Little Union Primitive Baptist Church

In the book of Ruth, Elimelech makes decisions against the will of God that he thought was temporary. He went to what he thought was greener pastures but it was spiritually desolate and would become a long term mistake. Elder Chris cautions on decisions based on the world rather than the will of God. The story teaches we should abide faithful in the house of bread, no matter the circumstances, as we could become ensnared by the world until our death.

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In John 8 we find where the Pharisees were back and forth with Christ tempting him. He told them they would not understand his speech because they could not hear him. They were of their father the devil. Elder Chris expands on his previous sermon on Satan’s devices, who lies and desires to destroy those trying to serve the Lord.

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In Psalm 73, Asaph struggles with what the purpose is in continuing to serve the Lord. Satan will often try to tell us it is in vain, but this is untrue and we should not stop. We can draw strength from Christ’s love to push us forward, and Elder Chris reminds us that our service to Christ is more worthwhile than anything we can do.

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Paul’s first letter to church at Corinth was about a man in its membership that had his father’s wife and was not dealt with. But his second letter deals with the other extreme of the punishment by the church, and his concern that the man would have overmuch sorrow. Elder Chris points out that the church should recognize and forgive one that has repented. Failing to do so harms the individual and the church since Satan can get an advantage. Elder Chris then considers our adversary, his devices, and our defense.

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Elder Chris expands on the office of deacon regarding holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. The mystery is now revealed in that God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. Elder Chris explains that we must hold on to these truths, unyielding, and live a life in accordance with them.

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In Isaiah 51:5, he speaks of islands as remote, desolate, and poverty stricken places. But even God’s people in these forgotten places are not forgotten by God. Elder Chris gives the example of how the Lord opened Lydia’s heart and Paul was sent to a desolate place and she was attentive to the things spoken by Paul. Elder Chris points out that in our depraved state, salvation was so far away, but thankfully God brought the arm of salvation, Jesus Christ.

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The Apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians when the church began to embrace the idea that in order to be a good Christian, they must first be a good Jew. But everything that was required in the law was taken out of the way by Christ and he has made us free. He instructed that if we are born again, we are to seek and set our mind on things above. We can do this with humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, forgiving, and as a capstone, charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

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Brother Paul brings to mind interactions between the Lord Jesus Christ and his disciples. We find where Christ drew them in close and let them know how much he loved them with action. Brother Paul examines John 15:9 “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.” Christ gives us a commandment that we are to love one another, and Brother Paul proclaims we can look to Christ for the greatest example of charity.

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Paul opens the letter to Philippi differently than other letters. He called out the saints with the bishops and deacons, which tells us what makes up the New Testament church. Elder Chris considers the office of deacon and points out that it not about ego, title, or influence. It is first and foremost a servant role. The office is inaugurated in Acts 6 when the needs of the church were beyond what the ministry could do. Elder Chris points out the word deacon means a “waiter of a table” or a “runner”, quick to the need. With a church body that is well fed spiritually by the elder, and the needs well tended to by the deacons, a strong healthy body can grow in grace.

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We find the phrase “as he went” seven times in the New Testament, all concerning the goings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Elder Chris considers each portion of scripture and reminds us that as Jesus went about doing good, he established his church and preached his gospel, and took time to deal with illnesses and problems that affected so many. Elder Chris leaves us with a rejoicing thought that as he went to glory, we will join him in Heaven someday.

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