"When a Man is Wise"

Scripture Reference: Acts 8: 26-39
Philip and the Ethiopian

26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza."
27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian[a]eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship,
28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet.
29 The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."
30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.
31"How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
32The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture:
"He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before the shearer is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
33In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth."[b]

34The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?"
35Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
36As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?"[c]
38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.
39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

When a man is wise he recognizes his need for truth. (We know the Ethiopian recognized this need because of his interest in God's house and God's Word.) Spencer Cone, a great preacher of days gone by, says when he recognized his need for the truth he began a diligent study of God's Word. He says, "I commenced reading the scripture with deep interest to find out how a sinner could be saved; and in two months, read the Psalms and different portions of the Old Testament and New Testament, I think more than 20 times through."

He recognizes his need for truth about God. Nichodemus recognized this need when he came to Jesus by night in John 3. He recognizes his need for truth about himself. He recognizes his need for truth about God's will for his life. Dr. Westmoreland says, 'Only when we are in the perfect will of God will we be perfectly happy.'

When a man is wise he graciously receives the Truth. He graciously receives guidance. The eunich could have rebelled when this stranger tried to join him. Instead he had an intensely curious attitude; not a "convince me" attitude. The eunich asked at least three questions: 1) How can I understand? 2)Of who speaketh the prophet? and, 3) What hinders me from being baptized? He is willing to believe. The eunich, in fact, said "I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God."

When a man is wise he rejoices after having received the Truth. He rejoices in his experience. The eunich was elated over his experience. Spencer H. Cone, a prominent Baptist preacher of the early 1800's, one of the founders of the American Bible Union,and Chaplain to Congress in 1815 says of a dark time in his life when he passed through agony of soul on account of his sins;
'One evening after the family had all retired, I went up into a vacant garret and walked backwards and forwards in great agony of mind. I kneeled down, the instance of Hezekiah occurred to me, like him I turned my face to the wall and cried for mercy. An answer seemed to be vouchsafed in an impression that just as many years as I had passed in rebellion against God, so many years I must now endure, before deliverance could be granted. I clasped my hands and cried out, "Yes, dear Lord, a thousand years of such anguish as I now feel, if I may only be saved at last." . . . I felt that as a sinner I was condemned and justly exposed to immediate and everlasting destruction. I saw distinctly that in Christ alone I must be saved, if saved at all; and the view I had at that moment of Christ's method of saving sinners, I do still most heartily entertain after thirty years' experience of his love. When I finally found Jesus I was able to rest and sleep soundly for the first time in months." That was a sign of rejoicing in his heart.

The eunich, as well, went on his way rejoicing! You too have the choice of accepting the Truth of God and thereby rejoicing in it and resting because of it. 'Only when we are in the perfect will of God for our lives will we be perfectly happy.'

THE HEAVENLY TREASURE

Where was it found? 

On a solitary way through the desert.

The chest that contained it. 

The scripture with dark sayings and seals.

The key which opened it. 

 The preaching of Philip.

The jewel which sparkled to him. 

 Christ who died for our sins and rose for our justification.

The seal of possession. 

Granted to him by baptism.
The joy which it occasioned. That of forgiveness and salvation.

"The Gospel"

Scripture Reference: Isaiah 59:1-4

1 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
4 None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.
_______________________________________________________________
It has been said that the gospel message has lost a great deal of its impact because of the fear of preachers to preach and say YOU instead of THEY. My friends, I do want you to like me and be accepted, but my greatest desire is that you come to a right relationship with God, and an awareness concerning the reality of sin in YOUR life.

God’s message is directed to you. The great tragedy in the church today is that there are so many who have no awareness of sin. You hear said, “I’m a good fellow!” But God says, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Again, “There is none that doeth good, no not one.” You might say, “I’ll find some other way to get into heaven.” Jesus said; "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, THE SAME IS A THIEF AND A ROBBER" (John 10:1)

Notice now that this verse contains very clear teaching concerning the all-important matter of salvation. Jesus is saying here that anyone who tries to get into Heaven by any means other than the way provided for by Him in the shedding of His blood on Calvary's Cross, the same is a thief and a robber. He said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).Jesus also said: "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shell go in and out, and find pasture" (John 10:9). There is only one door into Heaven and that door is Christ. Anyone who tries to enter the pearly-white city through any other entrance is a thief and a robber. The devil has built back doors, side doors, and all kinds of other doors, but they are doors which are used only by thieves and robbers. Oh, Satan's doorways may look inviting, but they all lead to Hell. The Lord Jesus Christ alone is the door-the means of entrance-into Heaven. There is no other way of access to God but by Him.

Is there a sense of failure before God in your heart? What does God’s Word say?
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. – Isaiah 59:2

In Jeremiah 17:9; “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?”

Can you rely on your own senses to diagnose your own illness, your own sins? Psalm 14:1 says: “The fool has said in his heart, there is no God.” Such people believe that God cares nothing about the man’s behavior.

“The mind of the flesh is enmity against God” The fleshly mind, the phronema sarkos, the lusts, the passions of the soul; it is this which has gone astray from God, and become enmity against him. The carnal mind (mind of the flesh) is enmity. That word, enmity as it is used here is a noun, not an adjective. The mind of the flesh is not corrupt, but corruption. It isn’t rebellious, but rebellion. It isn’t wicked; it IS WICKEDNESS.

The sin in your life has prevented you from coming to Christ or from serving Him with the whole heart. (I Thessalonians 2:18) “We wanted to come to you…but yet Satan hindered us.” Many of you could say this to God. Satan is stopping me from serving you!

In Revelations 12:9b it says “And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world;”

Some people get to thinking that Christians who talk to them about Jesus have some personal gain in mind (Deceiver at work).

Others get to thinking what a great honor they would be to God’s church (DECEIVED).

Others; it’s MY soul (mind/will/emotions). It’s of value to me first and then to God. Even poor, miserable, perverse, and sinful.

Here I am – just try to convince me! I dare you!

LISTEN!!!! GOD LOVES YOU! HE GAVE HIS SON FOR YOU. THE HOLY SPIRIT PLEADS WITH YOU.

But you, along with your sins, can go to hell straight OVER the cross of Christ.

How much does your soul mean to you? Enough to walk down an aisle? Enough to let God have more than scraps from your life?

Sir Francis Newport, the head of an English Infidels Club said to those gathered around his deathbed, "You need not tell me there is no God, for I know there is one and that I am in His angry presence. You need not tell me there is no Hell, for I know there is, for I already feel my soul slipping into the fire."

Oh, the unbearable agony of those who go to Hell! The incredible fear that must come upon the heart of every man and woman that opens up their eyes after death only to finds themselves in Hell!

Every one of us is a sinner. We are not perfect. We have gone astray. We need to repent; repentance simply means going the other direction.

Jesus said, "except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). Peter in his Second Epistle said, "The Lord.., is longsuffering... not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). This is a teaching that really needs to be taught. You need to know what true biblical repentance is.

True repentance compels you to need to get up and get out of whatever mess you’re in and back to your Heavenly Father.' You know the story of the prodigal son; he was willing first of all to give up his sin. That is true repentance. Repentance produces a willingness to forsake sin.

‘And he would vain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, ‘Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and before thee.' – Luke 15

True repentance consists of a willingness to forsake sin, a willingness to confess, and a willingness to serve Jesus. Sin separates us from Christ.

“I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me.” The invitation is open. Romans 10:13 says this: "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13). That includes me and that includes you.



Preached at Stanton, KY mission church January 25, 1959 by Rev. Clyde Smith

"One Thing"

Scripture Reference: Luke 10:38-42

"Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said untl her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

Ours is truly an age of "many things." Duties, pleasures, diversions and distractions of many kinds constantly occupy our attention. "So busy" is the usual refrain. The idea that there is "one thing" of supreme importance to every person is quite foreign to our generation. To be occupied with many things seems normal. How can it be otherwise in our complicated lives? To point up "one thing" and say, "This only is truly needful" seems almost childish in the face of the complexities of our everyday life. Nevertheless, when our Lord and Savior himself makes the assertion, no Christian can lightly dismiss the claim. Rather, his concern will be how he may elevate this "one thing needful" to a position where it overshadows and dominates all other "things" or considerations in his life.

Perhaps the dilemma is not as great as it may appear to be. Mary at the feet of Jesus indicates that the things of the spirit were uppermost in her thoughts. When Jesus came into the home everything else became of secondary importance. When He was gone she would no doubt go about her work with renewed joy and zest, a song in her heart.

In our lives the one thing needful assumes its proper place when at regular intervals, at private or family devotions and at public worship, we commune with our Savior in prayer and in the Word, concerning the things of the soul, letting His voice guide and direct our lives in the midst of our work-a-day business and varied occupations.

“Joseph of Arimathea”

Scripture Reference: Mark 15: 42, 43

42It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached,
43Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body.
"There are two questions I wish to answer about Joseph of Arimathea…what caused Joseph to be a secret disciple? And, what cured him?

The one beautiful deed that shines out on the darkest day earth every saw is this deed of Joseph of Arimathea. Joseph was, according to the Gospels, the man who donated his own prepared tomb for the burial of Jesus after Jesus was crucified. A native of Arimathea, he was apparently a man of wealth, and probably a member of the Sanhedrin (which is the way bouleutēs, literally "counselor", is often interpreted in Matthew 27:57 and Luke 23:50). Joseph was an "honorable counselor, who waited (or "was searching") for the kingdom of God" (Mark 15:43), according to John 19:38 he was secretly a disciple of Jesus. As soon as he heard the news of Jesus' death, he "went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus."

Pilate, reassured by a centurion that the death had really taken place, allowed Joseph's request. Joseph immediately purchased fine linen (Mark 15:46) and proceeded to Golgotha to take the body down from the cross. There, assisted by Nicodemus, he took the body and wrapped it in the fine linen, sprinkling it with the myrrh and aloes that Nicodemus had brought (John 19:39). The body was then conveyed to a new tomb that had been hewn for Joseph himself out of a rock in his garden nearby. There they laid it, in the presence of Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of Jesus, and other women, and rolled a great stone to the entrance, and departed (Luke 23:53, 55). This was done speedily, "for the Sabbath was drawing on".

It is a touching thing to think that all around us are men and women who are secret disciples of Jesus. What caused Joseph to be a secret disciple? Fear was one of the causes. Riches another; also his high office.
What cured Joseph from secret discipleship? The death of Jesus cured him. The fact that he was needed cured him.

For your own sake and the joys involved, leave secret discipleship and follow Him public ally. For the sake of others, it is needful that you follow Christ public ally.

At the beginning of the Reformation, Martin of Basle came to the knowledge of the truth but was afraid. He wrote on leaf of parchment: “O most merciful Christ, I know that I can be saved only by the merit of thy blood. Holy Jesus, I acknowledge thy sufferings for me. I love thee! I love thee! Then he removed a stone from the wall of his chamber and hid it there. Found over 100 years later, about the same time – Martin Luther found truth and said –“My Lord has confessed me before men; I will not shrink from confessing Him before Kings.” The world knows that followed, and today reveres the name of Luther…who cares for Martin of Basle?

"Life Moves On"

Rev. Clyde B. Smith
Scripture Reference: Luke 9:28-36

28And it came to pass about eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
29And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
30And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
31Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
32But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
33And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.
34While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
35And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
36And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

Life moves on. This interpretative remark is not in the other gospels – this is written by Luke, a doctor.

Perhaps their being asleep is looked upon as either stupidity or indifference.

Rather, it was proof of their great attachment, and their deep sympathy in His sorrows. Luke says – “sleeping for sorrow” – on account of their sorrow – their grief was great.

*A symptom of grief is profound, deep sleep – (we see this in patients when things get uncomfortable. Some people use this escape from sermon lectures!

The agony of Jesus in prayer:
- His impending death
- Their loneliness which they already anticipated when he had gone. (It is often more difficult for those who stay than for those who go.)
- They were heavily invested in Him and they felt the grief deeply. [This is a commitment we must make ourselves in order to be in the “inner circle” of the apothein life [lovers of life] , to be open to hurt.

I think we already experienced this as our group life comes toward an end. My mother has passed away (Mary Smith).

Luke 9: 33 says: “There are no stopping places in life. Life moves on! Physically, the organs of the body must continue in the function for one to continue to live. When they stop functioning – physical life is over.”

Emotionally, life in its fullest sense, means that one feels, is aware, is sensitive. [I once visited a woman in a hospital whose heart had stopped during surgery. The doctors were able to get her heart to beat again but her brain had already been damaged. She was alive plysically - but emotionally she was dead; no awareness, no feeling.] If one lives a marginal life emotionally – then life is not full and meaningful.

LIFE MOVES ON! That is, it is headed somewhere. There are plans and goals. There are hopes. What are your goals? Do you have any? Life has always meant more when you were working, planning, and had definite goals! School, work, marriage, promotion, discharge from hospital, etc. This is the essential optimism in the Bible; Abraham, Israel (even today) others.

We see in v. 33 that Peter wanted life to somehow stop where he was. He said – “without knowing what he was saying “ – [probably because he was so bewildered in his state of ecstasy]. We would probably have been the same. Peter remarked, “Let’s construct three booths here – for You, Moses, and Elijah!” [In Lev. 23:42, there is a reference to “booths”: …dwell in booths after being brought out of Egypt.]

Now, let us consider again, what had been the subject of Jesus’ conversation with Moses and Elijah.

Now, let us consider again, what had been the subject of Jesus’ conversation with Moses and Elijah. He had been talking with them about his “deciose.” This word comes from 2 words – “Ex” – “out of”; and “odos” – “A journeying.” EXODUS. The word used of the migration of the Jews from Egypt

This was a journey out of Egypt (bondage, enslavement’ and also, a destination which was to the Promised Land.

So when Jesus was talking of His exodus, it covers the ideas of death and ascension. In light of this – the idea of building three tents for the six of them to live on the slopes of Mt. Hernron shows truly that Peter “didn’t know what he was saying.”

Peter learned that life moves on!!! They heard a voice! Matthew records that they fell to the ground – Jesus came and touched them and said “Don’t be afraid.” For the pleasant moments that we would like to hold forever – life moves on! We can remember but we can’t hold on.

I have had many disappointments and so have you. But perhaps we need this message even more – for the moments of darkness and despair and loneliness change one circumstance – LIFE MOVES ON! Our lives are not stagnant. In times such as these, the child of God can know that life is a pilgrimage; it is going from the Egypt of life – to the promised land. Jesus is the Joshua who leads the way.

To Peter and the other disciples – after telling them to get up and not be afraid – “Jesus was found alone.” Alexander Maclaren wronte: “So all other teachers, helpers, guides, are lost in His sight, or drop away as the ages roll on, and He only is left. But He is left, and He is enough and eternal. Happy are we if in life we hear Him, and if in our experience, Jesus is found alone, the all-sufficient and unchanging companion and portion of our else “lonely and restless spirits.”
PREACHED:
Geriatrics 01/16/69
Trinity 3/30/69
Chapel 1/16/71
Chapel 10/17/76
Chapel 3/6/77
Chapel 6/25/77
Chapel 9/79
Goshen 12/31/89

"Who Can Find a Virtuous Woman?"

MOTHER’S DAY
GOSHEN
05/13/1990
Rev. Clyde B. Smith

Scripture Reference:Proverbs 31:10
Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.

Virtuous is an adjective used in different contexts with reference to strength, ability, efficiency, wealth, and valor. She is in every way an excellent woman.

A book was published several years ago entitled “The Seasons of a Man’s Life.” I want to talk about the “Seasons of a Woman’s Life.”

Mothers, think of your own beginning. A baby girl. A member of a family that shaped your life. The usual developmental stages: childhood, school, normal concerns - - friends, dress, having things, being loved.

Now you reach the stage of dating. You think of marriage; of your own family; your own house, your own work.

You come to marriage. You have learned about family from your own family - - father, mother, children. Responsibility, sharing…

Maybe you said that you wanted a family like the one you grew up within.
Maybe you said you wanted a family totally different from your own family.

BUT YOU COME TO MARRIAGE.

Now you are a wife.

W. Hugh Missildine, M.D. said in his book “Your Inner Child of the Past” (1980’s): Because each of us has within himself a “child of the past”, marriage requires that four –not two—persons adjust to one another. It is two adults acting in the present and two children acting according to their respective and different family backgrounds. AND, BECAUSE THERE ARE FOUR PEOPLE INVOLVED IN MARRIAGE, ANY MARRIAGE IS NATURALLY COMPLICATED.

WHERE IS THE LITTLE GIRL YOU ONCE WERE? Still there, still alive and kicking!

In marriage you are an amateur. Building a home, learning to relate on a full-time basis to one man, caring for your own home, cooking meals.

Since I am primarily talking to mothers, there comes a time when you look forward to the birth of your child.

You care for, train, teach, dress, correct, and tend physical hurts.
You weep over failures, smile over joys, forgive mistakes, inspire.

YOU are raising a child, that, "YOU!" WITH YOUR OWN INNER CHILD STILL WITHIN YOU.

Sometimes you might think you are losing yourself as a person. You conform to roles, expectations, limitations.

It’s so easy for you to be seen only as meeting needs. It is so difficult for any of us to see people and things in an OBJECTIVE WAY.

I was asked by a psychiatrist in Atlanta – Have you ever tried to look into your own eyes and see who you really are?

LET ME ASK YOU HUSBANDS AND CHILDREN –
Have you ever looked deep into the eyes of that person you call wife and mother and tried to see the person within? Try to do it without getting your own “I” into it and seeing her only as someone to meet your needs. It is a most difficult task.

HERE IS A YOUNG GIRL INSIDE A YOUNG WOMAN and she is called MOTHER.

SEE HER—A REAL PERSON WITH HER OWN NEEDS – HER OWN YEARNINGS AND ASPIRATIONS – PLEASE DON’T DEFINE HER IN TERMS OF ONLY YOURSELF.

REMEMBER – IN ALL THESE EXPERIENCES, SHE IS ONLY AN AMATEUR. EVERY DAY IS A BRAND NEW EXPERIENCE.

She was a young girl but somehow her experiences are not valid NOW.
She was a student in the distant past. She experienced all the emotions that you now feel, but it's a different time NOW.
She was a young bride but marriage is different NOW.
She had to deal with the same moral and ethical choices you struggle with but the same morals and ethics don’t apply NOW.

IN THE PROGRESS OF TIME, MOST MOTHERS BECOME GRANDMOTHERS.

Where is the child of the past, the young bride and mother? STILL VERY MUCH ALIVE! LOOK DEEP WITHIN HER EYES AND YOU WILL SEE THEM THERE!

THESE ARE ALL NEW EXPERIENCES!!! Who has been a grandmother to this particular child before? Not her! Who has to face totally different circumstances every day that the sun comes up? SHE DOES!

[As a grandmother] She is back in the old mold again - - training, encouraging, advising (even when not asked), giving, weeping, laughing.

REMEMBER EACH DAY IS NOT ONLY NEW, BUT IT IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER DAY BEFORE IT.

AND DON'T FORGET! SHE IS AN AMATEUR!

I’ve used that word so often, I want to define for you what I mean by it.

AMATEUR - from Latin amator, lover from amatus, pp. of amare, to love.
DEVOTEE, ADMIRER.
One who engages in a pursuit, study, science, or sport as a pastime rather than as a profession.

ALL OF THEM – The little girl of the past. The young bride of yesterday. The young or older mother; or the grandmother you might be today.
ALL OF THEM DO WHAT THEY DO BECAUSE THEY LOVE WHAT THEY DO.

Just look into the eyes and see if they do not agree. See if you don't find a virtuous bride, mother, or grandmother.