The Lord's Supper in the 5th century

    From a Facebook post earlier this week: “Cyril (d. 444), Bishop of Alexandria, Egypt, on the Lord’s supper, a weekly practice. ‘If the poison of pride is swelling up in you, turn to the Eucharist; and that bread, which is your God humbled and disguised, will teach you humility. If the fever of selfish greed rages in you, feed on this bread; and you will learn generosity. If the cold wind of coveting withers you, hasten to the bread of angels; and charity will come to blossom in your heart. If you feel the itch of intemperance, nourish yourself with the flesh and blood of Christ, who practiced heroic self-control during his earthly life; and you will become temperate. If you are lazy and sluggish about spiritual things, strengthen yourself with this heavenly food; and you will grow fervent. Lastly, if you feel scorched by the fever of impurity, go to the banquet of the angels; and the spotless flesh of Christ will make you pure and chaste.’”

    The word “Eucharist” means “thanksgiving.” This was a post from a local preacher who, some of us are observing, is descending into denominationalism. Be that as it may, to this post I replied, “Or, better yet, turn to the Lord, learn His will, and implement His life and teaching, making it your own (Eph. 5.1). There is nothing magical about the Lord's Supper, which these words convey.” His reply to this was that he respectfully disagreed, meaning (as I interpreted it) that he did not want to have a conversation concerning this.

    Let me, then, give some attention to this topic, reflecting on the sacredness, importance, and spiritual nature of the Lord's Supper.

    The Lord's Supper is sacred, meaning the solemn occasion is dedicated in service to the Lord. That which we share in weekly, we do so to memorialize the Lord’s life, death, and resurrection. What we participate in weekly is (should be) a reflection of how we live life. Does one gain spiritual strength from it? He (she) should, but it will only be in relation to one’s obedience to the Lord’s will, similar as one would in prayer and praise.

    The importance of the Lord's Supper is that the command to observe is only for those who are Christians; it is not for those who have not obeyed the Gospel because they do not understand what they are doing. Churches of Christ practice “open communion,” meaning that each person must take account for himself in relation to the Lord. Some of us may have doubt about the spiritual standing of others; doubt we may have, but it matters not because one’s spiritual standing belongs to the one participating and the Lord. There are some churches that practice “closed communion,” meaning that only those who are members of the church where they worship can share in the sacred occasion.

    There is nothing in the participation of the weekly communion that corresponds to the words of the 5th century bishop (above). Search the New Testament and see if you find anything like what he said. If not, then why express sentiments like this? This is done because there is in the minds of some a “sacramental” approach to ritual. The word “sacrament” means something done / participated in is the instrument of divine grace or, in other words, there is an extra measure of divine pleasure coming from the Lord that would not otherwise be experienced. Thus, the spiritual focus of the communion (the Lord's Supper) is amplified to something the Lord never intended. There is no magical aura associated with one’s observance. The Christian observes the Lord’s Supper because the Lord wants him (her) to, nothing more.

    The Lord's Supper is sacred, important, spiritual, not magical. -Ron Thomas

 

- Ron Thomas preaches for the Church of Christ at Rio Grande in Bidwell, OH. He may be contacted at etsop95@gmail.com. Visit the congregation’s website at: https://www.churchofchristatriogrande.com

 

Assessing Our Life in Christ

  A Christian is to be...

...Possessing the spirit of Christ (Rom. 8:9)

...Accessing the word of Christ (Col. 3:16)

...Blessing always the name of Christ (Eph. 1:12)

...Confessing the Sonship of Christ (Acts 8:37)

...Stressing the authority of Christ (Matt. 28:18)

...Dressing in the image of Christ (1 Cor. 11:1)

...Addressing the importance of Christ (Col. 1:28)

...Progressing the gospel of Christ (Rom. 1:16)

...Expressing the love of Christ (Eph. 5:2)

...Impressing the care of Christ (Eph. 2:10)

...Pressing on for the cause of Christ (Phil. 1:27)

...Effervescing the light of Christ (1 John 1:7)

...Suppressing the enemies of Christ (1 John 4:1) - Edd Sterchi

 

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/

 

Unconditional Love

    In the Greek, it is the word agape, which has nearly be-come an English word in the world of Biblical studies. The best definition from my finite mind for "unconditional love" is: doing or saying something beneficial for another, expecting nothing in return. It is sacrificial. A better definition is seen by its use in the New Testament. Let’s consider also a passage from the Old Testament where the word is absent, but its meaning is exemplified.

    First, unconditional love is the essence of God. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son" (John 3:16). "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). "God is love" (1 John 4:8, 16).

    Second, it is expressed by true disciples of Jesus. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35). "If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments" (John 14:15). "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matt 5:44).

    Third, it is expected of Christian husbands. "Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them" (Col 3:19). "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it" (Eph 5:25).

    Fourth, unconditional love was exemplified in the days of Daniel. Three Hebrew youths, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (more commonly known by their Babylonian names: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) were put in roles of leadership in Babylon following Daniel's interpretation of the king's dream (Daniel 2–3). King Nebuchadnezzar erected a statue of gold and made a decree for all to worship the statue (Daniel 3). The three Hebrew youths refused to do so, and so Nebuchadnezzar threatened them with death in a fiery furnace if they continued. Listen to their response to the king: "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up" (Daniel 3:17–18). What a tremendous love and faith these three men had for God. They had faith that he could and would save them from the fiery furnace; however, they loved God so much that they would still be faithful to Him, even if He did not save them from the fiery furnace. Do we love God that much?

    He loves us that much, and more. So much more that He sent His only Son to save the world, knowing most of the world would reject Him. The sacrifice has been made. Will we love Him? Certainly, “He first loved us” (1 John 4:19)! -Clifton Angel 

 

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/

 

Subtle Jabs

    In teaching the book of Job in a Bible class on Sunday mornings, one thing that we have pointed out a number of times is the verbal "jabs" thrown by the friends, as well as Job, in their exchanges of speeches. Several of these are direct, and some--especially by the friends--are downright cruel.

    However, sprinkled throughout the narrative are also a large number of more subtle jabs. For example, in Job 18:2, Bildad begins his second speech to Job with this question: "How long will you hunt for words?"

    On the face of it, that is already fairly mean. After all, Job is going through horrific suffering, and he has still managed to keep speaking and to be clear in expressing what is going on in his mind. However, this question is an even more subtle jab than it appears at face value. In ancient cultures, those who were considered wise were those who spoke with very precise language and who were very controlled in their language.

    So, while Bildad's question is somewhat mean on the surface, just consider the subtle undertone of it. He is basically saying that Job is unwise, uncontrolled, and foolish!

    As our Bible class has noticed these more subtle jabs, it has caused me to do a lot of self-reflection. How do I talk both to and about other people? Sometimes, it can be tempting to take jabs that are more subtle so that I can claim innocence in a situation. As we hear it said, sometimes, we can "say something without saying something."

    But is that the way Christians should treat people? Think of three basic Biblical principles that need to guide our words. This is certainly not meant to be an exhaustive list, but maybe it will cause us to think about those times when we are in a moment of conflict or when we have to deal with someone in a tense situation.

    1. Matthew 5:37: "But let what you say be simply 'yes' or 'no'; anything more than this comes from evil." While this statement by Jesus is made in the context of making oaths, the principle is invaluable to all our communication. Followers of Jesus should be known for language that reflects exactly what needs to be said.

    2. Colossians 4:6: "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." Take note of the word "always." Taking subtle jabs at people certainly is not gracious speech, and it is very difficult to see how this type of language is a proper "answer" to anyone.

    3. Matthew 18:15: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother." While this has a specific context (believer sinning against believer), notice that Jesus says the conversation is to be both private and clear. The fault is to be told. We are not to beat around the bush. However, we are also not to take any type of verbal jab at the other person in order to try to put ourselves in some type of "stronger" position. Instead, go to them and say what you believe they have done that is sinful toward you.

    It is easy to excuse subtle jabs, but we simply cannot be the type of people who speak this way. For one thing, it violates the Golden Rule. None of us would want people taking these types of shots--no matter how subtle--at us, so we simply cannot excuse that type of behavior in ourselves.

    But further, to do this is to treat another person as "less than." These types of shots are meant to put the other person on a lower plane than we are, but we should always remember that all people are created in the image of God. As such, there is not a greater or lesser. There are just people, and we need to treat every other person as one made in His image and who has infinite value to Him.

    So, no matter the situation--even if it is tense or heated--let's remember to be direct but also to remember the soul of the other person. Or, to use the words of Paul, let's always remember to be "speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15). - Adam Faughn 

 

- 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 Plan for Unity

In 1941, the 14-year project begun by Danish-American sculptor Gutzon Borglum—his “Shrine of Democracy Sculpture,” better known as Mount Rushmore—was completed by his son. This monumental work, depicting George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, draws visitors from around the world each year.     Few people realize there is a hidden chamber behind Lincoln’s eyebrow. Its 18-foot-tall doorway leads to a room about 75 feet long with a 35-foot ceiling. Called the “Hall of Records,” it was originally intended to preserve artifacts about our nation’s founding and principles for future generations—and even, as some have suggested, for visitors from beyond this world (history.com).     Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had a place to preserve the secret of Christ’s church and its success?     We do—it is the New Testament. If the Lord’s church were ever to disappear from the earth, and some distant civilization later discovered a copy of the New Testament, they could fully reproduce what we enjoy today. This divinely inspired blueprint never loses its relevance. It reveals the truths through which God’s people can always find unity—not through personal opinions or preferences, but through faithful acceptance of God’s given basis for unity (Ephesians 4:3–5).     Whenever division threatens to separate two Christians, one thing is certain: one or both are failing to follow the clear teaching of Scripture. The Bible teaches and produces unity. If the church is to truly bless the world, it must value and practice genuine biblical unity (John 17:21). - David Bragg is co-editor of BulletinGold and former minister with the Northwest Church of Christ in Greensboro, NC.. He may be contacted through his blog: http://davidbragg.blogspot.com/

The Astonishing Servant of Jehovah

By David R. Ferguson     In the final portion of the Book of Isaiah, a dramatic shift occurs. No longer is it the book about condemnation for Judah’s and Israel’s rebellion, chapters 40 through 66 of Isaiah are all about grace and salvation, and grace and salvation. Now, who’s going to bring this grace and salvation to the world? Who’s going to be the one to provide this deliverance? The answer is the Servant of the Lord, the Servant of the Lord. I say it twice because that’s how Isaiah says it. That’s how Jesus is designated here. The Hebrew word used is ebed, and it means slave or servant. It’s used many hundreds of times in the Old Testament. So what we have here from Isaiah is a prophetic Messianic reference to Jesus as the Slave of Jehovah, the Servant of Jehovah. He’s the One Who will bring salvation. He’s the One Who will bring us comfort. He’s the One Who will bring us the forgiveness of sins. He’s the One Who becomes the theme of this final section of the Book of Isaiah.     Now let’s go to chapter 53 for a moment, with just that kind of broad picture. And you will find in verses 13 of 52, “Behold My Servant, Behold My Servant,” My ebed, My Slave. This is the same designation that has been indicated much earlier in this section of the Book of Isaiah. This is the fourth of specific prophecies regarding this Servant to come. Chapter 42 is one, chapter 49 is another, and chapter 50 verses 4 to 11 is the third. This here is the fourth of what we would call Isaiah’s Servant songs, or Servant prophecies.     Now in this presentation of the Servant before us, the Prophet calls on us to look at this Servant and be astonished. This is the most complete, most powerful, and most important revelation of the Messiah in the entire Old Testament, right here in front of us in Isaiah.     In Isaiah 53, we read of the Suffering Servant to come. “All of us like sheep have gone astray; each of us has turned to his own way. But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He didn’t open His mouth. Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth. By oppression and judgment He was taken away, and as for His generation, who consider that He was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of My people to whom the stroke was due. His grave was assigned with wicked men, yet He was with a rich man in His death because He had done no violence, nor was there any deceit in His mouth. But the Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief.”     May God bless you in the knowledge that His Servant died for you! May this knowledge grant you further peace in knowing that Jesus is the way of life to life eternally in Heaven!

- David R. Ferguson preaches for the Mentor Church of Christ in Mentor, OH.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://mentorchurchofchrist.com/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.com

The Remarkable Book of Isaiah

By David R. Ferguson     Isaiah 43:1 tells us that we are redeemed, for God has redeemed us. Literally, this means I want to continue our series of looking at the Gospel of Isaiah this morning. As was mentioned the last two Sundays, the Book of Isaiah was written some 700 - 750 years before Jesus Christ came into this world as a Baby born of the Virgin Mary.     The final 27 chapters of the Book of Isaiah are simply amazing. Chapters 40 through 66 are practically a mirrored foretelling of the last 27 books of the Bible, what is commonly referred to as the New Testament. The theme of this second half of Isaiah is grace and salvation.     These 27 chapters, starting in chapter 40, are the most sublime and richest portion of Old Testament prophecy. In a sense it really is a single prophecy, one glorious vision, and one majestic revelation of salvation which will arrive through the coming Messiah. The last half of Isaiah is supreme. It’s sweeping. It’s comprehensive. It encompasses not only the deliverance of Israel from Babylon, not only the deliverance of sinners from sin, but the deliverance of the nations from the curse of sin and death and then being brought into the Kingdom of the Messiah. So, it has those same elements. The first part if Isaiah talks about judgment upon Israel, it talks about judgment upon sinners, and it talks about final judgment. The second half of the Book of Isaiah talks about deliverance for Israel, deliverance for sinners, and a final deliverance of the redeemed into the Eternal Messianic Kingdom.     Most interestingly the second half of Isaiah, chapters 40 to 66, begins where the New Testament begins. If you look briefly at chapter 40 for just a moment, the parallel is quite interesting. In chapter 40 we read, “Comfort, O comfort My people, says your God.” And that’s the turn that occurs in the Book of Isaiah. It goes from the pronouncing of judgment in the first 39 chapters, to offering comfort in the back half because of grace and salvation coming from God. “Speak kindly to Jerusalem,” we now read. And then comes the prophecy in verse 3 regarding the coming of John the Baptist. “A voice is calling, clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness, make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.”     And, of course, it was John the Baptist who came, who was the fulfillment of that prophecy. He was the forerunner of Messiah, he was the voice crying in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make in the desert a highway for our God.” Just as John is featured in the gospels as Jesus begins His ministry, so, too, does the New Testament end in Revelation speaking of the same new heavens and new Earth, just as Isaiah does in the end of his book!     May the Lord bless you in knowing that Jesus is the way of life to life!

- David R. Ferguson preaches for the Mentor Church of Christ in Mentor, OH.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://mentorchurchofchrist.com/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.com