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The OAHE MESSENGER
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Devotion 2008 January REVEREND JOHN CALVIN RHOAD JUNIOR
Well we now have to accept it - yes, it is another year. I think naturally some questions abound in all our minds (even though we realize the calendar is an artificial, historical construct of our own making and ingenuity) about where this New Year may take us. These thoughts may be in opposition to where we left off with the old year, perhaps not. Yet, I do realize that as we get older we understand how short that year is; but many things can, and do transpire within the days that comprise an entire year. One thing I was reflecting upon is how many of us get caught up considering “New Year resolutions”. As I was considering this myself, I fell upon (providentially I am certain) this fairly familiar passage from my Bible devotions that I felt compelled to share. To set the scene for you - Jesus is talking, really Jesus is preaching. The passage begins with the Beatitudes, which is the opening of the “Sermon on the Mount” and Matthew records these words as part of Jesus’ first great message: "This is why I tell you: do not be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive, or about clothes for your body. After all, isn't life worth more than food? And isn't the body worth more than clothes? Look at the birds: they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet your Father in heaven takes care of them! Aren't you worth much more than birds? Can any of you live a bit longer by worrying about it? "And why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow: they do not work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that not even King Solomon with all his wealth had clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers. It is God who clothes the wild grass---grass that is here today and gone tomorrow, burned up in the oven. Won't he be all the more sure to clothe you? What little faith you have! "So do not start worrying: 'Where will my food come from? or my drink? or my clothes?' (These are the things the pagans are always concerned about.) Your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what He requires of you, and He will provide you with all these other things. So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings.” Matthew 6:25-34 (Good News Bible)
Jesus’ comments to not be worried about tomorrow hit me hardest. I realize that Jesus was not implying that death wouldn’t eventually come, or that there would be no judgment. Jesus emphasis was really to tell us to begin living in eternity now. Today is the day, right here, right now - not six months from now. Begin living in eternity today. After all, this is a new year and temporal time as we know it here, on earth will eventually come to an end. No more years to labour through and even if death were to end time as we know it tomorrow, the plans that we have currently underway are not going to make any real significant difference. This is true of any brilliant resolution we may envision for a new year. Today though, does make a difference. Today makes a difference because today is the present reality of our lives. What we do with our friends, neighbours, acquaintances, colleagues, family, relations and the stranger in our midst, matters! Do we love, pray, forgive, accept and give thanks? Today is the day; the only day we have any certainty of, and in, which we can give our love, affection, talents, attention, concern, caring, and selflessly share our time. Live this day to the fullest, because it matters! Yes, a full year lies before us all - we naturally want to question, to dream, to aspire; but it is each single day that really counts and matters most. For each day is the Lord’s gift. I hope I use it wisely and I am sure you can agree with that. God be praised.
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CONFIRMATION CLASS TO BEGIN
Pastor Rhoad will be holding confirmation class for middle school and high school youth and their parent(s). Plans are to hold classes on Wednesday afternoons from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm beginning January 9 and running through March 19 with the exception of no class on February 6 for a total of ten sessions.
Objectives of the sessions will be to further Biblical interpretation, Theology, History of Presbyterianism, Confessional and Catechism, ecclesiology and polity along with mission opportunity and a chance to visit other Christian Churches. If you would like more information or would like to commit to attending the sessions please contact Pastor Rhoad or Paula Vockrodt.
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On Wednesday eve, December 19th, approximately 30 OPC’ers braved the elements and went for their annual Christmas caroling.
Carols were sung outside, inside, to friends, to acquaintances, to total strangers and even, in one case, to a bird – see photo below. Friendship and love were shared along with the music.
Following two hours of caroling the songsters were treated to dinner at the Peg and Monty Bechtold home. A fun time was had by all.
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“THE WORK OF THE PREACHER” By the Rev. Hiram F. Rhoad
At Christmas when John Calvin Rhoad, Sr. came to visit his son he brought with him several crates of books…some of his and some that had previously belonged to Pastor John’s great grandfather. In reading through a couple of Rev. Rhoad’s notes that date back to the 1920’s I came across a Bible study on “preachers” and thought it to be as appropriate in 2008 as it was nearly 100 years ago. Here is the article as it was written by Pastor John’s grandfather.
Text: Romans 1:1 – “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God” [NIV]
Scripture Lesson: 1 Corinthians 4:1: “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” [NIV]
Subject: “the work of the preacher”
When we talk of the pastor we think of him as he is related to the home, comforting those in sorrow, helping those in need, personal evangelism, etc.
When we talk of the preacher we think of him on the pulpit. The one who is called of God to proclaim His Word.
We want to study this morning what his work is as a teacher.
He is a nurse. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 – “but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.” [NIV].
The preacher is to be gentle, kind and firm as a nurse. He is to be a sanctified vessel. 2 Timothy 2:21 –“If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” [NIV]. He has no power unless his is sanctified. This does not mean perfection.
He is a workman. 2 Timothy 2:15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” [NIV].
The preacher must study so that he knows the Word.
He is to be a spiritual athlete. 1 Timothy 4:7: “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.” [NIV].
He cannot satisfy his soul with uncertainties.
He is a father. 1 Corinthians 4:15 – “Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.” [NIV].
What a privilege and what a responsibility.
He is ordained to preach the truth. 1 Timothy 2:7 – And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying – and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.” [NIV].
He must be true to his ordination vows.
He is an ambassador. Ephesians 6:20 – “for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”. [NIV]
He is bound by the eternal God to speak the truth as he finds it in the Word. This is to be done in season and out of season.
The preacher then needs: Your prayers Your sympathies Your support Your cooperation.
He is not perfect. But…he is the servant of God, sent by Him to minister to your spiritual needs. Let him have a place in your life.
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Sheets and Baby Caps
An important part of our church’s life is mission. During 2007 the PW group with the help of the congregation sent 52 sheets to overseas hospitals. Another project was knitting or crocheting baby caps for newborns in Malawi. Getting a cap brings the mother to the clinic for pre-natal care. We sent 565 caps for the new babies.
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“CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS”
On Sunday, December 16th, the children, youth and choir presented the Christmas program entitled, “Christmas Blessings”.
Many thanks to Margaret Ellefson, Paula Vockrodt, and Glenda Woodburn for developing and producing the program and a thanks to Mary Jenner for “building” the set and to Pastor John for the photographs. The cast and choir were terrific.
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PROCRASTINATION! The Sin and Folly of Depending on Future Time
Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1 The design of the wise man in this book of Proverbs, is to give us the precepts of true wisdom, or to teach us how to conduct ourselves wisely in the course of our lives. Wisdom very much consists in making a wise improvement of time, and of the opportunities we enjoy. This is often in Scripture spoken of as a great part of true wisdom; as Deuteronomy 32:29: "O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!" And Psalm 90:12: "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." So the wisdom of the wise virgins is represented as consisting much in this: that they improved the proper season to buy oil. Matthew 25:1-13 Therefore, the wise man in these books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, agreeably to his design, insists on this part of wisdom. He tells us the advantage of seeking Christ early (see Proverbs 8:17). And advises us "to do what our hand findeth to do, with our might" Ecclesiastes 9:10. He advises young people to remember their Creator in the days of their youth, while the evil days come not, in which they shall say they have no pleasure (see Ecclesiastes12:1). So here he advises us to a wise improvement of the present season.-- In the words are two things to be particularly observed: 1. The precept, "not to boast of tomorrow"; i.e. not to speak or act as though it were our own. It is absurd for anyone to boast of that which is not theirs. The wise man would not have us behave ourselves as though any time were ours but the present. He that boasts of tomorrow, acts as though he had tomorrow in his possession, or had something whereby he might depend on it, and call it his own. 2. The reason given for this precept; "for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth". It is a good reason why we should not behave ourselves as though the morrow were our own, that indeed it is not; we are not sure of it; we have no hold of future time; we know not whether we shall see the morrow: or if we do know that we shall see it, we know not what we shall see on it. Hence, we ought to behave ourselves every day, as though we had no dependence on any other. |
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Excerpt
by Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)