Saints, Pioneers!

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK

TEXT: Philippians 1:12-14; Galatian 6:9; Deuteronomy 6:4-7, 33:7;

Ephesians 3:16-19, 4:8; Luke 12:28; John 3:17

(The basic idea & most of the illustrations in this sermon were gleaned & adapted

from a message by the late Russell Martin of Miami, OK.)

At the beginning of a new year news magazines & newspapers often feature highlights of the past year; pictures & articles of celebrities who died, & notable events that occurred; along with plans & predictions for the new year.

And during our adult Bible School this morning we will do about the same thing for our congregation.

While the reports of the past year will be interesting, I personally would like sometime to hear a report that covers the past 20 years or so – from when Ridge Chapel consisted of just 6 people, this one building – no classroom or fellowship annex - & this was just a plain room with no beautiful windows or church decorations.

Since that day God has blessed us wonderfully with a whole procession of willing workers. Now here we are today to thank Him & praise His name!

And I think that Christians need to do exactly the same thing for our Nation also!

ILL. I have read that about 350 years ago in a small colonial settlement on our Atlantic Coast, the elected officials commissioned the clearing of a wagon roadway 5 miles westward into the wilderness.

But some of their fellow colonists stood up & protested the decision, complaining, "Who will ever find occasion to take a wagon as far as 5 miles westward from the coast?"

Here were colonists who had braved the dangers of sailing 3,000 miles across the storm tossed Atlantic. Filled with vision & determination they had worked & sacrificed to build their homes in the new world.

Then they lost the vision that got them there, & settled down in contentment, com¬pletely uninterested in going any further. How quickly those pio¬neers lost their vision!

PROP. I suggest to you today that we who are Christians have been called by our Lord, Jesus Christ, to be courageous pioneers, helping to build highways that men may find that city whose builder & maker is God!

Little wonder that the scripture tells us, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" [Galatians 6:9].

ILL. Jack Dempsey told of a young boxer in the old days of bare knuckle bouts, which would end only when one opponent in the prize fight was knocked out or unable to finish, who was matched with a very strong opponent. After the fight he telegraphed his father in Ohio just 7 words, "Feeling wonderful. Won easily in 84 rounds."

How about that! It took him 84 rounds to win the fight "easily." We stand amazed in the face of such persistence keeping on & on amid bruises, cuts, left jabs & solid rights to the jaw.

Likewise, the victories for Christ we long for & look forward to with anticipation ultimately depend upon the Spirit of God that works within us, the vision that motivates us, & the perseverance that we exhibit.

And the Apostle Paul, as a prisoner in a Roman jail, is a perfect example for us. Listen to his words in Philippians 1:12 14,

"Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard & to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

"Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously & fearlessly."

What a thrilling spirit! "No matter what happens," Paul is saying, "I rejoice, because God is able to use that to make the good news of Jesus known, & to encourage others to speak the word of God more courageously & fearlessly."

ILL. I like the stirring song whose chorus says,

"The fight is on, O Christian soldier, & face to face in stern array;

With armor gleaming & banners streaming, the right & wrong engage today.

The fight is on, but be not weary; be strong & in His might hold fast.

If God is for us, His banner o'er us, we'll sing the victor's song at last

I. WE MUST BELIEVE IN A GOD WHO CARES ABOUT US ALL

Now if Christians are going to accomplish the task God has given us, then we must believe with all our heart that God cares about us, & not be afraid to proclaim it.

I ask you, have we been faithful in keeping the command that God gave to Israel & to us? [Deuteronomy 6:4 7]. "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart & with all your soul & with all your strength.