Author: Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

Grace and peace! What a privilege to be an ambassador for the risen Christ here on WordPress! I am a Pauline dispensationalist Christian saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus plus nothing! My goal is to "have all men saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:3,4). I seek to preach Jesus Christ crucified for our sins, buried, and raised again for our justification as the only way to salvation. Also, I seek to edify and perfect the saints using dispensational Bible study and the Authorized Version King James Bible!

The Social Club with the Steeple #2

Thursday, September 4, 2025

“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15 KJV).

Is our local church building the meeting-place of people filled with God’s life, or just “a social club with a steeple?”

A social club is a gathering of people who have common interests—love of business, history, sports, politics, religion/philosophy, science, or the like. Numerous social clubs are also devoted to collecting comic books, postage stamps, and coins, or appreciating films, artwork, and writings. Unfortunately, countless souls have reduced “church” to this.

While some have come to worship the Lord, study His Book, and fellowship with like-minded believers, we wonder how many have showed up just to engage in regular chitchat with neighbors, family, friends, or clergy. For them, going to church is akin to visiting a barbershop or beauty salon, supermarket, coffee shop, or sporting event. It is simply a social-networking strategy, assembling at a place where the community exchanges news. One such man remarked, “My motivation was not a religious search for spirituality; it was more a search for somewhere to belong and to be with people who shared my interest in world affairs.” (Wow!!!)

Maybe they have entered to feel religious (get an emotional high) or be entertained with singing and dancing. Going to church is like making one’s way to the local bar or nightclub, comedy venue, amusement park, or music concert. Similar to the effects of illegal drugs and liquor, that adrenaline rush is extremely addicting! There might even be a free (!) lunch or supper as a bonus. Perhaps they go to church to get the preacher or teacher to recognize their “spirituality.” For them, it is like maintaining a social-media profile or website, radio or television program—someone bragging about their accomplishments to receive “likes,” standing ovations, views, and/or subscriptions.

Therefore, when you reason with them by sharing sound Bible doctrine, they are not interested in listening to verses. It does not bother them that their “church” is not teaching them the pure Scriptures, merely selected passages that support the denomination. They were not going there to learn sound Bible doctrine anyway….

The Social Club with the Steeple #1

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15 KJV).

Is our local church building the meeting-place of people filled with God’s life, or just “a social club with a steeple?”

A dear Christian woman described to me how her local church was anything but a Spirit-filled assembly. There were several unaddressed problems. It is only as a mature Bible student (grace dispensationalist) many, many years later that she now fully understands the difference between empty religion and grace living.

For instance, the children of a certain poverty-stricken family were given preeminence over her children in Sunday School. Her kids were pushed aside, made outcasts, so the poor kids could have most of the attention. Another example of the spiritual disarray was when the pastor told her it was better for her to come to church and teach children’s Sunday School than accompany her husband to care for her ill, hospitalized father-in-law! Moreover, when she spoke out against false teaching in the assembly, she was reprimanded by a “Bible college graduate” serving as the head of the church’s Sunday School department.

A former deacon of that church told me how a great many people in the assembly were lazy regarding the maintenance of the property and facilities. Out of a congregation of about 100 people, only he and a handful of others tended to most of the chores. Knowing the little I do about that local church, I can say unashamedly that that church was dead spiritually. There was no life of God. Just about everyone there was living in the energy of the flesh. The amount of sound Bible doctrine was extremely limited. Most members were running a social club, not a place of Christian living. The pastor should not have been favoring anyone. He should have not allowed spiritual confusion to go on unaddressed in his church. His strict rules and regulations made void or cancelled God’s grace. This is just one of tens of millions of useless “places of worship” not worth attending at all….

The Holy Kiss

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

“Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you” (Romans 16:16 KJV).

What is this “holy kiss?”

Paul refers to the “holy kiss” on four occasions. “Salute one another with an holy kiss…” (Romans 16:16). “All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss” (1 Corinthians 16:20). “Greet one another with an holy kiss” (2 Corinthians 13:12). “Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss” (1 Thessalonians 5:26). Peter refers to a similar “kiss of charity [love in action]:” “Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen” (1 Peter 5:14).

In the Middle East, the kiss was a form of friendly or affectionate greeting. “And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son. And he came near, and kissed him…” (Genesis 27:26,27). “And Jacob kissed Rachel…” (Genesis 29:11). “…And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him” (2 Samuel 20:9). “And forthwith he [hypocritical Judas Iscariot!] came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him” (Matthew 26:49). “Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet” (Luke 7:45). “And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him, Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship” (Acts 20:37,38).

Thus, through Peter and Paul, believers are exhorted to greet or salute each other with a “holy kiss.” Considering passages such as 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 1 Corinthians 3:1-4, 1 Corinthians 11:17-19, and 2 Corinthians 12:20,21; the Corinthians particularly needed to get along with each other. The “holy” kiss was a “set-apart” kiss—believers greeting each other on the forehead, cheek, or beard. It had no sexual connotation. Men kissed men, and women kissed women. Would this type of kissing be appropriate today? It would probably not be, as it was more of a cultural issue in Bible days. Nevertheless, we should greet each other in Christ in some fashion—maybe shaking hands, hugging, waving, and so on. As long as there is a sense of tenderness or care, that is all that really matters. The heart attitude is what is most important, not the physical movements.

The Thing Which is Good

Monday, September 1, 2025

“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Ephesians 4:28 KJV).

On this Labor Day, we talk about work, “the thing which is good.”

In this day and age of increasing “government assistance,” people are becoming less and less aware of our hard work being the Lord Jesus’ preferred method of the source of our incomes. While the physically and mentally disabled are obvious exceptions, the God of the Bible expects all of us to contribute labor in order to provide for ourselves. For children and young adults, even being a student in school is work enough!

Observe the doctrine being communicated in today’s Scripture. The grace life does not merely teach us to quit doing bad things, but it also instructs us to start doing good things (Titus 2:11,12). Once a thief trusts the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished crosswork as sufficient payment for his sins, then God expects that thief to quit stealing and find a job so he can provide for his needs!

The God of creation calls work “the thing which is good” (today’s Scripture). Work is not something to be avoided; it is something to be embraced for the Lord’s glory!

When the Lord Jesus Christ put the first man, Adam, on earth, that man had a divine commission. Adam was not to simply loaf around and do nothing: “And the LORD God took the man, and put him in the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it” (Genesis 2:15). Adam was to protect that garden, to till its ground, to prepare it for Jesus Christ to come down and dwell in with he and Eve (because of sin, that earthly kingdom over which Jesus Christ will rule is still awaiting fulfillment!).

Saints, may we work to provide for our families (1 Timothy 5:8), and may we work to help those who truly are needy (today’s Scripture). In the words of God the Holy Spirit, that is “good!” 🙂

You Builders! #6

Sunday, August 31, 2025

“This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner” (Acts 4:11 KJV).

Who are these “builders?” What have they done—and not done?

Jesus Christ is “the head of the corner,” the cornerstone, the foundation of everything Father God will do with the nation Israel in the ages to come. All prophecies and promises radiate from His crosswork (the basis or focal point).

First Peter chapter 2: “[4] To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed [rejected] indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, [5] Ye [Little Flock, believing Israel] also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. [6] Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. [7] Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed [rejected], the same is made the head of the corner, [8] And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. [9] But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: [10] Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”

Likewise, everything God will do with us the Church the Body of Christ depends on Jesus Christ according to Paul’s mystery preaching of Him: “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:20-22). Romans to Philemon is to and about us, Christ as revealed in mystery being the foundation of God’s current dealings with man (1 Corinthians 3:9-17). Like Israel’s apostate spiritual leaders, however, our leaders for the last 2,000 years have corrupted us with garbage (non-dispensational) doctrine, mixing law and grace!

You Builders! #5

Saturday, August 30, 2025

“This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner” (Acts 4:11 KJV).

Who are these “builders?” What have they done—and not done?

“But he [Jesus Christ] answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). God as Creator wants to fill humans with His life. He gives those people His Word, that they might believe it. Yet, as Adam and Eve did not fill their soul with His Word in Genesis chapter 3, neither did the ancient nation Israel.

Nearing the end of his earthly life, Moses counseled Israel in Deuteronomy chapter 4, verses 1 and 2: “Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” To wit, “Do not abandon or alter the LORD’S words to you! Believe and obey them as they are!”

Influenced by corrupt religious leaders (“builders”) for many centuries thereafter, Israel slowly but surely drifted from the pure Word of God. These spiritual leaders were nothing but “blind leaders of the blind” (Matthew 15:14). They “built” garbage doctrine into God’s nation, worthless teaching, manmade religious traditions substituting the living words of the living God. Basically, there was no edification (building up) of sound Bible doctrine, just a 1,500-year-long accumulation of spiritual trash (false information).

Accordingly, when it came time for Israel to function as God’s kingdom of priests to the Gentiles, there was no unadulterated Word of God in their national soul or individual souls. Thus, in rank unbelief, they rejected Messiah-King Jesus who corresponded to the sound Bible doctrine they had refused, thereby rendering them unable to be His kingdom of priests. This was the basic theme of those early Acts sermons, including today’s Scripture.

We summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

You Builders! #4

Friday, August 29, 2025

“This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner” (Acts 4:11 KJV).

Who are these “builders?” What have they done—and not done?

After Peter healed the lame man who had laid helplessly at the Jerusalem Temple’s “Beautiful Gate” for years (Acts 3:1-11), a Jewish crowd gathers and Peter preaches Jesus Christ to them (verses 12-26). The lame man represents incapacitated national Israel, whose sin problem prevents her from entering into God’s blessings (Millennial Kingdom). In his sermon of chapter 4 (the context of today’s Scripture), Peter refers to that same impotent man (verses 9,10; cf. verses 14,22).

Read Peter’s words in verses 9 and 10, just before he spoke today’s Scripture: “If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole [healthy].” Here are the facts. The resurrected Jesus Christ, whom Israel rejected and crucified weeks or months earlier, is really responsible for the lame man’s healing, which insinuates Jesus Christ alone can save and bring Israel into a position of kingdom blessings. They must therefore stop resisting Him and trust Him as their Messiah-King!

Today’s Scripture and its next verse: “This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” As the Holy Spirit speaks to Israel through Peter, the Apostle declares how the Lord Jesus Christ is “the stone, the head of the corner,” the very same individual whom the “builders” rejected (“set at nought” means “made nothing of, despised, considered worthless”). Israel’s religious leaders whom Peter now addresses, are these very “builders!”

How are these religious leaders “builders” though? Along with the terms “stone” and “the head of the corner,” we recognize the metaphor is taken from a construction site….

You Builders! #3

Thursday, August 28, 2025

“This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner” (Acts 4:11 KJV).

Who are these “builders?” What have they done—and not done?

Re-read the Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen (Matthew 21:33-45; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19). As the Lord Jesus knows, Israel’s religious leaders are making arrangements to kill Him so as to retain possession of the nation that is rightfully His! It would do us well to observe what was said at the conclusion of this parable. “Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?” (Matthew 21:42). “And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?” (Mark 12:10,11). “And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?” (Luke 20:17).

Our understanding is further enhanced once we note how Christ’s listeners responded to the Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen. “And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet” (Matthew 21:45,46). “And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way” (Mark 12:12). “And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them” (Luke 20:19).

As prophesied centuries before in Psalm 118:22, so came it to pass: “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.” Christ took this verse and applied it to Himself. Peter in today’s Scripture also points out how Christ fulfilled it as the “builders” rejected Him….

You Builders! #2

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

“This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner” (Acts 4:11 KJV).

Who are these “builders?” What have they done—and not done?

Read verses 5,6,8 that identify the “builders” of today’s Scripture: “And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem…. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,….”

The “builders” are Israel’s spiritual leaders—including “elders” (old men) and “scribes” (literate men, Bible copyists and teachers of the Law). Among them are Pharisees (strict, hypocritical, self-righteous followers of manmade traditions—for example, see Luke 12:1, Matthew 15:1-9, Mark 7:1-13, and Luke 18:11,12). Also present are Sadducees (skeptics of the supernatural, who deny the existence of spirits and angels and bodily resurrection—for instance, see Matthew 22:23, Mark 12:18, Luke 20:37, and Acts 23:6,8). These leaders detested how “unlearned and ignorant” Peter and John preaching Jesus and resurrection were distracting the Jewish people from their “authority,” especially since the Sadducees did not believe in resurrection (Acts 4:1,2). Consequently, these two Apostles had been jailed for night and now stand trial before Israel’s leading religious body the following day (Acts 4:3,4).

It was these same Israeli spiritual leaders whom the Lord Jesus confronted back in Matthew to John during His last week alive. Leading up to His crucifixion on Calvary, He issued in the Jerusalem Temple “The Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen.” It is recorded thrice—Matthew 21:33-45, Mark 12:1-12, and Luke 20:9-19. Basically, the story involves a man planting a vineyard and hiring farmers to work in it so it will produce fruit for him. He sends servants to collect the fruit at harvest, but the farmers mistreat and kill the servants. Finally, he sends his son to the farmers, but the farmers conspire against him and slay this heir of the vineyard. The imagery is striking. As in centuries before, so Israel’s unbelieving religious leaders fight against JEHOVAH God. Now, they will murder God’s Son, Jesus Christ….

You Builders! #1

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

“This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner” (Acts 4:11 KJV).

Who are these “builders?” What have they done—and not done?

Today’s Scripture is an excerpt from the third of four sermons the Apostle Peter addressed to unbelieving Israel during early Acts (Acts 2:14-40; Acts 3:12-26; Acts 4:8-12; Acts 5:29-32). Read Acts chapter 4 now: “[1] And as they [Apostles Peter and John] spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, [2] Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. [3] And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. [4] Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

“[5] And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, [6] And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. [7] And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? [8] Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, [9] If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole [healed in chapter 3]; [10] Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. [11] This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. [12] Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Let us search for verses to identify these “builders” of verse 11, what they did, and what they did not do….