When Words Fail, God Doesn't

 https://youtu.be/L4rcrCKmemA

Seek God Isaiah 55: 6-7

 0180 - Seek the Lord

(To the Lord our God belong compassion, and forgiveness)

Isaiah 55:6-7; Daniel 9:9

Quacco Bapatist Church

Savannah, Georgia

Oct. 20, 2024

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Introduction -   

        A lot is talked about “forgiveness”. I delivered a message on forgiveness using Simon Wiethensal’s book “The Sunflower” the theme was on his silence on forgiving a young Nazi SS man who was asking forgiveness/obsolution from a Jew for his actions against the Jews during WWII.

        He posed the question of whether one should forgive or not to 53 erudites and of the 53 that answered only three responded that there should have been forgiveness. Among those arguing for forgiveness was the Dali Lama, Edward Flannery Roman Catholic Priest. The rest was a mix of to not forgive and undecided.

        There were a the large number of undecided and I thought of Jesus’ word to the church to the church of Laodicia, “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit (meaning, vomit  eject from the stomach through the mouth;  to cast forth, gush, or eject, as in disgust or anger:   you out of my mouth” (Rev. 3:15-16). Leaves you with something to think about, at least it does me.

        This brings to today.

        After having a lengthy conversation and listening to a story of an individual, involving a church, the accused, and one accuser; it appears, there’s much unforgiveness within the Body of Christ, the church; regardless of denomination. But not just within the church there is also a lot of condemnation coming from within the secular and the Godless world.

        I quoted last week from Bessell Van Der Kolk’s book  … People have a hard time bridging the gap from when the trauma occurred to their current lives. An incident occurs, they have done a great wrong; They’re accused, there is a plea for forgiveness, but none is given, just condemnation. We can come up with examples times 100.

        Anyway, years pass and the person is bitter, mistrusts everything and everyone. As for as the relationship with a church, the Body of Christ is concerned, that is at a point  that is now anethema for them.

How does the body of Christ react? Well, some, I say very few, a speck actually will forgive but the leaders and the majority they certainly do not open their arms and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to them.

The gospel is preached every Sunday in one form or another. It is a repetitive thing. Forgiveness and acceptance. Jesus told a story, the parable of the prodigal son. I deals not the only about a prodigal; it isn’t limited to a son, male. It can be told about females. Daughters. Everybody is well familiar with the parable. Charles Dickens even called it the greatest story ever told.

        The parable is about forgiveness. People are very often treated that whatever thing they committed is unforgivable. I will always bring up Leslie Van Houten all of you know my reasons. People I know, that knew her yet talked with an unforgiving heart. But what bothered this preacher was the unforgiving heart of a Baptist Preacher towards her.

        Then there are two others, I’m sure among many other whom has Christ called,who answered and just like the adulteress woman and Mary of Magdala, came to Christ. And thing common with these two is they can’t keep their mouths shut talking about Jesus.

        Yall familiar with.. Jim Bakker. Televangelist. He went off the deep end to put it mildly. You can check on him on the net and one could surprised at all Bakker had been charged with. He received a 45 year prison term of which after appeals Bakker’s sentence was reduced to 5 years and given parole.

                If I remember correctly, he was the butt of jokes. Was love and forgiveness shown to him? More than likely no, but there was  one incident that isn’t spoken of, I should say I’ve heard it only once. He did have one visitor. Remaining in the clothes he wore while cleaning the bathrooms in the prison he was escorted out and met the visitor who turned out to be Billy Graham who reached out to Jim and hugged him. After being released Ruth Graham, invited Jim to the church where she and Billy attended. She took Jim to the front of the church and had him sit next to her. That action alone spoke volumes on forgiveness.

        ‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.’ – Martin Luther King, Jr.  Jesus taught that the only way for us to grant forgiveness to others is in the way He has forgiven us. We are to forgive regardless of the nature or gravity of the offense against us, the number of offenses, or the character of the offender. We are to show unconditional mercy as God has shown mercy to us.          

        As we humble ourselves and extend forgiveness to others, God opens the way for us to seek forgiveness for our own mistakes and sins. God fully forgives all who come to Him with a humble and repentant spirit.

        As we follow the Holy Spirit, we will know the truth, and the truth will make us free (John 8:32). Verse 36 says, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”…“To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15). In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said, “Come unto me... and I will give you rest.” As we follow these teachings, we will be forgiven and will be able to forgive others.

        How do we come to God? The answer is in the Bible. “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him” (John 6:44). Through His Holy Spirit, we become aware that we are sinners and in need of a Savior. Sometimes we don’t fully understand God’s call. We may begin to notice an empty, lonely feeling in our heart—a need of something, a feeling we are not right, a conviction we are lost.

        When we become aware of this restlessness in our spirit, we need to open our heart to God for direction. The load of sin will become very heavy, and our heart will become remorseful because of our past sinful life. God wants us to surrender our life to Him in true repentance. When God sees our broken and contrite heart The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18; For thou hast no delight in sacrifice; were I to give a burnt offering, thou wouldst not be pleased. 17 The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:16-17 therefore our readiness to fully do His will, He forgives our past sinful life, and we receive forgiveness and peace. We’re happy, and we want to share with others what Christ has done in our heart!

        And so are my friends who when in conversation it’s all Jesus this and Jesus that. One friend’s older brother, by two years, raised in a foster home, in fact all three, two boys and my friend. The foster parents were Baptist and the foster dad a minister. The older at some time in his life, rode with a motorcycle gang up in Washington. What’s interesting is that on his jacket, in addition to the club’s colors, they gave him the name Rev. Short for Reverend. I commented, funny how God works. He will even infiltrate a motorcycle gang.

        This freedom isn’t something that comes through human reasoning. It’s all the Holy Spirit in the heart that converts us to a new life. Through this power of the Holy Spirit, we have faith to trust God so we can lay down our own will and forgive others. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.”

        God’s method of forgiveness is something else; trusting faith in the sacrifice of Jesus, erases all the guilt from our heart. We are completely covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. God’s forgiveness takes away our all our offenses and hurts. Your “rap sheet,” the charges against you is clean, non-existent, and to top it all off He forgets our sins; Psalm 103:11-12, as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. 13 As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear him; and (Hebrews 8:12) “And their iniquities will I remember no more”

       

 

     

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

578 What's in a Name Psalm 8, 10/06/2024

578.1 Excerpt from "Whats in a Name" 8/6/24

Light of the World Liberia 9/4/24

In this video, the sound is hard to hear. Speaking is Dwana A Livingstone of Monrovia Liberia. He works with Light of the World International Christian Light Of The world International Christian School I have been friends with Dwana for some years. He is hungry for the word of God and is filled with questions of which I try to answer. I asked him to make a short video that I could edit and upload for others to view.
They help many children coming from Muslim homes nourish them and they go back. Their biggest lack is food and supplies for the school and church they are constructing. Is you watch in the bubble you live in like I mentioned in last Sunday's sermon on the 1st.
Those who have been out on the mission field should know what I mean.
look at the faces of these Christian children they, having nothing, are more content than those in America who have to put up with the godless hypocrites who rule this nation.

God He is a father to the fatherless and an advocate for widows. God rules from his holy palace. Psalm 68:5--
Learn to do what is right! Promote justice! Give the oppressed reason to celebrate! Take up the cause of the orphan! Defend the rights of the widow! Isaiah 1:17
“You must not afflict any widow or orphan. If you afflict them in any way and they cry to me, I will surely hear their cry, and my anger will burn and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives will be widows and your children will be fatherless. Exodus 22:22-24

573 Do We Hide in a Bubble 9/1/2024

Do We Really Live In  A Bubble?

James 1:22; Rom. 8:27-29

And Various Scriptures

Sept. 1 , 2024

Quacco Baptist Chruch

Savannah, Georgia

Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Introduction 

            James 1:22, now I’m taking this out of context but it is the main issue of the message. “… be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.  …”. The other verse comes from Romans 8:27-29a … “27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son,

            The word “world” cosmos, in the New Testament refers to the inhabited earth, the people who live on the earth, which functions apart from God.

Satan is the ruler of this "cosmos" John 12:31;  Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.; 16:11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.; 1 John 5:19,  We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

The world refers to a system ruled by Satan. Therefore one can appreciate more Christ’s claims that believers are no longer of the world—we are no longer bound by the principles of the world. And, we’re being changed into the image of Christ, which should cause our interest in the things of the world to become less and less as we continue to mature in Christ.

            We the believers in Christ are simply—physically present in the world —but we aren’t a part of it, not of its values. In  John 17:14-15.     14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.

We should be set apart from the world. Being holy and living a holy, righteous life—to be set apart. We are not to engage in the sinful activities the world promotes, nor are we to retain the insipid, corrupt mind that the world creates.

Instead we are to conform ourselves and our minds to that of Jesus Christ, Romans 12:1-2. This is a 24/7 activity and commitment.

  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Listen, being in the world, but not of it, is necessary if we’re to be a light to those who are in spiritual darkness, haven’t heard the true Gospel.

We live in a way that those outside the faith see our good deeds and our manner and know that there is something “different” about us. Christians, who make every effort to live, think and act like those who do not know Christ do Him a great disservice. Even the heathen knows that “by their fruits you shall know them,” and as Christians, we should exhibit the fruit of the Spirit within us.

            We can enjoy the things of the world, the beautiful creation God has given us, but we ourselves are not to dive in what the world values.

            Transition

            The past two and a half years I have become familiar with somethings that have happened to personal friends of mine. With some of these occurring after we all separated from high school and others it was during the time the and prior to the time we were in school.

            We all know one, Tisia, who has given her testimony here and has shared it with others. I’ve spoken of another dear friend who jokingly called herself Mary of Magdala. Now, because of my friendship with her, I said to her, no you’re not Mary Magdalene, you were more of the adulteress woman and the sinner who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears.

           

            Then there’s one that the self-righteous considered a sin akin to blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and kicked out of a Baptist church.

            Listening to these accounts, and the full story, I became aware that I was pretty much living, like most, in a bubble. We aren’t aware of what is happening to people because we, on purpose see our own faults and guilt, there by we close our eyes and ears but, not our mouths, to criticize.

            One in particular, had gone through, beginning at around age 5, 6, to suffer sexual and physical abuse. Her brother had suffered physical abuse. In high school I never knew nor did I pick up any signals. She was and still is very good friends with a mutual friend and classmate, another girl.

            Who amongst us knew or were aware I don’t know. This is two people in California; we at Quacco personally know one here in Garden City; Two that were out in left field, the other over the left field fence, and a third of whom I had known of her situation back in 1969, and has since served 50 years in prison in Chino California.

            Then there is the one in Cordeirepolis, Sao Paulo Brazil, Tatiena Pinel. I would occasionally read her posts on FB. You can tell by reading what someone writes, and in this case she would post biblical verses from the Psalms that were, or so it sounded to me, as someone sad and crying out to the Lord for help.

            Well, I went ahead and asked. And she, like the others had, opened up her life to me.       She and her brother lost their mother 35 years ago, leaving 4 children, a one year old, a 7 year old, an 8 year old and a 12 year old, she had a stroke, the children went to live with grandparents, 2 of them stayed with paternal grandparents and 2 with maternal grandparents, then my father remarried, started another family, I continued with my paternal grandmother, where she suffered a lot of physical and psychological abuse, until she reached age 17, her brother with My father he too suffered a lot, he had to leave school to work in the fields, a painful life without any kind of affection.

            She and her brother were also friends, they supported each other. he got married at 18, and she left with a 3-year-old daughter in my arms, and went to try life here in Cordeirópolis, Sao Paulo.

            Later her brother went there to start a new life here. He lived with his wife for 11 years, had 2 children and then divorced, in the meantime she got married, had 2 children and lived with her now my ex-husband for 16 years, but still she and her brother always looked out for each other. He got involved with woman who was the cause of his death, this woman had an ex-husband who didn't accept the ending of his marriage but her brother fell in love and that was the end of him, her brother.

            Then on December 20, 2022, as he was leaving for work at 4:30 in the morning, there was set up a stakeout, her brother was caught in an ambush, the killer shot him 7 times, when she arrived and saw her brother lying on that floor lifeless, it was the worst pain she felt in her life, it was a part of her that was taken away that day, they went through everything, always, she said to me  “… I'm here wanting to cry, my chest is tight, everything comes to mind today I don't have anyone that I can tell, …” So she moves on, her life children and the good memories she had with her brother. She says her life is a book……

            We live in a world that at this particular time, there are approximately 8.2 billion people, and that’s a lot. Out of those 8.2 billion I know the personal details of five. But of those five, as I mentioned, only in the last two to three years did I became aware of what all they had gone through.

            But not just them; I think of the other 8 billion people; People not known to us. I live in a bubble, nothing is happening to me. I hear of things happening but it doesn’t affect me. It’s not my problem. I’m a Christian I say, God will handle it. I can say like other preachers, disrespectfully that that’s God’s problem He’ll handle it.

            Yes He will. But He does it His way. He has sent out people like Annie Armstrong, Lotie Moon and many others like them to make disciples, to care for the poor, the homeless, and the fatherless.

            Others are called to care for the abused, the sexually abused and physically abused by family members. That brings me to the conclusion

            Conclusion   

            It has been over 57 years since I had seen, let alone spoken to three of the girls, now women my age. One happened to see a comment I made on a Monrovia California  FB page. This was the first time I posted anything. This was back in July. At the same time this one individual saw my post and commented, asking if this is the same Pablo Pinel from Monrovia High school … then wrote wow and a man of God. I answered and then the catch-up began. Just like the others. Then the life history opened. This is the one when a child was sexually, mentally and physically abused. She now works as a counselor for children who are experiencing trauma. I’m reading a book she recommended by Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D. Titled, The Body Keeps Score.

            Trauma is a fact of life, he states. Veterans & their families deal with the painful aftermath of combat: one in five Americans… [now note that this is just here in the U.S., think of the world]… has been molested; one in four grew up with alcoholics; one in three couples have engaged in physical violence.

            Trauma is a lifelong thing that stays with one. Especially when dealing with both physical/sexual; and mental abuse of a child. Even and adult.

            Okay Paul what is your point? My point to explain it or really teach it would be hard to do. So let me put it as simply as I can. We all believe in coincidences, we all say it. The real smart people instead of calling God, God will use the word Providence, alluding to that “Providence” is God. I won’t dare try to give the full definition of the word but Mark gave me John Piper’s 711 page book defining Providence.

            Suffice it to say that it means I’ll see to it, I’ll take care of it; Still not giving a reason. We have in Eph.1:11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, Isaiah 46:9-10  I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,

            Tisia: Out of the blue we meet at Burger King when I worked at Auto-zone. She has become a mentor to many young women where she attends church. There’s Leslie Van Houten of whom I have not contacted since she was released on parole.

One day in 2004, I read The Long Prison Journey of Leslie Van Houten. I wrote to the author who responded, and at the same time I’m writing to another high school dear friend who was good friends with Leslie and wrote to her often, that was my inroad to communicate with Leslie. In the few letters we exchanged I was able to present the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to her; for which I was vilified by a Baptist Pharisee.

            Then there’s Theresa aka Mary Magdalene who suffered a stroke a few years back and is suffering from Spinocerebellar Ataxia affecting her speech, and ability to walk. But God who knows the future and knew she would accept Christ “saw to it” and provided a husband, 15 years younger who takes care of her.  And last, the classmate who lived a life of abuse at a young age, was “kick-out” of a Baptist Church, the Lord God, who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, (Romans 8:27-29.

            She works as a Licensed Master Social Worker therapist with children young adults suffering from trauma which, if not treated will lead to PTSD and only can last for a lifetime but affects the body and the brain.

            Closing

So then what do we do? Yes, Jesus said we live in this world but are not of this world so then are we to live inside a “Christian bubble, a cocoon? Become hermits, go live in a monastery?  Become monks, Nuns?

No, we are to pray. Pray for what? We  find ourselves at a loss for words but thankfully, when we pray as Christians, we have a helper—the Holy Spirit—who aids in our human weakness whenever words fall short: “For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26, ESV), or, as the KJV has it, “with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

The phrase “groaning’s that can’t be uttered” means “indescribable, wordless groans” in the original Greek language. Other things in the same passage also utter “wordless groans”: all creation now groans “as in the pains of childbirth” (Romans 8:22), and believers “groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to son ship, the redemption of our bodies”

While living in this world we don’t hide from the world inside a big bubble wrap. We pray for ourselves, and we pray for those we don’t know who are suffering. God may just throw you an opportunity to help someone.

I’ve learned these few months that there are people, young and old that some have gone to Christ there are others who still need to hear. How do you go about it. I’ll answer this way, don’t be surprised that one day when you least expect it He will have you cross paths with someone.

Quacco Baptist, we may have a fellowship, if you believe in numbers and size makes one a powerful church, but we have those we pray for for here, California, Washington State, Monrovia Liberia.

We thank you Lord that we can pray for the 8.2 billion people that that can come to you for salvation.

You, if you are empty inside, call on Christ, He is waiting just for you. He will guide you and lead you, He will give you rest.

Amen.

571 Don't Muzzle the Ox Deuteronomy 25: 4 8/18/24