There was a lot of Scripture to explain yesterday in the time I had to preach so what follows was left out. For those who didn't hear the message it was from Matthew 23 and the subject was the Pharisees or for us today, legalism.
I have at times been accused of being a legalist and at other times of being a liberal. I guess it all depend on who is looking and what they see. I will admit to sticking to some of the old time standards that were legalistic and I'm thankful for them. I still don't drink alcohol and will encourage others to join me in not drinking. I prefer the Holy Spirit over wine any time. I still don't go to movies or dance or gamble and to the amazement of some I'm still happy. I expect there are a few other things that I choose not to do that cause some to think I'm still a legalist.
Which brings me to the sequel to the message. I have experienced what I call "liberityism". It's when other Christians look down their holy nose at me because I won't drink, go out dancing, to the casino, and whatever else is called liberty. Some have even wanted me to preach about liberty in that sense and have been disappointed because I haven't. It's almost a reverse legalism and is just as, if not more, dangerous. I believe Romans 14 applies in both cases.
Sometimes I look at it this way - How close or how far away do we want to be to the world, the flesh, and the devil. As for this old legalist, I want to be as far away from sin as I possibly can be. How about you?

Yesterday's message was good. The Word was presented by missionary Tim Cowell and the challenge was from Ezekiel 3. I liked his statement when he said he didn't want anyone to appear before God who had not heard the Gospel. I thought what a wonderful challenge to me, that I need to not only take the opportunity to share the Gospel but also to make opportunities. The bottom line is will I?

This week's sequel is a comment on a message I heard this Sunday at the 1st Baptist Church in Webster, Florida. It was a good and challenging message and I pray, a fruitful one in my life.
The subject was commitment, the Scripture was Acts 15, and the sermon compared Mark the quitter and Silas the committed. The Pastor merely pointed out that Mark became discouraged and left the task God had given him and Silas, although arrested, beaten, and jailed, didn't give up. He summed it all up by saying, "commitment is staying with it until it's done".
There were a lot of amens in the crowd, I was encouraged, and resolved to remain committed to what God has called me to do.
Then Mark came to mind and I remembered that by the care and love of Barnabus he returned to the work of the Lord and was reconciled to Paul. So even if for some reason you have become discouraged don't give up! If you know of a Mark become a Barnabus and encourage that one to continue on in the Lord.

Yesterday's message was about marriage, children, and eternal rewards. These 3 are connected not only in a message but in life too. Just think about how much spiritual influence the everyday activities of home teaches our children.
The love a husband shows for his wife teaches them how much Christ loves the church. The respect a wife shows the husband how the church loves Christ. The witness of the home to neighbors and how we treat them reveals our belief in the gospel and brotherly love. The home's willingness to resolve problems and seek reconciliation supports the Gospel's message of reconciliation. Where do children first learn how to forgive but in the home.
The home's attitude about work, money and material things reveal to our children how important eternal things are as well. The home that has provided well materially but has never rejoiced over the salvation of a sinner or the fellowship of a saint has taught a lesson as powerful as the young man in yesterday's Scripture.
God has blessed our church with good homes. Let's keep making them better. They are effective teachers of the Word.

Yesterday I preached about the extra-ordinary day the disciples had with the Lord and said that we could have days like that as well. I had a member say as they left church, It's true, my devotions this week were so special.
While preparing the message I thought about the feelings and emotions of faith. The joy we receive, the warmth we experience, the feeling of His presence, the excitement of the Word, and a host of other emotions are all part of our faith experience with our Lord in regular devotions. They are so real, so true, and they do make some of our days extra-ordinary.
Just remember the feelings can't be manufactured by us, but they will come from the discipline of daily communication with the Lord.
Make the effort to spend time with the Lord and enjoy the feeling our Lord's presence will give you!