When the Apostle Paul was lamenting the sins that would befall the church during the latter days such as “lovers of themselves . . . of money” and “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,” he also included the sin of ingratitude.

He said men would be, “unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving.” At Thanksgiving, we pause busy lives and schedules to return thanks to the Almighty God who has lavished His many blessings on us.

Presidents have issued proclamations of thanksgiving starting with our first president, George Washington. We have known as a nation what it means to be grateful to a good God who has and is kind to the undeserving. But what do we know of ingratitude? Are we sure it is as venomous as other sins? Are we convinced that among all that is deemed wrong there is none worse than unthankfulness? Do we fear an ungrateful heart as much as a heart of unbelief? I think not.

Ingratitude is not seen as a major thing except when others display ingratitude towards us. Then we believe it to be a great evil. Why is ingratitude in us not thought to be a serious sin, if not a cardinal sin?

The answer to that is also the answer as to why unthankfulness is so deadly.

We don’t see ingratitude to be a grievous thing because we believe a lie that says whatever good I receive, I somehow deserve it.

If God showers blessings rather than curses we may express a modicum of thankfulness but internally we are most grateful to ourselves. We self-congratulate, “I’m a good person and I live in such a way God can bless me.”

This spirit prompted the disciples to ask our Lord in John 9 about a man born blind, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2). We’re right where the disciples were—we believe bad and good happens for the most part because people deserve it.

Ingratitude is a by-product of a self-righteousness that believes good, success, and prosperity is earned. And so, instead of being thankful to a merciful God who has blessed me far more than I deserve, I want to take some (if not most) of the credit for my blessings. We become glory-robbers. We steal what does not belong to us—thankfulness.

Wherever the sin of ingratitude lingers, unbelief is present. The Bible says this is so.

“…because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” -Romans 1:21

Unthankfulness was present in the first sin.

Eve was led to believe by the deceiver not to see how good the Lord was to her and her husband, but how He was withholding something good from her. A spirit of ingratitude roused in her. She couldn’t see how gracious her Creator had been. She couldn’t utter thanksgiving for all the fruit trees she could eat from, all she could see was the one withheld from her. Ingratitude.

It works the same way in our hearts. Instead of counting the many acts of God’s kindness to us, all we can count are the things we think we deserve but do not have. Thus, the spirit of ingratitude breeds murmuring and complaining. The heart is choked and the soul withers. Bitterness fills up where thanksgiving ought to exist. All because we believe the lie that we deserve better than we have and that God is not as good as He claims.

Ingratitude played a huge part in the first temptation and first sin, and it plays a no less role in our temptations, and—God forbid—our sins. The sin of unthankfulness is much larger than not saying grace over our food or not singing a hymn of praise; it has much to do with the state of our souls before a holy God.

To be unthankful is no small thing; it lies at the root of a person’s eternal destruction.

Where ingratitude reigns, unbelief is allowed to control. The unthankful person will never believe in a good God of grace but will deem Him to be critical, censorious, and condemning. There can be no peace between the ungrateful and God.

But let the joyful sound of the Gospel make melody in a thankless heart and something changes. The person sees how undeserving they truly have been all along. Bitterness for the hard times is replaced by a thankfulness that God was there and didn’t forsake them. And when that person has been brought to faith in God, what is the first thing that comes pouring out of the mouth? Isn’t it thanksgiving? Yes, a grateful heart sings:

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.” 

“And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, how great Thou art!”

“My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!”

Where the Gospel light has shone, the result is thanksgiving. To the degree you see how unworthy you are of His matchless grace, you will give thanks. Your thanksgiving is in proportion to your understanding of your undeserving.

Today, we have much reason to be thankful.

We are a saved people, a redeemed people, a people who did not deserve the mighty Prince of heaven to come and ransom us. His mission was not with a sword to slay us but a cross to save us. We have a new name, the redeemed. Our adoption is sealed, His blood has removed the curse, we are loved by the Father, shepherd by the Son, and have communion with the Holy Spirit. Every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies is ours. The broken have been made complete in Him. Our cups are full, our barns have plenty, and our houses are warm.

We are not alone. We have the God of the Trinity to fellowship with us, and we have His church, joined to a brotherhood that lasts beyond the grave. All of His amazing grace has been given to us for the Bible says, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). Whenever we think we do not possess but lack, we need only remember that within one of His promises is all the power we should need. He has said, “as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3).

And should that not be enough, He has promised an innumerable number of promises for every situation we face, “by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:4).

Our lips cannot curse but only bless His holy name.

May we hate the terrible sin of ingratitude and fight its every attempt to steal our joy. From this moment on, do not forget that a small heart praises small, but a heart enlarged with His love and blessings praises large. And should you feel little thankfulness, please beware that the tempter lies close to your door. Give him no lodging or comfort. Remember the Gospel and your rightful place as one who sits at the King’s table unworthily and without merit. Once a rebel but now a friend; once outside but now within the house of your Father. Not a prodigal but a prince or princess ruling in a Kingdom that is eternal and exceeds the heavens.

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” -Colossians 3:15

The Great Commission is not limited.

It’s not limited to those crossing an ocean or a language. It’s not limited to those who have been saved for decades or have memorized entire books of the Bible. It’s not limited to those with certain careers, titles, or personality types.

It’s not limited.

The command to go and make disciples is given to every person in Christ. None of us are exempt.

According to Jesus, our lives are to be spent on mission, and this old hymn reinforces that truth. I hope it encourages you and can serve as a reminder that God has uniquely and intentionally wired you for a purpose—His glory (Isaiah 43:7), His church’s edification, and your highest joy.

What a Gospel. What a Savior. What a responsibility.

Here I Am, Send Me

Words by Daniel March, 1868

Hark, the voice of Jesus calling,
“Who will go and work today?
Fields are ripe and harvests waiting,
Who will bear the sheaves away?”
Long and loud the Master calls us,
Rich reward He offers free;
Who will answer, gladly saying,
“Here am I, send me, send me”?

If you cannot cross the ocean,
And the distant lands explore,
You can find the lost around you,
You can help them at your door;
If you cannot give your thousands,
You can give the widow’s mite;
What you truly give for Jesus,
Will be precious in His sight.

If you cannot speak like angels,
If you cannot preach like Paul,
You can tell the love of Jesus,
You can say He died for all.
If you cannot rouse the wicked,
With the judgment’s dread alarms,
You can lead the little children
To the Savior’s waiting arms.

If you cannot be the watchman,
Standing high on Zion’s wall,
Pointing out the path to heaven,
Offering life and peace to all,
With your prayers and with your bounties
You can do what heaven demands;
You can be like faithful Aaron,
Holding up the prophet’s hands.

If among the older people,
You may not be apt to teach,
“Feed My lambs,” said Christ, our Shepherd,
“Place the food within their reach.”
And it may be that the children
You have led with trembling hand,
Will be found among your jewels,
When you reach the better land.

Let none hear you idly saying,
“There is nothing I can do.”
While the lost of earth are dying,
And the Master calls for you;
Take the task He gives you gladly;
Let His work your pleasure be;
Answer quickly when He calls you,
“Here am I, send me, send me.”

———————
More from the For the Love of Hymns series:

Part One: Oh the Bliss of the Purified
Part Two: Not Now My Child
Part Three: Take My Life and Let it Be
Part Four: There is a Fountain
Part Five: He Knows
Part Six: All My Hope on God is Founded
Part Seven: In Heavenly Love Abiding
Part Eight: Japheth Song
Part Nine: What Child is This
Part 10: Man of Sorrows
Part 11: Arise, My Soul, Arise
Part 12: The Gospel Brings Tidings

Yesterday, I informed Oak Grove Baptist Church, having pastored them for 23 years, that the Lord was leading me into full-time itinerant ministry. And I want to share this with you as a supporter of Real Truth Matters Ministry.

My last day as senior pastor will be January 29, 2017. After this, I will be available to preach and minister where God leads. For over a year the Lord has increasingly burdened my heart toward an evangelistic and revival ministry. 

Below you will find the audio and video of my message to our church. In it, I shared this news with them, and in detail explained the process that led to this decision.

As far as Real Truth Matters, it will not be affected by this change. RTM is built around my preaching and writing ministry. We will continue to give you the same quality you have come to expect. The sermons, videos, and RTM magazine will proceed as if nothing has changed.

I ask that you will pray for both Oak Grove and me during the transition and our new ministry after the transition. I have no idea what the future will hold, but I am convinced in my spirit that the Lord, who is my Shepherd is leading me. With His divine help I cannot fail, without it, I cannot succeed.

Listen, watch, or read the sermon.

The command has been issued: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” (Colossians 3:16a).

So we read, we study, we meditate, we memorize, we sing. We sit ourselves before the buffet of Scripture and stuff ourselves silly.

Rehearsing the truths of God’s Word one to another helps drill it into our hearts and is part of the process of rooting and grounding ourselves in the love of God through faith in Christ (Ephesians 3:17), because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

Bottom line: We need the Word to fulfill the Word.

Singing songs rich in theology and Gospel truth serve this process well.

The following hymn is drenched in truth and causes my heart and eyes to soar to the One who quenched Mount Sinai’s flame and seated us, rebels who committed cosmic treason against our Creator, at His table, robed in His righteousness. Amazing.

This hymn isn’t on CyberHymnal, and I haven’t been able to find when it was written, but it’s beautiful and has helped the Word to dwell in my heart richly this week. I hope it helps you to say the same.

The Gospel Brings Tidings

Words by William Gadsby (1773–1844)

The gospel brings tidings, glad tidings indeed,
To mourners in Zion, who want to be freed,
From sin and Satan, and Mount Sinai’s flame,
Good news of salvation, through Jesus the Lamb.

What sweet invitations, the gospel contains,
To men heavy laden, with bondage and chains;
It welcomes the weary, to come and be blessed,
With ease from their burdens, in Jesus to rest.

For every poor mourner, who thirsts for the Lord,
A fountain is opened, in Jesus the Word;
Their poor parched conscience, to cool and to wash,
From guilt and pollution, from dead works and dross.

A robe is provided, their shame now to hide,
In which none are clothed, but Jesus’ bride;
Though it be costly, yet is the robe free,
And all Zion’s mourners, shall decked with it be.

———————
More from the For the Love of Hymns series:

Part One: Oh the Bliss of the Purified
Part Two: Not Now My Child
Part Three: Take My Life and Let it Be
Part Four: There is a Fountain
Part Five: He Knows
Part Six: All My Hope on God is Founded
Part Seven: In Heavenly Love Abiding
Part Eight: Japheth Song
Part Nine: What Child is This
Part 10: Man of Sorrows
Part 11: Arise, My Soul, Arise

“You can’t legislate men’s hearts.” -Michael Durham

I thought the assignment would be “so easy.”

The task was simple: engage someone in conversation—asking about her life, work, class load, or even her past or dreams for the future—and then don’t interrupt a single time while she shared.

I’ll never forget receiving this assignment as a junior in college. I considered myself a good listener and was excited for what I expected to be an easy A.

Then I learned how often I was prone to interrupting.

It was the next day, as one of my dear friends shared her heart over a mug of coffee, that I quickly realized this assignment was, in fact, not going to be easy for me. It became apparent how natural it was for me to interject my own stories as people shared theirs. I wanted to show I identified, but Anna didn’t need my points of identification, she just needed someone who would love her enough to push their own words aside and listen.

Three years later, I now see how God used that assignment to begin teaching me more about the Gospel I said I believed and the way it directly correlates to serving others with our ears.

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger… –James 1:19

Sitting with Anna in that small cafe on campus, my pride took a much-needed blow by the stinging reality that I was neither quick to hear or slow to speak, but I had yet to discover the Gospel implications behind that reality.

LISTENING HELPS US LOVE OTHERS

It is through words people give us their stories and hearts, so why would we not take time to learn to cherish that gift and represent Christ well by listening well?

We must discipline our flesh (which includes our tongues) and cultivate the art, gift, and mission of listening. This is counter-cultural and, while foreign to most people, extraordinarily like Jesus, who didn’t just tolerate people’s stories, concerns, or requests, but listened, assessed, and gave them exactly what they needed most. He still seeks to operate this way through His body, the church.

One of the best gifts you can give someone is open ears and an engaged heart at the same time. Roaring into every conversation with our guns fully loaded with the “right” answers to fire at people is not always the most helpful or loving approach to serving others and being a visible representation of God to them.

Some people are verbal processors and they might answer their own questions as they continue talking, so it’s often best and more beneficial to give them freedom to remove their verbal cargo and not rush to give them specific chapter and verse. And sometimes people are so overwhelmed that what they need most is not a five-point sermon or a drill of proper doctrine, but the cathartic gift of silence and eyes full of love when they’re braced for condemnation and a tongue-lashing (this is especially true when creating space for repentance and confession of sin and struggles).

We must also remember that listening isn’t passive. It’s an active and self-sacrificing role that, according to Janet Dunn, “invites another person to exist.”

With open ears, solid eye contact, and a phone put away, you’re telling someone, “I see you. I hear you. I’m championing you across the table and in the midst of your struggle or victory. You are not alone.”

LISTENING SPEAKS

When genuine, listening speaks of love, humility, kindness, compassion, and concern. It speaks of the Gospel and that we have something greater than ourselves to live for, so we can quiet our souls enough to interestedly listen to others.

Listening forces our dependence on the Holy Spirit and silently affirms that He, not our words, is what the person beside us needs most. We listen to Him through His Word and Spirit and then, when the time comes for us to speak, our words are more likely to be seasoned with salt and ready to point our listeners back to Him, because listening mainly speaks of the Gospel.

For the ways listening speaks of the Gospel and for more content like this, check out the free RTM Magazine on iPhone, iPad,Android, or on the web.

According to Statista, one of the leading statistics companies on the internet, in 2016, 78 percent of U.S. Americans had a social media profile, representing a five percent growth compared to the previous year.

It would seem more people are becoming sociable. But such numbers are giving experts concern that the depth of connectedness is superficial at best, and that we, as a society, are losing the art of true communication and relationship building. Too much time is dedicated to texting or tweeting or messaging, leaving little time to cultivate richer real-life relationships.

One psychologist wrote about his concern over social media relationships obstructing genuine bonding.

Larry Rosen stated in an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal:

As a research psychologist, I have studied the impact of technology for 30 years among 50,000 children, teens and adults in the U.S. and 24 other countries.

In that time, three major game-changers have entered our world: portable computers, social communication and smartphones. The total effect has been to allow us to connect more with the people in our virtual world—but communicate less with those who are in our real world. 

Our real and virtual worlds certainly overlap, as many of our virtual friends are also our real friends. But the time and effort we put into our virtual worlds limit the time to connect and especially to communicate on a deeper level in our real world. With smartphone in hand, we face a constant barrage of alerts, notifications, vibrations and beeps warning us that something seemingly important has happened and we must pay attention. We tap out brief missives and believe that we are being sociable, but as psychologist Sherry Turkle has so aptly said, we are only getting “sips” of connection, not real communication. ¹

If this is true about the state of human relationships due to social media, can we make any comparisons with relationship with God?

Do we take time to cultivate relationship with the living Creator? Sadly, many Christians in developed countries spend more time on Facebook than they do in the Bible and chat more on Instagram than converse with the God of the universe.

How do you develop relationship with God?

So many Christians wrongly assume that since they are Christians, they have a relationship with God and that is all there is to it. It is true we have relationship with the Lord through Jesus, but like any relationship a process of cultivation must begin for that relationship to grow. I know of no husband wanting a deeper relationship with his wife who thinks that the wedding day is all there is to it. Why then do we believe that making a commitment to Christ the day we were converted is all there is to intimacy with Christ? It isn’t!

Have we sunk so low that we think real relationship with God is defined by a prayer prayed and a decision made years ago to accept Jesus?

If you are to experience a vibrant relationship with the One who loves you most, you are going to have to spend time with Him. You should study Him as you would the features of your spouse’s face. Have you not cultivated friendship with someone outside of his or her profile on social media? How did you do so? Not without time and expense of energy. Relationships that are enduring build on the expenditure of self. Jesus did that on the cross. He spent Himself to make it possible for you to know Him intimately, not just intellectually. And He continues to spend Himself in loving care and caressing of your soul.

What have you spent to love Christ? And is the outlay still happening? Do you longingly look forward to time with God in prayer? Do you joyfully gaze on the attributes of the King as described in the Sacred Record? Or do you consider such an inappropriate management of your time?

Relationships are designed in the heart but forged in time. The soul’s affection for another will make its way into the open. We may not be able to see someone’s heart, but we can see what the heart treasures by what it pursues. God’s heart was manifested long ago with the words, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son . . .” His heart is still manifest, and it says the same, “And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” God is willing to come and meet with you. Are ready to show up and meet with Him?

For the rest of the article, as well as access to other articles and content about relationships, can be found in the September/October RTM Magazine.

By Whitt Madden

The Old testament book of Nehemiah opens up to us like the scene of a movie.

The city walls of Jerusalem were standing in ruin from war, leaving the people defenseless and vulnerable. Nehemiah, a cupbearer of the King, had received word about the state of his beloved city and began to weep and mourn over their situation. He prayed to the Lord, confessing the sins of Israel and the sins of his father’s house, and went before the King. The King saw how distraught Nehemiah was over the situation, listened to his pleas, and allowed Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem to begin rebuilding the city walls.

As Nehemiah began to gather men and resources to rebuild, a Samarian leader named Sanballat heard the news and was greatly angered, for he did not want the exiles to return and take control of the land. It is in the early chapters of Nehemiah we see opposition to God’s work begin and the tactics of the enemy unfold.

IT SEEMED TOO MUCH

In the city of Judah it was said that the “strength of those who [bore] the burdens was failing,” there was too much rubble, too much oppression, too much work, too much to do.

This is one of the great struggles unfolding in our churches today. The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. We have many burden-bearers within our churches and the assault of the enemy will often leave them weakened. Christians in this condition tend to see only the rubble in front of them. They are completely overwhelmed. The tasks set before them seem too much and, like Nehemiah’s workers, they believe there is no way to do what God has called them to do.

Just as he did in the day of Nehemiah, the enemy views this as great opportunity to attack. When we leave our churches on Sunday, we are doing great, but by the time Wednesday comes around, what happens? We’re exhausted. We’ve been assaulted, intimidated, and worn down by the enemy of our souls. We’re too tired to even pray. “There is too much rubble in front of us.”

A BATTLE PLAN AGAINST THE ENEMY’S GREATEST TOOL

Nehemiah devised a plan of defense that would unite and protect his people. The workers were spread out along the wall. Half of the men worked while the other half stood guard. Each of the builders worked with one hand and held their weapon with the other, with their sword by their side.

They were prepared and ready for the attack from the enemy. Are we? Are we prepared to fight the lies of the enemy with the Sword of the Spirit: the truth of God’s word?

If Sanballat or one of his men had taken someone out while they were building the wall, it would have opened up a weak spot and the work would have stopped. This would’ve affected the task God had called them to complete. When you are under attack it doesn’t just affect you, it hinders the work of the entire church.

This is why isolation can be such a powerful tool of the enemy. We have an enemy that hates us and more than that, he hates the Christ in us. He will stop at nothing to destroy our faith, and if he can isolate someone apart from the body of Christ, not only will that hinder the individual but hurt the church as a whole. If the enemy could isolate the builders of the wall, they could destroy the work they were accomplishing one person at a time. This is no different from the church today.

Isolation is what happens whenever doubt and discouragement have its work in you apart from the truth of the Gospel and the help of the body of Christ. Accusations begin to wear us down and we begin entertaining thoughts of “What if?” and ultimately “Why bother?”

The enemy’s ultimate goal is the destruction of your faith. As in the days of Nehemiah, he wants you to abandon the work that the Lord has called you to. He understands the importance of the body, and if he can isolate you from the church, something dangerous will happen.

For the rest of this article and for more content like this, check out the free RTM Magazine on iPhone, iPad, Android, or on the web.