Are You Hungry

By Ron Bartanen     Have you thought of hunger as a blessing? We are privileged in America to be blessed with food and consider hunger for any length of time to be unbearable.  We usually think of hunger in terms of food, but there is another hunger that is even more needful—a spiritual hunger.  Jesus said, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for shall be filled” (Luke 6:21).      Following are some things the Bible teaches that we should hunger for—     Hunger for God, our Creator.  Proverbs 42:1 reads, “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.”   There is within all a need and hunger for our Creator which often goes unrecognized.  We fill our lives with other things to try to satisfy that hunger and find ourselves empty.     Hunger for truth.  We are admonished, “Buy the truth, and sell it not” (Proverbs 23:233).  No commodity should be valued as highly as truth.  Jesus taught that truth has the power to free man from the bondage of sin, saying to his disciples, ‘Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free’ (John 8:32).  Truth is not found in human dogmas, but Jesus prayed in behalf of the disciples, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17).  Do you feed upon Bible-truth?     Hunger for Heaven.  None will live in this world forever.  The apostle Paul spoke of believers who “by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and eternal life” ( Romans 2:7).  Earthly gain pales into insignificance to that of God’s heavenly promise to the faithful in Christ Jesus.     For what do you hunger the most?  Heed Jesus’ promise: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness: and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

- Ronald Bartanen is a retired minister who for many years served the Lord's church in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. After the passing of his beloved wife, Doris, Ron has relocated from Illinois to Florida where he is near family. He may be contacted at: ron33dor@yahoo.com

Three Cheers for Jesus!

By Edd Sterchi     We often give a hearty “Hip, Hip, Hooray” to one we wish to celebrate or honor. I think we don’t celebrate Jesus enough in our memories, words, and lives. Jesus came to make our lives blessed, joyous, and fruitful (cf. John 10:10). There are several instances in the Scriptures where Jesus said “Be of good cheer.” These are well worthy of our study. So let’s look at three cheers from Jesus and give three cheers for Jesus!     The Cheer of Pardon - In the city of Capernaum, Jesus healed a paralytic. As a bonus to the physical healing, Jesus gave him a spiritual healing saying, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you” (Matt. 9:2). How happy he must have been. How happy are you that Jesus has cleansed your sins? Do you thank Him for it, praise Him for it, love Him for it? Without Him, we are lost in our sins. With Him, we are forgiven, pardoned, and cleansed. Be of good cheer, our sins are forgiven! Hip, Hip, Hooray for Jesus!     The Cheer of Comfort - Once, the apostles were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee trying to cross to the other side. But the waves were rough, and the wind was contrary. All of the sudden, they saw a figure walking on the water toward them. They cried out in fear. But it was Jesus, and He said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid” (Matt. 14:27). How comforting it must have been for them, knowing that Jesus was now near. Does the knowledge of Jesus in your life bring you comfort? We should live in peace knowing that we can go to Him with any trouble, trial, or turmoil of life, and He will give us aid. Be of good cheer, Jesus will never leave us. Hip, Hip, Hooray for Jesus!     The Cheer of Victory - Shortly before His trial and crucifixion, Jesus had gathered His disciples together and was giving them instructions. Part of His words to them were, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Jesus then went on to overcome death, and in doing so gives us the victory, as well. How ought we to live knowing that death will not have its power over us? We ought to live our lives in confidence, in hope, in praise, in joy! We ought to serve Him with gladness, worship Him exuberantly, and tell the world how He saves. Be of good cheer, Jesus has given eternal life. Hip, Hip, Hooray for Jesus!

- 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/

Building A Solid Life

By Glen Elliott     Genuine prosperity is measured not by money but by what is in the heart. Without material possessions, one can still be rich in faith toward God and that is the greatest prosperity of all (James 2:5).     Jesus tells us how to build a foundation toward spiritual prosperity, saying, “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall” (Matthew 7:24–27).     The key to building a successful life is found in listening to and obeying the words of Jesus. It is not enough simply to hear the words of Jesus, we must act upon them. It is as foolish to ignore the teachings of Christ as it is to build a house on the shifting sand. While the two houses may have mirrored one another in appearance, only the house built on the rock could withstand the storms of life.     When adversity comes, will your house remain? Is your life firmly grounded on the solid foundation of acting on the words of Jesus? Without obedience to the words of Christ, what assurance do you have of spiritual prosperity? Commit yourself to reading His word every day. Apply His teachings to your life and you will be building a solid life on the only eternal foundation.

- Glen Elliott preaches for the Greenbrier church of Christ in Greenbrier, AR. He may be contacted through the congregation's website - https://www.gbcofc.com/

Once Saved Always Saved

By Dan Bailey     Recently, one of the members of our local congregation was discussing the Bible with another individual. The person maintained that once you were saved that you could not then be lost or fall away from the grace of God. The doctrine is usually expressed as, "once saved, always saved." It seems rather amazing that anyone claiming to be a Christian, could take such a position. It seems obvious that many simply do not study the Bible carefully. Consider what the scripture says about this very important subject. 1) It is possible to "fail of the grace of God." Hebrews 12:15 -- "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." 2) It is possible to harden one's heart in sin. Hebrews 3:8 -- "Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness." Hebrews 3:13 -- "But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:15 -- "While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation." 3) It is possible to depart from the living God. Hebrews 3:12 -- "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." 4) It is possible to let the things that we have heard "slip." Hebrews 2:1 -- "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." 5) It is possible to neglect our salvation. Hebrews 2:3 -- "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him." 6) It is possible to come short of God's promise. Hebrews 4:1 -- "Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it." 7) It is possible to fall because of unbelief. Hebrews 4:11 -- "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." 1 Corinthians 10:12 - "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." 8) It is possible to fall away and not be able to be renewed again unto repentance. Hebrews 6:4-6 -- "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." 9) It is possible to be sanctified and then despise the blood of the covenant. Hebrews 10:28-29 -- "He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" 10) It is possible to sin wilfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, and to find oneself without a sacrifice for sins. Hebrews 10:26 -- "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." 11) It is possible to cast away one's confidence in Christ and in His word. Hebrews 10:35 -- "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward." 12) It is possible to be made free from sin, and then go back to the law of Moses and fall from grace. Galatians 5:1-4 -- "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."     My dear friend if you can read these scriptures and still maintain that "once saved, always saved" is a true doctrine, there must be a problem with either not knowing the scriptures or with denying the scriptures, because the Bible is very clear on this 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

Putting Pieces of the Puzzle Together

By Bill Brandstatter     I used to like putting together jigsaw puzzles. I haven’t done any in recent years. I need to get back to doing them. Now I do a lot of crossword puzzles. Both the crossword and jigsaw puzzles can be solved by putting together pieces. With a crossword puzzle the down clues help with the across clues. With jigsaw puzzles I start with the border and work from there. Then I look for shape and color connections. I have to find the right connection to get the solution or the shape I am wanting. Bible subjects are connected. There is an expression that holds true in solving some “puzzles” in our lives. The expression is: “Two things connected to the same thing are connected to each other.” For example, if I were to tell you that all cars in the parking lot are blue. Then I told you that my car is in the parking lot. You would know without me specifically telling you that my car is blue. The Bible works in much the same way.     The Bible tells us that baptism saves us (1 Pet. 3:21). Yet, many will go to passages like John 3:16 and state that all you have to do is believe. Others might look at Eph. 2:5 and say we are saved by grace alone. Yet, when pieces are connected a clearer picture is seen and the puzzle is put together. God’s grace was seen when Jesus died on the cross for our sins (2 Cor. 8:9; Eph. 2:8, 9; Titus 2:11, 12). Without the grace of God no one could be saved. We are saved by grace. Now let us connect some other pieces.     Jesus said His blood was shed for the remission of sins (Mt. 26:28). Yet Peter said on Pentecost that those believing Jews who had listened needed to “Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins.”(Acts 2:38) The wording of “remission of sins” is identical in both the statement of Jesus and that of Peter. Who is correct? Does the blood of Christ forgive our sins or does baptism? They are connected. The way I come in contact with the blood of Christ is by being baptized in water. We can further connect two more puzzle pieces. We are washed from our sins in the blood of Christ ( Rev. 1:5). Saul of Tarsus, while praying, was told by Ananias to “Arise and be baptize and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”(Acts 22:16) So again, if we connect these two statements which are similar with the term “wash away sins”, we learn that baptism puts us into the blood of Christ which washes away our sins. When a person comes in contact with the blood of Christ, God’s grace is accepted and received. That happens when a person is baptized to have his or her sins forgiven which puts that person into contact with the saving blood of Christ.     Let us make sure we always put the pieces together correctly. Then the puzzle will be revealed, and all can see it plainly (2 Tim. 2:15). Belief is the first step toward salvation, but it is not the last. I must believe in God (Heb. 11:6). I must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (John 8:24; Acts 8:37). I must repent of sins (Acts 17:30). I also must confess Christ (Rom. 10:9, 10). Then, I need to be baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38). Salvation is a puzzle that must be put together properly. If the pieces are out of place, salvation will not happen as God intends. If the pieces are in their proper place and all together, a beautiful picture results: God’s plan to save man.

- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/

Keep Moving Forward

By Edd Sterchi       The nation of Israel had escaped slavery from Egypt. But now they found themselves being pursued by their former captors. At the shore of the Red Sea they felt that they were trapped. Many of them thought about going back to Egypt into slavery. Others were bemoaning their current dilemma. The LORD then said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward” (Exodus 14:15). Other Bible versions have God saying for them to “move on.” God has always wanted His people to trust in Him and keep moving forward.     This got me to thinking about God’s people today. Many seem to have the same mindset as the Israelites. Some desire to go back to their life they had before Christ (of living in the bondage of sin). Others do not look to the future with hope and bewail their current problems. But we need to be people who trust in God and keep moving forward. Don’t look back – keep moving forward in faith, trust, hope, service, spiritual growth, love, forgiveness. “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.” (1 Timothy 4:15)

- 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/

The Incompleteness of “He Gets Us”

By Adam Faughn       For some time now, and most famously during the Super Bowl, an ad campaign has captured the attention of a lot of people. The ads feature people in various negative and hate-filled situations, but having their feet washed. The overarching message is that Jesus did not teach hate and then we see the famous tagline “He Gets Us.”     To be fair, I have a certain level of appreciation for ads like these. They may not tell the entire story, but they do at least have some semblance of a message that points people to some aspect of the Christian faith. And, of course, there is no way that a few-seconds-long commercial can tell the entire story.     That said, there is something these ads is missing that leave them teaching an incomplete Gospel and it is the same issue that far too many Christians already have. Is it true that Jesus taught His people to care for the poor and those who are enemies? Yes. 100% yes. Is it true that Jesus told us to seek to help with the outcast and those who are harmed by society? Absolutely yes. While no Christian and no congregation can do everything, it should be clear that we are striving to help where we have opportunities.     However, if we stop there, we are not doing all that Jesus told us to do! The same Jesus Who makes it clear that we will be judged by how we treat the poor, naked, imprisoned, and hungry in Matthew 25 also told us to preach the Gospel–including baptism–to the whole world in Matthew 28. In other words, “He gets us” in order to take us somewhere, and it is not just somewhere up a societal or economic ladder!     Too many Christians, I believe out of a good place in their heart, want the church to become what basically amounts to nothing more than a homeless shelter or food pantry. They love to remind us of the old saying that “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”     The issue is that, far too often, they don’t even get around to saying what they know!     Jesus cared for people, and we love Him for that. We are amazed at the hungry that He fed and the harmed whom He healed. Jesus did not just give people bread; He gave them the Bread of Life. Jesus did not just heal people; He turned around and taught them (or those around Him).     That is how “He gets us.” He takes us where we are, not to affirm us in our difficulties only, but to take us to a place of greater spiritual understanding and a walk of faith. And that is the message we must share with the world. We are here to help, but it is more than merely a better economic status or more peaceful place in society. It is helping them find more than just “washed feet.” It is helping them find an old rugged cross and an empty tomb, where their only real hope lies.

- 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 Meek (Part 1)

By Clifton Angel       Following His message of blessedness for those who are poor in spirit and mournful over sin, Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). What does it mean to be meek?      First, meekness is not weakness; it is actually the very opposite. Carl W. Cheatham said, “The Greeks used the word to describe a horse that had been broken—power under control” (1993 Faulkner Lectures). It is stronger than sheer strength, as it includes the ability to control said strength, subdue it, and guide it properly. When I think about power, or strength, under control, I think about Jesus, Himself. We recently considered His words: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29–30). Many details about our Lord show His meek-ness:  His  earthly  mission  (Philippians  2:5–8);  His  lowly birth  (Luke  2:7);  His  low  estate  (Matthew  13:55;  Mark 6:3;  Matthew  8:20;  Luke  9:58);  His  “triumphant”  entry upon the foal of a donkey (Matthew 21:1-11); His example to His apostles (John 13); His illegal trial, lack of defense, and undeserved death (Matthew 26:36–27:66). Truly, Jesus is our greatest example of meekness. Furthermore, I think of the Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 11:22–31). I think about the Spirit’s fruit (Galatians 5:22–23; James 1:21). I think about the restoring brother … (Galatians 6:1). I think about the husbands & wives of 1 Peter 3:1-7. Truly meekness is not weakness.     Second, meekness is not immediate. In the record of Numbers 12:3, it is said, “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” Although, this account highlights his meekness, I am reminded of a time when he, perhaps, was not. In the record of Exodus chapters three and four, it is noted how that Moses made several excuses to try to flee from the responsibilities to which God was calling him (cf. especially, Exodus 3:11, 13; 4:1, 10). At that moment in Moses’ life, he was exhibiting weakness instead of meekness. With God’s help, Moses would grow stronger and meeker. This did not mean he was perfect, but the inspired record has been preserved with him being “very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3).     Perhaps, the greatest ability, or strength, that we have is the ability to choose. In relation to being poor in spirit and mournful over sin, we have the ability to subdue our own will in recognition and desire to follow God’s will. Are you poor in spirit, recognizing that without God you are nothing?  Do you mourn over sin, which leads to death and destruction? Have you exhibited meekness in surrendering your life to the will of God?

- 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/

The Meek (Part 2)

By Clifton Angel       “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). As a reminder, meekness is not weakness; rather, it is strength subdued, or controlled. One of the greatest ways we can exhibit meekness is by surrendering our will to the will of God. In today’s article, let us consider the question “What is it that the meek shall inherit?”     Jesus said, “They shall inherit the earth.” Did Jesus mean that they would inherit the physical earth after Jesus returns? Such is certainly a popular idea among many religious teachers. It is taught by many that because the majority of the Jews rejected Jesus while He was upon the earth, that He did not establish His kingdom at that time, but He will establish it at His final return. There are many logical and scriptural problems with such a teaching. Consider a few: (1) Jesus equated His church with His kingdom (Matthew 16:18–19); (2) Jesus taught that His kingdom would come in His generation (Mark 9:1); (3) Jesus said His kingdom “is not of this world” (John 18:36); (4) Paul indicated Christians of his day, including himself, were in the kingdom of Christ (Colossians 1:13); (5) Paul wrote that Jesus would deliver up His kingdom to the Father after His coming (1 Corinthians 15:23–26); (6) John wrote that He was “in the kingdom” while he was upon the earth (Revelation 1:9). No, Jesus was not referencing a physical kingdom at Matthew 5:5.     Did Jesus mean the physical blessings that Christians would enjoy while living on earth? It is certain that faithful Christians will be provided what they need in this life (Matthew 6:33). It is also asserted by some that faithful Christians can expect more than what they need: “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life” (Mark 10:29–30). Even so, I am not entirely convinced that Matthew 10:29–30 is all about the physical. Furthermore, the context of Matthew 5:5 and the citation of former scripture in the passage points to a spiritual inheritance more than a physical inheritance. Lord willing, we will expound on this possibility in our next installment.     Until then, are you among the meek who “shall inherit the earth”? Have you surrendered your life to Christ, recognizing the mournful and impoverished state of living in sin? “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Have you accepted that gift?

- 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/

The Meek (Part 3)

By Clifton Angel       “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). Meekness is not weakness; it is strength controlled. What is it that the meek shall inherit? Jesus certainly was not speaking of the physical earth or a physical kingdom. We have noted the possibility that this inheritance refers to the Christian’s physical blessings; however, the context of Matthew 5:5 and the citation of former scripture in the passage points to a spiritual inheritance more than a physical inheritance.     Jesus’ statement at Matthew 5:5 is indeed a recitation of Old Testament Scripture. “Those that wait for Jehovah, they shall inherit the land” (Psalm 37:9b, ASV). “The meek shall inherit the land” (Psalm 37:11a). “For such as are blessed of him shall inherit the land” (Psalm 37:22a). “The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell therein for ever” (Psalm 37:29). “Wait for Jehovah, and keep his way, And he will exalt thee to inherit the land” (Psalm 37:34). Indeed, David’s psalm is written after the promised land was allotted and inhabited by the Israelites (cf. Deuteronomy 7:1; Joshua 14:1–19:51; Psalm 78:55; 136:21–22; Acts 13:19); however, they continued to struggle with enemies of the region. When Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,” He was speaking to descendants of the Israelites. He was speaking to students of the Old Testament who were familiar with the words of Psalm 37, and whose minds would certainly think of the land of promise given to their ancestors. Also, “earth” could be translated “land,” even at Matthew 5:5.     Furthermore, the old law contained “shadows of good things to come” (Hebrews 10:1). The passover lamb was a shadow of Christ (1 Corinthians 5:7). The passover feast was a shadow of the memorial of Christ (Matthew 26:26–29; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26). Could the promise and inheritance of the land of Canaan be a shadow of the church whose final destination is heaven? The church is called: “the house of God” (1 Timothy 3:15); “the temple of God" (1 Corinthians 3:16); “the body” (Colossians 1:24; Ephesians 1:22, 23); “the kingdom” (Colossians 1:13); “the bride” (Ephesians 5:21-33). Could it be called the promised or inherited land, also?     Finally, an inheritance is given by a paternal figure, a father. Through Jesus Christ, God the Father adds us to the church (Acts 2:47) and blesses us with all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3). Paul wrote, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:12–13).     Are you blessed? Are you meek? Are you a “partaker of the inheritance of the saints”?

- 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/

Under Control

By Andrew Beasley       One the fruit of the Spirit is self-control. We cannot bear this fruit if you do not have all the ingredients that Paul lists. You can have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness but if you lack self-control, the fruit that you are bearing in your life is not the fruit of the Spirit. That is not to say that all of these are easy to embody. Each aspect of the fruit of the Spirit poses its challenges.     Self-control influences all aspects of our lives. If we do not control our thoughts, we put ourselves at risk (Matt. 5:27-28). If we do not control our words, we may not only harm ourselves but our relationships with others (James 3:5). If we do not control our actions, again, the effects can be wide reaching. Remember the consequences of David’s lack of self-control in his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba were not limited to only David and Bathsheba.     But as it is with all of the other aspects of the fruit of the Spirit, if we can learn self-control then we can not only be a blessing to ourselves, but to everyone else around us.

- 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/

A Precious Book

By Andrew Beasley     The Bible is a beautiful book revealed to us by God through His inspired authors. This can be true while also acknowledging there are many heartbreaking aspects of what is written within the Biblical text. One that comes to mind has to do with our scripture reading. Paul, in writing to the church in Ephesus, must remind the brethren there to “be kind to one another” (Eph. 4:32). One would think this would be second nature for Christians given the kindness that God has continually shown to man.     We will talk about it more in today’s sermon but there are a few different words that are often translated as kindness in the New Testament: (1) philanthropia, (2) philadelphia and (3) chrestotes. You may remember that the city Philadelphia is called the city of brotherly love. So one way we might think of kindness is that it is love put into action. Using these three words as our guide, we can learn that kindness can be understood as love put into action toward mankind as a whole, love put into action toward those with whom we share a close bond, and love put into action in our every day disposition and the way we carry ourselves.     We should not need to be instructed to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” but sometimes we lose sight of who we are called to be. Aren’t we thankful that God has never forgotten to be kind to us? Let us do our best to cultivate this aspect of the fruit of the Spirit every 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/

Be Good, Andrew!

By Andrew Beasley       Be good, Andrew! I heard that phrase often when I was young. Many times, those words would be spoken to me when I was doing something in Bible class or worship that I should not have been doing. Eventually, I learned to be good to avoid the consequences of not being good. I did not want to be grounded, spanked, or have things that I enjoyed taken from me. Frequently this is the mentality that is associated with goodness today, this idea that we do what is right simply to avoid being punished. But this does not reflect Biblical goodness.     Strongs defines the Greek word for goodness (agathosune) to mean an uprightness of heart and life. When we strive to be good, or do good, only for our benefit it is not truly goodness as the Bible defines it. When we act out of Biblical goodness, then we are obedient to God’s commands and act not just for our own benefit but for the benefit of others as well. We become selfless rather than selfish? Sounds a little bit like our savior, Jesus, doesn’t it?

- 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 Church as Family

By Andrew Beasley       Many in religious circles in the United States share concern over the declining numbers in church attendance. For instance, in 2022 a combined study by General Social Survey and the Pew Research Center showed a nearly 30 percent decline in adults who claim to be Christian, while those who are religiously unaffiliated have seen an increase from 5 percent to 29 percent over a period of about three decades from the 1990’s to 2022. There are certainly many reasons external to the church for this shift, but it must be acknowledged that there are internal explanations as well.     Recently, a two-part post regarding the shift in thinking among millennials and Gen Z Christians (i.e. those who have become adults since the GSS/PEW study) noted a desire among this group of adults to shift from going to church to instead being the church. In truth, there should be room for both. It should not be an either-or proposition but a yes-and. In other words, we should be the church and also have a desire to go to what many refer to as church or what we refer to as worship services or assembly. If we truly are the church, then we should desire to assemble with our brothers and sisters in Christ to glorify God. However, that should not be all that we have to give.    Instead, we should look to Acts 2 for some guidance on what the church should look like. It is more than just the assembly. It is a family that seeks to be around one another as often as we possibly can, glorifying God and uplifting one another in everything that we do.

- 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 Gospel: He is Risen

By Andrew Beasley     One of the hymns that has commonly been sung in the church over the last century is titled The Gospel is for All. Paul declared that the Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Rom. 1:16). It, like Christianity, is founded on the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Matt. 16:18) and is empowered by His resurrection. Without the resurrection Christians are called the most pitiable (1 Cor. 15:19). But because of His resurrection the Gospel is given incomprehensible power.     Understanding the Gospel begins with understanding the significance of the resurrection. Because of the power that our God has over the grave, as put on display in the resurrection of Christ, we have hope that our physical life is not the end. That is the good news. That Christ brought salvation to man and provided security for the inheritance that is waiting for us. Without the resurrection, we have no reason to have hope in either of those things. Yet because of the resurrection, both salvation and our inheritance in heaven are promised to those who faithfully follow him.

- 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/

They That Mourn

 

By Clifton Angel     Jesus said, “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Matt 5:4). The late V.P. Black organized mourning into three categories: natural, unnatural, and godly.      Natural mourning is the result of suffering in this world of decay: “As by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men” (Rom 5:12). Many may assume Jesus is speaking of natural mourning at Matthew 5:4. Truly God is the God of all comfort (2 Cor 1:3–4) and He knows and cares about our natural mourning (cf. 1 Cor 10:13; Rev 21:4); however, at Matthew 5:4, Jesus is not speaking of natural mourning.      Unnatural mourning includes worldly sorrow, ungodly fear, and unnecessary guilt. Worldly sorrow is insincere and selfish. If not repented of, it leads to spiritual death (2 Cor 7:10). It is the person who is only sorry because he got caught. Ungodly fear is deceptive, futile, and destructive (cf. Matt 6:25–34; Phil 4:4–9; 2 Tim 1:7; Rev 21:8). Unnecessary guilt happens when we will not forgive ourselves for something for which we’ve already been forgiven (cf. 1 John 1:7–9; 3:20). Certainly, it is not unnatural mourning Jesus is speaking of at Matthew 5:4.      Godly mourning is the result of an honest heart recognizing sin and the consequences of it (2 Cor. 7:10; Rom. 6:23). It is connected to being “poor in spirit,” since the person who is poor in spirit recognizes he is in need when he sins, and he is nothing without God. King David’s godly mourning is evident in the words of Psalm 51: “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me” (Psalm 51:1–3).      What does it mean to be among them that mourn? It is the grief felt and expressed over the acknowledgement of one’s sin and its consequences. The blessing is that with proper direction, this soul will be comforted. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted 2 that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/

Jesus Is Greater

 

By Edd Sterchi     The theme to the book of Hebrews seems to be “better.” In a stark contrast to the Old Covenant, we see that the New Covenant of God has a better Prophet and Priest who brings better promises. Of course, we know this to be in reference to Jesus Christ.     One such contrast alluded to is in chapter 3. In verses 1 and 2, we see that Jesus was faithful to the Father just as Moses was, but in verse 3, we see that Jesus “has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses.” Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses because He is greater and had done greater things. Let us consider how great Moses was, and how much greater Jesus is: * Moses was the Lawgiver (Deut. 33:4), but Jesus is the Grace giver (John 1:17). * Moses wrote the first five books of the Old Testament (Deut. 31:24), but Jesus (being God) inspired the writing of the whole Bible (John 16:13-15; 2 Tim. 3:16). * Moses lifted the bronze serpent in the wilderness to bring about physical healing (Num. 21:4-9), but Jesus lifted Himself on the cross to bring about spiritual healing (John 3:14-15). * Moses was the deliverer of the Israelite people out of slavery (Acts 7:35), but Jesus is the deliverer of all people out of the slavery of sin (1 John 2:2; 4:14).     Certainly we could go on and on, but I’m sure you get the idea. Without a doubt, Jesus is greater! Because of this, He can sympathize with us, bring help to us, and intercede for us in the presence of the Father (Heb. 2:17-18; 4:15). And because of that, He is worthy of more glory from us.     And now a question for you to consider: Is Jesus greater than anyone or anything in your life? “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matt. 10:37-38)).

- 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/

Popping the Question-Setting Up A Study

 

By Brian Mitchell

    Would you like to study the Bible? Often in personal evangelism, we are reluctant to do the one thing that most needs to be done, that is come right out and ask people to study the Bible with us. One of the more fascinating things about the Apostle Paul, was how easy he found it to talk to people about the gospel, even in unfamiliar and uncomfortable surroundings. In whatever circumstances he found himself, Paul found it natural to preach the gospel with boldness and confidence--Acts 17:16-17, Acts 28:30-31.

    Unfortunately for the Lord and His church today, we as His people, are often far more reluctant to discuss matters of a spiritual nature with those whom we come in contact with. “We may engage in broad discussions of religious topics now and then, and we may even invite others to the services of church. However, we do not very often simply ask people if they will study the Bible with us.” Why is that?

    The waiting game is popular with many. While relationships are important, we don’t have to be blood brothers, before we can ask someone to study the Bible. Some people call this serendipity evangelism—which simply means that we are hoping people will discover the gospel truth by accident. So we don’t say anything, and even at time justify questionable activities, on the basis that we are trying to establish contacts. “Whether or not we are consciously following the approach of serendipity evangelism, we seem to have great trouble popping the question. We delay asking people point-blank for a home study.”

    Waiting is not always better. Granted there are times when it is not possible or even expedient to ask a new acquaintance if they would like to study. Wisdom teaches us to look for the best moment, when all things considered, we have the best chance of getting a yes. The problem is this, “Very often the optimum moment to ask about a Bible study comes earlier, rather than later, in our association with people.”

    If we are planning to ask for a Bible study at some point, it is often better to do it sooner rather than later. Even if the answer is no, we may still develop a relationship and be in an even better position to teach them later on. And if we don’t ask, the answer is always going to be no and we will always know that we did not do the most important thing needed to lead someone to Christ. Ask them if they want to study the Bible.

    Not every situation is the same. Wisdom may indicate, a different timetable in different situations, but eventually we must still ask people to study. And no this is not always comfortable and thus not always easy and it is easier for some than others but that does not exclude any of us from seeking to study the Bible with others. A man may dread asking a woman to marry him and he may stumble through doing so, but eventually he gets around to it because he loves her. If we love the lost like Jesus loves the lost, no matter how uncomfortable it may be, we will ask people to study the Bible.

- 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

Unapproachable Light

 

By David A. Sargent

    In his book, Disappointment with God, Philip Yancey relayed that once, as an experiment, the great scientist Isaac Newton stared at the image of the sun reflected in a mirror. The brightness burned into his retina, and he suffered temporary blindness. Even after he hid for three days behind closed shutters, still the bright spot would not fade from his vision.

    "I used all means to divert my imagination from the sun," he writes, "But if I thought upon him, I presently saw his picture though I was in the dark."

    If he had stared a few minutes longer, Newton might have permanently lost all vision. The chemical receptors that govern eyesight cannot withstand the full force of unfiltered sunlight.*

    Recently during a recent solar eclipse, observers were warned to be sure to wear the proper eyewear to view the eclipse. Looking directly at the sun causes irreparable damage. An eye doctor explains why one should never look directly at the sun by giving this analogy:

    "Think of a magnifying glass that a child might use to burn holes in a piece paper. When the rays of the sun focus on one single point, they create a lot of energy. The eye’s lens is about four times as powerful as that of a typical magnifying glass. When you take a lens that is that powerful and point it directly at the sun, it creates energy strong enough to literally burn a hole in the retina."**

    Consider God in terms of the bright light of the sun. The Apostle Paul extolls the greatness of God: "He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, Who alone has immortality, Who dwells in unapproachable light, Whom no one has ever seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen" (1 Timothy 6:15-16 ESV). Perhaps Paul was reflecting upon his experience when he (called Saul at that time) was going to Damascus to find and persecute Christians. "Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him" (Acts 9:3). Saul fell to the ground as He was confronted by the risen Christ. When he arose, he opened his eyes but could see nothing; he was blind. Was it because he had seen the Son in the glory of His unapproachable light? Yet Saul in his blindness "saw" some things for the first time: he "saw" Jesus for who He was – the Messiah, the Son of God. He also "saw" his sin and his dire need for salvation.

    Saul learned the Good News: God, who dwells in unapproachable light, approached us through His Son Jesus. He sent Jesus to die for our sins on the cross so that we can be forgiven and dwell with Him (John 3:16). Our holy God is also a God of love. Even though we – like Saul – have offended the holiness of God with our sins, He loves us so much that He has made provision through His Son to be reconciled to Him (Ephesians 1:7).

    God will cleanse from sin and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him 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). Consider the glory of God and His Son Jesus. The glory of God will cause us to become painfully aware of our sinfulness, but it should also draw us to Him because of the greatness of His redeeming love.

* As quoted in www.sermonillustrations.com. ** Gleaned from "From An Eye Doctor: Why You Should Never Stare Directly at the Sun" as shared in www.brighteyesny.com. 

- 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.

Worship of Entertainment

By Bob Prichard     There is no doubt that the man we know as Neil Postman described serious problems in modern culture in his insightful 1985 book Amusing Ourselves to Death. His thesis was that public discourse has been reshaped to such an extent by television and entertainment that thoughtful discourse is missing. Show business hype has affected advertising, politics, and religion. Postman’s conclusion is that none of these changes have made for improvement.     In our entertainment-oriented culture, many churches find themselves trying to out do themselves with more and more elaborate additions to worship. What began as special music by a choir becomes a full orchestra with professional soloists. A dramatic reading necessitates a full Broadway stage production. And as long as those who come to worship enjoy what is offered, anything goes. The expectation is that sermons will be shorter, wittier, and more uplifting. Anything in worship that cannot be “jazzed up” must be abandoned as boring-and there is nothing worse than being boring, we are led to believe.     The problem with this entertainment orientation is that the very object of worship is forgotten. God is the audience in worship. Jesus told the Samaritan woman that ignorant worship was unacceptable to God, even though it may have been sincere or enjoyable. “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). To worship God in spirit and truth means that worship must be from the heart, not just outward acts, and that it must be done in exact obedience to God’s commands. The worship must be directed to Him, not to the whims of the worshipers.     God’s regulations for worship as set out in the New Testament are neither boring nor out of date. They are God-centered, while entertainment is man-centered.     Cultural relevance is important-thus many churches are implementing modern technology such as projection systems to enhance sermons, and there is nothing wrong with the worshiper enjoying worship. God intended for worship to bless His children, but when worship is merely window dressing for an entertainment performance, it cannot please God. The apostle warned, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God” (2 John 1:9). Paul condemned things that “have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship” (Colossians 2:23). “Self-imposed worship” is that worship fashioned after man’s desires.

- Bob Prichard serves as an elder and evangelist for the Hillview Church of Christ in Birmingham, Alabama, since 2016. In his forty-five years of preaching he has served churches in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Alabama.