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

The Life of Sacrifice

By Brian Mitchell       Self-sacrifice is a word that we, as a society, don’t seem to be familiar with anymore. Most people live by the words of the Sinatra song, “I did it my way.” Consider the following ads which promote selfishness and me-first thinking in our culture. L'Oreal Paris ad "Because you're worth it." Or the famous Burger King slogan “Have It Your Way.” This is the day and age where we are constantly told to get all you get and do what makes you feel happy without even the slightest thought of others.     The world says: "You have needs -- satisfy them. You have as much right as the rich and the mighty. Don't hesitate to satisfy your needs; indeed, expand your needs and demand more." This is the worldly doctrine of today. And they believe that this is freedom. The result for the rich is isolation and suicide, for the poor, envy and murder.” Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov.     What is Sacrifice? Certainly, we understand the meaning of self-sacrifice. It is not too hard to define—it is the willingness to personally give up something for someone else or for some greater benefit. Frankly, I think the very concept is a bit frightening to most. We understand what it means but it is much harder to embrace and embody in our own personal lives. And yet when we witness self-sacrifice, we are drawn to it. We are amazed by it. Because true sacrifice touches people’s emotions and opens their hearts in ways that few other things can.     How many of you remember the story of Pat Tillman? It is one of those truly genuine and a remarkable story of self-sacrifice: Star athlete walks away from the game in his prime, leaving millions in cash on the table, to put his life at risk in service to his country. And then in May of 2002, just 8 months after the September 11 attacks, Tillman walked away from a $3.6 million contract to join the military.     He enlisted along with his brother, Kevin, who himself gave up the chance of a career in baseball. The two brothers then completed training for the elite Army Ranger school late in 2002 and were then both to the Middle East as part of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Pat was subsequently redeployed to Afghanistan, where, on April 22, 2004, he was killed in action by friendly fire while on patrol.     What People had to Say. The Arizona Cardinals vice president Michael Bidwill said of Tillman, “In sports we have a tendency to overuse terms like courage and bravery and heroes, and then someone like Pat Tillman comes along and reminds us what those terms really mean.” Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue said, “Pat Tillman personified all the best values of his country and the NFL. He was an achiever and leader on many levels who always put his team, his community, and his country ahead of his personal interests.”     As I’ve already said, “Sacrifice moves people.” It causes them to stop in their tracks and ask; “Why? Why would someone do something like that?” “What would cause a person to go out of their way for me?” Because sacrificial acts are so rare and powerful, they are rarely forgotten. Sacrifices, of whatever variety, have the ability to impact people for a lifetime. Thus, we through sacrifice, have the ability to influence and impact people in a major way.     What are you doing to attract others to Christ? The Bible says that those of us who follow Christ should live lives that draw those outside of Christ to us. We should live in ways that makes our faith attractive to those outside of the family of God. As both Jesus and Paul say, we should live our lives as shining lights in a world of darkness. So How are We Doing?

- 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 Power of Authenticity

By Brian Mitchell
    There’s a story told of a woman who pulled up to a red light behind another car. The driver of the car in front of her was talking on his cell phone, and shuffling through some papers on the seat beside him. The light turned green, but the man didn’t notice. The woman began pounding on her steering wheel, honking her horn and yelling at the man to move. The man still didn’t move. The light turned yellow. The woman blew the car’s horn repeatedly, as she yelled and screamed at the man.    The man finally noticed the commotion. He looked up, saw the yellow light, and accelerated through the intersection just as the light turned red. The woman was beside herself, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection. As she was still in mid-rant she heard a tap on her window and looked into the face of a very serious looking policeman.    The policeman told her to shut off her engine and step out of the car. The red-faced woman obeyed, speechless at what was happening. The policeman took the woman to the police station where she was placed in a cell. After a couple of hours of sitting in the cell, the woman was brought out to the front of the station where the original officer was, waiting with her personal effects.    The policeman handed her the bag containing her things, and said, "I’m really sorry for this mistake. But you see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn and screaming and cursing. Then I noticed the *Choose Life* license plate holder, the *Follow Me to Sunday School* bumper sticker, and the chrome plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk. So, naturally I assumed that you had stolen the car. But I was wrong, have a blessed day!"    For years, popular television advertising has told us that: “IMAGE IS EVERYTHING.” In other words, it’s not what you are that matters, it’s what you appear to be that does. The problem, spiritually speaking, is that many have bought into this kind of thinking. Believing that if they merely put on a good show, that such will be sufficient enough, to influence people for good. The problem is that for most sincere truth seekers “Image is NOT Everything; Substance Is.” Most people in the world do not care who you profess yourself to be, they care about who you show yourself to be.    If asked what qualities we see in others that bother us the most, toping many of our lists would be dishonesty and/or hypocrisy—the lack of authenticity. Most of us are repelled by people who say one thing and then do another. On the other hand, we are attracted to people who are honest and genuine—people who actually are who they claim to be. We like and trust people who are real and sincere. Why? Primarily because the world is full of people who are pretending to be someone or something that they are not.    There’s a lot of deception in this world. Pretense abounds. But none of this belongs in the church. If we examine the text from Romans 12:9-16 that is our Scripture reading today, one thing that should stand out to us is the need to be real; to be sincere; to be authentic. To enable us to live lives that attract seekers and point their heads toward heaven. That’s what I want to do; what about you.

- 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

Making The Message Clear

By Brian Mitchell     When the Apostle Paul, was concluding his letter to the Colossians, he asked them to pray for two things. First, He asked them to pray that God would open doors for the message. Second, He asked them to pray that he might proclaim the message clearly.     Those are very good things to be praying for, and as we seek to get back to our mission today, let us pray for open doors and a clear message. Because Here’s the Truth: I don’t care who you are or what talents you feel you do or do not have, every one of us Christians have some good news to share with others. The only question; do we have a desire to share it?     I like the story told of the little boy who greatly concerned his parents. The boy’s parents could not get him to utter a single word. So they took him to a specialist, and after a thorough evaluation, it was determined that the boy had nothing wrong with him physiologically that was keeping him from talking. So the doctor grasped him firmly by the shoulders and gave him a sound shaking, saying, “Why don’t you say something?” The little boy defiantly replied, “Cause I ain’t got nothing to say!”     What about Us? Hopefully, after the last 3 months, that’s not the way we feel about our faith any more. In truth, I know that everyone of us has some great news to tell others about and I choose to believe that we want to tell others about it. Sometimes, however, we are still afraid that we can’t or we shouldn’t. It’s like the story of the preacher who loved to golf.     Unfortunately, it had rained every weekend for a month and the preacher was dying to play a round of golf. So the first sunny day in weeks ended up being a Sunday. So he called some of the leaders of his congregation and told them that he had been called away to an emergency and that they would have to cancel services that Sunday. Realizing that he could not play on a local golf course, he drove two counties away and teed up on a course that sunny Sunday morning.     Meanwhile, God was watching all this from heaven above. So He called an angel and said, “I’ve got a preacher down there who canceled church to play golf. I need you to go and administer an appropriate punishment.” So, the angel went down and as the preacher teed off on a par 3, the angel caused the preacher to hit the best shot of his life and the ball went right in for a hole-in-one. God said to the angel, “You gave him a hole-in-one? What kind of punishment is that?” The angel replied, “Yes, I gave him a hole-in-one. But think about it, who can he tell?”     Sometimes we are just like that preacher in the sense that we’ve got something that we want to share so badly with someone, anyone, but feel at the same time that we can’t tell anyone. Or at least don’t know how to. We have some great news to share—in word and in deed—and there is no reason for us to keep it to ourselves; we have nothing to hide and no reason to be afraid. In fact, there is no reason that we can keep it to ourselves.     What do we need? The same 2 things Paul asked the Colossians to pray for: we need open doors and opportunity for sharing—and again, a lot of those doors will be opened by the lives we lead. Secondly, we need the ability to clearly communicate the good news. In the end, no matter what we do, we have to share the message and we have to do so in a way that people can clearly understand what we are trying to communicate.

- 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

Undenominational Christianity

By Dan C. Bailey

Most people do not understand that the church of Christ, the body of Christ, or the church that we read about in the New Testament is not a denomination. As a Christian and Bible believer, I am against division in the body of Christ. In theory, denominationalism says that it is acceptable to God to worship in the various denominations which treat different doctrines from each other, and therefore, different doctrines than those in the Bible.     It cannot be the case that the Bible teaches contradictory doctrines. The very concept of denominationalism justifies and supports the teaching of error. Any organization, group, or theory that justifies error and contradicts the Word of God is an organization, group, or theory that a Christian should have nothing to do with. As Christians, we are not in fellowship with any denomination, neither do we intend to be.     Peter tells us in 1 Peter 3:15: "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." One must realize that true Christianity is undenominational and be ready to defend that fact.     In the Bible, God teaches us that there is only one church, body, family or kingdom over which Christ is the head or ruler. This church or kingdom takes its orders or commands from Jesus Christ by means of the words of the New Covenant or New Testament. Christ is not the author of error or doctrines that contradict the Work of God.     Jesus promised to build His church in Matthew 16:13-20. We read in verses 18 & 19: "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." The Lord said "my church." He didn't say churches or denominations that would contradict one another. Christ is the builder of the only one church and it belongs to him. "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood" (Acts 20:28).     When a man is saved in obedience to the gospel of Christ, he is immediately added to the church of Christ, body of Christ, or kingdom of Christ. We read in Acts 2:38-41: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." And in verse 47 of the same chapter: "Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."     The church is the body of Christ, and since there is only one body, there is only one church in the Bible. I do not expect you to take my word for this, but the scriptures teach us in Ephesians 1:17-23. "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."     And we read in Ephesians 4:4-6: "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."     Christ is the one head of the one church or the one body. "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body" (Ephesians 5:23). "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence" (Colossians 1:18).     Let us never be ashamed to teach what the Bible teaches about the church or any other subject.   - Dan C. Bailey serves as a minister with the State Street Church of Christ in Bristol, VA. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at https://www.thelordsway.com/statestreetchurchofchrist/framedindex.asp?Group=Home

The Unity of The Church

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By Dan C. Bailey    Certainly, one of the most important subjects in the Bible is the unity of the Lord's church. The church is the body of Christ and the body of Christ is the church. Paul said, "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all" (Eph. 1:22-23). And again he said, "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence" (Col. 1:18). We read in I Cor 12:20, "But now are they many members, yet but one body." And again in I Cor. 12:27, "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." Jesus promised to build His church. He said, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). The Lord did build or establish his church on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter two. Does Jesus desire that his church be divided? David said, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1). If unity is good and pleasant, wouldn't it be God's will for his church to be united or to be one?      In John 17:1-26, we have the longest prayer in the New Testament. The Lord prayed this prayer just before he went out to the garden of Gethsemane. In verses twenty through twenty six, Jesus prayed for the unity of his disciples or his church. Surely it was a sincere prayer. Surely it was a prayer within the realm of possibility. We know that Jesus meant what he prayed and prayed what he meant. Here is what he prayed: "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one" (John 17:20-23).      Jesus not only prayed for unity, he gave the plan for unity. God would not expect his people to be united without a plan. Jesus said, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word" (John 17:20). His church is to be united through the word of the apostles. Was it really obtainable? After all, many say that we cannot understand the Bible alike?      My friends, if we really understand the word of God, we will understand it alike! Luke tells us in Acts 2:42, "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." In Acts 4:32-33 we read, "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all." The apostles preached the gospel by the Holy Spirit who guided them into all truth. "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come" (John 16:13).      The teachings of the apostles of Christ were understood and followed in the early church. Peter exhorted, "This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour" (II Peter 3:1-2). And Paul informs us in I Cor. 14:37, "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord." Jesus gave us the plan for unity. Now we are expected to follow the plan.      There is only one God and God has only one plan for unity! Division in the Lord's church is sinful. Paul commanded the brethren in Corinth, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (I Cor. 1:10). In chapter 3:1-3 we read, "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" Envy, strife, and division are carnal. They are fleshly, worldly, sinful!      It is not a light matter to divide the Lord's church. Paul wrote to the Philippians and said, "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel" (Phil. 1:27). How can anyone study these verses and the prayer of Jesus and then affirm that there is nothing wrong with division in the body of Christ? Let us be one in Christ, just as our Savior prayed. ******************************** United As One The church is commanded to be of one mind, To labor together -- a God given sign. United in love, one body indeed, Helping the helpless, and all those in need.   The church of the Lord is to be of one soul, Cleansed by the blood, redeemed and made whole. Led by the words of the Bible each day, United as one, let us walk in the way.   One body, one Spirit, one Savior Divine, One Lord and one Faith, delivered one time. So let us take heed to the prayer of God's Son. Like Him and the Father, we all should be one. Dan C. Bailey / November 30, 2009   "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one."                               John 17:20-22

- Dan C. Bailey serves as a minister with the State Street Church of Christ in Bristol, VA. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at https://www.thelordsway.com/statestreetchurchofchrist/framedindex.asp?Group=Home