Last Friday I was in a thrift store in Ocean Springs, MS with some friends. As usual, I decided to glance through the section of used books. I happened to notice a copy of the French Bible. I do not speak much French but I like languages and, since it was only $1, I bought it.
As I held this little Bible in my hands I was once again overwhelmed with thankfulness for God's word. I am thankful that God has chosen to communicate with mankind in such a detailed, intimate way. I am thankful for the many copies of the Bible I have in my home in several different versions. And I'm thankful that the Bible is available to so many people in their own unique languages.
I think about the task of Bible translators. As someone who works with languages I understand how difficult the task can be. I work mainly with Spanish speakers and they have had the Bible in their own language since before the King James was translated into English. But what about those who work with Eskimos, Native Americans or Native African tribes? Isn't is just as important that they have the word of God available to them.
I am thankful that someone chose to translate the Bible into English so that I can understand it. But I don't want to be selfish. I want to support those who are working tirelessly to bring the precious, life-giving word of God to every man, woman, boy and girl around the world. If you are going to give a gift, why not give the word of God? The next time you are in the Christian book store buy one of those Bible that are being sent to a soldier or an orphanage. You won't miss the five dollars it will cost you and the rewards are eternal.
There is an organization called "Faith comes by hearing" that has put the Bible into audio format for many of the world's languages. The audio is available on a radio -like device called a proclaimer. The proclaimer can be charged by electricity, solar power, or crank. It is loud enough to be used in group Bible study for people who can't read which is common in poorer countries. A proclaimer can be bought for $100 and will bring the word of God to an entire village.
At the risk of sounding like a commercial, I am personally making a commitment to help bring the word of God to more people. For the price of a 20 oz Coke a day I can buy 6 proclaimers a year? Can we do our best to spread the word of God? Whether it be buying a cheap copy of the scripture and sending it to someone in jail or supporting a Bible translation society, the possibilities are endless. Will you join me? The effort may be small but the rewards are eternal.
In Christ's Service,
Sullivan Jones
6/5/13
6/4/13
The Broken Window
Romans 5:6 - For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Imagine with me that two boys are throwing a football in a parking lot crowded with cars. They have been told not to throw the ball around vehicles but boys will be boys. Then a dreaded thing happens. One of the boys hits the rear window of a brand new Lamborghini and the window shatters. The boys are frightened. They know they have been disobedient. What will they do now? Will they run, hide and pretend they don't know what happened to the window? Uh oh, it's too late. Someone has seen them and he is sure to tell Dad.
What does Dad do when he finds out? Does he disown his sons because they broke a window? Of course not. They are still his sons. He will have to pay for the window. He may make his sons work to pay him back, not because he needs the money, but to teach them responsibility. In the end they are still his sons. In time all will be forgiven and most likely forgotten.
Now think back with me to the beginning of human existence. God put two of his children in a garden. They were told not to eat from a certain tree. We know what happened; they ate from it anyway. God saw it. They were punished.
Banned from the garden.
Condemned to a life of weary, back-breaking labor.
But they were not disowned or forgotten ...
He covered their shame with skins. They were no longer in innocence but they were spared the humility and disgrace of forever going naked. They were punished but they were still God's children. And last, but not least, God sent them a promise. He would send a future savior to crush the head of the serpent. They had hope that they would not always be under the curse. (Genesis 3:15)
There are many who have a faulty misconception of God's anger. They don't understand how a loving God could punish anyone. Why would a God of compassion and mercy send anyone to hell? The answer is simple. God in his very essence is Holy. No sin can enter his presence. The existence of rebellion separates us from God, not by his choice, but of necessity. His holiness demands judgment on sin. If we were to stay in his unguarded presence with sin in our lives we would be destroyed. His mercy separates us from him.
But thankfully, like the boys and the broken window, we are not disowned because of sin. He has the means to fix our mistakes. This time it is more severe than a broken window. Adam and Eve broke the sacred law of God that says, if we sin we die. There is no going around it. It can not be undone. It is the law.
For this reason God robed himself in flesh, came to earth, and died for us. He was in effect paying for the broken window. The debt was so high we could not pay it. But he could. He paid the ultimate price with his life to cover our sins. If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive them. He can and wants to fix the broken place in our lives. But we must stop making excuses. We must not blame others. We must admit, yes I did it. I played ball in the parking lot when I was told not to. But God, you are still my Dad and I know you can fix it. I trust you too. Please help.
And he will. This is the very meaning of salvation, that Dad can fix it. Just ask, He is always glad to help.
Thoughtfully Yours,
Sullivan Jones
Imagine with me that two boys are throwing a football in a parking lot crowded with cars. They have been told not to throw the ball around vehicles but boys will be boys. Then a dreaded thing happens. One of the boys hits the rear window of a brand new Lamborghini and the window shatters. The boys are frightened. They know they have been disobedient. What will they do now? Will they run, hide and pretend they don't know what happened to the window? Uh oh, it's too late. Someone has seen them and he is sure to tell Dad.
What does Dad do when he finds out? Does he disown his sons because they broke a window? Of course not. They are still his sons. He will have to pay for the window. He may make his sons work to pay him back, not because he needs the money, but to teach them responsibility. In the end they are still his sons. In time all will be forgiven and most likely forgotten.
Now think back with me to the beginning of human existence. God put two of his children in a garden. They were told not to eat from a certain tree. We know what happened; they ate from it anyway. God saw it. They were punished.
Banned from the garden.
Condemned to a life of weary, back-breaking labor.
But they were not disowned or forgotten ...
He covered their shame with skins. They were no longer in innocence but they were spared the humility and disgrace of forever going naked. They were punished but they were still God's children. And last, but not least, God sent them a promise. He would send a future savior to crush the head of the serpent. They had hope that they would not always be under the curse. (Genesis 3:15)
There are many who have a faulty misconception of God's anger. They don't understand how a loving God could punish anyone. Why would a God of compassion and mercy send anyone to hell? The answer is simple. God in his very essence is Holy. No sin can enter his presence. The existence of rebellion separates us from God, not by his choice, but of necessity. His holiness demands judgment on sin. If we were to stay in his unguarded presence with sin in our lives we would be destroyed. His mercy separates us from him.
But thankfully, like the boys and the broken window, we are not disowned because of sin. He has the means to fix our mistakes. This time it is more severe than a broken window. Adam and Eve broke the sacred law of God that says, if we sin we die. There is no going around it. It can not be undone. It is the law.
For this reason God robed himself in flesh, came to earth, and died for us. He was in effect paying for the broken window. The debt was so high we could not pay it. But he could. He paid the ultimate price with his life to cover our sins. If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive them. He can and wants to fix the broken place in our lives. But we must stop making excuses. We must not blame others. We must admit, yes I did it. I played ball in the parking lot when I was told not to. But God, you are still my Dad and I know you can fix it. I trust you too. Please help.
And he will. This is the very meaning of salvation, that Dad can fix it. Just ask, He is always glad to help.
Thoughtfully Yours,
Sullivan Jones
5/29/13
What's in a name
One meets interesting people while traveling. A gentlemen I met on a cross country bus trip in Honduras made me think twice about how I identify myself as far as religion goes.
In Central America the buses are prone to stop at every little village for people to get on and off. At these stops vendors usually get on and try to sell their wares. I was coming back to the city from a weekend preaching trip when I had an interesting encounter with a young doctor. A lady got on selling her goods at one of the many nameless bus stops along the highway. She had some things I didn't recognize and I asked what they were in my limited Spanish. I had only been in the country a few weeks at this time. A man across from me answered in excellent English and told me what they were called. He then surprised by asking, rather abruptly,where I was from. I told him that I was from the States. His next question was even more startling. "What are you doing here."
I was caught a bit off guard but I realized he was just interested and not being offensive. I told him I was doing mission work and he asked what church I was with. When I replied that I was with the United Pentecostal Church he said, "Oh, you are catholic." When I told him I wasn't catholic he was confused. "Pentecostés", he replied. "Isn't that catholic?" I tried to explain to him that I wasn't Catholic but he just looked more confused.
The reason for the confusion is the terminology. According to the New Testament, the original Christian church was started on the day of Pentecost. The Roman Catholic church insists that it is the original church that can trace its origins all the way to New Testament times. Thus they teach that they are the Pentecostal church or the church that was started at Pentecost.
I believe history shows otherwise, however. Oneness Apostolics such as myself (those who baptize in Jesus name) believe and teach that we are the original church. We believe that the original message of repentance, water baptism, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit that we preach today is the same as what Peter preached in Acts chapter 2. There have been pockets of people all through the centuries that believed, taught, and practiced this same message. They have at different times been called primitive Baptists, Anabaptists, Holiness, and more times than not, heretics or even witches. They have always self-identified with the name of Jesus, especially in baptism.
When It tried explaining this to my new friend he didn't really want to discuss it so I was cordial and allowed him to change the subject. We visited through the rest of the bus ride and ate lunch together when the bus stopped halfway of our journey. It proved to be interesting. I learned that he was an intern at the University Hospital in the capital and had been raised in English speaking schools, thus the good English. He was a pleasant conversationalist and I enjoyed the time though I regretted that he wasn't open to the gospel. I did leave the conversation with more of an understanding about the religious mindset of the local people and even of people in general.
I learned that day that tradition is a hard thing to break. It doesn't matter how much it goes against history, science or logic; what mama and daddy taught will always be truth to most people. I also learned that terms can be misleading. In the southern United States Pentecostal is a denomination. It refers to a group of people who believe in loud worship, conservative Christian values, and most of all, speaking in tongues. Outside of the Bible belt the terms Christian and Catholic are usually synonymous. Thus any reference to Pentecost would be either Jewish or Catholic.
Since that day my thoughts about denominational titles are much different Some of my grandmother's family identified themselves as primitive Baptists yet they spoke in tongues and baptized in Jesus name. In the 20th century most people who spoke in tongues called themselves Pentecostal. The name we choose to call ourselves is not as important as the message we preach and the lifestyle we live. The only name that really matters is the name of Jesus Christ. It is the name of the one who died for our sins. According to Acts 4:12 it is the only name by which we can be saved. It is the only worthy name. It is the name of God himself.
If you haven't been baptized in the lovely name of Jesus you are missing out. Won't you join me today in taking on his name in baptism. It is a privilege like none other. There is no greater experience. To take on his name means to take on his power, his virtue, and his glory. It also can mean to take on his suffering and shame. But who better to identify with than the Son of God himself. If I have to suffer I'd rather suffer for his name and in his name than without his name. In the words of the old song, I choose to be a Christian. It is the name I choose to identify with in life, in baptism, in doctrine, in death and in my hope of the future resurrection. Oh, how I love the name of Jesus, it is the sweetest name I know. Long live that name! All hail king Jesus!
In Jesus name,
Sullivan Jones
In Central America the buses are prone to stop at every little village for people to get on and off. At these stops vendors usually get on and try to sell their wares. I was coming back to the city from a weekend preaching trip when I had an interesting encounter with a young doctor. A lady got on selling her goods at one of the many nameless bus stops along the highway. She had some things I didn't recognize and I asked what they were in my limited Spanish. I had only been in the country a few weeks at this time. A man across from me answered in excellent English and told me what they were called. He then surprised by asking, rather abruptly,where I was from. I told him that I was from the States. His next question was even more startling. "What are you doing here."
I was caught a bit off guard but I realized he was just interested and not being offensive. I told him I was doing mission work and he asked what church I was with. When I replied that I was with the United Pentecostal Church he said, "Oh, you are catholic." When I told him I wasn't catholic he was confused. "Pentecostés", he replied. "Isn't that catholic?" I tried to explain to him that I wasn't Catholic but he just looked more confused.
The reason for the confusion is the terminology. According to the New Testament, the original Christian church was started on the day of Pentecost. The Roman Catholic church insists that it is the original church that can trace its origins all the way to New Testament times. Thus they teach that they are the Pentecostal church or the church that was started at Pentecost.
I believe history shows otherwise, however. Oneness Apostolics such as myself (those who baptize in Jesus name) believe and teach that we are the original church. We believe that the original message of repentance, water baptism, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit that we preach today is the same as what Peter preached in Acts chapter 2. There have been pockets of people all through the centuries that believed, taught, and practiced this same message. They have at different times been called primitive Baptists, Anabaptists, Holiness, and more times than not, heretics or even witches. They have always self-identified with the name of Jesus, especially in baptism.
When It tried explaining this to my new friend he didn't really want to discuss it so I was cordial and allowed him to change the subject. We visited through the rest of the bus ride and ate lunch together when the bus stopped halfway of our journey. It proved to be interesting. I learned that he was an intern at the University Hospital in the capital and had been raised in English speaking schools, thus the good English. He was a pleasant conversationalist and I enjoyed the time though I regretted that he wasn't open to the gospel. I did leave the conversation with more of an understanding about the religious mindset of the local people and even of people in general.
I learned that day that tradition is a hard thing to break. It doesn't matter how much it goes against history, science or logic; what mama and daddy taught will always be truth to most people. I also learned that terms can be misleading. In the southern United States Pentecostal is a denomination. It refers to a group of people who believe in loud worship, conservative Christian values, and most of all, speaking in tongues. Outside of the Bible belt the terms Christian and Catholic are usually synonymous. Thus any reference to Pentecost would be either Jewish or Catholic.
Since that day my thoughts about denominational titles are much different Some of my grandmother's family identified themselves as primitive Baptists yet they spoke in tongues and baptized in Jesus name. In the 20th century most people who spoke in tongues called themselves Pentecostal. The name we choose to call ourselves is not as important as the message we preach and the lifestyle we live. The only name that really matters is the name of Jesus Christ. It is the name of the one who died for our sins. According to Acts 4:12 it is the only name by which we can be saved. It is the only worthy name. It is the name of God himself.
If you haven't been baptized in the lovely name of Jesus you are missing out. Won't you join me today in taking on his name in baptism. It is a privilege like none other. There is no greater experience. To take on his name means to take on his power, his virtue, and his glory. It also can mean to take on his suffering and shame. But who better to identify with than the Son of God himself. If I have to suffer I'd rather suffer for his name and in his name than without his name. In the words of the old song, I choose to be a Christian. It is the name I choose to identify with in life, in baptism, in doctrine, in death and in my hope of the future resurrection. Oh, how I love the name of Jesus, it is the sweetest name I know. Long live that name! All hail king Jesus!
In Jesus name,
Sullivan Jones
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