Epistle for March 15, 2002
Posted by: ccfmo <ccfmo@...>
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Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation March 15, 2002
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In this Issue:
Sermon: Exodus 14 & Joshua 3 & 4
Bible Study: James 3
Administratively Speaking
Website News
Follow The Ark
(Exodus 14; Joshua 3, 4)
Legend has it that folks who live in "Swamp-east Missouri" like mud . . . mud oozing up between their toes. But I hate mud! I've been stuck in it with my car, and I've waded through loblollies more times than I can remember! YUCK!!!!
When the Children of Israel passed through the waters of the Red Sea and the Jordan River, God saw to it that they didn't bog-down in the mud. The accounts of these crossings in Exodus 14 and Joshua 3 and 4 emphasize that they crossed over on dry ground.
Consider with me the contrasts between these two crossings, and ask yourself which event required more faith in God. Put yourself among those million travelers, and examine your doubts and fears . . . your wonders and anxieties.
Which required more faith: escaping danger (fleeing Pharoah's army) or moving into promised blessing (marching toward the Canaanite enemy)? It's usually easier to move out when someone is prodding you from behind with a sharp sword than to move toward some hoped-for but dangerous-to-obtain promise.
Which required more faith: seeing God divide the Red Sea and then moving, or stepping into the Jordan River before watching God open the river?
Which required more faith: following a polished, educated, charismatic, miracle-working Moses, or following a young second-fiddle playing, citizen-soldier named Joshua?
Which required more faith: being led by the visible, spectacular pillar of fire presence of God, or being led by a small box, carried by some priests?
Typically, run-of-the-mill Christians move into a miracle more readily if they are running away from a problem, observing God's hand already at work, following a celebrity-leader, and witnessing spectacular heaven-sent fireworks. That's Red Sea "kindergarten faith."
May God give us extra-ordinary Christians! Folks who move toward a promised destiny, stepping out into the water, following the man with God's anointing, and advancing spiritually without needing a showy miracle.
Why Do God's People Need to "Follow the Ark"?
1. We need to follow the ark for direction. Joshua 3:4 tells why:
"for you have not passed this way before."
2. We need to follow the ark for protection. Joshua 3:15 points
out that the Jordan River was dangerous . . .overflowing its banks.
3. We need to follow the ark into a renewal of a covenant relationship.
Joshua 5 tells of the 40-year-delayed circumcision and Passover
celebration.
4. We need to follow the ark into God's new method of provision. The
crossing of the Jordan meant not only the disappearance of the pillar,
it also marked the ceasing of the manna. From this day forward, the
Israelites were involved in the process of God's provision for them.
(Joshua 5:11, 12)
What Does "Following the Ark" Mean?
Hebrews 9:4 and 5 speaks of the contents of the ark. The gold-covered wooden box contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments, a pot of manna, and Aaron's rod that budded. The lid of the ark consisted of golden "cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat." These remind us that "following the ark" means:
1. Accenting God's word. To stay on the right track we must
be sure that everything we say and do squares with the
Scriptures . . the law.
2. Acknowledging God's provision. Our Heavenly Father
supplies all our needs, just as He sent daily manna in the
wilderness. (Philippians 4:19)
3. Accepting God's anointing. The budding of Aaron's rod
confirmed that he was the chosen one of God. His rod
exhibited what must be demonstrated in the lives of those
of us who are God's anointed leaders: life and fruit.
4. Accessing God' s grace. The mercy seat is the place where
persons come to receive God's mercy, grace, and forgiveness.
Notice that all four of these symbols are fulfilled in Jesus. He is the Word. He is the manna from heaven (John 15). He is the Anointed One (Christ, Messiah). He is the source of mercy, grace, and forgiveness.
Lessons for Leaders Today
1. Lead your people toward a promised destiny, not away from trouble.
2. Lead out of obedience to God's word, even before seeing His miracle.
3. It's not what you know; it's Who you know . . . operate under the
anointing!
4. Faithfully follow the ark (as above) . . . leading wherever Jesus leads you.
Two Kinds of Wisdom
(James 3:13-18)
I. Meditation: on the wisdom from below . . . and their opposites (vv. 14-16)
1. Bitterness (sweetness) 6. Earthly (heavenly)
2. Envy (not covetous) 7. Sensual (spiritual)
3. Self-seeking (unselfish) 8. Demonic (Godly)
4. Boasting (modest; humble) 9. Confusion (orderly)
5. Lying (truthful) 10. Every evil thing (every good thing)
II. Meditation: on the wisdom from above . . . with their opposites (v. 17)
1. Pure (unclean) 5. Merciful (vengeful)
2. Peaceable (belligerent) 6. Fruitful (non-productive)
3. Gentle (harsh) 7. Unbiased (prejudiced)
4. Submissive (unteachable) 8. Sincere (fake)
III. Revelation: On wisdom from God's perspective
1. A wise and understanding person shows by his conduct that his works are
done in the proper spirit and with a Godly attitude (meekness, v. 13).
2. The wisdom from below is produced by Satan; the wisdom from above
comes form the Holy Spirit and produces His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23).
3. These two types of wisdom (heavenly and earthly; divine and human) are
direct opposites; they cannot be reconciled by finding a compromise
between them.
4. God's wisdom is peaceable (v. 17); it is sown in peace (v. 18); it is sown by
those who make peace (v. 18).
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Exhibit the meek, gentle spirit of Christ in all that I do.
2. Allow the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in my life.
3. Not tolerate in my life characteristics from both lists of "wisdom"
(Satanic and Godly) . . . they are mutually exclusive.
4. Be a peacemaker, sowing peace . . . introducing persons to the
"Prince of Peace," Isaiah 9:6.
Administratively Speaking
by Terry A Coker
April 15 is coming! April 15 is coming!
Those words strike fear in everyone who has multiple tax issues like ministers. Tax preparation becomes a nightmare as many wait to the last hour to complete the forms and scurry to the post office before midnight. The fears of completing the form for many of us can be greatly reduced, however, if we follow a simple plan in the weeks and months prior to the April 15 deadline.
First, a record-keeping system must be established for your business and personal expenses during the year of tax reporting. Establishing a system at 10 o'clock in the evening on April 15 will not cut the mustard. Record keeping and money management systems are available in paperback, hardback, software, and filing folder varieties. Choose a system that best fits your needs and file everything during the year in a proper category.
Secondly, knowledge of the tax law is a must for the busy minister who does not have a CPA on retainer. Having a reasonable grasp of the Tax Code can keep one from making unwise spending decisions during the year. It can also help you discover advantages for expenses or income received from various sources. If you do not have the time to attend a seminar, invest in books written specifically for clergy taxes.
Third, decide who will do your taxes or how they will be completed. If you choose someone to complete your taxes, inquire about their knowledge of the Tax Code concerning ministers. If they cannot relate any specifics as to the differences between you and the average tax payer, then move on to another source of help. I chose early in my ministry to allow a CPA in our church to complete my taxes. She had a very good reputation in the tax field, but her knowledge about ministers was lacking. I paid taxes for that particular year when I should have received a refund! From that moment, I decided to learn how to prepare my tax return. Today, I attend annual tax seminars sponsored for ministers, and I use tax preparations software to complete this annual task.
Richard Hamner in a St. Louis seminar said, "Minister's taxes are not difficult, just unique." I agree. It's all based upon proper accounting of your daily ministerial and personal expenses and income, your knowledge of the Tax Code, and the manner in which you choose to report it. Have a happy April 15. I'll see you at the post office!
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Wit and Wisecrack from Mark Twain: "Behold the fool saith, "Put not all thine eggs in the one basket" -
which is but a manner of saying, "Scatter your money and your
attention"; but the wise man saith, "Put all your eggs in the one
basket and - watch that basket."
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