Brothers

Galatians 4:19-31
by Dennis Baker, Brotherhood Presidentt

Paul uses a literary device called an allegory to convey hidden meanings through symbolic figures, actions, imagery, or
events, which together create the moral, spiritual, or political meaning the author wishes to convey. An allegory can be defend as a narrative that has a deeper meaning. Paul’s use of the Old Testament story of Sarah and Isaac versus Hagar and
Ishmael gives greater meaning to the conflict between law and grace.

In verse 22, Paul states that, Abraham had two sons. One by a bond maid and the other by a free woman. Verse 23 states
that the son born by the bondwoman was born after the flesh and the son born by the free woman was born by promise. These verses illustrate the two births; the physical birth that makes us sinners and the spiritual birth that makes us the children of God. As we read Genesis 21:1-12 we discover wonderful truths about salvation.

1. Isaac, Sarah’s son, was born by God’s power. We might say that since Abraham and Sarah had waited approximately twenty-five years and were beyond child bearing age, that Isaac was miraculously conceived. Verse 29, refers to Isaac being “born after the Spirit. The greater meaning that Paul is conveying is that a believer must be “born of the Spirit.” John 3:6-7, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” Abraham represents faith, Galatians 3:9, and Sarah represents grace. Therefore, Isaac was born by faith through grace. Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God…”
2. Salvation is just the beginning, not the ending. Genesis 21:8 states that Isaac grew and was weaned. After we are
   born again we must grow. To mature as a believer, we must lay aside “childish things.” I Corinthian 13:1, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
   II Peter 3:18, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and
   forever.”
3. Verse 29, Ishmael born after the flesh persecuted Isaac born after the Spirit. Genesis 21:9 states that Ishmael caused problems for Isaac, just as our old nature causes problems for us. Ishmael caused no problems in Abraham’s home until
   Isaac was born, just as our old nature created no problems for us until the new nature entered, when we trusted Christ. In
   Abraham’s home, we see the same conflict that believers face today. The law only releases the opposition of the flesh and a
   conflict within the believer. Romans 7:19, “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.”
4. Hagar, Abraham’s second wife, like the law was added. Hagar’s function was only temporary and then she moved
   off the scene, the law was added because of our transgression, Galatians 3:19.
5. Hagar and Ishmael were cast out and Ishmael was not an heir of Abraham. It is impossible for law and grace, the flesh and the Spirit, to compromise and stay together. It is impossible to mix law and grace, faith and works, God’s gift
   of righteousness and man’s attempt to earn salvation.

The Old Testament story appears to be nothing more than an account of the conflict in Abraham’s home, but the greater
meaning teaches us tremendous spiritual realities. Salvation is by grace through faith. After being “born again” we
need to grow in our relationship with God. Believers will face conflict between the old and new nature. It is impossible to mix the law and grace to earn salvation.

Galatians 3:24-25
by Dennis Baker, Brotherhood President

Galatians 3:24-25, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justifed by
faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.”

A good definition of the word schoolmaster would be child guardian. This definition would be familiar to the readers at
the time of Paul writing the book of Galatians. In many Greek and Roman households, well-educated slaves took the children to and from school and watched over them during the day. Sometimes they would teach the children, sometimes they would protect and prohibit, and sometimes they would discipline.

It is important that we introduce four important principles before we begin the evaluation of the text. 1) The Bible stresses what God has done rather than what sinners do to bring about salvation. 2) Ritual observance or moral improvement cannot improve God’s plan of salvation. 3) The cross is the only way of salvation. 4) God’s plan of salvation is based on
faith.

The Mosaic moral law or Ten commandments is the standard for God’s righteousness. God wrote the Ten Commandments on stone tablets and gave them to Moses on Mount Sinai, but the principles were written on the hearts of mankind from the beginning of creation. Jesus summed up the moral law in Matthew 22:37-40. However, it is interesting that Paul points out in Galatians 3:17, that God’s plan of salvation is not based on the law but on the Abrahamic promise. The Abrahamic promise was inclusive of both Jews and Gentiles based on the seed of Abraham, Jesus Christ. Genesis 12:3, “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

In Galatians 3:17, Paul states the purpose of the law by acknowledging that the law was added because of transgression. Based on his reasoning, he concludes in verse 22 that all are sinners as established by God’s moral law. Paul’s message is that mankind cannot obtain salvation by works. Before the conversion experience, the purpose of the law was to teach the sinner why he needed a Savior. In truth, we cannot live up to God’s standard of righteous. The law is a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.

In Galatians 3:26, Paul establishes that by faith we become the children of God. He also states in Galatians 3:25, “that
after faith, there is no need for a schoolmaster.” Is Paul saying that the moral law has no place in the life of the believer?
Does not being “under the law” lessen the moral responsibility of the believer? As Paul would write, “God forbid.” Because the believer is a child of God he is a spiritual person.

Paul wrote in Galatians 5:18, “but if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” Galatians 5:25, “If we live in the
Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” As a believer in Christ, the moral law teaches us the moral character and righteousness of God. Being justified by faith produces great importance for conforming to the moral character and righteousness of God in the life of the believer.

As a believer in Christ we have the leadership of the Holy Spirit and the written Word to help us conform God’s will in
our lives. Galatians 5:22-26, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”

We need to praise the Lord because we are no longer under the schoolmaster of the law to bring us to faith. But
because of faith, we are under grace and the leadership of the Holy Spirit to help us on our journey of faith!

I Timothy 2:1-8
by Dennis Baker, Brotherhood President

The focus of the text is prayer for all men in relationship to the preaching of the gospel message. Paul encourages Timothy to make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks on behalf of all men. This included praying for all that are in authority. Then he emphasizes, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.”

No one is outside the in?uence of prayer. This means that we pray for the unsaved and saved, for people near us and people far away, for enemies as well as friends. We must pray for those in authority. Even when we cannot respect men or women in authority, we must respect their office and pray for them. When we face opposition and persecution it is wise to pray for those in authority. It is good that we pray, “so that we might live peaceful and quiet lives in holiness.” The word “quiet” has reference to a calm attitude within us. The calm attitude is the result of turning over what is on our heart to God.

Paul stresses the reason for prayer, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”

The purpose of prayer is not to get our will done in heaven, but to get God’s will done on earth. It is God’s will that we pray for “all men” because as stated in the text, God would, “have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” We must pray for all people, Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, religious and pagan. We have the responsibility of praying for lost souls and making ourselves available to share the gospel with others.

The basis for prayer is the work of Jesus Christ as Savior and Mediator. There is only one God, therefore there is a need for only one Mediator, and that Mediator is Jesus Christ. No other person can qualify. Because the death of Christ is efficient only for those who trust Him, but is sufficient for the sins of the whole world we must pray for all as we become a part of God’s world program to reach all people before it is too late.

The posture of the heart is more important than the posture of the body. “Holy hands” refers to a holy life. It is symbolic of a blameless life. If we have sin in our lives we cannot expect God to answer our prayers. Psalms 66:18, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:” The phrase “without wrath and doubting” requires that we be on good terms with other believers. Christians should learn to disagree without being disagreeable.

Effective praying is demanding. It requires a right relationship with God and with fellow believers. How much more effective would the ministry of the local church be if we spent more time preparing to pray and getting our heart right before God? Do you think it would help us to quit looking at past hurts and disappointments and cause us to be focused on praying for “all” that they might be saved?

I would like to close by sharing a blessing I receive the first Wednesday night of the month at the church I pastor. The entire service is focused on prayer. There are no classes or preaching, just the church praying together. We have a prayer list with many names, some are church members, some family members, coworkers, friends, neighbors, and ministries. We pray for health needs, our church ministries, the bereaved, the unsaved, and the churches and pastors of our associational works. Some of the names or items have been on the list for years, but we rejoice together as God answers our prayers. Prayer is the Power of the Local church!

“The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” Matthew 1:1
by Dennis Baker, Brotherhood President

Matthew’s gospel is a bridge between the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is a book
of promise and the New Testament is a book of fulfillment. Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Matthew 1:21, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” The Old Testament provides the sad history of Adam’s family and how
sin entered the world and man became a sinner in God’s eyes. The Old Testament illustrates the truth that the wages of sin is death. In contrast, the New Testament emphasizes eternal life through Jesus Christ. Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ
our Lord.” Through no choice of our own each of us were born into the generation of Adam. However, by faith we can be born into the generation of Jesus Christ, and become the children of God!

Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus points out that Joseph did not “beget” Jesus Christ. Joseph was the “husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.” Jesus was born of an earthly mother without the need of an earthly father. This is known as the doctrine of the virgin birth. Every child born into the world is a totally new earthly creature. But Jesus Christ, being eternal God, existed before Mary and Joseph or any of His earthly ancestors. If Jesus were conceived and born just as any other baby, then He could not be God. By a miracle of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was conceived in the womb of Mary, a virgin. Luke 1:26-38.

The genealogy of Jesus shows that Jesus Christ is a part of history and that Jewish history prepared the way for the birth of Jesus Christ. God, in His providence, ruled and overruled to accomplish His great purpose in bringing His Son into the world. Both Mary and Joseph belonged to the house of David. The Old Testament prophecies indicate that the Messiah would be born of a woman, of the seed of Abraham, through
the tribe of Judah, and of the family of David. The genealogy of Jesus illustrates God’s wonderful grace.
Rarely are the names of women found in Jewish genealogies. Matthew listed four women from Old Testament history. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bethsheba the wife of Uriah. Rahab and Ruth were not born Jews. Rahab was a harlot. The ancestral history of Jesus was made up of sinners who needed a Savior. God’s wonderful grace is that, Jesus took on the likeness of sinful flesh so that He could condemn sin. Romans 8:3, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinfulflesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:”

The genealogy of “Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” has been wonderfully designed and fulfilled. He is called Jesus because, “He shall save his people from their sins.” He is called Messiah because, “He was the anointed one.” He is called Emmanuel because, He is “God with us.”

“The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David,
the son of Abraham.” Matthew 1:1

by Dennis Baker, Brotherhood President

Matthew’s gospel is a bridge between the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is a book
of promise and the New Testament is a book of fulfillment. Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Matthew 1:21, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” The Old Testament provides the sad history of Adam’s family and how
sin entered the world and man became a sinner in God’s eyes. The Old Testament illustrates the truth that the wages of sin is death. In contrast, the New Testament emphasizes eternal life through Jesus Christ. Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ
our Lord.” Through no choice of our own each of us were born into the generation of Adam. However, by faith we can be born into the generation of Jesus Christ, and become the children of God!

Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus points out that Joseph did not “beget” Jesus Christ. Joseph was the “husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.” Jesus was born of an earthly mother without the need of an earthly father. This is known as the doctrine of the virgin birth. Every child born into the world is a totally new earthly creature. But Jesus Christ, being eternal God, existed before Mary and Joseph or any of His earthly ancestors. If Jesus were conceived and born just as any other baby, then He could not be God. By a miracle of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was conceived in the womb of Mary, a virgin. Luke 1:26-38.

The genealogy of Jesus shows that Jesus Christ is a part of history and that Jewish history prepared the way for the birth of Jesus Christ. God, in His providence, ruled and overruled to accomplish His great purpose in bringing His Son into the world. Both Mary and Joseph belonged to the house of David. The Old Testament prophecies indicate that the Messiah would be born of a woman, of the seed of Abraham, through
the tribe of Judah, and of the family of David.

The genealogy of Jesus illustrates God’s wonderful grace. Rarely are the names of women found in Jewish genealogies. Matthew listed four women from Old Testament history. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bethsheba the wife of Uriah. Rahab and Ruth were not born Jews. Rahab was a harlot. The ancestral history of Jesus was made up of sinners who needed a Savior. God’s wonderful grace is that, Jesus took on the likeness of sinful flesh so that He could condemn sin. Romans 8:3, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through
the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:”

The genealogy of “Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” has been wonderfully designed and fulfilled. He is called Jesus because, “He shall save his people from their sins.” He is called Messiah because, “He was the anointed one.” He is called Emmanuel because, He is “God with us.”

by Joe Henry Hankins via The Sword of the Lord
“And they went both of them together.” Genesis 22:6 The story of Abraham and Isaac is one of the most beautiful in the Bible of a father-son comradeship. Isaac was born in answer to the prayer of a father’s heart. Long years Abraham had waited on God, believing that He would keep that promise. Then when Isaac came, there grew up between father and son a most perfect understanding and comradeship.

We say a great deal about mother and motherhood, and all too little has been said about fatherhood and the responsibility
that rests upon the father’s shoulders. The necessity of providing for his household takes the father away from home and family. He is deprived of their fellowship. He is deprived of many things — the prattle of the baby, the toddling about, seeing him do the “cute” things. But that doesn’t mean a father’s heart is not in the home while he is out in the battle of life, in the struggle to support his family. There isn’t a true father who wouldn’t take the shirt off his back for his child and make any other sacrifice. Fathers sacrifice far more than you realize; we love more deeply than some give us credit for.
The father is an example to his children. The Scripture says, “Enoch walked with God…three hundred years,” (Genesis 5:22) Most people fail to see something in that Scripture — that the day his fist son was born, Enoch became a different man.
He thought of life differently. Everything was more serious. That day father Enoch made a new dedication of himself to God and began to walk with God.

Father, if you haven’t done that, you have deprived your boy of the greatest thing you could give him — a real Christian
father. Every child is entitled to a Christian home, and the wife can’t make it by herself. I feel sorry for a lot of you women who are trying to carry the responsibility alone. Without the help of the other, it is impossible to have a Christian home the way God meant for it to be.

I read the story once of an unsaved lawyer who told when the turning point came in his life. One morning he started out
to his office. He had to cross the street to catch the streetcar. The snow was deep, and he was taking long steps to avoid
stepping in the snow more that necessary. When he looked back, he saw his three-year-old boy trying his best to step in his father’s tracks in the snow. “Son, what are you trying to do?” he asked. “Just stepping in Daddy’s tracks,” was his answer.
The father said he realized then that his boy was not only stepping in his tracks in the snow, but was literally following
his ways. Every boy makes a hero out of his father. Dad, are you leading him to heaven or Hell? “And they went both of them together.” God, give us men who are willing to lead the way to God! Joshua took all the responsibility for his family — his wife, his children, and his servants — saying, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

Romans 1:8-13
Paul’s sense of appreciation for the mutual faith between Paul and the church of Rome, his sense of responsibility to preach the gospel to all men, and the message which he preached gives us a source for evaluating our own lives, the ministry of our church, and our associational mission. Paul gave the church at Rome one of the greatest compliments that any church would love to receive. Their faith was known throughout the whole Roman Empire. The witness of this great church should cause us to ask the questions that would help us determine the worth of our witness. What do churches of like faith and order think of our testimony?

Paul prayed for this church every time he prayed. Paul knew that they could not do the work that God had called them to do without praying for God’s leadership. Do we pray for the leadership of the church that we are privileged to be a member?
Do we pray for the mutual witness of the churches in our local, state, national associations? Do we pray for the leadership of
these mutual works?

Paul wanted to bless the church by exercising his spiritual gifts. But he also wanted to be blessed by the spiritual gifts that God had imparted to the Roman church. The Lord’s churches need to be a blessing to each other. Do we feel an obligation to do what is necessary so that we can preach the gospel to the entire world? Because of our mutual faith do we see the need to pray for our church ministries and the ministries of the churches in our associational work? Do we have a sense of expectation that God is going to bless the mutual faith in our local church and the churches we fellowship? Do we show eagerness to share the gospel with others? Are we a blessing or a hindrance to others?

by Dennis Baker, Brotherhood President

Colossians 4:2-3
“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:”

The ability to speak to God through the utterance of prayer is a gift from God that must be used as God ordains. Prayer and worship are perhaps the highest uses of the gift of speech. Paul was an apostle, but he needed others to support him and his ministry with prayer. If a great missionary like Paul was not afraid to ask others to pray for himself and his ministry, how much more do you and I need this spiritual support! Paul provides four important points that will help us in our spiritual prayer life.

Be Faithful
“Continue in prayer,” means “Be steadfast in your prayer life; be devoted; don’t quiet.” This is what the early church did
in Acts 1:14. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of
Jesus, and with his brethren. Unfortunately, many of us pray only occasionally, when we feel like it or when there is a
crisis. God’s command is for us to, Pray without ceasing,1 Thessalonians 5:17. The application is that we should be
constantly in fellowship with God so that prayer is as normal to us as breathing.

This does not suggest that God is reluctant to answer prayer and that we must “wear Him out” by our praying. God enjoys answering our prayers. But, He sometimes delays theanswer to increase our faith and devotion and to accomplish His purposes at the right time. God’s delays are not always God’s denials. As we continue in prayer, our own hearts are prepared for the answer God will give. We will fid ourselves growing in grace even before His answer comes.

Be Watchful
We must be awake and alert as we pray. The phrase “Watch and pray!’ is often used in the Bible. Nehemiah used the phrase when he was rebuilding the walls and the gates of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 4:8-9, “And conspired all of them together to come and to fiht against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.” Jesus used the phrase, “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is,” Mark 13:33. Paul used the phrase. Ephesians 6:18, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” Real prayer demand spiritual energy and alertness, and this can only come from the Holy Spirit of God.

Be Thankful
“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” Thanksgiving is an important ingredient in successful praying. Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God.” Sincere gratitude to God is one of the best ways to put enthusiasm into our praying. When we recall that Paul wrote this while a prisoner, it makes this emphasis even more wonderful.

by Dennis Baker, Brotherhood President

Twenty men attended the 5th Annual BMA of Missouri Brotherhood Men’s Spring Retreat, held on a beautiful spring weekend at Camp Garwood, Friday evening May 13th and Saturday morning May 14th. The Friday evening menu included fried fih, hush puppies, and alligator. This was my fist time to eat alligator, and yes it did taste like chicken but a little tougher to chew. Saturday morning for breakfast we enjoyed eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, gravy, and pancakes.

Bro. Roy Callahan did a great job with the program. The theme was on “Hope in Jesus Christ.” The presentation included video songs to support the theme. I had the opportunity to share my life testimony. I shared my experience of having the blessing of growing up in a Christian home and having parents who showed their love for the Lord by being an example before their children. They showed theirlove for the Lord’s church by driving 100 miles one way every Sunday. Truth of the Scriptures was important to
them. They loved lost souls and were willing to have Bible clubs and women’s Bible study in their community. I shared my salvation experience of how I thought I was saved at a young age, but because of the example of the young lady I was dating, (who is now my wife of 48 years), and preaching of God’s Word by her father (Noel Gibson), I realized that I had never asked the Lord to be my Savior. I remember dreaming about death and going to hell. I have never dreamed that dream again since asking Jesus to save me. I shared my experience of God calling me into the ministry as a student at Central Baptist College. I reached my fist sermon in December 1966 at Campbell’s Island Missionary Baptist Church located in Moline, Illinois. The length of the sermon was a total of fie minutes. I shared how that God had blessed my family in both good and bad times.

Bro. Joey Duckworth gave a wonderful devotional Saturday morning. The Turkey Shoot was divided into two groups. The young men (10 and under) shot three rounds of three shots each with 22 rifles at still targets. Bro. Lucas (Luke) Polk had the best score and received a frozen turkey. The older men did skeet shooting with shotguns and shot three rounds of three shots each. Bro. James Callahan had the best score and received a frozen turkey for his efforts. Bro. Don Adams did a fantastic job as Safety Officer for the shooting events.

The 5th Annual Spring Men’s Retreat was a wonderful time of spiritual renewal, fellowship, and good food. I would encourage the men of our churches to make plans to attend the 6th Annual BMA of Missouri Brotherhood Men’s Fall Retreat. Watch for future
articles in the Missouri Missionary Baptist for the date.

by Dennis Baker, Brotherhood President