BABY JESUS AND BIG JESUS

 

BABY JESUS AND BIG JESUS

 

We are at that time of the year when people's attention is drawn to the birth of Christ. The Bible does not tell us the date of His birth. We only know that "when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son…" (Galatians 4:4-5). We rejoice over that birth—as well as the earthly life, teaching, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, coronation, intercession, and promised return of Christ. How wonderful it would be if the world could be as excited about Christ the whole year 'round as it is at Christmas—though I am deeply thankful that at least once in a while people will give Him some thought!

 

How great it would be, too, if the world would be as attracted to the "Big" Jesus as it is to the "Baby" Jesus. Perhaps it is just part of human nature to be smitten by a baby. (I have never seen an ugly baby—at least one that I would say was ugly!)

 

As we approach what the world knows as Christmas, let us look again at the "Baby" Jesus, and then do some serious thinking about the "Big" Jesus.

 

Baby Jesus was conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit and born in Bethlehem of Judea. All of this was in fulfillment of divine prophecy made centuries before the birth of Christ (Matthew 1:18 – 2:12; Luke 1:26-38; Luke 2:1-20; Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2). (Let me encourage you to turn in your Bible and read this beautiful story of how our Savior came to earth. It will build your faith in the word of God and it will touch the hardest of hearts to read for yourself this wonderful story of God's love for all mankind). It is hard to see how anyone would not believe these passages of Holy Writ and rejoice greatly that our Savior was born and that the Word (Christ in his pre-fleshly existence with God the Father from all eternity) became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1-14).

 

But Jesus did not stay a baby. He grew to become a boy and then a man. As a boy, He was subject to Mary and Joseph (who married Mary after the birth of Christ, Luke 2:1-7, especially v. 5) (Luke 2:51). As a boy, Jesus advanced "in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52). He grew mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially. (Note: Parents today might well ask themselves, "How are my children growing and developing? What am I doing to train my children in these four areas of a well-balanced life?").

At about the age of thirty, Jesus was baptized, being immersed by John the Baptist (Baptizer) and began His ministry of teaching (Luke 3:21-23). However, His teaching did not sit well with many who heard Him, and it does not sit well with many people today—even with some who profess to follow Him. The adoration that people have for Baby Jesus does not always translate into adoration and agreement with Big Jesus.

 

Consider the following:

Jesus came to bring "peace on earth and good will among men" (Luke 2:14). But in another sense He did not come to bring peace but a sword and to cause division even among families when some family members choose to follow Christ and other family members reject Christ (Matthew 10:34-39). (Note: Christ bringing both peace on earth but also a sword is one of the great antinomies of scripture, a situation in which two seemingly contradictory statements are made, but which, in reality, are two contrasting yet reasonable and valid truths, two sides of the same coin).

Christ makes demands of people that they don't want to meet (Matthew 16:24-26). Christ taught things that people do not want to hear. He condemned anger and hatred toward others (Matthew 5:21-22. He said that lust was equal to adultery (Matthew 5:27-28). He permitted divorce and remarriage for only one reason (Matthew 5:31-32; Matthew 19:1-9; Romans 7:4). He taught that the two greatest commandments was to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind, and to love one's neighbor as he loves himself (Matthew 22:36-38) and to do to others as we would have them do to us (Matthew 7:12). He said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15).

Jesus taught that He is the only way to God (John 14:6; Acts 4:11-12). He said that if people do not believe in Him they will die in their sins (John 8:24), and that if one does not repent he will perish. (Luke 13:3). He said if we do not confess Him before men, He will not confess us before the Father (Matthew 10:32-33). Jesus taught the necessity of being baptized (immersed in water) in order to be saved (Mark 16:16; John 3:3-5). Many do not accept the "Big" Jesus on these matters.

Christ emphasized the necessity of obedience to God—instead of the substitution of pious deeds that one might do in His name. In other words, no one can buy or earn his or her way into heaven by just being a good person, with a good heart, and who does some good things along the way of their life (Matthew 7:21-23). Jesus said things that caused people to to turn away from Him (John 6:66-68).

Yet in none of these things was Jesus trying to discourage people from becoming His disciples. In fact, He sought to do the very opposite. Big Jesus said (and still says), "Come to Me, all you who labor 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 you will fine rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). But such involves counting the cost and being willing to pay the price. (Luke 14:26-28).

So, at this season of the year, as we adore the Baby Jesus let us remember that the baby became a man who made demands. In many ways, He was the demanding Christ.

Are we big enough to commit ourselves to the Big Jesus?

Hugh Fulford

A New Chapter Begins

A New Chapter Begins

 

 The Lord willing, we are about to begin writing a new chapter in the story of our lives. As we come to the end of 2025 and enter 2026, most of us will find ourselves looking back over the months gone by thinking about the good times as well as those not so good. We will think about things we said and did that we wish we had not said or done and, yes, we will think about the things we should have said and done but did not say or do.

 

Days gone by have brought to us moments of happiness, joy, peace and contentment. There have also been those moments when pain, heartache, sorrow and disappointment have filled our soul. I believe it is safe to say that all of us have laughed together and cried together with our families, friends and the brethren. All in all, this has been a wonderful journey thus far.

 

As we move forward into the year 2026, I pray that all of us will resolve to give God the best we have to give. He wants a service from us that comes from the heart (Prov. 23:26). He calls for the best of our love (Mark 12:30-31), and the best of our loyalty (Luke 9:23-26).  Our thoughts, desires, intents and purposes must center on the things of God (Phil. 4:8; Col. 3:1-2; Matt. 6:33; 2 Pet. 1:4-11; Rom. 12:1-2; Eph. 4:25-32; John 14:15).

 

May we never forget that there are no guarantees that we will ever see any of those days of 2026 and if we do, they may be few in number. One day the final line will be written on our lives, the last chapter will be finished and the book will be closed on our earthly journey. Each passing day just brings us a step closer to the moment when we will face God in the great judgment ( Acts 17:30-31; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10).

 

  As I think about entering the new year 2026 with all of its uncertainties, I think about the chorus of the beautiful song that proclaims, "Living by faith in Jesus above, Trusting, confiding in His great love; free from all harm safe in His sheltering arm, I'm living by faith and feel no alarm." For whatever time I may have left on planet earth, this is the way I intend to live my life. How about you?

 

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me"—Galatians 2:20

 

Charles Hicks

swabbie5256@gmail.com

 

 

 

The Greatest of These

 

The Greatest of These

 

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity (1 Corinthians 13:13).

 

As we sail the sea of life, our faith, hope and love are like protective barriers that surround us and enable us to navigate through the fiercest of storms that so often arise on our voyage through this life. Faith is not just believing in God although believing is necessary (Heb. 11:6). True faith is one evidenced by a life of obedience to the word of the Lord Romans 6:17; Heb. 5:9; 1 Thess. 1:7-9). Hear the words of the Lord from Jeremiah 7:23: "But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you".

 

Hope is founded on that which we cannot behold with our human eyes. It is grounded in that which we have not yet attained (Rom. 8:24; Phil. 3:12-14). Thus, hope is the anchor of our souls as we sail this sea of life with all of its trouble and strife. Although I cannot now see it, I know there is a place prepared for me that is more wondrous than any words can adequately describe (John 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 2:9; Rev. 21:1-4; Rev. 22:1-5). Without this hope dwelling steadfastly in my heart, my life would, indeed, be a miserable existence (1 John 3:1-3).

 

Love is the foundation upon which our faith and hope is built. It is the love of God for us (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8-9) along with our love for him (Mark 12:29-30) that will impart to us the strength and courage we need to see us through each day. Our love for the church becomes an integral part of our faith and hope (Matt. 6:33). And we must not forget the importance of loving each other (John 13:34-35; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 4:10-12, 19-21).  There is no doubting that love is the greatest of these because without a great love there would be no faith, no hope for a better country

 

Suppose for a moment that you are standing before the judgment seat of our Lord and he says to you, "According to your love for me, the church and your brethren, so be it unto you". Where will you spend your eternity? Sobering thought, isn't it?

 

Charles Hicks

 

 

Comfort When Affliction Fills Our Heart

Comfort When Affliction Fills Our Heart 

I will lift up my hands also unto thy commandments, which I have loved; And I will meditate on thy statutes. Remember the word unto thy servant, Because thou hast made me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction; for thy word hath quickened me. (Psalms 119:48-50)

 On this earthly sojourn "things" happen to us that sometimes seem to be unbearably harsh. Who among us has not at some point felt like punching a hole in the wall. Hearts have been broken, lives disrupted, days have been long and difficult, and some nights it seems as if sleep will never come. All this because "things" happen to us and often we do not understand why they happen. Friends, we are all frail, weak, flawed human beings and "things" are going to happen to us that will try our faith (James 1:2-4, 12). Sometimes faith will bring about a change in a particular circumstance that envelopes us. Sometimes faith will not bring about a change. We must never let the circumstances surrounding us determine what kind of faith we have in God. Our faith may be little (Luke 12:28), weak (Romans 4:19), great (Luke 7:9) or strong (Romans 4:20). We need that great, strong faith that will allow us to trust God at all times (Psalms 62:8; Romans 8:28, 31; Isaiah 12:2; Isaiah 40:28-31).

There is no doubting that in those times of affliction, one source of comfort springs from the love and fellowship we have with one another (1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 1:6; Romans 12:15).  However, there is no better source of comfort to be found for our troubled hearts than that which comes from God through his word. This is a comfort that reaches deep into our hearts and if allowed to dwell there will impart to us a measure of strength and courage that will soothe our troubled souls.

 I dearly love the words of Isaiah 40:31: "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint". My knowledge of eagles is very limited. I once read that eagles have the ability to sense when a storm is approaching and will take flight, soaring high into the heavens where they are safely above the storm. The thought occurs to this writer that trusting our Lord with complete confidence, trusting him with a faith that is strong and steadfast will enable you and I to soar above the storms that threaten us and thus find comfort in all of our afflictions whatever they may be.

 Our God is able and willing at all times to comfort our troubled souls (1 Peter 5:6-7; Hebrews 4:16). We only have to reach out with an earnest desire and embrace those exceedingly great and precious promises found in God's word.

 Charles Hicks

 

Hugh's News & Views (Church Arithmetic)

 

SOME CHURCH ARITHMETIC

 

Church Arithmetic Problem # 1: Can one person anywhere in the world today hear, believe, and obey the gospel, and become just a Christian without joining any denomination? If one person can do that, can two people do that? Can ten? Can 100? Can 100 people in a given geographical area who have become Christians only without joining any denomination organize themselves into a congregation and begin reading and studying the Scriptures on their own, committing themselves to following the Scriptures in all things to the best of their ability, worshiping as the Scriptures instruct, governing themselves as the New Testament instructs, committing themselves to living and serving others as the Bible instructs, and disciplining themselves and correcting themselves wherein they fall short in anyway either personally or as a congregation?

 

If there could be one such congregation, could there be two? Could there be ten such congregations? 100? Could there be an indefinite number of such congregations, made up entirely of people who had only heard, believed, and obeyed the gospel, becoming Christians only without ever joining any denomination? What is your answer to this "church arithmetic problem"?

 

Church Arithmetic Problem # 2: According to sources such as the Center for the Study of Global Christianity, the World Christian Database, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, there are an estimated 45,000 professing Christian denominations around the globe. The Protestant Reformation in the 16thcentury led to the establishment of many different denominations who challenged the authority of the Catholic Church. Professing Christian denominations in different parts of the world have adapted their beliefs and practices to the social and cultural context in which they exist, leading to further divisions. For example, there are twenty-four denominations within the Catholic Church.

 

The Lutheran Church was the first protestant denomination and was founded by the followers of Martin Luther in c. 1530. Think about that for a moment. Christianity had been in the world for 1500 years before the first protestant denomination was ever established! How did the world get along for so long without a single one of the protestant denominations that we have today? Today, there are over forty different Lutheran denominations in the United States alone.

 

The World Methodist Council represents eighty Methodist-related denominations, but there are additional Methodist denominations that are not a part of this Council. There are dozens of different kinds of Presbyterian Churches, especially in the United States. There are more than fifty different kinds of Baptist denominations. There are hundreds of Pentecostal denominations. Many of them are part of the World Pentecostal Fellowship. On and on we could go, talking about the many denominations that exist in the world today. (The above information is available online from the sources named in the first paragraph of this section).

 

Now, here is my question: What if we started with the last denomination that was established and removed it from the thousands of denominations in existence? Would we destroy Christianity by taking away that denomination? Remember, we had Christianity before that last denomination was ever established. Now, let us proceed back to the next one, then the next, then the next—all the way back to the first one. Would we destroy Christianity by doing away with all the protestant denominations? Again, remember that we had Christianity hundreds of years before we ever had even the first protestant church.

 

What if we then went about dismantling the Catholic Church with all its elaborate hierarchy, topped off by the pope? What if we removed every rite, ritual, doctrine, and practice in the Catholic Church that could not be substantiated by inspired scripture? What if we moved all the way back to the days of the New Testament and the church that existed then under the direction of the inspired apostles of Christ? What if we did only what people did in New Testament times to be Christians? What if we believed and taught only that for which we could find Bible authority?

 

What if the people who had been members of all the various protestant denominations and the two billion plus Catholics decided they would just be Christians only without denominational affiliation? Would we not then have "one body (not multiplied thousands), one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith (not hundreds of thousands), one baptism (not many), one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all"? (Ephesians 4:4-6). Does not this passage affirm that there is but one body (which is the church, Ephesians 1:22-23), one faith, and one baptism, just as it affirms that there is one but Lord, one Spirit, one hope, and one God? Based on this passage, would it not make just as much sense to ask which God do you believe in, which Lord do you serve, which Holy Spirit dwells in you, which hope do you have as to ask which church are you a member of, of what faith are you, or of which "mode" were you baptized? Biblically, is there not just one of each of these? Why can we not all be one in Christ just as He prayed in John 17:20-21? Why can we not just be the church of which we read in the New Testament? What is your answer to this "church arithmetic problem"?

 

Note: I am not so naive as to think that all denominational churches [Catholic or Protestant] will ever go out of existence. What is possible, however, is for those who are members of such man-originated churches to leave them and determine to be Christians only without denominational affiliation and without the doctrines, traditions, beliefs, and ceremonies not sanctioned by the Bible.

 

Church Arithmetic Problem # 3: Suppose an evangelist comes to a town somewhere in America and preaches only the gospel of Christ and what it requires of one to be saved from sin and become a Christian. Suppose that 400 people respond to the gospel, doing exactly what people did in the Book of Acts to be saved and made Christians. At the end of the meeting/revival, 100 join denomination A, 100 join denomination B, and 100 hundred join denomination C. However, the remaining 100 join no denomination, but resolve to meet together on the Lord's Day (Sunday) to study the Scriptures and to follow them in all things pertaining to Christian living, the worship of God, and the structure to which they should adhere as a congregation devoted to Christ and His will. Can that be done in today's world? What is your answer to this "church arithmetic problem"? Note: The last group, the ones who joined no denomination but chose to remain an autonomous congregation of Christians only, is a microcosm of what all faithful churches of Christ are today. We have no denominational hierarchy or headquarters. We have no human creed or catechism. We wear no denominational name. Our worship is in accordance with the way Christians worshiped in New Testament times. We seek to live as Christ has taught us to live. To the casual and uninformed observer, conditioned by a denominational mindset, this last group, on the surface, may look very much like those in Denominations A, B, and C. But to those acquainted with the Scriptures, it would be known that these people were not a denomination but just simply Christians, members of the one spiritual body of Christ, the church of which we read in the New Testament.

 

Hugh Fulford

A Walk Down Memory Lane

 

A Walk Down Memory Lane

 

The memory of the just is blessed........(Proverbs 10:7)

 

       "As I travel on life's pathway.

         Know not what the years may hold:

         As I ponder, hope grows fonder,

         Precious memories flood my soul."

        (J.B.F. Wright)

 

 Seventy three years ago, my precious father shed these earthly bonds. Twenty-seven years ago, my loving mother departed this life. Twenty-eight years ago, my precious daughter followed, crossing over into eternity. Eight years, seven months  ago my beautiful wife folded up her earthly tent and went home, As I sit here attempting to put into words the feelings of my heart, precious memories are truly flooding my soul. In some ways it seems as if it was only yesterday that I was just a young man enjoying the peace and security of a precious father and a loving mother. It seems as if it was only yesterday that our precious daughter would burst through the door with that beaming smile lighting up the whole room. But, alas, it is not yesterday and 91 years have come and gone leaving me with only those precious memories that now flood my soul. I am confident that many, if not all, who now read these words will find themselves with like precious memories of their loved ones. As we grow older, the strength ebbs from our feeble bodies. We watch as those we love silently slip out into eternity and then suddenly it begins to sink in that ere long we too will shed these earthly bonds and cross over into eternity. This earthly life is a great adventure that will one day come to an end. On that day we will leave what we have here and take with us only what we are as we go to meet our God face to face.

 

Except for a very dire circumstance (suicide), we do not, yea cannot control how long we live on this earth but we can control how we live while on this earth (Heb. 5:8-9; 1 Pet. 2:11; Rom. 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15-17; Col. 3:1-2; Matt. 6:19-21; Matt.6:33). One day I want to rest from my labor (Rev. 14:13). One day I want to view that majestic city of God from inside (Rev. 21:1-7). As a child of God this is my eternal destiny. I pray it is your eternal destiny also.

 

As we make our way through these days of unrest and uncertainty, I pray that all of us will feel the touch of the Master's hand on our hearts and feel his love surrounding us with tender care.

 

Charles Hicks

We Are From God

We Are From God

 

We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one--1 John 5:19 (ESV)

 

Faith, obedience and love are three great tests of where we stand in the eyes of God. Without faith, we cannot be pleasing to him (Heb. 11:6). Obedience to his will is the only way to obtain the eternal salvation we seek (Heb. 5:7-9; 2 Thess. 1:7-9). Without love permeating our entire being we will never be able to stand approved before God (Mark 12:29-31; 2 Peter 1:22). All who pass the test of faith, obedience and love will have no doubt as to whom they belong to while living in a wicked, sinful world ruled over by the evil one, Satan. All who live outside of Christ have made themselves subjects of the devil and are under his dominion. The God of this world has truly blinded their eyes (2 Cor. 4:4).

 

Long ago there came a time in which God looked down upon his creation and saw that wickedness was great so much so that the imaginations and thoughts of its inhabitants were only evil continually (Gen.6:5; 11-12). It does appear that we are now witnessing the same conditions unfolding throughout the world in which we live. Our own beloved nation is no exception. America has become a nation filled with anger, hatred, jealousy, covetousness, unbelievable corruption and immorality. Read the words of Romans 1:18-32 and 2 Timothy 3:1-5 and you read words that are as up to date as this morning's newspaper or the evening newscast. The works of the flesh spoken of in Galatians 5:19-21 have now become so commonplace in the lives of men and women they are no longer viewed in horror. As a result, adultery, drunkenness, homosexuality, lesbianism, same sex marriage and transgender foolishness are not only being accepted but glorified as well. Purity of life is openly discouraged as we are fed a steady diet of magazines, books, movies and television openly promoting and glamorizing a host of evil practices (James 4:8; Tim. 4:12; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:1-3).

 

All is not doom and gloom here. I know of a surety that the God I believe in and serve, the God who created all things and is the ruler of this universe is alive and well and he is still in control. I also know he is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but wants all men to repent (2 Peter 3:9). My friends, understand this, regardless of what human beings may do or become, in the end God wins!

 

Charles Hicks