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Heart To Heart With Pastor Ed Bowen – #4

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Pastor Ed Bowen was saved on March 24, 1957 at a revival meeting at Horse Branch Church in Turbeville, S.C. at the age of 23. Brother Bowen has been married to his wife, Margaret, for over 54 years. After being ordained in 1960, Pastor Bowen went on to preach in various places until he became pastor of Cherryvale Baptist. Having been there for over 43 years, in 2000, he had to slow down a bit due to prostate cancer.

Though unable to do what he used to do, Pastor Ed has just changed venues. For over ten years now, he has been encouraging people via email. He has graciously agreed to be a contributing author to this website. This series of posts entitled, “Heart To Heart” are the fruit of his times with our Lord Jesus! If they mean as much to you as they do me, then EMAIL him and let him know about it!

Using The Sword

(Acts 2:37-38) “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”  (KJV)

Peter once used the sword in a wrong way because he used the wrong sword. Now, he uses the right one. Peter slashed off the ear of Malchus, the centurion’s servant. Then, he only could reach the outside of the body of a person. Here, he used the Sword of the Spirit and used it rightly to reach within the hearts of the hearers. The Word of God is a sharp two-edged sword used to pierce the heart, not to slash off things on the outside of the body.

(Hebrews 4:12-13) “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”  (KJV)

Preachers may use the Scriptures to slash off things on the outside. Their strokes make big wounds, but bring little results. The aim of the Sword of the Spirit is to reach the inside the heart and the conscience. In doing so, it makes the smallest of wounds, but having eternal and blessed results.

Peter was not qualified to be a swordsman, as we can see by his wielding of the sword. He certainly was not aiming for the ear. Here, though, as he wielded the Sword of the Spirit, he had been qualified by the Lord Himself and directed by the Other Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father had sent. Great victories were won in this spiritual battle and can be won in our own lives as we use the Sword of the Spirit as directed by our Captain. We are “more than conquerors” through Him.

Pastor Ed Bowen

Conclusion

Oh, how we who use the Word of God must be careful to use it in the right way! Speaking the truth in love will go a long ways in reaching people. Thanks Pastor Bowen for this thought!

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What Manner Of Love

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This outline reminds us about God’s love for us. Though there is absolutely no way we can duplicate it exactly, we must strive to do our best in sharing God’s love by word and in deed!


Title: “What Manner Of Love!”

Text: I John 3:1-2

(1 John 3:1-2) “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”  (KJV)

Introduction:

•    Everyone wants to be loved, we say! Yet we, all too often, fail display the love we speak of!
•    Many of us tend to talk big on love and yet deliver love very little.
•    We speak of love as if it is a loose term! However, love is a word that has a rich and deep meaning that needs to be contemplated!
•    The human mind and tongue have a hard time teaming up to convey what manner of love that God has bestowed upon us!
•    It is my hope that I can share with you some new things and yet reiterate some familiar things about the love of God!
•    May the scales be removed from your eyes as you here about God’s love.
•    May each of us that are saved start displaying the manner of love that we so enjoy from our Heavenly Father!

Proposition: There are four things I want to share with you about the love of God that should encourage you this morning!

I.    Notice That God’s Love Is Undeserving!

A.    Many major on the fact that God is a loving God to the extent that no one should be sent to Hell!

B.    Those who think that obviously believe that they deserve God’s love. This is pride!

C.    Much to the contrary! We deserve nothing!

D.    Consider:

(Romans 5:8) “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  (KJV)

E.    As a sinner, we were enemies, yet God sent His Son to Calvary!

F.    I believe this love of God is absolutely unmerited!

II.    Notice That God’s Love Is Undying!

(Jeremiah 31:3) “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”  (KJV)

A.    God’s love for His children is undying and changeless!

B.    May each of us learn to love in this manner!

C.    This is unconditional love!

D.    Very few humans have the ability to love in this capacity!

III.    Notice That God’s Love Is Unselfish!

A.    God loved man so much that He spared not His Son!

(Romans 8:32) “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”  (KJV)

B.    If anyone is sent to Hell it is because they have turned their nose up at the greatest display of love to man.

C.    God loved this world more than anything and He showed it vividly!

(John 3:16) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  (KJV)

IV.    Notice That God’s Love Is Unique!

A.    This love we have been speaking of is unique to God and can only truly be exhibited by His children. Look back at our text!

(1 John 3:1) “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”  (KJV)

B.    The manner of God’s love is unknown to the world!

C.    It takes time for a sinner to fully come to grips with what kind of love that God has loved him with!

D.    The world knows nothing about God’s love!

Conclusion:

To The Sinner:

•    Don’t reject God’s love!
•    Repent and be saved!

To The Christian:

•    It ought to perplex you as you think about God’s love! Perhaps, this should move you to love people differently than you do now.

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433887: 100 Devotions for Pastors and Church Leaders, Vol. 2: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Sermons, Lessons, Church Events, Newsletters, and Web Sites 100 Devotions for Pastors and Church Leaders, Vol. 2: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Sermons, Lessons, Church Events, Newsletters, and Web Sites

By John Phillips / Kregel Academic & Professional

These 100 devotions cover less than 2 pages each and are focused on specific texts of Scripture, arranged from Genesis to Revelation. Dr. Phillips, who has been associated with Moody Institute for many years, is author of a multi-volume commentary of the entire Bible. Ideal for sermon illustrations, to augment bible studies or as devotional thoughts.

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4 Ways Pastors Can Better Connect With People In Their Pulpit Ministry

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Pastor Andrew SchankPreaching is explicitly ordained of God to reach people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to help the subsequent disciples mature in their faith. Though other methods can be employed, God has made it absolutely clear that preaching and the pulpit ministry should be preeminent! Since it is so important, every pastor should seek to better get the message across so as to be more effective.

(1 Corinthians 1:18) “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”  (KJV)
(1 Corinthians 1:21) “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”  (KJV)
(Romans 10:17) “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  (KJV)

Golden Rule For The Pulpit Ministry…

Pastors can make a better connection by not preaching AT their congregation, but by preaching TO them! Ultimately, every man of God has to have unction of God’s Holy Spirit on him to be effective. However, pastors can be a sharper tool in the Master’s hand by paying attention to four simple things while they are preaching God’s Word.

#1 – Smile

Some preachers could smile a little more while behind the pulpit. Even though preaching is a serious issue, pastors can make better connections when they do not have a scowl on the face a majority of the time. By no means am I advocating the replacing of sober preaching with a comedy routine, but I am proposing that you can better connect with a soul more by a warm smile appropriate to the occasion.

#2 – Eye Contact

Every pastor is different in personality, however, there is no substitute for looking someone in the eye from behind the pulpit while sharing a message from Heaven. Whether you are reproving, rebuking or exhorting, eye contact is a very good way to make a better connection with the congregation. One word of caution though… do not look at the same person all of the time! lol

#3 – Sincerity

The issue of sincerity is lacking a great deal in many pulpits today. Hirelings and professionals, may be perceived as entertainers and salesmen, but sincerity, by definition, is far superior to anything they can muster. Nothing rivals preaching on Hell with a tear in your eye! One should not be a phony for people know when you are preaching from your heart!

#4 – Familiarity

When preaching God’s Word we have to remember what a preacher of yesteryear stated, “God said to feed my lambs, not my giraffes!” How true! Keep the cookies on the bottom shelf when sharing a message from God. Use words that are FAMILIAR to your people. Yes, you can teach them new ones, but do not use your superior skills with the kings English to devalue anyone.

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Please Share Another Way(s) A Pastor Can Be More Effective When Preaching God’s Word!

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