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Volume 62 Number 8 Lubbock, Texas 79493 Copyright $12.00 Per Year November 1994 |
Ye Who Are Troubled Rest With Us Good Meetings In Arizona Tithes-Tithing Beware of False Teachers Ordination of Brother Bob Porter A Thanksgiving Thought Not Always Long Distance Firstfruits A Study on First Corinthians Jesus Christ What Dost Thou Here Elijah? A Joyous Return In Whose Name?
Paul, and Silanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: "[2nd Thess 1:1] Notice Paul says "our" [writer and recipient] Father. The grace of God binds us to give thanks for our brethren.
Many reasons are given here, among them faith, charity, patience, and it also mentions "enduring tribulations and persecutions." Paul told Timothy that the "time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine..." [2 Tim 4:3 "To not endure sound doctrine means to "lie opposite", to "Oppose an adversary."
Surely the worldly systems of religion oppose the scriptures and speak cunningly against the doctrine of God. The Thessalonians were troubled but they endured, they lay along side and became companions to trouble. Some of the things no doubt in which they were comforted were things to come which were beyond the immediate time, but nevertheless, listen to Verse 7 in 2 Thessalonians 1: "and to you who are troubled rest with us..."
What troubles they must have suffered as so many of the cruel punishments were laid upon them. The suffering people have endured indescribable atrocities, from the devouring lions to the consuming fires fed by mothers with their infants in their arms. "The world was not worthy of them," and may their memory be precious to us today. We are not suffering this today. The spirit is alive to do this, but God is sparing us. However, many troubles assail God's people today, and to the troubled we hear the wonderful words, "and to you who are troubled rest with us." We hear the One Who called Paul to be an Apostle and separated unto the gospel [Romans 1:1] saying, "come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." [Matt 1:28.]
Many times the child of God labors under the heavy yoke of man-made rituals, and he wears a heavy yoke that binds him to rigorous activities which God did not impose He goes from mountain to valley with no relief He is a companion, so to speak, with the dove as she left the ark, flew wearily over the dark waves of death but found no rest for the sole of her feet. There is no rest outside of our dear Lord. We may travel across the deserts and hope for a time of refreshing, but they are but a mirage, they are always disappointingly beyond our reach. Yet, in Christ, there is rest for the troubled and the weary.
We think many times what a precious resting place the Church is to His people. How often have our souls been troubled by personal disappointments and losses, cast down and despondent, and we go to the worship service much like the children of Israel who had enjoyed miracles from the hand of God and yet they tasted the bitter waters of Marah. Finally on one occasion they came to Elam where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there by the waters [Ex 15:27.] What a beautiful sight that must have been; cold waters, shade and food in the desert. As we can all look back through the fleeting years we appreciate the privilege of sitting down by the wells of His promises which are manifest in His Church to rest under His shade, and we can say, "there my best friends, my kindred dwell, there God my Savior reigns."
To the troubled souls of God's children, confused by conflicting doctrines and dogmas, what a wonderful blessing to hear the Gospel in its simplicity and power.
I am reminded of a beautiful scene regarding a troubled soul in a strange land whose name was Ruth, and Boaz said unto her at meal time, "come hither and eat of the bread, and she sat beside the reapers and he [Boaz] reached her parched corn and she did eat and was sufficed and left." [Ruth 2:14]. Even more precious is the corn of the Kingdom when it is supplied by our near kinsman from Heaven. May He continue to feed us from His own hand.
Maintaining the House of God many times demands scriptural rebuke as well as exhortation, but there is also great reason to encourage and commend His Church, as the Apostles to the Gentiles left by divine inspiration. There are things which remain that need to be continually strengthened. Many of our dear brethren and sisters have borne the battle for many years; they have had to stand against not only temptation but attempts to change the Church to conform to new trends, but if every time a new idea of doctrine and practice had been allowed, where could the troubled child of God who had tried to quench his thirst from broken cisterns find rest.
Some have been blessed to have lived in the Church many years, as we reckon time. They were satisfied with the goodness of the Lord's house and found rest in the Apostles' doctrine. Is it the same today in doctrine and practice as you and I found it? Are we still resting, or are there things that begin to trouble us and the rest is not as peaceful? If we found the Church to be contending for the faith which was once delivered to the saints, may God give us grace to leave it as we found it, that God's troubled people may continue to find peace and rest.
God's people are not exempt from trouble. There are some troubles we cannot escape as long as we live in this world. "Man that is born of woman is few days and full of trouble." [Job 14:1].] The gospel may not extract the thorn that troubles us but it will surely point us to One who is able to give sufficient grace to bear it. [2 Cor. 12:9.] The blessed Master said, "the servant is not greater than his Lord". [John 13:16]. As He was standing by Lazarus' tomb He groaned in spirit and was troubled. [John 11:33.]
His children also know their groanings, but like their Lord, they shall know deliverance. By faith the troubled soul, possibly housed in an enfeebled body, wracked with pain, sees a better day as he anticipates deliverance. "There the wicked cease from troubling and there the weary be at rest." [Job 3:17].
May God richly bless you and when you pray, remember us. ... Elder Bill Walden
Enclosed find $10.00 for another years subscription. I enjoy this Primitive Baptist paper so much. We just had our fifth Sunday meeting at the Bethel Primitive Baptist Church in Phoenix, AZ, and a wonderful meeting it was too. The Lord blessed three good ministers of God to preach the Word and therefore, we were all blessed.
We have a new Elder, Elder Kirkpatrick, and I do believe he has been sent of the Lord.
May the good Lord bless you all who publish the Banner, as my husband and I surely enjoy reading it. His grandfather, Moran Monroe Moran, was a Primitive Baptist preacher and so was my great-grandfather, J. S. Newman.
I have a book about the Newman side of my family, [Mama's side], written by a cousin in Texas, Coleman Newman. Took he and his wife four years of researching and traveling to gather a lot of records, history, going back to 1700's. My brother [only sibling] Jo Starnes, has one of these family history books too.
I get carried away sometimes talking about family.
Take care, God bless, and I'll keep looking for our Banner each month.
Thanks,
Mrs.Sami Ann Moran
Sun City, AZ
Note; I remember Elder Joe Newman, who preached all over this area, and other states, too. He was a visitor in my home when I was a child. We all loved him and he was a very smart man, and a good preacher. He wrote a book, entitled " History of the Primitive Baptists in Texas, Oklahoma, and Indian Territory," which was republished in 1991.
...........O. Richards
We all need more income, including Our Church. Have you ever noticed how your expenses rise to meet your income, no matter how much it is.
How do we finance the needs of Our N. T. Church? By Tax, Tithe or Voluntary giving? What method will work? The only point to really consider is what does the Bible teach?
In the Old Testament it was a Tax in Civil Governments, and a Tithe in Religion. The O. T. economy of Moses, under the Levitical Rule was a Tithe one tenth of gross income laws of first fruits ....
In the New Testament it is Voluntary Giving - Only! This "voluntary system" has been successful since the days of the Apostles.
Tithing in the Old Testament was required by law -Lev. 27:30-33; Num. 18:20-29, Deut. 12:5-29...
In the N. T. Church, Support of the Church and Ministry is also required, but Tithing is not the Scriptural Procedure. Giving "from the heart" and "as God hath prospered you" is the correct N. T. procedure - 1st Cor. 16:2; 2nd Cor. 9:7. Notice the giving is not the assessing, taxing, stipulating, pre-agreeing, pre-arranging, paying dues, pledging or vowing, as the O. T. Tithe required.
The O. T. Levitical Law is no longer valid or in effect, but has expired - Luke 16:16; Heb. 7:5, 12, 19. Fulfilled in Christ.
We find in the N. T. Church, "Giving" - Luke 21:1-4 - she gave all she had; Acts 11:29 - Every man according to his ability; 1st Cor. 16:2 - As God hath prospered him; 2nd Cor. 9:7 - According as he purposeth in his heart, giving cheerfully. We observe not one word nor implication for an assessment of 10 % Tithe.
I quote from Cruden's Concordance under "Tithe" - The practice of paying tithes is very ancient; for we find, Gen. 14:20that Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek, king of Salem, at his return from his expedition against Chedorlaomer, and the four kings in confederacy with him. Abraham gave him the tithe of all the booty taken from the enemy. Jacob initiated this piety of his grandfather when he vowed to the Lord the tithe of all the substance he might acquire in Mesopotamia, Gen 28:22. Under the law, Moses ordained, Lev. 27:30-32." All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lords' - it is holy unto the Lord, etc."
There were all sorts of tithes to be paid from the people [besides those from the Levites to the priests.] Num. 28:26-27, etc. [1] To the Levites, for their maintenance, Num 18:21-24. [2] For the Lord's feasts and sacrifices, to be eaten [in the place which the Lord should choose to put his name there; to wit, where the ark should be, the tabernacle or temple. This tenth part was either sent to Jerusalem in kind, or, if it was money, which was to be laid out for oxen, sheep, wine, or what else they pleased. Deut. 14:22-24 etc. [3] "Besides these two, there was to be, every third year a tithe for the poor, to be eaten in their own dwellings." Deut 14:28-29.
"In the New Testament, neither our Savior, nor His Apostles have commanded anything in this affair of tithes." This concludes quotes from Cruden's Concordance There are seven [7] scriptures in the N. T. that mentions "Tithing", but four [4] of these refer to the O. T. Tithing pertaining to Abraham and Moses' Levitical Laws. In the other three [3] they refer to Jesus saying "Woe unto Scribes, Pharisees and Hypocrites..."
Check them out - Matt. 23:23; Luke 11:42; 18:1; Heb. 7: 5, 6, 8-9....
Not a single one of these texts teach, suggest, or even imply that Tithing is to be done as the N.T. Procedures of Church Financing, and of the Ministry. I will elaborate on one of these verses.
Matt. 23:23 - "Woe unto you, scribes, and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith; these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."
The word "these" is a neutral pronoun modifying the paying of tithes - "...these ought ye to have done and not to leave the other undone." What is the "other" that is left undone? Answer: The weightier matters they are omitting..... Jesus said this to the Multitudes and His Disciples. First, the things you are now doing, you should have done, buck under the Moses' Laws, but not now---Since I have come to set up the N. T. Church under the "Grace Dispensation" - John 1:17; Eph 3:2..
Second, the things you are not doing now, you are omitting and are failing to do. The Law of Christ and the Law of Moses, should be put in their respective proper places...Study: Acts 15:19-21; 18:13; Gal. 5:1-6; 6:2; Heb. 9:6-14.
Jesus' conclusion is they are now trying to live according to the O. T. Laws of Moses is paying Tithes. You should [past tense] have already done this, but not now. You are omitting and failing now to do the things of the N. T. Church of Jesus Christ, which pertains to the Law of Christ, Judgment of Christ, Faith of Christ...These are more valuable and weightier than Moses' Law.
Any pre-arrangements, stipulations, salaries, tithes, etc., are, in principle, "making merchandise of The Gospel..." The 10th Mark of Identity of The N. T. Church is "No Hirelings." Zech. 11:17; John 10:12-13; 1st Tim 3:3...
Historically, Tithing during the N. T. Church started in the 6th Century A.D. It was unknown in the Apostolic Church during these first centuries, and is still unknown and not practiced in The Old Line, Old School, Primitive Baptist Churches.
There is a growing number of preachers, who call themselves Primitive Baptist, some of them being ordained by the Primitive Baptist, teaching that which is known as "Gospel Means" doctrine. It is a doctrine which varies little from that preached by those calling themselves Primitive Baptist and preach absolutism, which is pure fatalism.
The fact that some of these men have been excluded from the ranks of the P. B. within the last year should be ample warning of the growing danger; but I fear they are prevailing among the P. B. : For I am receiving more and more literature from those who call themselves P. B., advocating "gospel means." They, like many others, speak out against the doctrines of "free willism" but teach that only those believing the gospel are God's elect. This is a direct throw-back to the teachings of some of the reformers of the sixteenth century, which taught that those would not believe as they did, and follow their teachings, were condemned to an eternal hell.Yet, these also proclaiming that eternal life was by the grace of God. And some were known as great teachers of sovereign grace.
Beware these preachers, who teach gospel means, are in direct conflict of the true gospel, and the purpose thereof, and should be considered as false teachers.
Satan, the source of all false teaching, has been present with God's people from the creation. He is that which opposes truth, and is our adversary. He was there in the garden beguiling mother Eve with his false teaching. And he stood against Israel provoking David. It is written, that he was with the sons of God when they came to present themselves before the Lord. And he was seen with Joshua the high priest as he stood before the angel of the Lord. Thus, in the parable of the sower, he was there to take away that which they heard and received in their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. [By this parable alone we can understand that gospel means; salvation by and/or through the gospel, is not the securing of eternal life.] Satan works in many ways to take away the truth, and to deceive the children of God. Christ saw him as lighting falling from heaven, in his disciples that rejoiced because devils were subject to them, through his name.
And we read where he entered unto Judas, surnamed Iscariot, at the feast of the passover; causing Judas to go out and betray his Lord. He also filled Ananias' heart causing him to lie to the Holy Ghost.
Therefore, we are taught that he is able to transform himself into an angel of light; appearing to be a messenger of truth. We should not be ignorant of his devices of sending false prophets in sheep clothing, and those transforming themselves as apostles of Christ, and as ministers of righteousness. Their full purpose is to bring believers into bondage.
Let us, as instructed, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:; because many false prophets are gone out unto the world.
DEACON ORDINATION HELD AT CROSBYTON CHURCH
On Saturday, October 8, 1994, the Crosbyton Primitive Baptist Church met with members from sister Churches for the work of ordaining Brother Bob Porter to the office of deacon. After a short song service, Elder Michael Rodgers, pastor, asked for all ordained brethren to be assembled as a presbytery.
Elder Rodgers then asked the presbytery to appoint a moderator, clerk, someone to deliver the ordination prayer, and someone to deliver the ordination charge. Elder George Johnson presented a motion to appoint Elder Rodgers as moderator, Brother Tom Taylor to be clerk assisted by Brother Cecil Richardson, Elder Kenneth Martin to offer the prayer, and Elder Luther Porter to deliver the charge. Elders Cleveland Bass and Gayle McCoy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Elder Rodgers asked if the church was satisfied with the presbytery as seated. Brother Joe Taylor, whom the church had appointed as its spokesman, answered that the church was satisfied.
Elder Rodgers asked Brother Joe Taylor to deliver Brother Bob Porter to the presbytery. After Brother Bob was delivered, the presbytery gathered around him, laying their hands on him as Elder Martin offered a gracious and humble prayer.
Elder Rodgers then asked Brother Joe Taylor to deliver Sister Ann Porter, Brother Bob's wife, to be seated by her husband. Elder Luther Porter came forth to deliver the charge to Brother Bob, Sister Ann, and the Crosbyton Church. Elder Porter not only encouraged and admonished Brother Bob, but also Sister Ann, and moreover charged the Church to do those things that would bring honor and glory to God our Father.
Elder Rodgers then asked Brother Joe Taylor to return Brother Bob and Sister Ann to the Church, and to recognize Brother Bob as a duly ordained deacon.
Brother Tom Taylor read the minutes, with a motion made by Brother J.C. Dorsett to accept the minutes. The motion received a second by Brother Gayle McCoy and approved unanimously by the presbytery. Elder Johnson then made a motion to dismiss the presbytery, which received a second from Elder Cleveland Bass and carried unanimously.
Everyone was invited to extend the right hand of Christian fellowship to Brother Bob and Sister Ann Porter as a song was sung. The service was closed in prayer by Elder McCoy.
Minutes signed by: Elder Michael Rodgers, moderator
Brother Tom Taylor, clerk
Elders attending: Michael Rodgers, Luther Porter, Cleveland Bass, Gayle McCoy, Francis Scott, George Johnson, Kenneth Martin
Deacons attending: Tom Taylor, Cecil Richardson, J.C. Dorsett, Curtis Poteet, Jack Denton, L.W. Jones, K.B. Ritchie.
Our nation got her Independence from England 218 years ago, on July 4, 1776, at the end of a war with the mother country. Since then, we have fought several other wars in the name of defending our liberty as a nation.
Benjamin Franklin helped to forge the great documents of the infant nation. His renowned leadership and Godfearing faith are reflected in his words.
"Have we forgotten this powerful friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?
I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, the 'except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it'. I firmly believe this."
Our first president, George Washington, was a man of faith, too; "Let us unite, therefore, in imploring the Supreme ruler of nations, to spread His holy protection over these United States..."
I wonder today if we, as individuals, own our dependence on almighty God. That is the only way to maintain our nation as "one nation under God" in truth and practice. We must be the keeper of the faith.
May we reflect on our freedom as a Nation, especially as it guarantees us the liberty to practice personal faith, and to worship the Lord as we believe we should.
Clinch County News
Homerville, Ga.
Gospel Appeal, Nov. 1994
NOT TO MISS AN ISSUE
Here is my renewal for another year for the Banner of Love. I do not want to miss a single issue.
Marilyn Mayfield
Arlington, Texas
WANTS TO KNOW INFORMATION
Enjoy the Banner. Please extend my subscription for another year. We want to know where and when all the good meetings.
We love to read all the good writings.
In Christian Love,
Brother Opal and Geneva Vandiver
Clovis, N.M.
GREATLY ENJOY THE PAPER
I greatly enjoy the paper and would not want to be without it. I enclose a personal check, please renew my subscription for another year and use the balance in anyway it may be needed.
May God continue to bless your efforts, as well as those of all others responsible for the publication of "The Banner of Love."
In Christian Love,
Marvin S.Gassaway
Monroe, OK
Note: We certainly appreciate the extra......Editor.
To The Family of Sister Mary Ball Caswell
Since I do not have the addresses of Sister Mary Ball Caswell I would like to state briefly how I have loved this dear family for years. I had the sacred privilege of knowing their father, dear Brother J. W. Ball. I had high regard for his knowledge of the sacred Word of God.
Tho' we suffer the loss of dear loved ones, our hopes in the grace of God are sufficient for all our sorrows.
When I was small and heard the four Ball girls sing, it caused my heart strings to cry aloud in praise of my Heavenly Father. It was so good to briefly see and visit with you dear Brother Caswell, Hazel, Arline, and Julia and may God comfort each of you is my prayer.
In sorrow, yet in Hope,
Humbly,
Elder Conway Wood
Mena, Ark.
P.S. It would have meant so much to me to have met with Sister Mary in her decline in health and offered up our little prayer to God in her behalf. C. W.
Father, I stretch my hand to Thee - No other help I know. If thou withdraw Thyself from me, To whom shall I go?
Dear Friends, does it seem to you that sometimes when we call to the Lord in prayer, He is so far away; Then at other times, He seems so near we can almost see His smiling face and hear Him whisper sweet peace to our troubled soul? In this stillness we rejoice and feel He has heard our feeble prayers.
Though we never hear a busy signal when we call our petitions to Him. We know His ear is not too heavy to hear. He knows our ways are not always His ways. And in our weakness we may call amiss.
As we pray, may we always be willing for His will, not ours be done. For I am sure we are prone to ask for the thing He knows we do not need What a glorious blessing when we realize His mercy endures forever, and He loves us all whether we are members of the Primitive Baptist Church or not. Don't we understand there are many of God's precious children out there that are tired of eating hush and are hungry for food from the Master's table that He has prepared for all He gave His precious life for. He will lead them also by the still waters.
May we always remember the Biblical story of the Prodigal Son, whom His father was looking for and ran to meet him to show His blessings on him.
God of Love, Oh, hear our prayers, kindly for thy people care. And when we all get to Heaven - What rejoicing that will be!
Lutisha Watson
Description of Jesus Christ by Publius Lentulus, Governor of Judea, addressed to Tiberius Caesar, Emperor of Rome. Found in an excavated city written in Aramaic on stone.......
"There lives at this time, in Judea, a man of singular virtue whose name is Jesus Christ, whom the barbarians esteem as a prophet, but his followers love and adore him as the offspring of the immortal God. He calls back the dead from the graves, and heals all sorts of diseases with a word or touch.
He is a tall man, and well shaped, of an amiable and revered aspect, his hair of a color that can hardly be matched, the color of chestnut full ripe. His forehead high, large and imposing; his cheeks without spot or wrinkle, beautiful with a lovely red; his nose and mouth formed with exquisite symmetry; his beard thick and of a color suitable to his hair reaching below his chin. His eyes bright blue, clear and serene, look innocent, dignified, manly, and mature. In proportion of body, most perfect and captivating, his hands and arms most delectable to behold.
He rebukes with majesty, counsels with mildness, his whole address, whether in word or deed, being eloquent and grave. No man has seen him laugh, yet his manner is exceedingly pleasant; but he has wept in the presence of men. He is temperate, modest and wise; a man for his extraordinary beauty and divine perfections, surpassing the children of men in every sense."
Jesus and His disciples were real, honest-to-goodness, flesh and blood, breathing, eating men, as well as spiritual giants. Their divinity was expressed through their humanity. In fact, if Jesus were not a man, there is little hope that any of us could follow Him ---and He never seemed to have any doubt that we can follow Him.-----In The Master's Service........Nov. 1994
CHURCH PUBLICATIONS A BLESSING
Please find enclosed a check for $30.00. Would you please extend my subscription for two years and use the rest anyway you see fit. My wife's health is not good and I seldom get to go to Church, so the church publications are a real blessing to me.
I also have a new address.
May God's blessings be with all of you who labor in publishing the paper.
Your unworthy brother,
Felix Pair
Hawley, Texas
Editors Note: Brother Pair, we pray for your wife's health; and we appreciate the extra. May God bless you.
BLESSED AT FIFTH SUNDAY MEETING
The Elmore City, Oklahoma Primitive Baptist Church was blessed by the spirit of the Almighty God for a large congregation. We had Elders from out of state, Elder George Walker, Elder Dale Magers, along with our home minister, Elder Victor Jones, and Brother Kim Gunwall.
This was an anniversary for Elder Jerry Cottrell who became an elder October 30, 1993. Shown in the picture is one of the deacons of the church presenting Elder Cottrell a plaque from the church for the services he has given the past year. Our church has grown in attendance, with our present pastor.
Elder Cottrell has shown special interest in every way concerning the church. This Elder has driven several hundred miles to visit the sick, and help with the maintenance of the church. Our church is small in number, but we have unity, love and sweet fellowship for each other.
Written by the
Church Clerk
Brother Johnie Cummings
REAL ENCOURAGING
In thinking of the knowledge of our Dear Lord's Salvation, Luke 1:76-79 are real encouraging.
So much to thank our Dear Lord for in the knowledge of His precious gift of His Salvation.
May He strengthen you all. He will see us through.
In Dear Hope,
Sister Loretta Lilly
Akron, Ohio
The doctrine of the firstfruits is a glorious lesson set forth under the law. The children of Israel were required to fulfill the law of the firstfruits each year at harvest time. This law taught them, in a natural setting what the Messiah would accomplish when He fulfilled the law of the firstfruits.
The law of the firstfruits is set forth in Lev. 23:9-11. "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest; And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted for you; on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it." Only the children of Israel are to receive these instructions from God.
Israel is symbolic of the children of God. The instructions embrace a particular place called "the land" [Church] and a specific time, identified as "harvest." A sheaf is to be gathered at harvest time, which is called firstfruits. A sheaf [firstfruits] is a random sample of the crop grown in the land by a head of a household. A sheaf includes many firstfruits. The sheaf is to be given to the priest by the head of the house. The priest is to wave [offer] it to the Lord [God]. It is accepted, it manifests that all the applicable laws of God were observed, therefore, the entire crop is accepted by God. The priest is to perform this task [wave offering] on the morning after the sabbath [Saturday]; which would be Sunday morning.
The crops varied from family to family according to their means of making a living. Each family was required to observe the law of the firstfruits by presenting to the Lord a random sample [sheaf] of their particular livelihood. Observe Pro. 3:9, "Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase."
As Israel is instructed to honour God with their substance and with the firstfruits of their crop. Jesus must do likewise to fulfill the law. Notice what Jesus says in Mat. 5:17-18, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."
All the law is to be fulfilled by Jesus and the law of the firstfruits is included in the "all". Since Jesus is to fulfill this law, when He came into the land [Church] given Him by the Father, His crop must be identified. This can be done by turning to Jer. 2:3, "Israel was holiness unto the Lord, and the firstfruits of his increase; all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the Lord."
This scripture identifies Israel [the elect people of God] as the crop [increase] of the Lord Jesus. Out of these people Jesus is to gather a random sample [a sheaf] as the firstfruits of His increase. The sheaf is revealed to us in Mat. 27:50-53, "Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many."
The man Jesus died on the cross, laid in the grave three days and three nights [72 hours], and was resurrected. When He came forth out of the grave, other graves were opened and many [not all] of the bodies of the saints [sheaf out of the elect] came out of the graves gathered by Him. The dead bodies of the Saints which had been entombed in the grave was resurrected after the resurrection of Jesus and went into the holy city [Jerusalem] and appeared unto many. As the resurrection of Jesus was witnessed, so was the resurrection of the sheaf; as Jesus was resurrected in a glorious body, so were the Saints of the sheaf.
Insight of this glorious event is seen in 1 Cor. 15:20, "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept." The time of the gathering of the sheaf of firstfruits is identified here as when Christ rose from the grave. The time of harvest is when the crop [elect] is ready to be delivered to the Father by the Priest. Through the power of the resurrection the crop is made ready. The final resurrection has not come, but the resurrection of the Head of the house [Jesus] has come, and a sheaf of the crop was resurrected [gathered] by Him, and is in the hand of the High Priest [Jesus] to be waved before the Father as a random sample of the entire redeemed crop.
Consider the following scriptures relative to the time and location of the wave offering.
In Mat. 12:40, "For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." After laying in the grave from approximately 6 PM Wednesday through 6 PM Saturday [72 hours], Jesus arose from the grave as High Priest. The Jewish 'day' began at 6 PM and ended the following 6 PM. Therefore, the resurrection of Jesus and the sheaf was between 6 PM Saturday and before dawn Sunday morning.
In John 20:1 and 16-17, [v:1] "The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre." The phrases identifies the time as very early Sunday morning, which is the day after the sabbath. Remember Leviticus 23:11 states 'on the morning after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.' [v's 16-17] "Jesus saith unto her, Mary, She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father, but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father. and your Father; and to my God, and your God." Under the law the high priest was not to touch any unclean thing after preparing to enter the Holiest of Holies; Mary was not to touch the High Priest prior to His entering into the presence of the Father which is the holiest of all.
Jesus states, "I ascend unto my Father." We know by his statement to Mary that He ascended to His Father, which is God. Mary was not to touch him prior to His ascension and fulfillment of His work in the presence of God, the Father, but later that same day many were allowed to touch Him, signifying His work was accomplished in the Holiest of Holies. One of the tasks He accomplished as High Priest was to wave the sheaf before God.
In the Book of Hebrews, scripture provides a view of Jesus before God the Father. In Heb. 9:12 and 23-24, [v:12.] "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." [vs 23-24.] "It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but unto heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God : The words 'patterns and things' are plural, indicating that more than one task was to be accomplished in the presence of God for us. This is where the wave offering took place. Notice, Jesus did not enter into the holy place on earth, for if he had, He would have broken the law because He was of the tribe of Judah.
This same event was foretold in Deu. 26:10. "And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O Lord, hast given me. And thou shall set it before the Lord thy God, and worship before the Lord, thy God." Those obedient to the law of God fulfilled this scripture year after year pointing to the final fulfillment by Jesus. At the appointed time, Jesus brought the firstfruits of the land, which were a random sample of all that was given Him by the Father; the high priest set [offered or waved] the sheaf before the Lord in keeping with Leviticus 23:11.
A view of the sheaf [firstfruits] which were presented to the Father by Jesus our Great High Priest can be seen in Revelation, Chapter 14, but before turning to the text a thought of consideration is offered. A timely application of the Church in her purity is also taught in these same verses of Revelation, but as the timely of the Church gives rise to an eternal view, let us turn our attention to heaven itself for a view of the Sheaf in the presence of the Lamb and the Father. In Rev. 14:1-5, "And I looked, and, lo, a lamb stood on the Mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as a voice of a great thunder; and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps; And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which are not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile; for they are without fault before the throne of God." These scriptures identify the sheaf that was resurrected and presented [waved] before God the Father by the High Priest. Please consider the following statements concerning the quantity, purity, and location of these Saints.
To understand the spiritual application of the number 'hundred and forty and four thousand,' other Bible principals must be viewed. [1] The number 12 is the ecclesiastical number; as the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles represent. [2] To square a number is to raise that number to perfection, The Holiest of Holies is square to manifest perfection. [3] One thousand is a number [quantity] known to God but not revealed to man. As the cattle on a thousand hills, etc. [4] 12x12 =144, signifying the church [people] raised to perfection [5] 144x1000=144000, signifying a number [quantity] of the [Church] known to God, but that quantity is not revealed to man.
These sung a new song that no man could learn. Any song, even if new, can be learned if on earth, but this song was restricted to the hundred and forty four thousand and was sung before the throne of God. Again, no song on earth can be so restricted. The hundred and forty and four thousand were redeemed from the earth and from among men, which indicates that they are no longer on earth. Scriptures provides the reason when it states, being the firstfruits unto God [the Father] and to the lamb [the Son].
The hundred and forty and four thousand follow the lamb whithersoever He goeth. Even the most blessed servant on earth can not follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.
The purity of the hundred and forty and four thousand is far above any living on earth because they display the perfection of the Lamb in that they are without fault and free from all guile. The scriptures declare the state of mans sinfulness on earth when it says, there is none righteous, no not one.
The final results of the fulfillment of the law of the firstfruits by Jesus our Head of the house, keeper of the crop and High Priest is revealed in the following scriptures.
Romans 11:16, "For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches." Jesus being the firstfruit and root in this scripture, and is declared to be holy; and having fulfilled the righteous law of God on behalf of the heirs of promise, wherein His finished work was presented to God the Father, and accepted by the Father, insured the lump and branches [elect] to be holy also.
1 Cor 15:20-24, "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order; Christ the firstfruits: afterward they that are Christ's at His coming. them cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power."
The words 'now risen and become' in the first sentence declares that the fulfillment of the firstfruits are as sure as His rising from the dead. Also, hope is extended to the rest of the crop [elect] which were not in the sheaf, when the scripture points to the end of time when they that are Christ's will be embraced in His coming. This is the final resurrection when all the kingdom will be delivered to the Father.
Jam 1:18, "Of His own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." The "we" of this text identify the rest of the crop [elect]. The word "kind" means a generic class or particular nature; when a child of grace is quickened from a dead state in sin and becomes a son of God he has a particular nature in common with all other children of God. This binds the relationship between the sheaf and the crop, and we know if the sheaf is accepted then the whole generic class is accepted awaiting His Coming.
1 The. 4:16-18, "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." These verses should bring he great joy to us that have this blessed hope, for they speak of the time when our Savior will come at harvest time to gather the remaining crop which was given Him before the foundation of the world.
In Bonds of Love, Elder Bill Caraway
To get the most out of this epistle one should know something about the church, its location, the kind of people in it, and attending it; the immoral status of the city; the wisdom and argumentative disposition of the Greeks and their sophistry; the vain religion of the Jews and the Paganism of the Orientals which filled the teeming streets with people from all Mediterranean World.
At last but not least about the great Apostle Paul, who was "called to be an apostle" by the grace of God and directed there by the Holy Spirit. Determined to know nothing among them but Jesus and Him crucified.
The Corinth that Paul knew was only about a hundred years old. In 146 B.C. the very old and original Corinth was destroyed and plundered to the ground by the Roman soldiers when they overcame the Greeks. But in 46 B.C. the city was rebuilt by Julius Caesar and made a Roman colony with Roman military and political officials in charge. And through the next hundred years it grew to be a thriving city of about 600,000 inhabitants.
Corinth was very strategically located in the crossroads of the then known world. On the narrow neck of land only four miles wide that connected the main body of Greece with the sprawling land Peloponnesos which land was almost surrounded with the waters of the Ionian Aegean, and Mediterranean Seas and lay south of the present States of Albania, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria. the old well-trodden paths of caravans from the north countries, came through the city, and the ships from Asia and Babylonia and Canaan from the east would unload and transfer their cargo's over the four mile neck of land at Corinth, and reload them for their western voyages to Italy and the now British Isles to save the long distance around Peleponnsia and avoid the dreaded storms in that region.
The Corinthians morals was a by word to all the ports of its trade name. Drawn from many countries by the profitable and extensive commerce were hoards of men with their customs, the cultures, and crudities, their faiths, their gods and their godliness. Religion and vice was entwined with pagan worship.
On a high hill near the city was the celebrated Acrocornthus overlooking the city and the sea. A large collection of "temples" to Pagan gods. Here was one built to Phhrodite the goddess of love and lust.
A thousand temple prostitutes were integral parts of its worship exercises.
Quoting from one historian, "It seemed like madness for Paul to come with the gospel of Christ into this center of heathen materialism and immorality."
But here in Corinth Paul found a Jew named Aquila and made his home with him and his wife Priscilla, who like Paul were tent makers and they proved steadfast friends to him, and believers in the faith that was to fashion the Church at Corinth and go down in history as a pattern of principals that have stood the storms of the ages.
Paul preached in the synagogues with power and demonstration of the Spirit" and won the hearts of brother and sister Titus Justus who lived next door to the synagogue, and later, when the everwise Greeks and debating Jews pressed him sorely he moved in the home with the Justus's and made that his headquarters.
The hard working and sharp minded Apostle Paul waxed bold and fraught every appearance of evil, and worldliness without giving an inch to his critics.
He soon baptized Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, which had a profound effect on the Corinthian community.
Then Gaius----then the whole house of Stephanas, but besides them he said, "I know not whether I baptized any other. It seemed he was not too concerned about keeping mere records to build up his prestige; his soul was aflame with the word of the Lord and he said, "woe is me, if preach not the gospel."
Thus the curtain falls, hiding from our view the Church for many years.
The problems of Corinth and how they met, will be discussed later, God willing.
R.W.Cothern.....The Banner of Love 2-16-61
REAL ENCOURAGING
In thinking of the knowledge of our Dear Lord's Salvation, Luke 1:76-79 are real encouraging.
So much to thank our Dear Lord for in the knowledge of His precious gift of His Salvation.
May He strengthen you all. He will see us through.
In Dear Hope,
Sister Loretta Lilly
Akron, Ohio
By Brother Randy C. Elam
Phoenix, Arizona
1 Kings 19:9-18
Having fled the wrath of Jezebel, we find Elijah "in the wilderness," not realizing God's ability to deliver him. Many of God's children allow their fear of people and things in this life to discourage them when their faith in God is diminished. Here is a message of hope to ones who need their faith in God renewed. We cannot trust in our strength, but must look towards God as the source of our salvation.
Turn back to the beginning of 1st Kings, Chapter 18, to better understand the message contained in our text.
1 Kings 18:1-46 / 1 Kings 19: 1-8
God gave Elijah the command to "..go, show thyself unto Ahab.." This Ahab, king of Israel, did evil by promoting the worship of a false god, Baal; Elijah was called to confront Ahab and the people of Israel, to correct them. He questioned how they could worship two gods, and demanded that they choose one. At this point, Elijah did not stand in Ahabs favor and could expect harm from him, yet he did as the Lord commanded.
Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to prove which was the true God. Of course, the Lord God, Father of Jesus Christ, prevailed. We see great courage and conviction in Elijah to stand for God because he trusted in God's strength.
Yet immediately following this, the threat of death from Jezebel struck fear in Elijah, and caused him to flee to the wilderness. Rather than turning to God for help, he turned away from God. Why? In his fear, he focused not on God's strength, but upon his own weakness.
The wilderness represents a separation from God. When he did seek the Lord, he asked not for God's will; he asked to die. He had given up all hope, and merely sought to escape the travail of this life. But God had not given up on Elijah! How unstable is man, to vascilate from the heights of strength in God to the depths of weakness of the flesh.
God had obviously selected Elijah for a special purpose; how could he be so easily weakened? Yet how often in our own life do we succumb to fear, and flee from the course that the Lord has set before us?
God sent an angel to prepare Elijah to continue the work set out for him. Not once, but twice the angel came to him, the second time, the pointing out: "... the journey is too great for thee." Certainly, our journey through this life is too great for us to undertake without God's strength. Here is evidence that when we are weak, and have lost hope, when we have given up on ourselves, God has not given up on us, but will visit us and strengthen us to go on.
1 Kings 19:9-10
God twice asked Elijah, "What doest thou here, Elijah?"
[1st Kings 19:9-13], and received the same answer from him. What is the special significance to the repetition of the question and receiving the same answer both times? Obviously, being omnipotent, God knew why Elijah was in the wilderness; he wanted Elijah to know why he was there.
If we examine Elijah's answer; we gain some insight into his state of mind at this time. Is Elijah focused on God, and what God has done? No, he starts off here on the wrong foot; look at what "I" have done. "I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts..." Elijah does not follow a clear line of reasoning here; "I have been very jealous..." speaks not of God's will and power, and what "I" [Elijah] have done. Are we sometimes puffed up to think of what "I" have done for the Lord? And just what could we do for the Lord, without His strength?
Let us consider the next part of this statement; "..the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword..." What happened during Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal? Did not the Lord prove Himself, in consuming the sacrifice with fire from heaven? Did not the people fall on their face and acknowledge God as the one true god?
Did not the people take the prophets of Baal and slay them?
Elijah claims to be the only one faithful to God..."..I, even I only, am left..." It gets pretty lonely and scary when we must face the world alone; yet are we alone? We know that there was a remnant left who were faithful to God. But even if Elijah was the only man faithful to God, would he still be alone? Did not God promise that He would never leave us, nor forsake us? Can we be alone, if God is with us?
Elijah seems to be caught up in the weakness of "I", the man, and lost to the strength of God. God instructed Elijah to go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. It's time to go to school with God for another lesson.
We see demonstrations of great natural power [yet the Lord not in them.] There are great forces at work in the world, which are of the world. Whether they be natural forces, or forces of man, the child of God is not to be distracted, or discouraged by these forces, as God was trying to point out to Elijah. Just as these natural forces did not destroy or overcome Elijah, neither would the force and power of Jezebel destroy him while God protected him God created the world, and his strength is greater than any natural force.
Again, in verse 13, the question is repeated. Again, Elijah voices the same answer. We have a sequence of question, answer, lesson, question, and same answer. Elijah missed the lesson entirely.
Overcome by fear, engulfed in the weakness of the flesh, Elijah failed to see that God is able to deliver his people. We must not rely upon our own strength, but look toward God daily to guide us. Let our morning prayer be; "Lord, show me thy way, strengthen me to do thy will, and deliver me from the evil and temptations of this world. Amen.
It was our privilege and blessing recently to again be in service with a few of the Primitive Baptist Churches in California.
Fifty years had past this last June since we left San Francisco. Many times as the years have gone by have I thought of hearing the gospel in power and much assurance, and my "first love", for the word of God, the church, and the dear people I met there in my early experience in the 1940's. Time does not erase those times and places where the Lord's presence was so evident.
The people now living who were present when I asked for church membership, are Elder and Sister D. A. Layne, Elder and Sister Marvin Sims, and Elder Vance Smith of Excelsior Springs, Missouri; also some of brother and sister Layne's children were present when Elder Layne baptized me on August 11, 1943.
It was in San Francisco I made my first effort to speak before a congregation. If my memory is correct, I made two attempts to speak in our Master's name, before leaving there in June 1944.
My first text was "For the Lord's portion of his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance." Deuteronomy 32:9. The second was: "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As new born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow there by." I Peter 2:1-2. I might add I am not finished with those texts yet!
In the early evening on September 29, in the company of Elder and Sister Marvin Sims, Neva Jo and I arrived at Golden Gate Church in Niles Canyon. Elder Elvin Layne, the pastor, greeted us as we were getting out of the car. Elder Ronald Lawrence from Florida was their invited minister for the meeting. Other ministers attending were Elder Marvin Sims, Elder D. A. Layne, Elder Green, and Elder Jesse Stripland.
What a blessing it was to hear each of the above named Elders preach, and to experience the warm welcome and fellowship of this dear church.
On Saturday night we were with Elder and Sister D. A. Layne in the church in Madera. It is my understanding he has served this church for a half century. What a lovely little band I tried to preach to there. It was their conference time, and we noted their love and respect for one another was very evident.
Sunday we were in the communion meeting in Ceres, where Elder Marvin Sims is pastor. Elder Sims and I preached in the morning service, then the church had communion in the afternoon. It was a very special meeting to me, to feel the Lord's presence, and reunite with loved ones of the past, and meet new ones as well.
Sunday night Elder D. A. Layne arranged for me to preach at Houghson, near Modesto. Some came from the Golden Gate church as well as their pastor, Elder Elvin Layne. What a blessing to meet in the Lord's name with his Saints! Oh for grace to preach better, to our Lord's glory, and the edifying of the body of Christ.
On this trip I had the opportunity to preach four times. We were graciously received in the homes of brother and sister Marvin Sims; sister H. R. Shamblin, Sister Elisabeth Hendrickson, brother and sister D. A. Layne. May the God of all grace bless them, and sustain these churches, and their pastors.
Monday, the third of October we made our first trip to Yosemite National Park. Where we saw the grandeur of mountain heights, some of which appeared to be solid rock; valleys and canyons of unbelievable depth. We had several beautiful views of the Merced River. There were also numerous water falls roaring down the mountain side as giant water spouts, beating a path to the green valley below.
As we looked on the vast forest, the variety of trees, we readily understood why it is one of the scenic wonders of the world. While driving in the higher elevation we could see spots of snow near timber line. We drove north through mountain passes to South Lake Tahoe. About an hour before our arrival, the snow began to fly, diamond white flakes washing the mountain air. Quite a difference from the 90 and 95 degree weather we left in Arlington.
We arrived safely home Tuesday with precious thoughts of our Lord, that made heaven and earth, with all power, and with perfect knowledge and wisdom.
In hope,
Elder Hylton Crain
Arlington, Texas
I find myself in a struggle from time to time as I examine my priorities. For what reason am I doing the habits, rituals and traditions I find myself following?
Am I doing something because of the original reason for it; or am I doing it because it conforms to a habit or because it is a man-made tradition?
Do we go to church on Sunday simply because tradition dictates everyone is supposed to go to church on Sunday? Are we there simply for an empty ritual?
Do we lead singing or prayer in church a certain way because old habits in a particular church have always been that way?
Do you recite the Lord's Prayer out of memory (but not out of heart)?
Has the Lord provided a call and a burden to preach, and we do it now primarily because we are expected to by the congregation?
Do our habits, our traditions, our rituals have meaning, or are they merely manmade performances? The gospel and the gospel church were given to us for very specific purposes. Are we honoring that original purpose, or are we honoring ourselves?
Many times the Lord will provide to us a blessing of talent or ability. Are we using that talent for the benefit for which it was given, or are we using it for our own benefit?
Do we need occasionally (or perhaps regularly) to examine our priorities (and our pride and egos) to insure the reasons why we do the habits we do?
This is not a new subject. I did not think of it first in this article. It already has been the subject of examination, and in much better context than I could examine it.
In the book of Zechariah, this lesson is provided to us. The ritual of fasting for the past 70 years is examined with some interesting questions asked which we should apply to ourselves today.
"Then came the word of the Lord of hosts unto me saying, Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?
"And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?" Zech. 7:4-6.
I am afraid I many times find myself just like the people in the lesson in the 7th chapter of Zechariah. In whose name am I doing the ritual. Am I doing it for its original purpose, or because it is the thing to do, because everyone is doing it or because it is expected of me. Is there no meaning behind by actions.
The Lord asked the same questions of those who were fasting: "Are you doing this for me?, or are you doing this for yourselves?" Did the people have an eye to God with their fasting; were they doing it for God, or had the ritual itself become an end in itself?
This is an appeal to our conscience. Are we performing an empty habit, or are we putting our heart, our soul and power into the ceremonies of the Lord? Are we practicing our religion to the honor and glory of God, or are we performing to relieve our guilty conscience or to meet the worldly expectations we feel of others?
Jesus provides to us a similar lesson in the Sermon on the Mount. He teaches us in several contexts, but we look first to the same one of fasting.
"Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may be appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." Matt. 6:16-18.
The same lesson is provided us earlier in Matthew in the teachings regarding charitable contributions to the poor and praying to the Lord:
"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them . . . when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." Matt 6:1-2. We are told to provide for the poor secretly "and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly."
And with prayer, Jesus tells us at Matt. 6:5-7 to avoid the examples of the hypocrites who love to pray standing on street corners or use vain repetitions. He instructs us instead to enter into our privacy and "pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."
There are many good works and ceremonies we have the duty to perform, and must perform openly. But what should our frame of mind and our priorities be when we perform these?
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matt. 5:16.
The reason we go to church is to honor and thank the Lord. The reason we are to perform any duty instructed to us in the gospel is for the honor and glorification of God.
Our first priority in all our actions should be for the praise and glory of the Lord, not ourselves. If we properly set our eyes and priorities in honoring the Lord first, the Lord will take care of any honor and glory to us.
In whose name are we acting?