“No, Not One” (Ps 14)

The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God [over me]." They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.(vs1-3)

The Lord is the Savior from sin, and He saves sinners who are just as corrupt as everyone else. He puts the saved on the side of the righteousness, and then He fights for you against the wickedness of the world.

First, Jesus is the Savior of sinners (vs1-3). It is written, “They are corrupt... there is none who does good... they have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one”. Not you or me. We didn't lift ourselves up and become better than others. We didn't pull ourselves up by the bootstraps or stir up some goodness in us (Rom 9:16). We would have ASSUREDLY perished in sin, if not for Him choosing us, dying for us savingly, and calling us by the power of the Spirit. He gave us “outside of us” grace, so that the inward devil could be removed (Luke 9:42). We're slaves to sin by nature (just try to stop it). But God wouldn't allow us to perish for His love and mercy's sake (Titus 3:3-5). He sent the Son because He predestined us to life, and when we murdered the Holy One, His blood procured our salvation, paying our sins. Then, in due time, the time of love, the Spirit gave us desires for God, hunger after righteousness, and the power to choose Christ. Satan's bond was broken, and the captive was freed.

Secondly, now that we're righteous, the Lord assuredly fights for us (vs4-6). We read, “God is with the generation of the righteous. [The corrupt] shame the counsel of the poor, but the Lord is his refuge”. The soul that needs the gospel, loves Christ, and depends upon God for salvation SHALL be saved, even though the world is as evil as ever. We have evil wives, evil bosses, and evil preachers all around us. We have television, movies, and all things pulling us away from God, but they are not strong enough to prevail. We have God enlightening us, reproving us, cutting out the pleasure of sin, and giving us love, joy, and peace by the gospel. We have the Spirit's protection, the angels ministering to us, and the word of God, by faith, to direct our paths.

Let the wicked do as they wish. God will punish them right suddenly, but we'll escape from their hands. David said, “There they are in great fear”, suddenly, when their boast has been fulfilled, they're cut off in their vain ambitions. Yet, everyone that God has made righteous, He intends to save, and our poverty is no obstacle. Poverty is the way of salvation. The righteous walk by faith, leaning entirely on Him. His promises are for sinners and saints who deal with Him by Jesus Christ, and the Christ can never be denied. You can't come to God by Him and fail.

Thirdly, the Lord will give us joy aplenty (vs7). We read, “Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord brings back the captivity of His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad”. Yes, we suffer now, but heaven is sure. Yes, we're involved in dead end relationships that bear no fruit of mutual love for Christ. But, Christ is saving us from sin into joy, from misery into eternal pleasure, and from hell-worthiness to seeing His face, and being like Him, in eternal bliss! Bless God! God not only saves, but He gives us eternal pleasures for Christ's sake.

Deliverance and Preservation Promised (2 Tim 4:17-18)

(vs16-18) At my first defense, no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the [Gospel] message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

We have confidence in the Lord Jesus and the grace of God. Salvation isn't doubtful but sure. We labor knowing what the result will be, as forgiven and sure of life eternal. We work under God's umbrella, protected and assured by Him. This is our right, O doubtful Christians. Believe and work by faith.

First, don't be doubtful about tomorrow. The Lord will “deliver” and “preserve” you. The future is held by Him who holds you. The same Christ who saved you thus far - who paid your sin debt - is the same Christ who will keep you, even in death.

He who has BEEN faithful will continue to be so, and the past is a foreshadowing of the future. He will be faithful still.

Secondly, He gives us strengthening grace. Paul said, “The Lord stood with me and strengthened me” (vs17). What we need in the trial is given. Not only is the end promised, but the path of blessing is yours too. He takes care of the details, rules the lion Satan, and strengthens you according to His will. Paul said, “that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith... and to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph 3:16-19).

You see how Paul was abandoned by friends and hated by foes, and yet God was enough? He said, “At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me... But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me” (2 Tim 4:16-17). Thus, when life kicks you down, Satan roars, and your friends turn tail on you, just REMEMBER that having God is more than enough. His arm shines more powerfully when no other hand is seen!

Thirdly, the place you're going is “His heavenly kingdom”, to sin no more, to rest, and to enjoy peace (vs18).

Your battle time is now, but the real you will live eternally, UNFETTERED by sin and Satan.

You and I receive all of our bad stuff here, but the time is coming, in Abraham's bosom, protected in the covenant of peace, that we shall receive what the Lord Jesus died to give, which is face to face contact and conformity to God. John says, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). Soon, we shall be loved and loving, at peace and peaceful, and we'll have nothing to disturb our peace. No more temptations, evil thoughts, or broken dreams! Only good, pleasure, and beauty, forever. He told the transformed thief on the cross, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise”, a garden of pleasure (Luke 23:43).

Lastly, our job is to make this HOPE known to others. Paul said the Lord “stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles may hear it”, so that he had a reason for being delivered, which is to serve others. The fact that we have SO much in Christ compels us to stretch out Christ to men. “Therefore”, Paul says, “from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh (in unbelief), yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Cor 5:16-17). Having so much, God's love forces us to serve others willingly.

“God Took Him” (Gen 5:24)

“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him” (Gen 5:24).

Doing what God says is REWARDING. Enoch walked with God, and God rewarded Him abundantly, even as He will us. We are not the losers by walking with God but we benefit eternally and down here.

First, we walk by believing the gospel of His grace and relying on Him. Like Abel and Seth, we worship on God's terms, the way that He declares, by faith in the Son (Gen 4:25-26). We honor Jesus for EARNING the grace we so freely receive by loving others and desiring they know grace too . When God opens the eyes, He gives a desire and gifts, whereby we spend our life opening eyes, so others can see. Christ told Paul, “I have appeared unto you for this purpose... to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God” (Acts 26:16-18)

Secondly, we walk with God BECAUSE OF the misery of this world. Enoch knew death and judgment were coming, so he walked with God, so that he could be spared mercifully. Eight times in Gen 5, we see “death” and we're reminded the Lord cursed the earth. Enoch fled to his refuge in God, lest he face the anger of God, and to alleviate the burden of the curse (Gen 5:5, 8, 11, etc). He had a need, and God met his needs to the saving of his soul.

Thirdly, the reward is great: “God took him”. And, when God takes us, He brings us to fullness of joy (Acts 2:28). Paradise is having all that you want, all that you desire, and having it all the time; it is knowing that nothing will ever change. There are no clouds to block the light, no thorns to make labor hard, and sin is not only put away, but it will not rise again - “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, nether sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev 21:4).

This FULLNESS of joy kept Christ going, and it is the inheritance of the faithful. Even here, as we walk with God, we get more out of life than if we walked in pride. Grace is better. He says it is good for us to walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8).

Lastly, this walk is for you. Call upon God's name and worship on His terms, and He will be faithful to you (Gen 5:28-32). He will love you home and bless you forever.

“Willing to Share” (1 Tim 6:17-19)

We're to share what God gives us for the cause of Christ and glory of God:

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (1 Tim 6:17-19)

God is gracious and has given to you. So give to others from knowledge. Share with them because salvation is God's GIFT to you. Share because of thanksgiving and love at the grace of God.

The gospel is pure grace. It produces GRACIOUSNESS by REMINDING us of the gifts we freely receive as sinners, often. We are showered with grace, pardoned miraculously, and strengthened while others fall around us. Ps 91:7 says, “A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you”. 1 Tim 6:8-10 says, “And having food and raiment, we will be therewith contented. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have been seduced from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows”. It is GRACE alone that keeps us and has made us choice servants of God.

The gospel isn't an inferior motive than law; it is THE power of God to good works. Here, the rich are to GIVE and share, not being proud but useful (1 Tim 6:17).

He says, secondly, “That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share”, so that good works are mandatory, wise, and joyful to believers (vs18). To be GODLY isn't a task of burden; it is a highway of joy empowering you by the continued and eternal favor of Christ in the gospel. We are rich, so we are wise to secure ourselves the enjoyment of these riches by honoring and devoting ourselves to Christ. His cause, the gospel – (vs11-16) “(vs11-16) “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.   Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.  I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate,   that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing,   which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,   who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power”!

We are sharing with others what God gave us, nothing more. We are honored to be able to give, as executors and managers of the Lord's money.

Thirdly, this wisdom of life PREPARES you to meet God - “storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed” (vs19). Lay hold on the riches of Christ and use your life for Him, and you'll gain EVERYTHING the world will envy forever (1 Tim 6:20-21).

“Firstborn Among Many Brothers” (Rom 8:17-30)

“For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers” (vs29).

Jesus’ glory as the first born, or highest ranking among many brothers, is God‘s purpose in all things.  Just like Jacob, He has the birthright, blessing, and inheritance - “Let people serve you, and nations bow down to you: be lord over your brethren, and let your mother’s sons bow down to you: cursed be every one that curses you, and blessed be he that blesses you” (Gen 27:29). His GRACE bestows this title of “brothers” upon God’s elect, so that we are joint-heirs with Him.  We have done nothing, and yet He‘s given us what He‘s died to give - “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Rom 8:17).

Thus, the sufferings of today aren’t greater than what we have in store - “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us“ (Rom 8:18).  We shall see the Son in holy happiness, giving thanks to Him eternally for what He did, saving us from hell by His grace and blood.  We suffer here because this world and our flesh is cursed with sin, but we shall praise God forever and enjoy the benefits of His love.  We shall be glorified in new bodies that love God faultlessly in the new heaven and earth wherein dwells no pain or sorrow (2 Pet 3:13). But, here, by faith in Christ and the power of the Spirit, we overcome the miseries of today by the expectation of heaven’s joy to come - “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for?  But, if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it” (Rom 8:24-25).

He’s given us the Spirit, not only to subdue the flesh by faith, but to subdue the flesh by His secret prayers for us- “Likewise, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (vs26).  Thus, we always get what is best for us, and all things work together for our good.  God didn’t send His Son to leave salvation to you.  He plotted your salvation, gave you the Perfect Savior, and He gave you the Spirit to make sure that you make it in style, receiving the inheritance fully.  

The glory of Christ is God’s plan, and He included you in this, saying the Savior isn’t complete, unless you’re presented safe and sound. His church is the “fullness of Him that fills all in all” (Eph 1:23).  He is the Head, the Captain, and the King to whom we bow. He is the One responsible for deliverance. But, the King calls us brothers, and He opens the windows of heaven to pour out His love, grace, and to honor His name.

Receive this hope as you wait on Him, and you’ll endure until the end - “And not only [the personified creation], but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even as we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, that is, the redemption of the body” (Rom 8:23).

Funeral for Scott Richardson, Pastor - WV

Scott Richardson was one of the greatest preachers I've ever heard in person.  I remember still his message from Ps 29 on God's glory.  "We must tell back to God the things that He's said about Himself". This was Scott's ministry: preaching the gospel that God DECLARED unto us, in its fullness and glory.

How envious we are of where he is.

Here is the notice I received of his passing:

Dear Church Family,

After speaking to both Don and Marvin Stalnaker this morning, I received the following email text from Pastor Clay Curtis bearing the news they had just delivered to me.

Clay said, "No bad news, only more good news!  Pastor Scott Richardson closed his eyes last night in a broken body over 90 years old and woke up brand-new at the feet of Christ at 1 am this morning." 

Marvin asked that I send this email to everyone possible, saying that Brother Scott had demanded that no obituary be published and that he wanted only those who loved him and the Christ he preached to be informed of his death.  

Marvin is presently traveling back to Fairmont from an intended vacation in Franklin, and has asked that all of us help in spreading the news to Pastor Scott's friends.  "Please forward the email to everyone you know who loved him."

The funeral will be held on Friday, May 21st noon at Katy Baptist Church, Fairmont, WV.  Viewing will occur all day on Thursday, also at the church.  Those desiring to send flowers may send them to the church.

Those traveling to Fairmont for the funeral may contact the Super 8 Motel for a special rate of $48.49 by calling 304-363-1488 and mentioning the "Katy Baptist Funeral."

Here is a link, if you'd like to hear his preaching:

http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?SpeakerOnly=true&currSection=sermonsspeaker&Keyword=Scott^Richardson

Why are we still here? (Don Fortner)

“Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”

(Philippians 1:24)

Why has our Savior left us here? He has already made us completely worthy of heavenly glory. Has he not? That is what the Spirit of God tells us in Colossians 1:12-14. So why has our Redeemer left us here? I have been pondering that question a good bit lately. I cannot answer it fully; but I have found an answer that satisfies me in Mark 5:18-20. There we read about the Lord Jesus healing the maniac of Gadara. When the poor man was made to know the Lord Jesus and His grace, he desired to be with Him; but the Master denied him that great joy for some time for a very noble and good reason.

What a wonderful change grace wrought in the Gadarene. He who, but a few minutes before, had been a terror to everyone, was made to be so heavenly composed that he desired never to leave his blessed Savior. Is that not the case with all who have been called from darkness to light, and from the power of sin and Satan to the living God? Surely, having once tasted that the Lord is gracious, we cannot but long to be “absent from the body, and present with the Lord.” Yet our Savior says, “No, not yet.” Rather, He tells us to go home to our lost friends, and speak forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Our Lord Jesus has left us here until God’s appointed time shall come to take us home to Glory. Our God and Savior must have His witnesses upon earth, as long as the earth remains. None of us shall live in this crumbling tabernacle of clay too long. Yet, we must remain until our appointed work is finished.

“Mortals are immortal here,
Until their work is done.”

What mercy! What grace! What condescending goodness! Our God has put the treasure of His gospel in these earthen vessels, choosing to employ you and me to tell other eternity bound sinners what great things the Lord has done for us, and has had compassion on us! Let us wait in contentment, happiness and overflowing gratitude, telling out the good news of redeeming love and saving mercy all the days of our appointed time, until our change come. Having a desire to depart and be with Christ, for now, to abide in the flesh is more needful. When we are no longer needed here, we will be with him there, in that “house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens!”

Oh, eternity bound sinner, make certain that you are in Christ! Let every child of God take comfort with regard to those who have gone to heaven. — “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord!” Be assured, weary pilgrim, that your weary, troublesome life will end soon, and that it will end well (2 Corinthians 4:17-5:2). When the Lord Jesus has finished with us here, He will bring us to Himself there, where we shall dwell in the light of the glory of the triune God forever. Until then, let us devote ourselves to making Him known here.

Great Reward

Ps 19:11, “Moreover by them [the judgments of the Lord] is your servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.”

In keeping of them there is great reward. There is a wage, and a great one; though we earn no wages of debt, we win great wages of grace. Saints may be losers for a time, but they shall be glorious gainers in the long run, and even now a quiet conscience is in itself no slender reward for obedience. He who wears the herb called heart’s ease in his bosom is truly blessed. However, the main reward is yet to come, and the word here used hints as much, for it signifies the heel, as if the reward would come to us at the end of life when the work was done; —not while the labour was in hand, but when it was gone and we could see the heel of it. Oh the glory yet to be revealed! It is enough to make a man faint for joy at the prospect of it. Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Then shall we know the value of the Scriptures when we swim in that sea of unutterable delight to which their streams will bear us, if we commit ourselves to them.

Spurgeon