Jump Start # 3293

Hebrews 13:7 “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.”

It’s a small paperback book that was copywritten in 1914. And, it looks that way. Worn, some pages torn, cover faded, this little book has seen it’s time. It’s a hymnal titled, “The New Gospel Songbook.” It belonged to a congregation that is no longer in existence today. Years ago, someone knowing that I collect old things connected to our fellowship passed this hymnal on to me. It sits on the top self, with many other songbooks that I have picked up through the years. The other day, I was trying to remember the words of a specific hymn, so I went to that shelf. My eyes saw that little paperback and so I took it down. I haven’t really looked carefully at the hymns in that old book.

As I flipped through that book I recognized many hymns that I have sung in my life. A few had different titles to what we have today in our hymnals. I was amazed at how many I had never heard of before. Hymns such as: Volunteers to the front; Over, under and around me; Music in Heaven; At the battle’s front; O, the grand book; The bugle call is ringing. It seemed that there were many hymns that had a military or war concept. And, there were many hymns about dying and seeing Jesus.

Now, some thoughts:

First, I wondered how many that had held that hymn book are now resting in the Lord on the other side? Did the words of those hymns bring peace and comfort to those that sung those songs? Just a very short time after 1914, when that book was published, America entered WW I. How many mothers thought about their sons overseas as they sat in country church buildings singing?

Second, I wondered how many of those old hymns were sung as someone decided to leave the wilderness of sin and give their life to Jesus? Did some soul, with tears coming down his cheeks, close that hymnbook and walk to the front of the auditorium and asked to be baptized into Christ? As the angels in Heaven rejoiced, so did God’s people gathered in that little country church. Back then, it likely meant heading to a farm pond for the baptism. Most of those rural congregations did not have indoor baptisteries until the 1950’s or later. Gathered around that nearby farm pond, as the preacher and the repentant one stepped into the water, the congregation stood on the banks singing hymns. Maybe the songbook I have was taken to one of those farm pond baptisms.

Third, I wondered if this hymnbook was taken to a funeral home and used to sing songs of comfort and hope after a dear soul had departed this life? Where all had that hymnbook traveled and what all good came from those that used it, only Heaven now knows?

Our verse today, reminds us to reflect backward and remember those who were kind enough to teach us God’s way. They patiently answered our numerous questions. They had a knowledge of God’s word that impressed us and we wondered if we could ever know the Bible like they did. And, it was more than just teaching us, they illustrated the Gospel message by their walk. They were disciples. They were servants. They were compassionate and kind. Many of them were just simple people that time has forgotten. Their mark in life wasn’t being famous, but being godly and righteous. And, without us realizing it at the time, they have passed the touch on to us.

They were faithful. They were diligent. They sat on hard wooden pews and listened to long sermons without the aid of Powerpoint, fill-in-the-blank notecards. In the summer, those church buildings were stuffy and hot. Tucked in the songbook rack was a few fans with wooden handles. The audience would fan themselves as the preacher preached. In the winter, the buildings were cool. The “hot spots” were close to an oil or coal furnace. In those old country churches the bathroom was the outhouse located behind the church building. Times were hard and contributions were small. But those dedicated disciples journeyed on, inviting neighbors to come hear the Gospel preached. And, they left footprints, footprints that we see, that lead to Jesus. The King James Version was the only version used back in those old days. Folks would underline words and write notes in the margins of their Bibles.

I wonder what some of those disciples from 1914 would think about us today? I wonder if they would be happy to see how we have carried that Gospel torch onward. I wonder if they would think we’d gotten too fancy? And, if the Lord allows the old world to continue on, you and I will be the ones others will be talking about someday. We will be the ones remembered? And, what will they remember about us? Are we doing a good job? Are we keeping things true to God’s word?

An old hymn book that sits on a shelf. Now, it’s an antique and part of my achieves. But once, it was used powerfully to praise the Lord and encourage God’s people. It sits quietly now as do those who once used it.

Roger

Jump Start # 2041

Hebrews 13:7 “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.”

My preacher preached on this text last Sunday. Great lesson. It got me thinking about some conclusions this passage implies.

First, it is implied that those being imitated have passed on. There is a footnote in the New American Standard for the expression, “considering the result of their conduct.” The footnote states, “end of their life.” It’s hard to follow someone, or imitate them, unless they have completed their journey. If they are still on the journey of life, what if they make a moral mistake? What if they quit the journey? What if they get tangled up in falsehoods? We need to see the outcome before we follow them.

Second, it is assumed that they went to Heaven. Their faith is what you imitate. They led. They taught. They lived. Now, this doesn’t set well with some folks. We don’t know every detail of their lives. We don’t know what they thought. We don’t know what they said behind closed doors. Can anyone really know the eternal outcome of anyone’s life? This is where some are. They want to hope that they made it, but no one knows for sure.

The heroes in Hebrews 11 all gained approval. The text states that. Paul confirmed that there was a crown of righteousness awaiting him. He also said it was awaiting all those who loved Jesus’ appearing. There doesn’t seem to be a giant question mark about these folks.

Faith and the grace of God make it possible for a person to not just have hope, but assurance of God’s promises. The outcome of their faith, the end of the journey for them, was a home with God. We do not follow question marks. We do not walk in a fog. There are sure footprints that lead to Heaven.

Third, the lives of those remembered were devoted to helping others spiritually. They gave of themselves to help others. They showed others the way to walk. They taught others the word of God. They invested their time and lives so that after they were gone, there would remain faithful brethren in that place. They believed in a legacy. They believed in passing the torch on to others.

The implication of this text is not just a stroll down memory lane. But rather, look what they did for you, now, you need to do the same for those coming after you. Keep passing that torch on. One generation to the next, to the next.

So many of us stand upon the shoulders of others who have followed this very example. They showed us. They taught us. They made it possible for us to have a congregation to be a part of. They sacrificed. They gave up evenings to teach. They cleaned church buildings on Saturdays. They made sure the Lord’s Supper was ready for Sunday. They stocked classrooms with supplies. They poured hours and hours into keeping things going and making them better. We remember. We remember our parents and our grandparents just doing what to them seemed to be the right thing to do. They didn’t complain. They were happy to do what they could. They wanted things to be right and nice. They loved the Lord.

We probably wouldn’t be here had it not been for them. Their devotion and energy paved a smooth path for us to follow. But, now it’s our turn. And, for many of us, we have forgotten. We don’t remember. We are so into our own lives that we don’t have time for anyone else. This generation loves self. No time for others, unless there is a benefit for self. Those that walk with Jesus must rise above the current thought and the current direction of our times.

We need to be leading. We need to be pointing the way. We need to show others how to have a strong faith. We need to demonstrate powerful marriages. We need to illustrate sacrifice and the heart of a servant. We need to be living examples so when we leave this place, others will remember and imitate our faith.

That is a real concern. Do we want others to imitate us? Aside from showing up on Sunday for worship, is there anything to imitate? Lives consumed with worry and materialism. Hours spent doing things that have no eternal value. Little joy. Little effort. Little involvement. Little serving. Little sacrifice. That is a concern. What will others remember about us? What are we showing the next generation?

In the sermon on the mount, Jesus said, “If you greet only your brothers, what more are you dong than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” What more are you doing that others? That verse ought to rattle us on the inside. What are we doing more than others? Does our faith drive us? Does our faith change us? Does our faith move us to doing more? Jesus gave it all. Have I?

We need to lead. First, in our homes. Lead our family to the Lord. Lead our children, just as shepherds lead the church. Every father has his own little flock. It’s his family. He needs to nurture them, care for them and lead them. Every person in the family is at a different place spiritually. They need individual care. Next, lead those around you to Jesus. Lead your co-workers into thinking spiritually. Lead your neighbors into thinking beyond themselves. Lead people to the Bible. Lead your brethren to follow the Lord. Think like Jesus would think.

Next, we need to teach others the word of God. Show them the Word of God. Use the Word of God. Cover your answers with the Word of God. To do this, you first, must know the Word of God. Know it, then use it.

Finally, walk by faith. If others are to imitate our faith, then they must be able to see our faith. Pray deep prayers. Talk spiritually. Bring the Lord into your conversations. Leave footprints that show you are a person of faith.

Who is going to do this if we don’t? The world won’t. The schools can’t. The government never will. It’s up to us. Lead. Teach. Show. Could it be that some congregations are dying these days because there is no one to imitate. There is no one to show. Instead of passing the baton on, it has been dropped. This not only hurts the present situation, but it cripples the future. Why should I lead, when no one else has? Why should I teach, when no one else has? Hard to answer those questions.

Remember. Consider. Imitate. Before those words, comes one other word: live. Live for Jesus. Do what you are supposed to do. Be busy in the kingdom. Give. Sacrifice. Help others. In so doing, you leave examples. You will be remembered for the good you did. You make it possible for others to have a tomorrow.

Roger

Jump Start # 1359

Hebrews 13:7 “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.”

NOTE: Two announcements for our Readers.

  (1) Monday is a holiday and there will be no Jump Start that day.

  (2) Another Jump Start book has been made. It’s entitled, “Shepherding God’s People.” It’s a collection of seven recent articles about the role of elders and shepherding God’s people today. This book may not appeal to some, but it is available and free if you would like. This would especially be good to give to your elders or to use in a leadership study. Contact me (Rogshouse@aol.com) – send me your mailing address and the number of copies you would like.

This weekend is the time we remember the fallen soldier, Memorial Day. I have known many who have served. My father is a WW II vet. The greatest price and the greatest sacrifice and the greatest gift that any person can give is their own life. Freedom comes with a price. There are those who want to take away the freedom and our safety and protection is made possible by those sacrifices. Simple things, such as writing and sending these Jump Starts, would be banned and outlawed in many places today. This freedom should never be taken lightly. God bless those who have served our country and have walked with the Lord at the same time!

Our verse today is another form of remembering. It wasn’t a national holiday. It was something that people would do on their own. It wasn’t about soldiers, it was about spiritual heroes. They were to remember those who first taught them the Gospel. That’s a good thing to do. The congregation where I am at had it’s 100th anniversary a couple of years ago. That’s an important milestone to remember and reflect upon. There are a couple of old pieces of furniture, an old pulpit and a table that was once used for the Lord’s Supper, that are kept and remembered. There have been many important voices that have spoken from behind that old pulpit. There were many stirring sermons preached that led individuals to following Christ.

Our passage today reveals three thoughts:

  Remember those who first taught you. Can you remember? Who is the first preacher that you remember? What do you remember about him? Often they wore dark suits and as a child we just assumed that they cut their yard and even went to bed in those dark suits. But what we remember the most is the passion, the commitment, the dedication and their desire to help us know the Lord and walk with Him. They worked long and hard, and back then, most were not paid near what they were worth. Many of their families struggled financially, but they got by with the help of the Lord. Those spiritual giants knew the book. Many could stand up in front of a crowd and quote passage after passage. That’s impressive. More than that, they really knew the Lord. They prayed often. They took their walk with the Lord seriously. Good men. They kept many congregations going. We remember.

  Considering the result of their conduct. Other translations state, “considering the outcome of their faith.” The tone of these words imply that they had gone on. They had finished their journey. It’s hard to consider the outcome of one’s faith, when they haven’t yet finished it. The thought is that those first teachers of the Gospel had died. In the book of Hebrews, they may have been persecuted, or simply, executed for their faith. They kept and they finished, as Paul would declare about himself. It’s one thing to start. Just about anyone can start. I could start a marathon. That’s easy. It’s the staying with it until you have finished that is hard. Starting college, not too hard. Starting a new business, easy. Finishing, that’s tough. Those that were remembered here, had completed their journey. They did what the Lord wanted. The “well done” would be spoken to them by the Lord.

You and I are still on our journey. Stopping now means quitting. Stopping now isn’t reaching the goal. We must continue on. We must go until the Lord stops us. We must realize that others will be watching us. Some day, someone may consider the outcome of our faith. How we handle every day things is noticed. How we handle the big things is noticed. How we die will be noticed. This isn’t just about us. Our children, especially, will see what we have done.

Imitate their faith. There were footprints that these first teachers left. Those footprints led to Heaven. The readers were told to imitate or follow those footprints. Imitate how they worshipped. Imitate how they believed. Imitate how they refused to quit. The devotion, commitment and dedication—imitate those things. Years ago, when I was a puppy preacher, I held a series of meetings in Northern Kentucky, three years in a row. I stayed with an old guy named Victor. He was country and old school, through and through. Victor would tell me that people today are soft. Victor wasn’t soft. I tend to think that is what the Hebrew writer was expressing to his audience. The book reveals many forms of persecution and hardships that they were going through. Some had quit. Some had found a way to avoid those things. They were neglecting, compromising and simply giving up. The reminder of these first teachers, what they went through, the outcome of their faith, was used to keep them on course.

We need to do the same. Some of our forefathers, spiritually, donated land so church buildings could be built. Some of them traveled a long way, not in the luxury of air travel, but on horseback, to preach and strengthen souls. In pouring rain, those early preachers in America would travel, often sleeping on the ground, preaching in log cabins and in schools and out in meadows, wherever a crowd would gather. They poured their hearts out. Today, we have fine congregations that meet in state of the art church buildings, the latest technology, copiers, computers, projectors, facebook, twitter, videos and all this stuff, yet it will be the same dedication, hard working, committed soldier to the cross that will make the difference. Don’t forget. Remember!

Three simple words from our passage: remember, consider, imitate.

It does a soul good to do that. It helps us to remember what is really important. It keeps our eyes upon Heaven.

Roger

Jump Start # 1109

Hebrews 13:7 “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.”

NOTE TO READERS: This is just a reminder to our readers that Monday is a holiday and I will not be posting a Jump Start that day. When we started Jump Starts, it followed the working schedule. So on holidays, we take a break. Our readership is at an all time high. I want to thank you for staying with Jump Starts, welcome our new readers, and thank you for sharing this with others. There are now 11 Jump Start booklets coving topics such as: Proverbs, Psalms, Jesus, Male Leadership, God’s Expectations, Same-Sex Marriage, Vineyard Parable, Prodigal Son, Weddings and Marriage, Essay’s on Small churches, and Dating. These booklets are free. I also want to thank the wonderful congregation at Charlestown Road that allows me to do this and pays all the expenses involved in the publication of Jump Starts. If you are ever in Southern Indiana area, come visit us.

Monday is Memorial Day. God likes us to remember. Ancient Israel was told to pick up stones from the bottom of the Jordan River as they passed. This was a reminder of God’s providence, protection and promises. Each Sunday, we remember the Lord’s death. That is special. That one death, changed our lives and our eternal destiny.

We each have personal remembrances. We remember Christmas’ long ago. We remember riding to grandma’s house. A school teacher that my kids had is retiring this year. That brought back memories. We sing a hymn, “Precious memories.”

Our verse today involves remembering but it also includes imitating. The Hebrews were to remember those who taught them the word of God. They were not just to remember with a smile on their faces, but to recall how they walked, what they believed in, or as the text states, “considering the result of their conduct,” imitate their faith. This remembrance was to help them stay on course. The implication is that these early teachers had “finished their journey.” The phrase, “considering the result of their conduct,” implies that they had made it. It’s hard to see the results until it is finished. These early Biblical teachers had passed away. They had finished what they started. We wonder if some had died by persecution. That is one of the main issues in Hebrews, remaining faithful in difficult times.

I ran across a list of preachers that held meetings at a rural congregation. My name was on the list. The list covered 100 years. There were some real “giants” on that list. I knew the names of many of them. Many had passed on. Their journeys completed. Every congregation could produce a list like that. The names of men who were their preachers. The names of men who served as elders. The names of those who taught Bible classes. The names of those who came and preached meetings. It might be good for a congregation to post a list like that. We forget. Time moves on. Many of those names made a difference, not only to the church as a whole, but to us personally. They were the ones who pushed us, convinced us, taught us, reminded us, helped us, answered those probing questions and helped a young and struggling faith. They made a difference in our lives.

Here are some food for thought for this Memorial Day weekend:

• Who was the first preacher that you can remember? What do you remember about him?
• Who was one of your first Bible class teachers that you remember?
• What do you remember about the church building that you worshipped in as a child?
• What do you remember about the person who baptized you? What do you remember about the day you were baptized?
• If you could have lunch with one spiritual person from your past, who would it be? Why?

In this looking backward, don’t forget that someone today may be looking at you in this same way. You may be the teacher, preacher or person that made a huge impact in their lives spiritually. You may be the one, years from now, that they remember. All of us leave impressions—good or bad.

It’s been several years now, but the last time I visited the church building that I grew up in, I was amazed at how small the basement hallway was. Back then, the building seemed huge. But what a flood of memories came to me. I remember people like the Wolfgang family, the Corley family, the Clark’s, Charles Crawford and his wife Margaret, old brother Davis, the Hoggatt’s, the Peck’s. Those people were very influential in shaping the spirit and keeping things moving in the right direction. Many of those people taught me. Many of them are now gone. Upon that foundation, I now teach others. It’s a matter of passing the baton on to the next generation.

Most of us who have had a long connection to this fellowship have memories like this. I would love to sit down with some of the leaders of that congregation and talk with them. I was a kid. I didn’t know much. Now, thoughts, questions and ideas fill my heart. I’d like to know how they did it. I like to know what was challenges for them.

Memories. Spiritual memories. Your kids will have them. You are the part of someone’s memory. Never forget that years from now, some kid that is in your congregation, that just seems like a typical kid, may someday be preaching the Gospel as I now do. Who would have thought? Who would have thought that kid years ago would be writing a daily devotional that is read all over the world? I wasn’t a superstar. I didn’t stand out. I’m not one that people said, ‘Watch him, he’s going places someday.’ No, not me. But with that solid foundation, a lot of hard, hard work, and many who gave me a chance, here I am. What great things God can do with a simple person. Don’t ever give up. Don’t ever sell yourself short. Don’t ever think that you can’t do much. You may not ever travel the world preaching or writing, but you can be that one that makes it possible  for others or that one that pats the guy on the back and kicks him in the pants when he wants to quit, or that one that taught him the basics that got him going in the right direction. Those people, and there are so many in all of our lives, are due a heart full of thanks and gratitude from those of us who are where we are today.

So this Memorial Day, look beyond the cookouts, the car races, the family fun and spend a moment thanking God for the people in your life who have helped you spiritually. Then, get out there and do the same for someone else.

Precious Memories…

Roger

Jump Start # 315 

Hebrews 13:7 “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.”

  Our passage today is found in the last chapter of Hebrews. The writer is concluding. He gives a series of bullet points that are easy to identify but harder to do.

• Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers (2)
• Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings (9)
• Do not neglect doing good (16)
• Remember the prisoners (3)
• Remember those who led you (7)

  Our verse is one of these bullet points. It involves reflection. Remember those…now this was not a memorial service, nor were they planting a tree in the honor of a loved one. Rather, by remembering, they were adjusting their life and living holy.

  The people they remembered had done three things. First, they had led them. They may have been some early elders in the church. Their job was to oversee the saints and help them grow, while protecting them. Others lead. Preachers have a way of leading. Parents lead.

  Second, the ones remembered had taught them the word of God. These may have been the ones that led them to Christ. They may have been responsible for their conversions. Teaching requires effort, time and patience. To teach is to help. To teach is to change.

  Thirdly, the outcome of their conduct was to be considered. This implies that they had passed away. Someone still on the journey, has not reached their destination. They have not made it to the outcome. Why they influence and lead and teach, their own story is still being written. Those who have passed on, we see their outcome. We see the choices they made. We see where they stood with the Lord and what the Lord meant to them. The expression, “considering their outcome” indicates a life and a journey that reached it’s destination. They made it. They are safe. As Paul would write about his own life, the faith was kept, the fight was fought and the course was finished.

  These Hebrew Christians were not to forget the early leaders who had by this time died. They were to remember them. They had taught, led and left examples for these Hebrews. And now, these people are in the roles that these departed Christians once held. It is up to them to lead, to teach and to complete the journey in such a way that others can imitate, follow and remember what they had done. The baton had been passed to them.

  These thoughts lead us to two simple truths.

  First, do you remember? Do you remember those Christians who taught you, encouraged you and spent time answering your questions? By now, some of them may have departed. They have finished. Do you remember their kindness? Maybe they came to your home in the evening to teach the gospel. It may not have been to you, but to your parents. But you remember. How about the first preachers that you can remember? They worked hard at preaching God’s word. Dedicated. True. Honest to the cause. If you have had good examples in your life, you remember that they were good Christians. They loved the Lord. They held the church together. They always seemed to teach Bible classes. They always showed up at Gospel Meetings. They sacrificed and gave and put their whole hearts into the kingdom. You remember. When you were a child some of these men seemed to be 200 years old to you. But you remember them always carrying a Bible, often worn out just like they were. They weren’t fancy. They weren’t cutting edge. But they were God’s people. Good people. Godly people. They had it right. They did things right. Remembering, makes us realize that sometimes we’ve gotten away from that. Maybe we have too much of the world in us or more so, maybe we have too much of us still in us. Do you remember?

  Second, we are to imitate their faith. They had something right. They loved the Lord. They put the Lord first. That faith led them to lead. That faith moved them to teach. That faith kept them going to complete their journey. It’s more than just remain a Christian, who now is going to lead? Who now is going to teach? They are gone. But we say, I can’t. They did. But, we’re really busy. So were they. Teachings not my thing. They made it their thing.

  Have you ever gotten a chain letter? Folks don’t do that anymore, I think it may be illegal. But you get this letter, add your name to the bottom and send it away to seven friends. If you didn’t do it, you broke the chain and bad things would come your way. Silly concept but in some ways this is what is going on here in Hebrews. The leaders, teachers and early examples had passed away. Now it fell to these Hebrew Christians. Would they lead? Would they teach? Would they imitate the faith of the early Christians?

  This is where we are as well. We remember. Now will we do? Will it stop with us. Will we ‘break the chain?’ Some day another generation will look upon us. Will they want to imitate what they see? Will they think about us as we think about the generation of Christians before us?

  Three great words here: remember…consider…imitate. It does us well to do that.

Roger