Grosey's Messages

If not you, who? by Dr. Frankln L. Kirksey The saying, “If not you, who? If not now, when?” is attributed to Rabbi Hillel. Someone explains, “Hadassah, better known by her Persian name Esther, is a central figure in the Old Testament Book of Esther. Her account is one of courage, faith, and divine providence, illustrating how God can use individuals to fulfill His purposes.” King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) of Persia chose Esther to become Queen. These words from Mordecai to Esther come from Esther 4:14, a key verse in this book, “Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Let’s note three movements in this biblical account. First, Esther faced a pressing need. Her people, the Jews, were in peril, and they were about to encounter a terrible ordeal. The situation was desperate, filled with a sense of urgency and emergency. But does a need alone constitute a call? On a worldwide scale that would be impossible for one person. Edward Everett Hale penned this poetic reminder: “I am only one, But still I am one. I cannot do everything, But still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do.” All these years later, do you see pressing needs that call for attention. Obeying the promptings of the Holy Spirit will guide you in the right way and guard you from the wrong way. Second, Esther faced a present opportunity. How quickly a present opportunity passes, never to return! It has been said, “Four things come not back -- the spoken word, the sped arrow, the past life, and the neglected opportunity." Often an opportunity must be seized in the present tense or be lost forever. You do not always have the luxury of a long deliberation, and you never know how soon it will be too late. Third, Esther faced a presumed duty. Mordecai appealed to a solemn obligation and a sense of duty, when he encouraged Esther to come to the aid of her people. In French, the words noblesse oblige means literally “nobility obligates.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary also provides this simple definition, “the obligation of honorable, generous, and responsible behavior associated with high rank or birth.” This line from a hymn by George Duffield could be applied here, “where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.” In his classic titled, If I Perish, I Perish, Major W. Ian Thomas explains, “I believe that such a moment comes in the life of every child of God—the moment when God’s purpose for your life hangs delicately in the balance. It may be that at this very moment, these words find you too, poised upon the threshold of that for which Christ redeemed you, and at one that the same time you are both frightened and excited at the prospect.” So, when you are faced with a pressing need, a present opportunity, and a presumed duty, remember, if not you, who? Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, Author of Don’t Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah and Sound Biblical Preaching: Giving the Bible a Voice [Both available on Logos and Amazon © July 27, 2026 All Rights Reserved

# posted by Groseys messages @ 7:11 PM

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey Dr. Vance Havner perceptively stated, “We need to recover Isaiah’s thundering call from the mothballs where we have relegated it. The first chapter could be proclaimed, with a few names changed, … and be strictly up to date.” Isaiah proclaims, “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the Lord has spoken. . .” (Isaiah 1:2a) and “Hear the word of the Lord. . .” (Isaiah 1:10a). It is like Isaiah is saying, “Hear ye, hear ye!” as town criers have done. Notice three calls in the first chapter of the book of Isaiah. First, there is a call to remember. Isaiah 1:3 reads, “My people do not consider.” Isaiah issues a call to remember the glory of the past. Isaiah 1:2a reads, “I have nourished and brought up children.” Note God’s interest and intervention in their national life. Scripture recounts how He miraculously provided and marvelously guided His chosen people. Isaiah further issues a call to remember the guilt in the present. Note their evil works (Isaiah 1:4-9) and their empty worship (Isaiah 1:10-15). Trouble comes to any one who forgets God or does not acknowledge Him. Second, there is a call to repent. Isaiah 1:16-17 reads, “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.” This call involves good and evil. Isaiah 5:20a reads, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil. . .” ….. Third, there is a call to reason. Isaiah 1:18-20 reads, “‘Come now, and let us reason together.’ Says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword;” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” This is like a spiritual summit conference. Will you be willing and obedient or wicked and obstinate? Will you repent and be delivered, or will you rebel and be devoured? Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, Author of Don’t Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah and Sound Biblical Preaching: Giving the Bible a Voice [Both available on Logos and Amazon] July 23, 2023 © All Rights Reserved

# posted by Groseys messages @ 2:54 PM

Alone, yet not Alone by Dr. Vance Havner "Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me." - John 16:32 Blessed paradox of the Saviour and the Saint! Our Lord was a solitary soul, yet not alone. And the Christian who presses into the deeper things of God will often be lonely but never alone. Paul was lonely in the Roman prison: “All men forsook me.” (2 Timothy 4:16) But he was not alone: “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me.” (v. 17) Jacob may fancy himself alone in a strange land, with a stone for a pillow, but he will make a discovery: “Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.” (Genesis 28:16) Jesus said, "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone." (John 8:29) Live as though He were with you, for He is. You have His word for it and you can be confident of His promise, though you may not be conscious of His presence. Even through the Valley of Death’s Shadow, “I will fear no evil, FOR THOU ART WITH ME.” Alone yet not alone!

# posted by Groseys messages @ 6:57 AM

Yesterday we heard a great sermon by Rick on finding the will of God. There are many passages about finding the will of God. I remembered the controversy when I preached from Ephesians 5 about God’s will for your life. The issue was that I said similarly to brother Rick: if you follow God’s will as in Ephesians 5 God will direct your paths. Ephesians 5:15-28 ESV Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. [18] And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, [19] addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, [20] giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, [21] submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. [22] Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. [24] Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. [25] Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, [26] that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, [27] so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. [28] In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. If you are doing the will of God by being filled with the Spirit ( where you allow Him to fill out each area of your life) in your Worship Life In your Wedded life In your Work Life In your Spiritual Warfare life If you are doing the will of God in these areas, His will shall become obvious in the lesser areas of our lives which tend to make us worry most. Proverbs 3:5-8 ESV Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. [6] In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. [7] Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. [8] It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Wise Up, O Men of God! by Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey Martyn Lloyd-Jones observes, “The moment a man realizes that he is only a pilgrim in this world, that finally he has to die and to face God, and that there is all eternity before him, his whole outlook on life changes.” It is time to wise up in several ways. Wise up in the interest of your walk. Ephesians 5:15 reads, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise.” Lehman Strauss warns, “The unwise person is the unthinking person who follows the line of least resistance and very often surrenders his convictions. Christian, you are not to go along with the crowd; you are not to do something because every one else is doing it. Be careful where you walk. Look about you before you put down your feet.” John Phillips explains, “In some European countries, property is often protected by a high wall, the top of which is covered with embedded broken glass to discourage intruders who might try to climb over it. One can sometimes see a cat walking along the top of such a wall. The cat walks circumspectly, carefully, precisely, and assiduously. It picks up one paw and carefully places it where there is no glass. When that paw is in place, the cat reaches forward tentatively and gingerly with the next one.” One day you will be glad you walked cautiously. Wise up in the investment of your time. Ephesians 5:16 reads, “redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Matthew Poole comments, “Redeeming the time; or, buying the opportunity: a metaphor taken from merchants, that diligently observe the time for buying and selling, and easily part with their pleasure for gain; Deny yourselves in your ease, pleasure, etc. to gain an opportunity of doing good.” Matthew Henry comments, “Time is a talent given us by God, and it is misspent and lost when not employed according to his design. If we have lost our time heretofore, we must double our diligence for the future.” The times in which you are to redeem the time are described as evil days (Ephesians 4:14, 17-19, 25-31; 5:3-7, 10-12). Don’t wait for a better occasion to take the opportunity! Wise up in the influence of your life. Ephesians 5:17-21 reads, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.” A life of influence is marked by gravitas, gratitude, and graciousness. Your impact as a Christian can be impaired or improved by what controls you. Never underestimate the influence of a Spirit-filled life. Wise up, O men of God! Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, Author of Don’t Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah and Sound Biblical Preaching: Giving the Bible a Voice [Both available on Logos and Amazon] August 3, 2022 © All Rights Reserved

# posted by Groseys messages @ 6:40 AM