Has it ever occurred to you that when Jesus came on the scene he was what you would call today “under qualified” at least by the standards of His day? He had not come through the Aaronic or Levitical priesthoods which was a requirement. He was rejected based on knowledge of Him and His family, where he was from, and mainly because he wasn’t respectful of those who already possessed authority. I have found, even though I have worked in churches in Oklahoma city, that if you have not been to seminary, or belong to certain Associations, or if you are not willing to “play ball” with those already in positions of power you are black carded just as Christ was in His day. I do recognized that doctrines are important and that the church must have men and in 3% of the Southern Baptists women that follow Baptist teachings. I have no problem with Baptist doctrines at all! I do have a problem that our denomination and our religion at a whole is quickly becoming a stage for man made traditions and man made doctrines that honor neither God nor the Bride of Christ that we proclaim to be teaching and loving. Consider this; that the men and women that are hiring our ministers in this day need to first of all know their bibles and understand that under the qualifications for an elder seminary isn’t to be found. I am sure for those that were raised in the church and knew their entire lives that they would be ministers and therefore went through school to become one it is a great advantage and no doubt are blessed. However, lets not forget that there are great men that are called of God that have been called to different circumstances. The first that comes to mind is the Apostle Paul…then John the Baptist…Oh and of course Jesus.... I wonder if Jesus would even get a pulpit to preach at in the Baptist church today? No just kidding... I know he wouldn't.
In Christ, Bo
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
A Hero of Mine
Most people do not know of and have never even heard of Obadiah Holmes. Regardless of that fact he is and for ever will be a man that I pray I will live up to. He is truly a man that I admire more than just about any one I have ever known and here is why.
In 1651 Obadiah was an assistant pastor to John Clarke (read up on John Clarke as he did many great things as well). Obadiah and John were in Boston when religious persecution was alive and well. On June 16 they had gone to preach at a private home which was forbidden at the time. The meeting was reported and they were found guilty and sentenced to either pay a fine and admit to being wrong or be publicly whipped! Clarke’s fine was paid by an anonymous donor, Obadiah’s fine was offered to be paid as well but he refused and insisted on the punishment. They held him for weeks in prison until September 5, 1651 when he became my hero. His hand’s were tied to a wooden stake in Boston Commons and before the punishment began Obadiah was offered a drink of wine to deaden the pain of the attack. Obadiah is quoted as saying “My resolution was not to drink wine or strong drink until my punishment were over”. It is record that while he was being whipped Obadiah preached to the crowed through all thirty whips! He was so brutally beaten than he was kept in Boston for weeks after and it was feared he may die. Most of his recovery was spent on his knees because the lashings were so extreme that he could not bear for his back to be touched even gently. Obadiah had said to the magistrate when the beating was over that they had struck him as with roses and said that he had believed that Jesus stood by those in times of trial and now knew it for fact. His back remained a mangled mess of scares and misplaced flesh for the remainder of his life.
I hope this man inspires you as he so greatly has inspired me!
Sincerely In Christ, Bo Sharp
In 1651 Obadiah was an assistant pastor to John Clarke (read up on John Clarke as he did many great things as well). Obadiah and John were in Boston when religious persecution was alive and well. On June 16 they had gone to preach at a private home which was forbidden at the time. The meeting was reported and they were found guilty and sentenced to either pay a fine and admit to being wrong or be publicly whipped! Clarke’s fine was paid by an anonymous donor, Obadiah’s fine was offered to be paid as well but he refused and insisted on the punishment. They held him for weeks in prison until September 5, 1651 when he became my hero. His hand’s were tied to a wooden stake in Boston Commons and before the punishment began Obadiah was offered a drink of wine to deaden the pain of the attack. Obadiah is quoted as saying “My resolution was not to drink wine or strong drink until my punishment were over”. It is record that while he was being whipped Obadiah preached to the crowed through all thirty whips! He was so brutally beaten than he was kept in Boston for weeks after and it was feared he may die. Most of his recovery was spent on his knees because the lashings were so extreme that he could not bear for his back to be touched even gently. Obadiah had said to the magistrate when the beating was over that they had struck him as with roses and said that he had believed that Jesus stood by those in times of trial and now knew it for fact. His back remained a mangled mess of scares and misplaced flesh for the remainder of his life.
I hope this man inspires you as he so greatly has inspired me!
Sincerely In Christ, Bo Sharp
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Grace vs. Mercy
I had a friend ask me once “what is the difference between Grace and Mercy?” To be honest up to that point I had never really given it much thought yet after that question was asked I have given it much attention, prayer, and meditation. Most people probably think, as I did, that these two words mean pretty much the same thing. However, when they are studied in the Bible and given careful inspection it becomes clear that they do NOT mean the same thing and as a matter of fact they are two completely different aspects of God’s character.
1st Mercy is; NOT receiving something you DO deserve!For example- you commit a sin and of course God has the right to punish you yet He exercises Mercy and spares you the punishment.
2nd Grace is; Receiving something that you did NOT deserve!For Example- You pray for a blessing and know full well you don’t deserve for God to grant you what you requested but He does any way.
Of course both mercy and grace are present together almost all the time but that does not make them the same thing. Also consider this…if God gives us something or spares us something don’t you think it matters to Him that we recognize what He has done and thank Him accordingly? Read your bible, study what I have said here, see for yourself if this isn’t the truth.
Sincerely, Bo
1st Mercy is; NOT receiving something you DO deserve!For example- you commit a sin and of course God has the right to punish you yet He exercises Mercy and spares you the punishment.
2nd Grace is; Receiving something that you did NOT deserve!For Example- You pray for a blessing and know full well you don’t deserve for God to grant you what you requested but He does any way.
Of course both mercy and grace are present together almost all the time but that does not make them the same thing. Also consider this…if God gives us something or spares us something don’t you think it matters to Him that we recognize what He has done and thank Him accordingly? Read your bible, study what I have said here, see for yourself if this isn’t the truth.
Sincerely, Bo
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