Ship Ahoy!
1. Character-defining Ships
Michael had a four-day weekend, so we took a last minute trip to the beach. My Dad used to take us to the beach in October so he could fish, and I remember sitting on a bucket that had been turned upside down, shivering from the cold. This was different! When we got there Friday it was 84 degrees. We actually played in the water with Elsa and Jedidiah. In mid-October. We saw sail boats, kayaks, fishing boats, and a huge ship in the distance that looked like the coast guard. The water was so calm we even saw some young boys on the boards that you can stand on and row across the water. The grandchildren kept saying they wanted to get on the boats, but we never ventured far from the shore. This week I want to look at some of the "-ships" we find in the Bible. I am not talking about the ships we saw last weekend, but those ships that define our condition and character, like friendship, fellowship, and workmanship. "Ship Ahoy!" Get on board and see where our voyage will carry us.
2. Friendship
It is hard to explain how some friendships are closer than family and last for years and years. We have some friends that live out of state and we don't see them very often, but when we do we can sit and carry on conversations just like we did in the past. It is a joy when we can invite friends to our home for a meal, or even to work on Christmas projects together. There are other friends on my facebook list that I have not seen in person for many years, but we talk online and I can rejoice with them during their joyous occasions, pray for them when they have needs, and offer comforting words during their sorrows. Isn't that what friends are for? I thank God for friends. It is sad to say, but sometimes friends can drift apart. When ships are not anchored down they can drift for miles, carried by the winds and currents of the ocean. Our lives can carry us to new places, far away from where we started our journey. Hopefully we can make new friends, and maybe hang on to some of the old ones, too. I am thankful for friendships. I am most thankful for "a friend that sticketh closer than a brother", my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24) When we have Jesus, we have all that we need. "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5) He is the Bread of Life, the Light for my pathway, the living Water for my soul, my Good Shepherd, and the Way, the Truth and the Life for salvation. His name is "called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6) He is my dearest Friend, on whom I can always depend. And He loved me so much He gave His life for me. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) Have you met my Friend Jesus?
3. Fellowship
Michael and I drove down to South Carolina to celebrate the birthdays of two of our grandchildren. It was such a joy to spend time with seven of our grandchildren and fellowship with our families. Then, at church yesterday we were able to be with our two other grandchildren and fellowship with our parents and families at church. Fellowship is a wonderful gift of God. God leads us and guides us on to paths where we can meet other Christians and work together for the gospel. The fellowship of the early church helped the church to grow and thousands were saved. "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers... And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2:42, 46 & 47) Not only do we have the fellowship with other Christians, but we can have fellowship with Christ.
"3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (I John 1:3-7)
4. Workmanship
If we look in the 28th chapter of Ezekiel we can see a description of the beautiful workmanship of the king of Tyrus.
"11 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
12 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.
13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire." (Ezekiel 28:11-14)
We can imagine the beauty that we see in these verses. Now, if we turn to the New Testament we can see an even greater image. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) Did you know that... "we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus?" When I think of being His workmanship, my mind goes to the message given to the Old Testament prophets. "But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand." (Isaiah 64:8)
"3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel." (Jeremiah 18:3-6)
God is our Creator and He wants to mold us and make us according to His will. What an honor to be called His workmanship.
5. Stewardship
A steward is given the responsibility to take care of something. From the very beginning, Adam was given the job of taking care of the garden of Eden. "And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it." (Genesis 2:15) God planted the garden, but Adam was "to dress it and to keep it." Adam was rewarded in his work in that he and Eve ate of the fruit of the garden. God saves us and He gives us work to do. It is our responsibility to be witnesses for the Lord and glorify Him in our lives. God gives us each a gift to use for His honor and glory. Some are called to preach and teach the gospel message. While others may have a gift of taking care of the smallest babies in the nursery. "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." (I Peter 4:10) God saves us and has a purpose for our lives, and it is a blessing when we can answer His call and be faithful. "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." (I Corinthians 4:1-2)
6. Authorship
I used to want to write children's books. Well, all that ever came of that dream were rejection letters. God knew of my desire to be a writer, and He led me to write devotionals for a web site for my boys in college. He also helped me write Christmas plays, which are also available on the web site and have been used by other churches. It is a blessing that He leads me, and helps me, in a way that is a joy to me. I have never met any famous authors. But, I look forward to meeting Moses, Esther, Luke, Paul, and so many more of the authors of the Bible. I have read their stories and I want to hear them tell me more. I am thankful that God has given us His Holy Word and kept it for thousands of years so that we can read it today and learn from it. He is the great Author, who inspired each man and woman to write His Word. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (II Timothy 3:16-17) "Inspire" is another word for "breathe" and God breathed His Word to the chosen authors for His finished work. God not only has authorship of our Bible, but He is the Author of peace. "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." (I Corinthians 14:33) We can also see the authorship of our faith and salvation in the book of Hebrews. "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2) "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" (Hebrews 5:9) One day I will fall on my knees before Him, the great Author and finisher of my faith, my blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
7. Citizenship
Several years ago there was an elderly man in our church that would testify for the Lord and he would say, "It's as good as if I'm already there!" As Christians we can say the same thing about our home in heaven. Its not that, "I will have a home in heaven", but "I have a home in heaven." I believe that as soon as we are born into the family of God our citizenship changes. We become strangers and pilgrims on this earth as we look forward to a better country.
"8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God...
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." (Hebrews 11:8-16)
I am looking for that better country, that heavenly city! My citizenship is already there, and I am watching and waiting for the Lord's call.
"1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:1-6)
8. Kinship
Not only did I gain citizenship to a better country when I got saved, but I also gained kinship with my Lord Jesus Christ. Just as the kinsman redeemer in the little book of Ruth, Jesus became my Kinsman Redeemer and redeemed me from my sin! I can say with Job, "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:" (Job 19:25) When we accept the Lord as our Saviour, then we become sons of God and heirs with Christ. How amazing is that!
"14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:14-17)
I don't really think that our little minds grasps all that we gain when we bow before God and ask Jesus to save us. We may get saved because we don't want to spend eternity in Hell, and that is wonderful. But it is even greater that we have everlasting life with God, and all of our Christian loved ones. I praise the Lord for kinship.
9. Worship
Have you worshiped the Lord today? It is the Lord's day. We should worship the Lord because He is our Creator. "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker." (Psalm 95:6) We should also worship the Lord because He is holy. "Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy." (Psalm 99:9) "O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth." (Psalm 96:9) We must worship the Lord because He is Almighty God and He commands it. "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:" (Exodus 34:14) We can choose to worship God now, in humbleness to our Maker, or we can fall on our knees at the judgment seat, when it will be too late. Every knee shall bow. "All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah." (Psalm 66:4) Have you worshiped the Lord today?
10. Hardship
It was a joy to hear my son-in-law, Andrew Little, preach Sunday morning. I want to use some of his thoughts as we talk about "Hardship". One way to think about a hardship is the old saying of "being stuck between a rock and a hard place." This was exactly where the Children of Israel were in Andrew's opening text. God brought them out of Egypt all the way up to the Red Sea. With the Egyptians quickly approaching behind them and the sea in front of them, the Israelites had no where to go. What do we do when we are stuck and don't know what to do or where to go?
(1) "Let God Take The Lead." "And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people." (Exodus 13:21-22) The people were following God. I am sure they wondered why God brought them to this hardship, where there was no where to go. Let's look at the next chapter. "And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:" (Exodus 14:13-15) God dried the ground under the Red Sea and the Children of Israel marched forward.
(2) "Let God Take The Load" "And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided." (Exodus 14:18-21) God took control and what was a pillar of light for His people was a cloud of darkness to their enemies. God is able to take care of the hardships we face. He can take the load off our shoulders and give us light to walk in. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1) "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
(3) "Just Let God" The Children of Israel went across the sea on dry ground and the Egyptians followed with their chariots. "And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians. And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea." (Exodus 14:24-27) God is able to bring us through our hardships, when we let go, and let God.
11. Lordship
Say "Hello" to November. Thanksgiving is just over 3 weeks away and Christmas will follow very quickly. Even before I put up a Christmas tree, I will get out my Nativity pieces and put them up to enjoy throughout the season. I have collected several different types over the years and the Christmas story means so much to me. Christmas is the time of year when we can share our faith through decorations, songs, Christmas cards, and inviting others to church. But, Christmas is more than a Baby in a manger, visited by shepherds. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Today we are talking about the Lordship of Christ. The Lord is our Christmas story.
"8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:8-11)
John the Baptist was "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." (Mark 1:3) We see the Lord in the greatest commandment. "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment." (Mark 12:30) In Acts 9:5-6 we see the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. "And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." Saul knew about God. He was a religious man, but his religion could not save him. On the Damascus Road he met the Lord. His first question, "Who art thou, Lord?" shows him seeking to know Jesus. Then "trembling and astonished" he said, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" Once he met the Lord he made Him Lord of his life. We can learn who Jesus is in the Bible stories about His birth, but we can't stop there. We need to know He came to die for our sins and He rose again defeating death and the grave. Have you asked Jesus to forgive you of your sin and save you? Have you made Him Lord of your life? That's what Christmas is all about!
12. Building Relationships
I like watching Christmas movies. I have seen some that follow the story of a person who was wronged at Christmas many years before and he or she became bitter and no longer likes to celebrate Christmas. Bitterness can build up inside until it finally destroys a person. The Bible warns us to put away bitterness. "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:" (Ephesians 4:31) I believe that the starting place is forgiveness, even though that may be very hard. We may need to forgive others for the wrong they did against us in the past. "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses." (Mark 11:25-26) We may need to ask the Lord to forgive us, and sometimes we also need to forgive ourselves. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9) Another way to build relationships and have peace is to edify, or build up, one another. "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another." (Romans 14:19) "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do." (I Thessalonians 5:11) The Bible gives us several more things we can do to build our relationships. "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:32) Love one another. Pray for each other. Comfort one another. Don't let anger and bitterness rob you of your joy and peace. Ask the Lord to help you and show you the first step to repairing and building good Christian relationships.
13. Church Membership
First of all, I want to make it clear that Church membership will not save us. But, Jesus came and established the church to carry on the gospel message. That is why I believe it is important that we work in and through the local church. I want to take a look at some of the churches that received the seven letters in the book of Revelation. Let's ask ourselves...
Have we left our first love for Christ like the church at Ephesus?
Are our works, tribulation, and poverty (though we be rich) found in Christ without blemish like Smyrna?
Are we following the doctrine of Balaam like the church at Pergamos?
Do we have a name that we live, although we are dead like the church at Sardis?
Some believe that the churches in these letters represent the church age, from the earliest churches to modern day. That might put us into the Philadelphia church or the Laodicean age.
Do we have a little strength and keep His Word like the church in Philadelphia?
Or are we sadly taking our place in the church of the Laodiceans?
"14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." (Revelation 3:14-19)
14. Discipleship
A big thanks to Michael Key for sitting in my chair today...
A disciple is sometimes defined as "one who follows the teachings of another." But it goes much farther than that. Jesus said in Luke 14:27 " And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." So a disciple of Jesus is not just a follower; he is one who takes up the cross of Jesus and dedicates his life to the Lord's teaching and example. Jesus added a few verses later... "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:33) Salvation is not designed for rebels. You cannot accept Jesus Christ as your Savior unless you accept Him as Lord. Of course, you may not understand all the aspects of the Lordship of Christ at the moment of salvation. But you do indeed turn your life over to Him and let Him be Lord of your life. Some people think they can accept Christ as some sort of "fire escape from Hell," and then they can go on with their life as they please. The Bible does not teach that. In Peter's first sermon he said, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36) What did Paul tell the Phillippian jailer? "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." (Acts 16:31)
Discipleship involves so much more than just aligning yourself with the Lord's teaching. Jesus said in Luke 14:26 " If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." A study of the word "hate" in that verse shows us that Jesus was talking about the word "hatred" as we use it today, but was speaking about putting everything else in your life secondary to the Lord Himself. Discipleship is a commitment. As Pastor Jack Tripp says, "That's easy preaching, but hard living."
15. "Ship Ahoy"
For the past two weeks we have been looking at conditions or character described by "...ship" words. Under our "Ship Ahoy" theme I want to look today at a great old song by the same title. "Ship Ahoy" was written by Mary J. Cartwright in 1889. Many of the old songs have something special that seems to be missing in the lyrics of songs that are written today. I first heard this song about 40 years ago and the voice of the soloist rang through the auditorium of the church as she cried out the last lines of each verse in song. As you read the words put yourself in the author's position. Have you ever felt threatened by the angry waves on the sea of life? Have you ever cried out to the Lord to be your Captain? "And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain... " (II Chronicles 13:12) David knew what it was like for his soul to be sinking down, and he knew to call out to the Lord.
"1 Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.
13 But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.
14 Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.
15 Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
16 Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies." (Psalms 69:1,2, and 13-16)
"Ship Ahoy"
I was drifting away on life’s pitiless sea,
And the angry waves threatened my ruin to be,
When away at my side, there I dimly descried,
A stately old vessel, and loudly I cried:
"Ship ahoy! Ship ahoy!"
And loudly I cried: "Ship ahoy!"
’Twas the "old ship of Zion," thus sailing along,
All aboard her seemed joyous, I heard their sweet song;
And the Captain’s kind ear, ever ready to hear,
Caught my wail of distress, as I cried out in fear:
"Ship ahoy! Ship ahoy!"
As I cried out in fear: "Ship ahoy!"
The good Captain commanded a boat to be low’red,
And with tender compassion He took me on board;
And I’m happy today, all my sins washed away
In the blood of my Savior, and now I can say:
"Bless the Lord! Bless the Lord!"
From my soul I can say: "Bless the Lord!"
O soul, sinking down ’neath sin’s merciless wave,
The strong arm of our Captain is mighty to save;
Then trust Him today, no longer delay,
Board the old ship of Zion, and shout on your way:
"Jesus saves! Jesus saves!"
Shout and sing on your way: "Jesus saves!"
