Contextualize or Compromise?

by Pastor Ron Bridge of Rehoboth Baptist Church

My friend Jim Harrison is the pastor of Red Mills Baptist Church in Mahopac, NY. You might remember Jim as one of the speakers at the Rehoboth Bible Conference a couple of years ago. Jim is one of those pastor's who is deeply concerned over the accommodations that the church is making in order to reach people with the gospel in our post modern - and we can say with growing certainty – post Christian culture. The concern is that many of the accommodations have the unintended consequences of lessening rather than increasing spirituality.

You are familiar with some of the accommodations. In the majority of churches hymnals are rarely, if ever, used and have been replaced by choruses projected on a screen. While ostensibly making it easier for the person in the congregation to participate in singing, much that is important has been lost. The modern chorus, which can only be sung to a melody, lacks the depth and richness of the harmony that can only be achieved with a written musical score. This is especially evident when one of the great traditional hymns is attempted without a score. The long term result is that worship singing is reduced – with some exceptions – to a monotonous sameness.

An increasing number of churches no longer supply a Bible that can be held and referenced during a sermon. Some project the Scripture on the screen, often against a distracting background picture. All this is done in recognition that we live in a visual, rather than a word based culture. But the Bible is word based and studying the written word is essential to Christian growth and maturity. While projecting a verse on a screen may be convenient the long term impact is to lessen the importance of carrying and reading a personal Bible. Last week Mickie and I attended a large modern church and in my estimation about half the people did not carry a Bible. There are many other examples where the attempt to make the church and worship relevant to post-moderns – what is called contextualization - often ends up compromising something fundamental.

Now it can be argued that the two areas cited above are themselves cultural accommodations. It was not until the middle ages that musical instruments and musical scores were introduced into the church. Prior to that any singing was performed without accompaniment or score. Nor did worshipers prior to the same era have access to a Bible – most churches had a handwritten one or only portions. What the people knew of the Scriptures was through the teaching of priests, through oral tradition, or pictures, or icons. The consequence was a population heavily influenced by superstition and living in spiritual darkness. So, clearly, some cultural accommodations are helpful. Musical instruments, written music and readily available Scriptures have contributed greatly the church's worship. Any move away from these is a retreat to the dark ages.

Paul said that “he became all things to all men in order to save some” – he was willing to change methods but never to mess with fundamentals. This brings me back to some information that pastor Harrison sent to me. It is an analysis of the trends in preaching methodology titled: Preaching to Post Modern America for the Next Generation. Here are the key points:

1. The logic of the scripture is emphasized over its authority.
2. The love in the scripture is emphasized over its condemnation
3. The stories in the scripture are emphasized
4. The universal “calling” of the gospel is emphasized over its exclusive “choosing”
5. Preaching stems from a single text, without introducing other texts during the message
6. Preaching involves delivery of a single point sermon
7. Preaching provides intrinsic (internal) motivation while avoiding extrinsic (external) motivation i.e. “you must, you should, therefore you need to,”
8. Preaching involves avoiding technical language
9. Preaching involves avoiding the discussion of the Greek and Hebrew
10. Preaching involves a message that appeals to the pre-believer and believer in the body of the message not just an evangelistic conclusion and application
11. Interaction is encouraged during the preaching/teaching period

Now, I could spend a great deal of time addressing each point, one or two of which are good, for instance: a single text and single point can be very effective when speaking to unbelievers – I haven’t figured out what a pre-believer is yet, nor do I know of any message that appeals to one. But if adopted uncritically this methodology cannot but reduce the word of God to something on a par with Joel Osteen's “Your Best life Now.” In an attempt to be culturally relevant the offense of the gospel is removed. Let me take just two of the points.

 - The logic of the scripture is emphasized over its authority. What is the good of logic if the conclusions reached cannot be held as authoritative? That for me is vital. How can I preach if I cannot say: Thus saith the Lord! And having said it command the church to obey the Lord? If the authority of scripture is not established up front everything is up for grabs. That is why the very first article of this church is: “We believe in the absolute authority and accuracy of the 66 books of the Bible.”

 - Preaching involves avoiding technical language. Try preaching through Romans without getting technical. Justification, propitiation, imputation, election and predestination are deeply technical terms and must be explained in detail. To avoid such language is to avoid essential truths in an attempt to make the message palatable to post modern tastes. The gospel was never palatable to human taste or logic – it was never intended to be.

I could say a great deal more about the last point and can only imagine the scene in our church on Sunday morning if we adopted that approach! Sadly, this is not just a discussion list, it is representative of what is taking place in an increasing number of churches as they attempt to contextualize the message to modern Americans but fall prey to the law of unintended consequences - For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine...

Do You Have A Burden For The Lost?

Excerpt from the message "God's Faithful Word" on Romans 9:1-5 by Pastor Ron Bridge of Rehoboth Baptist Church given on March 20, 2011


Download the mp3 or listen to the full sermon here

A dirty job, but someone has to do it

by Pastor Ron Bridge of Rehoboth Baptist Church

The first century Roman playwright, Seneca, described his native city as “the cesspool of iniquity.” This from a man who was a pagan. The immorality of Rome was almost beyond description, homosexuality, bisexuality and even bestiality was accepted and even celebrated. Abortion was commonplace. Unwanted babies were killed, or left on doorsteps to be taken, or left in a field to be eaten by dogs. Although the Colosseum was not yet built, gladiators fought to the death in smaller venues and it would not be long before people would be fed to wild beasts. Men and women who married and remained faithful to each other were considered an oddity, prudish, narrow and unsophisticated. When, some years earlier, Pilate had responded to the Lord's claim to be speaking the truth with the infamous “what is truth?” He was only reflecting the prevailing Roman culture in which anything was acceptable. It was to Christians living in a culture that was so hostile to the gospel and to biblical holiness, that Paul wrote his most famous letter.

No doubt, the Christians living in Rome would concur with Paul's description of godless people in Romans 1:18-32 – they saw such things every day and recoiled from them. But, Paul followed his description of godlessness with the reminder that they were once like that, and it was only by the grace of God that they had been delivered from their own wickedness. God, says Paul, justifies the ungodly, not when by their own effort they become godly, but in order to make them so (Romans 4:5-8, 5:8-10). In spite of terrible persecution and the death of thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of Christians, the church in Rome grew and eventually overcame – “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church” (Tertullian). The Roman Christians resisted the tidal wave of corruption and many shed their blood in so doing.

Now, while not every aspect of Roman life is mirrored in modern American life, we are well along the way to creating our own cesspool of iniquity. So, when the Holy Spirit guided Paul's letter to the Christian's in Rome, He was also writing to the American church in 2013. Like our Christian brethren in Rome, we are facing a culture that is becoming more hostile to biblical standards as it careens into the abyss of depravity. Like them, we are called upon to demonstrate godliness in an ungodly world. Like them we will be ridiculed, opposed, persecuted – and killed? Jesus suffered at the hands of the ungodly, His apostles likewise, those that followed also. We should not be surprised if our turn is soon to come. As Peter wrote: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing had happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may be glad with exceeding joy” (1 Peter. 4:12,13).

One more thing to consider. The Church in Rome did not grow by Christians hunkering down and avoiding conflict. It grew because they were not ashamed of the gospel (Rom. 1:16). It grew because they were in contact with the ungodly, with the depraved and with the enemies of Christ – and they had “compassion on them – pulling them out of the flames, hating even the garments defiled by the flesh” (Jude 22,23). Sometimes evangelism is a dirty job, but someone has to do it. Jesus did it. Christians throughout the ages have done it. Someone did it for us. Who will do it for the ungodly of our day?

Revival in 2013?

by Pastor Ron Bridge of Rehoboth Baptist Church

A few years ago, Paul Washer was speaking on the need for revival in the church and said this: We need an awakening, [in the church] but we cannot expect the Holy Spirit to come down and clean up the mess we have made. We have clear directions from the word of God...and how He expects us to live, and how He expects us to order His church. And it does little good for men to cry out for extra biblical manifestations when biblical principle is violated all around us...There is little need for the devil and evil men to oppose a man praying for revival unless he is also laboring for reformation. We have been given truth, and we cannot simply do what is right in our own eyes and then expect the Holy Spirit to come down and bless our labors.(1) In short, if the church is not obedient to the truth revealed in the Scripture, praying for revival is futile –God simply will not answer (James 4:3-5).

What are some of the things that the church is doing to block revival? Washer makes ten indictments against the modern church, the first of which is a denial of the sufficiency of Scripture. The modern church is awash with various methods and techniques. Worship has been reduced to long periods of singing. Counseling is based more on psychology and the social sciences than the word of God. Preaching is almost devoid of substance, pastors are reluctant to challenge their listeners and to speak with authority against worldliness and spiritual apathy in the church. Many Christians fail to honor God by their regular presence and service, others are robbing God in their giving. Parents, particularly fathers, are AWOL from the lives of their children and fail to teach them from the Bible, abdicating their responsibility to others. Few Christians have a regular, life-changing prayer life. Most Christians do not evangelize and when they do the message is often more man-centered “decisionism” than the need for thorough, God centered, heart cleansing repentance. Sin is treated superficially, holiness is in short supply. The Bible speaks to each of these issues, but Christians routinely ignore many of them, choosing rather, to do their own thing.

Washer lists nine other indictments which serve as a barrier to genuine revival. However, until Christians are serious about reading, understanding and applying the word of God to their lives none of the other nine really matter. Conclusion? Until Christians are willing to submit their lives to the Scriptures there will be no improvement in the spiritual state of the church and revival will not come to the church, or to the nation. We cannot expect God to bless us if we are unwilling to do what He says in order for Him to bless us (2 Chron. 7:14).

May we, as individual Christians, and as the church of God in our little corner of New England, be faithful in reading, understanding and applying the word of God to our lives. May we see it as fully sufficient for all of life, and may God be pleased to revive His church, not only here in Rehoboth, but and in every place where He is honored. May the Lord bless us in 2013 and cause His name to be glorified among us and in our community.

(1) -Ten Indictments Against the Modern "Church"

A Quiet Christmas

The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. (Isaiah 32:17-18)

Have you ever longed for peace and quiet? As I write workmen are ripping shingles off the church walls and hammering in all the nails that held them there to the accompaniment of some VERY HEAVY METAL. I am finding it hard to concentrate and wish I had some ear plugs. Interlude. Well, I went home and now have ear plugs which are snugly in place. I also have a CD of Old English melodies which is softly playing in the background and together they make an effective defense against the assault on my sensibilities. A pretty radical course of action? You might say so, but a very necessary one if I am going to survive the day!

We live in a noisy world, but it is not just the decibel level we have to be concerned about, it is the type of noise. In many parts of the world it is the noise of war, the shooting, the explosions and the cries of the wounded, dying and displaced. In our cities it is the noise of crime. Everywhere it is the noise of commerce, of making, transporting, buying, advertising, selling and all that goes with it, especially at this time of year – the great holiday rush. All mankind is caught up in this worldly noise in one way or another, and while some, such as the Amish, seek to escape by fostering a simpler lifestyle, and those who live in tents in Outer Mongolia are naturally insulated from it, all people are, in one degree or another, captive to it because the spirit of the age is a noisy, restless spirit (Isa. 17:12,13a).

The fact is that the loudest noise we have to deal with is the noise of our own hearts. Augustine famously said: Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless until we find our rest in Thee. Too often, Christians, who should have found rest in Christ are filled with the same noise as the world. We are to be in the world but not consumed with the things, concerns and worries of the world. In the midst of the restless, roaring and sinful sea of human uncertainty we must stand as a beacon, a lighthouse of stability and peace pointing the way to quietness of spirit that is found in Christ alone.

So, do we have a noisy or a quiet spirit? The answer to that will determine how we keep Christmas. A Christian Christmas should be a quiet Christmas. What do I mean? I don't mean that we should not have fun and fellowship, laughter and singing. I mean we should have the quietness of heart and mind that comes from reflecting on what Christ has done for us in becoming incarnate. By His life, death and resurrection we are made righteous, and as Isaiah says: The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. Are you caught up in the noise of the season – or about to be? Perhaps it is time for some radical action to distance yourself and protect your heart and mind from the world's noisy assault.

May you have a quiet and blessed Christmas.
Pastor Ron Bridge of Rehoboth Baptist Church

The Single and The Double Minded Man

Listen or download the full message on James 1:5-8 by Pastor Ron Bridge here.

Praying them out of Sodom

by Pastor Ron Bridge of Rehoboth Baptist Church

Sometime later this Summer I plan to start preaching through the epistle of James and have been thinking about some of the key passages. One very familiar one is James 5:16 The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much (5:16 NASV). One of the most effective prayers of a righteous man was the prayer of Abraham for Sodom (or for a few people in Sodom) prior to it's destruction (Gen. 18,19). No doubt you know the story and the events leading up to it.

Abraham and his nephew, Lot, had parted company because of the size of their flocks. Abraham had given first choice to Lot and Lot chose to dwell in the fertile plain and pitched his tent toward Sodom (Gen. 13:12). Lot was so taken by the quality and goodness of the land that he was blinded to the depravity of nearby Sodom. In Gen. 14:12, we learn, sadly, that Lot had moved into Sodom.

Some time later, Lot was taken captive in one of the local wars and had to be rescued by Abraham. After paying a tenth of all the spoils to Melchizedek, king and priest of Salem (Jerusalem), Abraham returned all the captives and the material goods to the king of Sodom saying that he would not keep even a shoelace for himself - Abraham wanted nothing to do with Sodom. However, amazingly, we find that Lot returned to Sodom and chapter 19 opens with Lot sitting in the gate of Sodom. What was he doing there?

His position in the gate indicates that he was a well known citizen and someone respected for his judgment. 2 Peter 2:7-8 indicates that Lot was a righteous man and was grieved over the sins of his fellow citizens. Apparently, by remaining in Sodom Lot was attempting to provide some kind of moral guidance and corrective to the prevailing gross immorality. But, it was not appreciated (Gen. 19:9) and in addition, Lot put his whole family at risk by exposing them to the evils of the place, evil company corrupts good character.

It is difficult even for a good man to live in an evil place and not be stained by it, not be affected by it in some way. Lot had moved near Sodom then had moved into Sodom. He was grieved by the sin of the place but did not remove his family from it. Lot was caught up with the prosperity of the place. It was easier to live in Sodom with all its conveniences than to chase sheep and goats in the hills. But there is a price to pay fro friendship with the world, even if that friendship is just one of convenience. One part of the price was ignorance of impending doom, proving that association with the world has a dulling effect on the spirit. The more time one spends in the world and with the things of the world the less spiritually in tune one becomes.

Abraham, on the other hand, knew what was going to happen and boldly interceded on behalf of any righteous person that may have been in the city: will you destroy the righteous with the wicked? (18:23). Abraham bargained with God (not recommended unless you are on intimate terms with Him and you have the faith of Abraham). Abraham started at fifty righteous persons and eventually got God to agree on ten. From Abraham's perspective that would just about cover Lot's family. God answered Abraham's bold prayer and Lot was delivered - but only just!

We are astonished to read in 19:16 that Lot lingered - he hesitated! What was there to hesitate about? Just at this point we see the real power of this world's system and the power of evil to deceive and blind even the eyes of God's people. Lot had been warned, his own spirit vexed, and yet the pull, the familiarity and the love of the world is strong. Satan will not let go easily. But Abraham had prayed so the angels took Lot by the hand and brought him out: If the righteous are scarcely saved what will become of the ungodly or the sinner (1 Peter4:18).

Question: Would Lot have been saved if Abraham had not prayed? We do not know. But we do know this: Abraham did pray and God gave Him what he requested. Here is encouragement for all of us who have loved ones living in Sodom - pray and do not stop praying until God delivers them: The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

The Importance of Communion

by Pastor Ron Bridge of Rehoboth Baptist Church

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts 2:42). A very literal translation of 42b is: in the breaking of the bread. The inclusion of the definite article indicates that this bread was not the ordinary bread of mealtimes, such as we see in Acts 2:46 where bread in that verse is not preceded by the article. Communion was a vital part of the life of every Christian in Jerusalem. They had communion with the Lord through the study of the apostle's doctrine, and they had communion with the Lord in gathering around the Communion Table.

Less than two months had passed since the first celebration of the Supper on the night before Jesus was crucified, no doubt the memory of that evening was still vivid and they wanted to hold onto to it as long as possible. It was also a reminder, not only of what Jesus had accomplished for them in His death and resurrection, but also of His promise to return. Given these things, they joyfully obeyed the Lord's command to observe communion regularly. The celebration of the communion meal was essential to the Christians of the early church because it bound them to the Lord Jesus Christ as nothing else could. This is why it is still essential for Christians today.

The Lord's Supper keeps His substitutionary atonement fresh in our memory. When Jesus instituted this memorial celebration He did so by recalling the events of the original Passover when the angel of death passed over all those who were covered by the blood of the sacrifice. Christians, likewise, are covered by the blood of the perfect, once for all sacrifice, and as we participate in the Supper we are reminded afresh of just how great a price has been paid for our salvation. Because we still sin and need to confess our sins Communion reminds us, in a way that nothing else does, that we are forgiven. It reminds us of our dependence on Christ, of His gracious and merciful love for His people, and of His promised return.

In partaking of the bread and the cup the believer and the Lord are united in what is a Holy Communion. It is no ordinary meal. It is to be attended with a sense of awe and humility and reverence. It must not be treated lightly or shabbily - remember Paul’s rebuke to the careless Corinthians (1 Cor. 11:29)! We cannot imagine a member of that first church in Jerusalem ever treating the Lord’s Table with contempt - preferring to go to the beach, or sleeping in late rather than gathering with the saints to celebrate together -and with the Lord. They would, no doubt, have set aside many other things in order to partake of the Holy Meal.

The Lord’s own words in Luke 22:15 ought to be the prototype of how every Christian should consider the communion table: “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you.” The Lord eagerly desires to have intimate communion and fellowship with His people. A good thing to ask is: Do we return the feelings He has for us?

Praying Men

by Pastor Ron Bridge of Rehoboth Baptist Church

"I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting" (1 Timothy 2:8, italics mine).

The reasons for the weakness and shallowness of the American church are manifold and too many to list, but here are a few of them: There has been a general failure to preach and teach the whole council of God which can be attributed to a loss of confidence in the word to build up the church. As a result the church has turned to a myriad of programs to attract the world to the church and has become more like the world in the process. Many churches no longer have a Sunday evening service and have abandoned a midweek prayer meeting. The result of this is that Christians are spending too much time in the world doing the things of the world, and as a consequence, they begin to look and act like the world. The dramatic cultural shift brought about by the rise of feminism has also greatly impacted the church. To a great extent men have lost, neglected or have simply abdicated their traditional leadership role in society. A similar neglect and even abdication is also evident in many churches.

This is not to downplay the vital role that women play in the life of the church (some churches would not survive without faithful women). But, it is to stress that when men neglect or abandon their God- given leadership roles in the church, the church is no longer able to fulfill the mandate to make biblical disciples. The Bible teaches the absolute equality of men and women in Christ (Gal.3:26-29), but it also teaches that there are distinct roles for men and women (1 Tim. 2:8-3:13). To put it simply, men are to lead in the church and women are to provide support. Both roles are vital and both have equal honor. When a church follows this pattern it is building on the right foundation.

The particular areas of male leadership are identified in the passage as leading in prayer (2:8), leading in preaching and teaching (2:12), leading in church administration (3:1,8) and providing leadership in the home (3:4,12). I think that the order in which these appear are not accidental. Prayer is the starting point or the foundation on which a life of biblical manhood is built (study of the word of God while not mentioned in this section is, of course, implied). The early church followed the customs of the synagogue so when Paul stressed male leadership in prayer it would not have been surprising to his readers, it would have been natural. Anything less would have been surprising. So, I want to challenge the men of Rehoboth Baptist Church to take the leadership in prayer in the home and at church. Men, you should be leading your family in prayer and you should be leading the church in prayer. There is no excuse for failure in this essential biblical discipline. If the men of the church neglect to lead in this one point they will be prone to neglect in every other point as well. So, brother, fulfill your biblical mandate!

For the kingdom and His glory,
Pastor Ron

Redemption

Download or listen to the full message here.

Christian or Impostor?

Listen to or download the full message here.

The Broad and The Narrow Way

Listen to or download the full message here.

Speaking the Truth With Courage

by Pastor Ron Bridge of Rehoboth Baptist Church

Paul tells the church in Ephesus to speak the truth in love (4:15), and the church in Philippi that doing so will result in persecution so they must be courageous (1:27-28), and commended the Christians in Thessalonica for suffering as a result of bearing a faithful, steadfast, witness (2:14-16). Writing to Timothy Paul says that all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12).

The only time the church does not suffer is when it ceases to speak the truth and begins to compromise with the world in order to be at peace with it. Prior to the Edict of Constantine which made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire in the fourth century, the church had suffered through numerous persecutions in which tens of thousands of believers lost their lives, often under extremely cruel circumstances. Following the Edict there was a period of peace but at the cost of the gospel. Indeed over the next thousand years the gospel virtually disappeared as the church itself took on the imperial mantle and became just like the world, albeit in religious garb.

Persecution resumed when the church rediscovered the gospel. The Reformers suffered under the assault of the imperial church, and to add insult to injury, fought amongst themselves as various Protestant movements sought to carve out their own religious territory. By the turn of the sixteenth century most of the infighting was over and the church, although separated into numerous denominations was in agreement over what we might call the fundamentals of the faith. There being essential unity in diversity, and speaking with the common voice of the gospel, the church turned once again to the Great Commission. When the church did this – persecution intensified and has been intensifying ever since. The more persistent the church, the more it is persecuted.

But, whenever the church compromises the gospel in order to have peace, persecution wanes. No one delights in persecution. While we can rejoice when it comes (1 Peter 4:13) it is not something to be sought. But neither is peace with the world. Peace (friendship) with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4). A great many churches have made friends with the world and compromised the gospel in order to avoid persecution. Even good churches and Christians can fall into this trap. We do so when we fail to speak the truth with courage. We don't want to rock the boat and so we beat around the bush and never get to the heart of the gospel in our conversation with unbelievers. We avoid the hot button issues of the day that we know will arouse opposition, or we fail to state our beliefs forthrightly. We want to be seen as loving and not judgmental so we clam up if we sense that we might offend someone. However, the preaching of the cross is offensive – it may indeed be death to some, but it is life to others (2 Cor. 2:15-16).

The Great Commission is a message of love, but love is dependent on truth, and it takes courage to speak the truth that men are sinners and God hates sin and must punish it – either in the sinner, or in the sinner's substitute. Speak this truth and you will experience persecution. But you will also experience the presence of Christ who said: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Be a Boaz

by Pastor Ron Bridge of Rehoboth Baptist Church

I am reading through the Old Testament again and have recently finished the book of Ruth. It is, as you know, a wonderful story of love, devotion and faithfulness (I plan to preach through it on the conclusion of Romans, DV). The thing that stood out to me this time was the manly honor and integrity of Boaz.


It is clear from the very first time that Boaz noticed Ruth gleaning in the fields that he took an interest in her – more than ordinary interest. He took pains to find out who she was and knew of her reputation and her faithfulness to Naomi. He also knew that she was a widow and therefore eligible and available for marriage (the text does not say this explicitly but it is not too hard to discern “between the lines.” This is made pretty clear by the way he treated her, gave her special privileges, protected her, and gave her extra measures of grain. Yet, he made no improper moves toward her.

Boaz was considerably older than Ruth (cf. 3:10) and even though there is little doubt he had feelings for her did not allow himself to be carried away by them or entertain false hopes. For all he knew, Ruth was content to stay with Naomi, or be expected to seek out someone younger, Naomi however, had other ideas and developed a plan (rather daring) by which she would seal the deal. I chuckle every time I read the part where Boaz wakes up at night to find a woman lying at his feet and under his covers, but does not tell her to leave at once – she must have kept his feet warm. In the early morning he assists her to get away before anybody knew of it, which certainly would have caused tongues to wag.

Ruth returned to Naomi and told her all that transpired and then said: Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day (3:18). This is the verse that really caught my attention. Boaz was clearly smitten with Ruth (3:10) but also knew that there was one who, according to the law, had a prior claim (3:12). The honor and integrity of Boaz is seen in chapter 4 in that he does what is right, even though it would, no doubt have caused him pain to lose Ruth to another man. As it turned out, the close relative refused to exercise his right and Boaz married Ruth and they became the great-grandparents of David.

How we need to see that kind of honor and integrity displayed in our world today – it is in very short supply. How many men today are truly of their word who will do what is right even though it may not be in their own best interest? Very few, I think. Where are the politicians who will do what is right even at the cost of their re-election? Where are the businessmen who will do what is right even at the cost of their bottom line? Even in the church we see compromise in order to not jeopardize a large ministry. In a world where honor and integrity are in short supply Christian men (women too) have an opportunity to demonstrate honor and integrity in their daily lives. The world will not fail to notice it, even though they will not really understand it, and may even think it foolish, but it will bring honor to the Lord and he will bless it (1 Peter 3:15-16). So, be a Boaz today.

Oh The Depth!

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! Romans 11:33

Two short clips from the message "Oh The Depth" on Romans 11:32,33 by Pastor Ron Bridge of Rehoboth Baptist Church given on Aug 14, 2011.

Listen or download the full message here.

Cheap Grace

by Pastor Ron Bridge, Rehoboth Baptist Church
Listen or download the full message here.

Children of Promise

Excerpt from the message "Children of Promise" on Romans 9:6-13, Genesis 18:9-14, 21:1-12 by Pastor Ron Bridge of Rehoboth Baptist Church given on May 1, 2011



Download the mp3 or listen to the full sermon here.

Joy and Rejoicing in Philippians

by Pastor Ron Bridge of Rehoboth Baptist Church

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. -Philippians 4:4-9 nkjv

“Rejoice in the Lord always, Again I will say, rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4). This is one of the most well known verses in Philippians, and also in the entire New Testament – and rightly so! The good news of salvation through faith in Christ is a source of great joy to all who have experienced it – a joy that enables them to be content in all circumstances (Phil. 4:11). At least, that is what it is supposed to do. But does it? Does the fact of our salvation actually cause us to rejoice in all circumstances?

I have been reading through Philippians again and have been reminded that I need to ask this question of myself repeatedly. I need to because I can be easily discouraged by trivial little problems. You would think that after thirty six years as a Christian I would have learned, as Paul had, to be content in whatever state I am. But, I find that I am not, or at least not as often as I should. I could excuse myself by saying that I am not Paul – true enough, but it is a transparent excuse because I have not had the kind of problems he did. The truth is that I find myself discouraged and lacking joy because I do not think deeply enough about my salvation, and more importantly, about my Savior. I am not speaking theologically because my theology of salvation is solid. I know what a sinner I was (am), and I know what Jesus has done for me. The trouble is that there is often a disconnect between my head and my heart – and it is the heart where rejoicing occurs – where it is felt – but it starts in the mind.

Paul was always thinking about Jesus. In the four chapters of Philippians, he mentions Jesus by name ortitle forty eight times (in 104 verses). If we add references to God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, there are seventy four (and I may have missed a few) references to the Divine Being. Paul's mind was saturated with thoughts of God, not just about what God had done for him, but about God Himself, thoughts of His greatness, beauty, love, grace, and glory. Paul counted everything secondary to the excellence of the knowledge of Christ (3:8). The secret of Paul's joy in the face difficult circumstances was a mind fixed on the Lord (cf. Col. 3:1-3; Heb. 12:1-2; 2 Cor. 4:16-18). Having a Christ-centered mind enabled Paul to rejoice in all things, and it will enable us, as well. May I encourage you to read Philippians again, and join with Paul and me thinking about Jesus and learning to rejoice in the Lord, always (the table below is taken from the ESV Study Bible).

Ref:	Paul...
1:4	prays with joy
1:18	rejoices that Christ is proclaimed
1:25	will remain living on earth, for the Philippians' joy in the faith
2:2	asks the Philippians to complete his joy
2:17,18	is glad and rejoices with the Philippians
2:28	sends Epaphroditus, that the Philippians might rejoice
2:29	tells the Philippians to receive Epaphroditus with joy
3:1	tells the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord
4:1	tells the Philippians they are his joy
4:4	tells the Philippians twice to rejoice in the Lord
4:10	rejoiced in the Lord at the Philippians' concern for him

The Golden Chain

Excerpt from the message "The Golden Chain" on Romans 8:29,30 by Pastor Ron Bridge of Rehoboth Baptist Church given on Feb 20, 2011



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Providence and the Problem of Evil

Excerpt from the message "Providence" on Romans 8:28 by Pastor Ron Bridge of Rehoboth Baptist Church given on Feb 6, 2011



Download the mp3 or listen to the full message here.