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"WHY DON'T WE . . .?"

Many Fundamentalists say, "I believe the Bible from cover
to cover." Then, why don't we "lay hands on the sick" instead
of going to the doctor? The Scripture says, "They will place
their hands on sick people, and they will get well" (Mark 16:18).
Why don't we "anoint people with oil" instead of going to
the hospital? The Scripture says, "Is any one of you sick? He
should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint
him with oil in the name of the Lord" (James 5:14).

Why don't we wash our visitor's feet? The Scripture says,
"Now that I, your Lord . . . have washed your feet, you also
should wash one another's feet" (John 13:14).

Why don't we have obedient slaves? The Scripture says,
"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear . . ."
(Eph. 6:5).

Why don't we carry staffs when we travel? The Scripture
says, "Take nothing for the journey except a staff . . ." (Mark
6:8).

Why don't we sell our houses and lands and give the money
to the poor? The Scripture says, "Sell your possessions and
give to the poor" (Luke 12:33).

Why don't we break bread together every day? The Scripture
says, "Daily . . . they broke bread in their homes and ate
together with glad and sincere hearts" (Acts 2:46).

In fact, most churches don't encourage speaking in tongues.
But, the Scripture says, "These signs will accompany those who
believe . . . they will speak in new tongues" (Mark 16:17).
Some Fundamentalists groups even forbid the practice. But
the Scripture says, "Do not forbid speaking in tongues" (I Cor.
14:39).

Most churches don't emphasize fasting. But the Scripture
says, "When you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face"
(Matt. 6:17).

Why don't we follow all the Scriptures? Why don't we
emulate the New Testament church in every area? Well, most
congregations don't do these things because they are no longer
applicable. Society and circumstances have changed. The
reasons for certain admonitions no longer exist. Yet, women
must still be silent in the church!

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EMAIL SERMON SERVICE

I have been accused of sending SPAM. SPAM is sending
unrequested material to large numbers of people over the
Internet. It's true that I did originally send unrequested
material to large numbers of people. However, according to the
information I was originally given, if you provided an
opportunity to cancel, then it was no longer considered to be
SPAM. I made ample provision for this, and for over a year had
no trouble. However, one individual complained because I didn't
remove his address from my mailing list. It made no difference
that he refused to give me the address I was supposed to delete.
To purge my list and avoid hassle and the penalties imposed
upon SPAMMING, I have had to request permission from individuals
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I received over 10% return, which is about what I expected.
I will have to do the same with my Email list for NEW
PERSPECTIVES also.

I have received requests from the United Kingdom, New
Zealand, Canada and Australia, besides the US.
An unexpected benefit from this action was, what I
considered to be, positive strokes (see the letters to the
editor).

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This Quarter's Sermon:

HOLY GROUND (You Are Valuable!)
(Youth Day, 2-10-02)

You are valuable because God made you! And, as the little
child said, "God don't make no junk!" When Moses had his moment
of truth, God said, "The place where you are standing is Holy
Ground" (Exo. 3:5).

Think about that! The place where you are standing is holy
ground! God is still saying that to us. It's not just where
your pastor stands; it's not just where the deacons stand; and
it's not just where your Sunday School teacher stands; the place
where you stand is holy ground. It's holy ground because that's
where God is! The Scripture says, "Don't you know that you . .
. are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? " (I Cor.
3:16).

Most people don't realize the significance of this
statement even though it's very clear: "You . . . are God's
temple and . . . God's Spirit lives in you? " (I Cor. 3:16).
The next verse is even more awesome. "If anyone destroys
God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred,
and you are that temple" (I Cor. 3:17).

Now, most of us would never think of destroying or
desecrating a church building; yet, we think nothing of
desecrating our bodies and our minds and our spirits.
The word "destroy" means to defile, to ruin or to waste.
So, how do we defile the temple of God? How do we ruin the
temple of God? How do we waste the temple of God?

I. FIRST, WE CAN DESECRATE OUR BODIES THROUGH NEGLECT AND ABUSE.

Through poor eating habits; through lack of exercise;
through promiscuous behavior; through alcohol and through drugs;
we can defile our bodies! We can ruin our health and we can
waste our energy.

If each of us at the moment of birth were given a quart jar
of energy to use as we chose; and we weren't ever going to have
anymore, would we use it in a worthwhile way? If you could
choose for yourself, right now, how to use the physical strength
you have left, would you squander or would you use it carefully?
Would you apply your limited amount to productive and important
activities which would give you fulfilment and peace of mind?
Health is something we don't appreciate until it's gone.
Solomon said, "Fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring
health to your body and nourishment to your bones" (Prov. 3:7-8).
John wished good health for his friends, saying, "Dear
friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may
go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well" (III
John 2).

Paul said, "The body is not meant for sexual immorality,
but for the Lord . . . Do you not know that your bodies are
members of Christ himself? . . . Do you not know that your body
is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have
received from God? . . . Therefore honor God with your body" (I
Cor. 6:13b,15,19-20).

II. NEXT, WE CAN DESECRATE OUR MINDS THROUGH NEGLECT AND ABUSE:

Through negative thoughts; through lack of knowledge;
through false information; through pornography, and through
superstitions; we can defile our minds! We can ruin our
intellect and we can waste our mental abilities.
Once, a teenager wanted to go to an X-rated movie. Her
mother was fixing supper and all at once she turned around and
dumped the potato peelings and other garbage into the bowl of
salad. Her daughter was horrified. "Mom! Why on earth did you
do that?"

"Well," her mother replied, "I thought since you were
willing to put garbage in your mind, It wouldn't bother you to
put garbage in your stomach!"

Sometimes we lie to ourselves and override our reasoning
faculties. One woman lost her life savings in a business scheme
that had been perpetuated by a swindler. When her dream was
shattered, she went to the Better Business Bureau. "Why didn't
you come to us first?" the official asked. "Didn't you know
about the Better Business Bureau?"

"Oh, yes," said the lady sadly. "I knew about you. But I
didn't come then because I was afraid you'd tell me not to do
it."

When we know what to do and don't do it, we sin. James
said, "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and
doesn't do it sins" (James 4:17).

God said, "My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge .
. ." (Hosea 4:6).

Paul said, "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind
controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is
hostile to God . . ." (Rom. 8:6-7).

Instead, he advised, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true .
. . whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy--think about such things" (Phil. 4:8).

III. FINALLY, WE CAN DESECRATE OUR SPIRIT THROUGH
NEGLECT AND ABUSE

Through stressful lifestyles; through hostile attitudes;
through lack of worship; through worry and through greed; we can
defile our character. We can ruin our relationships and we can
waste our talents.

The contamination of our spirit develops so gradually that
we may not realize what's happening until it's too late. We
underestimate the power of evil. They say on August 6, 1945,
the Japanese radar system reported the approach of enemy planes.
Hiroshima and the surrounding cities were alerted. But by eight
o'clock they assumed it was a reconnaissance mission, since
there were only 3 planes, and the alert was removed.
Shortly after 8:15, however, the Japanese Broadcasting
Company noticed that the Hiroshima radio was off the air.
Attempts were made to reach the station by telephone, but no
answer was received. At 8:30, the officials were so worried
that they asked the telegraph station in Tokyo to try to reach
Hiroshima. They were told that the telegraph lines had been
cut. Then there were reports that a large explosion at
Hiroshima had been seen.

By this time the government and military officials were
also growing concerned. They could not imagine what kind of
explosion could have destroyed all lines of communication. They
didn't believe just 3 enemy planes could cause such devastation,
because they didn't know the power of the atomic bomb.
Likewise, we don't believe just two or three sins can wreck
our life, because we don't know the power of evil. A man said,

"I was driving to the airport, one foggy morning, and came upon
a detour sign. I was aggravated at the delay. Later, I learned
that there was a bridge out on the regular route. If that sign
hadn't been there, I would have driven into the Gulf.
That's our situation. We often get aggravated at God's
commandments, society's laws and our parent's rules; but these
roadblocks are there to protect us. If we ignore them, we'll
end up in disaster. The choice is ours.

Charles Reed said, "Sow a thought, reap a deed; sow a deed,
reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a lifestyle; sow a lifestyle,
reap a destiny."

You are the temple of God! The place where you are
standing is holy ground! Will you honor or desecrate that
temple? A young man had a strange dream. He said, "I was in a
room filled with small index card files, like the ones in
libraries. These files stretched from floor to ceiling and from
wall to wall.

The first to catch my attention was labeled, "Girls I have
liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I
quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized those
names. Suddenly I knew where I was. This room full of files
was a catalog system of my life. Here were written all my
thoughts, all my words and all my deeds. I began to explore the
other files. Some brought good memories; others brought regret.
One file was marked, "Friends I have betrayed." Another, "Books
I have read"' another, "Lies I have told." Others were,
"Comfort I have given'; "Jokes I have laughed at"; "Things I
have yelled at my brothers"; "Things I have done in anger"; and
"Words I have muttered under my breath."

I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume. Could it be
possible that in 18 years I had filled millions of cards? But
each card was written in my own handwriting and signed with my
signature. When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I have
Listened to," I shut it quickly. I was shamed by the quality of
the music and by the amount of time I had wasted.
When I came to the file marked, "Lustful thoughts," I felt
sick to think that such things had been recorded. I panicked!
"No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this
room!"

But, someone does see and know. The Scripture says, "Do
not . . . let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a
God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed" (I Sam. 2:3).
The Psalmist said, "God . . . knows the secrets of the
heart?" (Psa. 44:21).

Jesus said, "You are those who justify yourselves in the
sight of men, but God knows your hearts . . ." (Luke 16:15).
John said, "Whenever our hearts condemn us . . . God is
greater than our hearts, and he knows everything" (I John 3:20).
Some people say, "Oh, let boys and girls sow their wild
oats while they're young." But, the Scripture doesn't agree
with that. It says, "Remember your Creator in the days of your
youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach
when you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them' " (Ecc.12:1-2).
God asks nothing less than your best. Once a Sunday School
teacher taught a young student this lesson in a dramatic way.
She sent the girl a box of roses so wilted that their petals
were falling. The girl was surprised to receive the gift and
puzzled when she saw the condition of the flowers. Later, she
met her teacher and thanked her for the roses, thinking that
maybe they had been delayed in delivery.

The older woman smiled and said, "I'm glad you liked them.
I bought them last Monday and enjoyed them all week. Then, when
I noticed they were beginning to droop, I thought of you and had
them delivered to your door."

Seeing the hurt look on the girl's face, she explained,
"You see, dear, last Sunday I heard you telling someone that you
were going to become a Christian when you were older. You said
you wanted to have a good time first. It's selfish to give the
Lord your life after the beauty and energy have faded. I
thought these roses would illustrate what you're doing by
waiting."

Needless to say, the girl learned the lesson .
A pastor once baptized an old man and a young boy. To the
first he said, "I solemnly baptize you in the name of the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit."

To the youth he said, "I joyfully baptize you in the name
of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." When someone asked
about the difference, he said, "The old gentleman gave God his
heart minus a life. The young boy gave God his heart plus a
life."

You are the temple of God. Invite His spirit to live in
you, and don't put anything into your body or mind or spirit
that God wouldn't want to live with. No matter where you go or
what you do, remember this: "the place where you stand is Holy
Ground."

***

Dear Miles and Maralene:
Please continue to send your sermons to me. As a busy
Minister who has to prepare two sermons each week, I am grateful
for the food you send me. I find your messages inspirational,
educational and satisfying - they effectively communicate God's
word to me . . . I am certainly not accusing you of SPAM!
David Murray, (Email) UK

I have already sent my "Please Continue" message, but I
want to thank you for so generously sharing your sermons with
others. I enjoy reading them very much. I will be ordained an
Interfaith Minister in May of this year. Your sermons honor the
spirit of Interfaith with your message of love for all. Thanks
again.
Teri Masters, (Email)*

Please continue to send me your sermons. I enjoy reading
them.
James Joplin (Email)*

I was reading in New Perspectives about the email sermon
service. I would like to be on that list
Howard Dimmer, (Email)*

I began receiving your sermons by E-mail some months ago
(although I don't know how it got there, maybe the workings of
the Holy Spirit?). Anyway, thank you. . . I would like a copy
of your book list if that is possible.
John and Laura Hawkins, (Email) Rosendale, WI

Recently a friend of mine sent me a copy of New Perspectives.
I was most impressed and cried with sheer joy to know that there
were people who loved and followed Christ and the Gospel in such
balance.
I thank God that you are producing such material. Would
you place me on your EmSS and NP address lists.
Steve Robinson, (Email) Sydney Australia

I applaud your letter and respect you more than ever for
having the courage to say the things you said. I LOVE your
sermons and hope to keep receiving them for many more years. As
you know I'm a "fellow" liberal, experiencing much of the
aloneness you talk about. Your newsletter always encourages me.
Dona McGilvary, (Email) Hollywood, FL

I am a Ministerial student at Regents Park Theological
College, Oxford. For my second year dissertation I am doing
some research into couples in ministry together, where both
parties are ordained and accredited by the Baptist Union of
G.Britain.
I am married to . . . a Minister . . . and at present we
work together while I am training. The Baptist Union of Great
Britain does have work in this area, but I have contacted the
Church of England and the Methodist church that have!
I was doing some web research and noticed that you send out
monthly newsletters to couples in ministry together, and I would
very much like to be added to your list. Dave (my husband) said
that he used to receive sermons through the e-mail sermon
service, and he would like to be put back on this list.
Alison Mackay, UK Email

Please continue to send me email sermon service. I might not
always agree with you - but it is good to be challenged
occasionally. [I guess most UK Baptist Ministers are less
fundemental than in the US.]
Neil Brighton, UK (Email)

(ED: All of the letters we received this quarter have not been
so complimentary)

Thanks for your perspectives. I appreciate receiving them.
However sometimes I feel wounded when I read your general
condemnation of "fundamentalists and evangelicals." Admittedly
some fit your description, but some do not. I grew up in a
liberal Episcopal Church but, while serving in the Military in
WWII a "hyper-fundamentalist" opened his Bible, pointed out the
way of salvation, and led me in prayer. My heart and life were
changed. I do not share my brother's peripheral views, but I
can't categorize all "fundies" or "evangelicals" as doctrinal
extremists or hypocrites. Can we avoid stereotypes and be
satisfied to point out sins and attitudes that are contrary to
the spirit of the New Testament? "He drew a circle and left me
out; /Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout; /But love and I had a
will to sin; /We drew a circle and drew him in."
Allen Fadel, Salem, OR

(Ed: Sorry to have offended you. Evidently you live in an area
where you don't hit this thing every day. I didn't mean to
condemn anyone. I try to make a difference between
"fundamentalists," spelled with a lower case "f"---designating
those who are willing to let others follow their conscience; and
"Fundamentalists," spelled with a capital "F"---designating
those who are extreme and write off those who are liberal.
Please note the lack of a capital letter here also---however I
doubt that I have been consistent in this. I do not
believe I have ever used the term "Fundie," which seems to me to
be a bit derogatory.

The church I pastor has people across the spectrum from
fundamentalists to liberals, and I respect them for their
differences. However, we have no Fundamentalists or Liberals as
far as I know, unless you want to classify me as one.
I believe I could serve with a "fundamentalist" as a co-pastor,
but certainly not with a "Fundamentalist," and probably not a
Liberal. I simply do not have the stomach for it.

QUESTION:

Just what is the "Kingdom of Heaven," or the "Kingdom of
God?"

In the Revelation, the Apostle John talked about Christians
becoming a nation of kings and priests. I believe he used this
expression because kings and priests were the only ones, in his
day, who were autonomous and could afford to speak with
authority.

Today, we have realized this prophecy to a remarkable
degree. Today we can be autonomous and we can speak without
fear of being condemned for our words. (Rev. 1:6; 5:10).
In the NT, both John the Baptist and Jesus talked about the
Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of heaven, (Matt. 3:2; 6:33; Lu.
17:21, Et al.). According to George Lamsa in his book, "Idioms
in the Bible Explained . . .", these phrases were idioms which
meant: "A ideal universal state; a reign of peace and harmony."
This would be "an ideal state of being" similar to what is meant
by the term utopia. It would also be similar to what President
Lyndon Johnson meant by his phrase, "the good life."
Today more and more people are reaping the benefits of "the
good life" this world has to offer. Never before have so many
diseases been conquered by modern medicine. Truly, Christ's
prophecy, "Greater things than these shall he (who believes in
me) do" are coming to pass, (see John 14:12).

We have an obligation to make the benefits of modern
advances in technology, medicine and economics (the Kingdom of
God) available to all people. "Go ye into all the earth and
preach the gospel . . ." (Matt. 18:19-20).
This is also a part of the "Gospel."

***
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Miles Wesner