Sovereign Grace Missionary Baptist Church 1217 Dillon Texarkana, Texas 75501 Elder Randy Johnson, Pastor Bro. Ronnie Henderson, Song Director "Where The Truths Of God’s Word Are Still Taught" |
| You Were Asked To Pray For:
All of Our Military, Their Family’s & All the Civilian Workers in The Middle East, Zee Mink Fuller and Family, Her son’s Bryan Armstrong and Hunter Hackie, Daughter Shannon, and Brother Philip & Sondra Thornsberry, Virgil & Alice Hoskins, Grandchildren, and his daughters Liz Janis and Debbie Gray, Alecia Clements, Bryndon Thomas, Frank & Dawana Reigel, Andrew Preston, Helen Maggard, Renee Jackson, Larry Mollette, Larry Mollette II & Family, Linda Mollette, Kirby Mollette, Kerry Pennington, Kim Butler, Danny & Nita Mollette, Verna Mae Allen, Wendell Henderson, Judy Dunn, Joshua Kidd, Matthew Kidd, Ronnie Henderson Jr, Donnie Henderson, Kevin Henderson, Ricky Henderson, Rosalie Graves, Terry Hanson, Jim Stagner, Bro. & Mrs. Hammond, Don Hammond, Charles Hammond, Archie & Barbara Griffin & son Daniel, Bro. & Sister Bob Keller, Wanda Fowler, Kathy Rosinbaum, Brenda Galusha and Jewel, Mary Ramsey, Donna Johnson, Fay Johnson, Luann Reynolds, Bro. & Sis. Curtis Pugh, Timothy and Nathan Fails, Jacob Ramsey, Jim & Linda Meier, Brother David & Sister Anne Shortt, Brother Manuel Seymour & Family, Doris Hammock, Letha Langford, Leacho Tittle, Brother & Sister Kelley Hinson and Kelley Lee, Billy and Jo Hobbs, Jerry Hughes, Sister Nita Bookout and her Niece, Pastor G. L. Burr, Alicia Lightsey, Melody Carr, Betty, Janie Capps, Kathy Johnson, Doyle Thomas, and Bro. Sergey Mochalov and the Churches in Russia. |
| A Thought From Pastor Johnson: Hold yourself off from a view that is evil. I think I remember writing about this scripture sometime back, however new light concerning it has come to view. Most Baptist preachers equate this with an act of evil or to something that appears to be evil; however I believe this verse goes much deeper than just that one point. As it was so brilliantly pointed out in a commentary I was looking at; this scripture taken in its context has another side to it and that is its main reference is to doctrinal issues. Without belittling what has been and is so often referred to with this scripture let us take it in the actual context in which God has planted it. Verse 19 “Quench not the Spirit.” The Holy Spirit controls our biblical education, verse 20 “Despise not prophesyings.” That is don’t make light or reject the teaching of old, and verse 21 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” Prove all the doctrine and stand firm on that which the scripture teaches. And this brings us to verse 22 “Abstain from all appearance of evil” now if we take two words in verse 22 “Abstain” which means - to hold oneself off, that is, refrain” - and the word “appearance” which means - form or a view – and take in the context of the verses before verse 22 the main reference is to the teaching of the word of God. Therefore, it is suggested this verse is teaching us to “Hold yourself off from a view that is evil.” That is anything outside of what the Holy Spirit teaches, despising not the teachings of old, proving all things scriptural to be truth, and standing firm on those truths which is good. The Lord never promised us they would ever be good to the ears of the religionist or of modern day assemblies but always to His chosen few. Beloved it is our reasonability to the Lord to obey His commandment and stay away from anything that sounds or appears to be contrary to His word and this includes modern day teachings. The reason for this is not to allow ourselves get caught up in the teachings of the world and to focus on the truths of God’s Holy Scripture. And in verse 23 we see the reason for this “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” To keep ourselves blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. If we allow ourselves to be led away from God’s truths we will suffer great loss in rewards and therefore being less in God’s kingdom because we have no rewards before the King’s throne. In Isaiah 33:15, 16 we read “He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; (16.) He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.” Those that stand and walk according to God word will dwell higher than those who left the truth for worldly gain. Beloved the Lord has always rewarded those who are faithful to Him and being faithful to the Lord today is standing on truth and not even viewing other doctrine at all. I know the thought today is you have to hear all sides and then make up you’re mind to what is truth or not and I say hog wash, the Lord say not to even view what they have to say because Satan is a great deceiver and a greater liar and will draw us all into his web of lies if we give him a chance. It is not our concern what they are teaching and therefore we are to look the other way when they are teaching. So here it is “it is not ok to give any attention to false teachers at all” because that means you are viewing evil teaching. |
| Accusations Against an Elder, By Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.: It is written: “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.” (I Tim. 5:19) Sadly, we live in a generation of false accusers who have no conscience before God. The common thought is “All I have to do is raise the question, then it will be up to you to prove you are not guilty.” Such assertions are ungodly reasonings! They are full of vile wickedness that only serves the purposes of Satan. It is unscriptural, evil, wicked, and gross ungodliness. Yet, far too many churches allow it to exist amongst them. Many a pastor has been crucified by the tongue of a disgruntled member, or someone wanting his position as pastor of the church. Regretfully, much confusion and damage has been brought to a church by just “raising the question.” The Holy Scriptures are very explicit - DO NOT RECEIVE ANY ACCUSATION AGAINST A PASTOR UNLESS THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO WITNESSES. Not just any so-called witness will do; they must be good sufficient honorable witnesses. Hear say will not do, the witness must be credible and have verifiable first hand knowledge of the facts. The church must not easily receive any accusation against its pastor. It must guard the office with extreme care. This rule is given because the honor of the office of pastor and the church is at stake. Even if he is eventually cleared, the damage is already done in the membership and in the community. Satan is acutely aware of this fact. “Just raise the question!” and the damage is done, because there will always be those who will believe and want to believe any scandal regardless of the truth. Ungodly people relish any hint of evil against a man of God.. They are enraged like sharks with a hint of blood in the water. The destruction of the cause of Christ is a joy to the wicked. Anything to stir a feeding frenzy excites their jaws. There are many enemies to the Gospel of Christ. There are many wolves in the midst of the sheep. We must not be blind and ignorant of this fact. A church must always be on guard for its honor and the honor of the Pastor’s office. Jesus purchased the church with His own blood; therefore, God will not hold them guiltless who attempt to bring harm to it and its Pastor. We must ever be careful not to receive accusations against a Pastor without credible and verifiable witnesses. |
| Quotes: “I always find I can preach best when I manage to lie and soak in my text, and after I have bathed in it, I delight to lie down in it, and let it (the Bible) soak into me. - C. H. Spurgeon “A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't” - C. H. Spurgeon |
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