Circuit Rider News

Transcription

Circuit Rider News
Volume 13 Issue 3
July - September 2013
Circuit Rider News
Tidewater Baptist Evangelistic Association, Inc.
P. O. Box 16000 Chesapeake, VA 23328-6000 - Home: (757) 547-5637 – Mobile: (757) 376-2492
Just Thinking
JEWS-GENTILES-CHURCH
It is my purpose to
show that these three
distinct groups of
people are found in
the scriptures with
whom God deals.
Furthermore, it seems
that all three groups
must be in their place
for the end time
prophecy. The end
time seems to be very,
“Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor very near.
to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God,
I Corinthians 10:32”
Tidewater Baptist Evangelistic Association, Inc.
P. O. Box 16000 Chesapeake, VA 23328-6000 - Home: (757) 547-5637 – Mobile: (757) 376-2492
Volume 13 Issue 3
July - September 2013
JEWS-GENTILES-CHURCH
The third group is of course the Church. In
this group are both Jews and Gentiles
that are saved. I Corinthians 12:13 “For by one
Spirit are we all baptized into one body,
whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether
we be bond or free, and have been made to
drink into one Sprit.”
Now we shall look at each of the three
groups individually but we will look at the Jews
more closely than the other two. For one reason,
the Saviour of the world got his humanity from
the Hebrew lineage. Another reason, all the
writers of the holy scriptures were Hebrews with
the exception of one. There are a few other
reasons.
The Abarahamic
Covenant
required
Abraham to do certain things. He was to leave his
country. This is not an easy thing to do. I marvel
at the sacrifices our foreign missionaries make to
carry the gospel, in some cases, where it is not
wanted. He was to leave his kindred. This is even
harder to do. He was to leave his father’s and this
was even harder to do. His destination was not
known but he had God’s promise that he would
be shown the land to which he was to go.
The first of these three that are mentioned in the
Bible is the Gentiles. Genesis 10:5, “By these the
isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one
after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.”
This was about two centuries before the birth and
covenant God made with Abram, I think we can
conclude that all the people from Adam to Abraham
were Gentiles.
The second of these three is Jews. Genesis 12:1,
“Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of
thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy
father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee.” We
are told that God chose a man and his descendants to
be a special people. Deuteronomy 7:6-8, “For thou
art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord
thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto
himself, above all people that are upon the face of the
earth. The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor
choose you, because ye were more in number than
any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But
because the Lord loved you. And because he would
keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers,
hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand,
and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from
the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”
C. R. N. 13th Year
The Circuit Rider News has grown from a two-page paper to a
twelve-page newsletter. Little did I dream that this would ever happen,
nor did I expect to have subscribers in all 50 states.
In celebration of this milestone, I continue to ask all that can and
will, to send a donation of ten dollars or more to help us in our 13th
year, with a solid foundation to underwrite the constant rising costs in
its publication and mailing.
I am indebted to my home church, Tidewater Baptist Church, in
printing the newsletter without cost, in particular, the Pastor’s wife,
Cathy Pearson, the Church Secretary, Joyce Paul, and others for folding
and preparing the newsletter for mailing. The CRN is also available by
email in PDF format.
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Volume 13 Issue 3
JEWS-GENTILES-CHURCH (cont.)
The promises included, to make of him a
great nation. God kept his word and that nation is
still in existence today. Of course, that required a
miracle because Sarah was barren. Genesis 11:30
In addition God said, “I will bless thee and
make thy name great.” It is likely that of all the
great men in the Old Testament, Abraham and
Moses would be at the top. God completed this
contract by saying, “I will bless then that bless thee
and will curse them that curse thee.”
As this nation grew, God instituted the
Palestinian Covenant. Deuteronomy 28:13-15,
“And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not
the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou
shalt not be beneath; if thou hearken unto the
commandments of the Lord thy God, which I
command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words
which I command thee this day, to the right hand,
or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken
unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do
all his commandments and his statutes which I
command thee this day; that all these curses shall
come upon thee, and overtake thee.”
When this nation began to wander away from
God, a prophet would be sent to preach the
judgment of God. The people would repent and get
right with God.
In time things did not improve, they simply got
worse. God looks for a man that he might spare the
land. Ezekiel 22:30, “And I sought for a man
among them, that should make up the hedge, and
stand in the gap before me for the land, that I
should not destroy it: but I found none.” This is
what he did find.
July - September 2013
3.
3. The princes shed blood, and destroyed souls to
get dishonest gain. v. 27.
4.
4. The people had used oppression, robbery, and
vexed the poor and needy. v. 29.
This seemed to bring on the Assyrians taking the
ten northern tribes into captivity and 100 years later,
Babylon took the two southern tribes, Benjamin and
Judah into captivity. This should not have surprised
either group if they had believed that God was
serious with regards to the terms of the Palestinian
Covenant.
Psalms 89:30-35, “If his children forsake my law,
and walk not in my judgments; if they break my
statutes, and keep not my commandments; then will I
visit their transgressions with the rod, and their
iniquity with stripes? Nevertheless my loving
kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer
my faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break,
nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once
have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto
David.”
It is significantly important to understand that
God is committed to the return of the Jews to the
land that he gave to Abraham and his seed as an
everlasting and unconditional promise.
We find Ezekiel in chapter 36 dealing in depth
regarding their dispersion and their gathering back
unto their own land. I do not think it is a practical
thing, to record the chapter in this article but I do
believe it will be profitable to you if you will read
this chapter. In a type of summation, I will give this
one verse. Ezekiel 36:24, “For I will take you from
among the heathen, and gather you out of all
countries, and will bring you into your own land.”
In the next chapter, chapter 37, we find the hand
of the Lord upon Ezekiel that carried him in the spirit
to a valley which was full of dry bones. Ezekiel 37:3,
“And he said unto me, son of man, can these bones
live? And I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest.”
Again, it is very important for you to read this
chapter for a deeper understanding. I do find it
needful to draw your attention to a verse that begins
to explain the vision of the prophet.
1.
1. The prophets lied, quoting God when he had
not spoken and devoured souls. v. 25, 28.
2. 2. The Priests had violated God’s law, and
profaned his holy things, made no distinction
between the clean and unclean, and stopped
observing the Sabbaths. v. 26.
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July - September 2013
JEWS-GENTILES-CHURCH (cont.)
Ezekiel 37:11, “Then he said unto me, Son of Man, these bones are
the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and
our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.” Please note that their
despair was turned to a new found hope at the preaching of God’s word.
On May 14, 1948 Israel had become a nation once again. It is my
conviction that this was the most significant prophetic fulfillment in
about two thousand years.
Two days later, Elizabeth Anne Sands became my wife and we
celebrated our 65th wedding anniversary this past May 16th. Thanks to
all the churches and individuals that sent cards or phone calls. A group
of the ladies from church came by and sung to us. Then we sang a
number of hymns my wife and I joining in to sing with them. We
enjoyed it, back to the subject of the rebirth of Israel.
In 1897 a group of prominate Jews like Rothschild, Hurst, Hertzel,
Rockefeller, and others met in Brussels, Belgium, to form the Zionist
Movement. Their objective was to return to Palestine and live legally
and lawfully.
Theodore Hertzel was elected President of this movement. His
estimate of fifty years that it would take to accomplish their goal was
reasonable accurate.
Years ago I read of the discovery of a potent explosive, TNT, that
played a part in the allied victory in World War One. While I have been
unable to find those notes, I did find that it was discovered by a
German scientist, named Julius Wilbrand. It was used first as a dye. It
was about 20 years before it was used as an explosive due to the
difficulty to detonate it. In the notes that I have not found, they revealed
that as the problem was solved, by a person that I cannot recall, it was
given to Lord George of England. This was a major effect in WWI from
1916-1918.
After the war had ended in favor of the allied forces, Lord George
asked the Jewish contributor, “What could we do to show our
appreciation?” His response, “You owe me nothing, all I could ask is
that my people can return to their homeland.” Soon, A. J. Balfour
announced that His Majesty the King would look with favor upon the
Jewish people to be allowed to return to their native homeland.
General Edmond Allenby, a member of the Charles Spurgeon
Tabernacle in London, expected to be ordered to invade the land of
Palestine; requested an unusual prayer request at the church. His
petition was that when his forces reached the city of Jerusalem, that
there would be no bloodshed.
1. Continue to pray for
my wife’s health.
2. Pray for people that
have lost their homes or
their jobs.
3. Pray for the New
Lighthouse Baptist
Church as they seek a
pastor.
4. Praise the Lord for the
birth of our 16th greatgrandchild, Caroline
Hobbs.
5. Pray for the wedding
of our granddaughter, Joy
Hardison, on September
14th 2013.
6. Pray for the wedding
of my wife’s nephew,
Mark Sands, also on
September 14th, 2013.
7. Pray for revival in
America that reaches
shore to shore
8. Pray for the Holy
Spirit’s power as I preach.
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Volume 13 Issue 3
July - September 2013
JEWS-GENTILES-CHURCH (cont.)
You could go to a world map and you could not find a city anywhere in world that has been under siege, or
war, more often than Jerusalem. That name means the city of peace. Historically it has been in conflict 32
times. It has been destroyed 5 times. It was burned to the ground twice.
When Allenby entered the city on December 9, 1917 not a shot was fired. The Turks misunderstood when
they were told Allenby and his army had reached the city, they thought it was Allah, and immediately
surrendered. Not a drop of blood was shed. God still answers prayer.
It has been my privilege to visit the Holy Land on seven occasions. My first visit was under the leadership
of the late Dr. John R. Rice. There was the remains of destroyed weapons of war of their many enemies after
they became a nation again in 1948. Being out numbered in weapons, tanks, aircraft and manpower, only God
could do that! To be continued in the October – December 2013 issue.
Our Freedoms
The War of Independence or the Revolutionary War was between Great Britain
and thirteen of the colonies in the New World. The basic issue was “taxation
without representation.”
In the beginning the desire was to remain as colonies of Great Britain.
Benjamin Franklin was sent to seek a resolution between the two parties but was
not successful. After the incident of the “Boston Tea Party”, in 1773 where the
ships with the tea from Britain which was heavily taxed was thrown overboard,
things changed. The British call the congress of the Colonies traitors. On July 4,
1776 we declared our independence. The details of this war are too many to go into
the depths in great detail.
We were able to obtain weapons and ammunition from several European
nations. To begin with there were a few colonies that remained loyal to the Crown,
in the beginning there were thirteen colonies that risked their possessions, and their
life to gain the freedom that we as a nation have enjoyed and hundreds of
thousands have immigrated to this country to participate in this freedom.
The battle of “Yorktown”, here in Virginia between George Washington and
his troops and the troops of Charles Cornwallis of Great Britain, virtually ended
the American Revolutionary War. It was on October 17, 1781 when Cornwallis
and his 8,000 troops surrendered in defeat.
This war was very costly; it cost monetarily and it cost in the death of many of
our ancestors. Yet, it produced our freedoms. The likes of which, no other nation
possesses.
Let us celebrate this special day by thanking God for patriots and statesmen
that he raised up to give us this nation. God Bless America!
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July - September 2013
Deaths
Ella Marie Fowler was promoted to the land of beginning again, where
there is no more tears, no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither
shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Her
earthly departure was May 27, 2013, at the age of 84. She was faithful in
her attendance at Tidewater Baptist Church. Only sickness prevented her
from being in her seat for every service. I was honored to have a part in her
funeral by reading portions of scripture and making a few remarks. Pastor
Charles Pearson preached the funeral message. Ella will be sorely missed at
our church.
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Volume 13 Issue 3
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Deaths (cont.)
Margaret Dickens of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina went home to be with the Lord on May 19, 2013.
She was a faithful and active member of one of the local Independent Baptist Churches in that city. She leaves
behind her loving husband and perhaps other family to grieve her passing.
Although George Beverly Shea was 104 years old, it was a shock to the world when he died in Montreat,
North Carolina, on April 16, 2013. His death was due to complications from a stroke. He was born February 1,
1909 in Wichita, Ontario. He became a citizen of the United States in 1941. He was often referred to as, the
Beloved Gospel Singer. He possessed deep beautiful baritone voice that captured the ear of all that heard him
sing many gospel songs. He was offered opportunities to sign contracts to sing secular songs but refused, saying,
“It just didn’t seem right.” He composed the arrangements of, I’d Rather Have Jesus, and he wrote the words
and the music to, The Wonder of it All. People that love gospel music will miss him.
God Fearing Founders
George Washington: “I now make it my earnest prayer that God would have you and the State over which
you preside, in His Holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of
subordination and obedience to government; to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for
their fellow citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the
field; and, finally, that he would be most graciously pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and
to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind, which were the characteristics of
the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things
we can never hope to be a happy nation.” June 8, 1783 in a letter to the governors of the states on disbanding
the army.
Thomas Jefferson: “God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought
secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties
are of a gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country
when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.”
1781, Query XVIII of his notes on the State of Virginia
James Madison: “We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of
government, far from it. We’ve staked the future of all our political institutions upon our capacity…to sustain
ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.”
1778. To the General Assembly of the State of Virginia.
Benjamin Franklin: “God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground
without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured in the Sacred
Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. I also
believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders
of Babel.”
Constitutional Convention of 1787, original manuscript of his speech.
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Volume 13 Issue 3
July - September 2013
LETTERS
Bro. & Sis. Hardison;
I’ve been thinking of you two here lately and all you have done for me and my
family. I love you for it. I know we will always be together, in God’s love. He
watches over you for people like I used to be. I just want to thank you again for
all you have done for me.
Love in Christ always, D. W.
Dear Bro. Hardison,
Thank you very much for what you wrote about my mom & dad (V & R H) in
your last CRN. We miss them very much. My mom did not write a Christmas
letter this year. My sister D and I are planning to write one next year. We will
send you one. I hope that and your wife are doing well. I pray the Lord will give
you many more years to serve Him. Sincerely, M. M.
Bro. Hardison,
You and Mrs. Hardison are in our prayers. We trust this small gift will help during this difficult time. May God
continue to bless you and your ministry. Love and Prayers, B. & P. E.
Dear Bro. Hardison,
I pray this note finds you & your wife doing well. It’s hard to believe it is almost Memorial Day. This year is
flying by faster than the last. I know every day that goes by is a day closer to us going home. I believe Jesus is
soon coming. What a day of rejoicing that will be. I am including __ with this letter. The Lord laid you upon
my heart. I know He will help it to meet any needs you have. Take care. God bless. Your Sister in Christ, P. F.
Dear Dr. Hardison,
Sorry to hear about your health & also your wife. Hope this might help a little. Use it for your needs. We are
praying for you & your wife. R. & J.
Have a wonderful day. You and your wife are in my prayers. P. W.
Dear Dr. Hardison,
I am glad spring is finally officially here even though Monday we had 3 inches of snow. Today is our wedding
anniversary-42 years! Time sure does fly. J is getting married, her fiancé is a nice young man. He was saved
several years ago. We will welcome him into our family. I hope you and your wife are doing well. It has been a
long time since we have seen you, but we pray for you and your ministry. We appreciate you and hope we can
get to hear you preach again. God bless you, D. & S.
Dearest Doc,
It was so great hearing you again! I told D about your revival in July and he wants to come. Please send us the
specifics. Love you and Elizabeth deeply! The T’s
Psalm 121:1 “I will lift up mine eyes from whence cometh my help.”
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Volume 13 Issue 3
July - September 2013
Dr. Dennis M. Hardison Honored
During the formative years of the United States of
America, John Leland, a Baptist minister in Orange County,
VA, exerted great influence on the constitution. Leland was
instrumental in having the Bill of Rights added to the
proposed U. S. Constitution. The first of these rights stated
that, “Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof . . .” This amendment is a part of the legacy of John
Leland, a Baptist preacher who faithfully represented the
cause of believers, even in matters of state and national
government.
In keeping with the heritage and seeking to honor men
who faithfully represent the cause of the people of God
wherever they might be, during the Sunday morning service at Tidewater Baptist Church, Chesapeake, VA, on
May 26, 2013, Mr. Kenneth F. Sheets, Dean and Professor at Tabernacle Baptist Bible College and Seminary,
presented Evangelist, Dr. D. M. Hardison, the Leland Award, in recognition of Hardison’s firm stand on
Baptist distinctives and religious freedom; his perseverance in the face of adversity; his faithful ministry as an
evangelist and pastor; his labors in providing Biblical training for men and women in ministry; and his
outstanding service as a preacher of the Word of God for 64 years. Dr. James W. Baker, the pastor of
Tabernacle Baptist Church, and President of, Tabernacle Baptist Bible College and Seminary, had formally
recognized Hardison on April 26, 2013, at Tabernacle Baptist Bible College and Seminary’s annual graduation
ceremony. By Dr. Edward R. Smith
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Volume 13 Issue 3
July - September 2013
Schedule
July 7
Tidewater Baptist Church
Pastor Charles Pearson
Chesapeake, VA
July 14-19
Indian Creek Baptist Church
Pastor David Crawford
Chesapeake, VA
July 21
Fairview Baptist Church
Pastor Lee Godfrey
Chesapeake, VA
July 27
Family Reunion
Jamesville, NC
July 28
Eastside Baptist Church
Pastor Aubrey Florence
Henderson, NC
tidewaterbaptist.org
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July - September 2013
Volume 13 Issue 3
CIRCUIT RIDER NEWS
P. O. Box 16000
Chesapeake, VA 23328
Editor Dr. D. M. Hardison
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Special Request
Dr. & Mrs. D. M. Hardison request the prayers of all who receive the Circuit
Rider News by email on behalf of their oldest son, Donald (Don) Hardison, who
suffered a stroke on June 25, 2013 that affected his right arm and hand. There has
been some improvement in the movement of his fingers and hand and he is expected
to be released from the hospital on July 1, 2013 to go home and begin therapy to
regain the use of his right arm and hand. The medication that has been given must
be monitored in order to obtain the proper dosage that thins his blood. We thank you
in advance for praying for Don and ask that you share this request with others that
would be willing to pray.