Thus Saith God's Word
by Rev. Ted Brooks, West Saddletree Baptist Church
Sin, Sorrow and Death
"And as concerning that lie raised him up from the dead, now no more to
return to corruption, he said on this wise. I will ei\e vou the sure mercies of
David." (Acts 13:34) ' s*
David and Saul were both kings over Israel. Both had been anointed b\ God
to be Israel's king, but there w as a difference betweertuhe tw o. God chose Dav id.
his servant, and took him from the sheepfold: from follow ing the ewes great w ith
young. He brought him to feed Jacob, his people and Israel his inheritance. "So
he fed them according to his heart and guided them by the skillfulness of his
hands." (Psalms 78:70-72) "And Samuefsaid to Saul, thou hast done foolishly,
thou hast not kept the commandment of God. which he commanded thee: for
now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel forever. But now
thy kingdom shall not continue, the Lord hath sought him a man after his own
heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people. Because
thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee ." (II Samuel 13:13-14)
Someone once said. "If Israel had been a car lot. Saul would have been the
Cadillac's Classiest Model, loaded with all the extras. He was the tallest, most
handsome man among them. Saul looked good in the Israelites' eyes, but his
height and good looks couldn't hide his small and homely heart which showed
itself in selfishness, egotism, paranoia, depression and v iolence.
But Dav id was God's man. He had God's heart and he had the ways of God.
You see Dav id in En-gedi. Saul had three thousand chosen men out of Israel to
seek for David's life. Both were inside a cave. Saul was unaware that he and
David were in the same cave. Dav id's men were conv inced God had deliv ered
Saul to David so that David could kill him (Saul). The men encouraged David
to revenge himself, but David rather than kill Saul, cut a small piece of Saul's
shirt. Later David wept because he had done so to God's anointed.
David could have based his argument on the fact that Saul had made attempts
on his life. David could have said. "I have a right to. I am no door mat to be
walked on. It is me that has been done wrong and if I don't stick up for myself,
no one else will." Well, you and I can call it what we may. but God calls it
revenge. It is better known as getting ev en.
But herein I Samuel 24:1-8. David refused to take revenge. Beloved. David
left his revenge to Cod. ""For it is w ritten 1 w ill repay saith the Lord." (Romans
12:17-19) (Deuteronomy 32:35-36)
David suffered un-deserved persecution which brought him to his lowest
point in life. It was there while in that cave that David cried unto the Lord. "With
my voice, with my voice, unto the Lord did I make my supplication. 1 poured
out my complaint before him. I showed before him my trouble. My spirit was
overwhelmed within me. Then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I
walked. I looked on my right hand and beheld there was no man that w ould know
me. Refuge failed me: no man cared for my soul." (Psalms 142:1 -4) Let me ask
you a question, have you as a Christian ever been to this cave? Do you know
what it is like to look to your left and to your right and there was no man that
would know you? You thought if there was anyone that would have aided you
that one person would have? David cried unto the Lord and said, "I cry with m;
voice. I make my supplication. I showed before him my trouble." And David
said when I did, 1 was overwhelmed within me and it was then that God himself
knew my path in the way wherein I walked because David said they secretly laid
a snare for me. (Psalms 142:1-4)
David was suffering un-deserved persecution from Saul and the only place
David found for a hiding place was in a dark, damp cave but it was here that
David saw the light of God's deliverance. My friend, if you ever find yourself
being persecuted remember God said. "Vengeance is mine, I will repay said
God." (Romans 12:17-18) When David had finished his prayer. David refused
to get even with Saul. God blessed David. When a man's ways are pleasing to
x the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Proverbs 16:7)
When you read the rest of 1 Samuel 24:1 it tells w hen Saul left the cave, David
followed him out to talk to him. David had the torn garment in his hand. Let me
ask you a question, is there someone that you have wronged and they have been
following you around for a long time with a piece of your persecution in their
hand? David followed Saul and David wanted to prove both his innocence and
his integrity. Notice these words of the man who has God's heart. David called
after Saul saying. "My Lord the King.: and when Saul looked behind him and
11 1 --
David was bowed with his tace to the ground I I Samuel 24:8) David said. "Why
do you listen to the words of men. saving Behold. Dav id seeks to harm you "
(Verse 9)
"You have seen that God hath given vou to .nv hand in the cave Some even
asked me to kill vou. but my eyes had pity on you and I said. I will not stretch
out my hand against my Lord, for he is the Lord's anointed "
What Dav id did not know was that God has said. But now thy kingdom shali
not continue." The Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart." (I samuel *
13:14) Saul had been rejected as God's king. Saul had finally made his last
mistake when he followed Dav id into the cave at En-gedi. It was there that David
poured out his heart to God. "I cried unto thee. O Lord. 1 said thou art my refuge
and my portion in the land of the liv ing Attend unto my prayer, for I am brought
verv low. Deliver me frommv persecutors for thev are stronger than I."(Psalms
142:5-6)
I will ask you again: is there anyone following you for the wrong that you
have done? If there is and you fail to reconcile the difference, there's a cavejust
ahead for you.
:Let me say this. David did sin. but David was a man who would repent.
Three times a day David prayed, even was said that he prayed continuously He
prayed with a broken and a contrite spirit. In other words. David wept, cried
and pleaded for forgiveness. You don't read where David claimed that he was
always saved. David said "When I held the wife of Uriah in my arms it was a
thing which displeased the Lord." (I Samuel 11:27)
"From the day Uriah slept at his door. David even made him drunk but he
was there with a piece of Dav id's conscience and it was there that Dav id cried
out. "Day and night, thy hand was heavy upon me. it was when 1 kept silence
my bones become old." (Psalms 32:3-4) That is the difference between Dav id
and this new age David knew to repeni and live.
Saul's last words were "Behold. I have played the fool." (I Samuel 26:21)
My friend. I have been in this ministry ofJesus Christ and I have seen men and
women who have played the fool as Saul did. I have witnessed persons in the
church who would not go and seek forgivingness from a brother or sister, say ing
that they weie still saved. Jesus said, not I or your preacher. "If ye forgive not
men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew
6:15) Now, listen to Saul's last words, just minutes before his death, no where
does he say tell David I am sorry.. No where does he even call upon God. Not
one word of a plea of say ing. "1 acknowledge my sin unto thee." No where does
Saul say. "I w ill confess my sins." No where does Saul claim God to be his hiding
place.
No. my friend, the Bible tells us that "The battle went hard against Saul and
w hen the archers hit him and Saul was severely wounded by them, he said. 1 have
play ed the fool."
My friend. I have even sit by the bedside and pleaded with folks to make
things right (repent) before they die and they still would not. Death, my friend,
will go hard against you. 1 have seen people get so sick they could not pray for
themselves.
Saul went on in his madness, seeking witchcraft and the likes, but the word
tells us the battle went hard. Notice another thing about Saul. When he was
severely wounded, he said to his armor bearer, draw thy sword and thrust me
through with it. When no one would aid Saul in killing himself, Saul took a
sword and fell upon it. (I Samuel 31:4)
There are some whispers among church folks saying "Don't put me on life
support. Just let me die." Oh, my friend, it is not easy to die, if you die as Saul.
Folks often ask how did they die? My friend, it is not how you die, but is how
you live.
Next week the conclusion of Sin, Sorrow and Death.
In Scandinavia, Christmas
elves Known as tomtes are used
to decorate everything from
Christmas trees to packages to
tables.
For beautiful Christmas decorations
in a window with panes,
hang a cluster of berries or a
sprig of evergreen tied with a ribbon
from the middle of each pane
and wreath the whole window in .
long-needled evergreen.
ATTENTION
A Campaign Fundraiser For
REPRESENTATIVE RON SUTTON
N.C. House of Representatives
WHAT: A Drop-in Reception (Non-Alcoholic) Fundraiser for
Rep. Ron Sutton, Democrat of Pembroke
1 WHERE: Pembroke Jaycee Building
Club House Road, Pembroke, N.C.
I - ' '
i WHEN: 5:00 - 9:00 P.M., Thursday December 30, 1999
I
WHY: To raise funds for Rep. Sutton to use in his up-coming
campaign for a 5th term in the N.C. House of
i Representatives, District 85, serving parts of Robeson and
t Hoke Counties.
I
I ' *
| EVENT: Drop-in Reception; Stay for one of the live shows.
| -No political speeches
-Visiting candidates will be recognized
-A great opportunity to have an alcohol free event during
the week after Christmas
FOOD: Mors d'oeurve refreshments will be available
I
i DONA I ION: >; 0.00 per couple - Pay at the door. If unable to attend,
mail your donation by personal check to Sutton For N.C.
I louse. P.O. Box 787. Pembroke. NC 28372. All donations
1 i?
needed and appreciated.
i
?
i
l MUSIC: Local radio personality and gospel recording artist,
CHARLES BELL will perform two (2) shows - 6:00 and
| 8:00 p.m.
I DRESS: Casual; or wear your Christmas attire
"AN ALCOHOL FREE ALTERNATIVE EVENT"
Rajesh F Sakala M D.has
joined the medical staff of
Southeastern Regional
Medical Center He is
\ associated in private
V practice with Robeson
? Family Practice in Red
U Springs
II A native of India
ft Dr Sakala attended
M Bangalore Medical^
^ College and earned his
MM medical degree in 1992 He completed residency
training at the University of Illinois at Chicago s Michael
Reese Hospital in 1998 where he served as chief resident in
I internal medicine last year Dr Sakala is certified by the
American Board of Internal Medicine
I We can all feel good about each new addition to the medi )
w staff at Southeastern Regional Medical Center Each
physician brings years of education specialized training and
personal expertise to our highly diversified health care team and
to our community
We d like to extend a warm welcome to our newpst doctor With
your arrival mere is a significant
improvement in the general
health of this community .
SOUTHEASTERN
REGIONAL
MEDICAL CENTER
WO West 27th Street l.umberton. NC (OlOi 671-5000 A
^ www srmc.org
From the Desk of the
I
Superintendent,..
by Dr. Barry Harding, Public Schools of Robeson County I
1
How is it possible that another
Christmas is w ith us? Didn't we just
start another school >ear with
Christmas still a long way off? Still
there's no doubting the facts and so
this column which is usually devoted
to discussion of educational
issues facing the Public Schools of
Robeson County will, instead, set
aside those daily concerns and
devote itself to some thoughts
about this holy season.
Our young people are at home
taking a holiday break until after the
first of the year. I sincerely doubt
that they are gi\ ing any thoughts at
all to school as they involve themselves
in the joy and excitement of
the season. I'm certain that also
holds true for our teachers, administrators
and other employees who
are likew ise takinga break from their
daily routines and spending some
well-deserv ed time with their families.
If you had the occasion to visit
any of our schools in the days before
the students' vacation got underway,
you would have seen signs
of the season everywhere. Decorations
depicted both the secular and
religious side of the holiday with
many of the decorations demonstrating
the talents of many of our
advanced art students as well as
drawings by youngsters just learning
to express themselves artistically.
Christmas music filled the air
as children in all our schools presented
programs ranging from allmusic
programs to plays - some for
their fellow students and some for
their school's PTA.
Some schools took part in vari- |
ous area civic celebrations sending
their bands to march and play in !
Christmas parades. Others visited
rest homes spending time with the (
residents and singing songs of the
season helping them, in many cases. !
to bring back memories of earlier
happy times. Still others reached
out to people less fortunate than
they are by conducting drives for I
food and sundries as well as toys
and then hand delivering the items !
to help the recipients to have a j
happier Christmas than they might i
have otherwise had. I believe it's }
important that you know that these |
were activities that were not forced
on the students. They cheerfully
undertook them on their own time in
the spirit of giving which is such an
important part of the season. ,
1 believe that knowing about ^
such efforts on the pan of our young
people will help people realize that '
the stories they hear in the media I
about the misdeeds of some stu- j
dents do not refer to the vast major- ,
ityofthem. It's unfortunate that the ,
deeds of the relatively few should !
reflect on the many. At this time of
the year. I would encourage you to
take a long hard look at our young
people and the good that is in them.
Now. may I take this opportunity
on behalfof myself, our school
board, our administrators and all
our students to wish for you and
yours the happiest of Christmases j
and a New Year with health and }
well-being forall.
Obituaries \
Mr. Percell Scott, Sr., 72, a resident
of West Fifth Street, Lumberton,
NC died Tuesday morning,
December 14,1999 at Southeastern
Regional Medical Center, Lumberton,
NC. He was bom in Robeson .
County, North Carolina April 5,
1927; a son of the late John Bennie 1
and Mary Jane Spaulding Scott. i
Mr. Scott was a member of the
Hestertown Church of God where
he was active in the Mens Bible 1
C lass of the church Sunday school. i
He was a former teacher of the >
Adult Sunday school class, a clerk j
of the church, having served some
thirteen years anbd was custodian,
a former manager of the Scott's
Texaco on Fifth Street and a retired 1
farmer. Mr. Scott was a U.S. Navy I
veteran of World War II.
Funeral services were conducted
at 2 pm Saturday from the
Hestertown Church ofGod with the
Reverends Ronald Scott, Dufrene
Cummings, Harry Lee. John L. Lockleaf
aftdDfiMWard Maynard oflfici- <
ating. Interment followed in the
Lumbee Memorial Gardens under
the direction of Biggs Funeral
Home.
Survivingarehis wife, Mrs. Clara
Bell Locklear Scott of the home, his
family, Renferd and Andrena Scott
of Pembroke, NC, Harold and
Sandra Scott, Percell Scott, Jr., Ida '
Marie and Winston Hunt, T eresa v
and David Goins, Ricky and Ruth 1
Scott all of Lumberton, NC, Jeffery j
Scott of the home, Tammie and
Roosevelt Scott of Lumberton; four '
brothers, Earl C. Scott of Lumber- I
ton, Lindberg Scott James Frand I
Scott both of Pembroke, and Vardell
Scott of Lumberton; three sisters,
Nevelyn Graham, Willow Dean
Locklear and Patricia Ann Chavis
all of Lumberton, fifteen grandchildren
and one great-grandchild. i
He was preceded in death by a
sister, Gaynor Leach,
s at the residence.
Memorials may be directed to '
the Hestertown Church of God.
P.O. Box 35, Lumberton, NC j
28359.
Pallbearers were Delton 1
Locklear, Marvin Chavis, Jerry I
Hunt, Donald Jacobs, Hohnny Low- 1
cry and F.dward Oxendinc. f
Honorary pallbearers were the i
Men of the Church. J
Rev..lack M.Hunt j
Rev. Jack M. Hunt, age 73, a \
resident of 614 Deep Branch Road, ]
Lumberton. NC died December 17, 1
1999 at Southeastern Regional J
Medical Center. j
Rev. Hunt was born on October I
6. 1926 in Robeson County; son of I
the late Javie and Lonnie Smith
Hunt. (
He was a Minister for the Church
of God Conference and was a member
of Saddletree Church of God. i
Funeral services were held 2:30
PM Sunday, December 19.1999 from
Saddletree Church of God with Dr.
Millard Maynard, Rev. Kenneth
Locklear, Rev. Buddy Bullard, Rev.
Stalford Smith officiating. Interment
followed in I.umbee Memorial
Gardens.
Surviving arc his wife, Grace
Brewer Hunt of the home; three i
sons. Roger Hunt, Bobby Hunt and j
Billy Hunt all of Lumberton. NC; I
one sister, Rachel Smith of Tra-1
?ferse City. Michigan: five--gmi,d-J
children and 6 grcat-grandchildrenr!