Big Boy!
Pastor Jim Kilby • October 28, 2024
Imagine for a moment that you're the biggest and strongest kid on the block. You're a peace loving person, but for some reason (maybe because you are strong) there are a few other kids who just don't like you. One day you walk outside to see your dog has been mistreated by some of the youth who've mocked you occasionally. You're angry, but you figure there's not much you can do. Revenge is not your job. Later that day, you see the same kids beating up your little brother. Peace loving or not, you know you've got to do something. As you run toward your brother, you know that unless you help he may not live. They've already beaten him badly and they've been known for doing even worse to others... What do you do?
In recent days I've heard religious leaders, protestors, and even peace loving Christian brothers and sisters make some silly statements. What's more, I believe they are unbiblical statements. Their belief is that since another nation has done nothing to us, we have no business doing anything to stop them from hurting someone else. "War is never an option!" they claim. Really... What would God have the biggest kid on the block do if his brother's life was being threatened. I assure you that "nothing" is not the Biblical answer. Jesus mocked religious leaders for the same type of "look the other way" ignorance. Moments later He praised the Samaritan who went out of his way to help a stranger.
"Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, fully armed, must cross over ahead of your brothers. You are to help your brothers" Joshua 1:14
Pastor Jim Kilby
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"I know, I know!" Are those words you've maybe spoken when a brother or sister in the Lord who has been called to help you with a sinful area in your life? I've surely spoken them on occasion, but the question really isn't about "knowing," it's more about "doing!" After you realize you've blown it, do you make it better? Do you repent (agree with God) and then immediately and prayerfully start on His path again? Generally, I find that the "I know, I know" is often followed by "but I just can't seem to _____." That is most unfortunate for a believer, because it leaves God with the unpleasant but important duties of your disciplinarian. "That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows." Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 12:47) 4 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
Losing someone close to you can be one of the worst experiences in life. Death, though inevitable for all of us, never seems to come when we think it should. For Christians death isn't such a bad thing though. It's really not so much an end as it is a beginning. Although I don't wish my death would come any sooner, I certainly don't spend any time worrying about it coming. That's what it means to have "hope in Christ" -- and not only for myself, but for all the brothers and sisters in Christ. "Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
Many people have a ton of misconceptions about God, but probably none bigger than those who sit around and complain God does not provide for them. Many will even gripe they've prayed for God to provide and He hasn't done a thing! Do we really think God is so dim He cannot tell someone who's faithful in word and in deed from a couch potato? Do we genuinely believe He owes us anything? Isn't that His oxygen we're using to breath while we gripe? I've prayed for provision for my family and for our ministry for years, and although it's been lean sometimes, we've never starved. We haven't even lost weight! But while I was praying for provision, I also never stopped working for it. God gives us talents and He gives us work to do. Just like any good master, He generally provides AFTER we do the work! Sure, it's a miracle... but it's no accident! "Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives." Titus 3:14 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
Most of us have no problem sinning when the desire in our heart to go astray is stronger than our love for the Lord, but even the sins we like to commit will one day become a terrible burden for us. I must have had a thousand people come to me through the years and confess that their sins are so heavy they just can't carry them any longer. I have one friend whose son is nearing eighteen. He's been in jail repeatedly, quit school, and has practically bankrupted her with his antics. She cries daily because of her lack of ability to help him. Although it seems she's the victim, once you start talking to her you'll realize that she was sexually active as a young teen, did not marry, and has been more concerned about having fun than she has about raising her children well. See how it works... what once was enticing to her has now become a burden so heavy you can practically see it weigh her down as she walks. Sure, those sins you are pondering look fun right now, even God would readily admit that, but spare yourself the heartbreak and do it HIS WAY the first time! "My sins have been bound into a yoke; by his hand they were woven together. They have come upon my neck and the Lord has sapped my strength. He has handed me over to those I cannot withstand." Lamentations 1:14 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
I'm sorry to admit that I was pulled over by a police officer awhile ago and issued a speeding citation. What a humbling experience. I was taking a few teenagers home from a youth event and they were there in the car to witness it. I wasn't willfully speeding, but rather missed a new 25 mile per hour speed limit that was posted on a road I rarely travel on. Believe it or not, it honestly took me days to admit the simple fact that I broke the law and was punished fairly. I explained to the young people in my car how the sign was new, how the speed limit was too low, how the time of day made it hard to see, how the officer should be hunting down terrorists... Well, you get the picture. My defense mechanisms work perfectly well. It's too bad that while I'm so busy using them I cannot just see the simple truth. I broke the law and received the due penalty. Wouldn't true Biblical wisdom teach us to admit our sin and accept God's truthful judgment? Yea, and it only took me three days to figure that one out! "Why should any living man complain when punished for his sins?" Lamentations 3:39 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
There are more warnings in the Scriptures about the dangers of chasing wealth than any other, yet many still chase it will a vengeance today. What's more, there are similar warnings about not trusting in the wealth we do have, but rather being grateful for God's provision, trusting in Him and seeking His face daily! The result of doing the opposite is that what we once considered worth chasing above all instantly becomes worthless when God's judgment finally comes. What good is money when you're facing your Maker? And all the while we're chasing it; it turns us against every other thing in our lives--our own families, friends, and even our very own offspring. What should be valuable is thought a burden, and what should be taken with a grain of salt is pursued above God Himself. Is it any wonder our world is in such a disaster today? If you're out of balance in the pursuit of wealth (or anything else) above God, you can be sure of a similar fate. "How the gold has lost its luster, the fine gold becomes dull! The sacred gems are scattered at the head of every street. How the precious sons of Zion, once worth their weight in gold, are now considered as pots of clay [something cheap; of little value], the work of a potter's hands! Even jackals [stingy animals] offer their breasts to nurse their young, but my people have become heartless like ostriches in the desert. Because of thirst the infant's tongue sticks to the roof of its mouth; the children beg for bread, but no one gives it to them." Lamentations 4:1-4 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
The Apostle Paul was a great preacher, teacher, and evangelist, but without the Holy Spirit working through Him he would have been none of these. Maybe you've also felt the urge of the Spirit to share the truth of Jesus with someone, and like so many before you, you've had mixed results. Maybe you've even felt so defeated by their response that you've decided not to go through the pain again. The two very simple things we need to remember are these. 1. We are ALL called to preach the word in love. 2. It is the Spirit who breaks the hearts and brings the harvest, not us. Even Paul couldn't have led one single person to Christ without the Father. I'm sure he heard more "no's" than all of us... and because of the way he persevered through the "no's" he heard more "yes's" than just about anyone in history. "The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message." Acts 16:14b Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
"I'll get you my pretty... and your little dog too!" Do those famous words from the wicked witch sound like the motto of anyone in your generation who is hurt by someone else? Sure, we understand that we're not supposed to take our own vengeance, but it's so difficult! Even within the church people have a hard time just "turning the other cheek." What's worse, when we get outside of the church then we pull out all the stops if someone wrongs us. Well, in the church or outside of it, the only biblical response when someone hurts you is to bless them in return. That witch was called "wicked" for a reason! "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." Romans 12:14 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6-7) Friends, Yesterday most of my family spent many hours in the car - at least two of those hours winding through back roads in Tennessee. One of the things we did to pass the time was spot churches. I’m fairly convinced there’s one church for every ten people in that part of the country! (We stayed in Crossville, TN, which also made me chuckle…welcome to the Bible belt.). Google told me this: Tennessee has a high concentration of small churches due to its history, demographics, and social structures. Many small churches are deeply rooted in rural communities, serving as vital centers for social, spiritual, and even economic support. The state's strong religious traditions, particularly among Protestant denominations, have historically led to the establishment of numerous congregations, often reflecting the diversity of religious beliefs within smaller, localized areas. Having spent many years in a small church, I can say there’s truth to the idea of the church functioning as a large family. There were always people willing to help with virtually anything - and likewise, we could offer that same willingness to help. The only downside comes when we start to compare ourselves to the churches around us, compete for attendees, or forget that different styles are not salvation issues. In ministry it is also easy to get distracted by the programs offered by organizations and think “we should do that” or “we should be more like them”. God has called Harvest to a specific mission: serving the local community through the Thrift Store, Harvest Helps, and telling our neighbors about Jesus along the way. Thank you for running THIS race with us! Some More Sticky Notes: Ms K - Received groceries for her family so she didn’t have to worry while recovering from surgery. Ms C. - Received car repairs and groceries so she could work and take care of her daughter. Ms S – is a domestic abuse survivor and given to pick out furniture for her new home and clothes for her kids. Blessings, Elizabeth Kilby
