“When I was a child…, I thought as a child…” (I Corinthians 13:11). Then, it’s time to go to school to learn. “But go ye and learn…” (Matthew 9:13). The Bible is our textbook and the world is our school. “Study to show thyself approved…” (II Timothy 2:15). Our teacher is the Holy Ghost. “For the Holy Ghost shall teach you…” (Luke 12:12).
Jesus graduated and left this school. But before He left, He prayed for those He was about to leave behind. The prayer is in John 17 and is both instructive and revealing. He refers to the world 19 times. Thanks to Pastor Raymond Haden I now know that. He delivered our sermon today. I am grateful for the clarity he put to my murky thoughts.
While here in this school, we can either do well or poorly. For those who do poorly, it’s spelled out in II Corinthians 9:6 and Galatians 5:7. Paul compares our training here to that of a race (Hebrews 12:1). This is a spiritual race, though, and it is given to us in a parable in Matthew 13:24-30 with clarification in verses 38-43. The barn is heaven, the reapers are the angels, the tares are the lost, the good seed are God’s people and the field is the world. The harvest is the end of the world. It’s the end of the race. Remember, though, that it’s not enough to be a good seed. Good seed bears fruit. It’s in Mark 4:20. That’s how it is known that the seed is good.
The Hall of Faith is found in Hebrews 11. These are our heroes who have already won their race. There is something that can be learned from all of them. It was a good sermon and is worth keeping. Thank you, Bro. Raymond for such a blessing.
