Category: Penny Pulpit

Msg #1814 Sinless Perfection – NOT

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

The Apostle John carefully dictates some principles to determine the authentic conversion of professed believers around us. They are the same as those used to self-authenticate ones own conversion, obedience of Christ's commandments, a holy walk, and an authentic love for the brethren. But when rehearsing these he seems to over emphasize, perhaps because one cannot know another's heart as one's own. In this profound emphasis for authenticating a new-birth a person should abide in Christ and NOT abiding in sin. 1John 3:9 is the capstone of that emphasis. Be careful with this verse, even though a dozen verses earlier John says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1:8). Many use 1John 3:9, taken out of context, to support errant teachings about sinless perfection. Like some take Nebuchadnezzar's tree, or Satan's pinnacle to suppose that the world is flat! And some even suppose that it was half-angel half-human giants that caused God to destroyed the world with a flood The half-breed angles are the problem, they say, not man's depravity! False teachers take a verse out of its context and develop a whole system of error around it. Acts 2:38 might suppose ones baptismal regeneration, but the rest of the Bible cannot support it. Use great care in your Bible study and great criticism of charismatic teachers. Be a Barean (Acts 17:10-11) with your Bible. Don't be led down a crooked garden path. It is painstakingly Scriptural and obvious that believers still sin, but we now have an advocate with the Father, and he is the propitiation for sin. The point being (for 1 John 3:9) true believers use that advocate and do not continue in sin,..Every man that hath this hope in him is truly changed.

An Essay for week #14 Apr 8, 2018

Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs180408.mp3

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Copyright © 2018 Good Samaritan Baptist Church, All Public Domain
A weekly 300 word essay- The Penny Pulpit

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Msg #1812 The Passover Lamb

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

The passover lamb was selected and separated from the flock on the tenth of the month, examined for three days to be found without spot, and then slain on the fourteenth day of the month (Exod 12). God carefully followed this calendar when our Passover Lamb was crucified on Mount Calvary. On that Palm Sunday he was separated from the flock with a cry “Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” He purged the temple that evening and again on the marrow after cursing a fig tree, and the Bible says of him, “And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the Mount of Olives. And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him” (Luke 21:37-38). To arrange that he be crucified on a Friday, fitting Roman Catholic tradition, scholars suppose Jesus took some time off and did nothing for one day, but those of us who can read God's calendar know that he was selected on the tenth and crucified on the fourteenth just like the 1,500 passover lambs before him. A Bible believer should study these last four days of the Christ's ministry with intrigue. They are addressed in Matthew 21-28, Mark 11-16, Luke 19-24, and John 12-21. (That's 30 of the 89 chapters of Gospel covering just the last week of Jesus' time on earth.) In these days of Church apostasy and compromised bibles it is important to study these days of his passion and resurrection for ourselves. Modernist ecumenical 'scholars' are not to be trusted with such a precious commodity. God bless your Easter Sunday worship.

An Essay for week #12 Mar 25, 2018

Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs180325.mp3

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Copyright © 2018 Good Samaritan Baptist Church, All Public Domain
A weekly 300 word essay- The Penny Pulpit

Our mailing address is:
Good Samaritan Baptist Church

Msg #1813 A Victorious Resurrection and More

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

The Victory in Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is preceded by three important things and followed by three important things, none should be overlooked. His Vicarious Death is essential to our saving faith as heralded by Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” His Virtuous Life enabled him to be the Lamb of God, sacrificed for us, as proclaimed in 2Cor 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him,” and verified in Hebrews, “… yet without sin” (4:15, 9:28). Acknowledge also his Virgin Birth, he was not the son of a man, he was the Son of God (Luke 1:26-33). He was the “seed of woman” that would “bruise Satan's head” (Gen 3:15), and his Virgin Birth was a sign to all Israel that their Messiah had arrived to take away the sin of the world (Isaiah 7:14, 9:6). But there is even more to his victorious resurrection when we declare his Vital Message, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom 10:9). “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17). Further, he will have a Visible Return where every eye shall see him (Rev 1:7, 19:11-18). An honest Bible student also sees his Virtual Return at the rapture (1Thes 4:14-18). Then there is a 1,000 year Vibrant Reign from the Throne of David in Zion. Worship his Majesty in Spirit and in Truth (Ps 21:5,29:4, John 4:23, Jude 1:25).

An Essay for week #13 Apr 1, 2018

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Copyright © 2018 Good Samaritan Baptist Church, All Public Domain
A weekly 300 word essay- The Penny Pulpit

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Msg #1810 Is It Really Real

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes, that have been taught to “act” Christian without understanding “be” Christian. In his "My Little Children" epistle the first thing the beloved Apostle John lays out is a means for determining the fidelity of ones faith; “Hereby we know that we know him” (1John 2:3a). The first stabbing probe is pointed, “He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him” (verse 4). With John's clarification these are Christ's commandments, not Moses' ten (verses 5-8). This is a New Covenant in a New Dispensation that reprimands Covenant Theology and exposes Ellen G. White's chronic debacle. These probes are not designed to be thrust into a neighbor's heart or a loved-ones soul, they are intent on a self-examination. A second heart searching probe, “He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now” (verse 9). Again this is not a club used to beat on someone else's feigned faith, it is to cut and reach into our own soul. Then, like the third tine of a pitch fork, from the pen of a ninety year old preacher, “If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him” (verse 15b). Paul wrote to reprimanded carnal Christians, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves, how Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2Cor 13:5). The Apostle John gives us tools for that examination. In dealing with this Peter said to one Simon the Sorcerer, “Thy money perish with thee… for they heart is not right in the sight of God” (Acts 8:20,21). Be sure yours is, don't just “act” Christian.

An Essay for week #10 Mar 11, 2018

Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs180311.mp3

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Copyright © 2018 Good Samaritan Baptist Church, All Public Domain
A weekly 300 word essay- The Penny Pulpit

Our mailing address is:
Good Samaritan Baptist Church

Msg #1809 All In the Family

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

That which was from the beginning, the Life of God that was manifested, the Light of God that shined in darkness, the Truth of God that talked with mankind, we have bold eyewitnesses who saw the Word of Life. “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1John 1:5). The beloved disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ is a bold eyewitness and the extraordinary author in our focus, and the little letter he addressed to “my little children” captures our study. In introduction he emphasizes the fellowship that we now have with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. In raw simplicity fellowship has been called “two fellows in the same ship,” but a study of this little epistle will add depth and reality to that simplicity; we are family in this relationship, and family in Light will behave in a prescribed manner. The Reformed Protestant theologian explains that when one gets saved (confirmed, they suppose) they become part of the catholic church. Protestants broke from the Romans so they now suppose that the catholic church is an invisible organization with 365 denominations and no organization. That's kind of awkward so they dare not say it out loud that much. In reality when one gets saved they become sons of God and are added to the family. John's precious first epistle is all about fellowship of family. “In him is no darkness at all” will deal with the question, “Are you truly in the family?” “If we confess our sins” will deal with any broken fellowship within the family. John's introduction promises a great understanding for “my little children;” if that is what you are, you'll love this epistle.

An Essay for week #9 Mar 4, 2018

Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs180304.mp3

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Copyright © 2018 Good Samaritan Baptist Church, All Public Domain
A weekly 300 word essay- The Penny Pulpit

Our mailing address is:
Good Samaritan Baptist Church

Msg #1808 John's First Epistle

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

The disciple that Jesus loved wrote five books in our Bible and the letter he aimed at Gentile believers is unprecedented in beauty and power. The Apostle John was commissioned by Christ to “write the things which thou hast seen.” He did so with a very careful consideration of his audience. His gospel was written to all people, his first epistle was written to Gentile believers, his second to Jewish believers (“the elder unto the elect lady and her children,whom I love in the Lord) (Notice that Catholic, Protestant and Reformed theologians suppose that they are the “elect-lady” and consequently they miss the heart of this little epistle, … they generally miss the heart of Scripture altogether with that same self-righteous blunder), and John's third epistle was to a man named Gaius. John's carefulness to identify his audience is only one characteristic that makes him a superb writer. He refers to himself in the third person and glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ with every syllable. John was a disciple before Christ had disciples. Most people miss that John was the “other-disciple” when John the Baptist sent his two loyal disciples off to follow Jesus. (John 1:35-37). The Apostle John was thus the very first of the disciples at Christ's side. It takes a talented writer to capture a good introduction and conclusion, and a superb author to make them a prologue and epilogue. John is thus a superb writer in his own right, and when the Holy Spirit is dictating the very words that he records, well, undertaking the study of John's first epistle will make for an interesting adventure. Reading any of the Apostle John's works is equally so. John begins this epistle with his prologue addressing everything found in the body of the work. Let us begin there.

An Essay for week #8 Feb 25, 2018

Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs180225.mp3

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Copyright © 2018 Good Samaritan Baptist Church, All Public Domain
A weekly 300 word essay- The Penny Pulpit

Our mailing address is:
Good Samaritan Baptist Church

Msg #1807 Children Killing Children

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

America has “evolved” to a place where a significant number of our children, raised with no nurture and admonition of the Lord Jesus Christ, are psychotic, first degree murders. Recall that the first man born in this world became the first first-degree murderer. Our depraved society uses statistical studies to show that capital-punishment does not deter crime, but God says to Israel, “And all men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear” (Deut 21:21). Also society, in its rebellion against our Creator, uses statistical surveys to show that corporal-punishment in the home is “uncivil.” Indeed they have, and will again, used social services to “rescue” children from corporal-punishment used in Christian homes. The LORD God says in Holy Scripture, “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes…. Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying…. Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him…. Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell…. The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame…. Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul” (Proverbs 13:24,19:18,22:15,23:13-14,29:15,17). Our sick society says it is evolving, on a progressive path, they say, moving away from the things of God. Ugly fruit of that “progressiveness” is children killing children, and a blindness that makes them blame the AR-15. God, Help us.

An Essay for week #7 Feb 18, 2018

Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs180218.mp3

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Copyright © 2018 Good Samaritan Baptist Church, All Public Domain
A weekly 300 word essay- The Penny Pulpit

Our mailing address is:
Good Samaritan Baptist Church

Msg#1804 Rebekah

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

This year we have discussed the book of Job wherein the trials of our lives, no matter how great are not worthy to be compared to the greatness of our God, and the importance of his glory, and his glorying. We are to trust him, no matter what besets us in our pilgrimage here. We have walked to Egypt with Joseph, the late coming beloved son of Israel, who was rejected by his own brothers, and scorned by the world, but raised up to be their salvation, raised up to reign over them all. We have a marvelous Christ who would do no less. Prior we climbed Mount Moriah with Abraham and Isaac to watch a father offer his son, “thine only son Isaac,” on a hill shaped like a skull, called Golgatha in Aramaic, Cranium in Greek, Calvary in Latin, Precious in Salvation. It now comes as no surprise that when God preserves sixty-seven verses to describe how Abraham's eldest servant is sent with his ten camels to secure Rebekah as a cherished wife for his only begotten son, … well God has a much grander story to tell in the picture. The Father, played by Abraham, sends his Holy Spirit, played by the eldest servant, carried by kneeling saints, played by ten camels made to kneel by the well, to secure a chaste virgin, played by Rebekah, for his Only Begotten Son, played by Isaac waiting by the well, called, incidently, Lahai-roi (for all those Hebrew language buffs). We should all read Genesis 24 with more tender care. Valentines Day is just around the corner and this is the most precious of love stories. In Rebekah's wooing every little detail, painted and preserved for 3,875 years, is extremely important to God; so too to his Son's chaste virgin.

An Essay for week #4 Jan 28, 2018

Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs180128.mp3

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Copyright © 2018 Good Samaritan Baptist Church, All Public Domain
A weekly 300 word essay- The Penny Pulpit

Our mailing address is:
Good Samaritan Baptist Church

Msg#1806 One Flesh Communicating

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

In God's design for your love and marriage there are three distinct roles. These are not roles to be “played,” or “acted out,” but are actions (and attitudes) which are assigned, required, and expected by God himself. There is the role of the wife, the role of the husband, and the role of one-flesh. The latter role has three essentials, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, and Communication. Any of these roles or essentials might fill this short essay, but focus on that third essential – communication. Via our communication we 1) Grow in knowledge and understanding of our spouse (and our Lord), 2) we interchange information and ideas to work as a team, 3) we work out differences and resolve conflicts, and 4) we grow in the same direction in support of each other. When our lifeline of communications is healthy we 1) never have to be careful what we talk about together and there is a sense of freedom to express ourselves, 2) we have a sense of being understood, 3) we see an absence of win/lose arguments, 4) we find that talking reduces tension, and 5) we feel a sense of being safe and secure in this relationship. Those are two excellent checklists to ensure a robust effective lifeline of communication in a husband's and wife's role of becoming one-flesh. A critically impaired lifeline would have one or the other always assuming a negative intent on the part of their spouse, or an increasing distance and increasing silence. Watch for those as well, and as the spring time of our year approaches let's revisit the spring time of our love and romance. God's model makes our homes a taste of paradise here on earth. Rejecting God's way will make it taste like something else altogether.

An Essay for week #6 Feb 11, 2018

Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs180211.mp3

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Copyright © 2018 Good Samaritan Baptist Church, All Public Domain
A weekly 300 word essay- The Penny Pulpit

Our mailing address is:
Good Samaritan Baptist Church

Msg#1805 A Marriage Mirror

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

In love and marriage God intends that a couple live in the most intimate relationship that is humanly possible, and that that arrangement, in becoming one flesh, foreshadow the intimate relation we are to have with our Lord Jesus Christ. The love, the significance, and the security that is found in each relationship is to mirror the other perfectly. The mirror, however, fractures when one does not first follow the “role of the sexes” called out by our Creator. Note them, as you note how much rebellion against them is found in society, even by many professed “Christians.” Genesis 3:16 states that the husband is to “rule over the wife,” and it goes on to state that the man shall provide for the home “in the sweat of his face.” The carnal church of Corinth is rebuked for letting women lead in prayer, reprimanded for letting them prophecy, and exhorted with clarity that women are not to be the leaders (1Cor 11:1-9). God goes on to rebuke their abuse of tongues and states, “Let your women keep silence in the churches; for it is not permitted for them to speak” (1Cor 14:34, cf 23-40). God continues the refrain in a charge to young Timothy, “I will therefore that men (males) pray everywhere… But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor usurp authority over the man (male), but be in silence. For Adam was first formed then Eve” (1Tim 2:8,12-13). God's role for women, his purpose in creating females, and a wife's submission in the home (Eph 6:21-33, 1Pet 3:1-7) are all points of contention in our rebellious society, but these are clearly communicated in God's Holy Word. Being a believer and ordering your marriage his way can make your home a taste of paradise. Rebellion,… not so much.

An Essay for week #5 Feb 4, 2018

Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs180204.mp3

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Copyright © 2018 Good Samaritan Baptist Church, All Public Domain
A weekly 300 word essay- The Penny Pulpit

Our mailing address is:
Good Samaritan Baptist Church