The Bargain of a Lifetime

By Adam Faughn

 

    In 2018, a woman in Texas was shopping at a local Goodwill store and made a purchase. It was a statue that she knew was fairly old, but she was not sure exactly what she had until after some research. For $34.99, she made the purchase and immediately started taking pictures in the car to try to start the research.

    Now, four years later, that same statue is headed to a museum in Germany after being on display in a museum in San Antonio. Why? Because the bust was brought to the United States from Germany by a soldier following World War II. The statue goes back much further than that, however. It has been verified to be a 2000-year-old bust of a Roman commander. It is, quite simply, a priceless piece of history.

    To summarize, for basically $40 plus some sales tax, this woman had purchased something that would be nearly impossible to put a value on, as far as dollars and cents go.

    However, I would almost guarantee that you already own something that is of even higher value than what that woman found. In fact, I would guess that some of you have it where you can see it even as you read this article. And the item also goes back in time to around the same time as that statue found in Texas.

    Oh, the value as far as dollars and cents may not be the same as that statue. In fact, you can get what I am talking about for free online or just for a few dollars at many stores.

    It is, of course, a Bible. Completed about 2000 years ago, the message contained in that book is of more value than all the statues on earth combined because it is of eternal worth. It contains the very mind of God revealed to us. It contains everything that we need "for life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3). It is the message by which we will be judged (John 12:48; Revelation 20:12). It contains hope, patience, and comfort (Romans 15:4). It is "profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16) and guides us to being "equipped for every good work" (v.17). It is "a lamp to [our] feet and a light to [our] path" (Psalm 119:105).

    But here is what each of us has to ask ourselves: how will we treat this priceless treasure? For some, it is like that statue was to many people. It is something of interest, but not of any more interest than other things that might be in a store. It is nice to have, but they can take it or leave it.

    For those who truly understand what a treasure it is, though, the Bible is invaluable. It is studied and read. It is thought about constantly. It is seen for what it is: the Book that draws us closer to our heavenly Father. Do I see it as the treasure that is it?

Holy Bible, Book divine;

Precious treasure, thou art mine.

Lamp to my feet and a light to my way

to guide me safely home.

(William B. Bradbury, 1858)

- 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.

Which Way Is West?

By Joe Chesser

 

    About 10 years ago Areva and Brandon were looking at some dark clouds and talking about whether or not it would rain before they finished working in the garden.  Brandon commented that the rain always comes from the west, to which Grandma asked, “And which way is west?”  “Well,” he said, “in the winter west is that way, but in the summer it is that way.”

    I think if Brandon had used a compass his answer would have been different.  With a magnetic compass he’d quickly discover that west is always 90 degrees left of due north. North is always north.  It doesn’t change … ever.  Even in Missouri in the winter when the sun comes up in the southeast instead of east, north is still the same direction.  We know that. But I can see how a youngster who knows that the sun is supposed to come up in the east and goes down in the west could get confused.  As the earth tilts and rotates around the sun, its relation to the sun will vary.  If you use the sun as the standard, west will be in one direction in the winter and another in the summer. But if you use a properly calibrated gyrocompass that reacts to the rotation of the earth instead of the variable positioning of the sun, you’ll find that west is always in the same direction no matter what time of year it may be or where you are on the earth.  A compass is a trustworthy navigational instrument for determining direction.

    The Bible is like a compass, but in a much more important way.  A compass will help you determine which way is west, but it won’t help you find out which way is heaven.  Only the Bible can do that because only the Bible will always point to Jesus.  Just as on a compass north is always north, in the Bible Jesus is always “the way, the truth and the life.” No one can get to the Father (heaven) except by him (John 14:6; Hebrews 13:8). Nothing in all of creation can alter that.

    Unfortunately, most people are trusting in something other than the Bible for their spiritual compass (Matthew 7:13-14).  And as a result, one person thinks he can get to heaven one way and another person thinks he can get there a different way.  Of course, to reach those conclusions they have to use a standard different from each other, and at least one of them must use a standard different from than Bible.  Their standards may be parents, culture, false teachers, personal preferences, misunderstandings, etc.  But one thing is for certain: the Bible teaches that there is only one God, one Lord, one Spirit, one faith, one hope, one baptism and one body (the church – Ephesians 4:4-6, 1:22-23).  God is not the source of religious confusion and misdirection (1 Corinthians 14:33). God doesn’t point one way for one person and another way for a different person. God wants no divisions among us (1 Corinthians 1:10).  Jesus prayed just before He went to the cross that all of His disciples down through the ages would be united as a witness of His Sonship (John 17:23).

    Like west is always west, Jesus and the Bible are always the way to heaven.

- Joe Chesser preaches for the Fruitland Church of Christ, Fruitland, MO.  He may be contacted at joeandareva@yahoo.com

What You Treasure Is A Serious Matter

By Joe Chesser

 

    Jesus was never flippant when he spoke about what we treasure. Never! What we choose to treasure was (and is) always a matter of utmost importance. For example, Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered it up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Matthew 13.44). Is Jesus saying that if we consider the kingdom of heaven our treasure, then we will with joy give up everything we have to in order to possess it? If so, I must ask myself if God’s kingdom is worth that much to me? Or do I treasure some other things that I am unwilling to give up? Things such as my time, my money, or other things I enjoy doing?

    How you answer these questions is a serious matter. It’s a matter of eternal significance. It’s a matter that determines whether you follow Jesus ... or not! In Matthew 19 there is a story of a young man who asked Jesus about eternal life. He was a good man, a religious man. He knew and had kept the commandments since his youth. But Jesus knew this young man’s heart. Jesus told him to sell all that he had and give it to the poor, and then follow him. If he would do that he would have treasure in heaven. It was decision time. Did he treasure his extreme worldly wealth or did he treasure the kingdom of heaven? Although it made him sorrowful, he still chose to keep his worldly wealth and leave Jesus behind. He had kept all the laws, but in his heart he treasured his money more than the treasure Jesus promised.

    It's not just what we do that matters. It’s what’s in our hearts, for our hearts determine what we treasure. As Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6.21). He also said, “The good person out of his good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6.45).

    These things are not new to you. You’ve read them and heard them over and over. But being familiar with them doesn’t make them less important. What you treasure is a serious matter. It is of utmost importance. We should never tire of examining and re-examining our hearts (2 Corinthians 13.5), because today we are being challenged more than ever to abandon what we once treasured to satisfy things of less importance. And we can’t blame COVID. It’s a matter of the heart. I am not attempting to judge anyone’s heart, but from what I’ve read in brotherhood publications and personally seen, the kingdom of heaven does seem to be less treasured among us than just a few years ago. Attendance is down, especially for the evening assemblies; congregations are closing their doors at an alarming rate; feelings seem to be replacing truth; evangelism is directed more and more towards what attracts people (services and programs) rather than lifting up the crucified Christ and teaching the gospel.

    However, only you and the Lord knows what’s in your heart. Only you and the Lord knows if you are willing to sell everything you have (Luke 14.33) in order to have treasure in heaven. Only you and the Lord knows to what extent you treasure His kingdom. My hope is that we all will seriously examine our own hearts to see if we truly treasure the kingdom of heaven enough to give it our all. My hope is that collectively the Lord’s people will “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matthew 6.33) and let everything else fall into place.

     “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered it up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Matthew 13.44).

- Joe Chesser preaches for the Fruitland Church of Christ, Fruitland, MO.  He may be contacted at joeandareva@yahoo.com

Burdens Are Lifted At Calvary

By Joe Slater

 

    The song is right – burdens really are lifted at Calvary! Our Savior Himself invited, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Jesus didn’t shed His blood and die on the cross so you could carry your sin around like a ball and chain for the rest of your life. He offers rest!

    Jesus made a point of saying “heavy laden.” He

extends His grace to those who have committed “big” sins as well as transgressors in less extreme ways. Even as life was draining from Him, Jesus lifted the burden of a violent criminal who, only a short time before, had mocked Him. Jesus told him, “Today you will be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

    Sometime later Jesus lifted the burden of Saul of Tarsus, a man who absolutely hated Him and was doing everything in his power to destroy the church. Innumerable disciples of Jesus had suffered arrest, torture, imprisonment, and even death at this man’s behest. So awful were his crimes that he later referred to himself as the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). Yet Jesus lifted even Saul’s enormous burden of sin! “For this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life” (1 Timothy 1:16). If I may paraphrase, “If Jesus can save me (and He did) then He can save anyone!”

    Even before the cross, God’s people found relief from sin because Christ’s blood reached back to them just as it reaches forward to us. David’s burden made him feel lifeless and crushed until “I acknowledged my sin to You . . . and You forgave the iniquity of my sin” (Psalm 32:3-5).

    So often we react to our sin with self-loathing and beating ourselves up. While such responses are understandable, they can never “fix” the problem! Only Jesus can do that.

    Burdens are lifted at Calvary!

- 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

The B-I-B-L-E, Yes, That's the Book for Me!

By Edd Sterchi

 

    The Bible is the most amazing document known to mankind. Consider that it is a compilation of 66 different books written by 40 different individuals over the course of 1,600 years, and yet it is perfect in harmony, history, accuracy, and advice.

    Notice what 2 Timothy 3:16-17 has to say about the Bible: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God(1), and is profitable for doctrine(2)...for instruction in righteousness (3), that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work(4).”

1. The Bible is from God. It is not a document containing man’s opinion – it is God’s Holy Word. Like the Psalmist said, “The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times” (Psalms 12:6). Being from God, let us be reminded that the Bible is pure and perfect and all we need.

2. The Bible contains religious doctrine. How the church is to go about conducting proper worship and work is found within its sacred pages. Paul wrote God-inspired words to Timothy so that he and others would know “how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church” (1 Timothy 3:15). Since the church is from God, it makes sense to follow only the guidelines He established for it, which is only in the Bible – it is all we need.

3. Everything pertaining to salvation matters and godly living is clearly revealed to us in the Bible. Men may devise many plans of salvation, but the Word of God reveals only one. The first century Christians obeyed the “word of truth, the gospel of...salvation” (Ephesians 1:13). The word of God was all they needed, and it is all we need today, as well.

4. Men can be made complete and productive through following Biblical precepts. In the Holy Writ we find our highest calling. In Ephesians, we Christians are reminded that we were “created in Christ Jesus for good works” (2:10) and that we are blessed with “every spiritual blessing” (1:3). The Bible guides us toward every good thing to be and do – it is all we need.

    Wouldn’t it be great if everyone would shed their denominational dogmas, man-made creeds, and diverse opinions and doctrines, and simply follow the Bible only? Truly we would then be doing what God desires. The Bible – it’s truly all we need.

    The song we learned long ago still rings true today:

The B-I-B-L-E, yes, that's the Book for me!

I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E.

- 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/

Don’t Downplay the Cross

By Adam Faughn

 

    When taken seriously, one of Jesus's most demanding commands is found in Luke 9, where He told what it takes to "truly" be a follower of His:

If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. (Luke 9:23)

Each portion of that command is challenging, but focus for a few moments on the command to "take up cross daily." It can be easy to downplay the depth of that command and how challenging it really is. There are several ways we can do that, and they all come from a failure to truly remember what a cross was used for and how horrific it was.

    At times, we can downplay the command by making the cross commonplace. That is, we just do not see it as anything more than a symbol. Maybe we do this by making it into jewelry or other similar things, which is not necessarily wrong, but the cross can just become a "thing" in our minds if we do not really think about it.

    At other times, we downplay the command by talking about regular issues of life and comparing them to the cross. We might go through a surgery or an illness and speak of it as being our "cross to bear." Again, I am not saying this is sinful in and of itself, but that type of language can cause the cross to be something that is more common. It is something that is painful but normal.

    What we must always keep in the forefront of our minds is that the cross was a method of execution, and it was meant to be torturous. To state the matter bluntly: people died on crosses.

    So, when Jesus said that we must "take up cross," He was stating that we must die! Obviously, the Lord was not saying that we must physically die in order to follow Him (although following Him might lead to death for some people). He was, rather, saying that our former person must be gone, as good as dead. And take note of the fact that Jesus said this was to happen "daily."

    Each day, we must die to selfishness. We must die to sin. We must die to the way of the world. So, the cross takes on a whole new meaning in our life because we see it for what it is, and it is not pretty or easy.

    Paul gives us the mindset we should have about the cross and what it should mean in our daily walk in one of his most well-known passages. Knowing that the cross was a method of execution, He made it clear that this should be what defines us in our Christian life:

 I have been crucified with Christ.

 It is no longer I who live, but

 Christ Who lives in me. And the

 life that I now live in the flesh I

 live by faith in The Son of God,

Who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

    That is what the cross should mean. It is dying daily to ourselves so that Christ can live through us. Let's not downplay the cross; let's make it what it is meant to be: the place where we die to self and exalt Jesus.

"But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14)

- 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.

Finding Favor in the Eyes of God

By Brian Mitchell

 

5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the LORD said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD (GEN.6:5-8).

    As much as I hate to admit it, this sounds pretty similar to the days in which we live. It is pretty difficult to read these words and not see that the societal circumstances described in the days of Noah bear a striking similarity to the times in which we find ourselves living. In fact, Paul writes thousands of years later about a time when circumstances would be similar to those described in the days of Noah—2 Tim.3:1-5. The point is simple and that is that there have always been evil and wicked men among us, and it has always displeased God.

    In fact, it was those circumstances described in Genesis that led God to destroy the world which He had created with the Great Flood. And this leads to a great question; can a man live right in times such as these? Given the times we live in it would be understandable to ask whether or not one could really live a life that is pleasing to God in the midst of such sin and perversion. We know that we are supposed to—Tit.2:11-12.  But can it really be done and if so, how?

    The answer of course is yes. We can live right in our day and time regardless of how many around us want to follow their own path in life. Even in Gen.6, when God was pronouncing judgment upon the world He had made and preparing to destroy it with the flood, there are some encouraging words to be found about one man. A man, that in spite of his circumstances, managed to live righteously in the eyes of God; a man named Noah—Gen.6:8.

    Thus, Noah serves as an example of the fact that men can still be pleasing to God, even if they live in a world where “every intent of the thoughts of men’s heart are continually evil.” Why? Because even in a wicked world, Noah found favor in the eyes of God.

- 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