The Real Emancipation Proclamation

(Article for publication week of 1-30- AD 2013)

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:32). It is a wonderful thing to enjoy political and civil liberty. To live in a commonwealth where we have some liberties in our homes, properties, and churches is a wonderful thing. To have freedom of speech and freedom of assembly is wonderful indeed. To have the liberty to keep and bear arms that helps keep our other liberties is a great blessing. But if you have all these liberties, and have not Christ, you are in reality a slave of the very worst kind.

To be a slave of sin is the worst of all slavery. The Apostle Paul was inspired to write in Romans 6:20, “when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.” Now that is slavery of the worst kind. To be enslaved by your lusts; to be enslaved by dope or liquor; to be enslaved by your awful pride; to be enslaved by envy; to be enslaved by a terrible temper; to be enslaved by laziness; these are indeed awful masters. And just as bad, is to be enslaved by self righteousness so you do not see your need of a Saviour.

You see sin is a terrible kind of slavery. Most of you are in this kind of slavery. Though you think you have your freedom, you are a slave to your sin nature, the world and the Devil.

A political slave may perhaps have hope the political system may change. A domestic slave may have hope that his master will look kindly and find him worthy of emancipation. A prisoner in jail has hope of an end of his sentence, or perhaps a pardon from the governor. But a slave of sin is without hope in this world, or the world to come. And one of the worst aspects of sin slavery is that you do not even realise you are in slavery, nor do you even desire to be free from it. You prefer to live in sin and/or self-righteousness, vainly imagining you are “free”.

Oh1 But here is a glorious declaration from the lips of Christ Himself! If Christ, the Eternal and Coequal Son of God shall make you free, you will have true freedom. When the saving work of Christ is applied to a poor sinner, then that sinner is set free indeed. The emancipated sinner is freed form the bondage of sin and becomes free to live a holy life. He is free to love and follow Christ. He is free to serve a better Master. He is free to worship God in Spirit and in Truth through the Mediation of Christ. He is eternally free and can never be re-enslaved.

Why don’t you cry out to the Great Emancipator right now and beg Him to have mercy on your enslaved soul and set you free. He is very pitiable towards such as yourself. He is full of truth and grace. He has mercy on poor sin slaves. He sets slaves free!

Now I want to say a word to Christians before I close. It looks like the days of civil and political liberty in our country may soon come to an end. Our nation is under the judgment of God. Now dear brethren, don’t fret. No tyrant can take away your liberty in Christ, and that is far more important. He who is free in Christ is truly free. And he who is without Christ is an abject slave unless he is freed by Christ the Great emancipator.

(I give credit for the title chosen for this week’s article to Brother Gilbert Barr from Simmsport, Louisiana who I heard preach from this text and gave his message a similar title.)

Count the Cost

(Article for publication week of 1-23- AD 2013)

“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33).

Our Lord’s evangelistic methods were far different from most churches and preachers today. Rather than rushing folks into “making a decision”, our Lord frankly told men to “count the cost” before becoming His follower. (The reader is invited and encouraged to read Luke 14: 15-33.)

One of the paradoxes of Christianity is that salvation is absolutely free, but it costs you everything. Christ has paid the full price of redemption for every one who would ever believe in Him, but all those who believe in Christ have to be willing to part with everything. It doesn’t cost you anything to be saved, but if you will be saved then you must forsake the whole world, including family (see verse 26 preceding).

Our Lord said plainly in Matthew 10:34-36, “think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own house.” This is the hard truth of the matter, if you become a Christian, it will likely put you at odds with some you love most. Getting saved is a heart-rending matter.

The truth is dear reader, if you will be saved, you will become very unpopular. It is a lie out of hell that you can be a Christian and enjoy the smiles of the world. The scriptures plainly say in I John 2:15, “if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” You cannot be a friend of God, and a friend of the world at the same time (James 4:4). If you are interested in winning a popularity contest, then don’t become a Christian. If you love the smiles of the world, then go on to hell, and don’t pretend to be a Christian.

I earnestly desire the salvation of your soul. I come to this computer every week, and labour for your eternal good. I preach the gospel every week in the church. I travel to distant churches to labour for the salvation of sinners. I preach the gospel to friends and family in funerals like I did in Oklahoma last week. I put my sermons on cd and on the internet to send to the whole world. I give away loads of tracts, pamphlets and books. I talk to everyone who will listen to tell them of the freeness of God’s grace and the glorious way He saves. I warn all who will listen of the wrath to come. I preach the gospel to every rational creature I can hem up for five minutes. I point all men to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world, and try to make the way of salvation as clear as possible and remove every stumbling stone which hinders men from free salvation. But at the same time I must be truthful with you as my Lord was. Don’t set out to follow Christ until you have counted the cost. Better to never walk in the way than to start out and give it up. It is better to never know the truth than to know it and forsake it. It is better to never profess Christ, than to renounce Him later. Count the cost, for it is very high.

But finally I say to you, count the cost, but come to Christ at all cost! Yes, Christianity is a costly enterprise. It will cost you your friends, family, wealth, prestige and popularity; yea it will cost you everything. But the cost of not becoming a Christian is infinitely and eternally higher! The cost of not becoming a Christian is a Christ-less eternity. The cost of not being saved is to spend eternity shut up in the lake of fire! So dear reader, count the cost, but come to Christ at all cost right now for the eternal salvation of your never dying soul. If you want to know more call me today at 601-927-5070 or come to my house at 278 Good Hope Road, and I will tell you how to be saved. May the Lord spare you before it is too late.

The Memory of the Just

(Article for publication week of 1-16- AD 2013)

“The memory of the just is blessed:” (Proverbs 10:7). This coming week we remember a truly just man, General Robert E. Lee. Robert Edward Lee was born January 19, 1807. His birthday is a State holiday here in the Sovereign State of Mississippi and is observed by law the third Monday of January.

General Lee is honored for his great military genius, statesmanship and work as an educator, but most of all he is honored for his notable and exemplary Christian walk. There have been numerous biographies of this dear saint of God, but two of the best on my shelf are “Call of Duty” by Pastor Steve Wilkins, and “Robert E. Lee, the Christian”, by William J. Johnson. You would be greatly blessed to read them and read them to your children.

General Lee was a faithful member of the Episcopal Church. (In that day and time the Episcopal Church in the South still believed the Bible.) The last act of his life was to attend the vestry meeting of his church. In that meeting he personally pledged the shortage of funds for the pastor’s salary. Though he was noted for his Christian walk, his humble confession of faith was, “I am but a poor sinner trusting in Christ Alone for salvation.”

During the War, he encouraged the observation of the Lord’s Day among his troops, and actively participated in the Christian services conducted in the Army of Northern Virginia. He issued orders prohibiting all but necessary duties on the Lord’s Day, and required quiet and order where services were being held. It is a too little known fact today that during the War, God favored the South with a Great Revival among the Confederate armies. There were thousands of soldiers converted to saving faith in Christ through the instrumentality of the faithful Southern preachers of that day from all the denominations of Christianity. This revival is accounted by several historians, particularly Dr. J. William Jones in “Christ in the Camp.” It would warm your heart to read it. Brother Jones relates much about General Lee and his participation in the camp meetings, prayer meetings, tract and Bible distribution and other Christian work carried on among the Confederate troops. General Lee was a great encourager of the ministry and sought above all the spiritual welfare of his men.

Robert E. Lee was a man of principle, not pragmatism. Lincoln offered him the command of the federal army, but he chose to side with the South believing her Cause to be just. He knew the prospects for Southern victory were slim, but he did not believe that “might makes right” as most do today. Had he accepted Lincoln’s offer, he would have had all this world has to offer- power, prestige, fame and wealth. He would probably have become president after Lincoln. But he chose rather to suffer for righteousness’ sake. He said of the Southern Cause, “ all the South has ever wanted is the Old Constitution as bequeathed by our Forefathers.” During the dark days of the “Reconstruction” he told Texas Governor Stockdale, “Had I foreseen these results of subjugation, I would have preferred to die with my brave men with my sword in hand.”

After the War, he like most Southerners was reduced to extreme poverty. A large insurance company from up north offered him a job at an astronomical salary. When he told them he knew nothing of the insurance business they said, “you don’t have to do anything, we just want your name associated with our company.” Such was the respect even Northerners had for him. He refused their offer saying, “all I have left is my name and it is not for sale.” You don’t find many like that today.

General Lee’s admonition to his sons and the men of the South and everywhere was “ do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should not expect to do less.” Would God we had such men today! “The memory of the just is blessed.”

Count the Cost

(Article for publication week of 1-9- AD 2013)

“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33).

Our Lord’s evangelistic methods were far different from most churches and preachers today. Rather than rushing folks into “making a decision”, our Lord frankly told men to “count the cost” before becoming His follower. (The reader is invited and encouraged to read Luke 14: 15-33.)

One of the paradoxes of Christianity is that salvation is absolutely free, but it costs you everything. Christ has paid the full price of redemption for every one who would ever believe in Him, but all those who believe in Christ have to be willing to part with everything. It doesn’t cost you anything to be saved, but if you will be saved then you must forsake the whole world, including family (see verse 26 preceding).

Our Lord said plainly in Matthew 10:34-36, “think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own house.” This is the hard truth of the matter, if you become a Christian, it will likely put you at odds with some you love most. Getting saved is a heart-rending matter.

The truth is dear reader, if you will be saved, you will become very unpopular. It is a lie out of hell that you can be a Christian and enjoy the smiles of the world. The scriptures plainly say in I John 2:15, “if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” You cannot be a friend of God, and a friend of the world at the same time (James 4:4). If you are interested in winning a popularity contest, then don’t become Christian. If you love the smiles of the world, then go on to hell, and don’t pretend to be a Christian.

I earnestly desire the salvation of your soul. I come to this computer every week, and labour for your eternal good. I preach the gospel every week in the church. I travel to distant churches to labour for the salvation of sinners. I preach the gospel to friends and family in funerals like I did in Oklahoma last week. I put my sermons on cd and on the internet to send to the whole world. I give away loads of tracts, pamphlets and books. I talk to everyone who will listen to tell them of the freeness of God’s grace and the glorious way He saves. I warn all who will listen of the wrath to come. I preach the gospel to every rational creature I can hem up for five minutes. I point all men to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world, and try to make the way of salvation as clear as possible and remove every stumbling stone which hinders men from free salvation. But at the same time I must be truthful with you as my Lord was. Don’t set out to follow Christ until you have counted the cost. Better to never walk in the way than to start out and give it up. It is better to never know the truth than to know it and forsake it. It is better to never profess Christ, than to renounce Him later. Count the cost, for it is very high.

But finally I say to you, count the cost, but come to Christ at all cost! Yes, Christianity is a costly enterprise. It will cost you your friends, family, wealth, prestige and popularity, yea it will cost you everything. But the cost of not becoming a Christian is infinitely and eternally higher! The cost of not becoming a Christian is a Christ-less eternity. The cost of not being saved is to spend eternity shut up in the lake of fire! So dear reader, count the cost, but come to Christ at all cost right now for the eternal salvation of your never dying soul. If you want to know more call me today at 601-927-5070 or come to my house at 278 Good Hope Road, and I will tell you how to be saved. May the Lord spare you before it is too late.

What You Must Do To Be Saved

(Article for publication week of 1-2-AD 2012)

“… ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house’ “ (Acts 16:30-31).

Here we have an account of the conversion of the Philippian jailer. Paul and Silas had been put in jail for their gospel witness, and at midnight as they sang hymns of praise, the Lord sent an earthquake to shake the prison, and sent His Holy Spirit to shake a poor sinner down to the depths of his soul. Under deep conviction, the poor sinner cried out, “What must I do to be saved?”

Perhaps some poor sinner is reading the Narrow Way this week, and like the jailer, crying out in his soul, “what must I do to be saved?” The answer is very simple, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”

Note well that Paul and Silas did not go through the city of Philippi saying this to every “Tom, Dick, and Harry.” The fact is that very few in Philippi were concerned about the state of their souls, as very few in Simpson county are concerned about the state of their souls. Paul and Silas waited until the Holy Spirit brought folks under Holy Spirit conviction. Dear reader, are you acquainted with Holy Spirit conviction? Have you ever had your self-righteousness stripped away and been made to see you are loathsome wretch before a thrice Holy God? Have you been made to fear God and the wrath to come? Has the Holy Spirit convinced you that you are a hell deserving sinner? Do you understand that if thy soul were sent to hell, God’s righteous law approves it well? (Watts).

Next, note well what Paul and Silas did NOT tell this poor sinner. They did not tell him to “accept Jesus.” You won’t find that language anywhere in the Bible. As dear old Rolfe Barnard used to say, “you don’t accept a Lord- you bow down to Him”! Nor did they advise him to “give his heart to Jesus.” You won’t find that in the Bible either. There are many of you who “accepted Jesus”, or “gave your heart to Jesus” who are still unsaved and you will go to hell so fast you’ll kick up dust in the devil’s face. Paul and Silas used none of the man-centered techniques that are filling our churches up with lost people.

Here is what they told him to do, as I tell you, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” In reality believing is not doing, but rather trusting in the One Who did everything necessary for a poor sinner’s salvation. Faith involves action, but implies no merit on the part of the believer. This is the difference in the gospel and man centered evangelism. What you must do my poor sinner friend is give up all hope of self salvation and trust in the Saviour Alone. Believe in the LORD Jesus Christ. That is acknowledge Him as your Master and become His slave. Believing in Christ for salvation is a reception of Christ in all His glory and all His offices. You cannot have Christ as saviour without bowing to His Lordship.

Now be sure you understand this. Faith is the only channel that brings the grace of Christ to a poor sinner. Ephesians 2:8 says, “By grace are ye saved, through faith.” God has fixed it so that Christ is the only saviour of sinners, and the only way His grace flows is in the channel of faith. That is the reason we say, “believe.” It is not in your efforts, works or merits. It is not through rites, rituals, ceremonies, ordinances, or pretended sacraments. It is through faith alone, which is another way of saying it is all of grace (Romans 4:16, please look it up). It is like an old boy I heard tell of from south Louisiana said when he got saved, “it ain’t dis and it ain’t dat- it’s Christ!

Will you be saved? Simply believe in Christ alone, and thou shalt be saved. And if your family there with you will believe in Christ, He will save them too!