Our preacher, Mark Stinnett, publishes articles for the church bulletin each week. These articles are designed to teach, encourage and challenge the members of our congregation. His latest articles can be found below with the most recent at the beginning of the list. Mark has archived all of his articles on his personal blog 'MicroMarks' which can be accessed at: micromarks.blogspot.com.
Preacher's Blog
-
Pulling Back the Curtain
Most folks enjoy watching a skilled magician or illusionist. We wonder in amazement, “How did he do that!?” Of course, we are also aware of the magicians’ code, that the secret must never be revealed. And yet, we have a natural craving to know, to see for ourselves how things work.
Many people approach life in the same way. Every mystery must be unveiled. Many seem to have adopted the motto from the State of Missouri, “Show Me.” Or, like Dorothy, in the Wizard of Oz, they simply must pull back the curtain to see what there is to see.
There is nothing wrong in wanting to see and understand, in wanting to unravel the mysteries of life. However, when it comes to our Christian faith, we must recognize that God did not reveal everything. In fact, he expects us to live by faith.
Now, this is not a made-up faith, that is, a faith based only on what you want to be true. It is not blind faith, that is, an imagined faith that has no basis in reality. Rather, it is faith based on God’s revelation and his promises.
We must be careful not to identify too closely to Thomas who openly declared, “Unless I see I will not believe.” You might feel as if you can relate to Thomas at some level. However, he refused to believe his fellow apostles who were eyewitnesses of the empty tomb and who had seen the resurrected Christ.
A brazen Show Me attitude can result in scoffing at God’s promises.
The person who demands that the curtain of mystery be drawn back may, like Thomas, question the resurrection of Christ.
A person who demands to satisfy a how-did-he-do-that curiosity may deny the presence and assistance of the Holy Spirit.
When difficulties come, we may be tempted to ask, “Why?” when we do not understand. We instinctively believe that good things should happen to good people, and that bad things should happen to bad people. While that is not unreasonable, we also understand that life is filled with inequities. Life simply is not fair!
Even so, we often want to know...
- Why did God allow that to happen to me?
- Is God testing me?
- Is Satan tempting me?
- Is my difficulty simply an unfortunate event in the natural course of life?
Now, think for a moment...
What if God did answer our question, “Why?” What if we discovered the source of our difficulties in life? Do the answers really change the way we should respond?
Jesus allowed Thomas to pull back the curtain by seeing and touching his scars. Yet He also rebuked the disciples who did not believe those who were eyewitnesses. (Mark 16:14)
We can be glad for the testimony of Thomas (the first Missourian?), but let’s not be like him. It is not seeing that makes one believe, but believing that gives one true insight!
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.
—Hebrews 11:6
The Bible is God’s testimony about Himself. He has given us a witness for Himself so that we can believe the promises of unseen things yet to be fulfilled. In many ways and on many occasions, God has already pulled back the curtain to reveal Himself to us. We can believe!
Mark Stinnett
April 14, 2024
-
No accidental Christians
When it comes to Christianity, what is your intention?
Sometimes intentions are more like wishing. We might think how good it would be to live in a nice house like the one for sale over on Maine St. Yet, there is no real intention of buying that house. We might think how nice it would be to possess the good character of a good friend; but there is no real intention to gain such character. “How good it would be to be spiritually mature like him/her.” But, what is your intention…?
Many people talk about and think about religion, salvation, and spirituality. Some just talk. They like the idea of possessing the good things seen in a spiritual life, but their interest is more of a wish not genuine intent?
Intent is a part of the human will and indicates purpose. Christianity is not a stroke of luck like winning a door prize. A person comes to genuine faith in Christ with clear thought and a determined will. Benefits are understood, but also the costs.
Jesus told two treasure parables in Matthew 13. In one parable the treasure was stumbled upon quite by accident. In the other parable a merchant was searching for the treasure and found it. In both cases, the individual sold everything in order to possess the treasure. That’s intent.
Every Christian should be able to identify with one of the two individuals in the parables.
Just before his death, Jesus asked his Father if there was another way, that is, another way to complete his mission without dying on the cross. He completed His prayer saying, “Not as I will, but as You will.” His submissive will demonstrated his deep sense of purpose. He was determined to complete his mission of seeking and saving those who were spiritually lost. With intent He deliberately walked a path straight to the cross.
Jesus did not come to earth and then chicken out. His purpose was so strong and his intent so resolute that he was already walking toward the cross before he took on human form. Even before creation He had made His decision.
Some Christians behave as if salvation is a packaged object to possess, or a collectable. They just hold it. Yet, Christianity might be better compared to a marriage. The wedding ceremony is wonderful, but only the beginning of the marriage. A strong marriage takes effort and patience preceded by a determined will and commitment on the part of both husband and wife. Similarly, the point at which a person becomes a Christian is a wonderful occasion. However, the Apostle Paul wrote: “Work through your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Each Christian must have a genuine intention of seeing things through to the end.
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith…. —Hebrews 12:1-2
Jesus demonstrated by his life how to live each day for God’s purpose. He demonstrated how to bring life to its conclusion as God desired. May each of us intend to be like him. And let’s be clear…
There are no accidental Christians.
Mark Stinnett
April 7, 2024
-
"See you next week...Lord willing..."
Why would someone say, “Lord willing” before or after telling their vacation plans, or meeting up with friends, or in reference to the next worship service? Are these things God’s will? Are they opposed to God’s will? Do we need to ask God’s permission before doing anything?
Why would a person say, “Lord willing,” and when does it make sense?
Did you know that this practice is rooted in scripture?
Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that.”
— James 4:15
Does this passage teach that we must always attach the phrase, “If the Lord wills” to our future plans? Or does it mean that we need to acknowledge that we can really do nothing unless God ‘wills’ it? What does it teach?
First, remember how Jesus rebuked the hypocritical Pharisees for empty, external forms of religion? From that we learn that God desires a response from the heart. So, there is no benefit in saying words, “If the Lord wills” unless we do so with understanding and sincerity of heart.
Next, let’s consider the broader context of the verse quoted above.
Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow, we shall go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that." But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.
— James 4:13-16
Is James teaching that telling one’s plans is boasting?
The key to understanding this passage is found in the preceding verse. In verse 12 James states that no one really knows what tomorrow will bring. More specifically, no one really knows whether they will live tomorrow. To make future plans without acknowledging this uncertainty is arrogant. A failure to acknowledge the uncertainty of life is a failure to acknowledge our Creator who gives us breath. James correctly calls such arrogance evil.
Telling one’s plans is not boastful. After all, God allows us to make choices in all areas of life. It is not boastful to choose to move to another city, engage in business, choose a career, choose a college, choose a mate, etc. However, we must realize that life itself is essential for carrying out one’s plans; and God is in control of life. He is the one who gives breath.
These verses are not about our future plans as much as they are about our acknowledgement of the One who gives life. So, the phrase “Lord willing” is really incomplete by itself. Stated fully and more accurately: “If the Lord wills, we shall live.” Then, if we have been given life by our Creator, it is our plan to do this or do that.
I don’t think God was making an arbitrary rule that we need to regurgitate a specific phrase. Yet, sincerely acknowledging God as Creator and Giver of life will keep us from the evil of boasting about things that are out of our control. At the same time, we will be reminding ourselves of our daily dependence on God.
Our lives are in His hands.
Mark Stinnett
March 31, 2024
