Jesus was NOT born on December 25th

NOT December 25th!

There is near unanimous agreement among Bible scholars that Jesus was NOT born on December 25th.  This comes from a simple consideration of one of the facts surrounding the birth of Christ.  Luke 2 tells us that at the time of His birth there were "shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night" (vs 8). Angels appeared to these shepherds announcing the birth of the Saviour.   Experts agree that, while shepherds often remained in the fields with their flocks during the warm months of the year, they definitely would not have been out there during a cold winter month like December.

- by Greg Gwin

 

Some Facts about Christmas

The word "Christmas" is formed by the combining of the words "Christ" and "mass", thus, "the Mass of Christ.”   The holiday as we know it originated with Roman Catholic ritual, although the ultimate origin of many of the customs of the season is not Catholicism, but. paganism.

No one knows the birth date of Jesus. We do not know it because God did not choose to reveal it. Early writers not only acknowledged ignorance of the date of Christ's birth, but also repudiated the idea of a special observance of his birth.  "As late as 245 A.D. Origen ... repudiated the idea of keeping the birthday of Christ . . . Clement of Alexandria (ca.200 A.D.) mentions several speculations on the date of Christ's birth, and condemns them as superstitious. Some chronologists, he says, alleged the birth to have occurred in the 28th year of Augustus, on 25 Pachon (an Egyptian month); ie., May 20. Others assign it. to 24 or 25 Pharrnuth (April 19 or 20)." (Encyclopedia Brittanica).

A consideration of the facts brings us to these important conclusions concerning the religious observance of Christmas, or any special ceremonies or observances surrounding the birthday of Christ:

1. We do not know the date of Christ's birth. God did not choose to reveal it.

2. The celebration of Jesus' birth did not begin until several hundred years after the beginning of the church.

3. The special religious observance of Christ's birth is the combination of Roman Catholic and pagan traditions and rituals.

4. The Bible says nothing about such an observance, and it IS therefore unscriptural.

All that we do, in word or deed, is to be done "in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ" (CoI.3:17).  "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Rom.14:23). "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Rom.l0:17). Regardless of piety or sincerity involved, activities such as religious observance of Christmas or Easter are not authorized by God's word, and therefore are not pleasing to the Lord.

- by Tom Moody

What about Christmas?

It is not the giving of gifts that is challenged.  It is not the happy associations we may have with our families and friends.  Such things can be right at any time of the year.   We are not questioning these things.  Our point is simply this:  The Bible does not inform us as to the birthday of Christ, nor does the Bible authorize us to make a religious observance of the birthday of Christ.  Hence, to attempt such is to go beyond the limits of divine authority.

- by Paul C. Keller

 

Do Not Be Afraid

One summer night during a severe thunderstorm, a mother was tucking her small son into bed. She was
about to turn the light off when he asked in a trembling voice, "Mommy, will you stay with me all
night?"

Smiling, the mother gave him a warm, reassuring hug and said tenderly, "I can't, Dear. I have to
sleep in Daddy's room."

A long silence followed. At last it was broken by a shaky voice saying, "The big sissy!" *

Of what are you afraid? Truth be told, we're all "sissies" about something.

Yet, the most often repeated command in Scripture is "Do not be afraid," or "Do not fear."

"So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." - Matthew 10:31

"Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" - Matthew 8:26

"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself
has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The LORD is my helper; I
will not fear. What can man do to me?'" - Hebrews 13:5-6

God doesn't want us to live our lives in fear.

A man, as he was walking on the street, saw a black cat crossing over the road. He thought to
himself that he was going to have a bad luck on that day. Worried, he asked his friend what would
be his fate because of the black cat that had crossed his path in the morning. His friend replied,
"That will depend on whether you are a rat or not." *

Know who you are in Christ and you will not fear.

In Christ, you are: a child of God (Galatians 3:26-27), an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ
(Romans 8:16-17), saved by the Savior (Matthew 1:21), redeemed by the Rescuer (Ephesians 1:7),
justified by the Justifier (Romans 3:23-26), and forgiven by the Great Forgiver (1 John 1:7-9).

To be found "in Christ," in whom are found all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3), you must place
your faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from your sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31),
confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the
forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). Then, as you continue to walk in the light of His Word, the blood
of Jesus will continue to cleanse you from sin (1 John 1:7).

In Christ, there is salvation, security, strength, and hope. There is no reason to fear.

Won't YOU trust and obey Christ so that you may be found in Him?

-- David A. Sargent

* From sermon illustrations at www.bible.org

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Things to Remember When in Worship

1. Remember the purpose of worship is not to entertain or amuse one another, but it is to pay homage, love and honor to God.

2. Remember the people in worship; they are not perfect, neither are you.  Those with imperfections are worshipping Him who is perfect.  He who realizes his own imperfections most is better qualified to worship Him who is perfect.

3. Come to the worship period thinking how great God is and how insignificant you are.

4. Give due attention to the thoughts contained in the spiritual songs as well as in the harmony and melody of the singing of them.

5. Remember that a sermon depends as much on the hearing of it as the presenting of it.

6. Keep in mind that a critical, intolerant attitude is foreign to the spirit of Him whom you purpose to praise and to them that are gathered with you.  One is to be encouraging to those who are worshipping with him.  Never be critical of those who are faithfully leading the worship services.

- by Jim Sasser

 

Plug Nickel

More Than a Plug Nickel

Have you ever been given the label that Keith Wishum once received?

As a novice summer construction worker in my high school days, I had a frustrated foreman tell me, “Boy, you aren’t worth a plug nickel!”

I’m still not sure what a plug nickel is, but I knew then that a nickel wasn’t worth much.  Was he right about me?  I certainly knew little about the work I was attempting, and I was skinny and weak and unaccustomed to long, hard days in the sun.  But not worth a nickel?

My guess is: you’ve been told the same.  Maybe not with the same words, but somebody (probably recently) found some way to make you wonder about your worth.  It doesn’t take much to create that self-doubt...

You may have been given a similar label, but now observe Keith’s lesson:

Value for an object (or person) is elusive and subjective.  Something (or someone) may actually be worth far more than its face value.  People are like that.  And sometimes so is a nickel.

In 2007, an unnamed California collector paid $5 million for a 5 cent coin.  It was one of just five Liberty Head nickels minted illegally in 1913.  Its worth is a product of its rarity and of a collector’s desire for it.

So is yours.  By our culture’s standards, you may not have accomplished much.  Maybe you never made great grades.  Maybe you can’t run fast or throw a ball far.  The letters “CEO” may never appear after your name....

Those things, however, do not decide your worth!  Your value is determined by what someone is willing to pay for you, and Jesus Christ paid for you with the ultimate price - His very life.

Peter reminded some Christians of the Price that had been paid for their salvation:  “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV).

If the value of something is determined by the price that is paid for it, then Wishum’s conclusions are accurate: “You are extremely valuable.  Worth far more than a plug nickel, even more than a million-dollar nickel!  No matter what anyone says, you have great worth – and tremendous potential.  The Great Collector says so.  And He wants to add you to His collection of precious people [the church].”

He will redeem from sin, give eternal life, and add you to His family when you accept His offer on His terms: place your faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from your sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  Then, continue to walk in the light of His Word and His blood will continue to cleanse you from sin (1 John 1:7).

You are valuable because God loves you.  He loves you so much that He gave His Son to die for you so that you can be saved from sin and live eternally with Him in heaven.

Won’t YOU accept His offer on His terms?

-- David A. Sargent

* Keith Wishum, “Worth More Than a Nickel” in A Word from Williams Road (11/22/16),

Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay His head

They tell us that the Christmas season is one of the most stressful times of the year. We like to think of it as one big party, but for many it is not. It is a time that puts more emphasis upon relationships and we remember more deeply lost loved ones, children and family separated by miles or sometimes hurt or anger. For far too may rather than being a time of celebration it is a time of regret.

I love the story a preacher told about his grandfather. It seems that there was a terrible thunderstorm that swept through Southern Kentucky at the farm where his family had lived for six generations. In the orchard the wind blew over an old pear tree that had been there as long as anyone could remember. His grandfather was saddened to lose the tree in which he had climbed and played as a boy. He had eaten it's fruit all of his life and enjoyed its beauty.

A neighbor came by and said, "I'm really sorry to see your pear tree blown down." "I'm sorry too," said the old man. "It was a real part of my past." "Well what are you going to do now," the neighbor asked? The old man paused for a moment and then said, "I'm going to pick the fruit and burn what is left."

Don't you wish you could handing difficult times with that determination? There are so many things in our past that we cling to which maybe should be letting go. We need to learn the lesson that old man knew. We need to enjoy the pleasures of those memories then go on with the present as well as the future. If you can't, you will always be handicapped in dealing with both the present and the future.

Jesus put it this way in Luke 9:57-62, "As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, "I will follow You wherever You go." But Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay His head." He said to another person, "Come, follow Me." The man agreed, but he said, "Lord, first let me return home and bury my father." But Jesus told him, "Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God." Another said, "Yes, Lord, I will follow You, but first let me say good-bye to my family." But Jesus told him, "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God."

Could it be that you need to let go? I'm not saying to forget, but to enjoy the memories and then move on to enjoy the present and the future.

--Russ Lawson

Christians are "not of this world"

Citizenship Conflicts

Christians are “not of this world” according to our Master (John 18:36). Of course, necessity demands some involvement in the affairs of earth-life, but we must continually remind ourselves that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20). The apostle Peter (1:1) referred to Christians as “strangers” (KJV) or “aliens” (NASB) He wanted them to see themselves as Jesus described them, “not of this world.”

But Christians have to be careful about their behavior among people who ARE of this world. Consider Peter’s instruction further in 1 Peter 2:11-12, “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to … Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (NASU) If we are not careful, our behavior among “Gentiles” can be counter-productive to our purpose in the world. Our purpose is to bring glory to God by helping others become citizens of heaven, too.

As difficult as it may be, this means we cannot become so engrossed in earthly concerns to the extent that we lose focus on our heavenly hope. Let the Gentiles be Gentiles, but keep yourselves pure (1 John 3:3).

- by Mark White

 

God will provide

We live in trying, unsettled, unsure times but for those of us who are Christians it is good to know that God is there for us. We trust in God, we rely upon God, we believe that God will provide what is necessary. After all Paul writes in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” 

But, is there more to living by faith than just believing and trusting? I believe there is!

 

A friend shared this story with me that speaks to this problem. “A girl brought home her fiance, a theology student, to meet her parents for the first time. Her father was keen to learn what prospects the boy had.

"How do you plan to make a living?" asked the father. "I don't know," said the student, "but God will provide." The father raised his eyebrows. "Do you own a car?" "No," said the student, "but God will provide." "I see. And where are you thinking of living once you're married? "No idea, but I'm sure God will provide."

Later the mother asked the father what he thought of their prospective son-in-law. "Not a lot, really," sighed the father. "He's got no money and seems to have given precious little thought to the future. But on the positive side, he must think I'm God!"

 

You see it is a act of faith to trust in God and trust that he will provide, but God also instructs us that our faith requires some actions to have God work in our lives. James 2:14-16 tells us, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

 

The attitude of the young man in the story above is not a new concept. It is my understanding that when the Gospel was first preached that people really, really believed that Christ was coming back very soon. They gave up there jobs and set with others in their places of worship and prayed and sang waiting for the Lord to come back, believing that God would provide for them. In response to to that problem, Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 3:10-11, “While we were with you, we used to tell you, “Whoever refuses to work is not allowed to eat.”

 

I honestly believe that God will provide, but I am also very committed to the fact that He requires us to do something to make that happen.

 

If you want your life to be blessed, then work at it, if you want your church to be blessed, then work at it and God will provide the increase.

 

"Preach, but Leave Others Alone"

The above caption not only represents the thinking of a great majority of people in the denominations, but unfortunately it reflects the attitude of some of our own brethren. It involves the idea that we should preach only what is agreeable to everyone, avoiding anything of a controversial nature.

First of all, it is impossible to preach the truth and leave other people alone. It does not matter what subject a gospel preacher may select, it will contradict the belief of somebody. For instance, suppose that I should decide to preach on the subject of God. In that sermon I point out that there is but one God and no other. I point out the attributes of God, showing the characteristics of God as taught in the Bible. That sermon would meet the approval of many people who are not even members of the church of Christ. But are we so naive as to believe that it would meet the approval of everyone?  It certainly would not leave the atheist alone and it would not be agreeable to the man from China whose ancestors have worshipped idols for hundreds of years.

But suppose that I should decide to preach on the subject of Christ.  I go to the word of God and prove His virgin birth, His divinity, His pure and sinless life, His example for us to follow, and the authority of His teaching. This sermon too would meet the approval of many who are not even Christians. But even that kind of preaching would not be agreeable to the orthodox Jew who rejects Christ as the Messiah. Are we to cease preaching Christ because it offends the Jew?

But now I decide to preach on baptism. I simply preach what the New Testament says about it. I quote such passages as Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Galatians 3:27 and 1 Peter 3:21. However, when I do this I am not leaving a good majority of religious people alone. A good part of the denominational world would not be in agreement with my preaching on baptism because a good part of the denominational world denies the essentiality of baptism as a condition of salvation. Should I refrain from preaching on baptism because it does not leave others alone?

We cannot preach and leave other people alone in the first place, and in the second place God does not expect us to do so. Paul wrote in Galatians 1:10, "For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men? If I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ." Just before this, Paul had said in verses 6 and 7: "I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel; which is not another gospel only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ." No doubt this statement did not take well with those false teachers in Galatia, but Paul did not leave them alone. He preached the truth regardless feeling.

Let a preacher oppose mixed swimming, immodest dress, dancing, or preach on the present-day issues facing the church, emphasizing that each congregation is to do its own work of benevolence and preaching without erecting human institutions and adhering to centralized elderships, or call denominational names and some of the brethren will accuse him of being a "hobbyist" and they will charge him with being "too hard."

Jesus Christ did not leave others alone and neither must we. He said to His disciples in Matthew 16:6, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." The entire 23rd chapter of the book of Matthew is a denunciation of the teaching of the Pharisees.

Most people, including some of our brethren, do not know what it means to preach the truth in love. If we know the truth and love the truth, we shall want it preached regardless of whom it may offend. To preach the truth in love means to preach the truth in love of the truth and in love for those who hear it. Paul asked in Galatians 4:16, "So then am I become your enemy, by telling you the truth?" People must know the difference between truth and error so that they may be saved from their sins. Many are sincere, but wrong; many are honest, but they are misled.  It is only when error is pointed out to people that they will know to leave error.

Gospel preachers must not submit to the advice of denominationalists and uninformed brethren who cry, "Preach, but leave others alone." The matter of how we are to preach was decided a long while ago by the word of God.  May faithful gospel preachers continue to "preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." (2 Tim. 4:2).

- by Hoyt  H. Houchen

 

Things to Remember When in Worship

1. Remember the purpose of worship is not to entertain or amuse one another, but it is to pay homage, love and honor to God.

2. Remember the people in worship; they are not perfect, neither are you.  Those with imperfections are worshipping Him who is perfect.  He who realizes his own imperfections most is better qualified to worship Him who imagines himself ‘perfect’.

3. Come to the worship period thinking how great God is and how insignificant you are.

4. Give due attention to the thoughts contained in the spiritual songs as well as in the harmony and melody of the singing of them.

5. Remember that a sermon depends as much on the hearing of it as the presenting of it.

6. Keep in mind that a critical, intolerant attitude is foreign to the spirit of Him whom you purpose to praise and to them that are gathered with you.  You should be seeking to encourage those who are worshipping with you.  

- by Jim Sasser

 

You are the light of the world

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

I was thinking about this scripture after our bible class the other night and thought how we often limit the scope of this instruction. As near as I can remember I believe that I have always heard this scripture applied to those of the world. That’s good, that’s how it should be, but I think we forget how much our light effects those around us in God’s family also.

Shinning on the world is good, John says the world is filled with darkness and loves the darkness… it doesn’t really know any better. It doesn’t know or has forgotten the blessings that come from being in the light. But what about those in God’s family who are struggling, who are barely holding on, who’s spirits are near the edge of breaking. Do we ever think about how important it is to shine the light in their direction also?

I was remembering a scene from the movie, “The Mummy”. In this scene at one point they enter a dark cavern like room below a pyramid. There is a shaft of light shining into the room from above. They move a ancient mirror in front of the shaft of light and direct it into the room where it shines upon other mirrors arranged around the room. Suddenly the whole room is bathed in light, you can see everything, treasures beyond imagination, more gold than you could spend in a lifetime.

I wonder how much treasure could be revealed if you took the time to shine your light on others the way you are supposed to? One of my favorite passages is Hebrews 3:12-13 where we are told, “see to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

So, how about making a special effort this week to shine your light, it may make a difference in whether or not they turn away from God or not.

Christians and Halloween

Here we are at the Halloween season once again and I don’t aim to promote or condemn it as such just to make some observations. It’s a time for what we call “trick or treat,” which used to mean you pass out treats to those who visited because you wanted to do something nice for the children in you neighborhood. The visitors dress up in strange costumes, wear masks, wigs, face paint, etc. You passed out some treat or you might have your widows smeared with soap or something else as relatively mild as a consequence. It really was (and sometime still is) a community activity meant to be enjoyed.

 

Times have changed through the years though, for some, what had been a fun time has become a dark and dangerous time. Kids can’t go out unattended any longer, it’s not safe, there are human predators stalking our streets seeking to do harm to folks and property. That doesn’t speak well for our society does it? Many of the “Trick or Treaters,” have changed also. For some It’s no longer about just having fun it’s about “what you can get for yourself,” and what kind of destruction you can cause and the masks and costumes are just a way to hide your identity.

 

Of course as I was thinking about this, the current elections came to mind and how much they mirror the “Halloween Mentality”. It seems that all of those running for some office wear mask and costumes, trying to hide who they truly are and it seems also more interested in how holding some office can benefit them and not others. Now, I imagine that there are some politicians somewhere (I know one personally), who truly does seek only to help folks and not benefit themselves, but seems a rare thing. What comforts me in these troubled times is that if God can use ungodly men like king Nebuchadnezzar, and the Pharaoh of Egypt to serve his purposes he can still do it today.

 

Now here is the difficult thing; we don’t know God’s purpose or his reason for doing things in a certain way. What we do know is that God is in control and no matter who wins the earthly election, we have already won the eternal election if we are Christians. 2 Peter 1:5-8, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Then in verse 10 & 11 he adds, “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

 

The bottom line is that if we serve God faithfully, out Election to the eternal kingdom is assured. It’s an office for life, with no term limits. No masks, no costumes, only the real us revealed before God. I’m tired already of the earth elections, but excited about the eternal one, how about you?

 

--Russ Lawson

David and the Shewbread

Okay, let's try this one more time and see if we can get it straight.  We continue to hear folks, even some Christians, who would like to use Jesus' reference to David and the shewbread as a justification for a kind of ‘situation ethics’ reasoning. 

Do you remember the incident (Matt. 12:1-8)?  On a Sabbath day the disciples had passed through a field and gathered some grain to eat.  The old law allowed such gathering (it was not stealing).  But the Pharisees criticized them as doing that which was "unlawful".  Their complaint was about the ‘work’ involved in gathering the grain.  While not forbidden by the law of Moses, the Jews had invented certain traditions which prohibited this.

In response to this criticism by the Pharisees, Jesus said: "Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungered, and they that were with him; how he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?" (vs. 3,4).  He went on to rebuke the Pharisees for "condemning the guiltless" (vs. 7). 

The point here is clear.  The Jews regarded David as their great national hero.  In the matter of the shewbread, David sinned. (We must take Jesus at His word - David's deed was "not lawful".) The Pharisees overlooked this clearly sinful act.  But, in the case of Jesus' disciples, they criticized something that was not wrong (notice that Jesus said it left them "guiltless").  Jesus was simply pointing out the inconsistency of the Pharisees in this matter.

And so, we have here no justification for any ‘situation ethics’ type of reasoning.  Jesus was not holding up David as a worthy example.  He was not saying that the law can be broken under extreme circumstances.  He was not justifying the disciples in a sinful deed.  He was pointing out the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of His day.  Learn the lesson!

- by Greg Gwin

 

Are There Any False Teachers?

The Bible warns of false prophets, ones who pretend to be preachers of righteousness, but are actually agents of the devil.  "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works" (2 Cor. 11:13-15).  John warned, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 Jn. 4:1).  However, in spite of these warnings, many today act as though there are few, or no, false teachers in the world.  They will give their general approval to almost any man (or woman) who says he is preaching the gospel.

In contrast to the general feeling among religious people, the Bible teaches that false prophets abound.  John said "many" have gone out into the world.  Is it any different today?  Right after Jesus stated that few would make it to heaven while many will go to hell, He warned us about false teachers (Matt. 7:13-20).  Do you suppose there is any connection?  Many false teachers will deceive many people.  Few teachers of righteousness will persuade few people.

Instead of endorsing everyone who is a "preacher" and accepting his teaching, we are to examine, test, and try what he says by the Scripture (1 Thess. 5:21; Acts 17:11).  When it is true, accept it and live by it.  When it is false, reject it and him (Gal. 1:8-9).  When a man will not affirm that Jesus is the Christ, reject him (Matt. 16:16).  When a man will not teach that salvation is offered to all men of all races, reject him (Mk. 16:15).  When a man will not advocate the words of the Lord, that baptism is for salvation, reject him (Mk. 16:16; cf. Acts 2:38).

Please, dear friend, understand that there are false teachers in the world.  Use some discernment.  If what we teach is false, reject it.  Only follow the Word of God!  Yet, if what we teach is true according to God's revelation, receive it and abide in it.  We want to go to heaven and want you to go, too.

- by Steven F. Deaton

 

Is This an Active and Growing Church?

There can be no doubt that the Lord expects every congregation of His people to be active and growing.  He told all of the seven churches of Asia (Revelation 2,3) that He was aware of their activity.  He began His assessment of each church with the statement, “I know thy works.”  We would be seriously mistaken to imagine that He does not make the same observation of all churches today.

So, we must be active and growing.  But, while seeking to be so, there are some errors to avoid:

1) Don’t equate increased numbers with real growth.  Yes, growth usually means an increase in the physical size of the congregation, but not always.  There are instances where the kind of ‘growing’ that God desires will actually result in lower numbers.  The rapidly growing church in Jerusalem actually lost members in the case of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1ff).  The church at Corinth was condemned because an immoral brother had not been “taken away from among you” (1 Cor. 5:2).  ‘Growing’ sometimes means losing numbers in order to please God.

2) Do not confuse ‘commotion’ with beneficial, God-honoring activity.  Seems some brethren think that ‘keeping things stirred up’ is a good thing.  And so, they constantly are bringing up controversial subjects or suggesting ill-conceived plans that force an unnecessary tumult.  These folks apparently have missed the analogy of the church to a flock of sheep.  Just as sheep do best when kept calm, so also the church.  We do not need or want unnecessary stress and turmoil in the local church.

3) Never compromise Bible authority in the name of ‘doing good.’  The religious world at large – and sadly, too many of our own brethren – urge us to consider ‘how much good is being done’ when we challenge them about their unscriptural practices.  We must remember Samuel’s famous rebuke to King Saul: “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Sam. 15:22).  Or, to put it another way, you aren’t really ‘doing good’ if you aren’t adhering to Bible authority.

4) Be careful about assuming that ‘special programs’ are essential in achieving growth.  Too many disciples apparently think that nothing is being done if there are not specially organized efforts in behalf of this or that artificially designated group within the congregation.  This is particularly evident in regards to ‘programs for the young people.’  However, even denominational ‘church growth experts’ are proclaiming that “today's modern concept of youth ministry is a 50-year failed experiment” (Christian Post, 7/28/11). Actually, this institutionalized view of activity hurts the real productivity of a congregation by causing members to sit back and wait for someone to ‘organize’ something, rather than using their own initiative to get God’s work done.

5) Do not imagine that the church is not growing and active simply because you don’t ‘see’ something happening.  Often the most positive work done in a local congregation is done by quiet, humble servants who are simply out there caring for the sick, encouraging the weak, sharing the gospel with others, etc.  They’re not trying to make a big‘splash’ – they’re just doing their best to accomplish all they can.  They are not doing their work “to be seen of men” (Matt. 6:1ff).

Active?  Growing?  Yes, we must be!  But let’s evaluate our progress as the Lord does, and not as man does.  Think!

- by Greg Gwin

 

How to win souls

Influence

A woman asked, "How can I win my husband to Christ?"  "You can't," was the surprising answer from the preacher.  "You never attend worship regularly.  If your husband wants to go for a drive on Sunday, you  neglect the Lord and go with him.  And if you don't have a way to come to church, you never call some other member to come for you.  You will never win your husband unless you let him know, and all those about you, that your religion means more to you than anything else under heaven.  This alone is the kind of influence that wins souls."

- via "Great Plainness of Speech"

 

This Body… One owner, High Mileage, Needs work!

I was doing some work at our house the other day and I kind of over did it. I worked on different projects for probably about 5 hours and I was so tired that I really didn't feel like doing anything else the rest of the day. You probably know how that feels, just worn out.

The other day I saw an "older gentleman," with a tee shirt that had a caption with which I could identify. It said, "This Body… One owner, High Mileage, Needs work!" Simple, straight forward, to the point! That describes me at times… and perhaps you also.

Folks often say that it would be great to "turn back the clock," to a time when we were younger, with the addition of keeping the knowledge we have now. Yes, that is very appealing; a younger body, no aches, no pains, smooth skin, strong muscles, but at this point even with all of our medical technology it is just not possible; at least not possible here on earth.

I heard a story about a little boy who came running to his father and said, "Dad, I just figured what the Bible is about." His days, said, "Really, what is it about?" The son answered, "It's on the front, "B.I.B.L.E. and it means, Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth." I guess he got it right didn't he, that just about sums it up. That is what the Bible is all about, because we for sure are not going to stay here on earth forever.

At times I'm ready for that change, the older I get the more I understand the power of the promise. That's the promise the Apostle Paul was trying to help us understand in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 where he said: "But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies."(NLT)


Yes, I'm ready for a new one, a new body, one like Jesus, no more pain, no more weariness; no more parts that sometimes refuse to cooperate. There is a time coming when my 'High mileage" body will be traded in for a new one. That's what I planning for, that what I'm looking forward to! How about you?

--Russ Lawson

Great characters of the Bible

 

 I've begun a series of lessons about some of the great characters of the Bible in our Sunday morning class and our first "character" was Abraham with the 11th chapter of Hebrews used to illustrate his "faith."  How that "by faith" he lived and accomplished what God wanted him to do. 

 

During our study of Abraham, we discussed his sojourn in the land of Egypt.  While studying this portion of his life we took note of one of the promises and predictions God made to him.  In the 15th chapter of Genesis you can read where God told Abraham that his "seed" (descendants) would be "strangers" in a land that wasn't theirs and that they would be slaves in that land.  Then after 400 years they would "come out with great substance" and be given the land of Canaan.

 

It was this part of our lesson that brought about comments on the fulfillment of that promise which we know as "the exodus" of the Israelites from Egypt.  We turned to the 12th chapter of Exodus where we read about this mass migration which engendered some thoughts on what a sight this must have been.

 

When God told Abraham that his descendants would leave with "great substance" we read the evidence of the truth of God's promise.  First we noted that they had increased in number from 70 to a multitude estimated to have been about 2 million people at the time of their leaving.  It doesn't tell us exactly how many Israelites were involved in this move but, I'll go out on a limb and say this - there was a whole bunch of them.  Plus, they had others going with them along with their "flocks, herds and very much cattle."

 

The amount of souls making this exodus from Egypt is derived from the fact that we're told that there were 600,000 "footmen" (Num. 11:21) which didn't count the women and children.  And, as more evidence of their "substance" we're told that the Egyptians wanted them gone so bad that they gave them "jewels of silver and jewels of gold and raiment."   And, guess what?  They had been in Egypt for 430 years.  (Ex. 12:31-40)

 

Well, a discussion ensued on the logistics of that mass migration.  I count it as praiseworthy on Moses' behalf that there is no evidence of him ever saying "Hey wait a minute, this is impossible" which is something I'm sure that most of us would have said.  No, Moses never said a thing about the aspects or logistics of this movement.  He simply did as God directed him and it's no wonder he's cited as an example of faith to us.

 

We can see from passages in Ex. 16 and Deut. 29 that God provided everything Israel needed during their 40 year journey from Egypt to the "Promised Land."  Their shoes and clothing never wore out.  They had food and water provided on a continual and daily basis.  What I found interesting about this is that their daily food (manna) ceased the day after they celebrated Passover in the land of Canaan and after they had eaten the food of the land.  (Josh. 5:12)   Could this have been just a coincidence?  I think not.

 

But, let's return to the discussion of the logistics of the exodus.  Have you ever given much thought to what it must have taken to sustain that many people and their animals?  I think that the logistics of this undertaking would stagger our imagination.  The following figures come from the calculations of the Quartermaster General of the Army.  And I see his estimations as being believable because that office is responsible for figuring out the amount of provisions necessary for sustaining a large amount of people (like an army).

 

According to their figures, 1500 tons of food would be needed "daily."  To put it in a modern illustration, that amount would take up 2 freight trains, each one being a mile long.  If they needed to have fires, the amount of fuel or firewood necessary for that large group of people would have been 4000 tons per day.  And remember, they were out there for 40 years.

 

How about water?  (This was brought up in our class discussion).  If they only had enough to drink and do light washing, you're looking at 11 million gallons a day.  If we stick with our freight train illustration, this would require a train 1800 miles long.  Isn't this alone mind-boggling? 

 

Remember the crossing of the Red Sea?  Let's look at the logistics of that incident itself.  The path through the sea would have to have been at least 2-3 miles wide in order for all of them to get across in one day (Ex. 14).  To give you a better idea of this crossing, it's estimated that if they went across two abreast, there would have been a line 800 miles long and would have taken 35 days and nights for all to cross.

 

And when they stopped, the encampment of that many people would have been enormous.  It would have to have encompassed an area of approximately 750 square miles.  Again, using a modern day illustration, that area is about 2/3 the size of the state of Rhode Island.  Unbelievable, isn't it?  Especially when you remember that they moved locations from time to time.

 

I just don't think that we've ever really considered the magnitude of the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and their wondering in the wilderness for 40 years.  And, you know what?  They never lacked food or water nor any of the necessities of life.  How could this have occurred?  Only one way - God!  Something to consider, isn't it?

 

Respectfully submitted,

Ron Covey