The Most Important Job

 

By David Bragg         Michael "Barney" Chandler recently started his new job. He serves under King Charles III as a Yeoman Warder Ravenmaster. It is his responsibility to protect the seven ravens that reside in the Tower of London. Why is this important? If those ravens ever leave the famed Tower, it will collapse into dust and the Kingdom of England will fall. At least that is the legend that led King Charles II (1630-1685) to was dedicated to protecting the ravens (and by extension Great Britian). Based on this legend, Jill Lawless refers to Barney Chandler as holding “the most important job in England” (Jill Lawless, Associated Press, March 1, 2024).     From my clearly “unroyal” point of view, it seems like a lot of fuss and financial expenditure for a job that fails to hold value. It is hard to think of spending our lives in a pointless occupation. In contrast, Jesus came into this world to tackle the truly most important job: Savior of the world (Luke 2:11; 9:23).     Everywhere Jesus went the common people seemed to recognize His importance. He taught them. He healed them. He valued them. He showed them God.     So, while the English monarchym may want a Ravenmaster, what they (and all people) NEED is the real Master: Jesus Christ. May we live in such a way that they might see Jesus living in us (Acts 4:13)

- David Bragg is co-editor of BulletinGold. He may be contacted through his blog: http://davidbragg.blogspot.com/

Written All Over

 

By David Bragg       Tara Berry of Topeka, Kansas, LOVES the pop singer Madonna. There is no mistaking her devotion. It is literally written all over her. Announced in May of this year, the superfan was recognized by Guinness World Records for setting a new world record for “the most tattoos of the same musician on the body” (www.guinnessworldrecords.com). Madonna is inked into her skin with various portrayals of the singer 18 times (beating out the previous record holder by three), the first in 2016 and expending almost $10,000 over nine years. She has stated, “I’ve wanted this so bad and did whatever it took to get it.”     In the early days of the church, as Christians endured targeted persecution and deadly threats, the Jewish Sanhedrin debated how to address the peril they posed their political status. Those arrogant leaders looked down on Peter and John, denigrating their lack of education. But they had no answer for their courage! To them, one thing was evident: “they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).     This makes me wonder. When outside observers, especially nonbelievers, look at my life, is it evident that I love Jesus? Is it debatable that I have “been with Jesus”? Do I love the Lord to such an extent that it is “written all over me,” by what I say, by what I do, by where I go?   I LOVE Jesus! He has not called me to spend my time, money, or to endure pain in a tattooist’s chair to prove my love for Him. He simply asks obedience. He wants our lights to shine for Him.

- David Bragg is co-editor of BulletinGold. He may be contacted through his blog: http://davidbragg.blogspot.com/

A Mistake With Deadly Consequences

 

By David Bragg       On June 29, 2024, BBC News reported a tragic incident involving four Sri Lankan fishermen who died after consuming liquid from unlabeled bottles they found floating in the ocean (Aleks Phillips, BBC News). Their fishing boat, the Devon, was operating over 300 miles off the coast of Sri Lanka when they discovered the bottles. Mistaking the contents for alcohol, they drank the liquid and shared it with other fishing crews in the area. As of the reporting time, in addition to the four deaths, two other fishermen were critically ill from the unidentified liquid. This tragic mistake had deadly consequences.     This story, while heartbreaking, serves as a powerful metaphor for the false and misleading information about the New Testament’s teachings on salvation that circulates in the religious world. Just as the fishermen were unaware of the danger in the bottles, many people are unaware of the spiritual dangers in the various doctrines presented by different denominations. How can one discern which teachings are safe to follow?     The answer lies in adhering to and teaching the plan of salvation that has Jesus’ “seal of approval.” When scriptures are “properly divided” (2 Tim. 2:15), it becomes clear that New Testament baptism (immersion) is the act through which one’s sins are washed away (Acts 22:16). Salvation today is only found by joining in Jesus’ death (Rom. 6:1-3; 1 Pet. 3:21). To consume any other gospel is to make a mistake of eternal consequences (Gal. 1:8-9).

- David Bragg is co-editor of BulletinGold. He may be contacted through his blog: http://davidbragg.blogspot.com/

Lending A Hand

 

By David Bragg       Residents in a Californian neighborhood had been raising loud protests over a dangerous bone-rattling pothole. The giant menace shook and shuddered cars and bicycles alike. Then, on the morning of April 11, 2023, an unusual and hopeful sign of progress. But there were no barricades. No city workers or trucks. No men or women holding slow/stop flags. Just two men, shovels, and a bag of cement. What made this incident particularly newsworthy was the identity of one of the workers: former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (Associated Press, 4/12/2023).     Sometimes, for progress to occur, we have to roll up our sleeves and get to work. This is not a new idea. In fact, it is one of the biblical principles necessary for a healthy, growing local church. Writing to Ephesus, the Apostle Paul observed: “from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16). The key to church growth is not to be found in gimmicks or compromising the truth by teaching only the things that people want to hear. The key is in each member being willing to lend a hand, or as Paul put it: “every part (i.e. member) does its share.” With this in mind, I ought to be prayerfully considering what I can do to help His church grow.

David Bragg is co-editor of BulletinGold. He may be contacted through his blog: http://davidbragg.blogspot.com/

Do Not Read This Article

By David Bragg       The HOP Shops Food Marts and Truck Plazas in northern Kentucky is a popular destination for visitors. Specifically, their restrooms! Select locations feature a button on the bathroom wall with a "Do Not Push This Button" sign. Those who push it are bathed in bright colorful lights reflected in a mirror ball with upbeat disco music playing over the PA system. The “Home of the Famous Disco Bathrooms,” HOP Shops boast online of their status as “America’s Cleanest Restrooms” (hopshops.com). Their attraction is built on the proven strategy that the best way to get some people to do something is to order them NOT to do something.     It is significant that the New Testament closes with a dire warning to not twist and transfigure God’s inspired word (Rev. 22:18-19). It is a huge “Do Not Push This Button” sign that is ignored by many professing Christians in a multi-denominated religious world.     Biblical Christianity is under siege in a modern world that rejects God’s truth for human desires. This is the very thing Paul warned about in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires … they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth.” Jude recognized our need to possess, proclaim and preserve the one, only and forever “common salvation” (Jude 3) presented in God’s inspired word. That is the truth God wants us to preach and practice.

- David Bragg is co-editor of BulletinGold. He may be contacted through his blog: http://davidbragg.blogspot.com/

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Whom Will You Follow

By Brian Mitchell     The Epistle to the Philippians is one of Paul’s most personal NT epistles and has been called by some “a window into Paul’s very heart.” The main theme found throughout the letter to the church at Philippi is that of JOY. In total the words joy, rejoice, and rejoicing are found 17 times in these 4 short chapters. Thus, many have labeled Philippians as “Paul’s Hymn of Joy.” It is a look into Paul’s journey in Finding Peace of Mind.     Many search for peace and serenity in this life, but few ever find it. The realities of life can, at times, be harsh and thus many seek through various means for a way of escape, only to find that in the end they have done more harm than good. What does this have to do with Paul’s epistle to the Philippians? Philippians was written by a man (Paul) who had found true peace of mind in life.     Even though he was in prison at the time of this writing. Even though he was awaiting a trial that could very well result in his death. Paul had found the joy which produces peace of mind and he wanted to share that with his readers. Philippians is thus of great value to the Christian because: it reveals the nature of true peace and joy in life. It reveals the example of a man who demonstrates what produces peace and joy in one’s life. It reveals the Christ who is the true source of our peace and joy.     As we consider a small part of the message from Paul’s epistle to the Philippians, let us remember that Paul wants us to understand where joy and peace come from so that we might have them in our life. This is an especially important consideration in light of our text for this sermon—Ph.3:17-21. As we consider this passage, we shall notice that Paul is here discussing the fact that there are 2 ways that we can walk (or live) in this life. We can walk as a citizen of heaven. Or we can walk as an enemy of the cross.     Which we choose shall determine if we find the peace and joy that Paul so desperately wants us to enjoy. Whom will you follow? Which choice have you made? Not which choice do you want everyone to think you have made but which choice have you actually made? How are you walking in this life? Are you walking in righteousness, as a citizen of heaven, or in unrighteousness as an enemy of the cross.     The answer may well depend upon where you have set your mind. If your mind is set on earthly things, you will be an enemy of the cross. Because you will: make your belly your God, glory in that which is shameful and you will bring on your own destruction. If it is set on heavenly things you will be a citizen of heaven. Because you will: live as a citizen of heaven, eagerly await Christ’s coming and live in preparation for the transformation of this body. Have you become a citizen of the kingdom? If so, are you acting like it?

- Brian Mitchell serves as a minister with the Jackson Church of Christ in Jackson, MO. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at https://www.jacksonchurchofchrist.net

The Necessity of Relationships

By Brian Mitchell     Let me start by asking you a few questions. Where do you go when you have a problem? Whom do you turn to when you need help or advice on some important issue in your life? Are you more likely to turn to someone you know or to a complete stranger? How do you feel when a stranger comes to your door or calls you on the telephone and tries to talk with you about political issues, replacement windows or religion? How much attention do you pay to all the junk mail that is addressed “To the Current Occupant” that crowds your mailbox every day?      Now please don’t misunderstand me, I’m not going to deny that God can sometimes use these techniques to touch people’s lives with the truth. Regardless of the approach, there will always be stories to prove that these efforts have some success in leading people to the Lord. HOWEVER—I believe that people are becoming more and more immune to impersonal approaches to evangelism. The fact is that all of us experience discomfort when someone outside our circle of family and friends tries to influence us about personal and spiritually significant matters.       The real honest truth is that we are not all that comfortable having people we know confront us about such matters and so we definitely don’t want strangers trying to do so. If we are going to listen to anyone though we all naturally gravitate toward people we already know and trust. Friends listen to friends. Friends confide in friends. Friends are influenced by friends. Therefore, if we’re going to impact our world for Christ, then one of the most effective approaches will be through our building of strong relationships with those God places in our lives.       We are called upon to be the Salt and Light of the world. Thus far we have been primarily talking about our influence as related to being salt as we have discussed: Authenticity, Compassion and Sacrifice. Today we want to address the need for close proximity or contact with those whom we seek to influence.  The most potent salt in the world has no impact when left in the shaker. The most powerful light will have no positive effect on the darkness if it isn’t allowed to shine. The most authentic, compassionate and sacrificial Christians on the planet will not influence anyone until they have contact with them. Thus, in today’s lesson we will explore the necessity of building of relationships with those we hope to reach.      And we don’t have to look very far in our Bibles before we find examples of this approach to reaching people for the Lord. We can’t be contagious Christians without getting close enough to other people for them to catch what we have got. Later on, we are going to talk about ways to effectively communicate the content of our faith, but it’s important to realize that the ability to communicate doesn’t do any good if we have no one to communicate with.       So be a friend to as many as possible. And what’s truly exciting is that when we are a part of reaching out to unbelievers, we see our own faith deepening and our reliance on God growing, and the mission becomes more fulfilling! What are you doing with the relationships in your life?

- Brian Mitchell serves as a minister with the Jackson Church of Christ in Jackson, MO. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at https://www.jacksonchurchofchrist.net