Devotionals
Excerpt
Preface
The purpose of this book is given not only as a tribute to a man who greatly influenced my life, but as a tool for ministers, laity and the general public alike in the understanding of God and his Church. It provides a point of reference for discussion on the Bible by the believer and the unchurched, since the central theme is about relationships. Many pertinent issues are expressed through the quotations, comments and scriptural references of this book.
As a youth raised up in the church, I’ve sat and listened to numerous sermons taught by Bishop Tucker on life in the church among the people of God. Having believed I’ve learned from his teachings, I experienced after his demise that his words took on a more profound influence in my life than I realized. When I began to personally endure situations in my relationships with fellow saints that turned indifferent after years of good fellowship, I was deeply hurt and wounded. It brought me out of my naivete concerning people, and supplied the reality that everyone professing Christ doesn’t possess him.
Reminiscing on my past experiences, the sayings of my late Pastor reverberate through my mind as it reflected the very things that can occur when saints go contrary to sound doctrine. Like an open book, his words brought to light many things that I’ve only grasped at before. Only when one goes through hardships can he truly understand and appreciate the truth of the scriptures.
Paul says in Romans 5:3 through 4th verse,” and not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope”. Spiritual growth and maturity comes as a result of going through unpleasant times and becoming a victor, rather than a victim. There are many in our churches today that are hurting, due to the carnality and misconduct of so-called professing Christians. Betrayal of trust by religious leaders and the laity have reached widespread proportions, and the secular world perceives the Church as a dying institution.
However gloomy the spiritual climate of the Church seems to be God has never left himself without a witness as he has raised those who will promulgate the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There are revivals being held throughout the nation, with preachers stirring up the consciousness of an immoral society to turn to God, and they of the Church to turn back to the Bible as their rule and guide of faith. By presenting a practical portrayal of the various types of relationships that takes place in church, I hope to address the misconceptions held by some who think that life in the church is an utopia of peace and harmony. In a perfect world that would be the desire of any believer, but we live in an imperfect and sinful world.
We are flawed and struggle daily with the contrary desires of the flesh, yet God in his infinite mercy has invested his Divine Word to creatures “made a little lower than the angels”. Paul place such responsibility in it’s proper perspective when he states in 2nd Corinthians 4:7,”but we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us”.
One will note when reading this book, that the majority of the quotations and comments seem to imply a negative outcome concerning these relationships. This is not to say that this is typical among the people of God, on the contrary, it can be a wonderful and fulfilling life. But when one search the scriptures, he will find that in both the Old and New Testament, they who truly served God were usually in the minority. For example, in the book of Genesis, Noah being warned of God of the coming judgement on a wicked world built an ark for the preservation of his family. As the world perished by the Great Flood that consumed it, only eight souls were saved in the safety of the ark.
In Genesis 19th chapter is given the account of Lot and his family as they are instructed to leave the corrupt cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, before God’s destruction of them. Upon leaving the doomed cities, Lot’s wife, against the commands of God turned towards the burning catastrophes she saw and turned into a pillar of salt. Only Lot and his two daughters were left from the destroyed multitude. Of the gathering of the children of Israel who left Egypt to journey to the land of Canaan, only Joshua and Caleb survived from the first generation after forty years of wandering in the wilderness. The books of Numbers and Joshua tell of their exploits and faithfulness to God, as well as their allegiance to Moses.
In the 7th chapter of Judges, Gideon called by God to lead his people against the Midianites is told that he had too many with him to achieve the goal of defeating the enemy. So as a test God instructs him to decree to the people that they who are fearful and afraid can depart, and twenty two thousand responded. Leaving ten thousand, God decreases the number further by bringing them to the water and declaring that whoever lappeth water as a dog to be set aside. Only three hundred men did so and went on to defeat the Midianites.
In the New Testament, Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount discourse says in Matthew 7:13-14th verses,”Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it”. He further states in Matthew 20:16,”So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many are called, but few chosen.” In the sixth chapter of John, we find Jesus telling the multitude that he is the”Bread of Life” and many among his own disciples being offended departed from him. When he turned to the twelve men
personally chosen by him he asked them in verse 67,”will ye also go away?” Peter responds in the next verse,” Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life”. Paul says in 1st Corinthians 1st chapter and 26th verse,” For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called. He concludes in the 28th verse by stating that the insignificant and despised of men has God chosen to bring to nothing what mankind esteems highly.
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