Missouri Missionary Baptist
(newspaper published monthly)
Hope In Christ
by Jesse Lee Wilson
May 18, 1972, Issue No. 8
I am standing on the promises of God my Saviour! In John 3:16 Jesus says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
And whosoever surely includes me too. Then in John 10:27-29 he says, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall nver perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." In Matthew 7:7 Jesus said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." And in John 6:37 he said, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
Jesus said that he would not lose any, but would raise them up again at the last day, vs. 40, so that they may have everlasting life, and again He will raise him up at the last day. Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." I do not think that I am worthy to be called one of His sheep, or to bve called a child of God. It is only throught God's love for us, that He gave His only begotten Son to suffer the shame of the cross, there to die and shed his blood, bearing our sins and taking our place. By the grace of God and our faith in Jesus the Son of god we have been redeemed, bought with a price. I Corinthians 6:20; Acts 20:28.
We are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 1:13; our life is hid with Christ in God, Colossians 3:3; we shall appear with him in glory, Colossians 3:4. "Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." I John 3:1. You should read the entire chapter for it is filled with god's love and promises. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ." Romans 8:16-17. This entire chapter in Romans is a wonderful testimony by Paul of his faith and belief in the power of God through Christ Jesus our Lord.
"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." I John 5:11. In verse 13 of the same chapter John said that these things had been written to those who believed that they might know for certain that they had eternal life.
The New Testament is full of promises to those who repent of sin and trust Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I believe that God is all-powerful and able, and will keep every promise He has made to those who believe in His name and love His appearing. I cannot make the statement that Paul did in II Timothy 4:7-8, for I have not fought a good fight. A lot of my past is foggy, and bad. I don't think I ever denied my Saviour, but I have done many things that I am ashamed of. How I would love to go back for another try. There is one thing I can boast of, I am a sinner saved by the grace of God. I can say with Paul, "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."
I think that when I come before my Lord to be judged, and all my works are tried in the fire, as described in I Corinthians 3:13-15 that my loss will be far greater than my reward, yet I will be saved so as by fire. And I know His judgement will be good and just. I do not expect a great mansion, but just to look upon His face will be glory for me. And I know that I will be satisfied.
Yes, I am standing on the promises of God my Saviour. My hope is guilt on Jesus' blood and righteousness, the solid rock of our salvation.
In conclusion, Jesus said in Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." And in Revelation 22:17 he says, "The Spirit and the bride say come, and let him that heareth say come and let him that is a thirst come and whosoever will let him take of the water of life freely."
A Salute To The Preacher
by Jesse Lee Wilson
February 21, 1974
"How shall they preach except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" Rom. 10:15
Going back some 55 years ago I can recall those country preachers that pastored poor churches in the hills of Arkansas. There are two that stand out in my mind, maybe because they were my pastors at one time. One was Eld. R.L. Douglas, the other Eld. T. Cole. Bro. Douglas resided in Springfield, Bro. Cole at Cedar Creek. Most of these preachers lived on small farms and made a crop each year and at the same time pastored one or more churches on a quarter time bases. If he received as much as 5 or 10 dollars a month he felt blessed. These men would spend five days of every week in the field during farming season, yet they never missed an appointment. Most of the time they would preach Saturday night, Sunday morning and sometimes Sunday night if they did not live too far away. I wonder when they found time to study; but they always came up with a good sermon. After crops were laid by, they would hold a two weeks revival. If the church was able they would have some one to help, if not the pastor would do all the preaching himself. These men would ride as far as 12 to 18 miles, horseback, to fill their appointments. Elders John W. Dugger, W.S. Gordon, Homer Gunn and of course many, many others had their spiritual beginning in these small churches. "No wonder the prophet said, "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" I think the greatest honor God can bedtow on the common man is a call to preach the gospel. May God's richest blessings rest on the called ministry everywhere, at all times, is my solemn prayer. I just wanted to say this, because, I believe they deserve more honor than they usually get.
So live that if people get to know you, they will get to know Chist better!
In The Beginning
by Jesse Lee Wilson
Oct 17, 1974
God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness," Gen. 1:26. John said, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made," John 1:1-3. Verse 14 tells us that this same Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Jesus then was present with God when He said, "Let us make man." In Revelation 13:8, Jesus is referred to as the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. So then God knew from the beginning that man would sin. He therefore, laid out a plan, whereby man could be redeemed. When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming to him to be baptized, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world," John 1:29.
Hebrews 9:1-9 Paul tells of God's first covenant and ordinances of divine service and a worldly sanctuary. The high priest would go into the Holy place alone, would make a blood offering for himself and for the errors of the people. This is a figure of how the Christ would shed His own blood, v. 12, "For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spriit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God." We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all.
"Whereof the Holy Gost also is a witness to us; for after that He had said before, this is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more," Heb. 10:15-17. The prophet of old told of Jesus' coming, and in the New Testament we have four witnesses of how in due time Christ came. They told of His birth, His baptism by John the Baptist, and how God did testify that, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." They also tell of His calling disciples and the setting up of His church, and of how He died and shed His precious blood, demonstrating the love of God for lost humanity. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. They tell of His resurrection and ascension Heb. 9:24 says, "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us." But, just before Christ made His final ascent to be with the Father, He met with His disciples and gave them the great commission, to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every nation, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you. At this point, Christ had finished what He came to do. It is now up to the church to carry out this mission. We must be about our Father's business. Lost sould are perishing.
Jesus is going to come again, and possibly very soon. ARe you ready for His return? His invitation is to all. All He asks is that you repent and believe the gospel. He says, "ask, and ye shall receive." It's free. "for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourself, it is the gift of God; not of works lest any man should boast," Eph 2:8-9. "Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out," Acts 3:19. "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Rom. 10:9-10.
Note:
Jesse Lee Wilson was married to Allie Melvina Gordon of Conway Co AR.