By Ed Wittlif
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither
slave nor free man, there is neither male nor
female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus"
(Galatians 3:28 NASB).
Community is a powerful word. It
pictures a group that are together in harmony and
agreement. That is what God's people need to be. Jesus
said the love His disciples have for one another is
what proclaims that they truly are His. Without that
mutual love, there is no community, only divisions.
The first letter to the Corinthian
church points out their lack of community. They were
divided as to whom they followed, they were divided by
class, and they certainly were divided over spiritual
gifts. Paul said they ought to be one "so that there
may be no division in the body, but that the members
may have the same care for one another" (I Corinthians
12:25).
We see a great sense of community
in Acts 2:43-47. Because the members demonstrated love
for one another, many joined their community. They
spent as much time as possible with each other. Two
powerful reasons given for us to come together is to
encourage each other in faithfulness and to stimulate
each other to good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Jesus tells us that if our becoming
His disciples costs us our physical family, we will
gain much more in our spiritual family (Mark
10:29-30).
The world is full of temptations
trying to draw us away from Jesus. Satan is also
active in trying to get us to give up. That is why we
need to be a community. It is tough to go it alone.
Therefore, be an active part of the community of God's
family.
- Ed Wittlif is from Denver, CO; via the Church of
Christ in Justin, TX. Joe Slater serves as minister
and he may be contacted through the congregation's
website: http://justinchurchofchrist.com
By Rob Albright
Attending Bible classes and worship
assemblies is vital for our spiritual growth. But it
is also a time when we are encouraging one another.
So, we come together not just for our own benefit, but
for the purpose of building up one another. If you are
not meeting together you are missing the opportunity
to encourage others, as well as missing the
opportunity to grow spiritually.
The inspired writer of Hebrews
recognizes the dual purpose of glorifying God and
encouraging one another in our assemblies. Hebrews
10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how to stir up one
another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet
together , as the habit of some, but encouraging one
another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing
near.” [ESV]
We need to be attending Bible
classes and worship assemblies to become disciples who
grow to be more like Jesus and honor the One who saves
us. But, let’s not be selfish and forget that our
presence in the classes and assemblies is also a time
we can help others. As you begin the New Year of 2020
why not make it a priority and commitment to meet
regularly for classes and worship assemblies)? Think
seriously about improving our attendance pattern. May
each of us take thought and try to improve our
presence and involvement for the glory of God and
concern for one another.
- Rob Albright serves as one of the ministers at the
Northwest Church of Christ in Greensboro, NC. He may
be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.nwchurchofchrist.com/
By David R. Ferguson
The Apostle Paul writes in 1
Corinthians 16:13 [NAS], “Be on the alert, stand firm
in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
Stand firm. Thirteen times this
phrase appears in the New Testament. Twelve times it
was written by Paul, and the other one by the Apostle
Peter.
I imagine there are many people
today who will be offended by such a statement as
“stand firm in the faith” and “act like men.” But the
truth is the Holy Spirit of God, Who inspired Paul to
write these words, isn’t interested at all in
politically correct speech or thought. He isn’t
concerned about whether or not someone’s feelings or
sensibilities are offended. What He is concerned
about, however, is the condition and salvation of our
souls.
You see, Jesus wants soldiers in
His army. He wants people to be committed truly to
Him, and He expects men to be men. Paul also writes,
"You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is
in Christ Jesus. 2The things which you
have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses,
entrust these to faithful men who will be able to
teach others also. 3Suffer hardship with
me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No
soldier in active service entangles himself in the
affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the
one who enlisted him as a soldier." (2 Timothy 2:1-4
[NAS])
Jesus doesn’t want fickle people in
His service. He doesn’t want people, especially men,
to leave Him just because the going gets a little bit
rough. This is why He Himself said, “No one, after
putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit
for the Kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62 [NAS]).
Standing firm in the faith and
standing fast in the grace of God are key to
maintaining one’s salvation. Paul reminded Timothy,
“Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching;
persevere in these things, for as you do this you will
ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who
hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16 [NAS]).
Finally, James, the Lord’s brother,
tells his readers that the ultimate prize awaits all
who stand firm to the end. He writes, “Blessed is a
man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been
approved, he will receive the Crown of Life which the
Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12
[NAS]).
Stand firm, be alert and on the
watch, act like men, and be strong in all that you do,
regardless of the slings and arrows which our great
enemy Satan fires in our direction throughout our
service to the Lord in His army. The Lord WILL reward
you with eternal life for your faithfulness to Him!
- David R. Ferguson preaches for the Lakeland Church
of Christ in Mattoon, IL. He may be contacted
through the congregation's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lakelandchurchofchrist/
or davidferguson61@yahoo.com
By Kevin V. Rutherford
To Christians who were beginning to
drift away, the writer of Hebrews said, “Therefore do
not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
For you have need of endurance, so that after you have
done the will of God, you may receive the promise.”
(Hebrews 10:35, 36) The Christian life has been
compared to a long distance race (Hebrews 12:1, 2).
Because this race is for a lifetime we must “. . .run
with endurance the race that is set before us.”
(Hebrews 12:1)
There are some Christians who seem
to think this marathon run is a one hundred meter
sprint. They are active, zealous and energetic in the
service of the Lord for just a short period of time.
When it becomes difficult to remain in the Christian
race, these sprinters fall out. They are like the
rocky soil in the parable of the seed (Luke 8:13). The
roots of truth and dedication did not run deep enough,
which left the plant susceptible to destruction when
conditions worsened. Christians have been prepared to
run the race even when things become difficult. We
must understand that being a Christian will not always
be easy. We must be ready to push on no matter what
may come our way.
Other Christians seem to have
forgotten that this Christian race is a marathon race
to the end of life, also. While they don’t see it as a
sprint, they view it as a middle distance race. Maybe
they think the race is only 1600 meters when in
reality it is twenty-seven miles. It is easy for
Christians to begin dropping out of the race when life
becomes too busy. It is easy for Christians to begin
to huff and puff and struggle when they begin to
devote themselves to the riches and pleasures of life.
These Christians are like the seed that had good,
strong roots, but were choked out by the thorns (Luke
8:14). These thorns are the “cares, riches, and
pleasures of life.” (Luke 8:14)
The Christians addressed by the
book of Hebrews were those who had shown themselves to
be very strong and dedicated at one point in their
lives (Hebrews 10:32-34). However, time had taken its
toll upon the church and Christians began to slip away
(Hebrews 2:1-3; 3:13). They were not prepared for a
long distance run. They had not dedicated themselves
to run the race throughout the rest of their lives no
matter how long and how difficult the race might have
become. The writer of Hebrews, acting like their
coach, told them about men and women in the past who
had run long distances for the Lord despite much
difficulties (Hebrews 11). Those who had run the race
in the past are now figuratively cheering Christians
on as we run the race (Hebrews 12:1).
I hope you are in the race to win.
I hope you are in the race to complete the distance.
If you don’t complete the distance you may as well
have never started. When your spiritual legs are
weary, when your spiritual heart is aching, when your
spiritual lungs are heaving, and when your spiritual
feet are tired, keep running. Don’t look back. Just
keep running. Don’t give up. Just keep running. “For
you have need of endurance, so that after you have
done the will of God, you may receive the promise.”
(Hebrews 10:36)
- Kevin V. Rutherford preaches for the Warners Chapel
church of Christ in Clemmons, NC. He may be contacted
through the congregation's website: http://warnerschapelchurchofchrist.org/
By Steve Higginbotham
Typically, when the doctrine of
God’s providence is discussed, a handful of well-known
Scriptures are used to illustrate his protective care
and blessings. For example, we frequently reference
Joseph (Genesis 50:19-20), Esther (Esther 4:14), and
Onesimus (Philemon 15), but rarely have we referenced
the following passage I want you to consider.
When Israel crossed the Jordan to
take possession of the “promised land,” the nations in
Canaan took up arms against them and did what they
could to destroy them. The Philistines, Amalekites,
Moabites, and others were constantly at war with
Israel. They continually sought out ways to destroy
Israel and exploit any weakness they could find.
(Numbers 30:16).
With their environment understood,
consider one of the commands God gave Israel.
God commanded all the men in Israel to travel to
Jerusalem three times a year to worship (Deuteronomy
16:16). Have you ever considered how vulnerable that
would have left Israel? With all the men gone from all
the villages, Israel’s enemies could have easily
overrun these cities and villages occupied only by
women and children? Three times a year, Israel made
themselves vulnerable to their enemies who wanted to
destroy them. Yet, there is not a single example of
which I am aware, of any raid by Israel’s enemies
during these times when the men were gone from their
cities.
The question that begs to be asked
is, “Why not?” Why didn’t Israel’s enemies take
advantage of this vulnerability? The Bible gives us
the answer. God said, “Three times a year all
your men shall appear before the Lord, the God of
Israel. For I will cast out the nations before you and
enlarge your borders; neither will any man covet your
land when you go up to appear before the Lord your God
three times in the year” (Exodus 34:23-24).
Did you see that? The reason Israel
didn’t suffer during a period of extreme vulnerability
is because of God’s providence and protection. He
promised that the enemies of Israel would not covet
Israel’s land when the men were on their pilgrimage
three times a year. Don’t you find that interesting?
Doesn’t that impress you with the power of God and the
control he wields in the affairs of men?
Next time you feel overwhelmed and
defeated, you need to remember that you serve a
powerful God who answers prayer and promises to work
on our behalf for our good.
- Steve Higginbotham preaches for the Karns Church of
Christ in Knoxville, TN. He may be contacted through
the congregation's website at http://www.karnschurch.org
Copyright © 2019 MercEmail
By R. W. McAlister
One may ask, “Where does the Savior
command that sound doctrine be taught?” We must keep
in mind when we read the New Testament that we’re
reading the words of the Savior. Paul wrote, “If any
man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let
him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you
are the commandments of the Lord” (I Cor. 14:37).
Peter explained how the words of the New Testament
came to be. “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of
the scripture is of any private interpretation. For
the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:
but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the
Holy Ghost” (II Peter 1:20-21). No man was given a
thought and left to his own discretion as to exactly
what to write. All the writers were “carried along” by
the Holy Spirit who was communicating the very words
of Jesus.
Now, understanding that principle,
look at what the New Testament (the words of the
Savior) has to say about sound doctrine.
Paul wrote, “For the time will come
when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after
their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn
away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned
unto fables” (II Tim. 4:3-4). Paul was exhorting
Timothy to remain faithful to the doctrine which had
come from heaven (I Tim. 1:3; II Tim. 2:2). The young
preacher was warned that there would be some who would
turn from sound doctrine and turn unto fables. Paul
equates sound doctrine with truth in this text,
speaking of sound doctrine in one verse and the truth
in another. Again Paul wrote: “But speak thou the
things which become sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1).
How can those among us today say
doctrine isn’t important? Jesus said to speak that
which is sound doctrine. Sound doctrine is that which
is healthy to us spiritually. To teach doctrine which
is not sound is to teach a corrupted doctrine that
will cause one to be lost, not saved.
Dear reader, it’s important that
you embrace sound Biblical teaching, without man’s
additions or subtractions, for this is a matter of
eternal importance (Rev. 22:18-19).
- R. W. McAlister preaches for the Anna Church of
Christ in Anna, IL.He may be contacted through the
congregation's website: http://www.annachurchofchrist.com/
By Joe Slater
Words like submit and obey rub many
people’s fur the wrong way. Let’s face it – the
fleshly part of us balks at the idea of yielding to
the will of another. No wonder Frank Sinatra’s
best-seller “My Way” is one of the most
often-requested songs at funerals!
Even we who have pledged our
obedience to God sometimes object when His word tells
us to submit and obey other people. For example, when
Colossians 3:18 instructs wives to “submit to your own
husbands,” what picture comes to your mind? Is it the
stereotypical cave man with a club in one hand,
dragging around his poor, bedraggled, passive wife by
her hair with his other hand? That’s not Biblical
submission! Just look at the rest of the sentence and
the one following. A wife’s submission to her husband
is “fitting in the Lord.” And husbands are to love
their wives and not be bitter toward them (3:18-19).
The same pattern holds true for
children and parents (vv. 20-21). Children are to obey
their parents. Why? Because “this is well-pleasing to
the Lord.” But fathers are commanded not to provoke
their children, lest they become discouraged.
Paul also told slaves to obey their
fleshly masters in all things (3:22-24). Why? Because
by doing so, “you serve the Lord Christ” (v. 24).
Therefore they were to serve with heart-felt sincerely
and reverence for God at all times, not just when the
master was looking. And masters were also commanded to
be just and fair with their servants, knowing that the
Heavenly Master will punish those earthly masters who
are abusive (3:25 – 4:1).
Let us abandon false, stereotypical
ideas about submission and obedience. The Lord’s way
is best!
- 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
