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Pastor's Page

February 19, 2012

I declare a hearty “Amen” to Pastor Sauser’s pulpit ministry last week. His message coincides with ways that God has been directing my thinking as I study the Scriptures and minister to people. How we hear the Word of God is very important! Hearing the Word of God is likened in Matthew 13 to seed that lands in differing soil conditions. The last of these conditions is seed, the Word of God, that lands in “good soil.” This one who “hears and understands, and indeed produces fruit” in response to the Word of God. The exact nature of fruit is left undetermined but certainly described elsewhere in Scripture.
“Fruit” is the evidence of a life transformed by the gospel of Christ (“...by their fruits [behavior and attitudes and habits] you shall know them”, Matthew 7:15-27).
“Fruit” is active pursuit of Christ in faith and and obedience (John 15:8).
“Fruit” is the display of godlike character (Galatians 5:22-23).
“Fruit” is understanding with our heart so that our affections are changed (Matthew 13:15).
“Fruit” is turning from old, sinful ways of living (Matthew 13:15).
“Fruit” is being healed by God’s gracious touch (Matthew 13:15). 
To come at this subject from a totally different way, “How can you tell I’m married?” No one here attended Debbie’s and my wedding ceremony. I/we might have lied! You’ve never seen our Wedding License (years ago we removed it from our wall since the sun was fading it so badly; it now resides in the dark of our bedroom closet shelf ... I think!). My wedding ring does not match Debbie’s (my “original” is broken and in storage; where are the “Gold Guys” when you need them?). Our formal wedding relationship may be a sham!
We are, however, legally husband and wife! This do I testify, and so does Debbie! But beyond our words, beyond our professions, how do you know we are married? You know we are married by the manifest love and devotion that we display to each other. You know we are married by our profession and our lives! We live together and love together as husband and wife. Our statements are true and our lives indicate our marriage.
How do you know you are “saved?” Faith in Christ is essential, for “we are saved by grace through faith” -- our profession! Life with Christ, a life being transformed and healed by His grace is also a companion, compulsory indicator. “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God before ordained that we should walk in them.” It is for this reason that when the Scriptures address God’s judgment of people, it is not mere profession that is noted but additionally the life. Every saved person is saved by grace through faith and judged before God by his works, for his works, his life is the reality and proof of God’s redemption of sinners.
What then is the soil of your heart? Good soil, or rocky, thorny soil?
How are you “hearing the Word of God? With ears of the head or of the heart?
Are you “...laying aside all filthiness of wickedness and receiving with meekness the engrafted Word which is able to save your soul?” (James 1:21).

February 12, 2012

Today we welcome longtime friends and ministry colleagues to ABC, Pastor Bob & Judi Sauser. Back in the Dark Ages Debbie and I were just entering pastoral ministry in 1976, serving initially at Bethel Baptist Church in Jamestown, NY. Among the many pastors and wives in the Empire State Fellowship were Bob & Judi, serving then at West Genesee Hills Baptist Church in Camillus, NY. At that time they were really the “old veterans”, even though now our age difference seems much smaller.
Iowans, of course, were familiar with Sausers, Harlan Sauser pastoring in nearby Slater. New Yorkers, however, wondered “Who is this Sauser guy?” Judi’s dad, Gordon Lewis, was pastor of our hometown church, and her sister is our missionary, Nancy Singh. I played basketball for one year in college with Bob’s brother John. Then who should show up on our doorstep at ABC but Bob’s sister Mary Wolfe! The intertwining of our families and ministry has brought a most enjoyable friendship. Bob and I even both play low brass instruments!
Our friendship with the Saucers reminds me of the value of tested models. Though young in ministry I attached my gaze to men like Bob who were serving in ways directed by God. I told myself “Follow them even if you haven’t figured everything out!” And so I followed.
Paul’s statement in Philippians 4:9 is very appropriate: “The things that you have both seen and heard in me, do, and the God of peace shall be with you.” Amplifying what Paul said, “Practice what you preach and preach what you practice!”
I preached in chapel this past Tuesday to the collegian men on the topic of “laziness” (I’m not sure I know or want to know why I was asked to address this topic). As I presented the Scriptures, however, I was able to tell the men, “Follow my pattern; here’s what I’ve learned and experienced by God’s grace. You’ll be safe, you’ll grow in godliness and fruitfulness if you follow me.” Paul again urged his readers to “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Thus today Debbie and I are glad to have had models like Bob and Judi. And now that I am a bit older, we aspire to be those who will model godliness to those younger followers of Christ. “Follow us, even as we are following Christ!”