Title: Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 03, 2004, 06:05:35 AM SMALL CHANGE AND A FREE GIFT
By Cornelius R. Stam Has the cashier at the restaurant or the check-out girl at the supermart been asking you: "Do you have the two cents?" or "You dont have the change, do you?" If so, its because there is a coin shortage all over the U.S. and will be for some time. All kinds of coin-using machines have created a shortage of coins for other purposes. Isnt it strange: a penny is hardly worth picking up these days, and President Eisen- hower called our dollars "dollarettes," yet people seem to be spending more money in small amounts. You can make more and more purchases with coins these days. Some people say that you can buy anything with money, but theyre wrong -- very wrong. The things we need most cannot be bought with any amount of money. The air we breathe, the water we drink (we pay only for the service), love of family and friends. These things cant be bought. And the most precious treas- ure of all: salvation, eternal life, cant be bought at any price. God doesnt want our money. He calls it "filthy lucre." Hes not going into business, selling houses and lots in heaven, much less will He pervert justice and pronounce us innocent for a consideration. But He does pity and love us and He can and will give us eternal life if we trust in the merits of the One who died to pay the penalty for our sins. "THE GIFT OF GOD is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). "For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD" (Eph. 2:8). Our Lord said to the Samaritan woman: "If thou knewest the gift of God... thou wouldest have asked..." (John 4:10). Have you asked? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 03, 2004, 06:08:24 AM NO TIME FOR GOD?
By Cornelius R. Stam Those who have no time for God should consider what their circumstances would be if He had no time for them; no time to paint the sunsets, no time to send the warm sun rays or the refreshing showers, no time to make the crops and flowers grow. We doubt that any thinking person would actually want nothing to do with God. Cain despised Gods authority and finally murdered his brother, but when he was driven from the presence of God he said: "My punishment is greater than I can bear" (Gen. 4:13). One of the saddest sentences in the gospel records is our Lords prediction that He would have to say to some: "I never knew you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity" (Matt. 7:23). Just what it will mean to be "cast into the lake of fire" (Rev. 20:15), we pray God none of our readers will ever find out, but the Scriptures do clearly indicate that those in- volved will be cast forever out of the presence of God. Thank God, it is not He who desires this. He paid for our sins at Calvary to reconcile us to Himself (Eph. 2:16). St. Paul declares that God has called believers "unto the fel- lowship of His Son" (1 Cor. 1:9) and that at His coming for them they shall "ever be with the Lord," adding: "where- fore, comfort one another with these words" (1 Thes. 4:17,18). "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did be-seech you by us; we pray you in Christs stead, be ye reconciled to God" (II Cor. 5:20). God has demonstrated His love for us in Christ. Why not respond by gratefully trusting Christ as your Savior? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 03, 2004, 06:09:56 AM ASLEEP IN A STORM
By Cornelius R. Stam What a disappointing scene! A terrifying storm, souls in danger of death, but Jonah, the man of God, fast asleep. Sailors are not soon frightened in a storm, but this time the fury of the gale was so great that "the ship was like to be broken" and even the sailors were driven to their knees "and cried every man unto his god" (Jonah 1:4,5). Can it be that Jonah, the only man aboard who knew the true God, was sleeping? Sleeping while souls were perish- ing? This was the shameful truth, and not one of us would blame the terrified captain for rudely awakening him and crying: "What meanest thou, O sleeper? Arise, call upon thy God!" (Ver. 6). But let us not be too ready to condemn Jonah, for we may be more guilty than he. Surely the world today is passing through a fearful storm and souls all about us are in peril of their lives. If they do not accept God’s way of salvation; if they do not trust in Christ, they will perish. And what are we doing about it? Are we pleading for them in prayer? Are we doing what we can to reach them for Christ? Or are we fast asleep? "What meanest thou, O sleeper? Arise, call upon thy God!" And when you have cried to God in behalf of your unsaved relatives, friends and business associates, He will send you to witness to them of Christ and His love. Not until you have talked to God about them will you be ready to talk to them about God. Politically, morally, spiritually, the night is dark, the Storm is raging and souls are perishing, but "God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts" (II Cor. 4:6). "...we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep as do others" (I Thes. 5:5,6). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 03, 2004, 06:14:42 AM PAULS LETTER TO THE ROMANS
By Cornelius R. Stam One of the most enlightening books of the Bible, and indeed of all literature, is St. Pauls great Epistle to the Romans. Paul was by nature and training a logician, perhaps the greatest logician of all time, and in this case his words were Spirit-inspired, so that we have in his Epistle to the Romans a powerful logical argument about God and man, condemnation and justification. It is wonderful thus to have Gods plan of salvation explained for us. This is all too lacking in modern evangelism. The doctrinal argument of Romans begins with a demon- stration of the moral depravity of man. It says, even to the self-righteous: "Thou art inexcusable..." (2:1). The Apostle then goes on to show that the Law was given, not to help men to be good, but "that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought in guilty before God" (3:19). The conclusion: "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin" (3:20). The Apostle presses his argument further by showing how the Lord Jesus Christ gave Himself as a satisfaction for sin that we might be "justified freely by [Gods] grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (3:24). His conclusion again: "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith, without [apart from] the deeds of the law" (3:28). "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (5:1). Next he shows how those who trust in Christ are "bap- tized into Christ" (6:3), made one with Him by faith. The final conclusion: "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (8:1). And the Apostle closes the doctrinal part of this great epistle by exclaiming: "Who shall lay anything to the charge of Gods elect? ...Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (8:33,35). Our advice to those who have questions about salvation: Study Pauls Epistle to the Romans, thoughtfully and prayerfully. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 03, 2004, 06:20:24 AM A NEW YEAR WISH
By Cornelius R. Stam Grace be to you and peace Though days be dark about us. Gods working out His plan All enemies regardless. We know that Bethlehems Babe Once crucified, is risen And seated now above, At Gods right hand in heaven. And soon Hell come again His loved ones to deliver. Well share His glory then Forever and Forever. So while we watch and wait O, may His love constraining Help us to live for Him In all the hours remaining. -- C.R.S. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 03, 2004, 06:22:33 AM TWO ASPECTS OF CHRISTIAN LIBERTY
By Cornelius R. Stam "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free... If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:32,36). The true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ enjoys glorious liberty, and our Lord Himself said that there are no strings attached... "Ye shall be free indeed," free even from the most oppressive of all slave masters: sin. While the Law never saved one man from sin, the Lord Jesus, by His death on Calvary did, for we read that "Christ died for our sins." Therefore the Apostle wrote by divine inspiration: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage" (Gal. 5:1). His letters thunder severe rebukes against be- lievers who "desire to be under the law." To the Colossian Christians he wrote: "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days; which are a shadow of things to come; but the body [substance] is of Christ" (Col. 2:16,17). But true liberty is used for good, otherwise it only reverts to bondage again, for whatever overcomes a man becomes his master (II Pet. 2:19), and doing evil can only harm our- selves and others. Thus the Apostle says further: "But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak" (I Cor. 8:9). "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another" (Gal. 5:13). "...Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth" (Rom. 14:22). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 03, 2004, 06:26:47 AM DONT TELL HIM A THING
By Cornelius R. Stam Many years ago the writers father, then a city mission- ary, received a telephone call from a prominent liberal clergyman. "Peter," said the clergyman, "Ive got a young man here in the outer office who seems to be in great distress. He says he feels hes so great a sinner that hes overstepped the line and God wont forgive him. Now youve had a lot of ex- perience with such people. What shall I tell him?" The clergyman didnt even know how to help a troubled soul. "Dont tell him a thing; Ill be right over ," said dad, and he left immediately to deal with the young man himself. Dad knew very well what was the matter with this young lad. The Holy Spirit had convicted him of his sin (John 16:8). The lad had come to see himself as he really was -- as God saw him, and sees any unsaved person, no matter how religious. No person ever comes to see his need of a Savior until he has first come to see himself as a condemned sinner before God. And it is only when we come to see ourselves as we are in the sight of a holy God that there is hope of salva- tion. The self-righteous do not see their need of a Savior. What would He save them from? What have they done that is so wrong? This is the way their reasoning goes. It is only when we begin to appreciate the holiness and righteousness of God that it dawns upon us that our condi- tion is hopeless without a Savior. Strange, is it not, that so many people have pictures hanging on their walls of our Lord crowned with thorns or hanging on a cross, yet do not really know Him as a Savior, their own Savior. But when we have been convicted of our sin and our hopeless condition before God, we are ready to take in the words spoken by Paul to the trembling jailor at Philippi: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 03, 2004, 06:29:12 AM GLORIOUS DELIVERANCE
By Cornelius R. Stam In I Thes. 1:10, the Apostle Paul, by divine inspiration, assures believers that the Lord Jesus Christ has "delivered us from the wrath to come." He refers, of course, to deliv- erance from the penalty of sin. But in other passages he declares that we are also delivered from the power of sin. In Col. 1:12,13, for example, he gives thanks to God "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son." This deliverance, and the glory of our heavenly position and blessings in Christ, we may enjoy experientially now, by grace. Rom. 6:14 says: "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law but under grace." This does not mean that it is not possible for the believer to sin, but rather that it is possible, in any situation, not to sin. Thus the same passage in Romans goes on to say that we should not yield ourselves as servants to sin, but to God, who, in grace has broken sin's power over us. Finally, the believer in Christ will one day be delivered even from the presence of sin, for at our Lord's coming for us "we shall all be changed" (I Cor. 15:51). Believers should long for Christ's coming for them, not merely because these bodies of humiliation will then be glorified, but because from that moment on they shall never again be tempted or defiled by sin. What a change that will be! In II Cor. 1:10 the Apostle includes all three tenses of the believer's deliverance. Here he tells how God has "delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver, in whom we trust that He will yet deliver us." This is why he could write to the Philippians about his confidence that "He who hath begun a good work in you will perform [complete] it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6). Some may not feel the need of deliverance now, but we all need deliverance from sin and its results. If you have not yet experienced this deliverance, why not place your trust in Christ who died to "deliver us from the wrath to come." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 03, 2004, 06:32:43 AM IS IT EVER RIGHT TO LIE?
By Russell S. Miller "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace" (Heb. 11:31). We surely had a good discussion at the Bible study on "Rahab, the harlot". No doubt she was guilty of more sins than "harlotry" as a simple reading of the text of Joshua 2:1-24 would indicate. That she also lied is an obvious conclusion. And "yes", she could simply have said, "If you wish to search the house, please do so", and left the outcome to God. But in her "little" faith she sought to help God out instead, perhaps in fear of her life, as Abraham and Sarah before her had done (Gen.16:1-16). But lest you should judge this new believer too harshly what might your reaction have been, had you been in her given circumstances (Gal. 6:1)? Remember, please, that our God is not only a God of justice, as at Jericho, but He is also merciful, kind, and gracious. He is more willing to bless us than we are to be blessed. Is it wrong to lie? Of course it is wrong to lie, under any circumstances. But like Jacob, that old "supplanter" or "deceiver" (Gen.27:36), this dear soul wanted the blessing of God more than any thing else in her whole life. That God honored her faith, not her lie, is clearly seen in the words of the Apostle Paul: "BY FAITH THE HARLOT RAHAB PERISHED NOT WITH THEM THAT BELIEVED NOT, WHEN SHE HAD RECEIVED THE SPIES WITH PEACE" (Heb. 11:31). A question: How is it possible that Gods Son, who "cannot lie" (Tit.1:2), our blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, should have come through the line of these renowned sinners, if not to die for sinners on Calvarys cross? "IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE" (Eph.1:7). Yes, it cost our blessed Saviour His lifes blood to save us from our sins, so terrible is sin in the sight of God even a little white lie! As God could save Rahab, by grace, so He can save you too, if you will only believe Him. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 04, 2004, 05:32:40 AM THE WONDER CURE
By Cornelius R. Stam Most of us remember the drugstore product which swept the country like wildfire years ago and netted one man more than $3,000,000.00 in one year. It was called Hada- col. Whatever was wrong with you, Hadacol could cure it! Radio commercials and newspaper advertisements ac- claimed its healing powers. Some small drugstores dis- played signs over their doors reading, "MAIN ENTRANCE FOR HADACOL." One humorous story was told at that time about a woman who was supposed to have testified over the radio: "Before I began taking Hadacol I couldnt read nor write; now Im teaching high school"! Some people seem to think that Christianity is like Hada- col was supposed to be. In fact, some evangelists give the erroneous impression that if one accepts Christ everything will suddenly go right. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The Christian life is a battle, and we cannot win this battle without much diligent, earnest Bible study and prayer. In fact, it is this battle that makes the Christian life rewarding. Formerly we were "taken captive by [the devil] at his will" (II Tim. 2:26), but now God provides us with complete armor, including "the sword of the Spirit" and "the shield of faith" (Eph. 6:16,17), and says, "Stand fast." Indeed, James 4:7 says: "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." God has enlisted every true believer in His "armed forces," as it were, and He encourages us each one to be "a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (II Tim. 2:3). Indeed, He expects this of each corporate assembly of believers as well, for Paul, by divine inspiration, wrote to the Philippian saints: "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel" (Phil. 1:27). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 04, 2004, 05:37:00 AM THAT BLESSED HOPE
By Cornelius R. Stam We wish all of our readers a blessed New Year. For be- lievers in Christ it will be the most blessed of all if this year turns out to be the year of our Lords coming for His own. How long the present dispensation of grace will be pro- longed we do not, and cannot, know. Even St. Paul, who was commissioned to make known the glorious truth of the rapture of the Church, did not know. He never dreamed that God would linger in mercy for more than 1900 years, for in I Thes. 4:16-18 he says: "We who are alive and re- main unto the coming of the Lord, shall be caught up..." Thus instructed Bible-believers in every generation since his day have rightly been on the alert for their Lord to come for them, for they know that "the days are evil" and every hour is an hour of grace. To the Philippians the Apostle wrote: "We look for the Savior," to the Thessalonians: "[Ye]... wait for His [Gods] Son from heaven," and to Titus he says that we should be "looking for that blessed hope, and the appearing in glory of ..our Savior, Jesus Christ" (Phil. 3:20; I Thes. 1:9,10; Tit. 2:11-13). With the Lords coming and the close of "the dispensation of the grace of God" so much nearer than it was in Pauls day, we say to the unsaved: "Receive not the grace of God in vain.... Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold NOW is the day of salvation" (II Cor. 6: 1,2). And to the saved we say: "Buy up the time," take advan- tage of every opportunity to win the lost to Christ, for "the days are evil" (Eph. 5:16) and the day of grace may soon be brought to a close. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 04, 2004, 05:43:15 AM WHOS BEEN GOOD TO WHOM?
By Cornelius R. Stam As I left a restaurant, recently, the cashier and part owner asked how "the pastor" was feeling. I replied: "Fine. The Lord has been very good to me." With this she began to tell how good the Lord had been to her. She had come to America from Greece and had raised a family and prospered here until now, with her family, she owned and operated a good-sized restaurant. "So," she said, "the Lord has been good to me," and after a moment’s hesi- tation, "but then, Ive been good to Him too!" Imagine! How He needed her! It is sad, but this is the low conception of God held by many religious, but unsaved people. They entertain the strange notion that if they put a few dollars into the Church, God ought to bless them -- or the still more foolish notion that if they are good to others, He ought to be good to them! But He owes us nothing just because we may have been good to others! And even if we sought only to please Him, this would not make Him our debtor. He does not need us. There is nothing we can do to enrich Him. This is why Eph. 2:8-10 declares that salvation is "not of yourselves," and "not of works, lest any man should boast." No, we cannot gain His favor by "being good to Him." Yet, it is true that His children will be rewarded for faith- fulness to Him. This is not a dispensational matter; it is a promise that God has always held out to His people (Dan. 12:3; Matt. 25:21; I Cor. 4:5; I Thes. 2:19; II Tim. 4:7,8; I Pet. 5:1). But such rewards are "rewards of grace." Let us who know Him, then, seek above all else to be faithful in our service to Him, not to gain acceptance with God, for He has already "made us accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6), but rather out of love and gratitude to Him who gave Himself for us. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 04, 2004, 05:46:35 AM BAPTIZED INTO HIS DEATH
By Russell S. Miller "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into His death" (Rom.6:3)? It is a sad commentary indeed that after 2000 years the vast majority in fundamentalism still labors under the so-called "great commission" and, consequently, is manifestly confused and divided over the subject of water baptism. However this "baptism" of which Paul speaks here in Romans 6:3 is so absolutely absent of water that most of those who water baptize fail to see that believers in the dispensation of grace are actually "baptized into HIS death". This is why Paul can write in Galatians 2:20: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." And not only that, but the Apostle further states that it is the old Adamic nature in all of us that was crucified with Christ: "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, THAT THE BODY OF SIN MIGHT BE DESTROYED, THAT HENCEFORTH WE SHOULD NOT SERVE SIN" (Rom.6:6). And whats more, in this baptism, "...the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Gal.6:14). Furthermore, the Apostle Paul writes by divine inspiration in I Corinthians 12:13 that upon believing in the Lord Jesus Christ we are baptized into the Body of Christ: "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." And this was revealed to Paul "by the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Gal.1:11,12). We have been so completely identified with the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection that Paul goes on in Romans 6 to declare: "Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Rom.6:4). No wonder the Apostle exhorts: "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Gal.6:14). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 04, 2004, 05:54:09 AM THE SPIRIT OF PROMISE
By Cornelius R. Stam "[Having] believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise" (Eph. 1:13). Of all the wonderful Scripture passages on the eternal security of the believer in Christ, this is perhaps the most blessed of all. "[Having] heard the Word of truth you believed," says the Apostle, and "[having] believed, you were sealed." Now a seal speaks of finality and permanency, whether it be the official seal on an important document, the seal on an electric transformer or the seal on a jar of preserves. But the most blessed fact of all is that the believer in Christ is "sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise." Mark well, he is sealed not by the Spirit but with the Spirit; the Spirit Himself is the seal. Here, let us say, is a woman sealing jars of preserves with wax. The jars are sealed by the woman, but with the wax. Thus the humblest believer is sealed with the Spirit. It is He Himself who keeps us safe in Christ through all eternity. And this is but the "earnest," the first installment, "of our inheritance" (Ver. 14), for the Spirit keeps us secure in "this present evil age" so that "in the ages to come" God might show "the exceeding riches of His grace in His kind- ness toward us through Christ Jesus" (2:7). Little wonder the Apostle closes this passage on our security with those appropriate words: "TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY" (1:14). What some theologians have called "the perseverance of saints" is not our perseverence at all, but Gods faithful- ness. We have not persevered; He has preserved us by His grace for His glory. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 04, 2004, 05:56:59 AM TRUE LIBERTY
By Cornelius R. Stam As true Americans celebrate their liberty, true Chris- tians should rejoice in the even greater liberty which they have in Christ. Our Lord said: "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" and "If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:32,36). Likewise St. Paul declares that believers in Christ have been made "free from sin" and have become "servants to God," who deals with us in grace (Rom. 6:22). It is strange that so many sincere religious people ac- tually wish to be in bondage to the Mosaic Law, which can only judge and condemn them for their sins. Peter called the law: "a yoke... which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear" (Acts 15:10). Paul called it "the handwriting of decrees, that was against us, which was contrary to us" (Col. 2:14). He called it "the ministration of death" and "the min- istration of condemnation" (II Cor. 3:7,9). He challenged those who "desired" to be under the law: "Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?" (Gal. 4:21). "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written. Cursed is every one that CONTINUETH not in ALL things which are written in the book of the law, to do them" (Gal. 3:10). Thank God, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us" (Gal. 3:13). Man always responds better to grace than to law. The law was "added because of transgressions" (Gal. 3:19). "By the law is the knowledge of sin" (Rom. 3:20). But Christ died for our sins and now true believers serve God from gratitude and love. Hence Rom. 6:14 says: "Sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law but under grace." Since Christ has redeemed us from the law (Gal. 4:5) God says to every true believer: "Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage" (Gal. 5:1). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 04, 2004, 05:59:17 AM THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW
By Cornelius R. Stam "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight..." (Rom. 3:20). It is strange that so many sincere people can so misun- derstand Gods written Word as to suppose that He gave the Law "to help us to be good" or "as a rule of life." The Law was not given to help us to be good, but rather to show us that we are sinners and need a Savior. Rom. 3:22,23 says that "there is no difference, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." How foolish, then, to look to the Law for help. Though the Law provides for just trial it does not help the criminal; it condemns him. Thus the Bible teaches that the Law was given: "That every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought in guilty before God" (Rom. 3:19). "For by the law is the knowledge of sin" (Rom. 3:20). "The law entered that the offense might abound" (Rom. 5:20). "That sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful" (Rom. 7:13). "It was added because of transgressions" (Gal. 3:19). This leads us to St. Pauls great conclusion: "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight" (Rom. 3:20). This makes sense, for doing a few "good" things cannot right the wrongs we have done. Good is what we should do, hence we should not expect to be rewarded for it. But, thank God, "Christ died for our sins" (I Cor. 15:3) and "by Him all who believe are justified" (Acts 13:39). "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law" (Rom. 3:28). "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 04, 2004, 06:01:38 AM SIMPLE AS CAN BE
By Cornelius R. Stam Have you ever heard some preacher say: "There are many things in the Bible which are hard to understand but, thank God, the plan of salvation is as simple as can be." Well the plan of salvation is simple IF we obey II Tim- othy 2:15, "rightly dividing the Word of truth." Otherwise it is far from simple. The Apostle Paul wrote: "We conclude that a man is jus- tified by faith without the deeds of the law" (Rom. 3:28). Yet James wrote: "By works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:24). Again, at Sinai God said to Israel through Moses: "If ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people ..." (Ex. 19:5). But our Lord said, as He sent His apostles to witness for Him that, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved... and these signs shall follow them that be- lieve: in My name shall they cast out demons, they shall speak with new tongues..." etc. (Mark 16:16-18). Thus, ac- cording to their "great commission" water baptism was required for salvation and miraculous signs were the evi- dences of salvation. Confusing? Contradictory? Not if we "rightly divide the Word of truth." It was after "the law was given by Moses," after our Lords earthly ministry, after the commission to the twelve, that God raised up another apostle, Paul, and sent him forth with "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). It was Paul who was sent to declare: "But NOW, the righteousness of God without the law is manifested..." (Rom. 3:21). "To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Rom. 4:5). "Therefore, being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 04, 2004, 06:04:23 AM THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
By Cornelius R. Stam The last great book of the Bible opens with the words: "The revelation of Jesus Christ," and from these words it derives its title: "The Revelation." In this book St. John deals largely with the return of Christ in glory to judge and reign. II Thes. 1:7,8 tells us that one day "the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven... in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that... obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." This is what the book of the Revelation is basically about. But this phraseology is also used in Paul’s epistles, for in Gal. 1:11,12 he says: "I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not after man, for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." Surely this is not the same "revelation of Jesus Christ" of which John wrote. St. Paul refers not to "the revelation of Jesus Christ" in glory, but to "the revelation of Jesus Christ" in grace while He delays the judgment; not His revelation to the world in person, but His revelation to the world through Paul the chief of sinners, saved by grace. In Verses 15,16 of Gal. 1, the Apostle says: "...it pleased God... to reveal His Son in Me." What a revelation of grace to a sin-cursed world when God saved Saul, His bitter, blaspheming enemy! He tells about it in I Tim. 1:13-16, where he says: " was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious... Howbeit, FOR THIS CAUSE I OBTAINED MERCY, THAT IN ME FIRST JESUS CHRIST MIGHT SHOW FORTH ALL LONGSUFFERING, FOR A PATTERN TO THEM WHICH SHOULD HEREAFTER BELIEVE ON HIM TO LIFE EVERLASTING." This is why Paul says: "...it pleased God... to reveal His Son in Me." By saving the chief of sinners (as Paul calls himself in I Tim. 1:15), God would show us that He is willing to save any sinner, "for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:13). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 04, 2004, 06:07:15 AM SEALED WITH THE SPIRIT
By Cornelius R. Stam "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise" (Eph. 1:13). Most careful commentaries of the Bible make it clear that the words "after that," in the above passage, actually have an immediate result in view. Upon hearing (or heeding) we believed, and upon believing we were sealed with the Spirit. What is perhaps even more important to note, is the fact that upon believing "the gospel of... salvation," we are "sealed with" the "Holy Spirit," not "by" the Spirit. There is a difference between the two, which can be simply illus- trated. Here is a housewife, let us say, who is "putting up" jam or preserves and sealing each jar with wax. Now, the jars are being sealed by the woman, but she is sealing them with wax. Thus the Holy Spirit does not merely cause be- lievers to be sealed and made secure. Rather He Himself is the Seal that keeps us eternally secure as God’s beloved children. We are sealed, not "by the Spirit," but "with the Spirit," -- the Spirit Himself the Seal! It is wonderful indeed to know that before the bar of God, the simplest believer in Christ has been fully justified (Acts 13:38,39). But this is a court action, a matter of law and justice. Besides this, the Spirit, who first brought the sin- ner under conviction, now gives him life -- eternal life. This is why Rom. 8:2 tells us that "the law of the Spirit, [that] of life in Christ Jesus, hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Thank God for the Spirit, who convicts, re- generates and seals every believer in Christ! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 04, 2004, 06:10:24 AM THE "WILFUL SIN" OF HEBREWS 10:26
By Russell S. Miller It is asserted that the "wilful sin", here, does not apply to this dispensation because, as members of the Body of Christ, God has already given us eternal security in Christ as Paul declares in his epistle to the Romans: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ..NAY, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that [nothing] shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom.8:35-39). Please note that the Hebrews also have "eternal salvation" (5:9), "eternal redemption" (9:12), and "eternal inheritance" (9:15). So today, those who trust in His finished work of redemption, whether Hebrews or Gentiles, have "eternal salvation", "eternal redemption", and "eternal inheritance": "FOR EVEN CHRIST OUR PASSOVER IS SACRIFICED FOR US" (ICor.5:7). "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" (Heb.9:12). Now, on the other hand, there is "no more sacrifice for sins". Those who reject His all-sufficient sacrifice for sins, whether Hebrews or Gentiles, reject "eternal salvation", "eternal redemption", and "eternal inheritance", and do so, "wilfully", as those who rejected Christ on the day of Pentecost. There is no other sacrifice in the sight of God. If you miss Christ, the only thing left is "eternal judgment" (Heb.6:2), because God has made no other provision for sin: "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries" (Heb.10:26,27). Therefore I implore you, do not tread "under foot the Son of God", nor count "the blood of the covenant" an unholy thing, and do not despise "the Spirit of grace" (Ver.29). "VENGEANCE IS MINE; I WILL REPAY, SAITH THE LORD" (Romans 12:19). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: THE RIGHTNESS OF GOD - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 04, 2004, 06:15:24 AM THE RIGHTNESS OF GOD
By Cornelius R. Stam St. Pauls great Epistle to the Romans has much to say about "the righteousness of God"; in fact, this is the theme of the Book of Romans. Sad to say, however, the Bible is so little read and studied of late that many people do not even know what the word "righteousness" means. Actually, every man, woman and child should know about the righteousness of God -- or, to simplify the word -- the rightness of God. It is most important to understand that God does always and only that which is right. He can do nothing and will do nothing that is not right. Thus God cannot and does not merely forgive sinners and smuggle them into heaven, for this would not be right. As Job 8:20 says, "Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will He help evil doers," for neither would be right. It was Bildad who said this to Job, and Job replied, al- most exasperated: "I know it is so of a truth, but how shall a man be just with God?" (Job 9:2). In other words, how can a holy God look upon a sinner and pronounce him righteous? With this background let us consider Pauls great decla- ration in Romans 1:16,17: "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.... for therein is the righteousness [i.e., the rightness] of God revealed...." True, the love of God is also revealed in the gospel, but what made Paul so proud to proclaim the gospel is the fact that it tells how God dealt "righteously," or rightly, with sin, paying its just penalty Himself at Calvary so that He might offer salvation to all by free grace. Thus the Apostle declares in Romans 6:23: "The wages of sin is death [this is its just penalty] but the [free] gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: THE OLD NATURE IN THE BELIEVER - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 05, 2004, 04:41:44 AM THE OLD NATURE IN THE BELIEVER
By Cornelius R. Stam The believer who would be truly spiritual must recognize the presence of the old nature within. It would be dan- gerous not to recognize a foe so near. The old nature in the believer is that which is "begotten of the flesh." It is called, "the flesh," "the old man," "the natural man," "the carnal mind." Just as "they that are in the flesh cannot please God" (Rom. 8:8) so that which is of the flesh, in the believer, cannot please God. "The flesh," as we have already seen, is totally depraved. God calls it "sinful flesh" (Rom. 8:3), warns that it seeks "occasion" to do wrong (Gal. 5:13), and declares that "the works of the flesh" are all bad (Gal. 5: 19-21). Nor is the old nature in the believer one which improves by its contact with the new. It is with respect to "the flesh" in the believer, even in himself that the Apostle declares that in it "dwelleth no good thing" (Rom. 7:18), that it is "carnal, sold under sin" (Rom. 7:14), that it is "corrupt according to the deceitful lusts" (Eph. 4:22), that it is at "enmity against God," and is "not subject to the law of God, NEITHER INDEED CAN BE" (Rom. 8:7). "The flesh," even as it remains in the believer after salva- tion, is that which was generated by a fallen begetter. It is the old Adamic nature. It is sinful in itself. It cannot be improved. It cannot be changed. "That which is born [be- gotten] of the flesh is flesh," said our Lord (John 3:6), and it is as impossible to improve the "old man" in the believer as it was to make him acceptable to God in the first place. The "old man" was condemned and dealt with judicially at the Cross. Never once is the believer instructed to try to do anything with him or to make anything of him, but always to "reckon" him "dead indeed" (Rom. 6:11), and to "put him off" (Col. 3:8-10). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: GODS WORD TO US - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 06, 2004, 05:47:40 AM GODS WORD TO US By Cornelius R. Stam In charging Timothy to "preach the Word," the Apostle does not mean, as some have supposed, that the pastor should draw his sermon material equally from all parts of the Bible. True, "all Scripture" is given so that the "man of God" may be fully equipped for his ministry. But in this same letter the Apostle Paul indicates that the Scriptures must be "rightly divided" (II Tim. 2:15) and that his own God-given message is the Word of God in particular for the present dispensation of grace (See II Tim. 1:7-14; 2:7-9). Thus the Apostle declares by inspiration that believers are established by "my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery" (Rom. 16:25). How often the Apostle insists that his message is the Word of God! To the Thessalonian believers he writes with joy: "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God..." (I Thes. 2:13). Thus the Apostle writes to Timothy, in this his last letter: "Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me..." (II Tim. 1:13). "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men..." (2:2). "Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel" (2:8). The charge to "preach the Word," therefore, refers to "all Scripture" in general, but to Pauls God-given message in particular. This is obvious, for it is in urging Timothy to faithfully carry on in his place that the Apostle charges him to "preach the Word." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: Growing Old Gracefully - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 07, 2004, 05:10:17 AM Growing Old Gracefully
By Paul M. Sadler, President Scripture Reference: "Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity." -- I Timothy 5:1,2 The Apostle Paul deals with many different types of relationships in his epistles, but perhaps the most delicate relationship is with those who are older in years. Like the seasons of the year, each of us gradually grow older until we find ourselves in the winter of our lives. The first 70 years are normally filled with vim and vigor as we fulfill the desires of our heart. But if by reason of strength we survive beyond this point the Scriptures indicate that the days ahead are going to be filled with labor and sorrow. Labor, in the sense that even the mundane things of life, such as rising from a chair, becomes burdensome. To complicate matters further, sorrow surrounds us like a tattered garment as death robs us of those we love. Little wonder that Paul admonishes us to esteem the senior members of the Body of Christ as fathers and mothers. Their plight deserves our sensitivity and their years of experience our respect. Furthermore, it will serve us well to remember that someday soon we will be the patriarch or matriarch. In Ecclesiastes wise old Solomon, stricken in years himself, describes the aging process that creeps up on us like the leopard that stalks its prey. "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them" (Eccl. 12:1). Someday the grim reaper will stand at the foot of our deathbed and the "mourners [will] go about the streets" whispering: Has he passed on? Beloved, there are thousands of ways to leave this earthly tabernacle, but perhaps the most common today is when the "pitcher is broken at the fountain." In short, a fatal heart attack. "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it" (vs. 7). The sting of death is sin, but thanks be unto God that Christ died for our sins thereby removing its sting. Thus, according to Paul's epistles death is merely a passage way into eternal life for all those who believe (I Cor. 15:55-57; Heb. 2:14,15). No one looks forward to growing old, but hopefully we will do so gracefully and with dignity. As they say: "There is nothing to fear, but fear itself." The blood of Christ is our eternal life insurance policy which has a rider guaranteeing our future resurrection! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: Re:Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Jemidon2004 on May 07, 2004, 03:46:10 PM dang dude...someone likes the Berean Bible society...lol. No prob. I don't fault you for that at all...i'm just curious as to why I don't see much of the works of some of the old church fathers on here. The great theologians like Wesley, Spurgeon, Sproul, Pink, Edwards, Winthrop, Moody...just to name a few. I can understand two minutes with the Bible but there is a world of information and great writings out there that some Christians won't even know about unless we tell them about em. I personally love reading the sermons of Spurgeon, the Illustrations of Moody, and the writings of Pink. You get a glimpse into the depth and thought that these men had and the deepness of their words. Now that's not to take the place of daily Scripture by no means, but they are good for 'sparking' your devotional life if it is weak. It sure has done mine, and i'm 16...lol. Just a few thoughts and may God bless you.
P.S. I got a friend whose pastor was John MacArthur...just about everything he posts is by ole johnny boy. let's not make the mistake of letting just one preacher and writer shape our theology..unless that is the Holy Spirit...God Bless Title: Re:Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: nChrist on May 08, 2004, 12:07:45 AM Oklahoma Howdy to Jemidon2004,
You need to look around more. You will find the Morning And Evening Devotions from Spurgeon every day in the announcements section. You will also find the Hoekstra Devotion in the General Theology area. There's a fairly big variety of speakers in Two Minutes With The Bible, and they are all excellent. You will find much more if you take a look. These are all publications with no copyright or distribution problems. Their only rule is nobody can charge a penny, and they request that the author and distributor be posted with the message. I think that I get all of the ones posted on the forum each day, and they are an excellent addition to your regular Bible study. Love In Christ, Tom Title: CAN THE LAW SAVE? - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 10, 2004, 05:05:16 AM CAN THE LAW SAVE?
By Cornelius R. Stam This writer does not wear clerical garb, but somehow when he visits a church away from home, someone is apt to step up to him and ask: "Are you by chance a minister?" Acts 13 tells how this once happened to Paul and Bar- nabas. They had entered a synagogue as strangers and simply sat down to listen. After "the reading of the law and the prophets," however, the leaders of the synagogue sent someone to ask them: "If ye men and brethren have some word of exhortation for the people, say on" (Ver. 15). Some- how Paul and Barnabas had been recognized as men of God. The custom at that time was to read a passage from the Law and then some passage in which the prophets urged the people to observe the Law. This was followed by an ex- hortation by one or more of the religious leaders present. In this case Paul did have a word of exhortation for the people, but it would be somewhat of a surprise. Getting to the point of his message, he preached to them about Christ and the resurrection and closed his talk with the following words: "Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Vers. 38,39). Exhortation? Yes, the Apostle was saying in effect: "Dont trust in the Law for salvation -- trust in Christ, who died for your sins." This makes sense and it agrees with the Bible as a whole. "By the law is the knowledge of sin" (Rom. 3:20); "it was added because of transgression" (Gal. 3:19); "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse" (Gal. 3:10); but "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us" (Gal. 3:13). "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith, with- out the deeds of the law" (Rom. 3:28). And then he exhorted them further not to "despise" this divine truth. It should be obvious that the Law can only condemn sin- ners, but it is also a fact that Christ died for sinners, to save them from the condemnation of the Law. "Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: THE RESURRECTION MOURNING - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 10, 2004, 05:07:29 AM THE RESURRECTION MOURNING
By Cornelius R. Stam "But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping" (John 20:11). Why did she weep? Because the tomb was empty! What needless sorrows follow in the wake of unbelief! Those tear-dimmed eyes did not see the evidence of the Lord’s resurrection. And when the angels asked: "Why weepest thou?" she said: "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him." Poor woman! She would rather have found His body there! But here are two on their way to Emmaus, no less sor- rowful. They are talking together about all that has hap- penned during the past few days and "[as] they communed together and reasoned, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them, but their eyes were holden that they should not know Him. And He said unto them: What manner of com- munications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?" (Luke 24:15-17). The word "walk" here does not mean to walk on but to walk about -- to wander aimlessly. They were on their way to Emmaus, but they were so brokenhearted that they did not care whether or not they got there. What had caused them to give up hope? Listen to their own explanations: "We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done" (Luke 24:21). They had given up hope because this was the third day since the Lords crucifixion, yet this was the very day He was to rise from the dead, according to His own oft- repeated promise. Mary weeps because the tomb is empty! The two disciples are brokenhearted because this is now the third day since His death! We smile at the irony of unbelief. But what about ourselves? The risen, glorified Christ exercises far greater power and offers far greater blessings to believers now than His followers of old knew anything about. "Oh, what peace we often forfeit! Oh, what needless pain we bear!" All because we do not take God at His Word. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: The Day of Reckoning - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 10, 2004, 05:12:34 AM The Day of Reckoning
By Paul M. Sadler, President Scripture Reading: "But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds." -- Romans 2:5,6 Few would disagree that we live in a cruel world where sin besets us on every hand. Who will ever forget the senseless terrorist attack on the World Trade Center where 3,000 souls perished. Such atrocities oftentimes bring cries of protest as to why God doesn't do something with those who commit such hideous sins? To keep things in prospective, according to Proverbs 6:17 the sins of pride and lying, of which we all are guilty, are even a greater abomination in the sight of God than hands that shed innocent blood. The reason for this is because they are sins that fuel these types of brutalities. GOD'S GRACE "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation" (II Cor. 5:19). During the age of grace God has reconciled Himself to His enemies and is not imputing their trespasses unto them. This could not be said of those who lived under the Law for God did at times impute their sins to them with catastrophic results. When the Children of Israel committed the sin of idolatry 3,000 souls fell by the edge of the sword in judgment (Ex. 32:15-28). The sin of disobedience committed by Nadab and Abihu for offering strange fire resulted in their death by fire (Lev. 10:1,2). The sin of murmuring brought severe consequences when Miriam was plagued with leprosy. Aaron, her brother was quick to beseech the Lord to "lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly" (Num. 12:1-15). Little did Korah, Dathan and Abiram realize that when they committed the sin of rebellion the earth would open up and swallow them and their families (Num. 16:28-34). These are but a few samples of sins imputed to those who dared to trespass against God. Today under grace, God is not imputing (to put to one's charge) the world's sins unto them, but rather is giving every man, everywhere, an opportunity to be saved. To help our understanding of this truth let us say that a bank gives you an unlimited line of credit. As a display of grace the banker tells you that there will be no payments, interest or service charges imputed (that would be grace), but will require full payment on the account at the end of 25 years. Recklessly, you go on a spending spree running the account into the hundreds of millions of dollars. Suddenly, you are confronted with the reality that you have mounted a debt that you will never be able to repay in this lifetime or the next. As the day of reckoning approaches you work and work to satisfy the debt, but to no avail. About that time someone you have never met offers to pay the entire debt on your behalf, all you must do is believe that he is able and willing to pay the amount owed. What will you response be to such a gracious offer -- belief or unbelief? While God is not imputing sins at this hour the unsaved are accountable for those trespasses if they reject Christ's vicarious work on their behalf. They who continue in unbelief are storing up sins, which will one day condemn them at the Great White Throne Judgment, yet to come. Those who are behind the murder of defenseless citizens may think they have evaded the arm of justice, but they are sadly mistaken! The angels of God are recording all of these evil deeds. When they stand before the righteous Judge at the end of time, the books will be opened and every man will be judged according to his works (Rev. 20:1-15). Their sins that have reached to heaven will plunge them into the depths of torment. They shall not escape the justice of God! But isn't God a God of love, surely He would never condemn anyone to hell? Yes, "God is love!" He loved the world so deeply that He sent His only begotten Son to this earth to die for our sins -- there is no greater demonstration of love than for a man to lay down his life for his friends. But God is also holy and righteous and when it comes to the matter of sin His justice must, without exception, be satisfied. Always remember, any infraction against God's infinite holiness requires an infinite penalty. Those who reject God's gracious offer of reconciliation, refusing to receive His provision of salvation, will be found in their sins. God will be left with no other recourse, other than to confine the unbelieving to a destiny of eternal torment. If you end up in the Lake of Fire, unsaved friend, you will have no one to blame, but YOURSELF! God sent His Son to save you. Christ died for your sins, was buried and rose again. The gospel has been preached, and you have been warned! Now the matter rests with you -- BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED! (Acts 16:31). Heed these words of St. Paul before it is too late: "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you... by which also ye are saved." "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; "And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (I Cor. 15:1-4). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: Re:Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Jemidon2004 on May 10, 2004, 05:08:10 PM Hey dude, Sorry about jumpin the gun...lol. Ur right, I do need to look around more...i had just been staying into the theology section but i hadn't checked the announcements...that's what I get for being a redneck. Gotta learn to watch more. Thanks for the reply pea dude. just what the doctor ordered. Well i'd best get back to my studies, catch ya laterz. I hope to get more involved when i have some more time on me hands...school...gotta love it. Ya'll take care and God Bless, thanks for the correction pea dude. Lord Bless ya
In Christ, Joshua Title: BIRTH, DEATH AND REBIRTH - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 11, 2004, 04:53:12 AM BIRTH, DEATH AND REBIRTH
By Cornelius R. Stam St. Peter declares that to obtain eternal life we must be born again, since by nature we were born but to die. "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth and the flower thereof falleth away. But the Word of the Lord endureth forever, and this is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you" (I Pet. 1 :23-25). Our Lord emphasized this same fact to the Pharisee Nicodemus. "That which is born of the flesh," He said, "is flesh... Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again" (John 3:6,7). Nicodemus was devoutly religious, and he even recog- nized Christ as "a teacher come from God" (John 3:2). But he was not saved. He had not been "born of the Spirit," and "that which is born of the flesh is flesh," even though it is "religious flesh." Therefore it must die. Nicodemus, like many sincerely religious people today, needed to be born again -- of the Spirit, by faith in the Word, of which the Spirit is the Author. Some suppose that Paul did not teach the new birth, but they are wrong. He taught it consistently, and nowhere more clearly than in Titus 3:5, where he wrote by divine inspiration: "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration [re-birth] and renewing of the Holy Spirit." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: GOD: A JUST JUDGE - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 13, 2004, 04:18:03 AM GOD: A JUST JUDGE
By Cornelius R. Stam How just are the judgments of God! In Rom. 2:16 St. Paul says: "God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." Notice carefully what this in- volves: 1. He will judge "the secrets of men." In human courts there are often miscarriages of justice because all the facts are not brought to light. But at the "Great White Throne" there will be a Judge with "eyes... as a flame of fire" (Rev. 19:12), before whom no secret can remain hidden. (See also Heb. 4:13). 2. He will judge the secrets of men "by Jesus Christ." Not the Father, but the Son will preside at the judgment of the unsaved. John 5:22 declares that "the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son" and Verse 27 adds that the Father has given the Son this au- thority "because He is the Son of man." This insures just judgment, for, men will be judged in that day by the One who loved them enough to become a man that He might understand and help men, and even die for their sins. 3. He will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ "ac- cording to my gospel," says Paul. How eminently fair and just this is. If He judged men according to the law of Moses no one ever would be saved, for all of us have broken the Law. Moreover the children of fallen Adam, because of their depraved nature, cannot consistently keep the Law. Thus they will not be judged on the basis of that which they were unable to live up to. This is why He will judge men according to the good news proclaimed by Paul, which is the great truth that salvation is denied to no one who takes God at His Word and approaches Him in His way. His way for today? "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." "To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Rom. 4:5). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: THE CAPTAIN OF OUR SALVATION - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 13, 2004, 04:20:31 AM THE CAPTAIN OF OUR SALVATION
By Cornelius R. Stam Years ago a man of God was asked to preach at the funeral of a young soldier whose parents were unsaved. During the course of his message the preacher sought to impress upon his hearers the basic fact that "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). This greatly upset the parents. After the service they complained: "This is embarrassing. Our boy was not a sin- ner." The truth was that shortly before his death this young soldier himself had done what every true, born-again Christian has done. He had acknowledged himself to be a lost sinner and, trusting Christ as his Savior, had been so gloriously saved that his parents were mystified that he could be so happy in the face of death. The simplest believer in Christ understands all this. He knows that for the "old man," the child of fallen Adam, the death of the body is indeed a "dishonorable discharge" for laws broken, orders disobeyed, responsibilities unmet and trusts betrayed. But for the "new man," the child of God, the death of the body is the vestibule through which he is ushered into the blessed presence of "the Captain of our Salvation," the One who "by the grace of God tasted death for every man" that He might "bring many sons to glory" (See Heb. 2:9,10). This is why we read in Heb. 2:14,15: "Forasmuch, then, as the children [of Adam] are partakers of flesh and blood. He [Christ] also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; "And deliver those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." No wonder St. Paul’s simple message of salvation was: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: AN INDISPUTABLE FACT - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 14, 2004, 04:06:07 AM AN INDISPUTABLE FACT
By Cornelius R. Stam The theological confusion in the Church today is basically the result of her rebellion against the authority of Paul as the divinely-appointed apostle for the present "dispensation of the grace of God" (Eph. 3:1-3). On every hand Paul is referred to merely as one of the apostles, sometimes even as one of the twelve, though the record of Scripture proves that he could not possibly have qualified as one of the twelve (See Matt. 19:28 and cf. Acts 9:1). In Galatians 1 and 2 the Apostle throws down the certifi- cate of his apostleship, as it were, to those who questioned it in his day. He opens his argument with the declaration: "...I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. "For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Gal. 1:11,12). The Scriptures teach beyond the shadow of a doubt that Pauls apostleship and message were absolutely unique and separate from that of the twelve or of any who had preceded him. This is what Christendom as a whole has refused to accept. Is it any wonder, then, that they confuse Gods prophesied kingdom program with "the mystery," commit- ted to Paul for us in this present dispensation? The Scriptures emphasize not only the Apostles constant use of the first person pronoun, "I," "me," "my," but the unique character of his apostleship and message. Ignore this fact and confusion must inevitably result; accept it and a hundred seeming contradictions in Scripture disappear. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 17, 2004, 04:47:32 AM THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST
By Cornelius R. Stam "...the righteousness of God... by [the] faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them that believe" (Rom. 3:22). Note, the Apostle Paul here does not refer to faith in Christ, but the faith of Christ. Nor does he refer to what Christ believed, but rather to His worthiness to be believed, His fidelity, His trustworthiness. We must not forget that faith is a reciprocal matter; it is two-sided. One side is objective; it believes in another. The other is subjective; it is a trustworthy character. One refers to what a person does; the other to what he is. If I have faith in you, you should keep faith with me; you should be trustworthy. Seven times in St. Pauls epistles he refers to "the faith of Christ" and each time his purpose is to emphasize our Lord’s worthiness of our complete confidence. That he does not refer to our faith in Christ is evident on the surface in each case. In the passage above he declares that the right- eousness of God, which is "by the faith of Christ," is con- ferred "upon all them that believe" (Here’s your faith in Him). Similarly, in Gal. 3:22 he states that "the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise, by faith of Jesus Christ, might be given to "them that believe." Here again, we believe because He is worthy of our confidence. Again in Phil. 3:9, the Apostle expresses his desire for a righteousness not of his own, "but that which is through the faith of Christ" -- and then adds: "the righteousness which is of God by faith." Heres mans faith again! He has faith in Christ because Christ is completely faithful, completely worthy to be believed in. He paid the full penalty for our sins and is now in heaven dispensing the merits of Calvary -- riches of grace, mercy and forgiveness. But remember, "the faith of Christ" always precedes our faith in Christ. What good would it do us to believe in Him for salvation if He were not wholly to be relied upon for this? But He can be trusted "to save... to the uttermost [all] who come unto God by Him" (Heb. 7:25). This is why Paul could say to the terrified jailor at Philippi: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: HEROES OF FAITH - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 17, 2004, 04:53:40 AM HEROES OF FAITH
By Cornelius R. Stam In Rom. 4:12 the Apostle Paul declares that Abraham was the father, not of his physical offspring alone, but also of those who "walk in the steps of that faith" which Abra- ham had. Have you ever noticed that God does not hold the great men of Scripture up to us because of their personal virtues? Almost invariably their records are marred by failure and sin. But God bids us observe their faith and what their faith gained for them (See Rom. 4:3,9,11,12). There is a whole chapter on this subject in the Book of Hebrews. Hebrews 11 is properly called "the great faith chapter," and its heroes "heroes of faith," for it tells how Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and scores of others "obtained a good report" before God. They all fal- tered and failed again and again, but Heb. 11:39 declares that "these all... obtained a good report THROUGH FAITH." This is why Rom. 4:9-12 states that God’s blessing is be- stowed upon those who "walk in the steps of that faith" which Abraham exhibited, just as it was bestowed upon Abraham himself. This truth is driven home in Verses 3 to 5 of the same chapter: "For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Rom. 4:3-5). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: DONT DOTE ON PERSONALITIES - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 17, 2004, 05:10:52 AM DONT DOTE ON PERSONALITIES
By Cornelius R. Stam When Paul instructs Timothy to charge his followers not to "give heed" to "endless genealogies" (I Tim. 1:4), he refers to the status symbol of the personality of his day. Recently this writer was informed by a correspondent from an eastern state that it appeared that he might be related to a Revolutionary general named Stam -- and, did we wish him to investigate further! We replied that we were far too excited about where we were going to care much about where we had come from! While there are some in our day who are very proud of their ancestry and have coats of arms displayed in their homes, the average Christian probably, has never had his family tree traced back very far. But in Pauls day geneal- ogies were very important, even among believers. One’s family relationships meant a great deal. If you were a sec- ond cousin to Christ or even a third cousin to Peter you "had it made." You might be crude, or stupid, or even wicked, but all this was overlooked: you were closely re- lated to Christ Himself or to the Apostle Peter and all were ready to give you audience. Actually, the personality cult is still with us in the Church today though it manifests itself in different ways. We live in a day of mass communications, when the faces of prominent men and women are seen again and again in newspapers and magazines and even their personalities come through to us over radio and television. Thus it is the prominent "Christian" politician, athlete, actor, beauty queen, or even former gangster who commands the atten- tion today. Those who arrange evangelistic campaigns often seek to engage such personalities to attract crowds. Such prominent figures, though perhaps actually saved, may be very much "of the world," dishonoring their Chris- tian calling every day, but their presence draws crowds and their shallow testimonies are used to justify their public participation in the work of the Lord. The new evangelicalism has borrowed many prominent personalities from the world to help swell its audiences, while the old prayer that the witness may be hid behind the cross is to all intents and purposes considered passe. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: GODS PROMISE vs. MANS EFFORTS - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 18, 2004, 04:50:33 AM GODS PROMISE vs. MANS EFFORTS
By Cornelius R. Stam "For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath..." (Rom. 4:14,15). This should be self-evident to us all. If blessing is gained by the works of the Law, it is earned. This is why Gal. 3:18 says: "If the inheritance be of the law it is no more of prom- ise, but God gave it to Abraham by promise." The Apostle Paul, Gods great apostle of grace, declares in Rom. 4:4,5: "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." But lets go back to that phrase: "the law worketh wrath." Many people somehow do not see this. Even some clergy- men tell us that the Law was given to help us to be good. But God Himself says, "the law worketh wrath." Every criminal knows this, and every sinner should know it. God certainly places strong emphasis upon it: "Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions" (Gal. 3:19), "that every mouth may be stop- ped, and all the world may be brought in guilty before God" (Rom. 3:19). "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowl- edge of sin" (Rom. 3:20). If we come to God expecting eternal life because of our good works, are we not offering Him our terms, which He can never accept? He will never sell salvation at any price, and certainly not for a few paltry "good" works, when our lives are filled with failure and sin. Our only hope? God has promised to give eternal life to those who trust in His Son (John 3:35,36; Acts 16:31; etc.). "The gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: ARE YOU SURE? - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 19, 2004, 04:41:27 AM ARE YOU SURE?
By Cornelius R. Stam Would you like to have the knowledge, the assurance and the joy of sins forgiven? Would you like to be sure of heav- en? Well, the first step to heaven is to realize that you cannot get there by trying. You cant walk there. You cant climb there. You cant fly there. Only God can take you there. Many try to earn heaven. They try to climb there on a ladder of good works. They talk about "adding another rung." But look out for that good works ladder! Its not anchored at the top and the higher you climb the farther you will fall. Gods Word says that salvation is "the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8,9). He is not going to have boasters in heaven -- there are enough of them on earth and nobody likes them. All of us should realize that even the best of us are not good enough for heaven, for "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23), but in this same statement the Apostle Paul declares that believers in Christ, who died for our sins, are "justified freely by His [Gods] grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24). "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1). So, friend, it is not by trying, or crying, or praying, or paying, or doing anything that you will reach heaven: it is only by believing. God says He loves sinners, and that Christ died for our sins. Will you believe this and trust Christ as your Savior? The terms are stated very plainly in John 3:35,36: "The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into His hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life, and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: GODS ANSWER TO UNBELIEF - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 20, 2004, 04:46:53 AM GODS ANSWER TO UNBELIEF
By Cornelius R. Stam The resurrection of Christ is Gods answer to unbelief. The changed attitudes of His followers who saw Him alive after His crucifixion and the revolution in the life of Paul, who saw Him "last of all," rank high among the "many infallible proofs" of His resurrection. Cowards were made bold, doubters believed, the sorrowing were made glad, the pitiless persecutor became His devoted follower. The bro- ken Roman seal, the empty tomb, the failure of the enemies of Christ to produce the dead body and a hundred other facts add their testimony in confirmation of the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ has been "declared to be the Son of God with power... by the resurrection from the dead" (Rom. 1:4). The resurrection of Christ assures us that His payment for sin is all-sufficient and complete, for "when He had by Himself purged our sins [He] sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Heb. 1:3). "For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified" (Heb. 10:14). Next, the resurrection of Christ gives us a living Savior. Comparing the Old Testament priests with Christ, Heb. 7:23-25 says: "And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this Man, because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." The resurrection of Christ is also the pledge of the be- lievers resurrection in glory. In I Pet. 1:3 the Apostle Peter breaks out in a doxology: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a living hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." And our Lord Himself said what no other could possibly say: "I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (John 11:25). Finally, the resurrection of Christ is a warning to the world of judgment to come: "Because [God] hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained: whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead" (Acts 17:31). "Now is the accepted time" (ll Cor. 6:2). "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: PAULS PHRASEOLOGY - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 21, 2004, 06:42:21 AM PAULS PHRASEOLOGY
By Cornelius R. Stam The careful student of the Epistles of Paul soon observes that the Apostle makes many specific statements as to the distinctiveness of his ministry and message. Even apart from this, however, and considering his phraseology alone, we often wonder how anyone could possibly deny that his message was distinct from that which the twelve had pro- claimed. Note the following examples: Rom. 2:16: "In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to MY GOSPEL." Rom. 16:25: "Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to MY GOSPEL, and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began." II Tim. 2:7,8; "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. "Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to MY GOSPEL." Gal. 1:11: "But I certify you, brethren, that THE GOSPEL WHICH WAS PREACHED OF ME is not after man." Gal. 2:2: "And I went up [to Jerusalem] by revelation, and communicated unto them THAT GOSPEL WHICH I PREACH AMONG THE GENTILES, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain." I Cor. 15:1: "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you THE GOSPEL WHICH I PREACHED UNTO YOU, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand." Add to this the Apostles explicit claims as to the distinc- tive character of his ministry and message and you have irrefutable proof of the fact. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: THE DAY OF ITCHING EARS - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 24, 2004, 04:00:47 AM THE DAY OF ITCHING EARS
By Cornelius R. Stam For the professing Church the day of theological con- troversy has passed. Ecumenism is now the word on every tongue. Church leaders appear to have become convinced that the stifling confusion in the Church can be overcome only by all of us getting together, minimizing our differ- ences and emphasizing those doctrines on which we all agree. As a result some of the most important doctrines of Scripture are neither denied nor affirmed; they are ignored. But little matter, for the objective now is not to be true to the written Word of God, but to see to it that the Church is "strong" and commands the worlds respect. Ecumenism, sad to say, has made significant inroads among evangelical believers too. All too seldom do men of God stand up to defend by the Scriptures the truths they believe and proclaim. Theological debate has given place to the dialogue, in which two individuals or groups sit down together to discuss their differences and see if there is not some basis for agreement. This appears generous and objec- tive but too often convictions are compromised and the truth watered down by such undertakings, with the result that the Spirits power is sacrificed for numerical strength. No man of God can speak in the power of the Spirit when he places anything before the Word and Will of God. Nor can the Church ever be truly united and strong unless she puts Gods Word and Will first and takes her place in the world as Christs embassy on alien territory (See II Cor. 5:20). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: THE ONE TRUE CHURCH - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 24, 2004, 04:12:59 AM THE ONE TRUE CHURCH
Religious people -- even sincere Christian people -- may divide themselves into various denominations or churches, but there is no indication in the Bible that God recognizes these divisions. Indeed, God makes it abun-dantly clear that in His sight there is but one Church, composed of all who truly trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. In ICor. 12:12,13 the Apostle Paul declares by divine inspiration: "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ: "FOR BY ONE SPIRIT ARE WE ALL BAPTIZED INTO ONE BODY...." Again, in Rom. 12:5, he says: "SO WE, BEING MANY, ARE ONE BODY IN CHRIST, AND EVERY ONE MEMBERS ONE OF ANOTHER." Indeed, it is on the basis of the fact that there is but "one body" in God’s sight that He ex-horts us to seek to "keep the unity of the Spirit": "ENDEAVORING TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE. "THERE IS ONE BODY...." (Eph. 4:3,4). How can we become members of that "one Body ," the true Church? Ephesians 2 ex-plains how Christ died for all, Jew and Gentile alike, "that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross..." (Ver. 16). Indeed the Epistles of St. Paul show how God "hath concluded... all in unbelief that He might have mercy upon all" (Rom. 11:32), and offer to them reconciliation and salvation by grace through faith in Christ who died for our sins. The question, then, is not: What church do you belong to? but, Do you belong to the Church, the Body of Christ, composed of all who have acknowledged themselves to be sinners in the sight of God and have trusted in Christ and His finished work for salvation? By C. R. Stam +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: CHURCH ON FIRE - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 24, 2004, 04:20:38 AM CHURCH ON FIRE
By Cornelius R. Stam The Chicago newspapers carried an account the other day of a large church, burned to the ground, at a loss of about half a million dollars. Our sympathy goes out to the pastor and congregation who, at best, will have to carry on for a time under makeshift arrangements. But the account reminded me of the story of another church on fire. The crowds had gathered to see the fire en- gines pour water on the burning building, when one man spotted a friend in the crowd. "Hi Bob!" he shouted: "This is the first time Ive seen you at church!" "Well," responded the other, "This is the first time Ive seen a church on fire." We write this as a special appeal to true, born-again Christians. Isnt it true that if believers were more "on fire" for Christ, more completely sold out to Him, those who are now disinterested would be more apt to become interested and come to know Him as their Savior? We so soon lose interest or become discouraged, and quit. This is why the Apostle Paul, that tireless ambassador for Christ, wrote: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (I Cor. 15:58). This, we repeat, is his exhortation to believers only, for God will not accept our money or our good works, until we have first accepted "the gift of God," which is "eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). Accept this gift; trust the Christ who died for your sins and He will give you plenty to do -- the most rewarding service any man could possibly render. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: PEACE WITH GOD ACCESS TO GOD AND THE HOPE OF GLORY - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 24, 2004, 04:23:00 AM PEACE WITH GOD ACCESS TO GOD AND THE HOPE OF GLORY
By Cornelius R. Stam According to Rom. 4:25, Christ was delivered to death for our sins and then raised from the dead because He had fully settled our debt. The results of this mighty work of redemp- tion are marvelous indeed to ponder over. First, it means for every believer in Christ, that "being justified by faith we have peace with God" (Rom. 5:1). If Christ has paid for our sins and the barrier between God and us has been removed, why should we not enjoy peace with God? Why should we not rise in the morning, go about our work during the day and retire at night with complete confidence that all is well; that we are at peace with God and that He loves us as His very own? But more: Verse 2 goes on to say that by Christ we also have "access by faith into this grace wherein we stand." If the barrier of sin has been removed and we are at peace with God, what is there to keep us out of His presence, es- pecially when He Himself bids us to "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need"? (Heb.4:16). How wonderful to have a standing before God in grace! to be at peace with Him and to enjoy free access into His presence by faith! But there is still more. Not only does the believer in Christ enjoy peace with God and access to God, but, as this same verse says: "We rejoice in hope of the glory of God." "Hope" in the Bible is, of course, more than a wish. It is an eager anticipation of wonderful things to come. Heb. 6:19 says: "Which hope we have as an anchor to the soul, both sure and stedfast." Man has always been afraid of the glory of God. When the glory of the Lord shone round about the Judaean shepherds "they were sore afraid." This was be- cause "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). But the simplest believer in Christ may rejoice in the anticipation of sharing Gods glory some day. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: GRACE TODAY AND TOMORROW - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 26, 2004, 04:09:54 AM GRACE TODAY AND TOMORROW
By Cornelius R. Stam Paul learned what thousands upon thousands of Gods saints have learned from his day to ours: that it is often more blessed to experience Gods grace in suffering than to enjoy deliverance from suffering, for in the former case we lean the harder and pray the more, and so are drawn closer to Him. Moreover, we find that His strength is made perfect in weakness and that when we are weak, then are we strong (II Cor. 12:9,10). But even better things are in store for Gods people: Some day, "in the ages to come," God will display to all the universe "the exceeding riches of His grace." How will He do this? "In His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:7). Dear reader, have you accepted the grace of God in Christ Jesus? Do you believe that He loves you and that He "came into the world" to bear all the blame and shame and pun- ishment that was your due, so that you might be "justified freely by His grace" (Rom. 3:24)? If not, will you take Him at His Word now and come to know the truth of II Cor. 4:15: "For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God." Whatever your past; however great or many your sins, take God at His Word. Believe that He loves you in spite of all. Believe that He has already provided the payment for your sins in Christ: "In whom we have redemption. through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: WHAT'S BEHIND OUR MORAL DECLINE? - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on May 27, 2004, 04:24:47 AM WHAT'S BEHIND OUR MORAL DECLINE?
By Cornelius R. Stam One does not have to be a prude to conclude that our country is suffering a serious moral decline. Our rulers and law enforcement agencies seem powerless to cope with it. Campaigns to check it seem vain. J. Edgar Hoover of the FBI warned us again and again that the alarming rate of this downward trend would spell ruin for America if not checked soon. But what most people fail to realize is that behind this moral decline there is a spiritual decline. Amer- ica has departed from God and His Word. Pauls letter to the Romans tells us how the heathen got that way. Rom. 1:21,22 says: When they knew God they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise they became fools, and the verses that follow tell how God finally had to give them up to uncleanness and vile affections all because they did not like [wish] to retain God in their knowledge (Ver. 28). St. Paul further describes them in Eph. 4:17-19, as walking in the VANITY OF THEIR MIND, having THE UNDERSTANDING DARKENED, being alienated from the life of God through the IGNORANCE that is in them, because of the BLINDNESS of their heart; who being past feeling [conscience] have given themselves over to lascivious- ness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. This, sad to say, is an accurate description of increasing numbers in America today. They are throwing off restraint and going after uncleanness with greediness. But this is not liberty, it is enslavement. It is not a sign of strength, but of weakness. It does not indicate superior intelligence, but grossest ignorance, and is the result of alienation from God. How much better off are those who have come to know God through Christ! Of these the Apostle says: And you, who were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled, in the body of His flesh, through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in His sight (Col. 1:21,22). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: WHERE ART THOU? WHERE IS THY BROTHER? Post by: Brother Love on May 28, 2004, 04:58:25 AM WHERE ART THOU? WHERE IS THY BROTHER?
By Cornelius R. Stam The first question of the Bible came from God Himself as He called to fallen Adam, hiding in fear from His presence: "Where art thou?" (Gen. 3:9). Adam and Eve made a great mistake in running and hiding from God, for their plight was hopeless without Him. But none of Adams children have done any better than he. In Psalm 14:2,3 we find the Lord scouring the earth, as it were, "to see if there were any that did understand [their need] and seek God," but the answer was, "No, not one." How grateful we may be that in grace He sought us, that the Lord Jesus Christ came "to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10) and that "we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7). But another question follows naturally. This question too came from God Himself, as He asked the murderer, Cain: "Where is Abel thy brother?" (Gen. 4:9). Cain countered with another question: "Am I my brothers keeper?" but he soon learned that he was his brothers keeper as God drove him out of His presence, not only as punishment to him, but to teach us all that we are indeed responsible for those about us. The unsaved, who have never responded to Gods call: "Where art thou?" should remember that God also asks them, as He did unregenerate Cain: "Where is... thy broth- er?" By rejecting Christ as Savior men are also keeping others out of heaven -- others whom they might have been used to win to Christ, had they themselves been saved. You say: "God will save those whom He has predesti- nated." That is only one side of the coin. Our Lord said to two cities of His day, that if the "mighty works" done in them had been done in Tyre and Sidon "they would have repented long ago" (Matt. 11:21), and God says that He is "not willing that any should perish" (II Pet. 3:9) and has "committed" to His people the "word" and "ministry" of reconciliation (II Cor. 5:18,19). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: "THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH" - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 08, 2004, 04:41:20 AM "THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH"
By Russell S. Miller Some suppose that somehow, in the final analysis, their "good works" will outweigh the bad works they do and God will accept them into His heaven. But is it good works that save? Of the first two children born into this world, Cain brought of the fruit of the ground--that, which his works had produced--with which to worship the Lord, while Abel, his brother, offered the sacrificial lamb that God required. "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh" (Heb.11:4). God rejected Cains offering because he had not obeyed the Lord God. But a far greater sacrifice than Abels has been offered on our behalf. "CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS" (ICor.15:3). Now the question must be asked, Have you believed the Lord in this? As long as men continue in unbelief, and reject the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, they will remain angry and bitter and wicked sinners in the sight of a thrice Holy God. Such are the deeds of those who place their will over the written Word of God, as their evil doings are reported daily over radio, TV and in our newspapers. But God is able to turn "the wickedness of men" into the greatest good, as we have seen. For, when wicked men crucified the Lord, little did they know "that God was in Christ, RECONCILING THE WORLD UNTO HIMSELF, not imputing their trespasses unto them..." (IICor.5:19). Little did they know, that this event in history--the crucifixion of Christ--would bring "to nought" all this worlds wisdom. Little did they know, that God had a secret eternal purpose in Christ: "Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory" (ICor.2:8). Study Gods Word, especially the Epistles of St. Paul, and discover that Christ IS the great Victor over sin, death, the grave, and hell. You will also be rejoicing in all that He accomplished on Calvarys cross--"the salvation, which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory" (IITim.2:10), and His "more excellent sacrifice", to which all the types and shadows pointed. "The preaching of the cross" constitutes the obedience of faith today. It is therefore faith, and faith alone, in the finished work of Christ that saves: "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" (Heb.9:12). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: FORGIVENESS THAT CANNOT BE REVOKED - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 08, 2004, 05:14:26 AM FORGIVENESS THAT CANNOT BE REVOKED
By Cornelius R. Stam Centuries before Christ, the Psalmist said: "If thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities... who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with Thee..." (Psa. 130:3,4). It is doubtful whether the Psalmist understood the basis upon which a just God, through the ages, has so graciously forgiven sins, but this has since been revealed in the Epis- tles of Paul. There we read: "God for Christs sake hath forgiven you" (Eph. 4:32). But this is only part of the truth, for God for- gives sinners, not merely because Christ desires this, but because Christ paid for their sins and purchased their re- demption. Thus Eph. 1:7 declares: "In [Christ] we have redemption, through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, ac- cording to the riches of His grace." And thus Paul could proclaim to his hearers in the syn- agogue at Pisidian Antioch: "Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: "And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:38,39). Obviously such forgiveness can never be rescinded or revoked, for it is based upon the full and complete payment of our whole debt of sin by "the precious blood of Christ." Sad to say, many people do not feel they need forgiveness, for they have not seen themselves as they truly are in the sight of a holy God, but those who are conscious of their sins and are willing to say with the prodigal son: "I have sinned," may experience the peace and joy of sins forgiven by faith in Christ who paid sins penalty for us. Here is forgiveness that can never be revoked because it is based on the "one offering [of Christ at Calvary]" by which our Lord "hath perfected forever them that are sanc- tified [i.e., set apart as His own]" (Heb. 10:14). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: THE REIGN OF GRACE - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 08, 2004, 05:19:54 AM THE REIGN OF GRACE
By Cornelius R. Stam It is amazing that God should still send forth the good news of His grace in a world where His Word and will are increasingly despised. The growing wickedness of "this present evil age," of course, only emphasizes the true character of grace, for grace is the mercy and love of God toward those who do not deserve it (See Eph. 2:2-6). It is interesting to observe that while the four "Gospels" and the Acts take up twice as much space in our Bibles as the Epistles of St. Paul, yet the word "grace," in the orig- inal, appears only 27 times in the "Gospels" and the Acts, while it occurs 107 times in the Pauline epistles: a ratio of 27 to 214 in favor of the Pauline epistles! Furthermore, only a very few times in the "Gospels" and the Acts is the doctrine of grace referred to, while in the Epistles of Paul almost every reference has to do with the doctrine of God’s love and favor to undeserving sinners. True, "grace and truth came by Jesus Christ," but it was not manifested at His birth, or even during His earthly life, for He lived and died under the Law (Gal. 4:4,5). As "the law was given by Moses," not at his birth, nor when a prince in Pharaohs court, nor yet when he served with his father-in-law in the desert, nor even when he returned to deliver Israel from Egypt, but years later at Sinai, so "grace and truth came by Jesus Christ," not at His birth, nor during His earthly ministry, nor even during His resur- rection appearances, but after His ascension to heaven, when He committed the dispensing of it to Paul (Eph. 3: 1-4). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: MORTIFY THOSE EARTHLY MEMBERS - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 08, 2004, 05:23:14 AM MORTIFY THOSE EARTHLY MEMBERS
By Russell S. Miller "MORTIFY THEREFORE YOUR MEMBERS WHICH ARE UPON THE EARTH...." Paul lists such sins as "...fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetous-ness, which is idolatry" (Col.3:5), and he says concerning these sins: "For which things sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience" (Ver.6). How beautiful is the grace of God! The wrath of God does not come upon us, but His GRACE is showered upon us. Therefore DO NOT repay such love with ingratitude. Rather, as he says in Romans 6:11-13, "reckon yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin" and "alive unto God...", or as here in Colossians: "PUT TO DEATH" those very sins for which God’s wrath does come upon the children of disobedience. And he adds, "PUT OFF" these sins also: "...anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication..." (Col.3:8,9). "...PUT OFF the old man with his deeds", and... "AND PUT ON THE NEW MAN, WHICH IS RENEWED IN KNOWLEDGE AFTER THE IMAGE OF HIM THAT CREATED HIM" (Col.3:10). "PUT ON therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, [inner feelings] of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. "AND ABOVE ALL THESE THINGS PUT ON CHARITY, WHICH IS THE BOND OF PERFECTION" (Col.3:12-14). "AND LET THE PEACE OF GOD RULE in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful" (Col.3:15). "LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Col.3:16). There is no other avenue of wisdom today whereby the Spirit of God works in the hearts and lives of men and women, boys and girls, than THE WORD OF GOD. And especially the Word of God, "rightly divided", as we find it today in the Epistles of St. Paul. No other source can "renew our minds" today except "the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery" (Rom.16:25). So "LET THIS WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY IN ALL WISDOM..." (Col.3:16). "AND WHATSOEVER YE DO in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him" (Col.3:17). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: HELP IN TIME OF NEED - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 08, 2004, 05:28:04 AM HELP IN TIME OF NEED
By Cornelius R. Stam Our Chicago papers, recently, carried two interesting front page items; one about Timothy Nolan, a Chicago po- liceman who pleaded in vain for help while he battled two toughs. Sixty people stood about, watching him fight for his life, but not one of them helped him or even bothered to call another policeman. They just stood and watched. The other item was about a twelve-year-old girl, named Susan Benedict, who had come from Clinton, Wisconsin, to visit Chicago. As Susan sat in the Greyhound Bus Station at Clark and Randolph, a thief grabbed her purse and ran. Perhaps it was because she was a sweet, defenseless twelve-year-old, but in any case, about a dozen people who witnessed the incident, followed the thief until one got a policeman, who caught the thief and returned the purse to the little girl. It is a very frightening thing not to be able to find help when it is desperately needed -- and just as wonderful to have help when it is needed. Thank God, He is always ready to help us in our deepest need -- the salvation of our souls. Are you afraid that your many sins have placed you in a position beyond help -- that you have sinned too greatly for God to forgive you? Then listen to Eph. 1:7, where the Apostle Paul says, by divine inspiration: "We have redemption through [Christ’s] blood, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE." Rom. 5:20,21 will give further encouragement along this line: "...WHERE SIN ABOUNDED, GRACE DID MUCH MORE ABOUND, THAT AS SIN HATH REIGNED UNTO DEATH, EVEN SO MIGHT GRACE REIGN, through righteousness, unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord." Paul knew this by experience, for he was the leader of the worlds rebellion against Christ, but he was saved in one moment by the grace of God. This is why he says: "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief" (1 Tim. 1:15). If God saved the "chief of sinners," He is surely willing to save you, "for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:13). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: CALVARY IN RETROSPECT - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 08, 2004, 05:30:54 AM CALVARY IN RETROSPECT
By Cornelius R. Stam If the Bible makes anything clear, it is the fact that the secret of all Gods good news to man is centered at Calvary. It was because Christ was to die for sin that God could pro- claim good news to sinners down through the ages. It was not until some time after the crucifixion, however, that "the preaching of the cross" was widely proclaimed as a message by Paul in "the gospel [good news] of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24; I Cor. 1:18). The proclamation of "the gospel of the grace of God" was the natural accompaniment to the revelation of the cross as the secret of Gods good news to man. In this proclamation of His over-abounding grace to sinners, everything centers in the cross. According to Pauls epistles "we have redemption through His [Christs] blood" (Eph. 1:7), we are "justified by His blood" (Rom. 5:9), "reconciled to God by the death of His Son" (Rom. 5:10), "made nigh by the blood of Christ" (Eph. 2:13) and "made the righteousness of God in Him" because God "hath made Him to be sin for us" (11 Cor. 5:21). The "covenant" of the law was abolished by the cross (Col. 2:14), the curse of the law was removed by the cross (Gal. 3:13), the "middle wall of partition" was broken down by the cross (Eph. 2:14) and believers in Christ are reconciled to God in one body by the cross (Eph. 2:16). Little wonder Paul calls his message "the preaching of the cross"! To the believer it is thrilling to see the cross as Gods reply to Satan when, at first glance, it had appeared that Calvary had been Satans greatest triumph! Thus we can exclaim with Paul: "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ!" (Gal. 6:14). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: THE GIFT OF GOD - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 08, 2004, 05:50:16 AM THE GIFT OF GOD
By Cornelius R. Stam Men have given many gifts to each other down through the ages, but in James 1:17 we read that "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above," and comes to us from God. The greatest of these gifts is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the redemption He has purchased for us. In speaking to the sinner-woman at Sychars well, our Lord drew a picture, contrasting the barrenness of her own life with the refreshing joy of salvation, saying: "If thou knewest THE GIFT OF GOD, and who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water... Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again, but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst..." (John 4:10-14). By nature we are all sinners, but by the grace of God we all may be saved. "For the wages of sin is death, but THE GIFT OF GOD is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). "For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of your-selves; it is THE GIFT OF GOD: not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8,9). Thus St. Paul speaks of "the gift of the grace of God" (Eph. 3:7) and constantly emphasizes the fact that salvation is a free gift. But a gift is not possessed until it is accepted. Thus the Apostle, in Rom. 5:17, refers to those who "RECEIVE abun- dance of grace and of the gift of righteousness." Those who receive Christ and the salvation He has wrought for them, find it natural to exclaim with Paul- "THANKS BE UNTO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT!" (II Cor. 9:15). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: ARE YOU READY? - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 08, 2004, 05:54:32 AM ARE YOU READY?
By Cornelius R. Stam I wonder what finally became of Molotov? Most of us know only that he was expelled from the Communist Party and was later recalled to Moscow to answer for what Kruschev, of all people, called "barbarous crimes"! Molotov, "the hammer," was active in the Communist Revolution since 15 years of age. A close friend of Stalin, he served Soviet Russia variously as Secretary of the Cen- tral Committee, Premier of USSR, its Foreign Minister and its Representative to the UN. But in 1957 Kruschev, jealous of Stalin’s popularity, dis- missed Molotov from the Presidium and sent him away as ambassador to ’Outer Mongolia’. Now disgraced along with his old friend Stalin, this once popular hero of the Soviets was discarded by the system he championed. Pathetic, but he deserved it. Contrast this with the Apostle Paul. He had been great, prospering in his religion above many of his equals, being "more exceedingly zealous" of the traditions of his fathers (Gal. 1:14). But he gave all this up and counted it loss for "the excellency of the knowledge of Christ." Serving Christ amid unceasing persecution, he said: "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel [good news] of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). Yes, and in his last recorded words before Nero beheaded him, Paul said: "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown..." (II Tim.4:6-8). What a triumphant way to go! And you, my friend, can go that way too -- if you can say with Paul, "I am ready." "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: SEATED IN HEAVEN - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 08, 2004, 05:59:42 AM SEATED IN HEAVEN
By Cornelius R. Stam God sees every believer in Christ as already in heaven. See what the Bible says about this: "BUT GOD, WHO IS RICH IN MERCY, FOR HIS GREAT LOVE WHEREWITH HE LOVED US, "EVEN WHEN WE WERE DEAD IN SINS, HATH QUICKENED US TOGETHER WITH CHRIST (BY GRACE YE ARE SAVED), "AND HATH RAISED US UP TOGETHER AND MADE US SIT TOGETHER IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST JESUS: "THAT IN THE AGES TO COME HE MIGHT SHOW THE EXCEED- ING RICHES OF HIS GRACE IN HIS KINDNESS TOWARD US THROUGH CHRIST JESUS" (Eph. 2:4-7). Most sincere believers, poorly taught in the Word, are concerned about getting to heaven, but as far as God is concerned they are already there. They have been "made accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6). God has given them a position "in Christ." We are well aware that most of God’s people know little about this experientially, but God says that as far as He is concerned, they are already in heaven, and this is what matters. As Christ took our place on Calvary’s cross, God now sees us in Christ, at His own right hand, the place of favor and honor. This is why the Apostle Paul says to believers in Christ: "IF YE THEN BE RISEN WITH CHRIST, SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE, WHERE CHRIST SITTETH ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD. "SET YOUR AFFECTION ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON THINGS ON THE EARTH. "FOR YE ARE DEAD, AND YOUR LIFE IS HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD" (Col. 3:1-3). And all this by the free grace of God: "WHO HATH SAVED US, AND CALLED US WITH AN HOLY CALLING, NOT ACCORDING TO OUR WORKS, BUT ACCORDING TO HIS OWN PURPOSE AND GRACE, WHICH WAS GIVEN US IN CHRIST JESUS BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN" (II Tim. 1:9). Our hearts go out to those of our readers who have not yet received this "gift of the grace of God." "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: ALWAYS ABOUNDING - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 08, 2004, 06:02:06 AM ALWAYS ABOUNDING
By Cornelius R. Stam "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (I Cor. 15:58). We should note carefully that the Apostle Paul here addresses only his brethren in Christ, those who have truly been born again -- born into the family of God. Furthermore, he sent this appeal to Christians every- where: to "all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord" (I Cor. 1:2). He knew that there is a tend- ency among all believers to be tempted to abandon the work of the Lord through discouragement or carelessness, so he pleads with us to be "stedfast" and "unmoveable," remind- ing us that our labor is "not in vain in the Lord." How we need this exhortation! We do not soon abandon our businesses or homes. We toil on in spite of difficulties and obstacles, and when the outlook is darkest we often work the hardest. Sometimes our bodies suffer for it, but we do not immediately give up. And how much more urgent is the work of the Lord! Souls are perishing all about us for whom Christ died. It is our plain duty to pray for them and tell them of His love. It is our responsibility to toil and sacrifice that they may hear and believe the good news. What shall we say when some day we stand before our Savior if we have been sat- isfied merely to know Him ourselves? And what will He say? Let us then be up and doing, "always abounding in the work of the Lord." Life is too short to fritter away the pre- cious moments God has given us to proclaim His saving grace. Let us tell them, then, by lip and by life, by our testimony and by our behavior, that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" and that "we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: CREATION AND CHRIST - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 09, 2004, 04:16:19 AM CREATION AND CHRIST
By Cornelius R. Stam When we believing Christians hear some "scientist" speak of "our ancestors" roaming this earth, say, 40,000,000 years ago, we become upset, and exclaim: "What nonsense!" Why? The answer is that we know that the speaker is not stating scientific facts; he is propagating the long-disproven theory of evolution. Worse than that, the speaker has de- nied God’s own account of creation by disseminating a theory far more difficult to believe. Yet, when the believer hears a scientist refer to some planet, say, 460,000,000 miles away he rejoices and ex- claims: "How great is our God!" Why the difference? Ah, because astronomy, unlike evolution, is basically a science. Granted, some astronomers may go far afield when they speculate on the origin of the universe; they may even make many errors in their calculations, but astronomy proper is nevertheless a science, based mainly on math- ematics and physics. This has proved to be true as men from earth have orbited the earth and the moon and have landed on the moon, returning back to earth again. Indeed, it is only a few months since two soft landings (of instru- ments) were made on the planet Venus, about 67,000,000 miles away, and all the above with the earth, the moon and Venus, not only travelling through space at incredible speeds, but with each all the while revolving on its own individual axis! The Lord Jesus Christ dwelt in glory "far above all heav- ens" in eternity past and came to earth to subject Himself to humiliation and death only that He might pay the penalty for our sins and redeem us to Himself: "That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:7). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: FOR JESUS SAKE - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 10, 2004, 04:56:33 AM FOR JESUS SAKE
By Cornelius R. Stam "Delivered unto death for Jesus sake" (II Cor. 4:11). There is much that we all do for our own sake, for the sake of our children, our loved ones or others, but the real test of the believers love for the Lord is what he does "for Jesus sake." Under the dispensation of Law our Lord told His disciples that to be forgiven they must forgive: "Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven" (Luke 6:37), "but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matt. 6:15). But now, under the dispensation of grace, He exhorts us to forgive one another "even as God for Christs sake HATH forgiven you" (Eph. 4:32). The difference is striking. Before the cross: If you would be forgiven, forgive. Now, in the light of the cross: You have been graciously forgiven for Christs sake. In the light of this be tenderhearted and forgiving toward others. And we are to go farther than this: Not only are we to forgive our brethren in Christ, but we are to be prepared to show this attitude toward the world as well. St. Paul said: "For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all" (I Cor. 9:19), and referring to his perse- cutions by unbelievers, he said: "We... are always delivered unto death for Jesus sake" (II Cor. 4:11). How many un- believers would be won to Christ; how many of our Chris- tian friends would be strengthened and helped, if we adopt- ed this attitude toward others! As to suffering itself, the Apostle also gladly bore this "for Jesus sake." In writing to the Corinthians, he said: "I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christs sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong" (II Cor. 12:10). He had learned that in weakness he leaned the harder, prayed more, and was brought closer to His Lord, and herein lay his spiritual strength. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: BECAUSE HE LOVED US - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 11, 2004, 04:38:52 AM BECAUSE HE LOVED US
By Cornelius R. Stam Why did the Lord of glory Leave His heavnly home, To come to earth and suffer here For wrongs He had not done? Why did He go to Calvry To bear the shame and loss, And give His life for sinners vile Upon th accursed cross? Why?...Because He loved us, And longed that we might be His very own -- not only now, But through eternity. -- C.R.S. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: ETERNAL LIFE, THE GIFT OF GOD Post by: Brother Love on June 14, 2004, 04:48:49 AM ETERNAL LIFE, THE GIFT OF GOD
By Russell S. Miller Suppose I knew of a financial benefactor who was giving away one million dollars to every one that personally contacted him. I told my parents about this, and they collected their million; my sisters collected theirs, after I told them of course; and my brothers-in-law all received their generous portions. Of course I told my wife, and every one in her family, about it. All our relatives, friends, and many, many strangers contacted this gracious benefactor as per instructions, and received their million dollars. But I never told you! What would you think about my actions in this matter, if I had not told you about this wonderful gift? Would you not have a right to be very angry with me and wonder why you were left out? Now please do not think that I am angry with any one, for such thinking could not be farther from the truth. No, not at all. This is an illustration of what God seeks to convey to a lost and dying world. Only its not a mere million dollars, nor is it billions of dollars, that we are discussing here. It is a portrait of the love of Christ: "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom.5:8). The Lord does not promise earthly wealth, but He has promised "eternal life" to all who will believe on His Son, worth more than all the money in all the world: "FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH; BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD" (Rom.6:23). Yes, my dear friend, I trust that you also can now see how important, how really important, this gift is that God wants to give you! The Apostle Peter describes the gift of God as more valuable than the precious metals that men covet after. "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, AS SILVER AND GOLD, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; "But with THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (IPet.1:18,19). The Bible clearly teaches that we are all "sinners" (Rom.3:23), lost and dying, and in desperate need of the "Saviour" (Tit.1:4). Jesus Christ, of course, is our only Saviour. There is no other Saviour for mankind. If you miss Him, you will have missed everything! This is why the Apostle Paul declared that salvation can only be obtained by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: "Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph.2:8,9). "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" (Heb.9:12). This is also why the Apostle Paul exhorts us to trust Christ as our Saviour: "BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED..." (Acts 16:31). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: CHRISTIAN LIBERTY - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 15, 2004, 06:27:30 AM CHRISTIAN LIBERTY
By Cornelius R. Stam Christian liberty is a priceless possession. It can be abused, of course, but legitimately used it is an overflowing source of spiritual joy and power. Gods purpose with regard to the liberty of the believer in Christ is aptly summed up for us in one short verse in the Galatian letter: "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another" (Gal. 5:13). As the cause of spiritual decline in Israel was always their departure from Gods Word to them through Moses, so the cause of spiritual decline among believers today is al- ways their departure from Gods Word to us through Paul, and if anything is made unmistakably clear in the Epistles of Paul, it is the fact that believers in this present dispen- sation of grace have been delivered from the Law and, as Gods full-grown sons in Christ, have been "called unto liberty." The failure of Gods people to appropriate and enjoy this liberty today results in spiritual decline as surely as did the failure of the people of Israel to observe the law of Moses in their day. Could anything be plainer than those passages in this same Galatian epistle, where the Apostle says by the Spirit: "CHRIST HATH REDEEMED US FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree" (Gal. 3:13). "But when the fulness of the time was come, GOD SENT FORTH HIS SON, made of a woman, made under the law, "TO REDEEM THEM THAT WERE UNDER THE LAW, THAT WE MIGHT RECEIVE THE ADOPTION OF SONS" (Gal. 4:4,5). Thus, to reject our blood-bought liberty and go back to the servitude of the Law is to repudiate not only the Word of God, but the Word of God to us, and this must necessarily result in spiritual decline. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 15, 2004, 06:33:37 AM THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW
By Cornelius R. Stam How little most people know about the Law, the Ten Commandments! First, most people have a hazy idea that the Law was given to Adam; that it existed as long as the history of man. This, of course, is wrong, for in John 1:17 we read: "The law was given by Moses." Moses lived some 2,500 years after Adam, about 1,500 years before Christ. So for about 2,500 years mankind lived without the Ten Commandments. Second, most people suppose that the Law was given to mankind in general, while the fact is that it was given to Israel alone. It was a covenant made between God and Is- rael. Before giving it God said: "Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people" (Ex. 19:5). This is not to say that the Law does not affect all men, for, as the divine standard of righteousness it affects us all. Third, most people think that the Law was given to help us to be good. Even some clergymen teach this, though the Bible itself states again and again that the Law was given to show us that we are guilty sinners and need a Savior. Note the following Scripture passages. Rom. 3: 19: "Now we know that what things soever the law sath, it saith to them that are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may be brought in guilty before God." Rom. 3:20: "By the law is the knowledge of sin." Gal. 3: 19: "Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions...." Thus the Law can only condemn the sinner. But thank God, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree" (Gal. 3:13). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: THE CHRISTIANS PROSPECT - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 15, 2004, 06:36:36 AM THE CHRISTIANS PROSPECT
By Cornelius R. Stam Those of us who trust in Christ for salvation have a glo- rious prospect. For the present, while waiting to go to be with Him, "we have redemption, through His blood, the for- giveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7). In infinite love God has made us to be "accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6) and has pronounced us "complete in Him" (Col. 2:10). Our position is now a blessed and exalted one, for God has made us to "sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:6) and has "blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3). But this is only the beginning, for, referring to the Chris- tians death, Phil. 1:23 tells us that "to depart, and to be with Christ. . .is far better"; far better, not only than earths sorrows and troubles, but far better even than earths dear- est treasures and joys. But even this is not all, for the time will come when, the Church, "the Body of Christ," having been completed, the Lord will come to receive all of its members, living and dead, to Himself. Referring to the resurrection of the de- ceased believers body, I Cor. 15 declares that "it is raised in incorruptibility" (Ver. 42), "it is raised in glory" (Ver. 43), "it is raised in power" (Ver. 43), "it is raised a spiritual body" (Ver. 44), for "as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly" (Ver. 49). And as to those believers who will be alive at His com- ing, he says: "We shall all be changed" (Ver. 51). "For...we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself" (Phil. 3:20,21). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: EVERY-MAN EVANGELISM - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 16, 2004, 04:42:26 AM EVERY-MAN EVANGELISM
By Cornelius R. Stam "Do the work of an evangelist." Pauls Spirit-inspired injunction in II Tim. 4:5 applies indirectly to every believer in Christ. Are not our pastors simply leaders in the work of the Lord? Shall the congregation sit idly by as the pastor alone does "the work of an evangelist?" God forbid! The pastor is rather to be an example to his flock to go and do likewise. How well this writer recalls the days of the so-called Darby-Scofield movement when multitudes all over the country thronged to hear Bible teachers like Gaebelein, Gray, Gregg, Ottman, Chafer and Newell. These able men of God expounded the Word as the "blessed hope" of the Lords return was being recovered. But these Bible teachers were evangelists too, in the truest sense of the word, and their evangelism was contagious. In those days almost all premillenarians, including the young people, carried New Testaments in their pockets wherever they went. Why? They hoped and prayed for opportunities to testify to others about Gods plan of salva- tion through Christ and they wanted to show them the way from Scripture. In those days if a Christian failed to have a New Testament with him he was apt to be reproved with the words: "What! a soldier without a sword?" By contrast few believers carry New Testaments about with them to- day, and they certainly dont carry Bibles! Some are telling us today that this brand of fundamen- talism is out of date and ineffective in these fast-changing times. We reply that all of us ought to get back to this brand of fundamentalism, this earnest effort to personally win souls to Christ by showing them Gods plan of salvation from the Scriptures. God help his people in general and each spiritual leader in particular, to "do the work of an evangelist." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: What We Believe - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 17, 2004, 04:35:48 AM What We Believe
By Paul M. Sadler, President Scripture Reading: "Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." -- II Corinthians 3:6 We have been hearing from a good number of our readers who are confused, perplexed and even concerned over the doctrine of the New Covenant. Apparently there are a number of strange teachings floating around the Grace Movement on this subject, which has given rise for alarm among some of the brethren. It is our firm conviction that the Body of Christ falls under the umbrella of the New Covenant. Paul clearly teaches in Romans that we are partakers of Israel's spiritual blessings (Rom. 15:27 cf. Eph. 1:3-14). There is absolutely no possibility that this could refer to anything other than the New Covenant. One thing that should never be overlooked, however, is the fact that Israel received it by promise whereas we are the glad recipients of it by grace (Jer. 31:31 cf. Titus 2:11). As we know, one of the principal blessings of the New Covenant is the blood of Christ. This particular element can never be divorced from the covenant nor should it be. We have often said that if the Body of Christ has no connection to this covenant whatsoever, then our Savior must return a second time to die for the Gentiles. To us this is unthinkable. Christ died "once for all" (Heb. 10:9-12). Furthermore, the New Covenant shows that there is a connection between the two programs of God which highlights His eternal purpose. Surely, He is Lord of all. Who could fail to see that Paul charges us to remember the blood of this covenant until the Lord comes: "This cup is the New Testament [Covenant] in my blood: this do ye... in remembrance of me. For as often as ye [Members of His Body] eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come" (I Cor. 11:23-26). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: The Seventh from Adam - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 24, 2004, 05:34:45 AM The Seventh from Adam
By Paul M. Sadler, President Scripture Reading: "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints." -- Jude 14 About two weeks prior to teaching the Dispensation of Conscience in my Dispensational Survey class at the Berean Bible Institute, I raised the following question to the student body. What is the significance of Enoch being addressed as "the seventh from Adam"? The entire class drew a blank -- they were stumped!! Although it may seem rather insignificant at first glance, the Holy Spirit has added this phrase for good reason. In fact, this phraseology is only used in reference to Enoch. A number of the students gave some thought to the matter and even ventured a couple of explanations, which were true, but not the answer I was looking for. Finally, one student eventually got two or three hints out of me and came up with the answer. Upon arriving at the fourth and fifth chapters of the Book of Genesis, I explained to the class that there were two Enoch's before the days of the great flood. Therefore, we must carefully distinguish between the Enoch who descended from Cain, and the Enoch who was the "seventh from Adam" (Gen. 4:16-18 cf. 5:22-24). The first Enoch walked in the way of Cain -- his descendants were morally bankrupt. God would have us follow the example of Enoch, the seventh from Adam, who walked in the way of faith. Thus "Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found [implying everyone searched for him], because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he PLEASED GOD" (Heb. 11:5). In addition, the path of the coming Redeemer would pass through Enoch, the seventh from Adam, not Cain's Enoch (Gen. 3:15). So then, a seemingly insignificant phrase suddenly helps us better appreciate that: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (II Tim. 3:16). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: CREATION AND CHRIST - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 24, 2004, 06:03:24 AM CREATION AND CHRIST
When we believing Christians hear some "scientist" speak of "our ancestors" roaming this earth, say, 40,000,000 years ago, we become upset, and exclaim: "What nonsense!" Why? The answer is that we know that the speaker is not stating scientific facts; he is propagating the long-disproven theory of evolution. Worse than that, the speaker has denied God’s own account of creation by disseminating a theory far more difficult to believe. Yet, when the believer hears a scientist refer to some planet, say, 460,000,000 miles away he rejoices and exclaims: "How great is our God!" Why the difference? Ah, because astronomy, unlike evolution, is basically a science. Granted, some astronomers may go far afield when they speculate on the origin of the universe; they may even make many errors in their calculations, but astronomy proper is nevertheless a science, bas-ed mainly on mathematics and physics. This has proved to be true as men from earth have orbited the earth and the moon and have landed on the moon, returning back to earth again. Indeed, it is only a few months since two soft landings (of instruments) were made on the planet Venus, about 67,000,000 miles away, and all the above with the earth, the moon and Venus, not only travelling through space at incredible speeds, but with each all the while revolving on its own individual axis! The Lord Jesus Christ dwelt in glory "far above all heavens" in eternity past and came to earth to subject Himself to humiliation and death only that He might pay the penalty for our sins and redeem us to Himself: "That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:7). By C. R. Stam +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: EVOLUTION AND SIN - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 24, 2004, 06:09:10 AM EVOLUTION AND SIN
By Cornelius R. Stam "For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now" (Rom. 8:22). Modern evolution, of course, denies the Bible account of the fall and has much to say about "the ascent of man," but evolution fails to account for, indeed, assiduously evades, that which lies at the very root of all man’s troubles: sin. It fails to explain adequately why man finds himself weak, poor, miserable, distressed, corrupt, perishing, and it fails to explain why he is so utterly helpless to lift himself from this state. It fails to explain his inherent sense of blame- worthiness; indeed insists he has no cause for a "guilt com- plex." Every man feels within himself a disorder, a positive dislocation of things, which science -- and certainly the theory of evolution -- is unable to explain. Only the Bible account of the fall explains it and shows how all man’s trouble and distress arise from his own nature, which is fallen and corrupt. "...BY ONE MAN SIN ENTERED INTO THE WORLD, AND DEATH BY SIN; AND SO DEATH PASSED UPON ALL MEN, FOR THAT ALL HAVE SINNED" (Rom. 5:12). It is most important for the unsaved to learn this lesson; to learn that it is not merely our sins, but our sin that makes us unfit for the presence of God; not merely our deeds but our nature; not merely what we have done, but what we would do because we are essentially sinful as the children of Adam. How profoundly grateful we should be, then, that God loves us despite our sins and our sinful natures, and that... "...God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8). "In whom we have redemption, through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: CONFIDENCE IN DEATH - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 24, 2004, 06:11:11 AM CONFIDENCE IN DEATH
By Cornelius R. Stam In the forty years of my ministry I have seen many people approach death and have seen some die. Some, who knew Christ as their Savior, were ready, even eager, to go to be with Him. Some passed from this scene with songs or words of praise on their lips. Others, who had failed to prepare, died in mortal fear, not merely of death, but of what lies beyond. These things do not always run true to form, however, for I have also seen the most hardened unbelievers go out of this life joking and seemingly unafraid, while, on the other hand, I have seen sincere Christians cringe with fear at the approach of death. These human reactions did not change the fact that the unbelievers had reason to be afraid, while the believers need not have feared. The Word of God tells us that "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27,28). It is the "after this" that makes men so afraid to die. They fear the truth of Rom. 14:12, that "every one of us shall give ac- count of Himself to God." But wait: we did not quote all of Heb. 9:27,28. The full passage reads as follows: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judg-ment; so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time apart from sin, unto salvation." This can mean only one thing: that Christ died for us and bore the judgment for our sins, the "second death." This is why Heb. 2:9-15 declares that "by the grace of God" Christ "tasted death for every man... that through [His] death He might... deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: A FAMOUS YOUNG MAN - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 28, 2004, 04:26:49 AM A FAMOUS YOUNG MAN
By Cornelius R. Stam Has it ever occurred to you how Timothy became so famous a young man? H. L. Hastings tells of a group of British archeologists who, years ago, came upon a huge marble slab, evidently very ancient, high atop a mountain where no one would be apt to find it -- or remove it. Experts were called upon to decipher the hieroglyphics which covered the marble monument. They found them to be a declaration by an ancient ruler of his great exploits, and an explanation that he had used this means of re- cording his deeds so as to secure to himself everlasting fame. The trouble was that no one could find any historical account of a king who bore this name or who had accom- plished the glorious exploits recorded on the marble slab! Thus the archeologists had found, engraved in marble, a glowing self-tribute to -- whom? It might as well have been to nobody! By striking contrast, young Timothy has been well known by Christian people all over the world for nearly two thousand years! During all this time, without interrup- tion, he has been read about, written about, preached about and used as an example of consistent Christian conduct. Yet, have you ever read one great deed done by Tim- othy? Have you ever read of one great sermon from his lips, one brilliant book or letter from his pen, one great exploit of any kind? No, you hardly know more than that he was a young preacher, a friend of Paul, and that he had been taught the Scriptures in early life by his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice (II Tim. 1:5), so that Paul could now write to him: "...FROM A CHILD THOU HAST KNOWN THE HOLY SCRIP- TURES, WHICH ARE ABLE TO MAKE THEE WISE UNTO SALVATION, THROUGH FAITH WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS" (II Tim. 3:15). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: TWO ANXIOUS MOTHERS - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on June 29, 2004, 04:51:59 AM TWO ANXIOUS MOTHERS
By Cornelius R. Stam Some time ago, in Chicago, a little baby was kidnapped right out of her mothers arms in a hospital room, while another mother left her baby in a cardboard box on top of a garbage can. We have the feeling that in all probability the woman who abandoned her baby -- and it probably was a woman -- was just as much beside herself as the one who had her baby stolen from her arms. A Registered Nurse told us some time ago that the pro- portion of mothers who do not want their babies is becom- ing alarming. We do not believe that these women wouldnt want their babies under normal circumstances. Everybody loves a baby! But in such cases sin has come in to bring trouble and shame and misery. Some of these mothers are unwed and have been disgraced; others are separated or divorced from their husbands or would have to bring their babies home to nothing but bickering and trouble. Still others have passed diseases on to their babies and wish that they had never been born. This is how sin wrecks lives and homes, but it is wonder- ful to know that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners," as we read in I Tim. 1:15. How does He save sin- ners? First He bore the penalty of sin for us: "Christ died for our sins" (I Cor. 15:3). But He will save us from sins control too, if we let Him. Rom. 6:14 says to believers in Christ: "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law but under grace," and millions have proved this to be true. Salvation is more than a religious term, or a feeling or sentiment, it is actual deliverance from the penalty and power of sin, through the redemptive work of Christ on Cal- vary, where He "put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself" for every one who simply but sincerely trusts Him as Lord and Savior. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: GRACE NOT EARNED - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on July 05, 2004, 04:42:23 AM GRACE NOT EARNED
By Cornelius R. Stam Have you ever noticed that God does not hold the great men of Scripture up to us because of their personal good- ness? Almost invariably their records are marred by failure and sin, but God bids us look at their faith, to see what their faith did for them. Even those who lived consistently good lives are not held up to us for their personal worth, because God knows their imperfections. Thus Rom. 4:2,3 says: "For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory but not before God. For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." And Verse 6 goes on to say about David: "Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works." This is because man cannot live a life good enough to make him acceptable to God, for with God only perfection is good enough. One sin spoiled the earth; God will not allow one sin to spoil heaven too. This is why in grace He gave Christ to die for our sins and to pay the just penalty for us. Because of the all-sufficient payment of Christ in our be- half, God can now be "just, and the Justifier" of those who place their faith in Christ (Rom. 3:26). The famous eleventh chapter of Pauls letter to the He- brews bears out the fact that salvation, or acceptance with God, is obtained, not by human effort, but by faith. This great chapter on the heroes in Gods "Hall of Fame," begins with the words: "For by it [faith] the elders obtained a good report," and then goes on: "By faith Abel ...," "By faith Enoch...," "By faith Noah...," "By faith Abraham...," etc., and closes with the declaration: "...these all...obtained a good report through faith..."+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: THREE BILLION WILLS - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on July 05, 2004, 04:48:22 AM THREE BILLION WILLS
By Cornelius R. Stam As long as man remained obedient to the will of God, his Maker, all was well with him. His life was perfectly bal- anced because it was centered in God. As soon as he lis- tened to Satan, however, and set his will against Gods, all began to go wrong. His life was now off center and out of balance. It was no longer subject to the one central will. Alienated from God, man now reaped the fruit of his re- bellion, not only in his banishment from Paradise, but in the self-will of his offspring. Of the first two children born into the world, one bludg- eoned the other to death, and this was but the beginning. Whereas God had originally created man in His own "im- age" and "likeness" (Gen. 1:26,27), we read later that Adam begat Seth "in his own likeness, after his image" (Gen. 5:3). And so parents down through the ages have begotten children like themselves, with fallen natures and wills of their own, until now we have some three billion wills oper- ating in the world instead of the one central will of God. This does not mean, however, that God has abdicated, or that the future of the world is now subject to the wills of three billion fallen creatures. Nor was God forced to for- mulate new plans because of the fall of man. Far from it, for despite mans rebellion -- even through it -- God has been carrying out His plan and every true believer rejoices that God "worketh all things after the counsel of His own will" (Eph. 1:11). While He does not rule directly in the affairs of men, He very definitely overrules, and as a result "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28). All glory to that blessed One of whom it is written: "Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the Book it is written of Me) to do Thy WILL, O God" (Heb. 10:7). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: THE APOSTLE TO THE NATIONS - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on July 06, 2004, 04:48:53 AM THE FATHER OF OUR COUNTRY AND THE APOSTLE TO THE NATIONS
By Cornelius R. Stam Millions highly honor George Washington as "the father of our country," but how few know about Paul, Gods apostle to the nations! Not Matthew, or Mark or Luke; not Peter or James or John, but Paul alone wrote, by divine inspiration: "FOR I SPEAK TO YOU GENTILES (or, YOU OF THE NATIONS] INASMUCH AS I AM THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES [NATIONS]: IMAGNIFY MINE OFFICE" (Rom. 11:13). Note well that Paul did not magnify himself, but his office, to which he had been appointed by the glorified Lord. In defending his apostleship before the Galatians, he wrote: "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. "For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Gal. 1:11,12). In many other passages the Apostle claims to speak as a direct representative of Christ (See I Cor. 11:23; 15:3; Eph. 3:2,3; I Thes. 4:15; etc.). To Timothy Paul wrote in I Tim. 6:3-5 concerning his own writings: "If any man teach OTHERWISE, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing..." This could not demonstrate more emphatically Pauls claim that his words were "the words of our Lord Jesus Christ," received from Him by direct revelation. To the Corinthians, who questioned this, the Apostle wrote: "...IF I COME AGAIN I WILL NOT SPARE, SINCE YE SEEK A PROOF OF CHRIST SPEAKING IN ME" (II Cor. 13:2,3). The proof of this claim? This was overwhelming indeed, for Paul was used more than any other apostle to found churches and lead men into the knowledge and joy of sal- vation. To the Corinthian believers he wrote what he could have written to many thousands of others: "The seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord" (I Cor. 9:2). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on July 07, 2004, 04:51:12 AM RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD
By Cornelius R. Stam It is not enough to use the Bible as a grand book of won- derful sayings from which we may choose what we wish for our inspiration, nor will one who truly realizes that "God hath spoken" ever hold so shallow an opinion of the sacred Scriptures. "The Word of truth" must be "rightly divided"; for while it is all given for our spiritual profit, it was not all ad- dressed to us, or written about us. Thus one who truly desires to understand and obey Gods Word will seek first to determine what Scriptures are particularly related to him and will study all the rest in the light of these. Sad to say, however, there are many who fail to give the Book of God the respect and reverence it deserves. They flip it open at random, let a finger light upon the open page and then read the verse indicated to see if perchance they may find leading from the Lord in that way. And if it doesnt "work" the first time they try it again and again until it does "work." They use "promise boxes" in the same way, on the basis that "every promise in the Book is mine." They take passages out of their contexts, "spiritualize" them, and give them "private interpretations." Finding "precious passages" anywhere at all, no matter to whom addressed or when or why, they place their own construc- tions upon them and claim them as promises of God to them! To take isolated statements from the writings of men and use them in such a manner would be considered dis- honest, but even Bible teachers do it with the Word of God! The Word, rightly divided, is of supreme importance to the Church at large as well as to the individual believer, and it is because this fact has not yet been sufficiently recognized that we have not experienced the true, heaven- sent revival that the Church so sorely needs.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: GODS TWO POEMS - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on July 12, 2004, 05:41:18 AM GODS TWO POEMS
By Cornelius R. Stam In Romans 1:18-20 the Apostle Paul declares that un- godly men are "without excuse" because they are sur- rounded by the evidences of the Creators "eternal power and Godhead." Our Authorized Version calls the creation, in this pas- sage, "the things that are made," but in the Greek it is called literally "the poyeema," from which we get our word poem. The Apostle refers, of course, to the harmony of Gods creation, and is it not indeed amazing how billions of heavenly bodies can continually revolve in the vastness of space and never collide! And are not the flowers, the seasons, the sunsets all part of a harmonious creation, which God alone could have conceived and set to music? But very interestingly, this word poyeema is used just once more in Scripture. We find it in Eph. 2:10, where it is translated "workmanship." Let us consider this passage in its context: "For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of your-selves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship [Gr., poyeema], created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:8-10). Romans speaks of the poem of creation, Ephesians of the poem of redemption, and the latter is the more wonderful. An old hymn says: "Twas great to speak a world from naught; tis greater to redeem." In this poem of redemption which God has composed, we believers too often want to change some word or phrase. We would like this or that in our circumstances to be different. Ah, but this would destroy the meter and meaning of Gods new creation. Thank God, when we believers go to be with Christ, we will see the beauty and glory of the poem of redemption. Then we will rejoice that He did indeed "work all things together for good" for us. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: BUYING UP THE TIME - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on July 14, 2004, 04:47:17 AM BUYING UP THE TIME
By Cornelius R. Stam Nineteen hundred years ago Paul wrote to his fellow- believers in the vicinity of Ephesus: "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming [Lit., buy- ing up] the time, because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:15,16). Those were indeed evil days, when a wicked tyrant ruled the Roman Empire, when Messiah had been rejected, not only in incarnation, but in resurrection, and Christianity was fighting a life-and-death battle to penetrate the pre- vailing pagan darkness with the light of Gods grace. Surely Paul never dreamed that the dispensation of grace would continue for more than nineteen hundred years. He expected the Lord to come at any time to recall His am- bassadors and bring the day of grace to a close. Hence the urgency of his appeal to be "buying up the time, because the days are evil." But if Paul had reason to suspect that the day of grace would soon be brought to a close, we today have greater reason to think so. Now that the light of the gospel has been brought to Europe, America and many other parts of the world, men are turning their backs on it. Only a small minority of even Christendom truly believe the Bible and know the Christ it presents -- and how very few know the riches of His grace! Meanwhile our governments, our educational institutions and our social systems are becoming ever more godless. The result? The newspapers, radio and TV -- even a trip down- town to any fair-sized city, will tell us all we need to know. Once again "the days are evil" and the Lords coming for His own seems imminent. There is still much talk about lasting peace and prosperity, but no thoughtful person be- lieves that we are headed in that direction. Rather the world appears to be heading straight toward the prophesied "day of wrath." What a comfort it is to the believer, then, to know that "God hath not appointed us unto wrath, but to obtain sal- vation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us..." (I Thes. 5:9,10). "For the Scripture saith, Whosoever be- lieveth on Him shall not be ashamed" and "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:11,13). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: BAPTISM AND THE REMISSION OF SINS - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on July 15, 2004, 05:10:25 AM BAPTISM AND THE REMISSION OF SINS
By Cornelius R. Stam He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved (Mark 16:16). The twelve apostles preached and practiced exactly this. When Peters hearers at Pentecost were convicted of their sins and asked: Men and brethren, what shall we do Peter did not tell them that Christ had died for their sins and that they could receive salvation as the gift of Gods grace, apart from religion or works. Rather he said: Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38). Years ago, in a series of debates on dispensationalism, the author asked his opponent: Suppose, after a Sunday evening service, some of your hearers were convicted of their sins and asked you and your co-workers: 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?' Would you tell them what Peter told his convicted sinners at Pentecost? Why, of course! he exclaimed. In those words? I persisted. He thought for a moment and then replied: Well, I guess not exactly in those words. The fact is that this pastor would not at all have said to his hearers what Peter said to his. Even though a Baptist, he would not have said: Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, for he believed that sub- jection to water baptism should be left to each persons conscience, and he did not believe that it had anything to do with salvation. He would doubtless have said to any in- quirers what Paul said when the convicted Gentile jailor asked: What must I do to be saved? Like Paul, he would have replied: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.. . (Acts 16:31). Peter at Pentecost preached what he was commanded to preach under his commission: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved (Mark 16:16), but when God raised up Paul, that other apostle, He sent him to proclaim the gospel of the grace of God and the finished work of Christ. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: THE FATHER OF BELIEVERS - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on July 19, 2004, 04:38:56 AM THE FATHER OF BELIEVERS
By Cornelius R. Stam "Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteous-ness" (Rom. 4:3). Has it ever occurred to you that the most loved, the most honored, the most respected person of all history is -- not Christ, but Abraham. Christ ought to be most loved, hon- ored and respected, but Abraham is. Besides the millions of professing Christians there are untold millions of Jews and Mohammedans who speak with reverance of "our father Abraham." Clearly this is why God used this man to show how to be saved and justified before a holy God. As Paul is Gods great example of grace, so Abraham is Gods great example of faith -- saving faith. "If Abraham were justified by works," says Rom. 4:2, he has something to boast about -- but not before God, who sees and knows all. But Abraham was justified. How? "What saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness" (Ver. 3). God, of course, had planned salvation through the re- demptive work of Christ and has always saved anyone who simply trusts Him and takes Him at His Word. Since Abraham, of course, more of Gods Word has been revealed and we know the details of Christs death for sin- ners. If we now take God at His Word and simply trust Christ as Savior we are completely justified, for salvation is not; cannot be, by works: "But to him that worketh not but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Rom. 4:5). "...through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:38,39). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: THE LIVING GOD - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on July 19, 2004, 04:45:23 AM THE LIVING GOD
By Cornelius R. Stam "My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God" (Psa. 42:2). The recent "God is dead" theory had little true comfort or satisfaction for men in trouble or sorrow. For years we supposed that the term "the living God," in the above passage, had reference to Gods power to help, in contrast to the impotence of dead heathen idols. A careful examination of the context, however, leads us to believe that it has rather to do with His ability to respond. The gods of the heathen, by contrast, were like childrens dolls; they could not even change their countenance or respond in any way. "The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of mens hands. "They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; "They have ears, but they hear not, neither is there any breath in their mouths" (Psa. 135:15-17). But the true God is a living God. He does see, hear and respond. The Psalmist, in Psalm 42, compares himself to a stag, panting with thirst. It is sometimes supposed that the scene is one of a stag pursued in the chase, but the passage says nothing of this. Palestine is a dry land and entirely apart from being hunted down, a deer might well pant for streams of running water. Be this as it may, the stag, in this passage, is not seeking for help; he is thirsting for refreshment, and so did the Psalmist long for the refreshment of fellowship with God, the living God. How wonderful it is that we may know the living God through faith in Christ! This is why the Apostle Paul de- clares in Heb. 10:19: "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus... a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, His flesh. " By His death at Calvary our Lord tore away the veil that kept us from entering into Gods presence, and now in re- sponse to our need He says: "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16). Yes, God is a living God! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: WHAT ABOUT ME? - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on July 20, 2004, 04:55:46 AM WHAT ABOUT ME?
By Cornelius R. Stam Is it not amazing that men who can produce intricate electronic mechanisms, build giant skyscrapers, fly men to the moon and back -- is it not amazing that such men often do not even know what will finally become of themselves! And what is more amazing still is that most of them do not even try seriously to find out. They are intelligent enough to plan carefully for the future where temporal affairs are concerned, but foolish enough to neglect their eternal welfare. They make plans for themselves in case they become ill and need additional funds for surgery, medicine and hospital care. They even make plans for their loved ones in case of death and be- reavement, but they fail to ask themselves: "What will become of me after death?" Daily "the wise of this world" witness the truth of Heb. 9:27, that "it is appointed unto men once to die," and most of them know that the Bible adds: "after this the judgment." They may hope that this is but a false alarm, but they do not know. They can only wonder and worry. Heb. 2:15 de- clares that "through fear of death" they are "all their life- time subject to bondage." Like Adam, they run and hide from God instead of running to Him and asking: "What must I do to be saved?" Too cowardly to face up to their own lost condition, they wander on with no light beyond the grave, no hope beyond the tomb -- too afraid, generally, to even discuss death. The believer in the Word of God is not left thus in the dark. He glories in the truth of the passages from which we have quoted in part above. We quote them now in full: Heb. 2:14,15: "Forasmuch then as the children [of Adam] are par-takers of flesh and blood, He [Christ] also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; "And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." Heb. 9:27,28: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without [Lit, "apart from"] sin unto salvation." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: THE LAW MISUNDERSTOOD - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on July 24, 2004, 12:07:49 PM THE LAW MISUNDERSTOOD
By Cornelius R. Stam There are three misconceptions that most people enter- tain about the law of God and its Ten Commandments: 1. Most people have a vague notion that the Law always was; that it must have been given to Adam or soon after. Actually, it was given by Moses about 1500 B.C., after about 2,500 years of human history had elapsed (John 1: 17). So mankind lived on earth for about 2,500 years with- out the Law, or the Ten Commandments. 2. Most people suppose that the Law was given to man- kind in general, while in fact it was given to Israel alone (Deut. 5:2,3). 3. Most people suppose that the Law was given to help us to do right. Even some clergymen teach this, although the Bible clearly teaches that the Law was given to show us that we are guilty sinners. It is true that the Law, while given to Israel, also shows the Gentile that he is a sinner. This is why Rom. 3:19 says: "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought in guilty before God." But most important of all: few people realize that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins to deliver us from the just condemnation of the Law. This is taught in the follow- ing Scriptures: "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us..." (Gal. 3:13). "For God hath made Him to be sin for us, [Himl who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (II Cor. 5:21). "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law, but under grace" (Rom. 6:14). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: MERCY UPON ALL - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on July 25, 2004, 08:20:00 AM MERCY UPON ALL
By Cornelius R. Stam Have you ever wondered how the pagan world got that way: idol-worshipping, wicked, gripped by superstition and fear? The Bible supplies the answer in Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Three times in Chapter 1 we read of the Gentile world: "He gave them up... He gave them up... He gave them over...." Why? Because they had given Him up: "And even as they did not wish to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient [becoming]" (Rom. 1:28). It would have been difficult to believe 30 or 40 years ago, that our young people would be dancing to the wild, exotic music of pagan lands (if this can be called music), or that our studios would be selling the twisted, hideous paintings of pagan art (if this can be called art). When you wonder why the lovely melodies and harmo- nies of yesteryear have given place to the noise and din of today’s "music"; when you wonder why the beautiful paint- ings of those days have been largely replaced by the mas- terpieces of chaos that surround us now -- why in so many ways we seem to be reverting to paganism -- read Romans 1. All this is the natural result of a departure from God and His Word. Yet there is hope and assurance and joy in store for any individual who will yet heed the message of God -- particularly in the Book of Romans. Here we read how Jew joined Gentile in rejecting Christ, and God had to give them all up. But listen to this passage from Rom. 11:32: "For God hath concluded them all in un- belief THAT HE MIGHT HAVE MERCY UPON ALL." That is, He gave up the Jewish and Gentile nations so that He might show His grace to any individuals who might turn to Him by faith in Christ, thus reconciling both (Jew- ish and Gentile believers) unto Himself in one body, by the cross (Eph. 2:16). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: THE DIVINE MIRROR - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on July 26, 2004, 04:02:12 AM THE DIVINE MIRROR
By Cornelius R. Stam In the divine Mirror, the Bible, we may behold ourselves or we may behold Christ. It is well to use it first to behold ourselves and see the ruin sin has brought. But let us not stop here. Let a man look into a mirror and find the sun in it and the glory will be reflected in his face. And so it is with the Word. When we see ourselves in it we must necessarily be disappointed, but when we look for Him in the Word and find Him there, His glory casts its reflection upon us! What need have we then to hide our faces? If David could say, "They looked unto Him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed" (Psa. 34:5), how much more should this be said of us! We know, or should know, more of Him than those of Davids day, and those Scriptures specially addressed to us send us forth, not to proclaim Gods right- eous demands, but to proclaim Christ, the righteous One, who met these demands at Calvary and offers justification and life to all. And as, in our study of the Scriptures, we turn from the shame of man to the glory of Christ; as we behold Him and see all we have and are in Him, we become constantly more like Him, "changed into the same image from glory to glory" (II Cor. 3:18). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: DELAY IN JUDGMENT - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on August 02, 2004, 04:09:10 AM DELAY IN JUDGMENT
By Cornelius R. Stam The Scriptures leave no doubt that the Lord Jesus Christ will come to this earth again, "in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God" and who "receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved" (II Thes. 1:8; 2:10). Nor will He forget His promise to give the twelve apostles thrones in His kingdom (Matt. 19:28). There can be no successors to Peter and the eleven, for they themselves are to reign with Christ in glory. What is happening now is a parenthesis in Gods prophesied pro- gram. Delaying Christs return to judge and reign. God chose another apostle, separate from the twelve, to bring a message of grace to this Christ-rejecting world. How great is His mercy and love! And how are men saved today? How are their sins remitted? Must they come to some recognized authority and be "baptized for the remission of sins"? Some, still following Peter rather than Paul, say, "Yes." But let us see what St. Paul, by divine inspiration, has to say about this. "FOR BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED, THROUGH FAITH, AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD: NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST" (Eph. 2:8,9). "NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHICH WE HAVE DONE, BUT ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY HE SAVED US, BY THE WASHING OF REGENERATION, AND THE RENEWING OF THE HOLY GHOST" (Tit. 3:5). This stands in striking contrast to Peters "Repent and be baptized... for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). It stands in contrast, also, to the words of the so-called "Great Commission": "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). Does not this indicate that a change in dispensation took place with the raising up of Paul, that other apostle? But what about the kingdom? Does some man on earth hold the keys? No, for both the King and His kingdom are in exile. When a sinner obeys God and receives Christ as His Savior he is "translated into the kingdom of His dear Son" (Col. 1:13), and "made accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at:http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: PAULS CLAIMS - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on August 10, 2004, 04:40:33 AM PAULS CLAIMS
By Cornelius R. Stam Pauls Spirit-inspired claims for the distinctive character of his apostleship leave no room for doubt. Consider a sam- pling of these. Rom. 11:13: "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I AM THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES: I MAGNIFY MINE OFFICE." Gal. 1:11,12: "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is NOT AFTER MAN. "FOR I NEITHER RECEIVED IT OF MAN, NEITHER WAS I TAUGHT IT, BUT BY THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST." Eph. 3:1-3: "For this cause, I PAUL, THE PRISONER OF JESUS CHRIST FOR YOU GENTILES, "If ye have heard of THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD, WHICH IS GIVEN ME TO YOU-WARD: "How that BY REVELATION HE MADE KNOWN UNTO ME THE MYSTERY..." Col. 1:25: "...I am made a minister, according to THE DISPENSA-TION OF GOD WHICH IS GIVEN TO ME FOR YOU, to fulfill [fill full, or complete] the Word of God." I Tim. 2:5-7: "For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus; "Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. "WHEREUNTO I AM ORDAINED A PREACHER, AND AN APOSTLE (I SPEAK THE TRUTH IN CHRIST, AND LIE NOT); A TEACHER OF THE GENTILES IN FAITH AND VERITY." Tit. 1:2,3: "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie; prom-ised before the world began; "But hath in due times manifested His Word THROUGH PREACHING WHICH IS COMMITTED UNTO ME, according to the commandment of God our Savior." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Subscribe at:http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: WONDERFUL NEWS - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on August 17, 2004, 05:17:46 AM WONDERFUL NEWS
By Cornelius R. Stam The newspapers are filled with sensational news these days, but the divine extension of this present age of grace is the most sensational news of all, yet most newspapers rarely, if ever, mention it. We are prone to take the blessings of our times too much for granted. We forget too easily that for more than 1900 years the world has been ripe for Gods judgment -- ever since His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, was crucified and sent from this world a royal Exile. All through the Old Testament Psalms and prophets it is clear that the worlds rejection of Christ was to be visited with awful judgment. The Second Psalm, describing the worlds rejection of "the Lord and His Anointed," goes on to say: "He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath and vex them in His sore displeasure." In Psalm 110:1, too, we have the Father saying to His rejected Son: "Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine en- emies Thy footstool." Yet, when all seemed ready for the divine judgment to fall, God interrupted the prophetic program and saved Saul of Tarsus, the "chief of sinners," the leader of the worlds rebellion against Christ. More: He appointed this Saul, as the Apostle Paul, to proclaim "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24), the wonderful news that because Christ suf- fered, the Just for the unjust, at Calvary, any sinner may be saved by grace through faith, apart from religious or other works. "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). And there- fore: "To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Rom. 4:5). Judgment will come, but thank God, He has in grace delayed it until now. "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (II Cor. 6:2). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at:http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: MILES AND MILES OF SCRIPTURE - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on August 18, 2004, 05:03:31 AM MILES AND MILES OF SCRIPTURE
By Cornelius R. Stam How much, I wonder, do the Christian parents among our readers show their children their love for the Word, and for Christ, and for the souls for whom He died? For many years I worked with my father, first full-time, then part-time, as a city missionary in Paterson, N.J. All during these first years dad and I walked to work together each morning -- a little over a mile. Do you know how we invariably occupied ourselves on the way? By quoting Scripture passages on some particular subject. One morning we would quote as many passages as we could on the deity of Christ, another on His death or resurrection; others on His love, power, grace, or other attributes and characteristics. Sometimes, for days or weeks on end dad would use these morning walks to ply me with questions such as: "What Scriptures would you use to deal with a blaspheming unbeliever?" or "a self-righteous person" or "one who rejects Christ on intellectual grounds?" In this way we covered "miles and miles" of Scripture, as it were, and this in addition to Scripture reading before every meal at home, and again before we retired for the night. And all this again in addition to the oral and written Bible teaching of many of the great Bible expositors of that day, whose teachings we studied with deepest interest. What a precious heritage! We wish that more of our Christian young people today were as well off. Parents: its strictly up to you. What are your priorities? What are you willing to pay -- in terms of pleasure, ease or financial "suc- cess"? Do you set an example to your children -- and others -- by really putting God first? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at:http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: ASLEEP IN A STORM - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on August 20, 2004, 04:28:18 AM ASLEEP IN A STORM What a disappointing scene! A terrifying storm, souls in danger of death, but Jonah, the man of God, fast asleep. Sailors are not soon frightened in a storm, but this time the fury of the gale was so great that "the ship was like to be broken" and even the sailors were driven to their knees "and cried every man unto his god" (Jonah 1:4,5). Can it be that Jonah, the only man aboard who knew the true God, was sleeping? Sleeping while souls were perishing? This was the shameful truth, and not one of us would blame the terrified captain for rudely awakening him and crying: "What meanest thou, O sleeper? Arise, call upon thy God!" (Ver. 6). But let us not be too ready to condemn Jonah, for we may be more guilty than he. Surely the world today is passing through a fearful storm and souls all about us are in peril of their lives. If they do not accept God’s way of salvation; if they do not trust in Christ, they will perish. And what are we doing about it? Are we pleading for them in prayer? Are we doing what we can to reach them for Christ? Or are we fast asleep? "What meanest thou, O sleeper? Arise, call upon thy God!" And when you have cried to God in behalf of your unsaved relatives, friends and business associates, He will send you to witness to them of Christ and His love. Not until you have talked to God about them will you be ready to talk to them about God. Politically, morally, spiritually, the night is dark, the Storm is raging and souls are per-ishing, but "God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts" (II Cor. 4:6). "...we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep as do others" (I Thes. 5:5,6). By C.R. Stam ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at:http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: COLUMBUS THE BELIEVER - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on August 21, 2004, 05:13:57 PM COLUMBUS THE BELIEVER
By Cornelius R. Stam Everybody knows that Columbus discovered America, but few people know Columbus the sincere believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, who braved the dangers of the ocean vastness mainly because it was his deep desire to bring the gospel to the Indies. His perseverance in the face of almost insur- mountable odds should be a lesson to God’s people. Cen- turies before Columbus, Paul wrote to the Corinthian be- lievers: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (I Cor. 15:58). This stirring appeal of Paul to Christians everywhere (I Cor. 1:2), implies that there is a tendency to abandon the work of the Lord through discouragement or carelessness, for he pleads with us to be "steadfast," and "unmovable" -- not easily shaken, reminding us that our "labor is not in vain in the Lord." How we need the exhortation! We do not soon abandon our businesses or our homes. We work on in spite of difficulties and obstacles, and when the outlook is darkest we often toil the hardest. Sometimes our bodies suffer for it, but we do not immediately give up. If this is so where our own affairs are concerned, how much more should it be so where the things of God and the needy multitudes about us are concerned! If it is so where temporal matters are concerned, how much more should it be so where eternity is involved! Christians, let us awake! Let us "buy up the time!" Life is too short to fritter away the precious moments. Let us rather neglect our own affairs than to neglect the work of the Lord and the perishing souls about us. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at:http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: DO YOU UNDERSTAND? - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on August 30, 2004, 05:13:17 AM DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
By Cornelius R. Stam This was the question Philip asked of the Ethiopian prince as he sat reading from Isaiahs prophecy (Acts 8:30), and it is a question which we should continually keep ask- ing ourselves as we read the holy Scriptures. There are always those among Gods people who do not much care whether or not they understand what they read if only it warms their hearts! To them the Bible is little more than a fetish. Taking only those Scriptures which appeal to them, and leaving the rest, they actually feel themselves quite spiritual and often talk about believing the Bible whether or not they understand it! But such "spirituality" is far from genuine, and such "faith" is blind and superstitious at best. While it is true that the Bible teaches many truths which we believe, although they are beyond our comprehension (such as its opening verse!), yet how can we believe what the Bible says unless we understand what it says? God would have us understand what we read and believe it in- telligently. Indeed, true faith will want to know and under- stand more and more of Gods Word. One who does not care whether or not he understands what God has said is not truly interested in knowing what God has said. His faith is based on his own will rather than on Gods Word, for re- gardless of the meaning of Scripture, he will take any pas- sage that suits his fancy and use it as he wishes. How great an emphasis God Himself places upon the importance of understanding His Word! On one occasion, when our Lord saw the multitudes, He "was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things" (Mark 6:34). And now that the secret of Gods "eternal purpose" has been made known, how much more reason there is to study the Scriptures, with a view to understanding them! How Paul, by the Spirit, emphasizes this, as he writes of his prayers for the saints: "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling..." (Eph. 1:17,18). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at:http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address:Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: SICKNESS AND SIN - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on August 30, 2004, 05:20:13 AM SICKNESS AND SIN
By Cornelius R. Stam One thing that really concerns this writer about modern life, is how sin is constantly called sickness. A man com- mits some moral outrage and they say he is sick -- they even tell him that. I went to see a man some time ago who had fallen into unspeakable immorality and it had caught up with him. For years his sanctimonious life had been a sham; now the mask was torn off and he was in trouble -- deep trouble. I had been telling him that now his best course was to make a clean confession -- to the courts and to God. But someone else had gotten to him first. While he stood by, listening, this man had told his wife: "You must get Jim to see that hes sick and needs help. Im not condoning what he has done, but Im hopeful that if he gets the proper help he can be cured." What a way to evade the sin question! Of course the man was sick -- I imagine you and I would be sick too if we lived as he had been living! But lets get this straight: His sick- ness came from his sin, not his sin from some sickness. He would have been far better off to sob out his heart in con- trition before God for his sin than to excuse his conduct on the grounds of illness. Rom. 5:12 says: "By one man sin entered into the world and death by sin," and Rom. 6:23 says: "The wages of sin is death." The sobering fact is that while there may be differences in the kinds of sins we commit, or in the degrees of our sin, Rom. 3:23 declares that there is no difference in this, that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." This is why we are so pleased and proud to proclaim "the gospel of the grace of God," how Christ paid the penalty for our sins that we might have a perfect standing before a holy God, "being justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24). "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift!" (II Cor. 9:15). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++at:http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address:Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: THE SUPREME IMPORTANCE OF GODS WORD TO THE BELIEVER Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on August 30, 2004, 05:50:02 AM THE SUPREME IMPORTANCE OF GODS WORD TO THE BELIEVER
By Cornelius R. Stam The Bible will always have first place in the life of the spiritual Christian. It is of utmost importance that we understand this, for some who feel themselves quite spiritual give much time to prayer, but little, if any, to the study of the Word. Such have actually fallen for the subtle trick of the adversary to play upon their natural human pride and cause them to exalt self and push God into the background. In saying this we do not for one moment minimize the importance of prayer; we only stress the supreme impor- tance of the holy Word of God. In this we are surely Scrip- tural, for David says, by inspiration: "For Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name" (Psa. 138:2). Of those who would still object and place first emphasis upon prayer rather than upon the Word, we would ask one simple question: Which is the more important, what we have to say to God or what He has to say to us? There can be but one answer to this question, for obviously what God has to say to us is infinitely more important than anything we might have to say to Him. Our prayers are as fraught with failure as we are, but the Word of God is infallible, immutable and eternal. Yet some, having fallen for one of Satans "devices" and feeling quite spiritual about it, are like the talkative person to whom one listens and listens, occasionally nodding his head, but receiving little or no opportunity to "get a word in edgewise." They do all the talking, but give little time listening to what God has to say to them. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at:http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: WHEN THE LORD ASKED WHY - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on September 11, 2004, 04:54:21 AM WHEN THE LORD ASKED WHY
By Cornelius R. Stam There are two occasions when the Lord asked "Why?" that stand out from all the rest. Once it was to God He cried it and once to Saul of Tarsus. Once to the Holy One and once to the chief of sinners. Once He cried it from the shameful cross and once from His glory in heaven. In each case the name was repeated. In Matt. 27:46 we find the first anguished "Why?" as He cried: "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" The other is found in Acts 9:4, where He called from His exile in heaven: "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?" These two questions represent the greatest riddles of history and yet strangely, one of them is the simple solution to the other! Why did God forsake His Son? You will find the answer when you ask why mankind, represented by Saul, forsook and even persecuted Gods Son. Gods action, in giving Christ up to die, was the antidote to mans. Christs death was the remedy -- the only possible rem- edy -- for mans sin. It was because of the utter unreason- ableness of mans sin that God, to save him, had to be more than reasonable. Saul had led his nation and the world in rebellion against Christ, but this is just why, in infinite love, God chose him to become the great apostle of grace, telling the world that "Christ died for our sins." Hear him tell how he had been "a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious" but how "the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant" (1 Tim. 1:13,14). Hear him say: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief, Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting" (Vers. 15, 16). Since the "chief of sinners" is now in heaven, there is hope for us all if we but trust in the Christ who died for us. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at:http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: FEAR OF DEATH IS IT NECESSARY? - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on September 13, 2004, 08:11:02 PM FEAR OF DEATH IS IT NECESSARY?
By Cornelius R. Stam Most people live in almost constant fear of death. They do not like to think that man’s days are as grass and all his glory as the glory of a fading flower (Psa. 103:15,16). They do not wish to face up to the fact that "it is appointed unto men once to die" (Heb. 9:27). This is natural, for God’s Word declares that death is "the wages of sin" (Rom. 6:23) and "after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27) and the "second death" (Rev. 20:14). This is why I Cor. 15:56 says that "The sting of death is sin." Yet the Psalmist David was not afraid of death. He said: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil" -- but note the reason: "for Thou art with me" (Psa. 23:4). David had come to know God and had been graciously delivered from the fear of death. But we, today, have an even greater reason to be free from the fear of death, for 1,000 years after David, Saul of Tarsus, the chief of sinners, was saved by grace and was sent forth to proclaim the "gospel [good news] of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). He went forth to tell men how "Christ died for our sins" (1 Cor. 15:3) and robbed Satan of all his claims against us: "That through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Heb. 2: 14, 15). When the Apostle himself neared death, he said: "To die is gain" (Phil. 1:21), "to depart, and to be with Christ... is far better" (Ver. 23), and "the time of my departure is at hand... henceforth there is laid up for me a crown..." (II Tim. 4:6-8). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at:http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: PEACE AND ACCESS - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on September 13, 2004, 08:23:49 PM PEACE AND ACCESS
By Cornelius R. Stam "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom also we have access..." (Rom. 5:1,2). "Being justified... we have peace with God"! What a priceless blessing! We believers are prone to take this bless- ing altogether too much for granted. Since the day we trusted Christ and the burden of sin rolled away, most of us have never had another question about our eternal destiny. Hence the danger of taking our salvation for granted. We often fail to appreciate suffi- ciently what it means to be able to arise in the morning, go about our business during the day and give ourselves up to unconsciousness at night, always assured that through our Lord’s redemptive work we have "peace with God" and our eternal destiny is secure. Surely this knowledge should overwhelm our hearts with constant gratitude and have a profound effect upon our daily conduct. The companion blessing to "peace with God" is our full and free access into His presence: another blessing of grace far too little appreciated. Think of the wonder of our free access to God; how He, the Ruler of the Universe, invites us to come confidently before His "throne of grace" at our con- venience -- "in time of need." "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16). We should never forget that this high privilege was pur- chased for us by the precious blood of Christ, and that having thus been purchased, it is His will that we believers avail ourselves of "this grace." Could there be greater proof of His love for us? "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, "...a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh. "....Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith..." (Heb. 10:19-22). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at:http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: LIBERTY -- HOW PRECIOUS! - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on September 13, 2004, 08:30:49 PM LIBERTY -- HOW PRECIOUS!
By Cornelius R. Stam We were interested to read, recently, about the man in California who ran short of grazing land for his herd of 13 buffalo. To solve this problem he put them on a barge and took them over to a large island in Lake Berryessa where there was lots of pasture. But what did the buffalo do? They jumped back into the lake, swam to shore and began charging fishermen and chasing automobiles -- so enraged were they at being imprisoned on an island! After all, neither man nor beast enjoys bondage, though many of us are in fact enslaved. Our Lord said in John 8:32: "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." To this the religious leaders replied: "We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest Thou, Ye shall be made free?" But our Lord answered: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin" (Ver. 34). St. Paul says the same thing in Rom. 6:16: "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" Sad to say, many sincere religious people think that they can free themselves from sin by putting themselves in bondage to the Law, the Ten Commandments. This never works, for the Law can only condemn the sinner. Rom. 3:19,20 declares that the Law was given "that every mouth may be stopped and that all the world may be brought in guilty before God... for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Again we have to turn to Christ for salvation and true liberty. He "died for our sins" (I Cor. 15:3) and has "re- deemed us from the curse of the law" (Gal. 3:13). Having believed this and trusted Christ as Savior, true Christians serve the Lord, not from fear, or to gain favor, but out of sheer love and gratitude. This is true liberty and this service is the only kind that God desires from us. Prob- ably no man ever served the Lord more sincerely or tire- lessly than the Apostle Paul. In II Cor. 5:14 he gives us the secret: "The love of Christ constraineth us..." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at:http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: LITTLE GIRL, ARISE - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on September 13, 2004, 08:36:24 PM LITTLE GIRL, ARISE
By Cornelius R. Stam I was addressing an Assyrian audience on the raising of Jairus’ twelve-year-old daughter by the Lord Jesus Christ, and using the narrative to illustrate how God, through His Word, gives resurrection life to those who are "dead in trespasses and sins." I had as my interpreter the incomparable Bedour Hanush Afraim Kassab, but there was one point in the narrative where my audience needed no interpreter. I will explain. It so happens that Aramaic, spoken by our Lord on earth, is almost identical to Assyrian and there is one small phrase in the story where our English Version presents the very words our Lord spoke to Jairus’ daughter: "Talitha cumi," or "Little girl, arise." Now it also happened that in our audience there was a little Assyrian girl who, like Jairus’ daughter, was twelve years old. As I told of Jairus’ anxiety for his dying daughter and his anguish at the news of her death, the little As- syrian girl could understand nothing; she had to wait until my words were interpreted into Assyrian. But when I got to the words "Talitha cumi" she needed no interpreter. Leap- ing from her chair she stood looking at me with eager, sparkling eyes, as if to say: "What do you want of me? What can I do now?" Like Jairus’ daughter, our little girl had heard and un- derstood just those three words and had applied them to herself. So it is with those who have received "life in Christ." "Dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1), they paid little heed to the Word of God (I Cor. 2:14), but one day, by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, they did take heed and believe some simple gospel passage, like "Christ died for our sins" (I Cor. 15:3) and, applying it to themselves, were "raised to walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4). Nothing would please us more than if some reader should thus apply the gospel of God’s grace to himself and receive eternal life. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and THOU shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at:http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: GOOD NEWS FROM CALVARY - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on September 13, 2004, 08:45:14 PM GOOD NEWS FROM CALVARY
By Cornelius R. Stam All through the Old Testament the cross is but dimly seen. Though a hundred historical characters and a hun- dred more Levitical sacrifices and rituals were typical of Christ and His finished work, not once does the Old Tes- tament state this. The silence is profound. The clearest Old Testament prophecy of Christ’s death, Isaiah 53, does not even specify who the Sufferer would be. It was the same during our Lord’s stay on earth, for only toward the close of His ministry do we read: "From that time forth began Jesus to show unto His disciples how that He must go unto Jerusalem and suffer... and be killed..." (Matt. 16:21). And what was their response? "Then Peter took Him and began to rebuke Him" (Ver. 22). Luke 18:34 states three times that they did not have the slightest idea that He would even die, much less did they understand all that His death would accomplish. Even at Pentecost Peter blamed his hearers for the death of Christ and said to them: "repent and be baptized every one of you... for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). The twelve were preaching "the gospel of the kingdom" and knew little about the cross and its purpose. Not until the Apostle Paul, that other apostle, do we have what is properly called "the preaching of the cross," i.e., as good news. And in Paul’s great message our Lord is no longer seen as the Victim, but as the Victor, not merely after death, or over death, but in death. His death itself is seen as His greatest triumph. In Heb. 10:12,14 we read: "...after He had offered one sacrifice for sins [He] sat down... for by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified." And in Col. 2:14,15 Paul describes Christ at Calvary nail- ing the Law to the cross and utterly defeating Satan and his hosts, "triumphing over them in it (i.e., in the cross)." Little wonder the Apostle exclaimed: "God forbid that I should boast, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ..." (Gal. 6:14). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at:http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: DON’T PAY ATTENTION TO STORIES - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on September 13, 2004, 08:50:13 PM DON’T PAY ATTENTION TO STORIES
By Cornelius R. Stam "Neither give heed to fables..." (1 Tim. 1:4) As the present-day English reader comes upon the word "fables" in the Authorized Version, he is apt to think of Aesop’s Fables, but these were illustrations, while the orig- inal word muthois means simply stories, including stories of imagined incidents or events. There are two types of stories that have exerted an amaz- ing influence upon twentieth century Christendom. One is the novel, the other the promotional story. In considering the above passage, this writer examined the contents of the popular Christian periodicals coming to his desk and was astonished to find how many of them were largely filled with fiction and with stories written to pro- mote projects or viewpoints. The Apostle says about such stories that they raise questions but do not answer them, for stories really prove nothing. This is also true of many Christian films. Many Christian novels have indeed exerted a savory influence upon their readers -- when they have been founded upon Scriptural truths and principles. Obviously, however, an author can make his novel "prove" exactly what he wishes to prove, for the novel involves us in a world of make-believe. Thus a novel can be dangerous to Christian faith and practice. The promotional story holds, perhaps, an even more prominent place in our popular Christian magazines. No one can object to factual reports of what God has wrought, but too many of these stories are nothing more than pro- motional efforts. Many of these "success stories" are so successful that thoughtful readers question their validity and are apt to lay them aside without even finishing them. Less discerning readers, however, are often deeply moved by them. We are well aware that our objections are not popular, but we are not trying to be popular; we are trying to help sincere Christians find their way back, step by step, to renewed spiritual power. This power has been too long frittered away by substituting the will of man for the Word of God. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at:http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: THE RICHES OF GOD - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on September 15, 2004, 04:44:50 AM THE RICHES OF GOD
By Cornelius R. Stam Some years ago there came to this country a very poor young man. He found a job in the timber lands of Wiscon- sin. Being industrious he gradually accumulated some tim- ber acreage of his own. Soon be began to prosper, and after a few years he invested in a lumber milling industry. It was not long after that until he owned more than one mill. This led him to expand into northern Wisconsin and Min- nesota. Before long he was very rich, investing in timber acreage in the far northwest and eventually owning valu- able land by the thousands of acres, the very finest timber in the country. At the time of his death neither he nor his relatives nor friends knew what he was worth financially, so wealthy had he become. When the time came for him to die, however, he could not take one cent of his riches with him, for as I Tim. 6:7 says: "We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." It seems difficult for most men to learn that "a mans life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luke 12:15). They close their ears to the words of wisdom spoken by our Lord: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth cor-rupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal" (Matt. 6:19, 20). The truest, most lasting riches of all are referred to in II Cor. 8:9 where the Apostle Paul says: "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich." And these riches may be had by faith -- by accepting them as a gift, for "the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at:http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: ITS YOUR ATTITUDE - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on September 15, 2004, 05:30:00 AM ITS YOUR ATTITUDE
By Cornelius R. Stam Many people fear that they will never reach heaven. Some try not to think about it, while others struggle to "be good," hoping that they will finally "make it." Very few, comparatively, are sure of heaven. The real pity is that so few understand what it is that keeps people out of heaven. If you are confused about this, just remember that according to Scripture, it is not ones sins that keep him out of heaven, but his attitude. God has made full provision for our sins. "Christ died for our sins" (I Cor. 15:3) and "we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7). But God has made no provision for a self-righteous at- titude. He gave the Law "that every mouth may be stopped and that all the world may be brought in guilty before God" (Rom. 3:19). Thus He does not want you to keep saying things in your own defense. In fact, before you can know God as your Savior, you must recognize Him as your Judge, righteously condemning you as a sinner. Often, when capital crimes are involved, the defendants attorney will tell him: "It will be to your advantage to plead guilty and to throw yourself on the mercy of the court." This is especially true of us as sinners in the sight of a holy God. If we will only plead guilty and cast ourselves upon His mercy we will find Him more than gracious, for He has already paid the penalty for our sins Himself. Yes, unsaved friend, it will be to your eternal advantage to plead guilty before God and to cast yourself upon His mercy, "for the wages of sin is death, but THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD" (Rom. 6:23). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at:http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: GRACE ABOUNDING - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on September 16, 2004, 04:27:13 AM GRACE ABOUNDING
By Cornelius R. Stam In a letter to his spiritual son, Timothy, Paul wrote, some 1900 years ago, about his conversion: " was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious, but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. AND THE GRACE OF OUR LORD WAS EXCEEDING ABUNDANT..." (I Tim. 1:13,14). And he follows this with the now-famous declaration: "THIS IS A FAITHFUL SAYING, AND WORTHY OF ALL ACCEPTA- TION, THAT CHRIST JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS, OF WHOM I AM CHIEF" (Ver 15). Upon reading this statement by Paul, those who know their Bibles will immediately recall the words of Rom. 5:20,21: "...the law entered, that the offence might abound, BUT WHERE SIN ABOUNDED, GRACE DID MUCH MORE ABOUND; THAT AS SIN HATH REIGNED... SO MIGHT GRACE REIGN..." These two passages from the pen of Paul have a closer connection than may appear on the surface. The Apostle Paul, once Saul of Tarsus, had led his nation and the world in rebellion against Christ. "As for Saul," we read in Acts 8:3, "he made havoc of the church," and he himself testified to the Galatians: "Ye have heard... how that beyond meas- ure I persecuted the church of God, and laid it waste" (Gal. 1:13). Yet God, in infinite mercy, had saved Saul, not only for Sauls own sake, but to make him the living demonstration of His grace. Thus in writing to Timothy, the Apostle goes on to explain: "Howbeit, FOR THIS CAUSE I OBTAINED MERCY, THAT IN ME FIRST JESUS CHRIST MIGHT SHOW FORTH ALL LONGSUFFER1NG, FOR A PATTERN TO THEM WHICH SHOULD HEREAFTER BELIEVE ON HIM TO LIFE EVERLASTING" (I Tim. 1:16). Let us, then, take our places with Saul, the sinner, and find salvation by grace through Christ, the Savior. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at:http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: "ENTERING INTO HIS REST" - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on September 17, 2004, 04:38:18 AM "ENTERING INTO HIS REST"
By Russell S. Miller "GOD rested the seventh day from all His works" (Heb.4:4), a reference to the six days of creation as recorded in Genesis 1:1-2:2, and an exhortation that you cease your works and REST in the power of Almighty God. But Moses himself, through unbelief, failed to enter, and rest, in the land of promise (Heb.4:6; Nu.20:7-13; Deut.34:1-8). Since he had already "smitten" the rock once (Ex.17:1-7), the Lord now instructed him to "speak" (Nu.20:8) to the rock, for the "Rock" smitten once typifies Christs death on Calvary (ICor.10:4; Heb.10:10-14). A "word" humbly "spoken" in the wilderness (Ex.17:1-7) would bring forth the water of life freely, but Moses "smote the rock", not once, but "twice" (Nu.20:11). His anger with Israel, "ye rebels", revealed his unbelief also, for Christ was not to be "smitten twice" (Nu.20:8). Nevertheless in John 4:14 we see the "water" that Christ gives is a "well of water springing up into everlasting life". Under the leadership of Moses and Joshua, it is apparent that though Israel entered Canaan, they failed to enter His rest. "And they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief" (Heb.4:6). Even David and his valiant men could not bring Israel into His rest because of unbelief (Heb.4:7). "For if [Joshua] had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day" (4:8). From David unto Christ, Israel would not enter into His rest, "although the works were finished from the foundation of the world" (Heb.4:3; Rev.13:8), a reference to the "forbearance" of God as Paul declares in Romans 3:25,26. "Jesus", Hebrews 4:8 in our KJV, refers not only to Joshua, but He whom Joshua typified, our Lord Jesus Christ. Under His Divine Leadership Israel rejected the Millennial Rest of His glorious reign (Luke 19:14). See also Romans 10:3,4. But there remains "a rest" to all those who will place their faith and trust in our "Great High Priest...JESUS the Son of God" (Heb.4:14-16). "FOR HE THAT IS ENTERED INTO HIS REST, HE ALSO HATH CEASED FROM HIS OWN WORKS, AS GOD DID FROM HIS" (Heb.4:10). Again in Romans, Abraham is Gods great example of faith: "For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; BUT NOT BEFORE GOD. "For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and...HIS FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Rom.4:2-8). Isnt it about time that you also ceased from your so-called "good works". Trust the Lord Jesus Christ alone as your Saviour for salvation, and His finished work on Calvarys cross, and enter into His rest, by grace through faith? "IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE" (Eph.1:7). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: BELIEVERS JUSTIFIED - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on September 20, 2004, 04:13:10 AM BELIEVERS JUSTIFIED
By Cornelius R. Stam Our Lords appearance to Saul of Tarsus (later called Paul) on the road to Damascus, changed the pitiless per- secutor in a moment into the docile, yes the devoted fol- lower of the Christ he had so bitterly hated. This transformation took place not only because he had now seen the risen, ascended Christ; it was caused also by what he had learned from Christ. From heaven the Lord had revealed to Paul the glory of His finished work of re- demption and had sent him forth to proclaim "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). This is seen in the closing words of the Apostles first recorded sermon, delivered at the synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia. After mentioning the death and resurrection of Christ, the Apostle said: "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:38,39). Paul never changed this message, but kept emphasizing it wherever he went as well as in his writings. He saw in this truth the answer to mans condemnation for breaking Gods holy law. Thus he wrote to the Romans: "...by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested" (Rom. 3:20,21). "[We] declare, I say, at this time, [Christs] righteousness; that[God] might be just and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus" (Rom. 3:26). Mark well: He does not say, "believeth and is baptized." This was the message committed to the twelve (Mark 16: 16; Acts 2:38). With the ushering in of the dispensation of grace God was manifested as "the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible SocietyN112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: THE SPIRIT OF SONSHIP - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on September 20, 2004, 05:27:38 PM THE SPIRIT OF SONSHIP
By Cornelius R. Stam "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption [Lit., sonship], whereby we cry, Abba, Father" (Rom. 8:15). The position of the believer in the family of God is amply illustrated for us in the Epistles of Paul. In Gal. 4:1-5 the Apostle alludes to the fact that in the life of every Hebrew boy there came a time, appointed by the father, when the lad was formally declared to be a full-grown son, with all the rights and privileges of sonship. It was now assumed that the young man would no longer need overseers to keep him in check. There would be nat- ural understanding and co-operation between father and son. And so the "adoption" [Gr., son-placing] proceedings took place, indicating that the child, now a full-grown son, was no longer under law, but under grace. "And because ye are sons," says the Apostle, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a [full-grown] son" (Gal. 4:6,7). This is the position of every believer in Christ. He may, like the Corinthians, still be a babe in his spiritual experi- ence (I Cor. 3:1), but in Christ he occupies the position of a full-grown son, and to grow spiritually it will do him no good to go back under the Law; he must rather recognize his standing before God in grace. This is why the Apostle says in Rom. 8:15: "Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption [sonship], whereby we cry, Abba, Father." A recognition of this position will do far more to help us live godly lives than will the "dos and don’ts" of the Law. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE OLD AND NEW NATURES - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on September 20, 2004, 06:01:49 PM THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE OLD AND NEW NATURES
By Cornelius R. Stam Concerning the conflict continually going on between the old and new natures in the believer, St. Paul says: "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would" (Gal. 5:17). Regarding this conflict in his own personal experience, he writes: "For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do." "For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: "But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members" (Rom. 7:19,22,23). It has been taught by some that we need not experience this continual strife between the old nature and the new. They say: "Get out of the 7th of Romans into the 8th." We would remind such that the Apostle Paul wrote Rom- ans 7 and Romans 8 at the same sitting; that in the original language the letter goes right on without interruption -- without even a chapter division. Thus the same apostle who exclaims: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1) refers in the same letter, only a few sentences before, and in the present tense, to "the law of sin which IS in my members," and freely acknowledges the present operation of that law in his mem- bers, as we have seen above. How then shall we get out of the 7th of Romans into the 8th? Paul experienced both at the same time, and so do we, for while we are free from the condemnation of sin, sin itself nevertheless continues to work within us, and we must constantly "mortify the deeds of the body" (Rom. 8:13). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: OUR ONLY BOAST - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on September 25, 2004, 03:37:08 PM OUR ONLY BOAST
By Cornelius R. Stam "God forbid that I should boast, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ..." (Gal. 6:14). St. Paul was once a proud Pharisee, smug in his self- righteousness. In Phil. 3:5,6 he lists some of the things in which he took great pride: "Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless." But everything was changed since that day when the Lord appeared to him on the road to Damascus. Suddenly he had seen himself a lost, condemned sinner in the sight of a holy God and had tasted the matchless grace that could reach down from heaven and save even him. He knew now that he could not stand before God in himself, or "on his own two feet," as we say. His only safety, before the bar of God, was to take refuge in Christ, as he says in Verse 9: "And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteous-ness which is of God by faith. " Now he knew, as we all should know, that he really had nothing to boast of as far as his own standing before God was concerned. For the rest of his life, however, he did con- stantly boast of one thing: the cross, where the Christ whom he had so bitterly persecuted had died for his sins that he (Paul) might be justified before God. All else of which Paul boasted was embraced in the cross of Christ. This too, is really the only thing we have to boast of and the most godly saint will enthusiastically join Paul in say- ing: "But God forbid that I should boast, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: THE PEACE OF GOD - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on September 30, 2004, 04:42:29 AM THE PEACE OF GOD
By Cornelius R. Stam "Peace with God" is one thing; "the peace of God" is an- other. To enjoy the latter, we must first experience the former, for the peace of God, ruling in our hearts, is the result of "peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ." St. Paul declared by divine inspiration that "[Christ] was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification" and that "therefore, being justified by faith," we, who once were at enmity with God, may enjoy "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 4:25; 5:1). The result of "peace with God" is "the peace of God," the peace that He gives to His own amid all the troubles of life. This is why the Apostle wrote to the Roman Christians: "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in be- lieving" (Rom. 15:13). While only those who are at peace with God can -- and should know "the peace of God," it does not follow, how- ever, that all those who are at peace with God necessarily enjoy "the peace of God." Believers can enjoy "the peace of God" only as they practice Phil. 4:6: "BE CAREFUL [ANXIOUS] FOR NOTHING; BUT IN EVERYTHING, BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION, WITH THANKSGIVING, LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN UNTO GOD." As we follow these instructions the promise which follows will certainly be fulfilled. "THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH PASSETH ALL UNDERSTANDING, SHALL KEEP YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS" (Ver. 7). As believers in Christ "we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28). Therefore we should not be constantly overwhelmed and defeated by the adversities of life, but should heed the exhortation; "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts" (Col. 3:15). "NOW THE LORD OF PEACE HIMSELF GIVE YOU PEACE ALWAYS BY ALL MEANS" (II Thes. 3:16). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: MORE THAN CONQUERORS - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on September 30, 2004, 05:15:56 AM MORE THAN CONQUERORS
By Cornelius R. Stam Two boys fight in a back alley. Fists fly. Shouts go up from the other youngsters standing by. "Give it to him! Let him have it!" Finally one of the two struts away with an arrogant bear- ing, head and shoulders wagging. He has won! But has he? Look at him. He has a bloody nose, a black eye and welts on his face and arms. And if looks could kill he wouldnt even be alive, for while his friends shout his praises, the boy he has beaten gives him a look that says: "Just wait." He has not won anything except, perhaps, a bitter and lasting enemy. So it is with the wars that nations wage against each other. Necessary as it sometimes becomes to defend our liberties, our homes, our way of life, by force of arms, sel- dom does any nation actually win the war. Rather all lose, even the "victors," as in their "victories" they sow the bit- terness and hate which are the seeds of future wars. It is different, however, with "the good fight of [the] faith," for the Christian may come out of every battle stronger than when he went in. Only the Christian can say with regard to the heartaches and disappointments, the difficulties and obstacles, that cross his path: "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us" (Rom. 8:37). During Pauls busy ministry for Christ he suffered a painful "thorn in the flesh," and "besought the Lord thrice" that it might be taken away. The Lord did not see fit to remove the thorn, but answered Paul: "My grace is suf- ficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (IICor. 12:9). Pauls response: "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me... for when I am weak, then am I strong" (Vers. 9,10). Let all go well, and we are prone to grow careless in our Christian lives. Adversity, on the other hand, makes Chris- tians lean the harder and pray the more -- and therein lies their strength and their victory. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com <:)))>< Title: CAN THE TEN COMMANDMENTS SAVE? - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on September 30, 2004, 05:27:04 AM CAN THE TEN COMMANDMENTS SAVE?
By Cornelius R. Stam St. Paul pointed out a basic Scriptural -- and logical -- fact, when he said: "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified" (Rom. 2:13). Many people suppose that God gave us the Ten Com- mandments to help us to be good. The fact is, however, that He gave them to show us that we are bad. Rom. 3:20; Gal. 3:19 and a hundred other Bible passages teach this clearly. How can the Law be of any advantage to a law-breaker? How can it justify us unless we keep it -- perfectly? Do you recall the woman caught in adultery, in John 8? She was a Jewess. She was better off than the Gentiles, for she had the law of Moses to show her right from wrong, but this didnt justify her; it condemned her. So her "advan- tage" turned out to be a serious disadvantage, for "not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified." James 1:23,24 says that one who knows the Law but doesnt obey it, is like a man looking into a mirror, seeing his dirty face, and then walking away without doing any- thing about it. This is why Rom. 2:14,15 declares that the consciences of the heathen confirm what the Law says, "their thoughts the meanwhile accusing, or else excusing one another." Those in heathen lands know that it is wrong to lie and steal and commit adultery, yet they know nothing about the law of God, or the Ten Commandments. How, then, do they know that these things are wrong? God made them with this knowledge; He gave to them, and to us all, con- science, a sense of blameworthiness in doing wrong. How good to know the One who has paid the penalty for our sins so that our hearts may be cleansed from "an evil conscience" (Heb. 10:22)! "Christ died for our sins" (I Cor. 15:3). "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: "THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH" - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on September 30, 2004, 01:48:04 PM "THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH"
By Russell S. Miller "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith" (Rom.1:17). Nearly 500 years ago Martin Luther shook the world on the eve of October 31, 1517 when he stood against all the ecclesiastical powers of Europe on the truth of this passage. "The just shall live by faith." This revelation Christ gave to the Apostle Paul. Thus in his three quotations of that mysterious phrase of Habakkuk 2:3,4 we can glean some wonderful truths concerning the "revelation" of God’s Son (Gal.1:16). "THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH" (Rom.1:17). "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom.5:1). "THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH" (Gal.3:11). "Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the Law; ye are fallen from grace" (Gal. 5:2-4). "THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH" (Heb.10:38). "Now the just shall live by faith: But if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul" (Heb.10:38,39). It has become very clear, then, that in Paul’s gospel, salvation for Jews and Gentiles is on the basis of faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ. And Martin Luther was right! "But now the righteousness of God WITHOUT THE LAW is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith [faithfulness] of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: "WHOM GOD HATH SET FORTH TO BE A PROPITIATION THROUGH FAITH IN HIS BLOOD, TO DECLARE HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS THAT ARE PAST, THROUGH THE FORBEARANCE OF GOD: "TO DECLARE, I SAY, AT THIS TIME HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS: THAT HE MIGHT BE JUST, AND THE JUSTIFIER OF HIM THAT BELIEVETH IN JESUS" (Rom.3:21-26). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: THE NEW CREATION - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on September 30, 2004, 01:53:38 PM THE NEW CREATION
By Cornelius R. Stam In Romans 5:12 God tells us how we are all related to the first man, Adam: "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin... so death passed upon all men..." This verse clearly indicates that every child born into the world since Adam has partaken of Adam’s sinful nature. Parents sometimes wonder why their children act as they do. The answer is simple! Every child is related to rebel- lious Adam by physical birth, and soon rebels like Adam, whose offspring he is. In Scripture we are told that God "commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8). When you are in trouble and someone comes to your aid, are you not automatically drawn to that person? Should we not then be attracted to the One who cared so much for us that He "made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross"(Phil. 2:7,8)? Through natural birth we partake of the sinful natures of our parents back to Adam, and frequently we even have the same physical features as our parents. How touching, then, to know that the Lord Jesus Christ took on Him "the like- ness of men" (apart from sin) and, as the God-man, died for our sins upon the cross, where sinful men (people like us) nailed Him! As we recognize this and place our faith in Him, a spiritual birth takes place and we become the chil- dren of God (John 1:12). More than this, we become mem- bers of the Body of Christ, God’s new creation, for "if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation" (II Cor. 5:17). "cre- ated in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath be- fore ordained, that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To the Reader: Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface: "It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles." We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless. Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: Re:"THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH" - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Shammu on September 30, 2004, 01:55:35 PM "THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH" Amen, Brother Love."But now the righteousness of God WITHOUT THE LAW is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith [faithfulness] of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: "WHOM GOD HATH SET FORTH TO BE A PROPITIATION THROUGH FAITH IN HIS BLOOD, TO DECLARE HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS THAT ARE PAST, THROUGH THE FORBEARANCE OF GOD: "TO DECLARE, I SAY, AT THIS TIME HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS: THAT HE MIGHT BE JUST, AND THE JUSTIFIER OF HIM THAT BELIEVETH IN JESUS" (Rom.3:21-26).[/b] Title: CHRIST THE SON OF GOD - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 01, 2004, 04:04:44 AM CHRIST THE SON OF GOD
By Cornelius R. Stam St. Paul opens his Epistle to the Romans by stating that the Lord Jesus Christ was "declared to be the Son of God with power," or "powerfully declared to be the Son of God... by the resurrection from the dead" (1:4). In Psa. 2:7, we have Christ, in prophecy, saying: "I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee." Our Lord was, of course, eternally one with the Father, but the word "begot- ten" here comes from Israels laws, referring to the time when the child was officially declared to be the fathers full-grown son. But what day was He referring to? On what day did the Father officially proclaim: "This day have I begotten Thee"? The answer is found in Acts 13:33, where the Apostle states that God "raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second Psalm: Thou art My Son, THIS DAY have I begot- ten Thee." So our Lord was officially -- and powerfully -- declared to be the Son of God at His resurrection from the dead. But what did Paul mean in II Tim. 2:7,8, where he said: "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead ACCORDING TO MY GOSPEL." The answer is that the twelve had proclaimed Christ as the Son of David, to sit on Davids throne. Theirs was "the gospel of the kingdom." But when the King and His king- dom were rejected, God raised up another apostle, Paul, to proclaim "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). Christ was, indeed, raised from the dead to sit on Davids throne, and this will yet come to pass, but Paul has a mes- sage for us, here and now: that Christ was raised from the dead to certify our justification and to become the Head of "the Church which is His Body." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To the Reader: Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface: "It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles." We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless. Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: STANDING, WALKING AND RUNNING FOR GOD - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 02, 2004, 03:46:09 PM STANDING, WALKING AND RUNNING FOR GOD
By Cornelius R. Stam In a way the Christian life is a stand; in another it is a walk, and in still another a race. In I Cor. 15:1 the Apostle Paul writes of "the gospel... wherein ye stand" and in Rom. 5:2 of "this grace wherein we stand," while in Gal. 5:1 he bids us: "Stand fast... in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free." Perhaps all this is well summed up in his appeal to his beloved Philippians: "Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown... stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved" (Phil. 4:1). But the Christian life is more than a stand -- it is a walk (which in Scripture refers to conduct). Once, says Paul, we walked "in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1,2) but having been saved by grace, through faith in Christ, we are now to "walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4). Thus the Apostle bids us to "walk worthy of the Lord" (Col. 1:10), to "walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, re- deeming the time, because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:15-16). But the Christian life is even more than a walk; it is a race. Sad to say, many Christians whose "walk" is consist- ent and commendable, have never come to look upon the Christian life as a race. These never put enough into it so that it might be said of them that they are running. Yet the same great Apostle wrote, by divine inspiration: "Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Heb.12:1). The word "patience" in this passage points up the fact that the Christian life is not a short "hundred-yard dash"; it requires much endurance. Thus we should put into it all that we have. "They which run in a race," says the Apostle, "run all," but they do not all receive the prize. Hence the admonition: "So run that ye may obtain" (I Cor. 9:24). Those who have not trusted Christ as Savior have not even begun to stand, or walk, much less to run a race for Him. These might as well forget rewards until they first accept "the gift of God... eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To the Reader: Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface: "It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles." We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless. Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: TRUE UNITY - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 04, 2004, 04:53:13 AM TRUE UNITY
By Cornelius R. Stam There are many unions all over the world, but in only one place is true unity to be found: in the Lord Jesus Christ. The children of fallen Adam have always been divided. Adams first two children could not get along together. One killed the other. And now that the race has multiplied there are about three billion separate, individual wills in the world. Some of Adams children try to get along to- gether amicably and enjoy some measure of success, but this always takes effort. It does not come naturally. Even the dearest lovers must be prepared to yield to each others wishes frequently to get along well together. There is no true unity in this world. But where Adams children have been divided by sin, they may be saved and truly united in Christ. As Christ became one with us when He died our death (the wages of sin) at Calvary, so we may become one with Him as in faith we acknowledge that that death was not His but ours. This is what the Apostle referred to when he asked: "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?" (Rom. 6:3). This verse does not refer to water baptism, for no one can be baptized into Christ -- become one with Him -- by a phys- ical ceremony. The only way to become one with Him is to accept by faith the fact that He died our death on the cross. The meeting place must always be Calvary. And as we ac- knowledge His death as ours and become one with Him, we automatically become one with each other. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body" (I Cor. 12:13). Unity in Christ is not something for which Christians are to strive. It is a fact of grace to be recognized and enjoyed by faith. True believers in and out of all denominations have been baptized into one body, whether or not they rec- ognize this. Now it is for us to appropriate and enjoy this unity in Christ, "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:3) i.e., seeking to experience the unity which the Spirit has made. Only those who have been baptized into Christ by faith can appreciate the bless- ed oneness which believers may enjoy. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To the Reader: Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface: "It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles." We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless. Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: THE HOPE OF GLORY - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 04, 2004, 05:20:18 AM THE HOPE OF GLORY
By Cornelius R. Stam We are taught in Romans 5 that the believer in Christ receives justification, peace with God, access to God and the "hope," or anticipation, of sharing His glory some day. God wants His children to enjoy this coming glory by faith, to live in eager anticipation of it. How much there is to humiliate us in this life! God cre- ated man in His own image and likeness, but man sinned and fell from his exalted position. To Adam God said: "Cursed is the ground because of thee; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life." Since that dreadful day mans life has been a constant struggle. Everything tends to go wrong rather than right. Each has his share of trouble, sorrow, sickness and then - death, the greatest humiliation of all, when in sickness and pain, or at best in utter weakness, he must give up this life itself. Sin and the fall! This is what modern science and philos- ophy fail to face up to. Most popular scientists and philos- ophers today hold that man has come up from the slime pit and the ape to modern man; that man is improving all the time. But the truth of Gods Word is that man has fallen through sin and is growing worse morally and spiritually until now he can kill more of his fellowmen faster than he ever could before. But it is this fact, this fact of sin and the fall that God has so graciously provided for. He took all the suffering and shame, paid all the penalty for our sins, and then rose from the dead so that we might rejoice in the hope, the eager anticipation, of glory to come! As St. Peter puts it in I Pet. 1:3: "[He] hath begotten us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To the Reader: Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface: "It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles." We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless. Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: THE CHRISTIAN HOME - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 05, 2004, 04:28:42 AM THE CHRISTIAN HOME
By Cornelius R. Stam "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:15). There is no place in all this world so wholesome and re- freshing as a Christian home, a home where Christ is truly loved and honored. This writer was brought up in such a home. There were ten of us: dad, mother and eight children. There was lots going on all the time, but a truly happy home it was, for dad and mother never let us get so busy with temporal things that we brushed eternal values aside. On the basis that "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God" (Luke 4:4), we read some small por- tion of the Bible before every meal, and had family devotions before retiring at night. Result: all eight children have blessed the dear dad and mother who led them aright, morally and spiritually, and best of all, taught them the importance of trusting in the Savior who died for all our sins. More: five of the children and many of the grandchildren have given themselves for full time Christian service, and have become pastors, col- lege deans, Christian writers and missionaries in various parts of the world. This is not because we are one whit better than others, but because we have experienced the help and grace of God in our lives. And it all began as, one day, a young Amer- ican, like Joshua of old, came to a decision and declared: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To the Reader: Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface: "It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles." We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless. Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: WHAT GOD IS DOING - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 06, 2004, 04:02:39 AM WHAT GOD IS DOING
By Cornelius R. Stam The distress and confusion which prevails in the world about us does not upset the instructed believer in the Word of God. He understands the divine plan and knows what God is doing. He does not expect peace on earth while the Prince of Peace remains an Exile from His own world. He has no illusions about this age, or about what statesmen and pol- iticians can accomplish therein, for God calls it "this present evil age" (Gal. 1:4). The instructed believer knows too why God does not in- tervene in the affairs of men and why our Lord remains a voluntary Exile from the world. "This present evil age," he knows, is also "the age of grace." It began when God saved Saul of Tarsus, the "chief of sinners," the leader of the worlds rebellion against Christ (I Tim. 1:13-16) and sent him forth with the "gospel [good news] of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). The instructed believer understands clearly that God is not saving the wreck that man has made. He is rather saving individuals from the wreck and uniting them, by the Spirit, to Christ and His Body, "for by one Spirit are we all baptized into one Body..." (I Cor. 12:13). The instructed believer knows too that this world will not always be a scene of trouble and sorrow, of war and blood- shed, of misery and death. He knows that after our Lord has come for His own, after He has recalled His ambas- sadors from this world, He will put down mans rebellion and set up His own beneficent reign, when government will be purified (Jer. 23:5), war and bloodshed will be abolished (Isa. 2:4), health and long life will be restored (Isa. 35:5,6; 65:20), the animal creation will be tamed (Isa. 11:6-9), the desert will blossom as a rose (Isa. 35:1,2,6,7) and Israel will become a spiritual blessing to all nations (Zech. 8:13,23). Meantime, the instructed Bible believer takes advantage of "the dispensation of grace," telling others how men may be "justified freely, by [Gods] grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To the Reader: Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface: "It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles." We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless. Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: SOBER CHRISTIANS - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 07, 2004, 04:38:23 AM SOBER CHRISTIANS
By Cornelius R. Stam "Let us, who are of the day, be sober..." (I Thes. 5:8). Many people entertain the erroneous idea that truly spir- itual Christians must always be solemn and long-faced. In fact, they suppose that such Scripture passages as the above teach this. Nothing could be farther from the truth, for the word "sober," in our English New Testament does not mean solemn, but completely under control. This is also true of the original Greek word from which the English word "sober" is translated. Sobriety in Scripture, as in modern English, is the op- posite of drunkenness. This is brought out in the rest of the passage cited above. Along with its context, the above ex- hortation reads as follows: "For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken be drunken in the night. "But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for an helmet the hope of salvation. "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, "Who died for us that... we should live together with Him" (I Thes.5:7-10). Thus those who are "of the day," and know Christ as their Savior, should not "sleep" on the one hand, or "be drunken" on the other, but should be awake and alert, their faculties completely under control, so that they might wit- ness the more effectively to the saving grace of Christ. If ever there was a time when true Christians should "watch and be sober," it is now. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To the Reader: Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface: "It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles." We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless. Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: TRUE BLESSEDNESS - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 08, 2004, 04:10:40 AM TRUE BLESSEDNESS
By Cornelius R. Stam It has been said that the word "blessed," in our English Bible, simply means happy. Thus the "blessed man" of Psalm 1 is a happy man and the "blessed God" of I Tim. 1:11 is a happy God. (We refer to the Hebrew and Greek words most often rendered blessed). To say the least, this is a superficial understanding -- or misunderstanding -- of one of the most wonderful words of Scripture. A fool can be happy, a drunkard can be happy, a wicked man can be happy, but none of these are truly bless- ed, for one who is blessed has a deeply valid reason to re- joice. Thus Psa. 1:1,2 says that the man who shuns "the counsel of the ungodly ," "the way of sinners" and "the seat of the scornful" and meditates and delights in the law of God, is "blessed." He is well off and has great reason to rejoice. Few, of course, would dare to claim that they have fully lived up to this passage in the Psalms, but Gods Word has good news even for such. In Romans 4:6-8, St. Paul declares: "David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin." This blessedness is not a mere feeling of happiness. It is rather the state of being well off; with a deep and abiding reason to rejoice. Thus Psalm 40:4 says: "Blessed is that man who maketh the Lord his trust," and when the Galatians stopped trust- ing completely in the Lord and began leaning on their own works, the Apostle asked them: "Where is then the blessed- ness ye spake of?" (Gal. 4:15). Thus to be truly blessed is to be well off; with the greatest possible reason to rejoice. This is why the believer in Christ, saved and eternally safe in Him, is, like God Himself, "blessed for evermore." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To the Reader: Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface: "It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles." We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless. Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: CHILDREN AND GROWN-UPS + Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 09, 2004, 08:38:15 AM CHILDREN AND GROWN-UPS
By Cornelius R. Stam The Lord Jesus said to a religious leader of His day: "Ex- cept a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). All true Christians have been born again by the Spirit of God (Tit. 3:5). They are therefore the children of God (Rom. 8:16). Children are a joy in any normal household, but it is a tragedy when a child remains a child, physically, mentally or both. It is a tragedy too, that so many Christians, truly born again, remain spiritual babes -- they do not grow. They know that Christ died for their sins but have made no prog- ress in grace or in the knowledge of the Word. To such Paul wrote: "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual [men], but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat; for hitherto ye were not able to bear [digest] it, neither yet now are ye able" (I Cor. 3:1,2). Thus those who, spiritually undeveloped, were able to digest only the milk, or the simple things, of the Scriptures, were called "carnal" and "babes," in contrast to those "spir- itual" believers who had grown in grace and were able to assimilate the deeper, richer truths of the Word of God. This is not a compliment to those who constantly boast that they are satisfied with "the simple things," and fail to study God’s Word, as II Tim. 2:15 commands. To such Paul writes, by divine inspiration: "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again... and are become such as have need of milk... For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the Word of righteousness,for he is a babe. But strong meat [solid food] belongeth to them that are of full age..." (Heb. 5:12-14). A new-born babe in Christ is a joy to behold, but every born-again Christian should grow through the study of the Word. I Pet. 2:2 says: "As newborn babes desire the sincere [pure] milk of the Word, THAT YE MAY GROW THERE-BY." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: NOT DYING FOR LACK OF LOVE - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 10, 2004, 09:03:22 AM NOT DYING FOR LACK OF LOVE
By Cornelius R. Stam It has been said that "the world is dying for the lack of a little bit of love." When this statement is examined in the light of Scripture, however, it is found to be the exact op- posite of the truth. Listen to what God’s Word says about this: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8). "In this was mani-fested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only be-gotten Son into the world that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (I John 4:9,10). Many about us are dying in their sins, but not "for the lack of a little bit of love." It is rather because they reject the great love that God has manifested to us in His Son. We are told in John 1:10,11 that "He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not." This is the problem: men are rejecting His love. "And this is the condemnation," says John, "that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light" (John 3:19). But while others reject Him, you may accept Him as your Savior and know the joy of sins forgiven and of everlasting life, for "as many as received Him, to them gave He the pow- er [Lit., right] to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:12). "The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that be-lieveth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on Him" (John 3:35,36). "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: A COFFIN FOR THE LAW - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 11, 2004, 05:23:45 AM A COFFIN FOR THE LAW
By Cornelius R. Stam God had barely given the Law to Moses when He ordered that it be put in a coffin. Thats right -- a coffin. The reason for this is that the Mosaic covenant clearly stipulated: "Now therefore, IF YE WILL OBEY MY VOICE INDEED, and keep My covenant, THEN ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people, for all the earth is Mine" (Ex. 19:5). Israel, of course, did not obey Gods voice indeed, but broke the Law before Moses even got down from Sinai. It was because of this that God, in grace, commanded: "And they shall make an ark..." (Ex. 25:10). This word "ark" is rendered "coffin" in the last verse of Genesis and that is its simple meaning. But why did God order a coffin as the very first article of furniture for the tabernacle? The answer is: To put the Law in. Read it for yourself: "And thou shalt put into the COFFIN the testimony [the Law] which I shall give thee... and thou shalt put the MERCY SEAT above upon the coffin..." (Vers. 16,21). If God had not put the covenant of the Law in a coffin and met His people from a "mercy seat" none of them ever would have been saved. This Old Testament type has a lesson for us today, for if God dealt with us according to our works none of us would ever be saved, but "Christ died for our sins," meeting for us the just demands of a broken Law, so that we might be saved by grace through faith in His redemptive work. Col. 2:14 says concerning this "handwriting of decrees, that was against us," that our Lord, in death, "took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross," and Rom. 7:6 explains: "But now we are DELIVERED FROM THE LAW, that being DEAD wherein we were held; THAT WE SHOULD SERVE IN NEWNESS OF SPIRIT, and not in the oldness of the letter." Thus believers in Christ are saved "by grace... through faith... not of works" but "unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:8-10). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: BETHLEHEMS BABE EXALTED - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 12, 2004, 04:25:29 AM BETHLEHEMS BABE EXALTED
By Cornelius R. Stam The Bible accounts of the birth of Christ are touching indeed. The angelic announcements, the virgin with child, deeply embarrassed, yet highly honored; the holy Babe in a stable because there was no room in the inn, wrapped in swaddling bands and laid in a manger; the night suddenly turned to day, the multitude of the heavenly host praising God! Surely it is fitting that we remember all this and cele- brate it, especially since our Lord thus humbled Himself that He might die for our sins. Yet here we must be careful not to be led astray, lest we know Him only as a sweet babe in a manger rather than as the mighty Savior that He is. As Americans we celebrate the birthdays of great men, but we do not emphasize their babyhood! We rather honor them for what they have accomplished, rejoicing that such men were born into the world. Our Lord is no longer a babe and He does not wish to be thought of as a babe, but rather as the One who, having died for our sins at Calvary, now lives to dispense to a world of lost sinners the riches of His grace. It was from His glory in heaven that He revealed Himself to St. Paul and instructed him to write: "Henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we Him [so] no more" (II Cor. 5:16). And again in Hebrews 2:8,9, the Apostle declares: "Now we see not yet all things put under him, but we see Jesus.... crowned with glory and honor" as the One who "tasted death for every man." It is wonderful to remember our Lord as the Babe born at Bethlehem, but still more wonderful to know Him now as the One who is "able to save unto the uttermost all them that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make inter- cession for them" (Heb. 7:25). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: REDEEMED - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 13, 2004, 04:18:41 AM REDEEMED
By Cornelius R. Stam "We have redemption through His blood..." (Eph. 1 :7). Our English word "redeem" is actually a translation of three beautiful Greek words: Agarazo: to buy at the market. Ex-agarazo: to buy out of the market. Lutro: to set free (upon receipt or payment of the ransom price.) It is the last of these that is used in Eph. 1:7. The be- liever in Christ has liberty -- purchased liberty -- through Christs shed blood. First we were "bought with a price" and "redeemed to God" (I Cor. 6:20; Rev. 5:9). Further, we were "redeemed from the curse of the law" (Gal. 3:13). And now, best of all, we have been set gloriously free (Eph. 1:7; Gal. 5:1). Why not turn in your Bible to Ephesians 1:6-8 and read this brief passage thoughtfully to see the boundless gen- erosity of Gods dealings with those who put their trust in Christ as their Savior. "To the praise of the glory of His grace" God "hath made us ac-cepted [or, hath engraced us] in the Beloved One, " in whom we have, "redemption" and "the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace, wherein He hath abounded toward us..." Redeemed! Purchased out of the slave market of sin and the law -- and set gloriously free! Does this foster loose, careless conduct? By no means! When our Lord had given a blind man his sight, He said to him: "Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole," but the record hastens to add that he "followed Jesus in the way" (Mark 10:52). Could anything be more natural? And could anything be more natural than a redeemed, liberated sinner longing to please and serve his divine Benefactor? The Apostle Paul expressed this well when he wrote, in II Cor. 5:14: "The love of Christ constraineth us." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: CONDEMNATION AND DEATH -- RIGHTEOUSNESS AND LIFE Post by: Brother Love on October 14, 2004, 05:04:54 AM CONDEMNATION AND DEATH -- RIGHTEOUSNESS AND LIFE
By Cornelius R. Stam Contrasting the New Covenant with the Old, the Apostle points out that "the letter," with its requirements and pen- alties, "killeth." Therefore the dispensation of the Law is called "the ministration of condemnation" and "the ministra- tion of death" (II Cor. 3:7,9). The ministration of the Law began in a blaze of glory. Mount Sinai was "altogether on a smoke... as the smoke of a furnace." There were thunderings and lightnings and an earthquake. There was the sound of a trumpet, "exceeding loud." There was the glorious Shekinah cloud in which God Himself appeared and "spake all these words" (Ex. 19:9- 20:1). But ere Moses had even come down from the mount with the tables of stone, the people were breaking the very first commandment, dancing like heathen about a golden calf. From here on the administration of the Law took on another aspect. Judgment had to be pronounced and pen- alties inflicted. Nor could any escape its just sentence of condemnation and death. What had begun in glory led but to gloom, "because the law worketh wrath... (Rom. 4:15). "...for it is written: cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them" (Gal. 3:10). But there can be no gloom associated with the ministra- tion of the New Covenant, says the Apostle, for under it righteousness and life are administered to all who will re- ceive them by faith. And this because the claims of the Old Covenant were fully met by Christ at Calvary. Thus the ministration of the New Covenant outshines the ministra- tion of the Old in every respect. But was not the New Covenant made "with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah," rather than with the Church of our day? Yes, but with Israels rejection of Christ and her temporary blindness the blessings of the New Cov- enant are now bestowed by grace upon those who do receive Christ. Hence, it was not Peter or the twelve, but Paul who, with his associates, was made an "able minister of the New Testament" (II Cor. 3:6). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: THE WATER OF LIFE - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 15, 2004, 04:14:33 PM THE WATER OF LIFE
By Cornelius R. Stam For almost twenty-four hours, recently, Chicagoans had to boil their drinking water! Millions of small fish had jammed the water intakes far out in Lake Michigan, and had died there. It was, of course, a major operation to clear them all away and to make sure that Chicago’s drinking water was uncontaminated. It is of the utmost importance, always, that the water we drink is pure and fresh, and this is no less so where spir- itual matters are concerned. The Bible has much to say about stagnant water, and foul water, and poisoned water, but the water which God would give to us is called in Scrip- ture, "the pure water of life," doubtless because it is so wholesome and refreshing. Perhaps the reader will recall the picture our Lord drew for that fallen Samaritan woman at the well of Sychar. John 4:10-14 tells how he and this woman had discussed Jacob’s well. Somehow she seemed to sense that He was contrasting her vain pursuit of pleasure with eternal life, when He said: "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again, but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him, a [fountain] of water, spring-ing up into everlasting life" (Vers. 13,14). How true this is! The pleasures of this world do not sat- isfy. Men go on "pursuing pleasure" to keep from being bored, but the everlasting life that God gives to those who trust in Christ is a never-ending source of refreshment and joy. Also, it provides the greatest incentive to serve Him. Those who possess the joy of sins forgiven and of peace with God naturally long to serve and please Him, and God desires no service except that which springs from genuine gratitude and love. "We love Him because He first loved us" (I John 4:19). ================================= To the Reader: Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface: "It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles." We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless. Reply: If you would like to ask a question or make a comment regarding the content of this article, please email berean@execpc.com Literature: One year's worth of Two Minutes With The Bible daily devotional articles are also available in book form, along with many other Bible study materials, in the Literature Corner section of our website at https://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/literature. Subscribe:http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html. Title: THAT WHICH WAS LACKING - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 16, 2004, 07:11:27 AM THAT WHICH WAS LACKING
By Cornelius R. Stam "I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied" (I Cor. 16:17). Sad, was it not, that the Corinthian church, undoubtedly the largest of all the churches founded by Paul, had been so ungenerous and insensitive, even to Paul’s personal needs, that he had to labor at tentmaking in order to minister among them. They did not even provide for the Apostle’s meager needs. Thus, sadly, he writes: "And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself" (II Cor. 11:9). It was no different where the work of the Lord in general was concerned, for whereas the churches of Macedonia had, out of "great trial of affliction" and "deep poverty," given "to their power" and had desired to give "beyond their pow- er," the Apostle had to exhort the Corinthian believers to "perform" their promises to help "the poor saints at Jerusa- lem" and to "prove the sincerity of [their] love" (II Cor. 8:8,11). Those who suppose that men of God should remind be- lievers to live godly lives, to labor for Christ and to witness for Him, but that for some reason they should not remind them of their responsibility to contribute of their means -- these should read Paul’s letters to the believers at Corinth and see how much the Apostle has to say about this matter. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: THE VISITING PREACHER - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 17, 2004, 12:23:23 AM THE VISITING PREACHER
By Cornelius R. Stam Paul and Barnabas had seated themselves in the large synagogue in Pisidian Antioch. They were soon recognized as "clergymen," however, for "after the reading of the law and the prophets" they were asked whether either of them might have some word of "exhortation" for those who had gathered. These details are important, for as Moses, in giving the Law, had declared God’s moral standards, the prophets had for centuries challenged the people to obey the Law and had warned them of the dire consequences of breaking its com- mands. Hence, in the synagogues passages were generally read from the Law and the prophets, and the religious leaders would then "exhort" the people to heed the prophets and obey the Law. Paul and Barnabas, the visiting preachers, therefore, were asked whether either of them had a "word of exhorta- tion for the people." Paul responded to the invitation but, rather than merely exhorting his hearers to keep the Law, he proclaimed Christ, who in love had died for all lawbreak- ers, closing with these words: "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:38,39). How we need this message today! We may forever exhort one another to keep the Law, but who of us has not already broken it? Let us thank God, then, that He is a loving Savior as well as a just Judge and that as God the Son He paid for our sins Himself at Calvary so that we might be "justified freely by His grace." "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us" (Gal. 3:13). "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: REPETITION OF PRAYERS - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 18, 2004, 03:16:43 PM REPETITION OF PRAYERS
By Cornelius R. Stam One of the most unscriptural and unspiritual misuses of prayer is the repeating of prayers composed by others. Many members of both Protestant and Catholic churches, indeed, many sincere believers, repeat over and over again prayers that have been prepared for them to recite. Un- doubtedly the greatest number of all make it a practice to repeat the so-called "Lord’s Prayer," taken from the Gospel records. Evidently all these millions of professing Christians have overlooked the fact that it was when the disciples asked our Lord to teach them how to pray (Luke 11:1) that He said: "AFTER THIS MANNER therefore pray ye" (Matt. 6:9). Moreover, He prefaced these words with the specific in- junction: "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them..." (Matt. 6:7,8). Both Protestants and Catholics make much of repeating the "Lord’s Prayer." They repeat it singly and in unison, in trouble and sorrow, in sickness and death, in storm and drought, in war and disaster, with little or no regard for its contents. Imagine praying, "Give us this day our daily bread" at a funeral service! Imagine praying, "Thy kingdom come" at a sick bed or in a storm at sea! Yet this is solemnly done again and again throughout Christendom. Whole audiences continue to repeat the prayer in unison -- and this in the face of the fact that it was in connection with this very prayer that our Lord pronounced the mere repetition of prayers "vain" and enjoined His disciples not to follow the heathen in this practice. What a difference there is between praying and saying prayers! No truly spiritual believer will do the latter. (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: THE FLOOD OF NOAH’S DAY - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 19, 2004, 03:43:09 PM THE FLOOD OF NOAH’S DAY
By Russell S. Miller During Noah’s flood the canopy of Genesis 1:6 that "divided the waters from the waters" converged with "the fountains of the great deep" to become one gigantic ocean (Gen.7:11-16). And God’s judgment upon the wickedness of man "flooded" this globe. "And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground...and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark" (Gen.7:23). Genesis 9:9-17 speaks about a covenant that God made with Noah. In short, the "rainbow" is God’s "token of [that] covenant" (9:13) with mankind, that He will never again destroy the earth by a flood. God’s faithfulness to His Word, here, has been wondrously demonstrated for over 4,000 years. "I DO SET MY BOW IN THE CLOUD, AND IT SHALL BE FOR A TOKEN OF A COVENANT BETWEEN ME AND THE EARTH. ...AND THE WATERS SHALL NO MORE BECOME A FLOOD TO DESTROY ALL FLESH" (Gen.9:13,15). Indeed God has also been faithful to His covenant of "day" and "night" (Jer. 33:20,21) since the beginning of time, that’s 6,000 years! Though God shall never again destroy the earth with "water", the Apostle Peter declares that after the 1,000 year reign of Christ, earth and space shall be purified with "fire" from all that with which man has polluted it (IIPet.3:10-12). Nevertheless before Prophecy is resumed and "that great and terrible Day of the Lord comes" (Joel 2:11,31; Acts 2:20; Rev.19:11-16) the armies of Heaven shall invade the earth. "HE THAT SITTETH IN THE HEAVENS SHALL LAUGH: THE LORD SHALL HAVE THEM IN DERISION. THEN SHALL HE SPEAK UNTO THEM IN HIS WRATH, AND VEX THEM IN HIS SORE DISPLEASURE" (Psa.2:4,5). Much as He did in the land of Egypt when Pharaoh would not let His people go (Ex.5:1—14:31). Are you ready for this "Coming" of the Lord Jesus Christ? Probably not, who would be! But God has some "good news" for you; before His wrath is poured out upon this Christ rejecting world, He shall "catch" us away to Heaven (IThes.4:13-18). First, my friend, God wants to save you from your sins, if you will only believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: A TALE OF THREE CITIES - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 20, 2004, 05:11:39 PM A TALE OF THREE CITIES
By Cornelius R. Stam In Thessalonica Paul reasoned out of the Scriptures for three sabbath days with men who were unwilling to be con- vinced (Acts 17:1-9). The bigotry of these Thessalonians not only kept them in spiritual darkness, but it moved them to bitter opposition to the truth, so that they persecuted Paul and Silas and even followed them to Berea, stirring people up against them. Bigotry has the same effect today. Let us never close our minds so as to keep error out, for in doing so we will only shut new light out and close old errors in. Moreover, it is but a small step from shutting out new light from God’s Word to engaging in bitter opposition against it. The Athenians went to the other extreme. They lost interest in what was old and clamored only to hear new things (Acts 17:21). Yet when Paul came to them with the good news of the gospel of grace, some "mocked" while others, more polite, said: "We will hear thee again of this matter," and turned away (Verse 32). The Athenian spirit too is still rife today. Many are con- stantly giving up the old and looking for something new, sure that the latest fashions, the latest statistics and the latest advice must be best. This is why the New Evangel- icalism has gained so many followers in our day. Significantly, the story of the noble Bereans falls between those of the Thessalonians and the Athenians in our Bibles. These Bereans possessed true spiritual greatness. They gave man’s word respectful consideration, whether old or new, but then subjected it to careful examination in the light of the Word of God. They received Paul’s word, we read, with open minds, and then "searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Verse 11). For this God called them "noble." They were the spiritual aristoc- racy of their day. May God help us to be neither "Thessalonians" nor "Athenians," but true Bereans. If we follow men we drift on a sea of human speculation, for men disagree on the most vital issues. Only as we stand on the infallible, unchange- able Word of God can we be sure that we have the truth. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: PEACE WITH GOD - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 21, 2004, 04:27:58 PM PEACE WITH GOD
By Cornelius R. Stam When our Lord was born at Bethlehem, the angels pro- claimed: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14). Today we see anything but peace on earth, for He, "the Prince of Peace," has been rejected, and this world will never know peace until He is in control. This is why the Father said to the Son: "Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool" (Matt. 22:41-45). It is possible, however, for each individual to enjoy peace with God and to know that all is well as far as his eternal destiny is concerned. Job 22:21 rightly says: "Acquaint now thyself with Him and be at peace," and Psa. 25:12,13: "What man is he that feareth the Lord? ...His soul shall dwell at ease." Even when the multitudes were about to crucify Christ, He said to His own: "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). Every one of Paul’s epistles opens with an important official declaration which God sent him to proclaim to all men: "Grace be to you and peace." And he explains how we may have this peace. By nature all of us have sinned against God, but in Paul’s epistles we are told that "He [Christ] is our peace" (Eph. 2:14), "having made peace through the blood of His cross" (Col. 1:20). In other words, we have sinned against God but Christ died for our sins so that we might be reconciled. And those who trust Christ and His finished work at Calvary are thus reconciled. Surely this great truth could not have been more plainly stated than it is in Rom. 4:25; 5:1: "[Christ] was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification. THEREFORE, BEING JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 22, 2004, 05:51:31 PM AN OLD-FASHIONED DOCTRINE
By Cornelius R. Stam How many there are whose hearts would be thrilled if they understood the old-fashioned Bible doctrine of sanc- tification! Sanctification is not a negative matter: "Don’t do this" and "Don’t do that." It is rather the positive truth that God wants us for Himself as a sacred possession, much as a bridegroom considers his bride his very own in a special, sacred way. Bible sanctification is a twofold truth, affecting both our standing before God and our spiritual state. In one sense every true believer in Christ has already been sanctified, or consecrated to God, by the operation of the Holy Spirit. Thus we read: "...God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit..." (II Thes. 2: 13). "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spiriit..." (IPet.1:2). This has nothing to do with our conduct. God did it. Sanctification begins with Him. Thus Paul could write to even the careless Corinthian believers and say: "Ye are sanctified" (1 Cor. 6:11; cf. Acts 20:32; 26:18), i.e., "God has set you apart for Himself." This phase of sanctification is based on the redemptive work of Christ in our behalf, for Heb. 10:10 says: "We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." But now God would have us appreciate this fact and con- duct ourselves accordingly, consecrating ourselves ever more completely to Him. This is practical, progressive sanctification. "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification" (I Thes. 4:3). Hence Paul’s benediction: "The very God of peace sanctify you wholly" (I Thes. 5:23), and his exhortation to Timothy to be "a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet [fit] for the Master’s use" (II Tim. 2:21). How can believers be more wholly sanctified to God in their practical experience? By studying and meditating on His Word. Our Lord prayed: "Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth" (John 17:17), and Paul declares that "Christ... loved the Church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word" (Eph. 5:25,26). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: THE APOSTLE OF GRACE - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 23, 2004, 05:46:16 PM THE APOSTLE OF GRACE
By Cornelius R. Stam Did you know that St. Paul was chosen by God as the apostle of grace? He was God’s great example of grace, the "chief of sinners" saved by grace (1 Tim. 1:12-16). To him was committed "the dispensation of the grace of God" (Eph. 3:2). He was sent forth to proclaim "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). Paul wrote far more about grace than any other Bible writer. All his epistles open or close (or both) with the sal- utation "Grace be to you." He declares: "We have redemp- tion through [Christ’s] blood, the forgiveness of sins accord- ing to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7). He shows how this grace was planned for believers in ages past: "Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and [His own] grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began" (II Tim. 1:9). He shows how this grace will be ours in ages to come: "That in the ages to come, He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:7). He shows how this grace is greater than all our sins: "Where sin abounded grace did much more abound" (Rom. 5:20). He shows how grace gives us a righteous standing before God: "Being justified freely by His grace, through the re- demption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24). He shows how God’s grace has given believers a position in heaven: "[He] hath... made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus... for by grace are ye saved, through faith...." (Eph. 2:6,8). He shows how God’s grace is sufficient for our difficulties and can help us to live consistent Christian lives: "My grace is sufficient for thee" (II Cor. 12:9). "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work" (II Cor. 9:8). Accept salvation "by grace, through faith" as "the gift of God" (Eph. 2:8,9), and eternal life is yours. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: LEGITIMATE PRAYER - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 24, 2004, 09:06:05 AM LEGITIMATE PRAYER
By Cornelius R. Stam Prayer, in Old Testament times, was based upon a cov- enant relationship with God, or it was an appeal to His revealed nature as merciful, gracious, etc. Today it is based upon the redemptive work of Christ, whose death opened the way for us into the Father’s presence. This is why ac- ceptable prayer today is offered "in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ." With our Lord’s departure from this world in view, He said to His disciples: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER BUT BY ME" (John 14:6). "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name.... At that day ye shall ask IN MY NAME: and I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you, for the Father Himself loveth you, because ye have loved Me..." (John 16:24-27). Thus today we pray directly to the Father in the name of the Son. Our prayers, however, are often faltering and sometimes the way is so dark before us that we do not even know what to ask for. Thus Paul declared: "We know not what we should pray for as we ought" (Rom. 8:26). But he was quick to follow this with the declaration: "AND WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD, TO THEM WHO ARE THE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE" (Rom. 8:28). This is why the Apostle Paul encourages God’s people; "BE CAREFUL [ANXIOUS] FOR NOTHING, BUT IN EVERYTHING, BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION, WITH THANKSGIVING, LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN UNTO GOD: "AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH PASSETH ALL UNDERSTAND- ING, SHALL KEEP YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS" (Phil. 4:6,7). "LET US THEREFORE COME BOLDLY UNTO THE THRONE OF GRACE, THAT WE MAY OBTAIN MERCY, AND FIND GRACE TO HELP IN TIME OF NEED" (Heb. 4:16). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: THE TRUTH Post by: Brother Love on October 26, 2004, 08:52:20 PM THE TRUTH
By Cornelius R. Stam The Bible is unique among books as Christ was among men, in that it is the only book that claims repeatedly and consistently to be the truth. It begins with the majestic words: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." It does not argue the case; it simply states it. The sacramental introduction to the prophecies is: "Thus saith the Lord," and a hundred fulfilled prophecies prove that the Bible is indeed the Word of God -- the truth. Without apology it refers to: The "manifestation of the truth" (II Cor. 4:2). The "knowledge of the truth" (II Tim. 3:7). Those who "have erred concerning the truth" (II Tim. 2:18). Those who "resist the truth" (II Tim. 3:8). Those who "hold [hold down, suppress] the truth in un- righteousness" (Rom. 1:18). Those who "turn away their ears from the truth" (II Tim. 4:4). Those who "believe and know the truth" (I Tim. 4:3). Those who "acknowledge the truth" (Tit. 1:1). Our Lord said to His Father: "Thy Word is truth" (John 17:17). Paul wrote to those who were saved when they "heard the word of truth, the gospel of [their] salvation" (Eph. 1:13). We are instructed to "rightly divide the Word of truth," that we may be "approved unto God... workmen who need not to be ashamed" (II Tim. 2:15). Where the truth is concerned God’s Word is all we need, for: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; "That the man of God may be perfect [complete], THOROUGHLY FURNISHED unto all good works" (II Tim. 3:16,17). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: TAKING GOD AT HIS WORD - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 27, 2004, 02:21:58 PM TAKING GOD AT HIS WORD
By Cornelius R. Stam Because of a failure to understand God’s purposes as out- lined in the Scriptures some have felt it necessary to alter many of the plainest statements of Holy Writ. Supposing that God could not have meant exactly what He said, they have concluded that these things must be interpreted in a "spiritual" sense. Actually there is nothing spiritual about failing to take God at His Word, and seeking to explain away difficulties by arbitrarily altering what He has plainly said. First, this would leave us at the mercy of theologians. If the Scriptures do not mean what they say, who has the authority to decide what they do mean? And how can we turn to the Word of God for light if it does not mean what it says, and only trained theologians can tell us what it does mean? Second, this altering of the Scriptures affects the veracity of God. It is a thrust at His very honor. If the obvious, natural meaning of the Old Testament promises are not to be depended upon, how can we depend upon any promise of God? Then, when He says: "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:13), He may also mean something else instead of what He actually says. Third, this "spiritualizing" of Scriptures endorses apos- tasy, for it allows men to alter the meaning of God’s Word according to their will. The path to a true understanding and enjoyment of the Bible is not in altering but in "rightly dividing" it (II Tim. 2:15). Those who have resorted to the "spiritualization" of the prophetic Scriptures because they cannot account for the seeming cessation in their fulfillment, will find the solution to their problem in a recognition of the unique character of Paul’s apostleship and message. Recognize "the mystery" revealed through Paul and there will be no need to alter prophecy. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: HOW SMALL WE ARE! - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 28, 2004, 04:40:31 PM HOW SMALL WE ARE!
By Cornelius R. Stam Just behind me, in the super-market check-out line, were two little boys. I noticed that the older one kept looking up at me and then down at his brother again several times in succession. Finally, nudging his little brother and pointing up at me, he said: "Hey, Joey, look how little you are!" Those who have seen me in the flesh know that I am not exactly small, physically, and I can easily imagine that, standing next to these little fellows, I made them look small indeed! But all this pertained only to the physical, and as I left that super-market, I began asking myself: "How big are you, actually, in the sight of God?" I thought of Psalm 8:3,4, where David mused over the same question: "When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; what is man that Thou art mindful of Him...?" Yet we are so important to the heart of God that He en- tered the stream of humanity, as it were, and became one of us in Christ, Son of God and Son of Man. Why? Hebrews 2:14,15 gives us one important reason: "...that through death [His death for our sins] He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil, and deliver those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." Moreover, insignificant as we are in ourselves, He would use us mightily to His glory for, according to I Cor. 1:27,28, He has "chosen" the "foolish," the "weak," the "base," the "despised," and those who "are not" to accomplish His pur- poses and to bring to naught the plans of the world’s great ones. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: NO TIME FOR GOD? - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 28, 2004, 04:44:30 PM NO TIME FOR GOD?
By Cornelius R. Stam Those who have no time for God should consider what their circumstances would be if He had no time for them; no time to paint the sunsets, no time to send the warm sun’s rays or the refreshing showers, no time to make the crops and flowers grow. We doubt that any thinking person would actually want nothing to do with God. Cain despised God’s authority and finally murdered his brother, but when he was driven from the presence of God he said: "My punishment is greater than I can bear" (Gen. 4:13). One of the saddest sentences in the gospel records is our Lord’s prediction that He would have to say to some: "I never knew you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity" (Matt. 7:23). Just what it will mean to be "cast into the lake of fire" (Rev. 20:15), we pray God none of our readers will ever find out, but the Scriptures do clearly indicate that those in- volved will be cast forever out of the presence of God. Thank God, it is not He who desires this. He paid for our sins at Calvary to reconcile us to Himself (Eph. 2:16). St. Paul declares that God has called believers "unto the fel- lowship of His Son" (1 Cor. 1:9) and that at His coming for them they shall "ever be with the Lord," adding: "where- fore, comfort one another with these words" (1 Thes. 4:17,18). "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God" (II Cor. 5:20). God has demonstrated His love for us in Christ. Why not respond by gratefully trusting Christ as your Savior? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: WHAT’S HAPPENED SINCE 1909? = Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 28, 2004, 04:50:11 PM WHAT’S HAPPENED SINCE 1909?
By Cornelius R. Stam In 1909 Dr. C. I. Scofied wrote the following passage in the Introduction to the Scofield Reference Bible: "The last fifty years have witnessed an intensity and breadth of interest in Bible study unprecedented in the his- tory of the Christian Church. Never before have so many reverent, learned and spiritual men brought to the study of the Scriptures minds so free from merely controversial mo- tive. A new and vast exegetical and expository literature has been created...." Even the years that followed the writing of this passage produced many great Bible expositors, but their number has since dwindled fast, until today evangelistic-revival campaigns have all but replaced the great, thrilling Bible conferences of some decades ago. Regardless of the popularity of such campaigns, however, the Church will not make true progress, either in spiritual power or in the number of genuine converts to Christ, until it once again places due emphasis on the Word of God, both in private study and in public ministry. Unpopular but vital Bible doctrines have stopped many preachers and Bible teachers short and have hindered them from bringing to the Scriptures "minds free from merely controversial motive," largely because the price of standing for these truths has seemed too great. But until it is the sole passion of men of God to know THE TRUTH and make it known, true revival will not come, for the Church has never made one step of progress apart from progress in the study of the Word. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: THE CROSS AND THE CHRISTIAN - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 29, 2004, 05:20:53 PM THE CROSS AND THE CHRISTIAN
By Cornelius R. Stam Nothing will prove so helpful to a Christian in overcom- ing sin as an appreciation of Christ’s death for sin at Cal- vary .The Bible teaches that: 1. The cross stands between the believer and his SINS: the wrong things he does, or is prone to do, in thought, word and deed. "And you, that were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled, in the body of His flesh, through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in His sight" (Col. 1:21,22). 2. The cross stands between the believer and his SIN. It is not only men’s sins that keep them out of heaven, but their sin; not merely what they have done, but what they are and what they will do; not merely their deeds, but their nature. But Christ’s death took care of this too. "...by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin... But... much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many... That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 5:12,15,21). "For [God] hath made Him to be sin for us, [Him] who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (II Cor. 5:21). 3. The cross stands between the believer and his SIN- NING. "What shall we say, then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? ... Our old man [nature] has been crucified with Him... that henceforth we should not serve sin... let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof; neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves to God, as those who are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God" (Rom. 6:1,2, 6,12,13). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: A SOLEMN AGREEMENT - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 30, 2004, 06:12:35 PM A SOLEMN AGREEMENT
The Apostle Paul, referring to his journey to Jerusalem to tell the apostles and elders there about the good news that had been committed to him, says: "And I went up by revelation and COMMUNICATED UNTO THEM THAT GOSPEL WHICH I PREACH AMONG THE GENTILES, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain... And when James, Cephas [Peter] and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, THEY GAVE TO ME AND BARNABAS THE RIGHT HANDS OF FELLOWSHIP, that we should go unto the heathen [Gentiles, nations], and they unto the Circumcision [Israel]" (Gal. 2:2-9). Here, by solemn agreement, Peter, James and John promised publicly to confine their ministry to Israel while Paul went to the Gentiles with his "gospel of the grace of God." This is striking in view of the fact that the twelve, not Paul, had originally been sent into all the world. Were they all out of the will of God in making this agreement? By no means! Subsequent revelation proves that they were all very much in the will of God and that with the rejection of Christ God had ushered in a new program. In the light of these Scriptures it is difficult to under- stand how anyone can argue that Paul’s ministry was merely a perpetuation of that of the twelve, or that "the gospel of the kingdom" and "the gospel of the grace of God" are identical. If the above passage teaches anything clearly, it teaches the unique character of Paul’s apostleship and message. The Apostle devotes almost two chapters of his letter to the Galatians to the fact that he had not received his message from the twelve, but rather had communicated to the twelve. He stresses the fact that those who had first been sent to all nations, "beginning at Jerusalem," had now, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, agreed to turn over their Gentile ministry to him that he might proclaim far and wide "the gospel of the grace of God," as found in Eph. 2:8,9 and Rom. 3:24. By Cornelius R. Stam +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: YOU DO NEED HIM - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on October 31, 2004, 03:40:08 PM YOU DO NEED HIM
By Cornelius R. Stam I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Fafher but by Me" (John 14:6). These are the words of the Lord Jesus. In writing about them years ago, the late Pastor J. C. O’Hair said: "A Person is our Savior and our salvation. A Person is our Life-giver and our life. A Person is our Redeemer and redemption. A Person is our righteousness and holiness. A Person is our peace and our hope. That Person is the Lord Jesus Christ, ’the Man Christ Jesus,’ the ’one Mediator between God and men.’ By His blood we have been brought nigh to God. "We need nothing more than Christ; nothing less will suffice or avail. To add any religion whatsoever to Christ Himself is to displease God. In Christ dwelleth all the ful- ness of the Godhead bodily. In Christ are hid all the treas- ures of wisdom and knowledge. God was in Christ recon- ciling the world unto Himself. The believer is in Christ. The believer is accepted in Christ; complete in Christ; without condemnation in Christ; the righteousness of God in Christ. The believer is blessed with all spiritual bless- ings in Christ. Christ is the superlative need of the world. He is all that you need, but you do need Him. You must have Him, or be lost forever." How wonderful to know that He offers Himself and all the merits of His redemptive work to sinners everywhere, no matter what their past. "The law entered that the of- fence might abound," says St. Paul, "but where sin abound- ed, grace did much more abound... that grace might reign" (Rom. 5:20,21). Paul himself was a living example of this truth, for he was the chief of sinners, saved by grace through faith in Christ. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: BIBLE TEST - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on November 03, 2004, 04:49:56 AM BIBLE TEST
By Cornelius R. Stam A Bible test was sprung recently on five classes of college- bound llth and 12th graders in an American public school. Some thought Sodom and Gomorrah were lovers; that the Gospels were written by Matthew, Mark, Luther and John; that Eve was created from an apple; and that the stories which Jesus told were called parodies. Eighty to ninety per cent of the students could not com- plete the most familiar quotations from Scripture. The teacher, Thayer S. Warshaw, was understandably upset and rightly asked: "Is the student to study mythology and Shakespeare and not the Bible? Is it important for him to learn what it means when a man is called an Adonis or a Romeo, yet unimportant for him to be able to tell a Jonah from a Judas?" This writer’s heart is with that teacher and all who are awake enough to see that the Bible is disappearing more and more from American life. How can we expect anything but juvenile delinquency, the rapid general rise in the crime rate, the growing divorce rate, increasing dishonesty at every level of business and social life -- how can we ex- pect anything but these conditions when the Bible is flaunted and despised? This departure from the Word of God is bound to get us deeper and deeper into trouble. But whatever the conditions about you, you may have the joy and peace and light that comes from that Blessed Book. The Bible tells us frankly that "all have sinned" (Rom. 3:23) and that "the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23) since a just God must deal with sin. Ah, but it tells us also that "Christ died for our sins" (I Cor. 15:3), and that the believer may have "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1). Read the Bible, especially the Epistles of Paul, who was raised up to proclaim "the gospel [good news] of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). You will never cease to thank God for having given your attention to this wonderful Book. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: GRACE AND PEACE - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on November 05, 2004, 05:28:14 AM GRACE AND PEACE
By Cornelius R. Stam For many years this writer, along with the mass of reli- gious people, supposed that the Bible phrase "grace and peace be unto you" was simply a beautiful, spiritual sal- utation. Thank God we have come to learn that it is much more than a salutation. It is an official proclamation. Every single one of the epistles signed by St. Paul opens with the declaration: "Grace be unto you and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." This was the theme of the message which he, as a duly appointed ambassador, had been sent to proclaim. To appreciate this fully we must remember that God had declared in prophecy that He would reply to the world’s rejection of Christ with judgment. Psa. 110:1 pictures the Father saying to the Son: "Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool." Psa. 2:5 declares: "Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure." After the crucifixion and ascension of Christ it seemed that all was ready for the judgment to fall. As the signs of Pentecost appeared Peter declared: "This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel" (Acts 2:16) and it did indeed look as if the rejected Lord was about to return to "judge and make war," as Rev. 19:11 puts it. But now, instead of judgment and war, St. Paul proclaims grace and peace. Does this not indicate that in grace God interrupted the prophetic program to bring in the present dispensation under which Gods ambassadors proclaim with Paul: "But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound; that as sin hath reigned... so might grace reign" (Rom. 5:20,21). Indeed, Paul the former persecutor was himself the living demonstration of Gods grace to a Christ-rejecting world. In I Tim. 1:15,16 he declares: "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. "Howbeit, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE BELIEVER TODAY Post by: Brother Love on November 05, 2004, 05:30:54 AM THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE BELIEVER TODAY
By Cornelius R. Stam Grace and faith are the characteristic features of the present dispensation. Not only is salvation now declared to be by grace, through faith, but the Spirit also operates in the believer by grace, through faith. He does not take pos- session of us and cause us to do what is right, but dwells within each believer (I Cor. 6:19) to provide needed guid- ance and the strength to withstand temptation, and we may avail ourselves of this provision by faith. The Spirit, Who first imparted life to us will also impart strength to withstand temptation and overcome sin. In our inability to even pray as we ought, "the Spirit... helpeth our infirmities" and "maketh intercession for us" (Rom. 8:26). In our weakness we are "strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man" (Eph. 3:16) and God even stoops to "quicken [our] mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in us" (Rom. 8:11). "THEREFORE, BRETHREN, WE ARE DEBTORS, NOT TO THE FLESH, TO LIVE AFTER THE FLESH" (Ver. 12). The implication from the above passage is that though sorely tempted we are debtors to the Spirit who dwells within and provides overcoming power. The question, in times of temptation, is generally wheth- er we truly desire to overcome, for we may overcome in any given case by grace, through faith. In the present dispensation it is not true that it is not possible for the believer to sin, but it is blessedly true that in any situation it is possible for him not to sin, for the Spirit is always there to help. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: GLORIOUS DELIVERANCE - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on November 05, 2004, 05:34:01 AM GLORIOUS DELIVERANCE
By Cornelius R. Stam In I Thes. 1:10, the Apostle Paul, by divine inspiration, assures believers that the Lord Jesus Christ has "delivered us from the wrath to come." He refers, of course, to deliv- erance from the penalty of sin. But in other passages he declares that we are also delivered from the power of sin. In Col. 1:12,13, for example, he gives thanks to God "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son." This deliverance, and the glory of our heavenly position and blessings in Christ, we may enjoy experientially now, by grace. Rom. 6:14 says: "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law but under grace." This does not mean that it is not possible for the believer to sin, but rather that it is possible, in any situation, not to sin. Thus the same passage in Romans goes on to say that we should not yield ourselves as servants to sin, but to God, who, in grace has broken sin's power over us. Finally, the believer in Christ will one day be delivered even from the presence of sin, for at our Lord's coming for us "we shall all be changed" (I Cor. 15:51). Believers should long for Christ's coming for them, not merely because these bodies of humiliation will then be glorified, but because from that moment on they shall never again be tempted or defiled by sin. What a change that will be! In II Cor. 1:10 the Apostle includes all three tenses of the believer's deliverance. Here he tells how God has "delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver, in whom we trust that He will yet deliver us." This is why he could write to the Philippians about his confidence that "He who hath begun a good work in you will perform [complete] it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6). Some may not feel the need of deliverance now, but we all need deliverance from sin and its results. If you have not yet experienced this deliverance, why not place your trust in Christ who died to "deliver us from the wrath to come." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: ONE IS ENOUGH - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on November 08, 2004, 04:19:08 PM ONE IS ENOUGH
By Cornelius R. Stam As a young man appeared in court, the judge thundered at him: "What’s the reason your father is not here? He should have been here two weeks ago." The young man responded: "Your honor, there are seven- teen reasons why my father is not here." "What are they?" roared the judge. The lad replied: "The first is that my father died a little more than two weeks ago." "Well," conceded the judge, "I don’t think we’ll need to hear the other sixteen reasons!" This brief interchange may well illustrate a principle involving the twelve apostles and Paul. There has been much debate over whether or not Paul was God’s choice for Judas’ place as one of the twelve. Many hold that the eleven acted in the flesh and were out of the will of God in appointing Matthias as one of their number to replace Judas. Paul, they say, was obviously God’s choice for this position. But many unanswerable arguments have been advanced from Scripture to prove that this is not so and that, indeed, Paul could not have qualified as one of the twelve. Some of these arguments are: The twelfth apostle had to be chosen before the kingdom could be offered at Pentecost; the eleven acted only after many days of united prayer; the candidate had to be one who had followed with Christ all through His earthly ministry (Matt. 19:28); Paul did not even see Christ until after His ascension; he was not even saved at the time; he persecuted the (Pentecostal) Church and laid it waste considerably after the choice of Judas’ successor had become necessary. Finally, Acts 1:26 says that Matthias "was numbered with the eleven," and Acts 2:4 adds: "They were all filled with the Holy Ghost." Any one of the above arguments would suffice to vindi- cate the action of the eleven and silence their critics. But this is particularly so of the last one. What further discus- sion need there be when God’s Word says that Matthias "was numbered with the eleven... and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost"? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: DOES MISERY LOVE COMPANY? - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on November 09, 2004, 04:28:22 AM DOES MISERY LOVE COMPANY?
By Cornelius R. Stam We have all heard the statement: "Misery loves com- pany." It is true that when one is sick or in trouble he does not feel quite so sorry for himself when he realizes that others are as unfortunate, and perhaps more so, than he. However, some have used this phrase: "Misery loves com- pany," in speaking lightly of hell. Perhaps you have heard someone say: "Well, if I go to hell, at least Ill have lots of company." This is true, but the company the lost will have when cast out of Gods presence will hardly afford them comfort. The Bible story of the rich man and Lazarus brings this fact out with great force. The rich man, you will remember, "fared sumptuously every day," while Lazarus "was laid at his gate, full of sores, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich mans table." In the process of time both died, and the rich man, having felt no need of salvation, suddenly was made to experience Gods wrath upon sin, for the sacred record says: "In hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments" (Luke 16:23). From his place of torment the rich man saw Lazarus with Abra- ham "afar off," but this surely afforded little comfort, while we do read that "Lazarus was comforted." The rich man, then, still with haughty superiority, asked Abraham to send Lazarus back to earth to warn his five brothers, "lest they come into this place of torment." He did not wish his brothers to join him in hell. "Misery" among those cast out of Gods presence, then, does not "love company." The story is brought to a close as Abraham refuses the rich mans request, explaining that if his brothers would not hear the Word of God "neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead" (Luke 16:31). The way to avoid the lot of the rich man, then, is to be- lieve the Word of God, particularly that part of the Word which tells how Christ died for our sins that we might be justified by grace through faith. Dont be deceived by the old adage: "Misery loves company." Receive Christ as your Savior today. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: Re:Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Saved_4ever on November 09, 2004, 06:35:25 AM Quote "Misery loves company." It is true that when one is sick or in trouble he does not feel quite so sorry for himself when he realizes that others are as unfortunate, and perhaps more so, than he. Hmmm I've never thought that's what the saying meant at all. Nor anyone else I have talked to. I thought that statment meant that when someone is "miserable" they want everyone else to be miserable with them. That's what I and everyone I've talked to has taken it to mean. I suppose it could mean more though? Oh and BTW every miserable person I've known wants everyone else to be there right with them. Title: Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on November 10, 2004, 04:35:50 AM Quote "Misery loves company." It is true that when one is sick or in trouble he does not feel quite so sorry for himself when he realizes that others are as unfortunate, and perhaps more so, than he. Hmmm I've never thought that's what the saying meant at all. Nor anyone else I have talked to. I thought that statment meant that when someone is "miserable" they want everyone else to be miserable with them. That's what I and everyone I've talked to has taken it to mean. I suppose it could mean more though? Oh and BTW every miserable person I've known wants everyone else to be there right with them. Welcome back Bro :) Title: HEALING, THEN AND NOW - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on November 10, 2004, 04:39:32 AM HEALING, THEN AND NOW
By Cornelius R. Stam "And there came a leper to Him, beseeching Him, and kneeling down to Him, and saying unto Him, If Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean"(Mark 1:40). It is interesting to observe exactly what the leper did and did not say to our Lord in the above passage. He did not say: "If You could, You would," even though more and greater miracles would unquestionably have enhanced our Lords fame. He rather said: "If You will, You can" - "If Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean." The people of our Lords day did not question the gen- uineness of His miracles. No one suggested that the in- firmities He dealt with might be psychosomatic in nature, that they were probably either real healings of imaginary infirmities or imaginary healings of real infirmities. They could not raise these objections, for the evidences of the supernatural character of His healings were too over- whelming to admit of this. Everywhere He went healing the sick or casting out demons, the people "wondered and were amazed," and spread "His fame" abroad from city to city. At Capernaum: "All they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto Him, and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them" (Luke 4:40). How different it is with the "healers" of our day and with their claims! Entirely apart from the objections of those who question these "healings" on Scriptural grounds, it is a simple fact that great numbers of people among the general populace question the validity of both the "healers" and their "healing miracles." Meantime, as one has said, the death rate remains "one apiece." There always comes that last time, when the "heal- ing" doesnt work and the patient dies. This is why all mod- ern "healers" leave behind them a long, sad trail of disil- lusionment and shaken faith. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: DON’T TELL HIM A THING Post by: Brother Love on November 10, 2004, 04:19:10 PM DON’T TELL HIM A THING
By Cornelius R. Stam Many years ago the writer’s father, then a city mission- ary, received a telephone call from a prominent liberal clergyman. "Peter," said the clergyman, "I’ve got a young man here in the outer office who seems to be in great distress. He says he feels he’s so great a sinner that he’s overstepped the line and God won’t forgive him. Now you’ve had a lot of ex- perience with such people. What shall I tell him?" The clergyman didn’t even know how to help a troubled soul. "Don’t tell him a thing; I’ll be right over ," said dad, and he left immediately to deal with the young man himself. Dad knew very well what was the matter with this young lad. The Holy Spirit had convicted him of his sin (John 16:8). The lad had come to see himself as he really was -- as God saw him, and sees any unsaved person, no matter how religious. No person ever comes to see his need of a Savior until he has first come to see himself as a condemned sinner before God. And it is only when we come to see ourselves as we are in the sight of a holy God that there is hope of salva- tion. The self-righteous do not see their need of a Savior. What would He save them from? What have they done that is so wrong? This is the way their reasoning goes. It is only when we begin to appreciate the holiness and righteousness of God that it dawns upon us that our condi- tion is hopeless without a Savior. Strange, is it not, that so many people have pictures hanging on their walls of our Lord crowned with thorns or hanging on a cross, yet do not really know Him as a Savior, their own Savior. But when we have been convicted of our sin and our hopeless condition before God, we are ready to take in the words spoken by Paul to the trembling jailor at Philippi: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: THE SON OF A VIRGIN Post by: Brother Love on November 10, 2004, 04:22:33 PM THE SON OF A VIRGIN
By Cornelius R. Stam "Behold, a virgin shall be with child" (Matt. 1:23). Mary was highly honored that she should be chosen to be the virgin mother of Messiah. This was a distinction for which every Jewish woman had hoped and prayed. But -- now that she had heard the glad news from the angel Gabriel, she was to find herself in the most embar- rassing position of an unmarried maiden with child. Little wonder that Mary hastened to the hill country to visit Elis- abeth, the mother-to-be of miraculously-born John, later called John the Baptist. Who, in such a case, would better understand, or be better fitted to give sympathetic advice to Mary? Mary remained with Elisabeth for about three months, or until the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:36,56), but now the real test lay ahead, for she must return to her home in Nazareth to face her relatives and acquaintances -- and Joseph, her lover. What would they say? And above all, what would he say? How could they be expected to believe her story? An angel had appeared to her, indeed! In the record of Joseph’s reactions we are given light as to the extreme embarrassment in which Mary now found her- self. Consider Joseph’s position. Mary was his "espoused wife." Why had she gone away -- and stayed so long? And now, what is this? She is found with child -- not by him. Her explanation, if indeed she offered it to him, must have seemed most unsatisfactory. He could have charged her with adultery and had her stoned, but "being a just [Lit., "fair-minded"] man" he "was minded to put her away priv- ily" (Matt. 1:19). But "while he thought on these things," with a heavy heart, "the angel of the Lord appeared unto him" and Jo- seph learned the truth; that she was indeed to be the hon- ored mother of the Messiah of Israel, the Redeemer of sin- ners. It was because our Lord was the Son of God, born into the world by a virgin and not partaking of Adam’s sinful na- ture, that He could go to Calvary and pay the full penalty for our sins. He "suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God" (I Pet. 3:18). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: The Teaching of Self-Esteem Post by: Brother Love on November 11, 2004, 04:47:17 AM The Teaching of Self-Esteem
By Paul M. Sadler, President Scripture Reading: "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince [refute] the gainsayers." -- Titus 1:9 Satan never rests in his insatiable desire to corrupt the Word of God. A case in point is the present-day teaching of self-love, self-esteem and self-worth. The influence of this unsound doctrine has nearly permeated every strata of Christendom, including the Grace Movement. Like the beat of a drum, this theme is heard almost constantly from the pulpits of America and frequently appears on the pages of Christian literature. Beware when you hear or read: "It is important to feel good about yourself," "Learn to love yourself," "Probe your innermost self to understand why you think and feel as you do," "God sent His son to die for you because you are of great value." On the surface these phrases may seem commendable, but in reality they are diametrically opposed to the Scriptures. The above has been weighed in the balance and found to be wanting. For example: "The heart [innermost self] is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jer. 17:9). Paul concurred when he said, "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh, [old nature or self]) dwelleth no good thing" (Rom. 7:18). The old man (self) is at enmity against God. He hates God and the things of God and left to himself he will not seek God. The Scriptures, from beginning to end, speak with a unified voice that the old nature is rotten to the core (See Rom. 3:9-18). Consequently, our old man (self) has been crucified with Christ. Paul made reference to this when he wrote to the Galatians, "I am crucified with Christ [i.e. his old man]: nevertheless I live [Paul's new nature]; yet NOT I [self], but Christ liveth in me." We are to put off the old nature and put on the new, which is created in holiness and righteousness (Eph. 4:22-24). It is futile to improve one's self-image, especially since God abhors any attempt to do so. Rather, we are to conform ourselves to the image of His dear Son. Thus, those of the household of faith are to live accordingly: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let us esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:3-5). Self takes great pleasure in acclaim, indulgence, approval and praise. It glories in all these things. But are we not robbing God when self is esteemed more highly than His glory? "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God, AND YE ARE NOT YOUR OWN? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (I Cor. 6:19,20). Shall we permit the "love of one's self" doctrine to overshadow the love of God in Christ Jesus? God forbid! May God help us to stand against this insidious teaching that essentially robs God of the glory that is rightfully due Him. (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: A JEALOUS GOD Post by: Brother Love on November 12, 2004, 04:05:41 AM A JEALOUS GOD
By Cornelius R. Stam We heartily thank God for every politician, athlete, actor or even criminal who comes to know Christ as Savior. But conversion alone does not qualify one for a place of prom- inence in Christian service. This, especially in Pauls epis- tles, is reserved for mature believers, wholly separated to God and established in the truth (See especially II Tim. 2:21). When hearts beat faster because of the presence of some glamorous personality on the Christian platform; when such personalities receive adulation which belongs rather to the Christ who died for them, God is dishonored and displeased. True, the motive in procuring such "crowd-getters" may have been to reach greater numbers for Christ, just as some of our spiritual leaders become yoked together with apos- tate unbelievers in evangelistic endeavors in order to reach souls for Christ, but the end does not justify the means. It is never right to do wrong to accomplish some good end. Have we forgotten that Gods Word says: "I the Lord thy God am a jealous God" (Ex 20:5) and "I will not give My glory unto another" (Isa 48:11)? True we quote here from the Ten Commandments, but remember, Paul in his epis- tles quotes all the Ten Commandments except one (re the sabbath). The covenant of the Law has been done away but not the moral law itself, and God is the only Being who has legitimate and urgent reason to be jealous of His glory. Christian leaders are playing a dangerous game when they give glory due to God alone to prominent personalities so as to swell their audiences. It is time for the Church to realize that salvation is the work of God and that true and lasting results will follow only when we conduct His work in His way. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: "THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD" Post by: Brother Love on November 12, 2004, 01:56:29 PM "THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD"
By Russell S. Miller "For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, "If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:"How that by revelation He made known unto me the Mystery..." (Eph.3:1-3). While it is blessedly true that only God’s grace could "cover" the nakedness of Adam and Eve (Gen.3:21), "find" Noah (Gen.6:8), "count" Abraham "righteous" (Rom. 4:3), and "bless" David (Rom. 4:6), it is equally true that not one of these Old Testament saints lived in "the dispensation of the grace of God" (Eph.3:1-3). Our opponents have failed to comprehend that works in addition to God’s grace were required in the Old Testament. Under the Mosaic system, the sacrificial lamb was required to make "atonement" for their souls (Lev.17:11). After the crucifixion of Christ, at Pentecost, when Peter called upon his nation to repent, works were still required "for the remission of sins". Read it for yourself in Acts 2:38. In Galatians 3:23-25, we learn why! "Faith" had not yet "come"; they were still under a "schoolmaster", because the dispensation of the grace of God had not yet been given. Not until Paul do we find faith alone, apart from works, as the sole requirement for salvation today. Redemption was, of course, purchased with the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary’s cross, but the revelation of the all sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice and finished work is made known through Paul alone. This is why Paul is the first to declare what was actually accomplished on our behalf by Jesus Christ at Calvary: "Being justified FREELY BY HIS GRACE through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS that are past, through the forbearance of God; "To declare, I say, AT THIS TIME His righteousness: that He might be just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus" (Rom.3:24-26). Thus, the "revelation" of Jesus Christ to Paul explains how God could "forbear" with man’s rebellion and sin in Old Testament times. He had a far better Sacrifice in mind all the while: "For by one offering [Jesus Christ] hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified" (Heb. 10:14). "IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE" (Eph.1:7). "BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED..." (Acts 16:31). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: Re:Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Shammu on November 13, 2004, 02:04:10 PM BUMP
Title: FACING UP TO FACTS Post by: Brother Love on November 13, 2004, 05:37:53 PM FACING UP TO FACTS
By Cornelius R. Stam Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, Chapters 1 and 2, present a dark picture of the human race, but acknowledge the facts they record and you have taken the first step to salvation. By nature we shrink from facing up to our sins, but we are better off if we do. If a man has early indications of cancer, and his physi- cian keeps the truth from him, the patient will die of can- cer. A good and wise physician will say: "You have cancer and we should do something about it without delay." Thus God, in His Word, tells us frankly about our sinful condition, but only to save us from it. This is where most philosophies and the Bible clash head on. Most philosophies close their eyes to man’s sinful na- ture. They presume that man is good by nature, when over- whelming evidence bears witness that he is sinful by na- ture. Thus human philosophies offer no salvation from sin and its just penalty. Only "the gospel of the grace of God" does that. The Bible says of the whole human race: "All have sin- ned" (Rom. 3:23), and to each individual: "Thou art inex- cusable" (Rom. 2:1). But the same Bible says: "Christ died for our sins" (I Cor. 15:3), and "We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7). Trust in Christ for salvation and you will have accepted God’s great message to the world. Then, as you consider that great Book, the Bible, you will say with Fawcett: "It shows to man his wand’ring ways And where his feet have trod; But brings to view the matchless grace Of a forgiving God." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: OUR WEAKNESS AND GOD’S POWER Post by: Brother Love on November 15, 2004, 09:08:23 AM OUR WEAKNESS AND GOD’S POWER
By Cornelius R. Stam When our Lord was on earth He healed great numbers of sick and diseased people. The believers at Pentecost also healed many in the name of Jesus, offering to Israel His return from heaven upon condition of their repentance (Acts 3:19-21). All those who were healed, however, finally succumbed to physical infirmity or disease again and died after all. This was because the Lord Jesus was rejected as King, not only in His incarnation but also in His resurrection. Rom. 8:22,23 declares the result as we see it in our own day: "...we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit [that is], the redemption of our body." But Christians in "this present evil age" often need phys- ical infirmity to draw them closer to God in prayer and faith. Paul himself said: "...there was given to me a thorn in the flesh... lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me: My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (II Cor. 12:7-9). The Apostle’s response to this shows how well he under- stood that suffering and weakness are an important part of Christian discipline. "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me... I take pleasure in infirmities...for when I am weak, then am I strong" (II Cor. 12:9,10). "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish,yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a for more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (II Cor. 4:16,17). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: LIGHT OUT OF DARKNESS Post by: Brother Love on November 16, 2004, 04:16:02 AM LIGHT OUT OF DARKNESS
By Cornelius R. Stam "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us" (II Cor. 4:6,7). Any instructed Christian reading this passage from the pen of the Apostle Paul naturally goes back in his mind to the time when God first said: "Let there be light," and dis- pelled the darkness of the primeval world. He might also recall the incident related in the book of Judges, when Gideons army went to battle against the Midianites, each man with a sword in one hand, and a lamp hidden within a pitcher in the other. At Gideons command the soldiers broke the earthen vessels and the lights shone out to strike terror into the hearts of the enemy, who could not account for the crash and the blaze of light at this midnight hour. For every believer God has caused light, wonderful light, to shine out of the darkness and fill the heart, just as once He said to the dark and chaotic earth: "Let there be light -- and there was light." But we believers have come into "the light of the knowl- edge of the glory of God" by coming to know Christ. Our Lord rightly said: "No man cometh unto the Father but by Me" (John 14:6). God is unknown and unknowable apart from Christ, who is God manifested in the flesh. It was He who lived a perfect life and then died a sinners death in order to bring us into relationship and fellowship with God. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: A CHRISTIAN OBLIGATION Post by: Brother Love on November 16, 2004, 04:42:59 AM Two Minutes With The Bible
A CHRISTIAN OBLIGATION By Cornelius R. Stam Three times in Rom. 1:14-16, the Apostle Paul uses the phrase "I am," and each one carries an important message for every true believer in Christ. First he says in Verse 14: "I am debtor" -- debtor to all men, to tell them about the saving work of Christ. But why was he indebted to people he had never even seen? For several reasons. First, he had in his hand what they needed to be saved from the penalty and power of sin. If I see a drunkard lying across the railroad track and I do nothing about it, am I not a murderer if he is killed by the train? If I see a man drowning and I have a life buoy in my hand but do not throw it to him, am I not a murderer if he goes down for the last time? If I see millions of lost souls about me and, knowing the message of salvation, do not tell them, am I not guilty if they die without Christ? Further, Paul felt himself a debtor to others, because the Christ who had died for his sins had also died for the sins of others. As he says in II Cor. 5:14,15: "Christ died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto them- selves but unto Him who died for them and rose again." Finally, the Christ who had died for Pauls sins, had commissioned him to tell others of His saving grace. Thus he says in I Cor. 9:16,17: "Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel! For... a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me." Paul could say further what every true believer should be able to say: Not, "I am debtor, but," but rather, "I am debt- or... SO, as much as in me is I AM READY" (Rom. 1:15). He was ready to discharge his debt because he had that with which to discharge it -- the wonderful "gospel of the grace of God." And he did indeed make this message known to others with all that was in him. And now the third "I am": "I am debtor... so I am ready .. for I AM NOT ASHAMED of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that be- lieveth..." (Ver. 16). Paul was always proud to own Christ as the mighty Savior from sin. Do you know Christ as your Savior? Do you tell others about Him? (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: GO, AND SIN NO MORE Post by: Brother Love on November 17, 2004, 04:40:14 AM Two Minutes With The Bible
GO, AND SIN NO MORE By Cornelius R. Stam The self-righteous Pharisees had brought a fallen woman to Jesus and "when they had set her in the midst," they be- gan to accuse her, saying: "Now Moses in the law command- ed us that such should be stoned, but what sayest Thou?" (John 8:5). They were using this fallen woman to embarrass the Lord into either agreeing that she should be stoned, or else leav- ing Himself open to a charge of repudiating Moses law. At first He made "as though He heard them not," but when they continued asking they got what they asked for! Simply answering: "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her," the Lord turned away again to let that sentence do its work. They had "set her in the midst." Now He had set them in the midst and, "convicted by their own consciences," they "went out one by one" (Ver. 9). There stood the woman now, alone before Him. What a combination: a great sinner and a great Savior! Since none of the Pharisees had dared to cast a stone at her, the Lord said: "Neither do I condemn thee. Go, and sin no more" (Ver. 11). Thus the Lord graciously forgave the sinner-woman, yet without ignoring the demands of the Law. He had not denied that the woman deserved punishment. He had only pointed out that the Pharisees themselves were sinners; that they, like she, needed a Savior. Thank God! Since "Christ died for our sins," God can justly forgive us -- and He will, if we but acknowledge our sin and our need of a Savior, and do not join the self- righteous who forever keep "going about to establish their own righteousness" (Rom. 10:3). God is very gracious to those who will acknowledge their sin and their need. "FOR THE SAME LORD OVER ALL IS RICH UNTO ALL THAT CALL UPON HIM, FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED" (Rom. 10:12,13). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com (http://www.sirinet.net/~blkidps/blgif1.gif) Title: JUDGMENT IN THE KINGDOM - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on December 01, 2004, 04:11:20 AM JUDGMENT IN THE KINGDOM
By Russell S. Miller "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again...." (See Matthew 7:1-6). Many precious souls have "wrongly divided" this passage of Gods Word, and consequently feel quite ill at ease when a brother corrects their doctrinal and practical errors with the revelation given to Paul in his epistles. It was Pauls earnest prayer that believers would judge the things that are more "excellent" regarding the truth of Gods Word, "rightly divided": "AND THIS I PRAY, THAT YOUR LOVE MAY ABOUND YET MORE AND MORE IN KNOWLEDGE AND IN ALL JUDGMENT; "That ye may APPROVE things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the Day of Christ" (Phil.1:9-10). So now we have a contradiction! In one place it says, "Dont judge", but here in Pauls Philippians epistle, it clearly says that we are to "judge". What are we to do? What are we to believe? Who is right, our Lord, or His Apostle, Paul? Since our Lord Himself first revealed to Paul "that blindness in part [has] happened to Israel" (Rom.11:25), which has resulted in the setting aside of the favored nation, it would be wise to FOLLOW PAUL AS HE FOLLOWS CHRIST (ICor.4:16; 11:1; Rom.11:13; 16:25,26). Remember, the constitution of "the Kingdom of Heaven" is found in "the Sermon on the Mount" of Matthew 5,6,7. It deals with Gods earthly people Israel (Matt.5:3,5,10,19,20), not with us, the members of the Body of Christ. This is the same Kingdom that was given to David (II Sam. 7), spoken of by Daniel (2:36-45), promised in all the prophets (Isa.11:1-10; 35; Jer.23:5; Eze. 37:24,25), and proclaimed "at hand" by John the Baptist, Christ, and the Twelve (Matt.3:2; 4:17; 10:7). And, during the days of Pentecost this very Kingdom was actually offered to Israel and her leaders (Acts 2:14,22,36; 4:5-12) by the Apostle Peter: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; "And He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: "Whom the heaven must receive until the times of [restoration] of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began" (Acts 3:19-21). But Israel continued to reject Messiah, stood by that murderous, awful deed of Christs crucifixion, and refused the Lords gracious calls to repentance through water baptism (Acts 2:38), committing yet another wickedness, the unpardonable sin of Matthew 12:31,32 in the stoning death of Stephen in Acts 7:54-60. In this Kingdom, Christ "shall sit in the throne of His glory" and the Twelve Apostles "shall sit upon twelve thrones JUDGING the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matt.19:28). There will be no room for the "hypocrite" with "the beam in his eye". +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: THE RESURRECTION MOURNING - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on December 01, 2004, 04:14:43 AM THE RESURRECTION MOURNING
By Cornelius R. Stam "But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping" (John 20:11). Why did she weep? Because the tomb was empty! What needless sorrows follow in the wake of unbelief! Those tear-dimmed eyes did not see the evidence of the Lords resurrection. And when the angels asked: "Why weepest thou?" she said: "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him." Poor woman! She would rather have found His body there! But here are two on their way to Emmaus, no less sor- rowful. They are talking together about all that has hap- penned during the past few days and "[as] they communed together and reasoned, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them, but their eyes were holden that they should not know Him. And He said unto them: What manner of com- munications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?" (Luke 24:15-17). The word "walk" here does not mean to walk on but to walk about -- to wander aimlessly. They were on their way to Emmaus, but they were so brokenhearted that they did not care whether or not they got there. What had caused them to give up hope? Listen to their own explanations: "We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done" (Luke 24:21). They had given up hope because this was the third day since the Lords crucifixion, yet this was the very day He was to rise from the dead, according to His own oft- repeated promise. Mary weeps because the tomb is empty! The two disciples are brokenhearted because this is now the third day since His death! We smile at the irony of unbelief. But what about ourselves? The risen, glorified Christ exercises far greater power and offers far greater blessings to believers now than His followers of old knew anything about. "Oh, what peace we often forfeit! Oh, what needless pain we bear!" All because we do not take God at His Word. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: THE BIBLE ON THE FLOOR - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on December 01, 2004, 04:20:40 AM THE BIBLE ON THE FLOOR
By Cornelius R. Stam "...Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name" (Psa. 138:2). As I passed by my study the other night, I noticed that I had left a Bible lying on the floor next to a chair. In study- ing I had put it down momentarily to consult a reference book and had neglected to pick it up again. Now, as I caught a fleeting glimpse of that blessed Book lying there, it bothered me; in fact it bothered me enough to make me go back and pick it up and put it where it be- longed. Then I began wondering why so trivial a matter had trou- bled me. Was it because I remembered how dad would never allow anything to lie on top of the Bible? Had mere sentiment confused my thinking? Surely the Word of God is forever settled in heaven and that book lying on the floor was only paper, ink and a leather cover. Or was it? Was it not also the Word of God as given to us? And as such, was it not representative of God Himself? If our countrys flag must be treated with honor and respect; if it is sacrilege to treat it as mere cloth, how much more is this so where the Holy Bible is con- cerned! No, it was not merely dads example that came to mind as I saw the Bible lying there: certainly it was not only that. Rather it was a Scripture passage of which he often re- minded us; the inspired words of David quoted above: "Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name." To be sure God would have us use His Word as a text- book from which to learn His will. It is no sign of reverence for this great Book to leave it lying untouched on the shelf. He would have us use it and study it, perhaps underlining important passages and marking significant connections. But with all this we must never forget to treat it with the reverence and honor due the written Word of God. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: GODS PROMISE vs. MANS EFFORTS - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on December 01, 2004, 04:23:27 AM GODS PROMISE vs. MANS EFFORTS
By Cornelius R. Stam "For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath..."(Rom. 4:14,15). This should be self-evident to us all. If blessing is gained by the works of the Law, it is earned. This is why Gal. 3:18 says: "If the inheritance be of the law it is no more of prom- ise, but God gave it to Abraham by promise." The Apostle Paul, Gods great apostle of grace, declares in Rom. 4:4,5: "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." But lets go back to that phrase: "the law worketh wrath." Many people somehow do not see this. Even some clergy- men tell us that the Law was given to help us to be good. But God Himself says, "the law worketh wrath." Every criminal knows this, and every sinner should know it. God certainly places strong emphasis upon it: "Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions" (Gal. 3:19), "that every mouth may be stop- ped, and all the world may be brought in guilty before God" (Rom. 3:19). "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowl- edge of sin" (Rom. 3:20). If we come to God expecting eternal life because of our good works, are we not offering Him our terms, which He can never accept? He will never sell salvation at any price, and certainly not for a few paltry "good" works, when our lives are filled with failure and sin. Our only hope? God has promised to give eternal life to those who trust in His Son (John 3:35,36; Acts 16:31; etc.). "The gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: THE NATURE OF GRACE - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on December 01, 2004, 04:25:56 AM THE NATURE OF GRACE
By Cornelius R. Stam To a young Christian who kept bemoaning his failures and lack of spiritual growth, and wondering how God could love him, a more mature believer responded substantially as follows: "When I leave here and return to my home I will pick up my little baby girl and put her on my knee. Tired as I am, I will dandle her on my knee and, somehow, looking into that darling face and those pretty blue eyes, I will soon feel rested and refreshed. "This is strange, in a way, for she does not love me. She doesnt even know what love is. "She doesnt appreciate my problems and has no sym- pathy for me. My heart can be burdened with grief or filled with anxiety, and my mind vexed with difficult problems, but she doesnt even know or care. She just keeps gurgling and giggling at the attention I lavish upon her. "She doesnt contribute one cent toward the needs of our family; indeed, she costs me a great deal of money and will for years to come. Yet I love that child more than I can say. There is no sacrifice I would not make for her; no good thing I would not gladly give her." Such is the grace of God toward us, His children. It does not depend upon our faithfulness to Him or our apprecia- tion of His love to us. He loves us with an unspeakable love and keeps lavishing upon us "the riches of His grace" sim- ply because we are His children in Christ, the Beloved One. And strangely, is it not precisely this fact that proves to be our greatest incentive to give ourselves to Him in loving service and sacrifice as we grow in grace? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: HOW THE SPIRIT HELPS - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on December 01, 2004, 04:31:41 AM HOW THE SPIRIT HELPS
By Cornelius R. Stam "The Spirit... helpeth our infirmities" (Rom. 8.26). A chain is no stronger than its weakest link. If one link in a chain will hold one hundred pounds, another fifty, and another ten, the chain as a whole will hold ten pounds, no more. This is why James 2:10 says: "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." Many people suppose that we will be saved or lost ac- cording to how good or bad we have been. This is not so. It is not a question of how good or bad we have been, but of whether or not we have sinned. A man need commit only one robbery to be a robber, burn only one house to be an arsonist, kill only one human being to be a murderer -- and commit only one sin to be a sinner. This is why the Word of God says that all are sinners. How wonderful to know that in grace "Christ died for our sins" and that by simple faith in Him we may be saved and fully justified before God! (Rom. 5:6,8,10). But born-again Christians find that the above principle is just as true of them as of the unbeliever. None of us is any stronger than his weakest point. Frightening, isnt it, es- pecially when we consider that Satan constantly attacks us at our weakest point to wreck our testimony if he can. But here is where the believer can rejoice that "the Spirit ..helpeth our infirmities" (Rom. 8:26). He dwells within to help in time of need, so that we need not fail (Rom. 8:11,12). This does not mean, however, that He takes control of us without being called upon, as He did "when the day of Pen- tecost was fully come." Unlike the Pentecostal believers, we live under "the dispensation of the grace of God." What God provides by grace we must appropriate by faith. Thus in any given case we may have victory. Indeed it is concerning the weak brother in Christ that Paul declares by inspira- tion: "God is able to make him stand" (Rom. 14:4). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: "WITHOUT FORM AND VOID" - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on December 01, 2004, 04:45:49 AM "WITHOUT FORM AND VOID"
By Russell S. Miller "I beheld the earth, and lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light" (Jeremiah 4:23). The reason that "the earth" was "without form, and void" in this passage is not because God had created it that way. Rather the "fury" of His wrath had "come forth like fire" upon Palestine (Jer.4:1-31). But some supposed the "without form, and void" in Genesis 1:2 is the result of His judgment! But how can this be! Sin had not entered until Adams fall (Gen.3:1-24). Satan was still "Lucifer, son of the morning", and had not yet "fallen from heaven" (Isa.14:12-17; Ezek.28:13-19). Rather we believe that it is exactly as Gods Word records creation: "...AND THE SPIRIT OF GOD MOVED UPON THE FACE OF THE WATERS" (Gen.1:2). Thus, "In the beginning", upon the first day, when "God created the heaven and the earth" (Gen.1:1) "without form, and void" (1:2), it was empty and desolate because He was not finished with His creation. And upon this "ocean" of His creative genius, He but spoke the words and His almighty power brought forth this beautiful earth in six successive days, as recorded in Genesis 1:1-31. "THUS THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH WERE FINISHED, AND ALL THE HOST OF THEM. And on the Seventh Day God ended His work which He had...created and made" (Gen.2:1-3). Genesis One records the day by day account of the creation of heaven and earth. Otherwise "sin" would have "entered" the world before Adam which, of course, is not only unscriptural, but it is not even Pauline (Rom.5:12). However, as God commanded Nebuchadnezzar to march against Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, in Jeremiahs day (Jer.4:6,7), so the Great Commander of all the Hosts of Heaven shall issue a counter declaration of war upon all mankind for its rejection of Christ. Revelation 19:11-16 describes "the King of kings, and Lord of lords" riding upon "a white horse...and in righteousness He doth judge and make war". But for now God has "good news" for you. He loves you with an everlasting love. This is why He sent Christ to die for our sins on Calvary. The Apostle Paul preached that "the forgiveness of sins" (Eph.1:7) is based upon the shed blood of our Redeemer, Saviour, Creator, and Friend; the Lord Jesus Christ. "GOD IS FAITHFUL" and you can trust Him. He wants to save you from your sins. And, my friend, He will save you from "the wrath to come" also, if you will only believe Him (IThes.4:13-18). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Title: WHOS BEEN GOOD TO WHOM? - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on December 01, 2004, 05:19:39 AM WHOS BEEN GOOD TO WHOM?
By Cornelius R. Stam As I left a restaurant, recently, the cashier and part owner asked how "the pastor" was feeling. I replied: "Fine. The Lord has been very good to me." With this she began to tell how good the Lord had been to her. She had come to America from Greece and had raised a family and prospered here until now, with her family, she owned and operated a good-sized restaurant. "So," she said, "the Lord has been good to me," and after a moments hesi- tation, "but then, Ive been good to Him too!" Imagine! How He needed her! It is sad, but this is the low conception of God held by many religious, but unsaved people. They entertain the strange notion that if they put a few dollars into the Church, God ought to bless them -- or the still more foolish notion that if they are good to others, He ought to be good to them! But He owes us nothing just because we may have been good to others! And even if we sought only to please Him, this would not make Him our debtor. He does not need us. There is nothing we can do to enrich Him. This is why Eph. 2:8-10 declares that salvation is "not of yourselves," and "not of works, lest any man should boast." No, we cannot gain His favor by "being good to Him." Yet, it is true that His children will be rewarded for faith- fulness to Him. This is not a dispensational matter; it is a promise that God has always held out to His people (Dan. 12:3; Matt. 25:21; I Cor. 4:5; I Thes. 2:19; II Tim. 4:7,8; I Pet. 5:1). But such rewards are "rewards of grace." Let us who know Him, then, seek above all else to be faithful in our service to Him, not to gain acceptance with God, for He has already "made us accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6), but rather out of love and gratitude to Him who gave Himself for us. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Title: SATAN AND THE TRUTH - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on December 01, 2004, 05:46:31 AM SATAN AND THE TRUTH
By Cornelius R. Stam "If any man be in Christ he is a new creation..." (II Cor. 5:17). "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus..." (Eph. 2:10). "And ye are complete in Him..." (Col. 2:10). "In Christ!" What a glorious truth! What a high and holy position! No religious ceremony, neither circumcision nor baptism, needed to make us spiritually complete. God only asks now: "Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called" (Eph. 4:1). Many Christians are satisfied with salvation through the blood of Christ, but God wants us to have much more than this. He wants us to have "the full assurance of understand- ing" (Col. 2:2), to know the security, the blessedness, the glory of a position in Christ. He wants us to know "the ex- ceeding riches of His grace" (Eph. 2:7), and to enjoy "all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3). But Satan does not! For proclaiming these glorious truths the Apostle Paul was bitterly opposed on every hand, even by some saved religious leaders of his day. And Satan has not changed! Proclaim this message today and "your adversary the devil" will soon be roused to action. He hates this message of grace which the glorified Lord revealed through Paul (Eph. 3:1-3) and let us not be asleep to the fact that, as in Pauls day, he will again seek to use even saved religious leaders, evangelical "big guns," if he can, to oppose it, thus robbing Christ of His glory and believers of their blessings. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Title: THE DAY OF ITCHING EARS - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on December 01, 2004, 05:52:36 AM THE DAY OF ITCHING EARS
By Cornelius R. Stam For the professing Church the day of theological con- troversy has passed. Ecumenism is now the word on every tongue. Church leaders appear to have become convinced that the stifling confusion in the Church can be overcome only by all of us getting together, minimizing our differ- ences and emphasizing those doctrines on which we all agree. As a result some of the most important doctrines of Scripture are neither denied nor affirmed; they are ignored. But little matter, for the objective now is not to be true to the written Word of God, but to see to it that the Church is "strong" and commands the worlds respect. Ecumenism, sad to say, has made significant inroads among evangelical believers too. All too seldom do men of God stand up to defend by the Scriptures the truths they believe and proclaim. Theological debate has given place to the dialogue, in which two individuals or groups sit down together to discuss their differences and see if there is not some basis for agreement. This appears generous and objec- tive but too often convictions are compromised and the truth watered down by such undertakings, with the result that the Spirits power is sacrificed for numerical strength. No man of God can speak in the power of the Spirit when he places anything before the Word and Will of God. Nor can the Church ever be truly united and strong unless she puts Gods Word and Will first and takes her place in the world as Christs embassy on alien territory (See II Cor. 5:20). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Title: A TWOFOLD PURPOSE - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on December 01, 2004, 06:00:35 AM A TWOFOLD PURPOSE
By Cornelius R. Stam Have you ever noticed the wording of the majestic state- ment with which the Bible opens? "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Gen. 1:1). It does not say that God created "the universe," but "the heaven" and "the earth." This is because God had a special purpose for the earth quite distinct from His purpose for the rest of the universe. This purpose concerning the earth and the nations to dwell upon it is progressively revealed in the Scriptures. We look forward to its glorious consummation when "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea" - when the Christ who was crucified here shall come into His right, reigning as King of kings and Lord of lords. But God also had a very special purpose concerning heav- en which He kept hidden in His own heart of love until mans sin and rebellion had reached their climax. Then He stooped down, saved the "chief of sinners" and used him to make known the wondrous secret of His purpose to offer to sinners everywhere, salvation by grace through faith alone, reconciling them to Himself in one body by the cross and giving them a present position and a future prospect in the highest heavens. Gods purpose concerning the earth and Christs reign upon it is the subject of prophecy (Luke 1:68-76), His pur- pose concerning heaven and our exaltation there with Christ is the subject of "the mystery" (Eph. 2:4-10; 3:1-4). Into these two great subjects the Scriptures are basically divided. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Title: UNTIL WHEN? - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on December 01, 2004, 06:03:47 AM UNTIL WHEN?
By Cornelius R. Stam One of the greatest prophecies of Scripture is found in Psalm 110:1 where David wrote: "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou at My right hand until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool." In Matt. 22:41-46 our Lord explained that this was a prophecy about Himself, Davids Son and Lord. Men might hate Him and cry "Away with Him!" They might nail Him to a tree and laugh and sneer at Him, but God the Father responds by saying: "Here, come sit at My right hand until I make your enemies your footstool." We should never forget that according to Bible prophecy Gods response to mans rejection of Christ was to be judg- ment and wrath. In Psalm 2 the question is asked why the nations rage and the people of Israel imagine a vain thing: that they can get along without the One whom God has anointed to be King. The Psalm depicts God laughing at their attempts to thwart His purposes and predicts that "the Lord shall have them in derision" and "speak unto them in His wrath." At Pentecost all was ready for the judgment to fall. Christ had been crucified and "the last days" had begun, as Peter declared in Acts 2:16,17, quoting from the prophet Joel. But strangely, while some of Joels prophecy was ful- filled, or began to be fulfilled, at that time, the rest of it was not, for God did not -- and has not yet -- sent the proph-esied judgment. Thank God, in infinite grace He interrupted the prophetic program, delayed the remainder of its fulfillment and re- vealed to the Apostle Paul His secret purpose to offer to His enemies everywhere salvation and reconciliation by free grace, through faith in the crucified, risen Savior. In His Ephesian letter the Apostle asks whether they have heard of "the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to you-ward; how that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery" (Eph. 3:1-3). Now, thank God, His eternal purpose in Christ is no longer a secret. While the day of grace lasts we may be "justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Title: "THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH" - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on December 01, 2004, 06:18:18 AM "THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH"
By Russell S. Miller Some suppose that somehow, in the final analysis, their "good works" will outweigh the bad works they do and God will accept them into His heaven. But is it good works that save? Of the first two children born into this world, Cain brought of the fruit of the ground--that, which his works had produced--with which to worship the Lord, while Abel, his brother, offered the sacrificial lamb that God required. "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh" (Heb.11:4). God rejected Cains offering because he had not obeyed the Lord God. But a far greater sacrifice than Abels has been offered on our behalf. "CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS" (ICor.15:3). Now the question must be asked, Have you believed the Lord in this? As long as men continue in unbelief, and reject the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, they will remain angry and bitter and wicked sinners in the sight of a thrice Holy God. Such are the deeds of those who place their will over the written Word of God, as their evil doings are reported daily over radio, TV and in our newspapers. But God is able to turn "the wickedness of men" into the greatest good, as we have seen. For, when wicked men crucified the Lord, little did they know "that God was in Christ, RECONCILING THE WORLD UNTO HIMSELF, not imputing their trespasses unto them..." (IICor.5:19). Little did they know, that this event in history--the crucifixion of Christ--would bring "to nought" all this worlds wisdom. Little did they know, that God had a secret eternal purpose in Christ: "Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory" (ICor.2:8). Study Gods Word, especially the Epistles of St. Paul, and discover that Christ IS the great Victor over sin, death, the grave, and hell. You will also be rejoicing in all that He accomplished on Calvarys cross--"the salvation, which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory" (IITim.2:10), and His "more excellent sacrifice", to which all the types and shadows pointed. "The preaching of the cross" constitutes the obedience of faith today. It is therefore faith, and faith alone, in the finished work of Christ that saves: "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" (Heb.9:12). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Title: THE GOSPEL PRODUCES ASSURANCE - Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: Brother Love on December 01, 2004, 06:26:03 AM THE GOSPEL PRODUCES ASSURANCE
By Russell S. Miller "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake" (IThes.1:5). Many people do not have assurance in these days in which we live. They base their salvation upon what some man has said, or upon some church doctrine, rather than Gods Word. Even their so-called "good works" cannot please God because they have rejected the Lord Jesus Christ and refused to believe Pauls God-given "gospel" of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. "In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph.1:7). The Lord has told us that "the gift of God IS ETERNAL LIFE through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom.6:23). If Gods "gift" is eternal life, and we are "justified by [Christs] blood" (Rom.5:9), should we not believe what God has said? He is well able to perform that which He has said He will do. "BEING CONFIDENT OF THIS VERY THING, THAT HE WHICH HATH BEGUN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL PERFORM IT UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST" (Phil.1:6). The "performance", here, also goes beyond our salvation to include our daily walk with Him. It is true that "we are HIS workmanship" (Eph.2:10), but it is equally true that we are to "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil.2,12). "Shall we continue in sin [then], that grace may abound?" (Rom.6:1). Paul answers this with an emphatic: "GOD FORBID. How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" (Rom.6:2). This lifestyle does not produce assurance; it rather produces guilt as we can readily see from the world about us! It therefore behooves every child of God to "present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, THAT YE MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT WILL OF GOD (Rom. 12:1,2). There is more. To the yielded believer, "God works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil.2:13). Indeed our wonderful Saviour desires greater things yet - "That our hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the FULL ASSURANCE of understanding, to the acknowledgment [full knowledge] of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ" (Col.2:2). This is the "gospel" that "established" the believers at Thessalonica and also produces assurance in us today. Listen to what the Apostle wrote in his first letter to them: "For OUR gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance...." When we believe Pauls gospel, we have that assurance of being true "FOLLOWERS OF THE LORD" (IThess.1:5,6). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Title: TWO SIDES OF ONE COIN Post by: Brother Love on December 02, 2004, 04:19:57 AM TWO SIDES OF ONE COIN
By Cornelius R. Stam "I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved" (II Cor. 12:15). The true man of God will faithfully serve the congrega- tion which the Lord has entrusted to him without thought of reward. Like Paul, he will "gladly spend and be spent" for them even if his toil and sacrifice go unappreciated. Where the congregation is too small to support him fully he will cheerfully engage in enough secular work to supply the deficiency. This is as it should be for, in ministering to his people, he is serving God. But there is another side to this coin, for Christian assemblies should appreciate the ministries of their pastors in their behalf. This is especially so where the minister gives himself unstintingly for his flock. It is a sad fact that too many pastors are grossly under- paid. Most of the members of the congregation would not be willing to live on the low economic level on which they keep their pastor and his family living for years on end. He must be willing to sacrifice, but they must not be deprived of any of the luxuries to which they are accustomed. They do not realize how discouraging it can be for the pastor and his family to constantly have to do without, while the better- off members of the congregation hardly notice. This is why the Apostle Paul reproved the niggardly Corinthians and declares: "Even so hath the Lord OR- DAINED that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel" (I Cor. 9:14). And this, too, is why he wrote to the large-hearted Philippians: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction ...Not that I desire a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account" (Phil. 4:13-17). Where true, Bible-believing pastors are concerned, lets not be Corinthians; lets be Philippians. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Title: CHRIST’S DEATH FOR US Post by: Brother Love on December 03, 2004, 05:44:27 PM CHRIST’S DEATH FOR US
By Cornelius R. Stam Three times in Chapter 5 of Paul’s letter to the Romans we read that Christ died for us. Ver. 6: "For WHEN WE WERE YET WITHOUT STRENGTH, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." Ver. 8: "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, Christ died for us." Ver. 10: " ...WHEN WE WERE ENEMIES, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son...." Thus, in our helplessness, in our sinfulness, even in our willfulness, Christ loved us and gave His life to save us. But why does the Apostle say that Christ died for us "when we were yet without strength," "while we were yet sinners" and "when we were enemies"? Did not Christ die for us before any of us were even born? Yes, but here the Apostle writes historically of the whole human race. The rest of the chapter bears this out. In Verse 12 he refers to Adam, the "one man" by whom sin and death entered into the world. This rendered man truly helpless. In Verse 20 he refers to Moses, by whom "the law entered, that the offence might abound." Thus by the law men were condemned as sinners. Finally, in Verses 20, 21, he refers to Christ, "[who] died for all" (II Cor. 5:14,15), that helpless sinners might be saved, yea that even God’s enemies might be reconciled to Him by grace, through faith. By Adam we have THE ENTRANCE OF SIN, by Moses THE CONDEMNATION OF SIN and by Christ THE FOR- GIVENESS OF SINS. Only gradually was the importance of Christ’s death for mankind revealed, but now we know that the saints of all ages have been saved on the basis of our Lord’s vicarious death alone. No one else could have paid a debt so great. Thus, in our helplessness, in our sinfulness, yes, thank God, in our willfulness, the Lord Jesus Christ died to save us. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++[/b] Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Title: SPIRITUAL VICTORY Post by: Brother Love on December 07, 2004, 03:28:58 PM Two Minutes With The Bible
SPIRITUAL VICTORY By Cornelius R. Stam If we go to the Scriptures and claim, by faith, the Spirit’s help in overcoming our sins, we enter into the enjoyment of the fullness of spiritual life and blessing. If we fail to do so, we wither and die -— as far as our spiritual experience is concerned. We can never lose our salvation, of course, for "everlasting life" was obtained by faith in Christ, not by walking in the Spirit. This is confirmed by the fact that the same apostle who pleads: "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God," hastens to add: "WHEREBY YE ARE SEALED UNTO THE DAY OF REDEMPTION" (Eph. 4:30). But failure to appropriate God’s gracious provision for victory over sin does result in death as far as our Christian experience is concerned. This is what the Apostle means, when he says, by the Spirit: "FOR TO BE CARNALLY MINDED IS DEATH; BUT TO BE SPIR- ITUALLY MINDED IS LIFE AND PEACE" (Rom. 8:6). "FOR IF YE LIVE AFTER THE FLESH, YE SHALL DIE: BUT IF YE THROUGH THE SPIRIT DO MORTIFY [PUT TO DEATH] THE DEEDS OF THE BODY, YE SHALL LIVE" (Rom. 8:13). To the careless Corinthians, the Apostle Paul exclaimed: "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit,which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body,and in your spirit, which are God’s" (I Cor. 6:19,20). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Title: 214 IS GOING DOWN Post by: Brother Love on December 07, 2004, 03:54:23 PM Two Minutes With The Bible
214 IS GOING DOWN By Cornelius R. Stam I heard something over the radio a few weeks ago, the like of which I’ve never heard before -- and certainly never want to hear again. I heard the last words of the pilot on #214, a big jet plane that crashed to earth with 81 people aboard. Because of the weather conditions the planes were "stacked" rather high around the Philadelphia airport, so the airport tower had just asked him: "Do you want to go on or do you want to hold?" The pilot had barely replied that he wanted to "hold," when he said something about his big Boeing 707 being on fire! Then came the awful words: "We’re going down. Two fourteen is going down in flames." He said it calmly, and the Philadelphia tower answered back: "We have your message, two fourteen." Just imagine, hearing the actual last words which the pilot uttered while he and eighty others were being hurled more than 5,000 feet to their death amid the flaming parts of their stricken plane! Yet, one does not have to be in a plane to meet death suddenly. He can stumble off a curb and be killed or die suddenly in a hundred different ways. The important thing is to be ready. We do not wish to frighten people into accepting Christ as Savior, but it is a fact that we ought to think more than we do about the un- certainty of life. Prov. 22:3 says: "A wise man forseeth the evil and hideth himself, but fools pass on and are punished." No wonder Paul wrote in II Cor. 6:1,2: "We then as workers together with Him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.... Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold NOW is the day of salvation." We cannot offer salvation yesterday, for yesterday is passed. Nor can we promise it for tomorrow, for the oppor- tunity may be withdrawn by then. The best we can do is to tell you that God loves you, and that Christ died for you, and urge you to act upon this now. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Title: SLAVERY AND LIBERTY Post by: Brother Love on December 07, 2004, 04:03:19 PM Two Minutes With The Bible
SLAVERY AND LIBERTY By Cornelius R. Stam We thank God for Abraham Lincoln and for his part in emancipating the negro slaves in the United Sates. Yet, in a deeper sense, there is a slavery from which we all need to be emancipated. The children of Adam are slaves by birth. Partaking of his fallen nature they find it an uphill fight to do right and easy to do wrong. No mother has ever had to teach her child to tell lies, or to steal or to disobey. Every child does these things naturally. All, by nature, are slaves to sin. Some, on the other hand, have sought to make them- selves slaves to the Ten Commandments in order to over- come their natural tendencies toward evil, but this does not produce the desired results. God did not give the Law to help us to be good, but to show us that we are bad and need a Savior. In Rom. 3:19 He says that He gave the Law "that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become [be exposed as] guilty before God" and in Verse 20 He says that "by the law is the knowledge of sin." Only believers in the finished work of Christ are lib- erated from sin and its results. This does not mean that it is not possible for them to sin, but that it is now possible for them not to sin -- to have victory in any given case. "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law but under grace" (Rom. 6:14). In grace Christ died to pay for our sins and in response to that grace believers seek to live for Him, just out of sheer love and gratitude for what He has done for them. This is the secret of victorious living, and God would have us keep it that way. Gal. 5:1 says: "Stand fast therefore in the lib- erty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not en- tangled again with the yoke of bondage." Yet, he also cautions believers, who enjoy this wonderful liberty: "Take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak" (I Cor. 8:9). "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another" (Gal. 5:13). "Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth" (Rom. 14:22). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Title: Re:Two Minutes With The Bible Post by: nChrist on December 07, 2004, 04:12:27 PM AMEN BROTHER LOVE!
The time for sharing the Gospel of the Grace of God is every day and every hour. The time for the lost to stop and listen is now. Many people criticize Christians for trying to scare people when they share the GOOD NEWS and the reality that waiting an hour or a day might be too late. Well, that is reality and truth. I don't think that we do the lost any favors by sugar-coating the truth. The blunt truth is there may NOT be another time to stop, listen, understand, believe, and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Love In Christ, Tom Romans 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Title: THE TRUE BIBLE CHURCH Post by: Brother Love on December 07, 2004, 04:52:15 PM Two Minutes With The Bible
THE TRUE BIBLE CHURCH By Cornelius R. Stam Many people have truly come to know Christ as Savior after having been sincere, religious "church members" for years. Though faithful supporters of some earthly church organization they had never experienced the truth of II Cor. 5:17: "If any man be in Christ he is a new creation." It is possible to be a member in good standing of some church organization, yet be outside of the one true Church of which the Bible speaks. This is because the true Bible Church is not an organiza- tion but a living organism, a spiritual body, with a living Head and living members. Again and again St. Paul, by divine inspiration, calls the Church, the Body of Christ. He says: "We being many, are one Body in Christ..." (Rom. 12:5). "Ye are the Body of Christ, and members in partic- ular" (I Cor. 12:27). "We are members of His Body" (Eph. 5:30). How do we become members of this true Bible Church, the Body of Christ? First, we must acknowledge ourselves to be sinners in God’s sight, for Ephesians 2 relates how Christ died for sinful men that He might "reconcile" them to God "in one Body" by the cross (Ver. 16). Thus, when believing sinners are reconciled to God by faith in Christ, they are regenerated, given a new life, by the Spirit, and by the Spirit are baptized into the Church, the Body of Christ. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5). "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body" (I Cor. 12:13). Every one of us should ask himself: "Have I been bap- tized by the Spirit into the Body of Christ?" If not, trust Christ as your Savior and become a member of the one true Bible Church. Then associate yourself with some local as- sembly where Christ is honored and the Bible taught, "rightly divided." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Title: GRACE REIGNS THROUGH RIGHTEOUSNESS Post by: Brother Love on December 10, 2004, 06:05:11 PM Two Minutes With The Bible
GRACE REIGNS THROUGH RIGHTEOUSNESS By Russell S. Miller In addition to those other passages in Paul’s epistles, where "Grace", "Faith", and "Righteousness" are found, The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews contains the following references to "Grace and Faith" as well as "Grace and Peace": "The THRONE of grace..." (Heb.4:16), so grace reigns. "The KING of righteousness..." (Heb.7:2). But you argue Christ is the Head of the Church, not King. However the reference is to the mysterious Melchisedec priesthood. Yet I Timothy 1:17 states that our Lord is "the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God...". While I Timothy 6:15 calls our Lord, "...the blessed and only Potentate...". Nevertheless, "grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom.5:21). "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" (Heb.9:12). "WHOM GOD HATH SET FORTH TO BE A PROPITIATION THROUGH FAITH IN HIS BLOOD, TO DECLARE HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS THAT ARE PAST, THROUGH THE FORBEARANCE OF GOD" (Rom.3:25). "...The SPIRIT of grace..." (Heb.10:29), in conjunction with "the Word of grace" (Acts 20:32), teaches us to "walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Col.1:10). "Now FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb.11:1). "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Rom.10:17). "...The GOD of peace..." (Heb.13:20). It is so comforting to know that our God is dispensing "grace" and "peace" today. This blessed theme is prevalent in all of Paul’s epistles, the theme that he and Timothy "preached every where in every church" (ICor.4:17). "GRACE be with you all..." (Heb.13:25). "Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ" (Gal.1:3). Indeed, while many find it difficult to believe the Epistles of Saint Paul, may you find comfort in knowing the wonderful and marvelous truth that "Grace and Peace" reign through His "Righteousness" today. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Title: IS GOD DEAD? Post by: Brother Love on December 10, 2004, 06:16:32 PM Two Minutes With The Bible
IS GOD DEAD? By Cornelius R. Stam "As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand..." (I Kings 18:15). Is God dead? According to the above passage He certainly was not dead to Elijah, who knew Him intimately as the living God. The prophet had used similar phraseology on a previous occasion when he had declared to the wicked King Ahab: "As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but ac- cording to my word" (1 Kings 17:1). Elijah’s prediction had come horribly true. For three years and six months there had been no rain nor even dew in Israel. Rivers and brooks were drying up. The land lay parched and cracked in the sun. There were no crops, nor any grazing land for the cattle and they had been dying like flies. The king himself had been brought down from his throne to search for a bit of green grass along the remaining streams "to save the horses and mules alive," lest they "lose all the beasts." The king’s humiliation had in turn enraged the haughty Queen Jezebel, so that she hated Elijah with a deep and bitter hatred. Indeed, so intensely was the prophet hated by Ahab him- self that the king had sent far and wide to find Elijah and had not given up until he had taken oaths from the heads of the surrounding nations that he was not to be found. It was under these circumstances that "the word of the Lord came to Elijah...saying, Go, show thyself unto Ahab..." (1 Kings 18:1). God was about to use the prophet to publicly expose the sham and impotence of Jezebel’s god Baal. As the prophet went to look for Ahab he met Obadiah, the governor of the king’s house, and said: "Go tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here" (1 Kings 18:8). Obadiah shuddered at these words and begged Elijah not to make him go. He knew the bitter hatred which the king harbored toward Elijah and he feared that while he went to convey the news the Spirit of God might take Elijah away to some other place. It was now, when it meant far more than it had meant three and a half years before, that Elijah replied: "As the Lord God of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself unto him today" (1 Kings 18:15). As we know, he kept his word. Is all this now changed? Some say yes, that God died in Christ at Calvary and is now dead! They also deny, of course, that Christ rose from the dead. But if this be true, then the story of Elijah is but a stirring memory and the Christian today is actually an ambassador, a representative of no one! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Title: THE FIRST BOOK TO READ Post by: Brother Love on December 11, 2004, 07:49:19 AM Two Minutes With The Bible
THE FIRST BOOK TO READ By Cornelius R. Stam In years gone by, when life was simpler, men had more time to ponder over the really important questions: What will become of me when I die? Is there a heaven -- and a hell? Can I know God? Will He forgive my sins? If so, on what basis? What must I do to be saved? The materialism, commercialism and technology of our day, however, have so complicated life that secondary prob- lems hinder many people from even considering at leisure that which is most important. Yet, despite all the hurry and anxiety, all the noise and distraction, there are troubled souls, hungering and thirst- ing for true satisfaction, for hearts cleansed from sin, for deliverance from the awful burden of a guilty conscience. Such people should read Paul’s Epistle to the Romans and meditate on its great message of salvation. In fact, this is the first book they ought to read. In Romans the inspired Apostle declares that "all have sinned" (3:23) and that "the wages of sin is death" (6:23). But this is not all. Romans also proclaims the good news that the Lord Jesus Christ "was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification" and that there- fore we may have "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (4:25; 5:1). More than this, Romans offers abundant grace to all who trust in Christ. "The law entered that the offence might abound, but where sin abounded grace did much more abound" (5:20,21). Thus believers are "justified freely by [God’s] grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (3:24) and "the [free] gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (6:23). We urge those who are not sure of salvation to read care- fully and prayerfully this great Epistle to the Romans. You may be thanking God for the rest of your earthly life -- and forever -- that you did. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Title: THIS IS FOR JESUS Post by: Brother Love on December 13, 2004, 01:17:00 PM Two Minutes With The Bible
THIS IS FOR JESUS By Cornelius R. Stam Visiting a young pastor and his family some time ago I observed a touching example of true Christian stewardship. It was nearly time to go to church, when the pastor’s wife reached for a small box containing a few coins and handed it to her little boy. The coins represented the boy’s earnings received for jobs done, good behavior, etc. Seriously the boy contemplated the contents of the box and took from it two dimes -- a substantial portion of the whole. Then looking up at me he said earnestly: "This is for Jesus." Several Scriptural lessons about Christian giving came to mind as we observed this simple incident. This little lad had already been taught the responsibility of participating systematically in supporting the work of the Lord (I Cor. 16:2). He gave "as he purposed in his heart"; no one suggested how much he ought to give (II Cor. 9:7). After thinking it over carefully, he gave sacrificially (II Cor. 8:7,9). He "proved the sincerity of his love" (II Cor. 8:8) for it was with sincere, childlike affection that he said: "This is for Jesus." Most of all, perhaps, his gift was a living demonstration of Paul’s exhortation in Rom. 12:8: "He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity." There was no fanfare, no boasting, no evidence of any feeling that he was doing a lot for the Lord; just an attitude of simple, humble satisfaction that he could join others in supporting the work of Christ. How much we, who have too often been hardened through the years, can learn from children! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Title: UNIONS OR UNITY? Post by: Brother Love on December 14, 2004, 04:05:43 PM Two Minutes With The Bible
UNIONS OR UNITY? By Cornelius R. Stam Here is a company of Bible-believing Christians joined together in, let us say, an evangelistic endeavor. All are trusting in the shed blood of Christ for salvation, though some are Baptists, some Presbyterians, some Episcopalians and some represent other denominations. Are all these believers one? Yes, in Christ, for "there is one body" (Eph. 4:4). What united them? The "one baptism" (Eph. 4:5) by which the Holy Spirit unites all believers to Christ and to each other: "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles..." (I Cor. 12:13). Yet these same believers, all trusting in the finished work of Christ for salvation, remain sadly divided as far as fellowship in the work of the Lord is concerned. They may have blessed fellowship in their evangelistic endeavor, but at its conclusion they go back to their mutually exclu- sive church organizations. The reason? Basically it is that they have confused "the gospel of the kingdom," proclaimed by Christ on earth and His twelve apostles, with "the gospel of the grace of God," proclaimed by the ascended, glorified Lord through the Apostle Paul (Acts 20:24; Eph. 3:1-3). Striving over baptismal modes and meanings, most of them still require their particular forms of baptism for entrance into their churches, while explaining at the same time that the ceremony has no saving value and that it is not required by God for entrance into the true Church. Can’t we stop being Presbyterians, Baptists and Meth- odists and just be Christians? Why should the Church of Christ remain divided and weak, when God says: "WE BEING MANY ARE ONE BODY IN CHRIST, AND EVERY ONE MEMBERS ONE OF ANOTHER" (Rom. 12:5). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Title: "JOINT-HEIRS, JOINT-BODY, JOINT-PARTAKERS" Post by: Brother Love on December 16, 2004, 01:43:50 PM Two Minutes With The Bible
"JOINT-HEIRS, JOINT-BODY, JOINT-PARTAKERS" By Russell S. Miller "That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel" (Eph.3:6). Bible prophecy has great things in store for those Gentiles of the future "kingdom of Heaven" on earth, but such a position as "joint-heirs, and of a joint-body, and joint-partakers" is foreign to the prophetic Word of God. Nevertheless such is the rendering of Darby’s New Translation; Bullinger’s foot-notes; and Englishman’s Greek New Testament. This is why Paul declares that "the Mystery" committed to his trust was "hid in God", "not made known", and "hid from ages and from generations" until it was first revealed to him by the glorified Lord Jesus Christ (Eph.3:1-9; Col.1:26; ICor. 9:17; Gal.1:11,12). "Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit" (Eph.3:5). In all that which the Lord Jesus Christ inherits of His Father, we have been made "JOINT-HEIRS WITH CHRIST" (Rom.8:17), and of His promise to Abraham we are "JOINT-PARTAKERS IN CHRIST" (Eph.3:6). But there is more, in that "one new man" of Ephesians 2:15, believing Jews and Gentiles are a "JOINT-BODY" in Christ today. And all this is a result of the gospel of the grace of God given to Paul. Thus, the Apostle produces his credentials "WHEREOF I AM MADE A MINISTER, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;"EVEN THE MYSTERY WHICH HATH BEEN HID FROM AGES AND FROM GENERATIONS, BUT NOW IS MADE MANIFEST TO HIS SAINTS" (Col.1:25,26). That’s right, Paul, that great architect of grace, is the minister of the Church, which is the Body of Christ. "AS A WISE MASTERBUILDER", he says, "I HAVE LAID THE FOUNDATION, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon" (ICor. 3:10). "...That in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, FOR A PATTERN TO THEM WHICH SHOULD HEREAFTER BELIEVE ON HIM TO LIFE EVERLASTING" (ITim.1:16). "And to make ALL MEN see what is THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE MYSTERY, which from THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD hath been HID IN GOD, who created all things by Jesus Christ" (Eph.3:9). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Title: THE WORKS OF THE FLESH vs. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT Post by: Brother Love on December 21, 2004, 04:35:55 AM Two Minutes With The Bible
THE WORKS OF THE FLESH vs. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT BY RUSSELL S. MILLER Adultery heads the list of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21, with fornication and uncleanness following second and third in succession. There is a world of sinners out there, unrestrained with unbridled lusts, to which the Lord sends His ambassadors with "the message of reconciliation" (IICor.5:14-21). "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revel-lings, and such like..." It was adultery that ruined King David, for when it came time for the king to go to war, he was on his rooftop: "And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon" (IISam.11:2). Did the Lord have this in mind when He said: "Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matt.5:28)? It is truly "from within, out of the heart of man, [that] proceed evil thoughts"; and "adulteries" are at the top of this list in Mark 7:21-23 also. Again, in Romans Six, the Apostle Paul speaks of the works of the flesh as unfruitful and leading to death: "What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death" (Rom.6:21). In Colossians, we read that these works of the flesh originate from within, and pointing to the Christ of Calvary’s cross, Paul says: "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, YET NOW HATH HE RECONCILED IN THE BODY OF HIS FLESH THROUGH DEATH, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight" (Col.1:21,22). Consequently, there is real "joy and peace in believing" (Rom.15:13) as God’s grace saves and transforms lives so that Christ may be seen, and not the works of the flesh. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law" (Gal. 5:22,23). It is only right that there are laws against the works of the flesh, but how could there be laws against the fruit of the Spirit? A striking contrast indeed! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Title: ETERNAL LIFE, THE GIFT OF GOD Post by: Brother Love on December 21, 2004, 04:38:17 AM Two Minutes With The Bible
ETERNAL LIFE, THE GIFT OF GOD BY RUSSELL S. MILLER Suppose I knew of a financial benefactor who was giving away one million dollars to every one that personally contacted him. I told my parents about this, and they collected their million; my sisters collected theirs, after I told them of course; and my brothers-in-law all received their generous portions. Of course I told my wife, and every one in her family, about it. All our relatives, friends, and many, many strangers contacted this gracious benefactor as per instructions, and received their million dollars. But I never told you! What would you think about my actions in this matter, if I had not told you about this wonderful gift? Would you not have a right to be very angry with me and wonder why you were left out? Now please do not think that I am angry with any one, for such thinking could not be farther from the truth. No, not at all. This is an illustration of what God seeks to convey to a lost and dying world. Only it’s not a mere million dollars, nor is it billions of dollars, that we are discussing here. It is a portrait of the love of Christ: "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom.5:8). The Lord does not promise earthly wealth, but He has promised "eternal life" to all who will believe on His Son, worth more than all the money in all the world: "FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH; BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD" (Rom.6:23). Yes, my dear friend, I trust that you also can now see how important, how really important, this gift is that God wants to give you! The Apostle Peter describes the gift of God as more valuable than the precious metals that men covet after. "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, AS SILVER AND GOLD, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; "But with THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (IPet.1:18,19). The Bible clearly teaches that we are all "sinners" (Rom.3:23), lost and dying, and in desperate need of the "Saviour" (Tit.1:4). Jesus Christ, of course, is our only Saviour. There is no other Saviour for mankind. If you miss Him, you will have missed everything! This is why the Apostle Paul declared that salvation can only be obtained by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: "Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph.2:8,9). "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" (Heb.9:12). This is also why the Apostle Paul exhorts us to trust Christ as our Saviour: "BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED..." (Acts 16:31). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com Title: "ENTERING INTO HIS REST" Post by: Brother Love on December 21, 2004, 04:41:02 AM Two Minutes With The Bible
"ENTERING INTO HIS REST" BY RUSSELL S. MILLER "GOD rested the seventh day from all His works" (Heb.4:4), a reference to the six days of creation as recorded in Genesis 1:1-2:2, and an exhortation that you cease your works and REST in the power of Almighty God. But Moses himself, through unbelief, failed to enter, and rest, in the land of promise (Heb.4:6; Nu.20:7-13; Deut.34:1-8). Since he had already "smitten" the rock once (Ex.17:1-7), the Lord now instructed him to "speak" (Nu.20:8) to the rock, for the "Rock" smitten once typifies Christ’s death on Calvary (ICor.10:4; Heb.10:10-14). A "word" humbly "spoken" in the wilderness (Ex.17:1-7) would bring forth the water of life freely, but Moses "smote the rock", not once, but "twice" (Nu.20:11). His anger with Israel, "ye rebels", revealed his unbelief also, for Christ was not to be "smitten twice" (Nu.20:8). Nevertheless in John 4:14 we see the "water" that Christ gives is a "well of water springing up into everlasting life". Under the leadership of Moses and Joshua, it is apparent that though Israel entered Canaan, they failed to enter His rest. "And they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief" (Heb.4:6). Even David and his valiant men could not bring Israel into His rest because of unbelief (Heb.4:7). "For if [Joshua] had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day" (4:8). From David unto Christ, Israel would not enter into His rest, "although the works were finished from the foundation of the world" (Heb.4:3; Rev.13:8), a reference to the "forbearance" of God as Paul declares in Romans 3:25,26. "Jesus", Hebrews 4:8 in our KJV, refers not only to Joshua, but He whom Joshua typified, our Lord Jesus Christ. Under His Divine Leadership Israel rejected the Millennial Rest of His glorious reign (Luke 19:14). See also Romans 10:3,4. But there remains "a rest" to all those who will place their faith and trust in our "Great High Priest...JESUS the Son of God" (Heb.4:14-16). "FOR HE THAT IS ENTERED INTO HIS REST, HE ALSO HATH CEASED FROM HIS OWN WORKS, AS GOD DID FROM HIS" (Heb.4:10). Again in Romans, Abraham is God’s great example of faith: "For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; BUT NOT BEFORE GOD. "For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and...HIS FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Rom.4:2-8). Isn’t it about time that you also ceased from your so-called "good works". Trust the Lord Jesus Christ alone as your Saviour for salvation, and His finished work on Calvary’s cross, and enter into His rest, by grace through faith? "IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE" (Eph.1:7). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Title: "DOUBTING THOMAS" Post by: Brother Love on December 21, 2004, 04:46:23 AM Two Minutes With The Bible
"DOUBTING THOMAS" BY RUSSELL S. MILLER "Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe" (John 20:25). A lot of people today are like "doubting Thomas", they just won’t believe. You hand them a gospel tract, with a pleasant word of testimony, and they turn a deaf ear, rejecting the only blessed Saviour, Jesus Christ: "IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE" (Eph.1:7). But Thomas gave himself an "out". He wanted to see the evidence of Christ’s resurrection. Melancholy, yes, Thomas was melancholy, but death is very permanent, and except for the miracle working Christ some 2000 years ago NO ONE comes back from the dead. Even though Thomas witnessed his Lord raise Lazarus from the dead he was skeptical about Christ’s resurrection. That the Invincible One had been overcome and conquered by death was the thought upon the minds of them all. Thomas, and all the apostles, those disciples too, together with the Jews, and the Gentiles, SAW that Christ was dead. And Thomas was not with the other disciples when, on the third day, our Lord Jesus Christ arose from the dead. Now "after eight days" had passed the Lord appeared again to His disciples, and fortunately Thomas was with them this time or he may never have seen the Lord, and Christ said unto them: "Peace be unto you" (John 20:26). The Record of Scripture indicates that Thomas had spoken the words of John 20:25 in unbelief. Our Lord’s sudden presence with them was the surprise of his life. It was Thomas’ time to see the Lord, and to his utter delight, he heard Him say: "Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not faithless, but believing" (Ver.27). "And Thomas answered and said unto Him, MY LORD AND MY GOD" (Ver.28). There was no doubt in his mind now that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead, nor were any of the others doubtful about the mighty power of God to save. "Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed" (John 20:24-29). Those who find the most for which to criticize "Thomas", when presented with the evidence, and the truth of God’s Word "rightly divided", often find it convenient to reject "The Light" (IICor.4:6), and cling to old errors. My friend, this is where you and I come in, and the Apostle of the Gentiles, for in Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, he writes of our resurrected Christ: "WHO WAS DELIVERED FOR OUR OFFENCES, AND WAS RAISED AGAIN FOR OUR JUSTIFICATION" (Rom.4:25). "THEREFORE BEING JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST" (Rom.5:1). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Title: DOES GOD INTERVENE IN THE AFFAIRS OF MEN TODAY? Post by: Brother Love on December 21, 2004, 04:49:21 AM Two Minutes With The Bible
DOES GOD INTERVENE IN THE AFFAIRS OF MEN TODAY? BY RUSSELL S. MILLER There is a teaching these days, that the Lord does not answer the prayers of His saints; that He is not interested, nor does He care about His people today, nor what they do. Since this age of grace is a timeless, signless age, it is argued that God does not intervene in the affairs of men today. It is, of course, quite true that as far as tongues, signs, and miracles are concerned God has laid aside the Faith Healer in favor of dispensing "grace" through "faith" in this dispensation. But to say that God does not intervene today is in grave error. The Apostle Paul, and those who have followed his ministry down through the centuries, would tell you that God is very much alive today, and that He is still on His throne. God is looking for "faithful" men and women to equip for the ministry (ICor.4:1,2). Men whose one desire is to know the truth, and to make it known. Men who will not be drawn away by false doctrine, but who will point the saved, and unsaved alike, to the Scriptures, and the heavenly ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ as revealed in the Pauline epistles. "And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ" (Eph.3:9). But this error, that the Lord has set the age of grace in motion, only to take His hand away, allowing us to drift without any moorings (Heb.6:19), is unthinkable of God. THAT THE CONVERSION OF SAUL OF TARSUS was an unexpected event in history as far as prophecy was concerned is obvious (Acts 9:1-6). It certainly took Paul by surprise. And the devil has not yet gotten over the shock of it. But what is most important about Paul’s encounter with Christ is the fact that for 2000 years now, the Gospel of Grace has shined brightly in this dark world. In short, this is the greatest intervention of God into the affairs of men to date, when He physically appeared to Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus (Acts 22:6-11). A surprise of grace that even the Prophets had not predicted (Col.1:26). Beloved, God intervenes in the affairs of men every time a sinner trusts Christ as his Saviour. Every time the Gospel is preached God intervenes to "edify" His saints; to save men and women, boys and girls, from sin’s degradation—from a Christless eternity, and conform lives to the image of His Son (Rom.8:29; 12:1,2; Eph.1:18; Phil.3:10). And, by faith alone, to delivers us from this present evil world-system (Gal.1:4). Question: Are you ready for the next event in God’s "mysterious" program, the "catching away" of His Church? "And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, [who] delivers us from the wrath to come" (IThes.1:10). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe at: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/twominut.html Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam Mailing Address: Berean Bible Society N112 W17761 Mequon Road P.O. Box 756 Germantown, WI 53022 Web Site: http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings Email: berean@execpc.com 2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. |