Above the Sun: It is important to know where home really is

August 5, 2018

by Barrett Vanlandingham

          Northeastern Oklahoma is a very special place. This fact was brought to mind even more the other day when Lisa and I went to Oklahoma City to help two of our kids move. As we were on the way from Fort Gibson through Tulsa to OKC, I noticed our green rolling hills gradually disappearing with each mile, turning into red dirt, and lower altitude land forms, boring in comparison to what we see every day around here.

          For me and my family, this part of the state will always be home. But a day is coming when this place and any other place on this earth will not feel like home, and in fact, will no longer be our home.  There is an old song by Mary Reeves Davis that goes”

          “This world is not my home. I’m just a passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from heavens open door and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.”

          As much as I love my life, my family, and my work, these things are just temporary. Nothing here on earth was ever meant to be permanent. This is why it is so important to put things into perspective: relationships, accomplishments, everything! Of course, I love my family. But if I do not teach them the things they need to know in order to go to heaven, my love for them was really all in vain.

          In the book of Matthew 16:24-25, Jesus tells His disciples that if they want to follow Him to heaven, they should put their life focus on God’s will, not on earthly things.

          “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

          In Genesis 7:1, Hebrews 11:7, and 2 Peter 2:5, we are told that God allowed Noah and his whole family to enter the ark and escape destruction because Noah was a righteous man and also a preacher of righteousness.  It would have been easy for Noah to become discouraged when those people watching him build the ark would not listen to him. But Noah continued to preach, and his efforts paid off for his family because Noah was focused on God’s message and not his own. Noah knew that the earth in its current form was about to be destroyed by water. The earth we call our home will be destroyed again, not by water, but by fire. That is why it is so important for us to make decisions based on attaining life in our eternal home instead of only looking for happiness in this very temporary home.  Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Baptism is required by God’s authority

July 22, 2018

by Barrett Vanlandingham

            Most Christian groups agree that when it comes to Judgment Day, it will be important to have loved God and our neighbor. After all, Jesus said those are the greatest commands. But Jesus also said four times in a single chapter that loving Him also means obeying His commands (John 14:15,21,23,24).

That is where conflict arises today as followers of Jesus either don’t read the Bible enough to be informed about what to obey, or maybe they read but have put off obeying.

            Jesus’ expectations in the Great Commission are clear:

“Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).

            Sadly, many choose to ignore such simple commands of our Lord.

            A young man told me the other day he had already been saved but he still needed to be baptized. I asked, “If you are already saved, why do you need to be baptized?” He agreed to a Bible study.

            After Peter preached the first Gospel sermon, many realized the One who was put to death on the cross was indeed the Son of God! They were “cut to the heart” and asked what they needed to do.

Peter told them: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit… Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added (by the Lord) to their number that day.” (Acts 2:38,41,47).          

Hearing and believing the story of Jesus, repenting (turning away from worldly ways), confessing what you believe, and being baptized is the New Testament pattern. Every person who became a believing follower of Jesus Christ was baptized. 

Anyone who would argue against baptism for salvation would have to throw out the books of Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:16, John 3:1-5, Acts 2:38, 10:34-48, 16:25-40, 19:1-5, 22:16, Romans 6:1-11, Galatians 3:26-27, Colossians 2:11-13, Titus 3:5-7, and 1 Peter 3:18-22.

I recently heard about a baptized believer who was arguing against the necessity of baptism. A friend of his said, “If you are so sure you’re right, you should not let your children be baptized.” The man changed his position.

The Bible says baptism washes our sins away so we can live a new life. It is part of God’s plan for your salvation. Have a great week!

Above the Sun: Jesus provides the best kind of hope!

by Barrett Vanlandingham

July 22, 2018

            The final part of my 5 part series on Reasons to Look Above the Sun is no doubt the most exciting part of all: Our Hope of Salvation!

            To hope means to desire something with confident expectation. In 1 John 5:13, the writer says the purpose of his letter was so Christians could “know” we have eternal life.

            Salvation is the deliverance from sin. Paul says the penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). But since everyone sins (Romans 3:23), Jesus Christ came to save us (John 3:15-16 and Acts 4:10-12).

            It does not matter if you are poor, disabled, imprisoned or whatever kind of “have not,” the hope of salvation is for anyone and everyone who is in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28). It also does not increase your chances of salvation if you are among the “haves” since God does not care which country you’re from, what language you speak, or what you look like. God made this perfectly clear through Luke’s writings in Acts 10:9-48 when He allowed the Holy Spirit to be poured out on the Gentiles just to prove He no longer favored the Jews only.

            We can know for sure that God’s word is accurate. Yes, we must have faith like the “ancients” had (Hebrews 11), but it is not a blind faith, and neither was theirs. God has given us all kinds of evidence to prove His word is true, and that Jesus truly is His Son and our only hope of salvation.

            There are dozens of prophecies in the Old Covenant in places such as Isaiah 53, Genesis 49:10, Zechariah 9:9, Psalm 16:10, 34:20, and Micah 5:2 that give details about Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection up to a thousand years before He came to earth and fulfilled those prophecies.  There is evidence from the fields of archaeology, geography, science, medicine, and astronomy that prove the Bible’s accuracy regarding matters of healthcare, stars and plants, and precise locations of events.  And we must never forget those first century Christians who practiced their faith even in the face of persecution. Their example still encourages us to stay faithful.

             Our hope of salvation is in Jesus. Believe in Him (John 8:24). Repent by turning to Him in obedience (Acts 2:38 and Luke 13:3-5). Confess Him (Matthew 10:32-33). Be baptized for the forgiveness of sin to start a new life clothed in Him (Galatians 3:26-27 and Romans 6:1-11). Claim your victory now and in heaven through Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57-58).

            Have a great week!