Does My Name Match My Claim

By Adam Faughn
    Just recently, a particular item had to be recalled from a fairly significant number of stores. A certain brand of tuna that was sold at some regional and national retail stores had to be pulled from the shelves and was recalled when it was discovered that there was a fairly significant potential for botulism. It was discovered that, basically, several of the tins had not been sealed properly, and as such, the potential for this dangerous and potentially deadly problem had become very real. To their credit, the company pulled the product and got to work on making things safer.    Consider for just a moment, though, if that news story had turned out differently. What if that company had decided not to pull this item from the shelves and just go on selling their product as if nothing was wrong? Besides being illegal, we would consider such a decision heartless and cruel. They might come up with a mindset that just says that their product is essential (after all, people have to eat) in addition to being tasty and healthy. However, their product was contaminated and tremendously dangerous.    Now consider if you did not know about that danger and were shopping for tuna. You pick up the tin and read the label to make certain it is what you want to purchase. You double-check the ingredients and put that can of tuna in your cart. You have been told, by advertising and by the label on the tin, that this is healthy and tasty. What you have not been told is that what is inside is not, in reality, all that the label claims. In fact, what is inside could kill you.    When we put it in those terms, that is a fairly frightening scenario. The claim of the company is not really their aim. They are basically claiming that their product is healthy and tasty, but their aim is clearly shown, by their actions, to be nothing but financial profit and even greed.    Such is a terrible thing to contemplate, but it also can have a very sobering application to our Christian lives. It is simply this: is my claim also my aim?    Think of it this way: by singing certain hymns, by "amening" a prayer, or by thanking my Bible class teacher for discussing a particular subject, I am claiming that I agree with those truths. But then, when I go throughout my week, does the aim of my life fit those claims? Am I striving to live what I claimed I believed?    Maybe I sing with gusto that "I want to be a soul-winner for Jesus every day." I claim that by the words that I am speaking. As I go throughout my week, though, is it my aim to actually put those words into practice by contacting people, encouraging people, or teaching people? Maybe the person leading a public prayer leads us by saying, "Help us to remember our shut-ins in our daily prayers," and, in my mind, I say "amen" to that. But do I really, in my daily life, have a desire to actually remember to pray for those shut-ins? Does my aim match my claim?    Or maybe there is a Bible class that deals with a difficult subject like immodest apparel. After the class, I thanked the teacher for showing Scripture and for having the courage to teach lovingly about it. But then, my family goes to the beach later that month, and we share pictures with the world via social media of our bodies almost completely uncovered. Does my aim match my claim?    You see, we would be appalled if that tuna company had done what we laid out earlier. We would be enraged if they knew their product was potentially deadly and just went on as if nothing was wrong. We would be amazed that anyone could be so brazen, cruel, and greedy. We might even invoke the word "hypocrite" to describe their actions because they would be intentionally choosing to have their aim not match their claim.    But in our spiritual lives, we can often excuse the very same behavior when it is spiritually deadly! We claim to want to follow Jesus with our whole being, but the aim of our life does not line up with that claim. We excuse our choices for any number of reasons, even though we hear lessons on them or sing or pray things that make it seem as if we are truly striving to be faithful.    Certainly, there will be times when we simply slip up. Temptation is very real and strong, and we sometimes fall into something that we know is wrong. I am not writing about those moments of weakness.    Instead, there could be times when we sing, pray, or listen to a lesson and "amen" the sentiment, knowing full well that we are going to not follow through on that claim. That is a spiritually deadly way to live.    Each time I sing a lyric of a hymn, pray along with a public prayer, or listen to a lesson, I need to ask myself, before I "amen" it: am I willing to aim my life in such a way that backs up this claim? Only I can answer that for myself, but my answer could mean everything to my everlasting soul.

- Adam Faughn preaches for the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org Visit the Faughn Family blog, A Legacy of Faith

One Change to Consider Making to Adult Bible Classes

By Adam Faughn
    I am deeply appreciative of the elders at Central for many reasons. One of those reasons is that there is regular conversation about the Bible school program. In far too many congregations, the Bible school is handled with a “set it and forget it” mindset, but I am grateful that, at Central, there is ongoing discussion of how things should go.    And that includes the adult Bible classes.    In far too many congregations, adult classes default to one of two common ways of doing things. Either (1) they use a printed curriculum and basically just read the lesson aloud and fill in the blanks, or (2) they go verse-by-verse-by-verse-by-verse through whatever book they are in.    Now, before continuing, let me say that both of these approaches have at least some value.I am certainly not against printed curriculum. Some of it is quite good. However, if you read the instructions to these materials, they will tell you that they are meant to be a guide. They are not meant to just be read aloud and filled in. They are meant to aid the teacher in working through a text or topic.I teach verse-by-verse at times also. In fact, I like to do that. It makes certain an entire context is discussed and it “forces” the teacher to not skip more difficult or controversial texts.    However, to constantly (or even always) to default to these two methods can stifle the overall growth of the students. To work against that, consider making this one change sometimes: add variety to the approach of the classes.    For example, instead of studying John verse-by-verse again, why not just survey it once? Or why not only study the seven signs once? Or why not study only the “I am” statements once?    For some people, that sounds almost like heresy. After all, that’s not getting the whole book. Isn’t that terrible?    No, and let me give you one major reason why: adults will be in classes for decades, so you have plenty of opportunity to teach the same text using a different approach in the future. Remember: once a person graduates high school, they are in some type of adult class. Maybe you have a college class or a young professionals class. But they are in the “adult” department, and they will be in that department for the rest of their lives. If they live to, say, 80, that means they will spend about 62 years in adult Bible classes. So there is plenty of time to go through various texts and topics and to do so from a variety of approaches.    HERE’S THE HANGUP: THIS TAKES PLANNING    Of course, this takes planning and it also takes the leadership being on board, but it is such a blessing when a congregation teaches the whole counsel, yes, but also does so in a variety of ways, so that students see the same text from various angles and approaches.    What if your leadership sat down over the course of a few weeks (or even months) and tried to lay down the subjects and texts they would like to study for just the next two years? Now, can you go back through that list and talk about how to approach those? Of course! Some will need to be basically verse-by-verse. Some might well need the aid of a printed curriculum. But others might only need a survey or a topical approach. (NOTE: at Central, we have our adult classes, at least in rough form, through the summer of 2028, and we try to stay at least two years ahead at all times.)    But by planning in advance, you don’t default to the usual way of doing things. You also begin to see if you are being balanced (Old and New Testament, textual and topical, etc.).    It take a lot of work, but the Bible school program is far better for it.

- Adam Faughn preaches for the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org Visit the Faughn Family blog, A Legacy of Faith

The Word That Stops Christian Relationships

By Adam Faughn     Right off the bat, let me say that the title for today’s post is a little hyperbolic. There are plenty of words that can ruin relationships. Plus, this one doesn’t necessarily “stop” those relationships.     However, I hope you will see that the constant and mindless use of this one word can, at least, slow down the deepening of true Christian fellowship. And it’s a word you have probably used interacting with fellow Christians a lot…maybe even today.     What is it?     “Fine.”     When you ask someone on Sunday at worship how they are doing, it is so natural for the response to be “I’m fine.” When you text someone to see how they are feeling or how that issue in their life is going, it is very common for the answer to come back: “We’re fine.”     And far too often, that’s code for “I’m not fine, but I’ll say that because, as a Christian, I’m supposed to just be okay all the time.”     No. You. Are. Not.     Jesus looked at His disciples and, very openly, said, “My soul is troubled, even to death.” Does that sound remotely like, “I’m fine” to you?     While we need to be practical and admit that there is a time to share very personal and difficult details, we also need to realize that the Church is a family, and families share feelings, emotions, struggles, joys, and everything else.     And “fine” just doesn’t do that.     Be honest with those loving Christian family members who ask how you are doing. If things are not going well, just say so. You don’t have to elaborate, but a simple, “This has been a rough week” is at least being honest!     Oh, and one more thing. If all we say is “fine,” we are not allowing each other to obey a vital command: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Let your Christian family obey that directive from God…and just see if the bonds of fellowship where you worship don’t continue to grow deeper and stronger.

- Adam Faughn preaches for the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org Visit the Faughn Family blog, A Legacy of Faith

I Admit My Privilege

By Adam Faughn     No, I’m not talking about that other kind of privilege that people seem to be so concerned with in recent years. Since the Bible has nothing to say about skin color, I think it is absolutely crazy for our culture to be so obsessed with it.     Instead, I’m talking about a privilege that is available to everyone and that is far, far greater. It is one that I used to hear described as a “privilege” more often than I do these days, but maybe we need to get back to using that description.     In fact, this privilege provides doors of opportunity and communication that nothing else can.     Do you want it? Then all you have to do is speak.     Because it’s the privilege of prayer.     To come before the very throne of God is nothing short of a privilege to which nothing else can be compared. Think about it: you have access to the Creator of the universe! You have a personal hearing with the Almighty. He cares for every request you bring to Him and gives each one due consideration.     If that’s not a privilege, I don’t know what is.     So, yes, I admit my privilege. Am I’m eternally grateful for it.

- Adam Faughn preaches for the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org Visit the Faughn Family blog, A Legacy of Faith

A Presidential Funeral, John Lennon, and Acts 17

By Adam Faughn     Whenever a United States President dies, it is international news. The funeral services are also an occasion to remember the leader and to show a certain level of unity that is rarely seen in our culture. Such was on display recently when former President Jimmy Carter died at the age of 100.     However, at the memorial service in Washington, DC, there was a combination that seemed more at home in ancient Athens.     Per the request of Carter (I have read that this request was made a number of years ago), the song “Imagine” by John Lennon was not only played, it was performed live by a couple of music artists.     To me, it only showed the perfect storm of what it means to live in a secular and irrational time. Keep in mind that the very first line of Lennon’s song is “Imagine there’s no heaven; it’s easy if you try.” Now, keep in mind where this memorial service was being held: in a house of worship.     Lennon’s song also asks the listener to imagine no hell, no countries, no religion. And this was performed at a funeral…inside a building that is chartered by the congress of a nation and is set apart for worship. Yet that’s what was played?     It reminds me of when Paul went to Athens in Acts 17. You might recall that he talked about the tremendous number of idols he saw while traveling through the city. The one “to the unknown God” is what he used as the basis for his remarks to all who would listen on Mars Hill.     The difference in Paul and what happened at the funeral, though, could hardly be any more stark. Paul did not affirm any of the false beliefs of the Athenians. He did complement them for being religious, but he turned even that into a discussion about one God Who is over everything. And considering temples were all around, it had to be jarring to hear this man talk about the God Who does not even dwell in a temple.     In other words, there is only one God. He is over everything. And we don’t get to make the rules. He does.     Contrast that with playing a song at a funeral about there being no heaven, hell, or religion. That song encapsulates the irrationality of liberalism. It is completely illogical to sing about no religion in a building designed for worship. It is tragic and heartbreaking to hear about no heaven (or hell) at a religious funeral.     But liberalism says you can somehow believe both. It says there are countless gods and, even if they clash, you can still believe. What it really boils down to is this: you get to believe in you. You set the rules. So, even if things stand in contrast or are illogical, it doesn’t matter. You are the master so you build your own “unknown god.” (Except that god is known. It’s you.)     The only logical and rational view of the world is to follow the one true God. Taken to its conclusion, that is the only way to believe, speak, and live a consistent and whole life. It does mean you don’t get to make the rules, but it also means the rules make sense.     Imagine that.

- Adam Faughn preaches for the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org Visit the Faughn Family blog, A Legacy of Faith

The Lasting Impact of Our Words

By Jeff Arnette Today’s Passage: Prov. 12:22     Church, as we this week’s reading, we find a wealth of practical wisdom for everyday life. These chapters help us discern what is good, what is harmful, and how we can live in a way that honors God. Today, let’s focus on one key truth that Proverbs 12:22 touches on: the lasting impact of our words.     Scripture is clear—lies have a destructive source. Jesus said that Satan is “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). It was through his deception of Eve that sin and death entered our world (Rom. 5:12). Just think about that for a moment. One lie can cause significant harm—both to the one who lies and to the one being lied about. A lying tongue can ruin a reputation, harm relationships, and rob a person of influence. Even if a lie seems small or momentary, its consequences can last a lifetime (Prov. 12:19). A vicious falsehood can destroy someone’s good name and damage their character beyond repair.     That’s why it’s so important to keep our tongues in check. We must think before we speak and ask ourselves whether our words are truthful, kind, and necessary. Will this comment help or hurt? Will it build up or tear down? Words carry great weight, and once spoken, they cannot be taken back.     But Scripture doesn’t only warn us about the harm our words can cause—it also reminds us of the life-giving power of our speech. When the Holy Spirit guides our words, they can bring healing, hope, and joy. Thoughtful, sincere words help heal wounded spirits crushed by dishonesty and cruelty. “The tongue of the wise brings healing” (Prov. 12:18), and “the lip of truth shall be established forever” (Prov. 12:19). A kind word can lift a heavy heart (Prov. 12:25), and the lips of the wise spread knowledge (Prov. 15:7). The truly wise don’t just know the truth, they live it out (Prov. 13:16).     To gain this kind of wisdom, we must pursue it earnestly. We are told to “cry out for insight” and “search for it as for hidden treasure” (Prov. 2:3–4). This isn’t about study—it’s about prayerfully seeking God’s help. It takes diligence and a heart that fears the Lord. And that’s where it all begins: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov. 1:7). Honoring God is the starting point for living wisely.     So, as we walk through this week, let’s be mindful of the power of our words. Let’s not only refrain from saying things that harm, but intentionally choose to speak life, truth, and grace. Never forget: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov. 18:21). Let’s ask God daily to guide our speech, so our words reflect His character and bring Him honor.

- Jeff Arnette preaches for the Central Haywood church of Christ, Clyde, NC.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://centralhaywoodcoc.com/

Called to Serve the Needy

By Jeff Arnette Today’s Passage: Proverbs 19:17 “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his deed.” – Proverbs 19:17 (ESV)     As believers, we are called to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves. This is not a minor suggestion in Scripture, it’s a repeated and consistent theme. From the Law and the Prophets to the teachings of Jesus and the early church, we are reminded that caring for the poor reflects the heart of God. Giving to the needy isn’t just an act of charity; it’s part of what it means to live a Christ-like life.     But this call doesn’t mean we are to take on every burden or solve every problem in the world. We are not enslaved to the needs around us. What it does mean is that we remain open, willing, and responsive to the opportunities God puts in front of us. We help as the Lord enables us, trusting that He is the ultimate Provider.     Still, the question arises: Are we free to decide who deserves our help? When we see someone on the street holding a sign that says “hungry,” what is our reaction? For many of us, it brings a mix of emotions, compassion, hesitation, maybe even doubt. We begin to ask questions: Will they misuse what I give? Are they being honest? Am I helping or enabling them?     These are real concerns, and they come from a place of wanting to be responsible. But for the Christian, these questions can become distractions from the deeper call. We’re not just giving to a person—we’re giving to the Lord. Jesus said, “As you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:40). That means our acts of kindness, when done in His name, are seen and received by Him.     Even a simple gesture, like offering a meal or a bottle of water, is considered significant in God’s eyes. “Whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water… will by no means lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42). It’s not about how much we give or whether the recipient “deserves” it—it’s about whether our heart is aligned with Christ.     Serving the needy isn’t optional. It’s part of God’s command to love others. Our fears and feelings shouldn’t keep us from being generous. We’re not called to assess people like the world does, but to see them through the eyes of grace.     Paul praised the church in Thessalonica for their “work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope” (1 Thessalonians 1:3). May we be known for the same, people who give, not out of guilt or pride, but because we love Jesus and want to serve like He did.

- Jeff Arnette preaches for the Central Haywood church of Christ, Clyde, NC.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://centralhaywoodcoc.com/