You've Got A Big But

Greetings blogfamily. I just thought it was way passed time to say something. I will admit that church, family, school, etc. has proven to divide my attentions in such a way that blogging has been difficult at best.

On yesterday we had a wonderful time in worship. Attendance is slowly climbing and the worship atmosphere continues to grow in width and depth. Of course, I am grateful and thankful to God for this. I was led on last week toward an exposition of Romans 7:14-25. It was apparent, very early in the week, that this would be a word of challenge and exhortation to move beyond dismal into the dynamic. Of course, there are at least two theological views as relates to Paul's statements concerning his struggles. His statement "when I would to good evil is always present..." The main question becomes "was Paul speaking of his pre-salvific or post-salvific life?" Well, there are strong arguments by Augustine and other "church fathers" that suggest that there is NO WAY this could have been Paul speaking of life in his Apostolic Anointing. However, there are strong arguments based on etymological (word) study from some of the earlier Greek texts that suggest Paul was speaking in the present tense (imperfect). Wow... This was an ongoing struggle for Paul. Caught, as John Phillips says, between the "Law of Sinai" and the "Law of Sin." Paul, being as greatly statured as he was in intellect, spirituality, Godliness, etc. still admits to the constant struggle we believers have against the world, THE FLESH, and the devil. In the text he gives insight to the:

I. The Person With this Struggle

a. It's Personal Conflict (Paul's use of personal pronouns "I" and "me")
b. It's Perpetual Conflict (We get a sense that this is a constant concern)

II. The Problem of This Struggle (Noted by the threefold "for" in the text)

a. Conflict of Potential (vv. 15-17)
b. Conflict of Purpose (vv. 18-20)
c. Conflict of Principles (vv. 21-24)

III.. The Place of this Struggle

a. In my mind
b. In my members


So, I have TRIED to share the framework for the message. The Lord really blessed it and used it to challenge us all. The subject was radical, as it often is with me. "You've Got A Big But." This is because Paul says, and I'm paraphrasing, "there are things I want to do, BUT I don't do them." He then shares, "there are things I hate to do, BUT that I do." How often have we seen the people in the parishes we pastor struggle much the same way. "I would tithe...BUT." I would stay for Sunday School and go to Bible Study, BUT." I would be more faithful to the choir, BUT." I shared with the congregation that, by this message, I was led to recall that song sang back in the day by E.U. "Doin the Butt." I said, "Now realize today that I'm not talking about your b-u-T-T, but AM talking about your B-U-T. Like E.U. sang a lot of folks are 'Doin the BUT."

Well, I closed by issuing the challenge as to what kind of Christian each person would decide to be. The question is, will you invest in your MIND or your MEMBERS. Many times throughout scripture we see the Lord want us to solidify our spiritual walk and fervor by way of our MIND. "He keeps those in perfect peace who keep their MINDS fixed on Him." "Let this MIND be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." "Be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of you're MIND." Grandma used to say, "Walking and talking with my MIND stayed on Jesus." Whereas investing all of your stock into your MEMBERS is a dead end. Matter of fact, James asks the question in Chapter 4 verse 1 of his book to the church, "where do you think the battles and struggles come from amongst you (the church), is it not from the things waring in your MEMBERS?" Just as Jesus said to Nicodemus, "that which is born of the flesh is of the flesh, that which is born of the spirit is spirit..." As Paul, we need to recognize the POTENTIAL to do evil even when we have good intentions.

Thesis: Don't cancel out the good that you "would do" with your but.

So, we ALL got Big Buts... Can I close by telling you about my Big But...

...even the youths shall faint and get weary and the young men shall utterly fall,
BUT they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their stregnth... (Isaiah 40:28-31)
There's the POWER of Christ

...Satan has desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat, BUT I have prayed for you... ( Luke 22:31-32)
There's the PRAYER of Christ

BUT my God shall supply all my need according to His riches in glory. (Phil. 4:19)
There's the PROVIDENCE of Christ

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost BUT now I'm found, was blind BUT now I see.
There's the PARDON of Christ

And... (here we go Dad) One Friday evening, He went to Calvary's cross... He died, BUT He didn't stay dead. He died on Friday, BUT He rose on Sunday.
There's the PASSION, PAIN, and PREEMINENCE of Christ

So, please be patient with me. The next time somebody tries to tell you about this little, country, broke down preacher saying, "yeah I used to know him back in the day." You tell'em "didn't you know, Pastor Pullam got a Big But."

Ephesians 2:1- "As for YOU, YOU were dead in sins and trespasses..." v. 4- BUT God who is rich in mercy... " So, with God, I'm thankful that we got this "Big But" working in our favor.

God Be Praised