Please freely print this weeks Penny Pulpit Column in your papers, bulletins, emails, bloggs and twitters . Thank you for this consideration.
Pastor Ed Rice, Good Samaritan Baptist Church, Dresden NY 14441

These Baptist Penny Pulpits are an asset to many Missionaries and young Christians, Please Use the FORWARD below.

Msg# 1230 Intimacy With Christ

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

“Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.” This first verse of John 13 marks another turning point in the teaching ministry of the Christ. The next five chapters develop an intense intimacy between Christ and the believer. It is, unfortunately, more intimate than most believers ever experience in their relationship with their Lord. Joun 13 begins describing this intimacy with two powerful points. The disciple indeed is a servant indeed, and the disciple indeed is a possessor not just a professor. Every, all to frequent, Baptist Church fight, I've seen far far to many, mimics the disciples quarrel “Who is going to be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven,... I want the position on Christ's right hand.” There is no greater reproof or grander lesson than the Master girding himself in a servant's towel and washing the disciple's feet. He crowns this lesson with: “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” It is scary; so many unhappy Baptists. Jesus then tactlessly asks each disciple to examine their reality. One would betray him and one would deny him. “Is it I?” is the question he means for each to ask. It is easy to 'be' Christian. It is difficult to 'act' Christian. Further, wearing Peter's overzealous mouth does not capture the humble heart of a servant. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” How is your love? Intimacy with Christ starts here. Are you a servant indeed? Are you a disciple indeed? Happy are ye.

An Essay from week # 30, Sunday, July 22, 2012

Published at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/ppulpit

In free ebook at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/ebooks