The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Titus 2:11-15, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
12instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,
13looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,
14who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
15These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”

There are so many people who believe they will get to Heaven because they live a good life or because their good deeds outweigh their bad ones. There are others that believe their salvation is assurred because they attend or belong to a certain religion or a certain denomination of the Christian faith. Others believe they are saved because they have been baptized or because they partake of the LORD’s Supper as often as possible.

But the Scripture verse above says “…the grace of God…(brings) salvation to all men.” That does not mean that all men are automatically saved. It means that God has made the offer of salvation available to all mankind. Then, why are not all people saved? It is that either they have yet to hear the Gospel message or they have heard it, but they’ve yet to believe and accept it by faith.

Why would anyone not accept the gift of Eternal Life? It is often because of their preoccupation with worldly desires. It is the desire to be their own god and do what they want instead of what God wants. Their eyes are blinded to the blessed hope of Christ’s coming. He came first to the Cross and offered Himself as the Father’s Sacrifice for our sin. Then He arose from the dead and is coming again for “a people for His own possession” –for those who have trusted Him to have forgiven their sins and to have become the LORD of their lives through faith in His Resurrection.

Those of us who know Him as our Savior and LORD have an ongoing responsibility to share the news of salvation in Jesus Christ. Do you know Him? Are you sharing Him with others? Don’t disregard Him and His Message of Salvation. He is their only hope and yours!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

2 Timothy 4:16-18, “At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.
17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.
18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

We are created with a mechanism of self-defense. When danger becomes our enemy, we don’t have to be told it is danger. The mechanism of self-defense kicks in and we are alerted to protect ourselves. The defense of which Paul is speaking, however, is not that kind of defence. He had been charged with an unlawful act, and not one person was there to speak in his defence. Yet, while we would not reprove him for discounting them as “friends,” he takes the high road as says, “…may it not be counted against them.”

If those who knew his innocence would not stand with him in his defence, how could he then be freed? His own words allow that the LORD Himself was his deliverer. Paul discovered the power of the LORD working on his behalf, just as He had worked for David, as recorded in the Psalms:

“You have been my help; Do not abandon me nor forsake me, O God
of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
But the LORD will take me up” (Psa. 27:9b-10).

Yet, why would the LORD deliver the Apostle Paul? It was that through him the proclamation might be fully accomplished and that the Gentiles might hear the Word of Salvation. Remember that God is sovereign. His will cannot be countermanded. But Paul is stuck in the middle, you say. Yet, but the LORD is there with him to deliver him.

And how did Paul keep from buckling? His friends had deserted him; the counselor-at-law stood against him; but the LORD lifted him up! Remember this when you think everything and everyone is against you. Even if your father and mother were not to stand for you, the LORD will be your sure defense. Oh, what a Savior we have! Trust Him! He trusts you with the dissemination of His Gospel!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. A good way to witness on the Internet is to send a Gospel Tract. I have one that you can use over
and over again. I have attached it in two formats for you to read and share with others. Jesus will
stand with you in this venture just as He did with Paul. Just share it prayerfully. Then follow it up
with a kind and sincere inquiry.

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

2 Timothy 4:1-5, “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

Did Paul ever laugh? Solomon, who is acknowledged to be the world,s wisest man, said there was “a time to weep and a time to laugh” (Eccl. 3:4). But there’s no indication in Scripture that Paul ever laughed. I love to laugh! Is my laughter an indication of how unlike Paul I am? Well, there are multiple things that would reveal that! Please don’t take away my laughter!

At the same time, we must all adopt some serious sobriety in our lives. What we were saved and called to do is to be serious about Jesus and the Scriptures. When Paul says we are to “reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction,” he leaves no room for laughter or silliness.

We are to reprove (convict, expose) sin. We are to rebuke (show strong disapproval) of wrong doing, and at the same time exhort (encourage) others –and we’re to do it all “with great patience and instruction.” No laughter here. Those to whom we are to minister “will not endure (put up with) sound doctrine.” They just want to laugh and hear non-convicting little stories. What they don’t want is sound, solid teaching from the Scriptures!

We’re instructed to be sober (serious) and endure hardship (suffer evil), and “do the work of an evangelist (one who brings good news).” This is what fulfills the ministry to which we are called. And you are called if you have been “born again” in Jesus Christ. Are you fulfilling the call that Christ has placed upon your life?

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

1 Timothy 2:11-15, “A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.
12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.
13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve.
14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.
15 But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.”

These words from the heart and pen of the Apostle Paul are possibly the most difficult of his writings to be absorbed, as far as women are concerned. Some of my readers might well assess that I am taking my own literary life in my hands by even citing these verses. Yet, I can assure you that no one ever admired and lived by them more than my late wife. And they are doubtlessly still properly understood by sincere Christian women.

The prohibition of women is not to teach, but not “to teach or exercise authority over a man.” Certainly, women are the primary instructors of their children; yet, if they adhere to the apostle’s full instruction, they will teach their children that their father is the primary authority in the home. The preservation of women and their glory and authority lies in the bearing of children “if they continue in faith and love… with self-restraint.”

Each situation in life requires levels of authority. The General develops the plans of action, but the troops under their sergeant carry them out. Both are needed, and both are authoritative; yet each has his own responsibility and level of authority. So it is with the home and the church. We must remember that the LORD is the ultimate Authority; and if the children are to become what He desires, they must see their parents as submissive to the LORD Jesus Christ.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

1 Timothy 3:1-10, “It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.
2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.
4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity
5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),
6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.
7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain,
9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.”

It’s clearly evident that Paul is speaking about pastors and deacons in our verses above. An “overseer” is a pastor; a “deacon” is a servant. Deacons came into being in Acts 6. Thus, both pastors and deacons are valid offices within the church.

Pastors must possess 12 attributes. See if you can identify them in (v. 2). He must also be able to manage (control) his own household, including his children (v. 3). If today’s Christian newspapers are to be believed, quite a number of “pastors” either have never been called of God or have drifted into the ways of the enemy Satan. Pastors need to be possessed of a good reputation. We need to pray for our pastors. They carry heavy responsibilities that often are known only to them and their families.

Deacons are virtually the second officers of the Church. They may be preachers, serving in a different sphere of church service, or they may be laymen serving under the auspices of the pastor, much as the Levites served under the priests in the Old Testament. Deacons must have good reputations, too, and be honest and dignified in the course of their lives.

Paul argues for a testing of men before they enter into the office of deacon. They need to know the Word of God and be witnesses both silently and verbally to the love and grace of God. Pray for the deacons of your church. Honor them as you honor your pastor. For when we obey the Word of the LORD, we honor Him! And that is ever and always our calling.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom