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The Conclusion Of The Whole Matter
by Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey
Introduction
The conclusion of the whole matter is the true bottom line. In the field of accounting the bottom line is reached when all expenses have been subtracted from all income. Understanding the means required in achieving a desired end and accepting the relationship of cause and effect is essential to arriving at the true bottom line, which is the conclusion of the whole matter. We must consider the bottom line in life, in death and in eternity.
I. How Will I Be Regarded In Life
Initially you can ask, "How will I be regarded in life?" To have a good reputation is wonderful, but it must be rooted in reality. For example, the Pharisees had a reputation of being godly but according to Jesus, they were not. Our Lord referred to them as "whitewashed tombs, full of dead men's bones." They were concerned about cleaning the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they were filthy. They had "a form of godliness but [denied] its power." (2 Timothy 3:5a).
In his book titled, Character Is The Issue (Broadman & Holman), former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, explains the importance of character in politics and life. Dr. Adrian Rogers, Pastor Emeritus of Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis, Tennessee, said, "When you turn the lights off the character shows up." Character is what you are in the dark. Character is what you are when no one is looking. Reputation is what people think about you, but character is what God knows about you. "The LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7b). We can base our reputation on deception or on truth. There are some that go about "deceiving and being deceived" (2 Timothy 3:13). It has been said, "You can fool some of the people all of the time. You can fool all of the people some of the time. But you can't fool God any time." "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap" (Galatians 6:7b).
II. How Will I Be Remembered In Death
Also, we should ask, "How will I be remembered in death?" Will you be remembered as a blessing to society or as a blight on society? Max Jukes and Jonathan Edwards present a study in contrast. Max Jukes became an atheistic alcoholic adulterer and Jonathan Edwards became a revival preacher, theological professor, and college president. It is interesting to trace the descendants of these two men to see how much Jukes and his descendants cost society and how much Edwards and his descendants contributed to society.
We remember Judas Iscariot as a betrayer, Benedict Arnold as a traitor and Cain as a murderer. In contrast to Cain, his brother Abel is remembered as a man of faith according to Hebrews 11:4 which says, "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks." The memory of Abel is still a blessing. According to Proverbs 10:7, "The memory of the righteous will be a blessing."
III. How Will I Be Received In Eternity
Finally we must ask, "How will I be received in eternity?" Will you receive retribution in hell or reward in heaven? Jesus will say to some religious professors, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" (Matthew 7:21-23)
The apostle Peter exhorts believers, "Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:10-11).
Will you be approved or ashamed "before Him at His coming"? (1 John 2:28) 2 Timothy 2:15 tells us "Study [be diligent] to show yourself approved before God a workman that needs not to be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of truth."
If you are a believer, you will either hear Jesus say, "Well, done good and faithful servant," (Matthew 25:21a) or "Saved, yet so as through fire" (1Corinthians 3:15b).
Solomon presents the true bottom line in the following verses: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, whether good or evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
By Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, pastor
First Baptist Church of Spanish Fort
P.O. Box 7111 Spanish Fort, Alabama 36577 or
30775 Jay Drive Spanish Fort, Alabama 36527
Author of Sound Biblical Preaching: Giving the Bible a Voice
http://www.webspawner.com/users/franklinlkirksey
Available on Amazon.com and WORDsearchbible.com
[WORDsearch 8 Preaching Library]
fkirksey@bellsouth.net (251) 626-6210
(c) March 7, 2007 All Rights Reserved
Major Influence: A Tribute to Major W. Ian Thomas
By Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey
Walter Ian Thomas was born in Hampstead, London, England, to Albert J. and Jennie Thomas on September 13, 1915 and went to be with the Lord from Estes Park, Colorado, on August 1, 2007.
As a young man, Major Ian Thomas courageously served in an infantry battalion in the British Army and fought all during World War II. According to his wife, Joan, he fought in Germany, was evacuated at Dunkirk, then [he was] sent to North Africa, Greece, Italy, and his last year was in the Army of Occupation in Germany. In response to my question about the meaning of the D.S.O. and T.D. often following his name, Mrs. Thomas explained, “The D.S.O. stands for Distinguished Service Order which, after the ‘Victoria Cross’ is the next highest award for service given to Army officers. The T.D. stands for Territorial Decoration which is another Army award.”
Major W. Ian Thomas has been and will continue to be a major influence in the world. He is frequently cited by many Christian leaders in sermons, articles and books.
His work that began over 60 years ago expresses itself through the Torchbearers of the Capernwray Missionary Fellowship, an international Christian missionary organization involved in evangelism and Bible study, which he founded, with world-wide headquarters in Carnforth, England and United States headquarters in Estes Park, Colorado. There are twenty-five centers located around the world like the Ravencrest Chalet in Estes Park.
Scripture tells us about believers: “and their works follow them” (Revelation 14:13b). Major Thomas’ works are worthy of reward because they were wrought in God. His surrendered will gave focus to his works. Testimony to the effectiveness of his ministry will echo throughout eternity by many like Luis Palau, D. Stuart Briscoe and a great multitude who have been motivated by the mission undertaken by the Major. No doubt many will rise up and call him blessed because of his life of trust and obedience.
His words continue to carry weight and to wield influence in the lives of men and women all over the world. Many of the Major’s words are recorded on audio with Capernwray Media Ministries (formerly know as Torchbearer Tapes) and are available at a reasonable price on the Internet. Thomas authored several books which include, The Mystery of Godliness; The Saving Life of Christ; If I Perish, I Perish and The Indwelling Life of Christ: All of Him in All of Me, all of which are available in many bookstores and on Amazon.com. His latest book, The Indwelling Life of Christ: All of Him in All of Me , published on January 16, 2006, will provide great encouragement to all who read and heed the message. His unshakable hold on the Word of God was the power behind his words. His watchword was “You can’t—He never said you could—He can, He always said He would. So let Him.” God gave him this message through Galatians 2:20, where he learned to say, “Lord Jesus, I can’t—You never said I could—but You can, and always said You would. That is all I need to know.”
His worship of the true and living God continues to inspire as “deep calls to deep” in the lives of those who encounter his witness. The Major practiced and promoted worship with the spiritual depth and reality upheld by the Keswick tradition. His worship was like that of Abel, who by faith, “offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain,” and as Abel, “he being dead still speaks” (Hebrews 11:4). He also understood the principle that Jesus shared with the woman at the well: “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). This type of worship is the essence of revival that we desperately need today.
Major W. Ian Thomas was truly a giant in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will no doubt hear our Lord say, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord" (Matthew 25:21).
I am forever grateful for what Christ has done in and through me by the Major's biblical teachings recorded on audio and in the pages of his books. He continued to the end of his earthly life to be generous with his time and encouragement to others in the Lord’s work. I am deeply indebted to Major Ian Thomas for all of his uplifting telephone conversations with me and for writing the preface for my book, Sound Biblical Preaching: Giving the Bible a Voice.
We pray that our Lord will comfort his dear wife Joan and their family with His presence, strengthen them by His power, and guide them all in His purpose.
By Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, pastor
First Baptist Church of Spanish Fort 30775 Jay Drive Spanish Fort, Alabama 36527
Author of Sound Biblical Preaching: Giving the Bible a Voice
http://www.webspawner.com/users/franklinlkirksey
Available on Amazon.com and WORDsearchbible.com
fkirksey@bellsouth.net (251) 626-6210 / © August 17, 2007 All Rights Reserved
© 2009
Reviews of Sound Biblical Preaching: Giving the Bible a Voice
by Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey with Foreword by Dr. Stephen F. Olford, Preface by Major W. Ian Thomas and over 80 endorsements from Christian educators, executives, evangelists and Bible expositors available from PreachingPoint.com. Sound Biblical Preaching is available in paperback from Amazon.com,in hardcover fromBookSurge Customer Service and on DVD from WORDsearch. Library information on WorldCat.
Sound Biblical Preaching
Frankly Speaking
Sound Biblical Preaching Reviews
PastorLife
WORDsearch 7 Preaching Library CD-ROM
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Copyright © 2009 Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey. All Rights Reserved