Until He
Returns
Pastor M. H. Reynolds, Jr.
April 19, 1919 - Sept. 3, 1997
Corinthians 11:23-32
IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME
THIS
SCRIPTURE sets forth our Lord's instructions as to the meaning and purpose of
participation in the communion service. Throughout the history of professing Christianity,
there has been much misunderstanding concerning this precious service of remembrance.
However, a careful reading of this text should correct false teachings based upon
tradition and clarify its meaning in the minds and hearts of those who are willing to test
all things by the Word of God.
The Lord clearly intended this service to be a
time of remembrance (vv. 24, 25). Believers are to look back to the Lord's death for their
sins and also look forward to His return (v. 26). Failure to remember either of these
glorious events-one past and the other future-is a serious matter and affects the daily
life and testimony of the believer. In 2 Peter 1:4-9 we are reminded of the many great and
precious promises of God and the fruitful Christian life that results from the application
of these promises. There is also an important warning about those who have forgotten the
death of Christ through which they were purged from their sins.
The seriousness of forgetting what Christ did for
us in the past is undeniable, but too many believers today seem to have forgotten that our
future is all wrapped up in the Lord's return. The Gospel itself is based upon Christ's
death and bodily resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-4), but if we really believe this, we will also
be joyfully anticipating His return (1 Thess. 4:13-18). Until He comes-remember! MHR
Acts 1:1-14 - September 3rd
YE SHALL BE WITNESSES UNTO
ME
ONE OF THE
last instructions Christ gave to His disciples was to be witnesses "unto the
uttermost part of the earth" (v. 8) . The disciples obeyed their Lord's command,
giving witness of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 4:33). Those who
believed were scattered abroad by persecution, giving the Gospel even wider hearing (Acts
8:4). The message they preached was "the power of God unto salvation" to every
one who believed (Rom. 1:16). Believers were taught that this wonderful, powerful Gospel
had been committed to them by God, not man, as a trust (1 Thess. 2:4). An important part
of the believer's spiritual armor was to have their feet "shod with the preparation
of the gospel of peace" (Eph. 6:15). By the Spirit's enabling, they carried the good
news of Jesus Christ around the world.
Witnessing is so important, yet so neglected.
Everyone's greatest need is to hear and believe the Gospel. The physical needs of mankind
are great. Our hearts go out to the poor, the hungry, the ill, and the oppressed. But,
without doubt, man's greatest need is spiritual (Mk. 8:36, 37). Today, however, the
emphasis is upon changing the social order, redistributing wealth, trying to bring in a
so-called "Kingdom of God Society" instead of preaching the one message which is
God's good news to all men everywhere regardless of their circumstances. Witnessing is the
work of wise men and women (Prov. 11:30). It is a joyful ministry (Psa. 126:5,6). It
produces results (Isa. 55:11). Until He comes (Acts 1:11) - witness!
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
SERVE THE LIVING AND TRUE
GOD
IT WAS OBVIOUS that the believers in Thessalonica
had a different walk and a different work after they were saved. They not only turned to
God from idols, but they served the living and true God (v. 10). They were workers and
witnesses for Christ whose ministry became known far and wide (vv. 3, 8). Their work was
not "forced labor" but rather a "labour of love"-a "work of
faith" (v. 3). They were not working toward nor anticipating that their work would
bring in a "Kingdom of God Society" on earth. No, they were faithfully working
and witnessing while waiting for their Saviour's return (v. 10). What an example for each
of us to follow!
There must be an urgency to our work, remembering
the words of Christ in John 9:4, "...the night cometh when no man can work."
Remember that our work for Christ is not completed until He comes. There is no early
retirement (nor, in fact, any retirement) from His service. Advancing years, declining
health or other circumstances may change the nature of our service, but our work is not
finished until He calls us home or He comes again (Jn. 4:34; 17:4). A sobering thought to
remember is that our works will be tested and faithful service rewarded at the judgment
seat of Christ whether or not our work was ever appreciated or even acknowledged by others
on earth (1 Cor. 3:9-15; 2 Cor. 5:10). It is important that our work for the Lord is
properly motivated and always done in accordance with the instructions given in His Word.
Until He comes (1 Thess. 1:10)-work!
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
LET US WATCH AND BE SOBER
DURING THE
earthly ministry of our Lord, He repeatedly exhorted His disciples to "watch "
(Matt. 24:42, 43; 25:13). In Mark 13:32-37, His exhortation is to "watch and
pray." This was so important to Christ that He expressed extreme disappointment when
those closest to Him failed to watch and pray in His time of special trial-"What,
could ye not watch with me one hour?" (Matt. 26:40) The repetition of His exhortation
to watch and pray is necessary in order to withstand temptation because the flesh is weak
even when the spirit is willing (Matt. 26:41).
What does it mean to watch? Believers are to
watch, to be ready for the coming of the Lord, realizing that in the last days, most
people will be lulled to sleep by false promises of peace (w. 1-3). Too many believers are
asleep today even though they have been instructed to "watch thou in all things"
(2 Tim. 4:5). The leaders of the Ephesian Church were instructed to "watch and
remember," and Paul spent years with them concentrating on the important ministries
of watching and warning (Acts 20:31). One reason why compromise and apostasy have spread
so rapidly is because God's watchmen (pastors, teachers, evangelists) have fallen asleep.
A sleeping watchman is dangerous. It is better to have no watchman at all than one who is
asleep, for the former gives a false sense of security to those assume the watchman will
warn of impending danger. Our Lord's coming is near. We must watch and pray as never
before. Until He comes (v. 9)-watch!
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
WE EXHORT YOU, BRETHREN,
WARN THEM
ONE OF THE
most important responsibilities God gives to His leaders is to warn (v. 14). However, this
is also one of the most difficult tasks to perform since the flesh is always looking for
approval, not warning and rebuke. Pastors, teachers and leaders who exercise a scriptural
warning ministry soon discover that most believers today will not respond to the
application of Bible truth. As a result, ,while these leaders may recognize error and have
a desire to warn others, their lips are effectively sealed because they are unwilling to
risk opposition. Most believers who attend churches that do not sound warnings concerning
doctrinal error eventually fall prey to error. The admonitions in our text cannot be
effectively practiced unless one proves or tests all things and then holds fast to the
truth of God's Word (v. 21).
God calls watchmen to watch and warn; otherwise,
their watching is in vain and the consequences, both for themselves and those they were
supposed to warn, are disastrous (Ezek. 3:10-21). During Christ's earthly ministry, His
teachings were filled with warnings. Much of the New Testament warns about false teachers,
false doctrines, disobedient brethren and the grave dangers of compromise. It is difficult
to understand how any pastor can claim to preach the Bible and yet seldom if ever include
any specific warnings concerning the many deceptive dangers believers face every day.
Spiritually minded believers will both watch and warn in these of great confusion and
deception. Until He comes (v. 23)-warn!
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