By Edd
Sterchi It has been said that you should never fall
in love with a tennis player – to them, love means nothing. Love should mean
something to us. Love is an important concept to God and it should be to us, as
well. A common phrase we use is “in love” meaning
that we are in a state of strong emotional attachment with someone. Well, I
believe that Christians should be “in love” with one another. Doing a search of
the phrase “in love” in our English Bibles reveals some interesting things concerning
Christians’ relationship with each another (note: the following verses are based
upon the NKJV). *
“bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2). This means that we are patient
with one another – that we are always there for them. *
“edifying...in love” (Eph. 4:15). To edify means to “build up.” We should
always be endeavoring to uplift and encourage our brethren. *
“walk in love” (Eph. 5:2). What is meant by walking is a way of life. Our way of life ought to be that of caring
for and expressing love for one another. *
“esteem...very highly in love” (1 Thess. 5:13). We should prefer one another
and honor one another because we love one another. If
we properly operate “in love” with one another, we can see some benefits, as
well. *
“Being knit together in love” (Col. 2:2). We will grow closer together with the
special love bond we have in Christ. *
“abound in love to one another” (1 Thess. 3:12). Our love will grow in
intensity and be so abundant that it will literally know no bounds. |
- Edd Sterchi preaches for the Broadway Church of Christ in
Campbellsville, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's
website: http://www.broadwaychurchofchrist.net/  |
Sunday, March 19, 2023
Are You “In Love” With Your Brethren?
A Fishing Story
By Adam Faughn There is an old sermon illustration that I have heard used a
handful of times, but I have never been able to run down where it originated.
So, please know that the following is a summary of ow I remember it being told.
If you know where it is originally from, I would love to find out because it
drives home a powerful concept. ----- One day, a man decided
to fish. He got a simple pole, line, and hook and went to a local creek. He was
not successful at first, but he enjoyed the time in nature, so he went again.
After a few trips, he caught his first fish. A few trips later, he had caught
more. After a time, the
man had gained quite a reputation for knowing how to catch fish, so people came
to see him do it. While he did not catch fish every time he went, he was
usually successful, plus he loved to talk about fishing. It had become a
passion for him. People started wanting to hear him speak about the techniques
he used and where the best fishing spots were. Time passed and
the man became truly renowned in the fishing world. He was asked to speak at
fishing seminars. He wrote books and articles on fishing. He even offered an
online class on the modern techniques of fishing. His knowledge was impeccable,
as he stayed up-to-date with the latest innovations in fishing gear, fishing
technology, and fishing techniques. He was basically unparalleled in the
fishing world for giving people information on fish. Amazingly, the man
created such a furor that an entire fishing university was created, and people
filled their minds in courses such as "Angler 101" and
"Line-Baiting Symposium." They graduated with degrees in fishology
and were now filled with all sorts of information. But, through it
all, there was one thing that was no longer happening. The man who was such an
expert on fishing simply did not have the time anymore...to fish. He had not
been in years. He had the information and stayed up to date, but he had not put
a hook in the water for a long, long time. Thus, he had not even attempted to
actually catch a fish in many years. So, while the
world was now full of people who knew the information about fishing, what was
missing? People who fished. ----- ThatBut if all we ever do is talk about it,
we are not doing what we are talking about. Go fishing! Even
if you do not "catch" a soul, your loving effort is what God blesses.
Who do you need to talk to, even today? "Go into all
the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." (Mark 16:15) |
- 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. |
“What Would You Give?”
By
Bill Brandstatter Suppose someone were to tell you that if you
cut off your little finger, you could have everything you could possibly want
or need? If you need a new car, you could have it. If you need a new house,
pick one, there is no price limit. Whatever you want in this world could be
yours, if you just cut off your right finger. Would you do it? Suppose the
offer was extended to include your right arm, your eyes and your ears, would
you still do it? Many would say “no” at some point, yet there are many people
that are giving up something more valuable for a whole lot less. Jesus poses
this question: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world,
and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
(Matt. 16:26 NKJV) Our soul is the most valuable item we possess. There is no price tag attached to it. It is valuable because it goes on beyond the grave. We cannot take our material possessions with us. (1 Tim. 6:7) We will take our souls with us. So, the value of it is far greater than anything this world has to offer. To lose our soul would be worse than losing our material possessions in a fire, earthquake, or storm. Our
soul is valuable because of its source. Man has given us many things; God has
given us our soul. Ezekiel, acting as a spokesman for God stated, “Behold all
souls are mine.” (Eze. 18:4) Our material possessions belong to us. Our souls
belong to God. Paul adds to this by stating, “Glorify God in your body, and in
your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Cor. 6:20) God breathed life into man, and man
became a living soul. (Gen. 1:27) Since that time every soul belongs to God. Our soul is valuable because each of us are of the same value. Material possessions differ with the individual, but each of us has a soul. The value of each soul is the same. The value is not determined by gender, education, or ethnicity. Where we live makes no difference. In Christ, the soul of each person has the same value. (Gal. 3:26-29) Let
us consider how valuable we are to God, not man. Man’s value is based on looks,
money, prestige, and class status. God’s value is placed on our soul’s
relationship with Him. Let us make sure we have the right relationship with
God, and the soul’s value will be clearly seen when Heaven is our home. |
- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in
Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/ |
Repairs Needed
By David
A. Sargent Jim Corley met his friend, Alex, at the
dealership where Alex worked. “Jim, I feel like a hypocrite every time I
go to church because I fail to live for Christ so often.” “Alex, what do you call this part of the
dealership?” Jim asked, nodding to the area outside his cubicle. “You mean the showroom?” “Yes. And what’s behind the showroom, past
the parts counter?” “The service department,” Alex said
confidently. “What if I told you I didn’t want to bring
my car to the service department because it was running rough,” Jim asked. “That would be crazy! That’s the whole
point of service departments — to fix cars that aren’t running right.” “You’re absolutely right,” Jim replied.
“Now, let’s get back to our initial conversation. Instead of thinking of church
as a showroom where image is everything, start thinking of it as God’s service
department. Helping people get back in running order with God is what the
church is all about.” * We are all in need of repairs, “for all
have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). But God loves us and wants to “fix us” –
from the inside out. The finished
product will resemble His glorious Son.
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of
the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just
as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). In
order to cleanse us and make us whole, God sent His one and only Son Jesus to
die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). God will cleanse, make whole, and give
eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31),
turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men
(Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness
of sins (Acts 2:38). He will continue to
cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John
1:7-9). When we rise from the waters of baptism in
the new birth, God adds us to the church, His family (Acts 2:41). In God’s family, we find encouragement,
correction, forgiveness, and other components of a needed support system to
keep us “running” well. “Bring
Christ your broken life So
marred by sin. He
will create anew Make
whole again.” --
Thomas O. Chisholm Remember,
the church is not a showroom; it’s God’s service department. Come to Christ and into His church so that He
can make you whole. |
- David A. Sargent, minister for the Church of Christ at Creekwood
in Mobile, Alabama, is also the editor of an electronic devotional entitled
"Living Water." To learn more about this excellent resource
contact David via their website: http://www.creekwoodcc.org *
Source: Choice Contemporary Stories and Illustrations For Preachers, Teachers,
and Writers, Craig Brian Larson as quoted by www.ministry127.com. |
A Strait Is Seldom Straight!
By Joe
Slater “Strait is the gate and narrow is the
way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:14,
KJV). The expression “strait and narrow” has
become proverbial in reference to careful compliance with the rules given by
parents or by God. However, most mistakenly understand it as “straight and
narrow.” The spelling difference is subtle, but the change in meaning is
radical! A “strait” (without the g-h) is seldom
straight. Look at the Strait of Magellan or the Strait of Hormuz on a map.
They’re anything but straight! Guiding a ship through those straits takes
plenty of zigzagging along a difficult and narrow route! They’re called “straits”
because they’re difficult, not because they go from point “a” to point “b”
without deviation. Many other Scriptures teach us not to
deviate from God’s word, but “strait” in Matthew 7:14 isn’t making that point.
The path to eternal life is narrow and difficult! By contrast, the way to
destruction is wide and easy (7:13). Most people find wide and easy to be appealing.
Comparatively few put forth the effort to travel the narrow, difficult path. But wait! Doesn’t the majority rule? That
sounds very American! How can the majority of people be wrong? Isn’t it
arrogant to say that? Well, we didn’t say it – Jesus did. A
majority of Jesus’ own people (the Jews) rejected Him. Despite the thousands
who became Christians in Acts, vastly more rejected the gospel. This is nothing
new; God has always operated with a remnant. Are you on that narrow way? It’s difficult,
but the destination makes it more than worth the effort! |
- Joe Slater serves as minister of the Church of Christ in Justin,
TX. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://justinchurchofchrist.com |
Thursday, March 16, 2023
The Consequences of Sin
By
Andrew Beasley I am sure that most can relate to the
feeling in the pit of your stomach that arises when you are driving down the
road and maybe you have not checked your speedometer or paid close enough
attention to it, at least not until you zip past a police officer and see them
pull out behind you a few moments later. There is a sense of unease as you look
in your review mirror as you wait for those flashing blue and red lights to
turn on. In the same moment you likely find yourself glancing to make sure your
speed had dropped to where it always should have been. Those feelings of anxiousness are likely
undergirded by guilt, or potential guilt, at the fact that maybe you did break
the law and are going to be facing the consequences of doing so. There is never
anything pleasant about being disciplined or punished. In the case of speeding
the end result may be a hefty fine depending on how fast one was going, and the
annoyance of increased car insurance because of the mark against your record. If only the world, and in many ways
Christians, had the same fear of the consequences of sin. The truth of the
matter is that with many crimes committed against human governments, the
criminal can get away with their wrong doing if they are careful enough not to
get caught. With spiritual crimes there is no escaping the governing authority
that is God. There is nothing that escapes the view of a being so great that He
is aware of even the number of hairs growing on each one of our heads (Luke
12:7). As Christians we should always be working
to make sure no one is facing the flashing lights of God’s judgment on that
great day. |
- Andrew Beasley serves as
a minister with the Northwest Church of Christ in Greensboro, NC. He may be
contacted through the congregation's website: https://nwchurchofchrist.com/about/
|
The Lamb Of God
By Al Behel “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall
overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are
with him are called, and chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:14) John the Baptist
referred to Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36). The book of Revelation
tells us that the Lamb that was slain is worthy to receive honor and praise
(Revelation 5:12). He is worthy because His blood cleanses us and makes us free
from sin. He is worthy because He overcomes our enemies. He is worthy because
He is “King of kings, and Lord of lords.” As the church of our
Lord we await His return as a bride waits for her wedding day. Therefore, “Let
us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is
come, and his wife has made herself ready” (Revelation 19:7). Sometimes we lose
heart. Sometimes we become discouraged and are impatient. But, the wedding is
coming. The Lamb will return and He will be victorious over all the enemies.
Our battle is not ours, but His. We win because He wins. Although church bells
had not been heard in the freedom-starved nation of Czechoslovakia in 45 years,
at noon on November 27, 1989 every church bell in the country began to ring out
as the atheistic and tyrannical governments of Eastern urope suddenly
disintegrated. A sign placed on the front lawn of a church building in Prague
said it all. It read simply, “The Lamb Wins.” The gentleness and
compassion of Jesus is portrayed as a Lamb. But, let us not forget that this
same Lamb is Judge of all mankind. He is the ultimate conqueror of all who
oppose Him. No enemy can stand before Him. Nations will rise and nations will
fall, but the Kingdom of God stands forever. On the final day there will be no
doubt. There will be no opposition. Every knee will bow and every tongue will
confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father. |