Is social drinking wrong?

Concerning Social Drinking
 

• Can you say, "I drink alcoholic liquor because it makes me a stronger Christian.”? "A better husband.”? "A better wife.”? "A better mother or father.”?
• Can you say, "I drink because it helps me in deciding what’s right and wrong.”?
• Can you say, "I drink because it makes me a more effective teacher of God's Word and helps me to exert a strong influence for truth and right.”?
• Can you say, "I drink because it helps me to have more interest in spiritual things, like the study of God's Word or His worship."?
• Can you say, "I drink because it makes my life richer, fuller and better in every way."? 
• Can you say, "I drink because I know that no harm can possibly come from it"? 
• Can you say, "I drink because I know that drinking is far better than total abstinence."?
• Can you say, "I drink because I know the Lord wants me to."?                           

- by Ernest A. Finley

 

Petra Pazsitka

There was a disappearance and a murder confession.  So, the last thing police expected when they stopped at "Mrs. Schneider's" apartment in Dusseldorf, Germany, was to find the 1984 murder victim, Petra Pazsitka, talking to them.  Thus began the unraveling of an elaborate plot by Ms. Pazskitka to disappear and reemerge with a new identity.  She was successful for 31 years, living in several West German cities without a passport, driver's license, and social security card. She supported herself by "living off illicit cash-in-hand work" (via uk.news.yahoo.com). Why did the college student who had just completed her thesis on computer languages leave the grid and go into hiding? So far, there has been no explanation given. Perhaps there will eventually be more details and insight into this bizarre situation, but for now a grief-stricken family can take some measure of comfort in knowing their loved one they thought was dead is alive.

Spiritually, we are surrounded by the living dead.  It is the result of choices they've made.  This is even true for some who have abandoned God's family and reemerged in the world having cast off the privileges and position of that honorable name they took on when they were baptized into Christ.

Paul says, "The mind set on the flesh is death" (Rom. 8:6). He tells Timothy, "But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives" (1 Tim. 5:6). God diagnosed an entire church, Sardis, "having a reputation of being alive" as being dead (Rev. 3:1). Of course, nothing illustrates the point better than Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son.  The younger son was off in the "far country," and through that lifestyle he reached the point of desperation and despair. He repented and came home, where his father declared "my son was dead and is alive again" (Luke 15:24).

Sometimes, it makes no sense to us why a brother or sister leaves God's family, abandoning spiritual life, hope, and heaven for spiritual death, hopelessness, and hell.  Yet, we must continue to search for them.  Let us pray that we can find those long since declared dead and encourage them so that we "save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins" (Jas. 5:20). Search for them. Appeal to them. Help them reclaim the blessed identity they had when they had "life and peace" (Rom. 8:6).  – Neal Pollard

 

Unobtanium

I have been a fan of Science Fiction most of my life. I like the ability it gives me to dream of places I will never see and imagine things that are greater than our world. It allows me to travel in space in my mind and participate in heroic adventures.

One of the concepts that has been used more in the past few years is the concept of an element called "Unobtanium". You can actually find the word in the dictionary and it is defined in this way: "Since the late 1950s, aerospace engineers have used the term "unobtainium" when referring to unusual or costly materials, or when theoretically considering a material perfect for their needs in all respects, except that it does not exist." Laughingly "Unobtainium is described as being stronger than helium and lighter than airium". The term came more to the forefront of thought by its use to describe the element they were mining in the movie "Avatar".

To many people God is like Unobtanium. The idea of someone loving them for who they are with no reservations is like Unobtanium. The idea of having all of the bad things they have done in their lives erased and starting with a clean slate is much like Unobtanium, something which just does not exist.

We are not alone when we struggle with that problem. Even the Apostle Paul struggled with this issue in his life. Notice what he says in Romans 7:24: "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?"

Isn't that the same things we want to know? Who will rescue us from this body that is subject to death?"

Paul continues in verse 25a with the answer to the problem. He tells us how to find the Unobtaniam. He writes: "Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord."

We sing a song in our churches that says: "He is able to deliver me!" But far too often we really don't believe it. God's word says that if we serve him, when we die, we are going to heaven! Do you really believe that, or are you one of those who say, "I hope I am." Heaven is not unobtainable, it is a free gift, a promise to those who love God and obey his word.

Let me share one last verse that is so very hard for some to really, really believe. John says in 1 John 5:13: "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life!" Like the old fellow said, "God said it, I believe it and that settles it!"


How would you like to get your share of Unobtainium? It's there waiting for you to Obey God and serve him.

--Russ Lawson

Sermon on Launch Out Into The Deep

When Jesus met Peter, it may have seemed like an ordinary day to the Galilean fisherman. Simon Peter and his partners had just spent a long night fishing with no results.  You can imagine they were irritated and frustrated, maybe even feeling sorry for themselves. Then, Jesus commandeered Simon's boat and used it to teach. This presumably would have been Peter's first impression of Christ, though we do not know how closely he was paying attention to the Lord.  In Luke 5:4, Jesus stops preaching to the crowd and addresses Peter. He says, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." Jesus has ulterior motives, but the command is for Peter to literally cast his nets to try to make a literal catch of fish. Immediately, though, Peter is exposed to something far greater than anything earthly or material. Notice how this account illustrates the call of scripture in which Christ tells us, like Peter to launch out into the deep in faith to do great things for Him.

Launch out into the deep...even if, despite great effort, you have failed in the past (Luke 5:5). Simon explained that he and his associates had struck out overnight. Jesus was telling him not to worry about the past. He tells us the same things today. If you have failed in trying to do right or have succeeded in doing wrong, don't give up hope. Launch out again!

Launch out into the deep...at the prompting of God's Word (Luke 5:5). Simon was willing. What a great character trait. He tells Jesus, "Nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." Simon says, "I value and respect your word enough to try again where I failed in the past." Do we trust God's promises and revere God's commands enough to keep trying and biting off big things for the Lord?

Launch out into the deep...and involve others with you (Luke 5:7). Of course, with the Lord's help, Simon became a success. In fact, the disciple knew immediately that he was not big enough to tackle his opportunities alone. He got his partners involved. In the Lord's church today, each of us as Christians are partners and associates together with Christ (2 Cor. 5:18-6:1). Launching out into the deep requires involving as many as possible, for the task is so great and too much for one alone.

Launch out into the deep...and astonishing things can happen (Luke 5:9-11). First, the catch of fish is astonishing to them. Then, Jesus' commissioning of them is astonishing (to turn from fish to men). Finally, their response is astonishing. They get to land, leave their boats and all they have, and follow Jesus. Eventually, they change the entire world! Launch out into the deep.  Who knows what you can do through Christ (cf. Phil. 4:13), but it will be astonishingly amazing.

Obviously, this was about men and not about fish.  Jesus was not interested in making them rich fishermen in Galilee.  He was looking to enrich the people of Galilee and far beyond through these fishermen. All it took was for some men who believed in God's power to launch out into the deep.

 

Neal Pollard

 

 

What is a theologian?

I was reading an article yesterday about some of the current social turmoil in our country regarding same sex marriage, in which the headline said (in part) "The Theologian said". Now according to my dictionary, a "theologian" is a person who is an expert in religious faith and practices, or an expert in understanding God.

Well, I guess I am not a Theologian according to the world's standards. The reason being is that this "Theologian" who was quoted in this national publication, said that God nowhere condemns certain lifestyle choices. She even quoted out of context a few Old Testament passages, while completely ignoring clear statements to the contrary throughout God's Word in both the Old and New Testaments.

Our world likes titles! It loves people who have letters behind their names, supposedly proving they have achieved some higher level of understanding. That is the problem we see when we begin to heap respect and recognition on men and women because they have a title of some kind. The words they utter, the stances they take are accepted by many, just because they claim to be an "expert" is some area (perhaps a theologian). Many say, "Everyone has a right to their own beliefs," and that's true, as long as you are willing to accept the consequences of your decisions.

Jesus had some very clear words for people like this in Luke 11:52: "What sorrow awaits you experts in religious law! For you remove the key to knowledge from the people. You don't enter the Kingdom yourselves, and you prevent others from entering."

Now I don't claim to be an expert, but I have read my bible through from front to back every year for over 25 years. I do put a fair amount of study into trying to understand God's will for us today. What that makes me is a disciple of Christ, an ongoing learner, one who walks by faith and accepts God Word as true even if it different from what is "Socially accepted," or "politically correct. It makes me a Christian who says that God is in charge telling our world what is right or what is wrong. It makes me one who believes that "God judges the living and the dead," (1 Peter 4:5), and that we are all accountable to Him for our choices here on this earth.

Yes, people in our world want to believe what they want is right and nothing else matters. That's not a new desire, the thought was planted in the mind of Eve in the Garden of Eden by Satan in the very beginning and he continues to spread the same lie. Jesus however did not agree, in fact he condemned the idea in Matthew 7:21. Notice his words (another clear proclamation of Jesus which the many "theologians" reject). "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

--Russ Lawson