Don't worry, the sermon isn't from me. It's from missionary Mike Roberts to Vietnam. When he writes his pray letters, he usually gives a mini sermon with it. I'm giving you the last one he sent out, partly because I don't have anything of interest to say, and mostly because it got my attention. Read it and see if it pokes you a little.
Dear Pastors, Churches, and Friends,
The Bible had been the prevalent controversial subject for the last fifty years. When referring to the Bible I mean the King James, Authorized version of 1611 including the italicized words, the chapter and verse divisions. After studying three years of Greek, one year of Hebrew, and eighteen years of Vietnamese, I think my opinion does count for something in the area of languages. Every word in the KJV is preserved without error, and every on of them are words of God; again, that includes the italicized words, the chapter and verse divisions. Any person who comprehends the problems associated with with language translation understand that without the italicized words, which explain and define the idioms of the original language, that portion of the text would be rendered meaningless. The God that inspired the Bible, purified its translation, and preserved it perfectly in the KJV Bible for the English speaking people does not require man's approval or disapproval.
With that being understood let me also say, just because you believe that fact doesn't mean you are right with God. It seems like Christians will hold to one particular truth which they have grasped in order to justify the problems and sins in their secret lives.Christians are always pointing to their outward separation to prove their spirituality. " Woe unto you scribes and pharisees, hypocrites! For ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead man's bones and of all uncleanness. Even so, ye also appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." (Matthew23:27, 28) We always seem to point to to some outward thing that we have a victory on and forget the other important matters of the heart, which constitutes true righteousness in God's sight. "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgement, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done and not leave the other undone." (Matthew 23:23)
The reason I write this letter is to drive home the following point. There is no way you will ever convince me that a bunch of spoiled Americans who believe the KJV 1611 love God more that these mountain men hear in Vietnam (two of which I am standing with atop this letter). They don't have a perfect Bible, but what they do have they try to live by. They don't have computer programs to do all of the scripture reference searches to put together a lesson or a message to preach, but they have learned how to get a hold of the throne of God. They don't have all the credentials that supposedly prove they are filled with the Holy Ghost, but they are truly filled with the Holy Spirit of God. The predominant thing that Vietnamese Christians have taught me is American Christians really need to get over themselves and get back to being servant of God. The Christian life is a paradox; the top is on the bottom; and the one least esteemed is the one God will use. "And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify themselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God." ( Luke 16:15) When God allows me to be in the presence of these men who walk with him in the mountains of Vietnam it is humbling. The Vietnamese mountain men have nothing in comparison to you in the physical realm, but they do have a very real relation ship with the Lord Jesus Christ. You'll more than likely never meet the men here in Vietnam, or Papua New Guinea, Cambodia, Africa, China, or any other third world country during your life on this earth; by there will be a day when you meet them around the throne of God in heaven, and then you will realize just how little you accomplished with the abundance of supplies God provided you. Where are all the laborers for the harvest of the fields? Where are all the boasters and big talkers who hide in the pews and behind the pulpits? " And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." (Luke 14:23)
In the Service of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Bro. Mike Roberts
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