Blog Archives

What More Could He have Done?

3/27/2012

We are entering into the Easter season once again, and with that comes a reminder of all that our blessed Lord did for us. Clearly the Bible teaches that all are born in sin, separated from God. He has demanded that all who enter His presence possess the righteousness that He possesses. Within ourselves that is impossible! We could live the best moral life a person could live; we could spend our lives doing good deeds and serving others; we could attend church every time the doors were open, memorize the Bible from cover to cover, pray every moment of every day, and we would still fall miserably short of the righteousness that God demands. The fact is man could never get to God on his own. We do not possess the ability to obtain that which God requires. So what are we to do?

As we consider that question, we must consider what our Lord has already done. Long before God ever created Adam in the Garden of Eden, He knew Adam would sin. God knew that all humanity would inherit that sin nature. He knew that sin would cause separation and prevent us from fellowship with Him. But there is no need to despair. God knew all of that prior to creation and He made provision for humanity before He breathed the breath of life into Adam. Before the foundation of the world, the plan was set in place for Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, to come to this earth, robed in flesh, and offer Himself the atoning sacrifice for the sins of humanity. (Isn't that amazing? Before the problem of sin was ever an issue, God already had a solution!)

Just as God had planned, the appointed time came for Jesus to make the transition from heaven to earth. He was born of a virgin womb, lived life as a servant to men, free of sin and guilt, being obedient to death, the death of the cross. He gave His life a ransom for you, for me, for all humanity. Christ once and for all satisfied the righteous demands of holy God. Through the shed blood of Jesus there is hope for all who believe. We have the opportunity to be cleansed of sin and reconciled to God.

As I consider all that Jesus did on our behalf, I stand amazed. He willingly gave Himself so that we might inherit eternal life. God the Father gave His only begotten Son so that we might be reconciled to Him.

2 Cor. 5:21
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

What more could He have done on our behalf? There was nothing else to give! In all of heaven and earth, there was nothing more worthy than the Son. God can't do anymore than He has already done to secure our redemption. He has already done enough! As we approach the Easter season, I trust you know the Lord in salvation. I pray that you realize salvation is not something we do, but it is something that is already done. If you can't see that God loves you, I don't know what more He could do to reveal His great love. He loved each of us so much that He gave His Son to die for our sin. Jesus became our substitute as He bore our sin and received the judgment of God for sin in His body. You are loved! Provision was made for your salvation on the cross of Calvary. What more could He have done?

Preacher Chris

Wilt Thou not Revive us Again?

3/22/2012

Psalm 85:6
Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?

We are in the midst of what is commonly referred to as revival season or "meeting time." For those churches who still hold services known as "revival", many of them do so in the spring and fall of each year. As I meet and talk with other pastors I am finding more and more who have abandoned the practice of a series of services in order to seek revival.

As I considered the tragedy associated with that, I had to stop and question why many have given up on the practice. I suppose, in one regard at least, they may have reached a proper conclusion. Of those who no longer engage in "revival" services, most attribute their abandonment to a lack of interest and genuine revival. We would all have to agree that we are in desperate need of revival in America, but it seems as if we continue to pursue revival with the same results.

As we stop to consider genuine revival and the lack thereof, we must take a moment to consider our pursuit. As I said, we continually "pursue" revival, but we never seem to achieve the result we desire. May I suggest that our pursuit is likely much of the problem. We have come to the place that revival has been reduced to a series of meetings where we come together for a set number of services, with little personal preparation on our part, and expect the Lord to show up and do something marvelous in our lives. The problem is that most view revival as an activity more than an attitude. We can be as busy as we like, and even attend "revival" services on a regular basis, but until we determine in our hearts that we genuinely desire God to move in our midst and transform our lives, we will continue to be busy with no real change or lasting results.

Now, don't misunderstand what I am saying. I for one still believe in having a series of meetings in order to stir our hearts and draw nigh unto the Lord. If we are to experience real revival, attending the house of God and hearing the Word of God is the best place for that to happen. However, if we are to experience genuine revival, we must develop a hunger for the things of God. It will come through an attitude more than our activity. We must be willing to admit where we are with the Lord, confess our sin, genuinely repent of sin (literally turning from sin and forsaking it all together) and seek the Lord with a sincere heart. We could hold "revival" services every night of the week for months on end and it would profit little unless we are willing to develop a heart for revival.

Many today have given up on revival in America. Many say that we will never experience revival again. I suppose that may be true, unless, God's people seek Him with a proper attitude that creates a genuine desire for revival. God has not changed. He is the same God who blessed former generations with revival and I know that He would send it our day as well. The question is not whether revival is possible, but how much do we really desire revival? If America is to experience revival again, it must begin with the children of God. The church must get revived in order for real change to come to our individual lives, our churches, communities, and even our nation as a whole.

Do you desire revival? Would you like to have a closer walk with the Lord? Do you desire the presence of God to be so real in our midst that souls would be saved? If so there must be conviction to draw them to the Lord. The church has lost her power and we no longer experience real conviction in our services. Genuine revival would restore much of what we've lost. I pray that we will experience real revival and that it would begin with me!

Preacher Chris

School is Going Well...

3/19/2012

I had mentioned in a previous post that I had enrolled at Andersonville Theological Seminary in pursuit of my doctorate of ministry degree. So far everything has went well. I completed my first course on Pre-marital counseling, which was a great help to me as a pastor.

I am currently working on my second course of study: The Doctrine of Christ. If all goes well today, I hope to finish listening to the lectures for the study and complete my test. Hopefully I will be able to write the paper that is required along with the exam and complete this course sometime this week. Next up will be an in depth study of the Epistles of John and Jude. I am looking forward to getting started on that study because I know it will be very insightful and helpful in ministry.

I just wanted to drop by and give everyone an update. I suppose I had better get started listening to the lectures so I can finish up. I will share more as I go along. Have a blessed day and seek to tell someone about Jesus!

Preacher Chris

Rising Above Average

3/13/2012

Webster defines the adjective "average" as being about midway between extremes: not out of the ordinary: common. As a man I used to pastor put it, "Not being any closer to the top than you are to the bottom." Sadly, I believe that is a fair and accurate description of the "average" Christian, as well as the "average" church. (I suppose if there is one thing we can claim, it would be the fact that we are living up to our name and recognition.)

I don't know how you see it from your point of view, but I am convinced that most Christians and churches are average. We are about midway between the two extremes. We are not sold out to the Lord, completely committed to the relationship that He desires, nor are we so cold that we have no desire for Him. We are just ordinary and common. Most Christians and churches in our modern society are very much the same when you remove the facade that we so desperately try to uphold. We are simply no closer to the top than we are the bottom. We have developed a "take it or leave it" attitude when it comes to the things of God. We are "average" in our attendance, in our zeal, in our commitment, and even in our service. I think it would be safe to say that we are pretty "average" in every aspect of Christian life in general.

As you read this you might agree with what I have said and even wondering what is so bad about "average." After all, if we are looking at a scale of 1 to 10, most would be about a 5. You could actually argue that you are at least doing better than somewhere close to 50% of the rest. To that I would have to agree, but we must take the time to consider things from a biblical perspective. We are foolish to assume that Christ is even remotely pleased with "average." In fact, "average" makes our Lord sick! Consider what He said to the church in Laodicea:

Rev. 3:14-16
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; [15] I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. [16] So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Clearly Laodicea was an "average" church. They were not hot, but they weren't cold either. They were somewhere comforatably in the middle. Jesus described them as "lukewarm."He declares that He wished they were either cold or hot, but since they were lukewarm, He would spue them out of His mouth. That reveals a disdain for that which has been tasted.

The danger of being "average" is that you are comforatble and see no need to improve. If we were cold in our relationship with Christ, we would likely be uncomfortable. I fear that most today are merely lukewarm or "average."

Being average is certainly easier than being on fire for the Lord. There are fewer commitments and expectations. My pastor has said many times, "Any old dead fish can float downstream, but it takes one with some life in him to go against the current." I pray that God will convict our hearts and move us from our complacency and ease of settling for "average." Aren't you glad that Jesus wasn't an average man. Aren't you glad that He didn't have an average desire or commitment. If He had been average, we would yet be in our sin. We don't serve an "average" Savior and He deserves more than "average" from us!

By the help of the Lord I hope to preach on "Rising Above Average" on Sunday morning. I want Fellowship to rise above average and be fruitful for the Lord!

Preacher Chris

Watch Ye Therefore:

3/8/2012

I was reading today in Mark 13, a passage commonly known as the Olivet Discourse. It is here that Jesus speaks extensively about His second coming. This is a parallel passage to Matthew 24-25. The events that Jesus speak of will transpire at the end of this age, when He comes again to the earth to establish His kingdom to rule and reign for one thousand years upon the earth.

I am convinced that the Bible clearly teaches that the church, those who are born again, will be raptured (taken out of this world) prior to the Great Tribulation and the Second Coming. I do not plan to be here for that which Jesus speaks of in this passage, but it does offer great insight for our current generation. As we look at all that Jesus said in the Olivet Discourse, one would have to conclude that we are nearing that day. I am interested in the closing verses of Mark 13. They have a profound application for us even today.

Mark 13:34-37
For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. [35] Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: [36] Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. [37] And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Clearly the Lord reveals that He would leave this earth and take a far journey, which He did as He ascended back to the Father after His glorious resurrection. He left His house (the church) and gave authority to His servants, and every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. That thought is what spoke profoundly to me. We have been left with the care of the church. We have been left with a work to do. We are commanded to be watching and earnestly expecting His coming.

Isn't that a humbling thought. We have been entrusted with a work that was so important to our Lord that He was willing to die upon the cross of Calvary. He came to offer Himself the perfect, atoning sacrifice for sin so that humanity might have the opportunity of salvation. As He left, He instructed the disciples with the Great Commission. We have been left with the responsibility to share the gospel and, through His help and guidance, maintain the church. We are expected to keep the house in order so that at his coming He would be pleased with the state of affairs within the church.

I fear that many are sleeping on the job. We need to wake out of sleep and get busy with the work we've been left to accomplish. I have no reason to doubt that He could come for the church at any moment. Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. There is a work to do, but are we fulfilling all that our Lord expects of us? If He were to come today, what would He have to say to us? Would He be pleased with our efforts? Have we honestly done all that we should? Are we genuinely living each day with full expectation of His coming?

We have been given the glorious privilege of serving the Lord and representing Him in our generation. It is an honor to be able to serve the Lord. I have to pause and wonder though if we are the ambassadors we should be. If all the world knew of Jesus is what they saw of Him in me, how much would they actually know of Him? Is there anything in my life that would reflect the Lord in such a way that the world would desire to know Him? I have been left with a work to do, and if you are a child of God, you have as well. I want to be found faithful and busy when the Lord calls for me. I pray that the church will wake from sleep and sense the urgency of our day. It is time for us to diligently labor for our Lord and seek to reach others while there is still time. This life is brief and we must work while it is day! I really can't comprehend eternity, but I know that it will be a long, long time. Each of us will spend that eternity somewhere. Church, let's commit to reaching the lost and dying so they too will have the privilege of eternity in heaven!

Preacher Chris

The Realities of Life

3/7/2012

We have been in the midst of an Evangelism Conference this week at Fellowship. Brother Marty Dupree challenged us on Sunday in regard to being a consistent witness for the Lord through lifestyle evangelism. Each day presents opportunities. Any time that we encounter someone, we find an opportunity to be a witness for the Lord. Take just a moment to consider all the people that you will encounter on any given day and throughout any given week. Statistics reveals that over 60% of the population do not attend church on a regular basis, if at all. We are surrounded by lost people that need to hear of the love and provision of Jesus Christ our Lord. He is their only hope for forgiveness of sin and reconciliation to God. Apart from a personal relationship with Christ, they will find themselves in eternal torment in hell.

This truth was greatly emphasized again in our service last night. Dr. Billy Blakey preached on The Realities of Life. (I borrowed his title for this post and want to share his thoughts.) We are all accustomed to reality shows on TV. A large portion of television is devoted to what is promoted as reality. Now, to some degree we will have to admit that there is a measure of reality in some of those productions, but at best they are temporal. The show will have to develop new ways to keep viewers or their reality will become a thing of the past.

There is a greater reality than that which we view of TV, the reality of our lives. Sadly, many believe that once this life is over, it is all finished. That is certainly not what the Bible teaches. There is an eternal state that is more a reality than the life we currently live. This life is fleeting and everchanging, but eternity will never end. The destination we find ourselves in when this life is over will never change. Once we pass through the gates of death, our eternity is forever sealed.

Dr. Blakely preached from Luke 16:19-31, the familiar passage that deals with the rich man and Lazarus. Allow me to take a moment to share his main points.

I. The Reality of Life and Death - Both men lived and both men died.

II. The Reality of Life after Death - After these men died, they were found in a new and eternal location. Lazarus was taken by the angels into Abraham's bosom. He enjoyed the blessedness of paradise. The rich man died and was buried; And in hell he lift (a continual action) up his eyes being in torments. Death was not the end for either of these men and it won't be for us either.

III. The Reality of Life instead of Death - Clearly we see the opportunity for eternal life instead of eternal death and separation. Christ died that all might be saved. He is the way to eternal life, but we must come to Him in salvation. There will not be any in heaven who are unsaved, and there won't be any missing that were saved.

I am confident in my salvation. I may not know much, but I know I am saved. However, I am reminded of those around me each day who are not ready to meet the Lord should he call for them today. Those who die without Christ will find themselves in hell, sharing a Christless eternity separated from the presence of God and in torment. I don't know about you, but that put things in their proper perspective for me. I need to do all I can to reach them before it is eternally too late.

Life and death are a reality for every man. With the exception of Enoch and Elijah, all who live will face death until the Lord comes for the church. Right now the death rate for humanity is 100%. That is the reality of life; it will not last forever. We must be prepared to meet God when this life is through. I pray that the church will be stirred from her complacency and seek to reach the lost and perishing!

Preacher Chris

I am Chris Benfield, pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church in Boonville, NC. Here you will find some of my thoughts, particularly relating to the church and serving our Lord.