Gospel Dynamite with J. Allen Mashburn

It's Showtime, Elijah! | I Kings 18:16-40 | J. Allen Mashburn

We have had the privilege of observing God as He trained a man named Elijah. We saw bring him from nowhere, set him before a king and use him to strike fear into a nation. We have seen God send him through one trial after another to teach him total dependence upon the power and provision of God. We have seen the contrast between this man Elijah and others who claimed that they knew the Lord. 
All the training, all the trials, and all the trusting have been to bring Elijah to the place where he could stand in the pure power of God and show a lost nation that Jehovah, not Baal, was Lord of all. You see, the entire nation of Israel, with the exception of some 7,000 faithful people, 1 Kings 19:18, had given themselves over to the worship of the false god Baal. Things were so bad that even the king and the queen of Israel were leaders in promoting the worship of these idol gods. However, God had not forgotten His investment in His people! He had not forgotten how He had chosen them out of all the other people's on the face of the earth. How He had brought them out of Egypt and led them through the wilderness. He remembered giving them the land, the Law and the covenants of promise. He never forgot for and instant that they were His people and that he had plans for them.
Therefore, God had called, trained, and groomed a an named Elijah. All the preparation had been for just this moment. A moment when God would call the nation back to Himself. A moment when God would prove beyond all question that He was Lord and God.
 

The Great Sin of Pride | J. Allen Mashburn

Pride is every man's sin.  It was the very first sin, committed by Lucifer in heaven.  Join us as we learn from the Word of God how we are to deal with this sin that "so easily besets " all of us.
 

A Man Sent from God: Elijah | I Kings 17:1 | J. Allen Mashburn

The pages of our Bibles are filled with accounts of men that seem larger than life. People like Moses, David, Daniel, Paul and others, all seem to be characters that are so far above the realm of our own experience that we may feel like we can never be like them. However, I'll let you in on a secret this morning: All of these people were just that: people! The fellow in our text is no different. When I read about the life and ministry of Elijah, I am amazed at his courage and at his power with God. Yet, I am reminded by the Word of God that Elijah "was a man subject to like passion as we are." (James 5:17) He was just a man who walked in humble obedience before his God.
Today, we will focus in on this one verse and talk about "A Man Sent From God." In this message, I want you to see that God can take a nobody and make a somebody out of him. God can take any life that will be totally yielded to His will and use that life for His glory. Our goal this morning is to see whether or not we possess this kind of life within ourselves. If not, then you will be given the opportunity to get where God can use you.

The Truth about Riches, Redemption, and Rewards | Mark 10:23-31 | J. Allen Mashburn

Imagine the scene. In verses 17-22 a very wealthy man has just turned his back on the Lord Jesus and is walking away. In v. 21, Jesus told this man how he could be saved. He was to sell everything he possessed and he was to give everything away to the poor. This act would give him real treasure in Heaven. By giving away all he had this man would be accomplishing three things.
1.  He would be getting rid of his real god, his wealth.
2.  He would be helping those around him who were in great financial need.
3.  He would be storing up true wealth in Heaven, where it would never be lost, stolen or ruined, Matt. 6:19-20.
Then, Jesus told the man to take up his cross and follow Him. This is a call for this young man to make a public, once for all commitment to die to self and to live for Jesus.
When this young man hears the words of the Lord Jesus, he turns around and walks away. He chose his wealth over salvation. He chose his way over God’s way. He chose eternal death over everlasting life. He chose the world over the Kingdom of God. He chose Hell over Heaven.
The disciples were probably excited about the prospect of that fellow joining their number. They imagined all that he could do with his wealth, power and position.
A lot of folks in our churches are like that too. When a wealthy, powerful individual comes in, they will be courted because of what they can contribute financially to the ministry. James warns against that mentality in the church, James 2:1-10.
Jesus had a somewhat different approach! Jesus was not impressed by the young man’s portfolio, by his position in the synagogue, or by his prominence in the community. Jesus saw the man as he really was. He saw him as a poor, lost sinner in need of a Savior. Jesus offered the man everlasting life, but the man chose eternal damnation and walked away from Jesus.
When he leaves, Jesus uses the moment to teach His disciples about the danger of riches in this world. He teaches them a few truths that all generations would do well to take to heart.

Our Matchless Savior | Mark 4:35-41 | J. Allen Mashburn

In Washington, DC, in the Museum of Natural History, there is a diamond called the Hope Diamond. It is a vivid, dark-blue diamond that weighs 45.52 carats. According to geologists, it is a diamond without equal in all the world. It was found in the 1600's and weighed over 112 carats when it was dug from the earth in India. It is considered to be priceless. It is said to be a matchless diamond. However, there may be another, larger, more valuable stone lying buried in the ground. To say the Hope Diamond is matchless is to presume on the unknown.
Michael Jordan is called the greatest basketball player of all time. It is said that there will never be another as great as he is. He is declared to be matchless in his sport. However, somewhere on some playground, or in some school gymnasium there may be a youngster who will shatter all the records Jordan has ever amassed. To say that he is matchless is also a stretch of the imagination.
Albert Einstein is said to be the greatest thinker the world has ever known. He pondered concepts so deep that we could never begin to grasp. His has been called a matchless intellect. However, who is to say that somewhere in this world today there isn't a child whose mind is so sharp and whose brilliance will dwarf even that of Einstein?
The truth is, nothing in this world is matchless. Everything can be equaled or bettered by mankind. However, there is One who will never be equaled or bettered. His name is Jesus! In this text, the disciples are crossing the Sea of Galilee when a storm arises. Jesus is asleep in the boat and the Disciples feel that they are going to die. They awake Jesus and He speaks to the storm and the waves and winds lie at His feet as if they were docile lambs. His Disciples see this great miracle and ask a question that declares His greatness. They ask, what manner of man is this?
Throughout His life, the story is the same. Everywhere Jesus went, men marveled and stood amazed at His greatness. When He was just an infant, Mary and Joseph "marveled" at what was spoken of Jesus, Luke 2:33; His enemies "marveled" at His wisdom and doctrine, John 7:15. His Disciples "marveled" at His compassion and love for sinners, John 4:27. The multitudes "marveled" at His power to heal, Mark 2:12; Matt. 9:8, 33. His enemies "marveled" at His word, John 7:46. His executioner "marveled" at the greatness of Jesus Christ.
Things haven't changed! Jesus is still amazing all those who come to Him by faith. To say He is matchless is an understatement.
He will never be equaled!
He will never be bettered!
He will always remain the matchless One.
Forever.

Biblical Truth Every Wall Builder Needs | Nehemiah 4 | J. Allen Mashburn

The people are in the process of rebuilding the walls of the city of Jerusalem. It would have been difficult and backbreaking work for those involved, but it was necessary if they were to be safe from the attacks of their enemies and if they were going to worship God as His Law commanded them. As they labored to build the walls, they faced constant opposition to their work. They became weary and they became discouraged, but they never stopped their work. Eventually, they completed the task and were victorious over their attackers.
In a sense this evening you and I are wall builders as well. We are building walls between the world and the things of God. We build walls that separate our lives from the ungodliness that surrounds us on every hand. 
We build walls that are designed to protect the people and things we love from outside attack and destruction.
Since this is true, would you also agree that there are times when we too tend to become discouraged? There are times when we grow weary in the battle to build and be all that God wants us to be. I believe that there are some truths contained in this passage that can help us remain strong, faithful and active in the struggle to build the necessary walls of life. There are three primary principles taught in this passage that teach is Biblical Truth Every Wall Builder Should Know.

The Price of Freedom | Hebrews 9:11-22 | J. Allen Mashburn

The Freedom that we enjoy is never free.  There has always been and always will be a price of freedom.  We in America take for granted so often that even though we are born free, we never stop to think that somewhere someone paid a price so that you could exercise your “so-called” right to freedom!  The fact of the matter is that freedom is not a right as the secular humanistic world would have you be taught, rather freedom is a privilege given to everyone named an American; and that freedom was purchased with the toil, labor, sacrifice, and yes, blood of many men & women!  We as a people owe a debt of gratitude to all the men & women wearing a uniform who fight, protect, & defend our freedom, whether it be in the desert sands of Afghanistan & Iraq or the darkest street in the smallest town in America…thank God for our men & women who fight for us, protect us and yes die for us on the battlefield so that my children can run and play with freedom!   
Our nation was formed with the blood of those that wanted to be independent from England.  In 1776, our forefather drafted a document that is revered as one of our most precious national treasures, the Declaration of Independence.  You can read through it in about 8 minutes.  Many of these men were considered traitors and wanted for treason.  John Hancock, the largest signature of document had a bounty on his head of 500 English pounds.  These men endangered all they had to form a new nation, called the United States of America.  When John Hancock signed this document, he signed his name so big that the King would not have any trouble seeing his name!  These men were considered renegades, rebel-rousers!  God give us more like them!  They formed a new nation!  Many lives were given so that you and I can sit here this morning and enjoy what we have!  Blood had to be shed for the freedom we have in this land!  America was formed with and by the blood of those who fought for it and America remains free by the blood of those that fight for it!  
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.
Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they?
Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.
Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
 
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
 
John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. 
For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart.
Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates. Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. 
 
These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."
They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot about what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn't fight just the British.
We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government!
Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid. Remember: freedom is never free!
 
Some 2000 years ago on a hill outside of Jerusalem, freedom was purchased as well.  As our brave men and women lay everything they have on the line day after day to allow us to enjoy what we have, Jesus laid His life down so that our soul could be free eternally.  This freedom as with all freedom had a price; that price was the blood of the spotless life lived by the spotless Lamb of God!  Freedom has a price my friend…blood!  I want you to consider several items this morning about the price of freedom that you have and enjoy or the freedom you do not have, but can have before you leave this service this morning!  You can have true freedom, but first you must understand the price of true freedom.  
Freedom of your soul from your sin takes a spotless Lamb.  God had the only spotless Lamb available in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Gospel Dynamite Radio Message by Lt. Governor Mark Robinson

Sunday, June 6th, we were privileged to have the Lieutenant Governor of the Great State of North Carolina with us in our services.  We thank God for him, his wife, and family.  Their stand for Christ is outstanding.  Today, you will hear this message on our radio ministry.