Bro. David's Weekly Word
Bro. David's Weekly Word
January 28, 2016
From The Pastor's Heart:
Take God's Word and turn with me to James 5. For some time now we've been reading from the book of James under the heading CHRISTIANTY IN SHOELEATHER. You won't find a more practical, pertinent and personal book in the Bible than the book of James.
You've heard me say that what the book of Proverbs is to the Old Testament, the book of James is to the New Testament. Both Proverbs and James take biblical truth and put it down where we live.
Now today we are moving into the last chapter of James, which means we're going to be wrapping up our study in the next few weeks.
We now come to the final chapter, chapter 5, as we pick up where we left off last time together. Now, the person who says there is no God is a fool. The Bible says that "the fool has said in his heart there is no God." But as we saw last time together, he's not the biggest fool.
Yes, there is a bigger fool than the person who doesn't believe there is a God and that's the person who believes there is a God, yet doesn't live like it. It's a fool who believes in God, yet lives in adultery. It's a fool who believes in God, yet never prays, never worships, never gives or never witnesses. They are practical atheists. They say they believe yet you would never know it by the way they live, by the way they judge others or by the way they treat others. Because, as we have recently learned, the way we treat others reveals what we believe about God.
Well, that's what James was talking about at the end of chapter 4 and he continues that same thought in chapter 5. He just finished talking about wicked saints and now in chapter 5 he is going to address wealthy sinners. Here are some people who were becoming wealthy by crooked means. They were more interested in making a profit and making a profession. They were so committed to making money they didn't have time for God or for the things of God.
I've seen more people ruined by prosperity than by adversity. Now I can hear some of you thinking, "Well this message is certainly not for me. I'm not wealthy." Oh is that so? Learn this: every message from God's Word may not be about you, but every message from God's Word is for you!
You may not have $50,000.00 in your bank account, but every word found in this book was written with you in mind. We're told in 2 Timothy 3.15 that "all scripture is profitable."
When it comes to becoming wealthy, most of us have two chances to become wealthy: slim and none. You may be like the person who was talking to his friend about his lack of wealth and said, "My problem is that I have too much month at the end of my money." And then he said, "Whatever it is that keeps people from getting rich, I must have it."
Now you may not consider yourself wealthy today, but let me ask you something: what is wealthy? Compared to most people in this world you are wealthy.
Still not convinced? All right, then let me ask you this: how many of you have an automobile? How many of you have money for lunch today? How many of you have a place to live and are able to make the monthly payments?
As the IRS sees it, America is a land of untold wealth! I wish I could take you to some villages I've walked through in South America. It's common for people to WALK 5-10 miles to attend a worship service like this. Where the annual salary for skilled labor is $300.00 and where gasoline is over $4.00 a gallon.
In fact if a local pastor was preaching from these verses that we have before us today regarding the wealthy, his congregation would be thinking about Americans who are making minimum wage. It's not a question of having money; it's a question of what you're doing with your money.
Two men were talking about money. One said, "You know, it's true, money does talk." His friend said, "It sure does. And all it ever says to me is good-bye."
Money does talk and that's what I want to talk to you about in our time remaining. Let's begin reading in James 5.1-6:
1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. 4 Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabbath. 5 You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you."
We read here about some people who were accumulating and spending money with no thought of man or God and over the next two weeks we will see that their MISERY is REVEALED and their MOTIVE is REBUKED.
Kids' Kamp - June 13 - 16:
Kids' Kamp enrollment is now open for grades 3-6. We have reserved 12 spots and once they are taken, enrollment will be closed. Enrollment packets are available in the lobby of the Worship Center. You must return your packet and a $20 non-refundable deposit to the office. The deadline is Sunday, February 21st. Please call the office if you have any questions. Make sure your kids don't miss out on this great week of camp.
VBS is Coming:
Don't forget to avoid the rush and sign up now to work in VBS 2016! You are an important part of teaching the Love of God to young children but we need to know who you are. So be sure and let Bro. David or Nicole know soon that you would like to be a part of this great mission effort right here at Aspen Park.
This Week's Needs at Arms Around Broken Arrow:
1. Mac & Cheese
2. Shampoo
3. Canned Tomatoes
4. Laundry Detergent
5. Cooking Oil
6. Deodorant
Thank you for all your help. We would not exist without your help. Please pray for our clients and our Volunteers who assist them. Praise God for the 160 souls who were saved at Arms Around BA in 2015.
Thanks for all you do,
Hugh Zimmerman
Ladies' Bible Study- New Study Begins February 21st
Join our Women's Ministry as they start a new year with a new Bible Study designed just for the women of our church. Call the church office or email Debbie Bell at dbell@aspenpark.net for more detail and to register.
"JOY Fellowship" is our Senior Adult Ministries
We have a lot of opportunities coming up for you to be involved in the senior adult ministry at APBC. Next month we start off on Tuesday the 9th with a potluck luncheon and would love to see you there. The guest speaker for this luncheon will be Donna Brooks from the Baptist Children's Home in Owasso. She will be sharing information about the work of the Children's Home and how we can support it. This is a great time of fellowshipping and enjoying one another's cooking.
Word of the Week:
"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." -Revelation 1:5-6
I want to encourage all of you to be sure and be at Aspen Park this coming Sunday morning as we worship together.
Blessed to be your pastor,