Are You Able To Blush?

The prophet Jeremiah lived among people who had become insensitive toward sin. Through the prophet God declared, “Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; They did not even know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time that I punish them, They shall be cast down, says the Lord” Jer 6:15. We too, live in a generation that is insensitive toward sin and wickedness. Like those in Jeremiah's time most do not even blush at the immorality and ungodliness around them. There are many people who “although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them" Rom. 1:32.

Those who are the people of God, however, regardless of the acceptance of evil of those around them, are always brought to sorrow concerning sin. Not only are they sorrowful for their own shortcomings, but they are heart broken because of the sin around them. Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet because he wept so concerning the wickedness of his generation and the punishment they faced as a result. “Oh, that my head were waters, And my eyes a fountain of tears, That I might weep day and night For the slain of the daughter of my people! O that I had in the desert A wayfarers' lodging place; That I might leave my people, And go from them! For all of them are adulterers, An assembly of treacherous men. And they bend their tongue like their bow; Lies and not truth prevail in the land; For they proceed from evil to evil, And they do not know Me, declares the Lord. Let everyone be on guard against his neighbor, And do not trust any brother; Because every brother deals craftily, And every neighbor goes about as a slanderer. And everyone deceives his neighbor, And does not speak the truth, They have taught their tongue to speak lies; They weary themselves committing iniquity. Your dwelling is in the midst of deceit; Through deceit they refuse to know Me, declares the Lord” Jer 9:1-6.  Does this sound anything like the condition of the society that we live in? How many today have forsaken the sanctity of marriage? How many have divorced and remarried without the approval of God, thus living in adultery? This is accepted by the majority, with few disturbed over it. In our society, as in Jeremiah's day, “lies and not truth prevail in the land” and men “proceed from evil to evil” and do not know God. In many places people today have to “be on guard against his neighbor.” Most think nothing of lying and being deceitful.

Jeremiah cried out, "My soul will sob in secret for such pride; and my eyes will bitterly weep and flow down with tears…” Jer 13:17. What is your attitude toward this wickedness? Are you like Jeremiah who sorrowed over these things? Is your heart pained at the evil around you? Do you blush at vulgarity and immodesty, or does it not bother you?

The people of God should always be grieved over sin. The psalmist declared “My eyes shed streams of water, because they do not keep Thy law” Ps. 119:136. Centuries later the apostle Paul wrote the church at Corinth, a congregation that had become tolerant of immorality and ungodliness. Paul stated that out of much affliction and anguish of heart he wrote to them with “many tears” 2 Cor 2:4. Though this apostle suffered many hardships and physical persecution, it was sin and wickedness of his brethren that brought him to tears. We are not told if Jesus shed a tear while He faced the torturous death on the cross. But the Scriptures tell us as He approached the city of Jerusalem shortly before His death He “wept over it” Lk. 19:41. He lamented saying “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling” Mt. 23:7. Those who love God not only blush at sin, but lament over sin and wickedness. They turn from it and seek forgiveness through repentance and baptism Acts 3:19; 22:16. They then strive to live faithfully and turn others from unrighteousness Mt. 5:13-16. Are you able to blush?

Paul Smithson

Often, when we think of great characters in the Bible, we think of famous and well known men who sacrificed all for the will of the Lord. Perhaps Paul, Stephan, Peter, and John from the New Testament are some of the first men we think of. Or perhaps Old Testament characters come to mind: Noah, Moses, Elijah, David and Solomon are just a few of the most well known men in the Bible.

There can be much to gain from conducting a character study of each of these men. For example, is our dedication as strong as theirs? Does our faith compare to what we read about them? Would we be willing to sacrifice as they? Is the cause of Christ as real to us as much as it was to them? Would/is God pleased with the way that we currently lead our lives? These are serious questions we need to ask ourselves from time to time. Studying characters of the Bible can be a good thing. Remember, Paul told us in 1 Cor 11:1 to Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

Silas was a New Testament Bible character that is perhaps not as well known as the ones mentioned above. But we do know that he was an important member of the first century church. From Acts 15:40, we find he traveled with Paul on his second missionary journey. It is in the book of Acts that we read of how Silas encouraged and strengthened brethren throughout Asia Minor. Acts 15:32 Certainly he was a man that is worthy of our consideration.

Silas was dependable and someone who could be trusted. In Acts 15:22 we find that the church at Jerusalem chose Silas and Barsabas to go to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas to settle a problem concerning circumcision. There was a mission to accomplish and the apostles, elders, and the even the entire congregation at Jerusalem knew they would do what they set out to do. They could be depended upon. When it comes to duties to the Lord's church can you be depended upon? If you are chosen to teach a Bible class, lead prayer, lead singing, etc. can others know that you will be there doing your part for the Lord?

Silas was a worker. As already mentioned, Silas traveled with Paul on his second missionary journey. This missionary journey almost cost the lives of Paul and Silas in Philippi Acts 16:16-24, and Thessalonica Acts 17:5-9. As one reads Acts 15:40-18:22 one will find that Silas was involved in the work of the Lord. He was willing to sacrifice everything so that the cause of Christ would be glorified. Are you a worker for the Lord? Is the work of the Lord priority one in your life? Many children of the Lord find themselves caught up in all kinds of activities that take them away from doing work for the Lord. In the eighties there was a popular song called, "What Have You Done For Me Lately?" To coin a phrase, what have you done for the Lord lately? Would you be willing to sacrifice as Silas so that people would be able to hear the gospel and be strengthened therein?

The influence of Silas was felt - even by the apostle Paul. In Acts 18:5 we find that Silas and Timothy returned to Paul from Macedonia. Because of their return and support of him, he was compelled to preach to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. Sometimes Christians have a tendency to discredit their own worth and efforts put forth for Christ. The fact is, we know not oftentimes who is looking up to us for support and encouragement. Our influence can be so important. Influence is not a little thing. Practically everyone has someone they look up to for guidance. Each one of us is important. Be sure to watch your influence and remember every person can influence someone for good.

Silas had a tremendous faith in the Lord. In Acts 16:16-24 we read they had been handed over to the authorities because of exceedingly trouble our city and they teach us customs which are not lawful for us...v. 20-21 In v. 24 we find them imprisoned in the inner prison and their feet in stocks. What a depressing situation. All hope seems to be lost. What is their attitude during this? Read v. 25. Praying & singing hymns to God during such a time is evidence they knew with God all things are possible. Mt. 19:26 Certainly their faith was strong. What a lesson for us. Ultimately we know they were delivered from this predicament, plus the jailer and his family were saved later that night. (Acts 16:25-34)

Unlike Demas whom we read of in 2 Tim. 4:10 who was faithful to start with but later forsook Christianity - Silas is mentioned as being faithful in every place we find his name in the NT. See 2 Cor 1:19; 1 Thess 1:1; 2 Thess 1:1; 1 Pet. 5:12. What a great lesson for us. Would God be able to say the same about you or me? Silas was a man whom we should consider worthy of following Certainly he followed Christ to the best of his ability.

Jesus told us in Rev. 2:10 to be faithful unto death and we will receive the crown of life. Let us make the commitment now to be dependable, a worker who is willing to sacrifice, have a good influence, and be faithful no matter what comes our way.

Received by E-Mail, Author Unknown

“It was reported last year that the Harvard Medical School had completed a forty year study, tracking the lives of 456 young men hailing from inner-city Boston. Many were impoverished and/or from broken homes. When interviewed at middle age, one fact repeated itself continually: Those men who had worked as children, even at simple household jobs, enjoyed significantly happier and more productive lives than those who did not" (Readers Digest, January 1986). Dr. George Vailant, author of the findings, noted that "boys who worked in the home or community gained competence and came to feel they were worthwhile members of society."

There is a valuable lesson in that for those of us who wish to grow up spiritually as happy children of God. To be active in the work of the Lord is to cultivate a real sense of belonging--a legitimate feeling that you are a vital part of the work. To be active in the work of the Lord is to have concern for that work--and genuine love for those who share in that same work with you.

"Sidewalk superintendents' who are forever standing on the fringe complaining about what "they" are doing can never be truly happy. Why? Because we are not meant to be spectators! We were created to be involved. Listen to Paul: "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works" Eph 2:10. We simply cannot be happy or truly committed until we begin to fulfill the purpose for which we were given life.

Don C. Truex ~In Gospel Power

Faithful Sayings
1 Tim 3:1-7 If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work

This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Sentence Sermons

People are a lot like teabags, you don’t know how strong they’ll be till they’ve been through hot water.
And
You're like a tea bag, not worth much until you've been through hot water.