TOO CLOSE
Genesis 9:23, “And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and
laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness
of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s
nakedness.”
laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness
of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s
nakedness.”
This is an ugly scene! This is a terrible scene! Picture the
man who for 120 years had built an Ark, the man who was called the preacher of
righteousness, the man who found grace in the eyes and sight of the Lord, the
only man whose family was saved from judgment in the flood, a man who never
waivered for 120 years, and a man that believed God when it had never rained
before and preached that there was going to be a flood! What a man!
man who for 120 years had built an Ark, the man who was called the preacher of
righteousness, the man who found grace in the eyes and sight of the Lord, the
only man whose family was saved from judgment in the flood, a man who never
waivered for 120 years, and a man that believed God when it had never rained
before and preached that there was going to be a flood! What a man!
Here he is now with a sorted and ugly scene happening in his
life. This wonderful man is found drunk. It is so easy after a great victory to
stumble. Check the Scriptures and you will see it.
life. This wonderful man is found drunk. It is so easy after a great victory to
stumble. Check the Scriptures and you will see it.
It was right after the great
victory on Mount Carmel that Elijah became scared and ran in a backslidden
state. It was after the great victory where we find Job, who had stood the
test, becoming proud and God had to bring him back down to his knees. It was
right after the great revival in Nineveh when Jonah became backslide and began
to pout.
victory on Mount Carmel that Elijah became scared and ran in a backslidden
state. It was after the great victory where we find Job, who had stood the
test, becoming proud and God had to bring him back down to his knees. It was
right after the great revival in Nineveh when Jonah became backslide and began
to pout.
Now the victory is over and the flood is over and we find Noah
in this awful gory scene, as he is drunk naked inside of his tent. Yet, there
is a beautiful and decent little golden thread that runs through this story,
something that you will not see unless someone calls it to your attention.
in this awful gory scene, as he is drunk naked inside of his tent. Yet, there
is a beautiful and decent little golden thread that runs through this story,
something that you will not see unless someone calls it to your attention.
Here is Ham! He goes inside the tent and there is this awful
sorted picture. May I divert just for a moment and address the modern
Psychologists who insist that the parents bath with their children – they
are nuts! My Bible says that a child is not supposed to see the nakedness of
his parents.
sorted picture. May I divert just for a moment and address the modern
Psychologists who insist that the parents bath with their children – they
are nuts! My Bible says that a child is not supposed to see the nakedness of
his parents.
Ham goes in and sees the nakedness of his father. He goes out
and says to his two brothers, Shem and Japheth, that dad is in the tent drunk
and naked. Shem and Japheth don’t want to see the nakedness of their father.
They know he is in the tent naked but they do not want to see it. So, they take
a garment and they go backwards into the tent and place that garment over their
father.
and says to his two brothers, Shem and Japheth, that dad is in the tent drunk
and naked. Shem and Japheth don’t want to see the nakedness of their father.
They know he is in the tent naked but they do not want to see it. So, they take
a garment and they go backwards into the tent and place that garment over their
father.
Think about this! They knew their dad was not perfect but
they did not want to see the imperfection of their dad. These boys did not have
the Scriptures, the written Word, Genesis, Deuteronomy, Numbers, or Leviticus
where God taught they were not to see the nakedness of their parents.
they did not want to see the imperfection of their dad. These boys did not have
the Scriptures, the written Word, Genesis, Deuteronomy, Numbers, or Leviticus
where God taught they were not to see the nakedness of their parents.
They knew their father was not perfect. They knew their
father was a sinner, drunk, and naked in that tent but they did not want to see
it even though they knew it was true. Any one who is over you is there because
God placed them there in your life and if you are not careful you will miss the
fact that God put them there and you will end up excusing your rebellion
because of their imperfection. Here are some sons who said, “We know it’s true, but we don’t want to see it.”
father was a sinner, drunk, and naked in that tent but they did not want to see
it even though they knew it was true. Any one who is over you is there because
God placed them there in your life and if you are not careful you will miss the
fact that God put them there and you will end up excusing your rebellion
because of their imperfection. Here are some sons who said, “We know it’s true, but we don’t want to see it.”
I had the wonderful honor of preaching with Dr. Jack Hyles at
least once a month for 22 years. Wait a minute, I knew he was not perfect
because he was a human being like me but I did not want to see his
imperfection. I needed a hero. You need a hero. I knew he had weaknesses, but I
did not want to see them. I knew he had sins, but I did not want to see them. I refused
to allow myself to get that close!
least once a month for 22 years. Wait a minute, I knew he was not perfect
because he was a human being like me but I did not want to see his
imperfection. I needed a hero. You need a hero. I knew he had weaknesses, but I
did not want to see them. I knew he had sins, but I did not want to see them. I refused
to allow myself to get that close!
Most divorces are caused because there is no mystique between
husbands and wives anymore. Wives ought to dress up for your husband like you would
for guests in your home. Most church splits are cause because people become too
close to each other. They begin to see all the warts. They see all the
imperfections. They see all of the sins and here comes trouble in that church. You may call this “old school” but I remind you the greatest churches were of that “old school” era.
husbands and wives anymore. Wives ought to dress up for your husband like you would
for guests in your home. Most church splits are cause because people become too
close to each other. They begin to see all the warts. They see all the
imperfections. They see all of the sins and here comes trouble in that church. You may call this “old school” but I remind you the greatest churches were of that “old school” era.
If you become too close to a staff member let me tell you
what you will find! As it is written he is not righteous, he does not
understand, and he does not seek after God. Let me tell you what you will find
if you get too close to any one.
Romans 3:10-18 describes what you will find. Paul is speaking here about the Jews and the Gentiles. The Jews thought they
were better than the Gentiles. The Apostle Paul is saying you are no better
than the Gentiles. He describes every human in these verses! This is the
biography of Dr. Jack Hyles, Dr. John R. Rice, Dr. Curtis Hutson, Evangelist B. R.
Lakin, Evangelist Lester Roloff, Dr. Lee Roberson, and the Dr. Tom Malone’s of this world.
what you will find! As it is written he is not righteous, he does not
understand, and he does not seek after God. Let me tell you what you will find
if you get too close to any one.
Romans 3:10-18 describes what you will find. Paul is speaking here about the Jews and the Gentiles. The Jews thought they
were better than the Gentiles. The Apostle Paul is saying you are no better
than the Gentiles. He describes every human in these verses! This is the
biography of Dr. Jack Hyles, Dr. John R. Rice, Dr. Curtis Hutson, Evangelist B. R.
Lakin, Evangelist Lester Roloff, Dr. Lee Roberson, and the Dr. Tom Malone’s of this world.
We have lost our allure! You are going to find that your wife
has the poison of asps under her lips, she is unprofitable, a throat that’s an
open sepulcher, a tongue that uses deceit, her mouth is full of cursing and
bitterness, her feet are swift to shed blood, and wives who become too close to
their husbands will find the same thing out about them.
has the poison of asps under her lips, she is unprofitable, a throat that’s an
open sepulcher, a tongue that uses deceit, her mouth is full of cursing and
bitterness, her feet are swift to shed blood, and wives who become too close to
their husbands will find the same thing out about them.
Let me see the beautiful forests, but do not let me become too
close to see the knots, broken branches, dead branches, serpents, insects, or
the spiders. Let me stay at a distance and let me see the autumn time as the
forest puts her coat of many colors on like Joseph of old. Let me step back and
see it! Don’t let me become too close to see the diseased tree and the dying
tree. These two boys said, “We know daddy is a sinner, but we do not want to be
reminded that daddy is a sinner.”
close to see the knots, broken branches, dead branches, serpents, insects, or
the spiders. Let me stay at a distance and let me see the autumn time as the
forest puts her coat of many colors on like Joseph of old. Let me step back and
see it! Don’t let me become too close to see the diseased tree and the dying
tree. These two boys said, “We know daddy is a sinner, but we do not want to be
reminded that daddy is a sinner.”
Tell me of Peter’s sermon on Pentecost, the 3,000 souls saved
and baptized. Tell me of Peter saying in Matthew chapter 16 when Jesus asked, “Whom say ye that I am?” and Peter rose
to his eloquence and replied, “Thou art
the Christ the Son of the living God.” Tell me about Peter when he saw
3,000 saved. Tell me about Peter as history says he was crucified upside down. Tell me
about that, but don’t let me get so close that I see him cursing and denying the
Lord. Don’t major on that!
and baptized. Tell me of Peter saying in Matthew chapter 16 when Jesus asked, “Whom say ye that I am?” and Peter rose
to his eloquence and replied, “Thou art
the Christ the Son of the living God.” Tell me about Peter when he saw
3,000 saved. Tell me about Peter as history says he was crucified upside down. Tell me
about that, but don’t let me get so close that I see him cursing and denying the
Lord. Don’t major on that!
Tell me about David defeating Goliath, taking his own hands
and killing a bear, and his killing of a lion. Tell me about David who was
forgiving Shimei for hurling stones at him and cursing him. Tell me about David
when he knew that King Saul was attempting to kill him and he found Saul at the
opening of his cave. He pulled his sword out of its sheath could have pierced
the heart of Saul but he did not do it. Tell me about David when he wrote, “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.”
and killing a bear, and his killing of a lion. Tell me about David who was
forgiving Shimei for hurling stones at him and cursing him. Tell me about David
when he knew that King Saul was attempting to kill him and he found Saul at the
opening of his cave. He pulled his sword out of its sheath could have pierced
the heart of Saul but he did not do it. Tell me about David when he wrote, “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.”
Tell me about David when he wrote the Psalms. Tell me about David when he was
so happy when the Ark came back but don’t tell me and don’t major on what
happened with Bathsheba and Uriah. Please allow me to go backwards and place
the garment over the Bathsheba and Uriah incident. I know he did it but I don’t
want to see it. I do want to think about David with the slingshot and the
felling of the giant.
so happy when the Ark came back but don’t tell me and don’t major on what
happened with Bathsheba and Uriah. Please allow me to go backwards and place
the garment over the Bathsheba and Uriah incident. I know he did it but I don’t
want to see it. I do want to think about David with the slingshot and the
felling of the giant.
Tell me about Moses going to Pharaoh and telling him, “Let my people go…” Tell me about Moses
coming to the people and explaining to them the Passover Lamb. Tell me about
Moses when he led those people out of Egypt. Tell me about Moses when he took
the rod and smote the waters of the Red Sea and the waters parted. Tell me
about Moses when he walked over and led the Israelites over on dry ground with
those waters being parted by God Himself.
coming to the people and explaining to them the Passover Lamb. Tell me about
Moses when he led those people out of Egypt. Tell me about Moses when he took
the rod and smote the waters of the Red Sea and the waters parted. Tell me
about Moses when he walked over and led the Israelites over on dry ground with
those waters being parted by God Himself.
Tell me about Moses when he prayed to
God and God gave them manna from Heaven. Tell me about Moses when he smote the
water in Horeb and water gushed out to feed three million plus Jews for forty
years. Tell me about Moses that led three plus million Jews for forty years in
the wilderness. Tell me about the great Moses that followed the pillar of cloud
by day and the pillar of fire by night.
God and God gave them manna from Heaven. Tell me about Moses when he smote the
water in Horeb and water gushed out to feed three million plus Jews for forty
years. Tell me about Moses that led three plus million Jews for forty years in
the wilderness. Tell me about the great Moses that followed the pillar of cloud
by day and the pillar of fire by night.
However, please let me back up and cover that which caused
Moses to have to go to Mount Nebo. Please let me back up and cover up that
which caused Moses not to be able to go into the Promised Land.
Moses to have to go to Mount Nebo. Please let me back up and cover up that
which caused Moses not to be able to go into the Promised Land.
Ladies and gentlemen the reason it seems we do not have any heroes
today is because we are more interested in publishing weaknesses rather than
strengths. Our society of Christians, as well as our societies in America,
needs the assets of leaders and less talk about their liabilities. Don’t tell
me what happened at Mount Nebo. I don’t want to know!
today is because we are more interested in publishing weaknesses rather than
strengths. Our society of Christians, as well as our societies in America,
needs the assets of leaders and less talk about their liabilities. Don’t tell
me what happened at Mount Nebo. I don’t want to know!
Please tell me about John Marks’ book the Gospel of Mark.
Please tell me about how he went to Paul when he was in prison in the last days
of Paul’s life when Demas left John Mark stayed beside Paul.
Please tell me about how he went to Paul when he was in prison in the last days
of Paul’s life when Demas left John Mark stayed beside Paul.
Don’t magnify what
happened at Pamphylia. I don’t want to hear what caused him to go back home.
I’m going to back up with a garment and cover it up because I don’t want to
know. Let God take care of the punishment and let me not see it. Too close!
happened at Pamphylia. I don’t want to hear what caused him to go back home.
I’m going to back up with a garment and cover it up because I don’t want to
know. Let God take care of the punishment and let me not see it. Too close!
Tell me about Abraham leaving the Ur of the Chaldees. Tell me
about Abraham and Sarah packing up and leaving there home, their neighborhood,
their town, with no car, no train, no bus, and no airplanes to follow God by
faith. Tell me about Abraham and Sarah’s faith.
about Abraham and Sarah packing up and leaving there home, their neighborhood,
their town, with no car, no train, no bus, and no airplanes to follow God by
faith. Tell me about Abraham and Sarah’s faith.
Tell me about Abraham going up
to Mount Moriah after a three-day journey he put his own son Isaac on an altar, but please don’t tell me and please don’t major on what happened in Egypt. I
want to back up and put the cover over Abraham like Shem and Japheth did for
their father. Please do not tell me what happened with Abraham in his
backslidden state!
to Mount Moriah after a three-day journey he put his own son Isaac on an altar, but please don’t tell me and please don’t major on what happened in Egypt. I
want to back up and put the cover over Abraham like Shem and Japheth did for
their father. Please do not tell me what happened with Abraham in his
backslidden state!
There is not a man or woman reading this article that can
withstand close scrutiny. None of us have a right to look down on some one else
and when we become too close we expose our critical minds too destroy
relationships that ought to be a blessing instead of a curse. Every one has
their own pet convictions that nobody else has but that does not make you any
better of a person than those who do not hold to your convictions.
withstand close scrutiny. None of us have a right to look down on some one else
and when we become too close we expose our critical minds too destroy
relationships that ought to be a blessing instead of a curse. Every one has
their own pet convictions that nobody else has but that does not make you any
better of a person than those who do not hold to your convictions.
The poison
of asps is still under your lips and with your tongue you have used deceit. Your
heart is desperately wicked. No sinner has a right to sit in judgment on
another sinner! Romans chapter 3 describes you as well as me.
of asps is still under your lips and with your tongue you have used deceit. Your
heart is desperately wicked. No sinner has a right to sit in judgment on
another sinner! Romans chapter 3 describes you as well as me.
Tell me about John leaning on Jesus’ chest, being in the
inner circle, being the disciple whom Jesus loved, going with Jesus to the
Mount of Transfiguration, standing by Jesus while others forsook him and fled.
Tell me about John being one of those that turned the world upside down for
God, but don’t tell me what ever happened when his mother wanted him to have
seats at the right hand of God the Father. I want to back up and cover it up!
Please don’t major on the bad qualities. Major on the good qualities.
inner circle, being the disciple whom Jesus loved, going with Jesus to the
Mount of Transfiguration, standing by Jesus while others forsook him and fled.
Tell me about John being one of those that turned the world upside down for
God, but don’t tell me what ever happened when his mother wanted him to have
seats at the right hand of God the Father. I want to back up and cover it up!
Please don’t major on the bad qualities. Major on the good qualities.
Shem and Japheth were not covering up sin. That is impossible
to do. They knew he was a sinner and that he had sinned but they did not want
to see it! He still was dad! He still was their father! He still had a life to
live! They knew he was not perfect but they did not want to see it!
to do. They knew he was a sinner and that he had sinned but they did not want
to see it! He still was dad! He still was their father! He still had a life to
live! They knew he was not perfect but they did not want to see it!
That is why couples end up in divorce court. That is why
churches split. That is why preachers leave churches. That is why church
members keep changing churches. That is why churches keep changing pastors. If you
do not watch it some one will end up doing to you what you are doing to others.
churches split. That is why preachers leave churches. That is why church
members keep changing churches. That is why churches keep changing pastors. If you
do not watch it some one will end up doing to you what you are doing to others.
Tell me about the 120 years of preaching and building! Please
do not misunderstand me Noah was wrong. He should not have gotten drunk. He
should not have been naked but how about the 120 years of preaching and
building.
do not misunderstand me Noah was wrong. He should not have gotten drunk. He
should not have been naked but how about the 120 years of preaching and
building.
Think about it! Who is hurt the most over this drunkenness and
nakedness? Noah who did it or those who talk about it? It was Noah and his
family that paid the price. Then why ruin your life by not learning from the
120 years of preaching and building. How about looking at the whole picture.
nakedness? Noah who did it or those who talk about it? It was Noah and his
family that paid the price. Then why ruin your life by not learning from the
120 years of preaching and building. How about looking at the whole picture.
Pause for minute and consider this if Noah had been drunk for
120 years his sons would not have tried to back up and cover up his nakedness.
The fact that they were shocked and did what they did was because of 120 years
of serving God faithfully. Tell me about Noah a preacher of righteousness. Tell
me about Noah who was blessed of God and found grace in the sight of God but
don’t let me see his naked body lying drunk in the tent.
120 years his sons would not have tried to back up and cover up his nakedness.
The fact that they were shocked and did what they did was because of 120 years
of serving God faithfully. Tell me about Noah a preacher of righteousness. Tell
me about Noah who was blessed of God and found grace in the sight of God but
don’t let me see his naked body lying drunk in the tent.
Tell me about Lester Roloff’s walk with God, his faith, the
battle for troubled children, and going to jail for fallen young people but
don’t tell me his faults. I don’t want to know! I didn’t want to get too close!
battle for troubled children, and going to jail for fallen young people but
don’t tell me his faults. I don’t want to know! I didn’t want to get too close!
Tell me about Dr. John Rice and his great prayer life and his
Sword of The Lord paper. Tell me about his books that sold millions and his
influence on preachers around America. Tell me about Dr. Rice and his bringing
back revivals to America. Tell me about his emphasis on the doctrine of the fullness
of the Holy Spirit to Baptist churches. Tell me about his bringing the prayer
closet back to America but don’t tell me his weaknesses I do not want to see
them. I know they are there but I don’t want to see them.
Sword of The Lord paper. Tell me about his books that sold millions and his
influence on preachers around America. Tell me about Dr. Rice and his bringing
back revivals to America. Tell me about his emphasis on the doctrine of the fullness
of the Holy Spirit to Baptist churches. Tell me about his bringing the prayer
closet back to America but don’t tell me his weaknesses I do not want to see
them. I know they are there but I don’t want to see them.
Tell me about Dr. Bob Jones Sr. and his great campaigns, his
wisdom, and his citywide campaigns but don’t tell me about his weaknesses. I
know he had them but don’t tell me about them.
wisdom, and his citywide campaigns but don’t tell me about his weaknesses. I
know he had them but don’t tell me about them.
You are married to the love of your life and then you become
too close to her. You have a new pastor and then you become too close to him.
You have a friend and then you become too close to them. You have a child and
become too close to the child.
too close to her. You have a new pastor and then you become too close to him.
You have a friend and then you become too close to them. You have a child and
become too close to the child.
Don’t tell me about my daddy’s failures. Don’t
tell me about my mama’s weaknesses. Talk to me about their successes. The word “honor” in the Scriptures simply means to put your weight down on the good. A child who leaves home is not honoring their parents by speaking of their parents failures, but they do “honor” them by speaking of their parents successes. Yes, it is true they are too no longer “obey” but certainly they are commanded to “honor.” By the way, this is the part where God promises long life and not the “obey” part. Interesting!
tell me about my mama’s weaknesses. Talk to me about their successes. The word “honor” in the Scriptures simply means to put your weight down on the good. A child who leaves home is not honoring their parents by speaking of their parents failures, but they do “honor” them by speaking of their parents successes. Yes, it is true they are too no longer “obey” but certainly they are commanded to “honor.” By the way, this is the part where God promises long life and not the “obey” part. Interesting!
THINGS TO DO
·
Realize
people were human before you noticed their humanity
Realize
people were human before you noticed their humanity
·
Do not be
shocked by what people do
Do not be
shocked by what people do
·
Be close
to every one and not too close to any one
Be close
to every one and not too close to any one
·
Be quick
too forgive
Be quick
too forgive
· When you
find yourself becoming critical realize it is because you are getting too close
find yourself becoming critical realize it is because you are getting too close
·
Focus on
the assets of people and not their liabilities
Focus on
the assets of people and not their liabilities
·
Pray for
those involved in your world
Pray for
those involved in your world
·
Let the
mind of Christ rule your mind
Let the
mind of Christ rule your mind