Thus Saith God's Word
by Rav. Tad Brooks, Pastor, Wast Saddletree Baptist Church
Personal Accountability
"I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, said the Lord God;
wherefore turn yourselves, and live." Ezekiel 18:32
Each person must decide to accept or reject God's way of salvation. There
is much said efChristian love but very little is told of faithfulness to the word
of God. Not many today can De recognized as to where they stand in Christ.
Not many will use the topic of saved or deceived.
I have read some what of Dr. W.B. Riley who was the pastor of the First
Baptist Church-in Minneapolis and the founder of the Northwestern
Schools. In his Christian calling he took up the battle to fight off the liberals.
In doing so, he became distressed and gave up the fight, hoping to find a
unified movement outside his convention which he might join. He found
none and he stayed in the Northwestern Baptist Convention.
But before his death, he was so greatly convicted that he felt that he could
not and would not die in a convention which had left the planned way of'
salvation set by God. Brother Rile)' sent an article to the Sword of the Lord and
mimeographed copies ofthis article widespread announcing that he was
leaving the Northern Baptist Convention and that he dare not die in it. He
said he must not have his influence on he side of the ecumenical movement.
And so Dr. Riley came out and died as an independent.
We are now, my friend, faced with this ecumenical (inclusive program
of supporting whatever movement, just so they speak about Christian love,
but faithfulness to God is not mentioned.)
Brother Ezekiel said "But if a man be just and do that which is lawful and
right." In Genesis the 25th Chapter the story is told of two boys who grew
and as they did, one became a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacobs
was a plain man. Their father Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his
venison. But Rebekah loved Jacob. ;
Jacob was a good cook and Esau a man who spent his life plotting and
planning. He came in from the field and Esau said to Jacob," feed me. I am
faint." And Jacob said, "Sell me your birthright." Esau said, "Well here I
am at the point of death and this birthright can't do me any good." And he
sold it for a mess of pottage. And Esau eat and scripture says he went away
and despised his birthright.
1 know some folks today who have sold their birth right. They went back
into the field of the world, but like Esau, you will have to come in and you
will give account ofyour stewardship. Personal accountability. "In the place
where the tree falleth,. there shall it be." Eccl. 11:3. Wise Solomon said ifthe
tree falls toward the south or the north, in the place where the tree falls, let
it be. Ifyou die in your sins, Jesus said himself, you cannot come. John 8:21.
Jesus said ye cannot. IfJesus says that you cannot, then you cannot. Dr. Riley
got out of a convention that did not preach accountability. Dr. Riley did not
believe all who said that they were saved were saved.
Dr. Riley knew that a tree which fell to the north was north, but there is
a group in our midst with an emotional excitement, a mingling of the true
with the false, that it is well if adopted to mislead. i
Yet none of us need be deceived. In the light of God's word if is not
difficult to determine the nature of these movements.-Wherever man
neglects the testimony of the Bible, turning away from those plain, soul
testing truths which require self denial and renunciation of the words, there
we may be sure that God's blessing is not bestowed. And by the rule which
Christ himself has given, ye shall know them by their fruits. Matthew 7:16.
It is evident that these movements are not of God.
Oh, my friend, God has given us a revelation of himself and to all who
accept them they are a shield against the deception of Satan. It is the neglect
of these truths that has opened the door to evils which are now becoming
so wide spread in the religious world. The iaw of God and this is
importance, the law of God has been, to a great extent, lost sight of.
A wrong conception of the character, the perpetuity and the obligation
of the divine law has led to error in relation to conversion and sanctification,
and has resulted in lowering the standard of piety in the church.
Here, my friend, is to be found the secret to the lack of the spirit and
power of God in the revivals of our time.
We for years speak of Jesus, how he loved everybody and he does, but
he also demands accountability. There seems to be a lost sermon preached
on the danger to enforce the divine law, in the days of the past the pulpit
was an echo of the voice of conscience. The ministers gave a wonderful
majesty to their calling by being examples of the master and giving
prominence to the law, its precepts and its threatenings.
They reported the two great maxims, that the law is a transcript of divine
perfection and that a man who does not love the law does not love the
I ? " ^
gospel; for the law as well as the gospel is a mirror reflecting the tmc
character of God. Personal accountability. Every man, said Brother Paul,
works will pass in review before God and is registered to faithfulness or
unfaithfulness. The tree, my friend, can't lie north and south. You cannot
be saved and lost at the same time. You are in or out. Saved or deceived.
Going up or down. The law of God is the standard by which the characters
and the lives of men will be tested in judgment. Says the wise man, "Fear God
and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall
bring every work into judgment/' Eccl. 12:13-14. Those in the judgment
counted worthy will have a part in the resurrection of the just. Jesus said,
"They which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the
resurrection from the dead...are equal unto the angels and are the children
of God, being the children of the resurrection." Luke 20:35-26.
And again he declares that they that have done good "shall come forth
unto the resurrection of life." John 5:27.
Dr. W.B. Riley felt that he must not die in the Northern Baptist
Convention. I am not advocating anyone to jump board or leave their
denomination, but do you love a convention more than God's law? Remember
the law was spoken by God himself and written with his own finger on
the table of stone.
The Pentateuch was an unerring transcript. Those who hold to this
understanding were led to see the sacred, unchanging character of the divine
law. Those who saw and understand as never before heard the Saviour's
words "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass
from the law." Matthew 5:18.
The law of God, being a revelation of His will, a transcript of His
character, must forever endure, as a faithful witness in heaven." Not one
command has been annulled; not a jot or tittle has been changed. Says the
Psalmist: "Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven." All his commandments
are sure, they stand fast for ever and ever. Psalms 119:89-111:7-8.
Let me say this before I close on personal accountability. There is nothing
suits the devil more than men who would retain the form of religion, but the
spirit of vital godliness is lacking.
When the Jews rejected the gospel, they continued zealously to maintain
their ancient rites. They rigorously preserve their national exclusiveness
while they themselves could not but admit that the presence of God was no
longer manifest among them.
When Daniel pointed to the coming of the Messiah and so directly
pointed to the death of us, many were discouraged to study and a curse of
the rabbi's pronounced upon the people. When these causes exist, the same
result will follow. He who deliberately stifles his conviction of duty because
it interferes with his inclinations will finally lose the power to distinguish
between truth and error.
The understanding becomes darkened, the conscience callous, the heart
hardened, and the soul's separated from God.
Where the messages of divine truth is spumed or slighted, there the
church will be enshrouded in darkness; faith and love grow cold.
My friend, Dr. Riley refused to walk in the counsel of the ungodly. His
delight was the law of the Lord. Psalms 1:1-3.
Now, let me say this on personal accountability. "He hath shewed thee,
O man, what is good and what the Lord requires of thee, but to do justly and
to love mercy and to walk humbly with God." Micah 6:8.
Individual responsibility, penalty of sin. When we try to shift ouf
responsibility and because we have shifted our responsibility, Ezekiel said
in verse two "The fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children's teeth
are set on the edge."
Paul would now say, "Consider what I say and the Lord give the
understanding in all things." II Timothy 2:7.
A preacher must be blameless, one that ruleth well his own house, having
his children in subjection, with all gravity, for it a man know now how to rule
his own house, how shall be take care of the church of God. I Timothy 3:15.
Let me ask you a question. When was the last time you have read your
Conference minutes and noted the character of the men whom you have
chosen to lead your church? When Dr. Riley read his, he cried out, "Let me
not die in this convention." He saw men who spoke of Christ and his love
but faithfulness was not their goal.
Ezekjel in the 18th chapter, launched out into analysis that showed his
audience precisely where individual responsibility lies. God will hold you
accountability for your selection of Deacon and preacher, even those who
are in the choir loft and siting at the piano. Ezekiel said, "The fathers have
eaten sour grapes and the children's teeth are set on edge." Look around you.
The song books our forefathers sang from have been replaced by new songs.
The book you read has been replaced. The time we use to gather has been
changed. Look at your minutes, pulpit, pastor, board. Children's teeth on
edge. Paul gives us precise directions on Deacons and pastors, but we have
1 gotten into the church and nothing is going to tell us what we can and cannot
do. But God said "1 have shewed thee what is good." Gold holds people
I
responsible for their own action. <*
Ezekiel made sure his message was understood how the law of God was
not missed.
To be continued... Next week Personal accountability.
i
Buffaloe attends special training
seminar with Karate masters
Kenny BuJTaloe, N.C. ReprcsentativeofKyokushin-Kai
Karate, recentl>
attended a special training seminar
with Japanese Karate masters in New
York City. Kancho Shokei Matsui,
the man personally selected by Grand
Master Mas. Oyama as his successor,
lead the 5 hour seminar Kancho
Matsui is the leader and director of the
International Kyokushin- Kai Karate
Organization headquartered in Tokyo,
Japan. Matsui is a two-time All
Japan Karate Champion In 1987. to
prepare himself for the 4th World
Karate Tournament, he completed the
infamous "100-ManKumite" (fighting
100 men in succession full-contact
without loss). It is a test that few
men have ever dared, lasting over four
hours of continuous fighting. That
same year, Kancho Matsui rose to
become the undeniable Champion of
the World in 1987.
Kenny Buflaloc received special
onc-on-onc training personally from
Kancho Matsui andscveral other Japanese
Masters in attendance BufTaloc
feels it is important for him to constantly
strive to improve himself by
I 1
training with top caliber karate instructors
at every opportunity. That
way, he can stay abreast of the latest
developments and offer the best to his * "
own students. Kancho Matsui congratulated
BufTaloc on the job he is
doing here in North Carolina teaching
and demonstrating Kyokushin-Kai
Karate. He also invited BufTaloc to
attend the "7th World Kyokushin-Kai
Karate ChampionshipTournamcnt "in
Tokyo. Japan in 1999. . For
more information on training
classes anddcmonslralions. call: 5894281
- :
Kenny BufTaloc is planning to do a
Karate Demonstration & Seminar at
Robeson Community College in the
spring of 1999 More details arc forthcoming.
Kenny BufTaloc (on right). N.C
Kyokushin-Kai Representative, with
Kancho S Matsui, Director of the >
International Kyokushin-Kai Karate
Organization from Tokyo. Japan
BufTaloc recently received special
training from Matsui at the New York
Headquarters School
i 1
Hand "
Surgery
What should I do
if I accidentally
cut off my hand
or finger?
Glen D. Suhin. M.D. of MidSoulh
Orthopaedic in Pinehurst. is
hoard certified in orthopaedic sundry
and hand sweety Dr Subill earned
his medical decree at Downs/ate
Medical Center of the Slate
Unltirsity of New York I le served
an'orthopaedic surgery rvsideiicy at A
Nile York University Method Center A
and a fellowship in hand
nr^en, at Duke University
Medical Center
Amputated limbs can be reattached by microsurgical teams at hospitals with
special operating room equipment. Often, function can be restored and good
cosmetic results can be achieved.
If a limb or finger is severed, the bleeding can usually be controlled by applying
pressure. The next critical step is proper.handling and transportation of the
amputated part: one should loosely wrap the severed part in moist gauze or cloth
and place it in a plastic bag then seal the bag and place it in ice. Never place the
amputated part directly on ice, because if it freeze# it cannot be reattached.
The injured person and severed part should be taken immediately to a hospital
with reattachment capabilities, such as Firstf lealth Moore Regional. Hospital'
personnel trained in trauma care can stabilize the patient while the amputated part is
prepared for surgery. The surgical team will then systematically reconnect arteries,
nerves, veins and tendons.The bones arc stabilized with pins or screws.
Reattachment surgery is most successful when it occurs within six hours of
amputation. Outcome also depends on the age of the patient, the exact nature of the
injury and other factors.
To learn more about orthopaedic and hand surgery, call 910-215-1478.
FsrstHealth
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