It must have been a tense moment when Jesus rebuked Peter. The Lord and His disciples had gained the attention of the people of Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. The sick had been healed; the blind received their sight and lepers were cleansed. However, when Jesus began to reveal to His disciples what manner of death He would suffer, Peter scolded the Lord. In fact, Peter said, Matthew 16:22 “Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.”

Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get thee behind me Satan, for you do not understand the things of God.” The only other time Jesus said “Get thee behind me Satan” was when He actually addressed Satan in the wilderness. Luke 4:8

Peter was so filled with success that he failed to see Purpose. He was so consumed with the favorable outcome, perhaps affluence, that he stumbled over the Will of the Father. The sins of the world hung in the balance, but Peter only saw their momentary popularity. He was carnal. His mind was corrupted insomuch that Jesus likened him to Satan.

Paul wrote, Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. The carnal mind chokes out the Purpose of the Kingdom. It looks inward to appease the flesh. It removes believers out of worship and sacrifice and buries them in gossip, lust, and pride. Sadly, many who are overcome with carnality do not know how far away they are from the Kingdom.

The media, with its worldly content, is not to blame. Hollywood, while a continual source of degradation, is not to blame. Bad influences, offenses from other believers, or even spiritual darkness bears no responsibility. Carnality is a choice. We chose light or we chose darkness. We will either reject the world or receive it.

Paul went so far as to say that the carnal mind is hostile toward God. I see this in real time as people scoff at modest lifestyles and outward holiness standards. They are carnal. I see this when Pentecostals profess faith with their mouth, but have no works to prove it. Carnal Christianity is on the rise as more people watch television than pray; as more seek pleasure than offer their bodies as a living sacrifice.

The Spirit is calling us deeper. We must choose to be holy, righteous, and set a part. We must contend for the Faith that was once delivered. This is a war that we must win. Anything that leads us away from total commitment must be removed from our lives. Any weight that besets us must be set aside. It is time for us have the mind of God.

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole

Luke 14:18 But they all alike began to make excuses. (NIV)

The wedding season is upon us. It’s a beautiful thing to consider the bride and groom with all the pageantry: Guests are invited; food is prepared; and a host of plans are made in light of the special day. I have heard a few remarks, however, about the disappointment of “no-shows.” Something came up and someone missed the wedding. After invitations were sent out and tables were set, the expected guests were missing.

The parable of Luke 14 is not so far removed from our day. Jesus said that a special banquet was prepared and guests were invited. Nevertheless, one by one each had an excuse why they could not attend. One guest said that he had some property to inspect, while another offered the excuse of a pressing business purchase. All of them had an excuse.

Ultimately, the value of the prepared banquet did not rise above their personal endeavors.

We have excuses too. There are many reasons why people are not committed to the church. I’ve heard a long list of reasons why church members do not attend Wednesday Bible Study class. Others have told me how difficult it is to make it back for Sunday Evening worship. The list goes on and on from church fellowships to prayer meetings to serving.

The real issue comes down to priorities. It might just be my age, but I’ve seen enough to know that everyone does what they want to do. Nothing more. Nothing less. Seeing that values vary, the “banquet” i.e., the church, worship, involvement, is left for those who believe that Kingdom work is greater than everything else.

I’ll mince no words here: Jesus said, Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. This is the only way we can tell the intentions of the heart. The treasure is time, effort, energy, passion… perhaps finances. Intentions do not reveal the heart. It’s what we do that reveals what we value. Excuses? Well… there are many. Anyone can make an excuse.

Jesus called the banquet, “a great supper” Luke 14:16. Jesus spoke of it as supreme, critical, and all-encompassing. When the original guests did not come, the Master sent his servant to the highways and hedges, which simply means that the table will be full. Someone will come. It might not be the original invitees or those who think they are qualified. Someone will come and those who do will be given a place by the Lord Himself that His Word may complete, “so that my house will be full.”

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole

Maybe you’ve notice that the biological debate of paternalism has found new footing. With a rise in blended families, divorce, and remarriage, America is dealing with parenting and guardianship. However, our generation is not the first to confront this challenge. In fact, history tells us that both the Civil War of the mid-1860’s and World War 2, which ended September 2, 1945, had to confront this pressing issue. Missing fathers caused an upheaval in the aftermath of war that could not be denied. Almost 1.3 million men died in the Civil War, which left a major deficit in the structure of the home and family. Father figures (grandfathers, uncles, and other relatives) were pressed to take up the mantle of leadership. It was the only way to keep some cohesion of the nuclear family.

In more recent times, the dilution of the family unit has caused a plethora of unresolved issues. America is learning the hard way that children need a “father” in their lives. The absence of the male voice has caused a ripple effect in crime, poverty, and overall disciplines. There is no debate that the role of dad is much greater than just procreation. It takes more than just reproducing to be counted as a covering over children.

Thankfully, while the biological father might be missing or absent, other “dads” have stepped up. We never see this more wonderfully displayed than in the church.

As we celebrate Father’s Day, we recognize men who lead. Regardless of DNA, the blessing of fatherhood is clearly seen in the lives of so many families. Perhaps one of the great responsibilities of the church is to meet the needs of children and young people who do not have a paternal voice in their life. Men that lead are in high demand and I am confident that there are many who grace this house that fulfill that need.

Nevertheless, when our combined efforts fall short, the scripture tells us that God Himself will be a “father to the fatherless” Psalms 68:5. The Lord never leaves anyone out. He always makes up the difference. So as we give recognition to Father’s Day, let it be known that we are grateful for every man who takes the time to lead; give of their time; and offer wisdom and love to those around them.

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole

Perhaps it missed our purview that the land of Israel is the only country that touches three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa. Israel was not only the land promised by God, but it also served as the bridge to international trade. It’s important to note such a thing when reading Mark chapter 14. The scripture speaks of a woman of ill repute entering a house and pouring ointment of spikenard on the head of Jesus. Spikenard was a costly aromatic anointing oil extracted from an East Indian plant. Obtaining an alabaster box full of the ointment was not an easy task, which explains its high value. Judas described its worth as a “years’ wages.”

Most colognes today are not made with oil extracts. Chemical compounds can give a pleasant scent, but they do not invoke the same attention as the more expensive oil compound and they fade rather quickly. The oil, however, is a sustaining smell not soon forgotten.

The spikenard was not only a rare and sought after fragrance, but it was strong enough to saturate the whole house. Dinner just wasn’t the same after Mary came to call. The house was filled with her passion, repentance, and broken spirit. The pharisees took up the cause and murmured about her and what they considered the inappropriate scene. The disciples were most shocked by the move. Judas’ thoughts went to waste and money. Simon, the host, had to consider his own failure of not washing the feet of Jesus.

One woman with a precious ointment changed the entire mood and conversation of the house. Her brokenness filled the whole room.

Psalm 51 gives us both direct imagery and instruction by comparison.
David wrote that the sacrifices of God are a broken heart: “a broken spirit, O God thou wilt not despise.” We not only know what the sacrifices are, but by deductive reasoning, we know what they are not. Unmoved hearts and unbroken spirits cannot approach the altar. Indifference won’t find room before the Lord. Religious platitudes have all become benign. It’s the broken spirit that changes the order of the service. One desperate person seeking God can change the room with a fragrance not soon removed.

I pray today that you will come before Him. Give the best you have and open your heart to His love. Not only will you be blessed, but the church itself will change as you anoint the Lord with your “precious ointment.”

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole

Earth science describes the difference between erosion and weathering. While both change the landscape of the earth, one simply moves material from one place to another and the other breaks down material (rocks and soil) without movement. These changes occur over long spans of time except for catastrophic events. The more major the event, e.g., earthquake or flood, the quicker the change.

Finances are relatable in so many ways. Massive shifts in gains or losses make for quick movements up or down the financial ladder. An inheritance or some windfall can bolster the status of any family while medical bills or a major loss can cripple them. The not so popular method of small investments also adds to the home, but the benefits are not readily seen.

In most cases, the human expression is to seek the immediate change. We are creatures of habit, looking for a quick fix to our situation. People in every age and culture have desired swift resolutions to life-long problems. The lottery has been around for a long time.

John 9 is a showcase of God’s immediate power. He can heal in a moment of time. God can deliver those that are bound in the blink of an eye; give provision in a single day; or resurrect the dead by a solitary word. He is able to do more than we can imagination. However, there is another way of healing which leads us to the thought of restoration. That truth is found in Mark 8.

John 9 is the instant miracle. The man washed his eyes “and came seeing.” John 9:7. Mark 8 is a progressive healing. The blind man in Mark 8 did not receive an immediate change. Though Jesus had the power to heal in an instant, there was a life lesson offered to all who would receive it. Here’s the Word: Mark 8:25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes.

Restoration is a little different than the immediate miracle. Restoration entails change over time. It is the reworking of the human spirit; mending of the wounded places of life. Sometimes it happens so subtly we cannot see it for its great worth. Over time, a restored life is one where old things are removed and replaced by the new. Over time, the restored family, home, marriage, or individual finds strength and faith they never had before.

I pray for a John 9 moment in your life. We will rejoice and shout when it happens. God can! Nevertheless, I want to be careful to recognize the change over time and rejoice all the same. Some who read this are in process. You are being restored and that is just as powerful and wonderful as the immediate change. You have come so that Jesus can once more put His hands on you.

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole