I find them in nearly every city on our itinerary. In fact, I look for them when time is available! Either Bookstores or used book outlets of some kind, including library sales.

Years ago I heard a great Preacher quip, “Readers are leaders!” Often this is true. One might wonder if a Preacher does NOT read, study … has he fallen victim to a sort of laziness?

Today’s Lesson …

Paul the aged, wise Man of God wrote Timothy, sharing this bit of advice: “Give attendance to reading.” 1st Timothy 4:13, where the verb “give attendance” is really an imperative, a command! And the noun “reading” is a form of the Greek word for “knowledge!” We LEARN via what we read. Paul certainly was a man of books, being a well trained Rabbi in his pre-Christian life.

And when Paul was in prison, nearing the time of his death (execution), he still was craving books! This time Timothy was asked: “The cloke (coat) that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, AND THE BOOKS, but especially the parchments.” 2nd Timothy 4:13, plural “books!”

I heard old Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. say many a time, “You can borrow brain … but you cannot borrow character.” And really when we read the great men of God who lived in the past (their sermons, commentaries, essays, life stories) we are (in a sense) borrowing their brain power, their thoughts, worldviews!

Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe encourages young men called of God to the ministry to find some old Preacher of bygone years who thrills your soul … and read one of his sermons every day! In a way, making that giant in the faith your Pastor! (Remember, Pastors do not have Pastors! Often no one to feed them the Word of God!)

Yes, reading can be work! Ecclesiastes 12:12 says as much, from Solomon’s lips. “My son, be admonished: of making many BOOKS there is no end; and much STUDY is a weariness of the flesh.” Study can be taxing, but very rewarding!

Then of course, in all our reading ONE BOOK must hold top priority, the Word of God, the Bible! Ezra 8:1 illustrates my point. “And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to BRING THE BOOK of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.” And that Book was read, and The Lord sent a great Revival!

God’s Word, inspired!

God’s Word, inerrant!

God’s Word, eternal!

Books … and the believer!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

A depiction of Noah’s Ark, while under construction!

Debbie and I recently visited the Creation Museum not far from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Today’s Lesson …

In our area a mighty draught has taken hold. Ground dry, grass dead, forest fires aplenty! But I am remembering a time when it rained on earth … forty days and forty nights!

Genesis 7:12 records such an event: “And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.”

I am preparing (have been for months) a series of Sermons from the Book of Genesis, chapters 1-11 of that great Bible Text of Origins.

I will (at least) be highlighting Creation week, the Fall of mankind (when sin first tainted humanity), the world-wide Flood, and the Tower of Babel.

Would you pray with me about these Messages, please?

Noah is called, in 2nd Peter 2:5, a “Preacher of Righteousness.” And the Ark he built is a precious Picture (Type, Symbol) of our Lord Jesus Christ!

In fact, I am now wondering if a whole group of Sermons could be preached just using the Ark, the Flood, and Noah as points of exposition. Doctrine, Prophecy, Admonition, Wisdom … every major area of Bible proclamation could be mined from the “Flood Narrative” of Genesis.

And yes, in the end … the Ark rested safely on Mount Ararat! Just like those of us who are “in” Christ Jesus … will absolutely land safely on the shores of Glory some day!

But, is the Story of the Ark and accompanying Flood relevant today?

Jesus thought so. Speaking of His Second Coming … “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24:37

Yes, I want to preach this soon!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Brother T. R. Etheridge has been a friend of ours for years. And has been preaching the Word of God for six decades! One night last week in a short Revival Meeting he and his Wife Betty helped prepare a meal for Debbie and me, food accompanied by great fellowship. Memories about serving Jesus!

Today’s Lesson …

Recently I thought a little about the older, faithful Preachers God has brought into my life. And what a help they have been to me, especially in those younger years.

Paul certainly addressed this subject. For example, in 1st Timothy 5:17 he admonished: “Let the elders (preachers, especially pastors) that rule (lead their people) well be counted worthy of DOUBLE HONOUR, especially they who labour in the word (expounding the Scriptures) and doctrine.”

Wow!

The adjective “diplous” means “double” for sure, and is even translated “twofold more” in Matthew 23:15. Its meaning is obvious.

But in today’s religious culture too often the emphasis is on the younger men. (Thank God for them, too!) I’ve noticed Churches nowadays seek younger Pastors, not older ones. No doubt each situation should be considered individually … but I am telling you … we often overlook a lot of wisdom and experience and counsel and love … by automatically ignoring the senior Men of God!

Oh, I fondly remember those who helped me so much. Dr. John V. Ray in college days. Dr. R. C. Henry in the prayer room. Dr. W. A. Criswell as an expositor. Dr. Oliver B. Greene and Dr. Jack A. Green helped me start my library, one that has grown through the years. And so many more …

Do you have an older Preacher in your life?

A former Pastor?

The one who won you to the Lord?

Oh yes, young Preachers, I encourage you to have such a “mentor” in your life. An older seasoned Preacher who can advise you as your grow in your ministry. (Even the President has a “cabinet,” you know.) Elisha had an Elijah, for a while. Timothy had a Paul.

Here’s today’s verse again: “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”

Do something kind (on “double honor” level) for him today, that older Preacher you love.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

Sunrise one morning last month during the Conway, South Carolina Revival … overlooking the Atlantic Ocean! Our motel balcony gave us this beautiful view!

Today’s Lesson …

Yes, Psalm 113:3 suggests: “From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name is to be praised.”

And the verb “to be praised” is “halel” (of “Hallelujah” fame), here set as a (grammatical term) “Pual” stem action word. And in Hebrew a “Pual” verb (the passive of “Piel”) means praise that is ENERGETIC, AGRESSIVE, WHOLE-HEARTED, nothing lukewarm, for sure!

In fact, every sunrise, this verse ought to come to our minds!

A new day, to praise our great God!

The sun that (seems to) rise every day … is also Biblically a Picture (Symbol, Type, Emblem) of our Saviour, our Heavenly Bridegroom!

Psalm 19 says so!

As in its first verse: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”

Now, our nearest star comes into focus: “In them (the heavens) hath he (God our Creator) set a tabernacle for the SUN, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.” Psalm 19:4-6

Jesus, a brilliant Bridegroom!

Jesus, a STRONG Man!

Jesus, a Runner!

Jesus, a Bringer of warmth!

Jesus, coming again!

Yes, Malachi 4:2, still using the “sun” as a Picture of Jesus … hears God say: “Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings.”

Yes, Christ Jesus is the Sun of Righteousness.

And the Son of God!

And God the Son!

Back to my verb … Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

I have written this Lesson the day after a national Presidential election here in my Country, in America. Really, in my heart, I feel God may be giving us a new day in which to serve Him! In which to defend Israel! In which to view the Bible favorably! In which to help bring freedom around the world!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

To quote a once famous First Lady, “I am proud to be an American.”

 

Last Friday I was waking through a place called “Rock City.” The trail suddenly became “narrow.” And the following thoughts came to  mind …

Today’s Bible Lesson …

The Christian life is often compared to a “way” of travel, as in the hymn “Marching to Zion.” In fact, in Acts 9:2 it seems that “this way” was a slanderous “nickname” for those collectively following Jesus. And in Acts 22:4 Saul of Tarsus (pre-conversion Paul) said: “And I (Saul) desired of him (the High Priest) letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of THIS WAY, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound (under arrest, in chains) unto Jerusalem.”

Jesus Himself knew that comparatively speaking those who loved Him (and walked in His Way) would always be in the “minority.” He even said so, in His great Sermon on the Mount! “Strait is the gate, and NARROW is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:14

It takes humility (lowliness) to walk through that gate, to pursue that way! “For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” Luke 18:25-26, where a “needle’s eye” seems to be pretty small, narrow! Rich men, apart from the working of the Holy Spirit, are often BIG in their own eyes, NOT humble, as a general rule.

If you are saved, have seen the light, praise God! Listen to Luke 13:24. “Strive to enter in at the strait (narrow) gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”

Yet all this being said …

I would still like to revel in the fact that we have a “whosoever will” Gospel to preach!

The “door” to the Old Testament Tabernacle was WIDE! Almost disproportionately so! Thirty feet wide, twenty cubits! And the whole eastern side of the Tabernacle was only seventy-five feet wide, fifty cubits! Fellowship with God was encouraged, obviously!

And Jesus’ Death?

It was for not an exclusive few … but the whole world! “And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the WHOLE WORLD.” At least John thought so, 1st John 2:2.

In one sense “narrow.”

In another sense, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37

This I am saying … if you are IN … worship God from the bottom of your heart!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

If this Lesson has been a special blessing to you in any way, or an encouragement, text me with a short message to that effect … at 770-844-7627, my cell number. I would love hearing from someone today, one of our readers.