Biblical Recorder on the Web Main Archive: Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001

Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001
RE: Publication dates.

News
Henderson seeks 1st VP post

From staff reports
"Johnny Henderson, pastor of Cross Road Baptist Church in Asheboro, will run for first vice president of the Baptist State Convention (BSC). " ... (read the story)

SBC may be 'better off,' Patterson says

By Jimmy Allen
BR Assistant Editor
"The potential cut in funding by Texas Baptists to the six Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) seminaries shouldn't hurt the SBC, according to Paige Patterson, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) in Wake Forest. " ... (read the story)

Sunday School
The Family Connection Background Passages: Ruth 4:1-3,5-6,9-17 Key Verse: Ruth 4:14 The setting of this lesson goes back 1,300 years before Christ was born but is vitally related to His birth. In Matthew's genealogy, both Boaz and Ruth are named as ancestors of Jesus so it is significant for all who are in the family of God. Because of a famine in the land of Israel, Naomi, her husband and their two sons went to Moab, a foreign country. The sons married Moabite women; later the father and the two husbands died. Hearing that the famine in her homeland was over, Naomi and her daughter-in-law, Ruth, returned to Judah. To provide food for the two women, Ruth was allowed to follow after the harvesters in the field and glean heads of grain. She worked in the field of Boaz, a wealthy relative of Naomi's husband. He took notice of her, asked questions, and discovered that she was the widow of Naomi's son. In ancient Israel, when a husband died, a near-kinsman could marry the widow - to carry on the husband's name. Boaz married Ruth and became her kinsman-redeemer. She became the great-grandmother of David the King. Jesus was born of the house and lineage of David (Luke 2-4). Ruth 4-14 This verse is another messianic reference to the coming of a Kinsman-Redeemer: "And the women said unto Naomi, 'Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that His name may be famous in Israel."' Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophesy. Our becoming a member of God's family requires a Redeemer. The word family conjures up different meanings to different people, depending on personal experience. It's difficult for one who has grown up in an abusive family to think of God as a loving Father. In a Christian family, a loving father makes it much easier. When I was a young, single preacher, I was invited to live in the Wilson family home. Since their four sons were in service during the war years, I became their "adopted" son. All of the sons returned and we became as brothers. In their beautiful, brick home in a large grove of trees lived one daughter, four sons, their father and mother, two unmarried aunts and the young preacher. The foundation of that home was Jesus. They were kind, tenderhearted, forgiving toward one another. Peace, love and joy flourished. A happy home it was; hospitality abounded. The presence of the Lord filled every room. When you crossed the threshold, it was like an outpost of heaven. What an example! What are some of the advantages of being in the family of God? I mention three of many: You know your sins are forgiven, and you are able to forgive others. A little girl who was trying to quote the Lord's prayer said, "And forgive us our trashbaskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets." That's pretty close to what Jesus had in mind. Then there is the joy of a changed life. Like the young fella who was asked if he believed Jesus turned water into wine? He said, "I don't know about that, but He sure turned beer into furniture at our house." The third one caps them all. John Jasper, the noted preacher of another generation, was quoted in a previous lesson; I draw from him again: "When I get to heaven, I'll say, 'O mister angel, take me to the great white throne and there let me gaze into the face of my Jesus for a thousand years."' Wow! Who is the Kinsman-Redeemer? He is Jesus. He came as One of us, identifying with us. In that sense He became our Kinsman. When He went to the cross, He did so as our Redeemer. One last question: How do we become a member of the family of God? Testimony time. Miss Erma Hicks was our church secretary. She walked 18 city blocks to talk to my sister and me about accepting Jesus. I was nine. Her walk and her talk meshed beautifully. She made it plain so children could understand. My sister and I, along with Mom, who came from another denomination, were baptized on the same night. My life has hinged on someone's telling me that Jesus is The Way of becoming a welcomed child in the family of God. Thank You, Father. Selah
"" ... (read the story)

Focal Passage:

Genesis 41:14-40
"Using Our Resources " ... (read the story)

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