Sermon on The Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testament

The Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testaments

Rev. George L. Majors

January 13, 1980

Fairbanks, Alaska

The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

Scripture Reading: Genesis 41: 1-8 kjv
And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. And behold, there came up out of the river seven well favored kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river. And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke. And he slept and dreamed a second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. And behold, seven thin years and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream. And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.

Here is a case of the head of a government seeking advice. His strange dream had troubled him and he sought the help of the magicians of Egypt. But there was none that could interpret the dreams for him. They couldn't help him. Many people today resort tot he same unreliable sources - fortune tellers, palm readers, fronologists, ouija boards, and astrology. Thousands of people plan their daily lives by the horoscope.

But the Egyptian King heard of Joseph and Joseph gave the King the right answer. He explains the meaning of the dream: "And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, 'The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what He is about to do. The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears of corn are seven years: the dream is one. And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine. This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh. Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; And the plenty shall not be know in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.'" Genesis 41: 25-32 kjv

Then Joseph gave the king some good advice - to lay supplies aside for the lean years to come. First, seek some good leadership, seek one who is discreet and wise. Discreet means having discernment with self-control - able to make impartial decisions. (vs. 33) Second, organize; set officers over portions of land and divide it into five districts. (vs. 34) Third, build store houses for all the excess grain and lay it aside for the bad years. (vs. 35, 36)

The Bible teaches us to be good stewards; to work and earn while we can and then to lay in store for the lean years. The first principle of good stewardship is giving God is rightful share. Proverbs 3:9,10 says "Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall they barns be filled with plenty, and they presses shall burst with new wine." The second principle is to be industrious. In Proverbs 6:6-8 we find: "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in harvest." The third principle is to be generous. Ephesians 4:28 says, "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth." It is a blessing to be able to give to others in need. And Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Continuing with the story of Joseph, Pharaoh picks Joseph to be his chief advisor because he recognized Joseph's wisdom as being from God. (vs. 37 - 40) "And Pharaoh said unto his servants, "Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?" Joseph possessed the Spirit of God which accounts not only for his ability to interpret dreams but also his ability to endure everything he had been faced with up until that point: hardships, envy, being rejected by his brothers, being sold into slavery, being sent to prison and forgotten. And through all of this and by this path he was able to help. Joseph seemed to have far more trials and hardships than his share, yet, he didn't let it get him down. He kept a good attitude. And God greatly blessed him in due time.

He had every reason to hate his brothers but, when they stood before him, seeking food, instead of taking revenge, he looked for some sign of sincere remorse on their part. And, instead of pouring out his wrath in revenge for their evil deed, he poured out his love and forgiveness. This is the heart of real Christianity! Although Joseph sat beside the Pharaoh - on the throne - he did not have his own sense of self seated upon the throne of his own heart. Instead, God sat upon that throne. What a difference the presence of God makes!

If Joseph was able to entertain the presence of God in his day, how much more ought we to be able to in our day!

The Holy Spirit in the Day of the Gospel

The Spirit of God has been involved in the world from the very beginning. In Genesis 1:1,2 we read, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." And from that time on, the Spirit of God has been moving upon the hearts of people of every generation.

God's Holy Spirit came upon Mary, the mother of Jesus. Luke 1:35 says, "And the angel answered and said unto her, 'The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." The Holy Spirit came upon Elisabeth, the cousin of Mary, the mother of John the Baptist. Luke 1:41, "And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost"The Holy Spirit came upon Zacharias, Elisabeth's husband and the father of John the Baptist. Luke 1:67,68, "And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 'Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people" His Spirit came upon John the Baptist also, even before he was born. Luke 1:11-15, "And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the alter of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, 'Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and they wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.'"

These people were all godly people living to please God and walking in the light they had. Luke 1:5,6, "There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless."

In Luke 2:25 we read of yet another named Simeon: "And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit to the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then he took him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 'Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.'" (vs. 25 - 30)

Sometimes we get the impression that the Holy Spirit came into the world on the Day of Pentecost. He did come into the the church which Jesus established, to officially own, fill, and empower it. Acts 2:16-18 and vs. 21 say, "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy... And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

But God's Holy Spirit has been in the world and working in humans hearts from the very beginning. What then was the day of Pentecost which we read about in Acts 2? It was a special outpouring of God's Spirit upon a newly prepared people - His Church. The Salvation of Christ now makes possible a people suitable to receive and entertain God's Holy Spirit. Light cannot dwell with darkness nor righteousness with sin. The Gospel of Christ prepares people's hearts for the reception of God's Holy Spirit. He never fills a dirty vessel. Our hearts must first be clean. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 says, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, 'I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

Sinners need first to seek the Savior then God's Holy Spirit will fill the temple if we ask Him to.

Sermon on Sanctification

Sanctification

George L. Majors

April 20, 1985

Scripture Reading:

1 Thessalonians 4:1-4 King James Version

"Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of  us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour"

1 Thessalonians 4:1-4 New Living Translation

"Finally dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. God's will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control is own body and live in holiness and honor"

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 King James Version

"For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit."

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 New Living Translation

"God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. Therefore anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you."

The word "sanctification" appears 4 times in the New Testament,

The word "sanctified" appears 16 times,

The word "sanctifieth" appears 4 times,

and the word "sanctify" appears 6 times.

So what does sanctification mean?

It is the cleansing power and keeping power of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Dale Oldham has this to say on the subject, "The Bible tells us we are to live by the Spirit, walk in the Spirit, be led by the Spirit, mind the things of the Spirit, pray in the Spirit and sing in the Spirit. This being the case, you could expect 'spirituality' to be the chief characteristic of the people of God. But there can be no genuine 'spirituality' unless the Spirit of God dwells within us." First of all, we need the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit to stay true to God. Like the little boy who kept falling out of bed. His mother asked him, "Why do you keep falling out of bed?" "Well," he said, "I think it's because I stay too close to where I get in." Sanctification is a second work of grace that every Christian needs to help keep from falling back and being lost to the care of Christ.

Paul writes, "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world" 2 Timothy 4:10a kjv Had Demas been possessed of the Holy Spirit he would have had the power to resist the allurements of a sinful world.

Jesus, while in the upper room, prayed for his disciples with these words, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." John 17:17 kjv And going back a few verses, "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. And now I come to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them my word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." John 17:12-17 kjv

How then are we to be sanctified?

First, we must be saved. For sanctification through the Holy Spirit is only for the Christian who believes in the saving power of Jesus Christ. Second, we must present ourselves to God as a vessel, to be owned, filled, and used by God to His glory. Are we not already owned by God? Yes, but we may not be possessed. A fitting example is that of a man who had a set of tools stolen out of the trunk of his car. He was the owner of the tools, but they were not in his possession. Thus, we need to present ourselves to God. As it says, in Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Third, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit. As Spinoza noted, "Nature abhors a vacuum," it will be filled with something - good or evil. To keep evil out we must be filled with good.

"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first." Luke 11:24-26 kjv Imagine an empty glass. But is it really empty? No, it is filled with air! And how can we empty it? We can fill it with water and thereby force out the air. We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit to keep out evil.

But is one filling sufficient? No, just as the water in the glass will evaporate in time, we must from time to time pray for re-infillings. We need to keep up the process of sanctification and keep ourselves available for the master to use us.

A Sermon for President's Day (2)

Great Lives!

George L. Majors

February 17, 1974

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:7-10

"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."

This book, The Bible, contains the mind of God, the state of man, Gods plan for His salvation. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be upright and happy. A mariner's compass, a pilgrim's staff, a traveler's map, it affords the greatest reward for all who will receive it. 

Our younger daughter, when just a small child, said, "Daddy, what does this mean, where it says, 'who so ever tries to save his life will lose it?' Does it mean that if someone is chasing after you to hurt you that it is wrong to try to get away from them?" She was referring to the verse in Luke 9:24 and I explained the real meaning of the verse to her - a paradox and seeming contradiction. Bonnie, a few years later, gave her heart to the Lord at the age of 9 and found the meaning of the verse - a radically happy Christian life - here and beyond. 

Halley in his Bible handbook says, "Christ, the center and heart of the Bible, the center and heart of history, is also the center and heart of our lives. Our eternal destiny is in His hand. Our acceptance or rejection of Him as our Lord and Savior determines for each of us eternal glory or eternal ruin - heaven or hell, one or the other. 

The most important decision anyone is ever called on to make is to settle in one's heart, once and for all, the matter of one's attitude toward Christ. On that depends everything.

It is a glorious thing to be a Christian, the most exalted privilege of mankind. The Creator of all things wants to have a personal relationship with each and every one of us! To accept Christ as Savior, Lord, and Master, and to strive sincerely and devotedly to follow in the way of life He taught, is certainly by far the most reasonable and most satisfactory way to live. It means peace, peace of mind, contentment of heart, forgiveness, happiness, hope, life abundant, life that shall never end. 

There is another seeming contradiction in the Bible. Acts 20:35b "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Give not the slot machine way, a quarter expecting a handful in return, but give just to be giving. My heart was touched with a testimony to this very verse in a recent Guideposts magazine. A little Norwegian girl had lost her mother. She was one of several children and had to be passed from one friend to another. One day, she saw a kind looking lady in the market place. She couldn't resist so she asked, "Will you be my mamma?" The lady enquired and did in fact take her in and gave her a good home. That little girl grew up and became a missionary. One day, while she was speaking at a mission in Puerto Rico, there were many children present. One kept sitting close to her whenever she could and kept looking up at her. Finally, she said in Spanish, "Would you be my mother?" The lady could hardly believe her ears. Although young and single, she decided to take the little girl home with her so she made the necessary arrangements. Friends at home were quite surprised, but all took to the little girl. Later she returned to Puerto Rico to minister. One day, a lady came to the door with 3 little ones and asked, "Is this the place where little children are cared for?" Well, she took them in also. The children were taught to love God. They decided to save their meager earnings from working in a garden to purchase a horse tied up across the way. The old horse was swaybacked, but they dearly wanted it. But then one day they learned of a great need and all decided to send their savings to help. The missionary mother said that not long after at an eating place they met 3 young men from Norway. They spoke the same language and started visiting. As the men got ready to go, they said that their time in Puerto Rico was up and that they would be leaving and asked, "Would you know of anyone who would like to have our horse. We can't take it with us and it is a very good one!" God rewarded just as he promised. We just can't out give God! 

The Bible is filled with Godly precepts of high ideals that mould character and give depth and quality to life. 

It is no wonder that our nation grew out of a handful of pilgrims into the greatest nation on earth. It was established by men and women with red blood in their veins and iron in their wills and the love of God in their hearts. They braved the dangers and hardships of the uncharted ocean to settle in a new land where they could serve God fully and raise their families to follow in their faith. 

What Makes A Nation Great 

by Alexander Blackburn 

Not serried ranks with flags unfurled, 

Not armored ships that gird the world, 

Not hoarded wealth nor busy mills,

Not cattle on a thousand hills, 

Not sages wise, nor schools, nor laws, 

No boasted deeds in freedom's cause - 

All these may be, and yet the state 

In the eye of God be far from great. 

That land is great which knows the Lord, 

Whose songs are guided by His word; 

Where justice rules 'twixt man and man, 

Where love controls in art and plan'

Where, breathing in his native air,

Each soul finds joy in praise and prayer - 

Thus may our country, good and great, 

Be God's delight - man's best estate. 

Daniel Webster said, "If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity." Many feel we are  on the brink of a great catastrophe or a great revival. Every church should pray earnestly for revival. God spared Nineveh and he can spare our nation. He spared England in the days of the Wesleys, let us pray for revival in our day. 

I cherish the memory of our great patriarchs. Humans, yes, but God fearing believers. Picture George Washington praying with his half starved troops. Picture Abraham Lincoln on his knees praying during the dark days of the Civil War. 

Recall some of his words: Sayings of Abraham Lincoln

"I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true."

"I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have." 

"I must stand with anybody that stands right; stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong."

"Come what will I will keep my faith with friend and foe." 

"Faith in our God is indispensable to successful statesmanship."

"Keep the temperance pledge and it will be the best act of your life." 

"With malice towards none, with charity for all, with a firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds... to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations." 

Let us close with Proverbs 3:5-7 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord and depart from evil."

Anecdotes and Letters for President's Day

Mixed in and among the sermon notes my grandfather George L. Majors left behind, are a collection of clippings from various magazines and newspapers. Grandpa always love to tell stories and, as a pastor, he liked to collect illustrations that he could use in his sermons. Often, he references various clippings in his sermon notes and whenever possible, I have tried to find and include the anecdote in the typed up version of the sermon. However, I have quickly discovered that there are far more anecdotes than there are references so I thought I would add special entries devoted to Grandpa Majors' collection of stories, jokes, poetry, and anecdotes. 


So, here is the first batch which are grouped together with a sermon for President's Day:

-----

Mothers of Men


The greatest battle that was ever fought - 
Shall I tell you where and when? 
On the maps of the world you will find it not: 
It was fought by the Mothers of Men.


Not with cannon or battle shot, 
With sword or nobler pen;
Not with eloquent word or thought
From the wonderful minds of men;


But deep in a walled up woman's heart; 
A woman that would not yield; 
But bravely and patiently bore her part
Lo! there is that battlefield.


But faithful still as a bridge of stars
She fights in her walled up town; 
Fights on, and on, in the endless wars; 
Then silent, unseen goes down


Ho! ye with banners and battle shot, 
With soldiers to shout and praise, 
I tell you the kingliest victories fought 
Are fought in these silent ways. 
-Joaquin Miller

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A Word for Mr. Lincoln
-Drummond Erskine of Cold Spring Harbor, NY for Guideposts Magazine
"Later I heard a story of another mother and child that echoed the way I was feeling. They were passing by the restored home of Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. It was at night, and the national shrine was brightly lighted. 'Look Mama,' the child said. 'Mr. Lincoln left his lights on.' 'Yes,' the mother replied softly. 'He left them on for all the world to see.' So he did." 

-----

Past Presidents - Thoughts from
Fingertip Facts, Ideas Unlimited, November 1975


Abraham Lincoln said:

- I don't think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday 
- I don't know who my grandfather was. I am much more concerned to know what his grandson will be. 
- When you have got an elephant by the hind-leg, and he is trying to run away, it's best to let him run. 
- This Government, with its institutions, belongs to the people. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing Government, they can exercise their constitutional right to amend it, or their revolutionary right to dismember or overthrow it. 
- Killing the dog does not cure the bite. 
- Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. 
- In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all; and to the young, it comes with bitterest agony because it takes them unaware. The older have learned to expect it.


George Washington said:
-I hope I shall always possess virtue and firmness enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of being an honest man. 
- Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government. 
- To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace. 
- Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation, for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company. 
- Truth will ultimately prevail where pains are taken to bring it to light. 

-----

Isaiah 1:4
Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity... they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward."


"A few years ago, Samuel Doctorian from Lebanon said, 'As I travel through your vast country and see the mass merchandising on the Lord's Day, notice the lewd advertising on your theater marquees, hear the language of the street, and read the daily newspaper, while churches are engaged in raffles, bingo parties, church suppers, and dances, I am convinced that we need to send missionaries to your country more than you need to send them to ours.'" 

-----

Declaration Signers Are Paid Homage
179 Years Ago, 56 Men Acted in Face of Possible Death 
New Haven, Conn. (AP)


It was 179 years ago that 56 men signed a document that might very well have cost their lives, the Declaration of Independence. Today the men are buried, 55 of them scattered over the original 13 states, the other lost at sea. In unique ceremonies Monday, the men were honored at their graves by descendants of those who fought in the American Revolution and others. In the old cemetery in the little town of Norwichtown, Conn. two descendants of signer Samuel Huntington watched as a wreath was laid on the grave and listened as a Boy Scout blew taps. 


Not far from the grave lie 13 unknown soldiers. Frenchmen who came to fight with Lafayette, and died of tuberculosis. Three other signers are buried in Connecticut. Similar ceremonies were held at Litchfield, Lebanon, and New Haven.


In Boston a military parade followed a flag-raising at City Hall. The parade went to the old Granary burying ground, where signers Robert Paine, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock are buried. In Quincy, Mass., the crypt under the First Parish Church was opened to pay homage to John Adams. 


In Washington, Eldbridge Gerry of Massachusetts was honored at memorial services at the Congressional Cemetary. He is the only signer buried in the District of Columbia. 


In New Hampshire, graves of three New Hampshire signers were decorated. 

-----

A Letter to the Editor
George L. Majors
Fairbanks, AK 
February 22, 1983


To the Editor: 


Men like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were pillars in the structure of our nation mainly because there were men of the Bible. George Washington said, "True religion affords government its surest support. The perpetuity of this nation depends upon the religious training of the young. It is impossible to govern the wold without the Bible."


Abraham Lincoln said, "I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this Book upon reason that you can and the balance by faith, and you will live and die a better man. In regard to the Great Book I have only to say that it is the best book which God has given to men."


Mr. Lincoln's thoughts and deeds are well documented. He was raised in a home where prayer was offered before meals, and where Scripture was often read and quoted. Concerning his personal religious life, historians tell us that for a time, in his young adult life, he struggled with doubts, but there was always manifestations of tender conscience. It is said that he never gave up his early teaching and basic faith, even though he struggled at times with teachings that were at variance with it. 


Reverend James F. Jaques, a Methodist minister said that, after hearing him preach in 1839 on the text, 'Ye must be born again,' Lincoln visited him to talk and pray with him concerning his soul's salvation. "I have seen hundreds brought to Christ," said Mr. Jaques, "and if ever a person was converted, Abraham Lincoln was."


Dr. W.E. Barton sums up his appraisal of Lincoln's religious life by saying, "Abraham Lincoln believed in God, in Christ, in the Bible, in prayer, in duty, and in immortality." 


Gratefully, 
George L. Majors

A President's Day Sermon

Lincoln, A Man of God

Sermon by Rev. George L. Majors

February 9, 1958

Scripture Reading - Proverbs 3:1-16 kjv
"My son, forget not my law; bet let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honor the Lord with thy substance and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour."


"The lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime
And departing leave behind us
Footprints in the sands of time"
-Longfellow


People all across our nation, this week, will one more look into the kindly face of the gangly figure sitting in the big stone chair at the Lincoln Memorial at Washington D.C. and honor the memory of Abraham Lincoln.


What about Abraham Lincoln - What kind of a person was he?


First of all, he was greatly influenced by the teaching of the Scriptures. His parents were devout people as were his grandparents and his great grandparents. His great-great-great-great grandfather Samuel Lincoln came to America in 1637 and helped erect Old Ship Church in Hingham, Mass - the oldest church building in America in continual use. His great-great grandfather was a Baptist minister, and his grandfather gave land on his farm for the building of a church in which his parents worshiped. He was raised in a home where the blessing was asked before meals and where the Scriptures were read, and oft quoted - especially by his mother. No wonder he said later, "All that I am or ever hope to be I owe to my angel mother."


However, he was truly human and had his shortcomings. He had a time of uncertainty in his spiritual life. But there was always manifest sights of a tender conscience.


Historian Raymound W. Settle says concerning Lincoln's religious exprience, "Although we cannot be certain what brought it about, we know that Lincoln turned away from ideas which were at variance with his early teachings. But then, the Rev. James F Jaques, a Methodist minister, said that after hearing him preach in 1839 on the text, "Ye must be born again," Lincoln visited him to talk and pray with him concerning his soul's salvation. "I have seen hundreds brought to Christ," said Mr. Jacques, "and if ever a person was converted, Abraham Lincoln was."


Dr. W.E. Barton sums up his appraisal of Lincoln's religious life by saying, "Abraham Lincoln believed in God, in Christ, in the Bible, in prayer, in duty, in immortality." He was grave, "humerous" (with very long legs!), sympathetic, a 14 year old drummer boy, honest, and sincere.


The ingredients of good character are listed in Proverbs 3:1-6
"My son, forget not my law; bet let thine heart keep my commandments:

For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

In closing, let us listen to some words from Abraham Lincoln:
"I don't think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday."
"Character is like a tree and reputation is like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing."
"I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true."
"I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have."
"I must stand with anybody that stands right; stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong."
"Come what will I will keep my faith with friend and foe."
"Faith in God is indispensable to successful statesmanship"
"With malice towards none, with charity for all, with a firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds... to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."
-Abraham Lincoln

A Sermon for Graduation

Life's School Room

By Rev. George L. Majors

May 20, 1979

Thousands of young people, all across our nation, are in the process of leaving one phase of life and stepping out into another - they are being graduated from high school. The Bible says, "of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh." Ecc. 12:12 KJV  For many, high school graduation will be an escape from this weariness of the flesh. For others, it will be just a change of pace. But for all graduates, it will be the passing of a mile stone in the school of life.


Turning to James 4:14 we read these words - "For what is your life?" For what is your life?


Life is much like a great school room! It has its lessons to be learned. No matter how old we get, there are still lessons to be learned. One psychologist said, "People don't die of old age, they die of boredom" - "When we stop learning, we get bored." In the words of another:

"Happiness is like a butterfly, it often lights upon the shoulder of one who is not chasing after it." Or, "Happiness is like jam, you can't spread it around without getting some on yourself." 

"A little second grader says to his mother as he returns from school, 'Our teacher asked us to try to make someone happy today. So after school I stopped in to see Aunt Emma because she's always happy when I go home!'"

Another said, "Life is like a game of tennis, the person who serves well seldom loses." And someone else, "The only way to save time is to spend it well."

Remember that a great deal of what you see in life is what you are looking for. If we look for the flowers we will see them. But to see the sun and stars we must look up. 

In the words of Robert E. Lind "From childhood to the grave, life faces us with challenges. When each one comes we have two choices: We can avoid it and lose, or we can accept it and grow. It's easy to lose zest, to grow weary in taking a vital interest in others. It's easy to tire of responsibility, to sit back and let others do what we should be doing ourselves. It's easy to be relegated to a position where we are doing only what we have to do. But once we become afraid of these challenges and opportunities, we are finished. It doesn't matter how old we are." - Robert E. Lind For the Fairbanks Daily News Miner, Saturday, September 20th 1975

Life has its choice of subjects, our world is full of interesting things to study. But none so important as our great text book, The Bible. Paul says to young Timothy, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

Life has its times of testing and these tests are often given when least expected. The Psalmist prayed, "Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reigns and my heart" Psalm 26:2 The Living Bible reads, "Cross-examine me, O Lord, and see that this is so; test my motives and affections too." 

What about our motives in this great school of life? Do we serve God only for good feelings and blessings? What if, instead of "joy, wonderful, joy" it were "heartache and sorrow?" If we were looked down upon and cursed, would we still serve God? 

The devil accused Job of this very thing - of serving God for the blessings attached. Job 1:1 "There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God and eschewed evil." "His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she donkeys, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east." (vs 3) "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, 'Whence comest thou?' Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, 'From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.' And the Lord said unto Satan, 'Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one that feareth God and escheweth evil?' Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, 'Doth Job fear God for nothing? Hast thou not made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to they face.'" Job 6 - 11 KJV

Satan said - "Job serves God for the blessings, but put him to the test - remove the blessings and he will curse you." God accepted the challenge of Satan, having perfect confidence in Job's ability to pass the test. "And the Lord said unto Satan, 'Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.'" Job 1:12 KJV

Would you dare face such a challenge? Would you be able to stand true to God in the face of hardship - financial loss - sickness and heartaches? Job did! We can too, in the powers of his might, in the strength of his Spirit - if we are truly dedicated to His will.

In the great school room of life we are tested from time to time to determine our real motives in serving God. The Bible is our best means of testing. It is our mirror - it reflects our real self. It is a sharp instrument, opening up our inner nature unto our self. (Hebrews 4:12) That is why we should continually read our Bible. To make sure where we stand before God. To make sure of our motives and of where our affections lie. 

When we give, is it for the good it will do others? Or do we have ourselves in mind? 

Do we come to church for self edification only or do we come to please God, to honor Him and to help encourage others? Paul says, "Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church." 1 Corinthians 14:12 KJV And in Hebrews 10:24 we find, "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works" 

"A little girl once asked, 'Mother, what is a conscience?' 'That little voice inside that tells you when you are good,' replied mother. 'But, it won't tell you, will it mother?' asked the girl." Our conscience is given, not to judge others, but to judge ourselves. 

Life has its rewards: It has special recognitions and awards.

"No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly." - Psalm 84:11b KJV

It is no disgrace to be poor, Jesus was poor, but it is no virtue either. Poverty will not take us all to heaven. It does not mean that we are good or bad just because we are poor. It is God's desire that all should be blessed. 

And it is also true that it is no virtue to be rich. Nor does it necessarily mean that to be rich is to be without virtue. The Bible does say that is is a danger spiritually to be rich. "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out." 1 Timothy 6:6-7 KJV And the more the means to do good, the greater the responsibility to do so. "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth." Ephesians 4:28 KJV 

Perhaps our prayer should be Proverbs 30:8 "Give me neither poverty nor riches; but give me only my daily bread." 

The real reward of the School of Life comes after death in the endless ages of eternity. Jesus painted the picture for us when he said, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36 

The great school room of life is to prepare the soul for eternity, like a dressing room for heaven. Concerning the school of life, the poet hath said, 

"Tell me not in mournful numbers, 

Life is but an empty dream! 

For the soul is dead that slumbers, 

And things are not what they seem." 

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow A Psalm of Life. 

For life is real - life is earnest! And the grave is not the goal for - "Dust thou art, to unto dust shalt thou return" Genesis 3:19 was not spoken of the soul. Let us conclude with a few more stanzas from Longfellow's Psalm of Life:

"In the world's broad field of battle

In the bivouac of Life

Be not like dumb, driven cattle!

 Be a hero in the strife!

Lives of great men all remind us

We can make our lives sublime, 

And, departing, leave behind us

Footprints in the sands of time;

Let us, then, be up and doing, 

With a heart for any fate; 

Still achieving, still pursuing, 

Learn to labor and to wait." 

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 

A Psalm of Life