good Person" by man's standard? Let's hope not!

If you were put on trial for being a "Christian" how hard would it be to convict you? How many people outside the church could testify that you are indeed a Christian?

In the time it took you to read this 20 people died and went to face God! Who will be next? Your next door neighbor? A co-worker? A family member? Or YOU OR ME?

We do not know how much time we have.


Go and share the Gospel before it is too late!

Remember gospel tracts are available at
www.livingwaters.com

The Bible is full of mistakes!

Most Christians argue that there are no mistakes in the Bible. You know that is just not true! I believe Eve made the first recorded mistake. Then Adam followed suit. Nest was Cain... He made 2 almost back to back. First he brought the wrong type of offering to God as a sin offering, then he got made and killed his brother because of his own sin. Here is another example, Saul. He was tall, head and shoulders above other men and chosen as the first King of Israel. Because of his sin, God chose David as his successor. So what did Saul do? He tried everything he could to kill David!

Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort publish a Gospel Tract the is 160 pages of everything man has learned from history. Do you know what is on those pages? NOTHING!

We are no different from Cain or Saul, when we are confronted with our sin, instead of acting like David and falling on our face and repenting, instead of begging for God's forgiveness, we try to kill God's messenger. Sin runs rampant in our churches today an no one is willing to address the problems for fear of the "Kill the Messenger" syndrome that we all suffer from. Sad but true!

What are we doing wrong? Well for one, when was the last time you attempted to share the gospel with anyone? Can you even remember? Have you ever tried? I think the trip Our youth went on was great, they learned to pass out Gospel Tracts! Hayden shared how difficult this was for him and how God placed someone in his path to encourage him. You know, it really is not that hard! Try slipping one to the clerk at WalMart or Brookshires next time you check out! that is always a good place to start. They have to be polite! It is in their job description! If you don't believe me just ask their manager. They can throw it away after you leave but you know if the tract is good enough they will read it on their next break. (I recommend the tracts by Living Waters.)

You know sometime I hear friends say they want to share the gospel with someone but they are afraid they might push them away. My question is where are you gonna push them? Hell? that is where they are headed are ready! Is that person a friend? Next time you are looking at them face to face ask yourself, "What is it going to feel like when my friend who now stands before me dies and goes to Hell? If his/her family asks me to speak at their funeral, what could I say?" How are you going to feel if that person is killed on their way home? If they have a heart attack and die 30 seconds after you part company? I know this is not pleasant to think about, but you know we must!

We as Christians must get serious about sharing the Gospel with our friends and loved ones. We must get serious about sharing the Gospel with the world. We must get serious about enabling others to reach the world with the Gospel. Who are you helping to share the Gospel in some other region of the globe? who do you help in our notion to share the Gospel? who in our state?
Are you active in our community?

Think about this! Saul made mistakes and tried to punish others when confronted, David made mistakes and repented when confronted! Saul was demon oppressed, David was called a man after God's own heart! which do you want to be today?

Saul or David?
Cain or Able?

Saul or Paul?
Hmmm that is interesting.... While they were physically the same man, definitely 2 different men! Both fanatical! Saul was doing what he thought was right! Paul did whatever God showed him to do!

Jesus call James and John and to them "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men!"

Are you watching the news about Israel? Time is running out!

Let's go fishing while men still have time! Do not hesitate go today!

Accountability Groups!

I bet you are saying, "Hmmm!! what do accountability groups have to do with the great omission?"

Accountability groups are the result of the "Great Omission". That is they have been created because when "the Gospel" is preached it has been distorted to a feel good message. "Trust Jesus and you will have a better life." This is unscriptural to say the least! As a result of not confronting the "SIN" issue, we create "false converts", people who think they are followers but in reality are NOT! They follow the teachings of some "Mega-Church" pastor who is really only interested in building "his church" and selling "his books".

Accountability groups are present because we do not understand that when we sin "GOD IS WATCHING." We have no true faith. Faith indicates action. (James 1:18) James clearly taught that FAITH brings forth action. Our actions are the result of our faith. If our faith in Christ is weak then our accomplishments for Christ are small. Jack Shelton was a man of faith, his actions lead to the conversion of many to Christ, and is still leading individuals to Christ!

So, now you are probably think I have gotten off topic again! Not really, You see we need accountability groups because we:

1. Dont believe God is watching us.
2. Don't truly believe he is going to punish us.
3. Don't truly understand the nature of our sin.
   

We often try to justify our actions by comparing ourselves to "other so called Christians". This is not from scripture! We are to compare ourselves to Christ Himself and only to Christ! He is "THE STANDARD" not our pastor, not the head of the deacons or our Sunday school teachers. Christ alone is "the standard" for how we live and act. Accountability groups are here because we just don't get it. When we are saved, if we are truly saved, we get an automatic accountability partner, Jesus Christ. He knows everything and will hold us accountable.

Now while I believe the "Accountability Group" is unnecessary for the True Christian, Prayer partners are not! That is what we need, prayer partners! Husbands, if your wife is a Christian, you have have one! If your wife can't be your prayer partner, your marriage is in trouble! Wives this is a 2 way street, same goes for you. This is not to say that you can't have additional prayer partners, but for a married couple thier closest prayer partner should be each other. But you "Accountability Partner" is still Jesus Christ.

Remember he not only holds us accountable for that which we do, but also that which we do not do!

Carry the law to show the sinner that they have sinned, and that there is a standard, God's standard. Then share the Gospel while the world still has time.

Don't waste another minute! Go Today

10 out of 10 people DIE!!!

Did you take the time to share the Gospel with the grocery store clerk today? What about the clerk at the local gas station? The lost co-worker? anybody? did you even pass out a tract? did you do anything that set you apart? If you are a child of King Jesus, then you should be going through a process of sanctification ( to be sanctified is to be set apart ), are you different? How does someone who does not know you know that you are different? Is it totally evident in your life? Does the foul mouth co-worker change their language when you walk into the room?

Do you practice friendship evangelism? At what point are you going to tell that friend about Jesus? Remember 10 out of 10 people! over 250,000 per day, over 10,000 per hour, 180 per minute, approx 3 per sec. Even if you are a fast reader, more than 10 people have passed into eternity since you started reading this document, for most more like 20 have DIED! That could very well include that friend you have been just "living the life in front of them, waiting for them to ask you".

Picture this! It is Sunday morning 9:40am, Sunday School starts at 9:45am you are pulling out of you driveway and just have enough time to make it to church on time. You are in charge of the lesson this morning, so class cannot start without you. On your way to the church you see you fire boiling out the eves of a close friends house. They have a large picture window in the living room and you see them relaxing in the living room apparently unaware of the fire. Out of concern for their safety you would stop( at least I hope you would) and warn them, you would not even stop to knock on the door, you would burst into their home to warn them, to get them out before the fire consumed them. What if they told you "We don't believe in fire and therefore that our house is on fire" Would you get back in your car and continue to church? NO WAY! You would do everything in your power to convince them of immediate danger of the fire. We must not let "Church" get in the way of ministry, but as a church we should be "going about ministry" We should be reaching the lost! That is our calling

Well YOUR LOST FRIENDS ARE IN IMMEDIATE danger of perishing in the fires of HELL. We must share the gospel with them TODAY!

Why do you think the apostles were willing to give their lives for the Gospel? THEY GOT IT!!! They realized then that 10 out of 10 people die, and without forgiveness from Jesus 10 of 10 will go to HELL.

I was listening the the radio while carrying my daughter to school this morning and A guy was talking about a Christian event this weekend in Luna (south of Bawcomville) he said that he had some lost friends that after he got to heaven "I don't want to get there and say you know old Joe would have really enjoyed this" Well the pleasures of heaven should not be our only motivation to get there. they should not even be discussed in the presentation of the Gospel, the point is WE ARE ALL SINNERS.... YEP 10 out of 10 us! that is what the Bible says, Rom 3:23 We need forgiveness!!! We must ask for the forgiveness and turn from our wicked ways. Place our faith and trust in him and him alone, We should then allow God to begin to Sanctify us, that is set us apart! We are to be in the world but not apart of the world.

You will not hear me say that our church or our denomination is the only one going to Heaven, in fact I do not believe that most of our church or denomination are going. From what I see, I have a hard time believing that half of those professing Christianity are going. You may be wondering what do I base this on? Well, If you are a saved, YOU ARE CALLED to evangelism, Look at the woman at the well. She was a harlot, but once she received salvation, she immediately began to bring other to Christ. She told everybody she knew and many who only knew her reputation, and some who had not met her, she told the whole town... She brought them all to hear the Gospel. She did not wait until she had spent years studying the scriptures before she began to bring others to Jesus, she began immediately... While Jesus witnessed one on one, he sent his disciples out 2 by 2. Notice in Mark 6:7-9, he did not send the disciples out with a bible, no scrolls. He sent them out only with the Gospel that was in their hearts. We too should be prepared to share our faith without the aid any printed material. I am not trying to deemphasize the importance of the Bible but rather to emphasize the importance of having that scripture written on our heart.

Notice The woman at the well with no theological foundation brought the people to hear the gospel, the disciples who had been taught by Jesus went to share the gospel without bringing everyone back. If you gave your heart to Jesus in the last 12 months You should be reading your bible daily. If you gave your heart to Jesus 30 years ago you should have read through the bible multiple times since then, you should be feeding on the word and not simply waiting for the "Pastor" to feed you on Sunday morning. If you have no more desire to learn more about Jesus than to allow the pastor to be your only source of doctrine, You should examine yourself to see if you are indeed a True Believer. If the 12:01pm or later Sunday is your idea of the pastor keeping you too long, then you need to examine yourself to see if you are indeed a Christian! (1 Cor 13:5). When the pastor lets you out of the morning service before midnight, by New Testament standards, it was a short message. We are not to be coming to church for what we get out of it, but only to gather together to worship the King who saved us from eternal flames of Hell with we rightly deserve. We see that Paul preached an service one evening and at midnight, Eutychus fell a sleep, and fell to his death from a 3rd floor window, was raised from the dead and the service lasted until day light. Now remember that the jobs held by individuals at this time were not like our easy air conditioned offices, they had no power tools to carve the stone and cut the wood. no fork lift to move the merchandise around. It was mostly manual labor. and they were not complaining, they stayed and gladly listened to the gospel message and teachings of Paul.

So quit your belly aching and making excuses,

JUST go share you faith while THEY STILL HAVE TIME!!!

TIME IS RUNNING OUT... GO TODAY!!!!

You can order really effecitve tracts from www.livingwaters.com
and receive more encouragement from www.wayofthemaster.com & www.wayofthemasterradio.com

Passing out Tracts!

Many people do not pass out tracts because they are not sure how to go about it. Well it is simple! JUST DO IT! I recently purchase a new study bible from Living Waters called "The Evidence Bible". There is an inset at the top left in Mark Chapter 4 titled "Where to Leave Tracts" and here is the list they share:

* At Pay Phones (we dont see many of these any more)
* In shopping carts
* In clothes pockets in stores
* In letters to loved ones
* With a "generous" tip
* On seats in restaurant lobbies
* With fast-food employees, cashiers, flight attendants, cab drivers and gas station workers
* in restrooms
* At rest areas
* On ATM's and bank counters
* In envelopes with bill payments
* In elevators
* On hotel dressers for the maid
* on ice machines
* On newspaper racks
* In waiting rooms of doctors offices and hospitals ( I missed an opportunity this past week )
* On seats at airports, subways and bus stations
* In plane seat pockets
* Inside magazines
* In cabs
* In Laundry mats

After looking at this list I bet you can think of even more places. At the grocery store, the video store, Walmart employees.

Some people never get out of thier house but they still have people come and visit them, they can leave tracts on the coffee table and give them out then. Those who are more blessed financially can order tracts in large quantities and give them to trustworthy individuals to be passed out in grocery stores and malls, to be left with "Generous tips" (even if the service was bad, that is called grace, receiving a gift we don't desrve)

We see people everyday who do not have a real relationship with Jesus. Many are like I was, relying on a prayer from childhood. We are not save by words crossing the lips. We are saved by Faith, evidenced by a total surrender, by realizing there is nothing we can ever do to repay what God has done for us thru his Son, Jesus. You know we must first come before the throne and realize that we need forgiveness, that without what Jesus did on the cross, we cannot make it to Heaven, That he is the way the truth and the light, that no one come to the Father but by him. I am not talking about head knowledge that Jesus is real or that he died for our sins, even the demons believe that. I am talking about true faith.

If placed in the position of choosing Christ & death or renounce Christ and life what would you do? Really! What would you do? Abdul Rahman chose Christ and was spared for the wrath of the government but now lives in hiding in Afghanistan today in fear for his life. Yet he has not renouced the Christ! He never waivered in the face of execution. Would you do the same? The Bible teaches us to examine ourselves and see if we are in the faith. I urge you to do this today!

You know that in America it is very unlikely that you will be injured in any way for sharing your faith. In fact, You are more likely to be injured in a car accident than to be injuered sharing your faith. I was in Hobby Lobby today and gave out a couple of million dollar bills. In Wal-mart Tuesday I was able to give some Ten Commandment coins, and another tonight at Chille Verde

Take 9 minutes and listen to this "George Street"

Then "Go & Share your faith while THEY still have time!"

Remember the disciples were cowards on Friday and willing martyrs from the day of pentecost on. Paul was stoned, beatened, jailed, shipwrecked and willingly went to his execution in Rome. All this in an effort to share the Gospel.

Don't trust HEARSAY!

Hearsay in its most general and oldest meaning is a term used in the law of evidence to describe an out of court statement offered to establish the facts asserted in that statement. Hearsay is generally not admissible in common law courts because it is of suspect value, but there are many exceptions to this prohibition.

Why is hearsay inadmissible? Because when we repeat what someone said, we repeat what we think who heard or what we think he/she meant. The problem is that we usually get something about that wrong. Do I have you wondering where I am going?

Genesis 3:3 "of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die."

Well, this is the first example of hearsay in the scripture. It was not to long after creation. God gave Adam instruction concerning the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in

Genesis 2:17 "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."

We see here that Eve got it wrong! God never said you cannot touch the tree, he said do not eat of the tree! Either Adam or Eve added to God's words.

Now my point here is, how often do we sit in the sanctuary, in Sunday School class or simple talking with friends about scripture and we here something and it sounds right and we simply agree or accept it as fact. We should always prove the scriptures for ourselves. Here is an example, you have heard the saying "Spare the rod and spoil the child!" well that is almost rooted in scripture.

Proverbs 13:24 "He that spares his rod hates his son: but he that loves him chastens him betimes."

Betimes, by the way, means "early".

Now that sheds new light on that one doesn't it. It states if we love them we will punish them when they need it. And if we don't punish them we hate them, the word spoil is not used at all. Are you starting to see what I am talking about? Not just with this verse but with all verses, anytime we are told that the Bible says, we should not go tell others that the Bible says until we have studied it for ourselves. A lot of my beliefs growing up were based upon what someone told someone who told me. When it comes to God's Word we have no excuse for not getting this right from the God's Word.

A few years ago, I went through a 3 year Bible study course. This has been helpful in studying the Bible on my own and has really enlightened me as to how much I was relying on hearsay. I have started studying back through the Bible at a much slower pace with a goal for even more understanding. We cannot rely on the study of others we must study for ourselves. Not sure how to study, well simply start one chapter at a time, and keep in mind that our Bible is not assembled in chronological order. If you would like to study the Bible the chronological I would suggest using the Willmington's Guide to the Bible.

Study your bible so the you can give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear ( 1 Pet 3:15 ).

There goes another minute, gone forever!
GO SHARE YOUR FAITH WHILE THEY STILL CAN LISTEN!!!

The Great Omission

You heard of the Great Commission, in today's churches this has become the Great Omission. Most Christians have forgotten the call, or are they really Christians. Do most Christians live in violation of the 1st Commandment? ( Thou Shalt have no other gods before me! ) or the 2nd? ( Thou shalt not make any graven images? ) Most of us say we haven't, but look at that one again! A graven image, whether physical or mental, is a god we create first in our minds. We often say to ourselves, "My God would not ask me to to take a stand that could cost me my job!", Well the god you created in your mind probably would not, but the God of the Bible would ask you to take a stand that would cost you even more, he might ask you to give your life. 10 of the original 12 were martyred, 1 was inprisoned for life on the isle of Patmos. Missionaries in other countries die almost daily for thier faith even today. Some, like Rachael Scott of Columbine, are called to give thier lives right here in this country, while we as "so called Christians" are afraid to stand up when our jobs might be on the line. We are afraid to speak the name of Jesus. We cower at the threat of a lawsuit and yet we call ourselves Christians. We live in fear, when we should be living in VICTORY. The battles is over!!! It was won on the cross 2000 years ago yet we are still hiding in the shadows like the apostles did before the resurrection. These men face persecution like we never have and yet they stood and preached, they preached until they where executed. Paul is recorded to have praised God from the jail even after being beat within an inch of his life. AND WE DONT WANT TO OFFEND ANYONE!!! We dont want to drive them away! Whe are we gonna drive them to? WHERE? WHERE? Is there somewhere else besides Hell? Somewhere worse? The bible I study says there is not! God is plain we all will end up in one of 2 places, Heaven or Hell! If they are already going to Heaven there is nothing we can do to prevent that (John 10:29 - "My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. "). Sadly many will be in Hell because of our apathy. This makes me look at "we so called Christians" and wonder if we truly are saved.

As Charles Surgeon put it, "Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that." I agree with that statement. While we are not all called to be Billy Grahams, Charles Spurgeons, Jack Sheltons, we are all "CALLED", the Great Commission is a call to all Christians everywhere. Not just a few. If you still draw breathe then "The Great Commission" applies to YOU!!

Some of you are saying well I am not sure, I am no preacher, I am no teacher, my health is failing, my eyes are bad, my knees are bad. Well there is good news, the definition of preach is this "speak, plead, or argue in favour of" If you can "speak" then you are qualified to "preach" the gospel to every person you see. That is tell them what God did for them, but don't forget to start like Jesus did, first he pointed out the need for a savior. He pointed out thier "SIN" and he did something we are often afraid to do today. He called sin, SIN. If you need help learning to share your faith by way of the LAW ( the 10 commandments ) then try visiting:

http://www.wayofthemaster.com.

The easiest way to begin is to start by simply handing out tracts. I purchase my tracts from Living Waters I have rarely had someone refuse one of thier tracts and never had anyone get upset with me. Most people thank me and continue on thier way, some ask questions but most just say "Thanks". My favorites are the 10 Commandment Coins, Million Dollar Bills and the Smart Cards
All of these are effective and get peoples attention. The 10 Commandment coins are great to give out at prarades and festivals where people are already in the mode of collecting the aluminum tokens.

So as Kirk Cameron & Ray Comfort say. "Don't waist another minute, Go and share your faith while you still have time!!!"

God Bless You