"Don't be afraid. I am here!"

 

After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. 2A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. 3Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him. 4(It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.) 5Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” 6He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.

7Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!”

8Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. 9“There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?”

10“Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) 11Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. 12After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” 13So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.

14When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!” 15When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.

16That evening Jesus’ disciples went down to the shore to wait for him. 17But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn’t come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum. 18Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough. 19They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, 20but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!” 21Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination!

22The next day the crowd that had stayed on the far shore saw that the disciples had taken the only boat, and they realized Jesus had not gone with them. 23Several boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the Lord had blessed the bread and the people had eaten. 24So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went across to Capernaum to look for him. 25They found him on the other side of the lake and asked, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

26Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. 27But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”

28They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?”

29Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

30They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? 31After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

32Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. 33The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

34“Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.”

35Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me. 37However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. 38For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. 39And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. 40For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”

41Then the people began to murmur in disagreement because he had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”

43But Jesus replied, “Stop complaining about what I said. 44For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. 45As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. 46(Not that anyone has ever seen the Father; only I, who was sent from God, have seen him.)

47“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. 48Yes, I am the bread of life! 49Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. 50Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.”

52Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. “How can this man give us his flesh to

eat?” they asked.

53So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. 54But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. 55For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. 58I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”

59He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

60Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”

61Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? 62Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? 63The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) 65Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”

66At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. 67Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”

68Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:1-69

 

This is one of the great chapters in the Bible. In all literature! You must read the whole chapter to really get the point. The people want Jesus to miraculously feed them every day with manna from heaven – as with Israel in the wilderness, but Jesus is trying to tell them that he will feed them forever, but it won’t be food for the stomach; it’ll be food for the soul. “But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.” John 6:27

 

Why can’t they understand that Jesus will indeed be with them forever, even if he’s not performing a daily miracle like providing physical food? Pentecostalism suffers from the same mistaken idea. Here’s the crux of the chapter:

 

“Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me. 37However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. 38For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. 39And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. 40For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:35-40

 

God provides us with the Spirit and works miracles, but it isn’t a constant flow of miracles. Galatians 3:5 We are to walk in the Spirit, even after the age of miracles has ceased.

 

God has promised to equip us with everything we need to do His will, and to do so through Jesus and Jesus’ disciples, 2 Corinthians 9:8-12; Hebrews 13:20-21, but that doesn’t mean miracles. God isn’t restricted to miracles!

 

“Don’t be afraid. I am here! Even if I’m not performing a miracle-a-minute, I am here. Always. I promise.

Concentrate on the spiritual, and I’ll take care of the rest.

It’s the same thing I taught in Matthew 6.

Pray give us this day our daily bread.

Take each day as it comes.

Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Seek first the kingdom of God and righteousness, and I’ll take care of you.

It’s the same thing I taught in Luke 9.

Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow me.

Lose your life for my sake, and you will gain life indeed.

It’s the same thing I taught in Matthew 28:18-20.

Live for me every day of your life and I will be with you always - every one of your days.

All of you.

All your days.

Don’t be afraid.

I promise and My promises are always yes.”

Many left Him because they didn’t understand or trust Him.

Peter knew better, even if he didn’t fully understand. 6:68 is better than 6:66!! A numerical pun intended!

 

David Hunter

 

Matthew 5:48 "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect".

 Turning to Hebrews 6:1, we are told to leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ and go on to perfection. It goes without saying that Matthew 5:8 and Hebrews 6:1 set before us a tremendous challenge. They issue to us a great challenge to be all that we possibly  in the kingdom of God. Often when we hear the word "perfect", we immediately think of that which is blameless or without fault. However, as used in Matthew 5 and Hebrews 6 the word means fully grown, mature. From the day we come forth from the watery grave as new creatures in Christ we must strive to grow into maturity as a child of God (1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18; Heb.5:12-13).

 

Being perfect or striving for perfection does not carry with it the meaning of being without fault or sin (! John 1:8). We are weak, frail, human beings who must constantly buffet our bodies lest we lest we say, think or even do those things that are contrary to God's will (1 Corinthians 9:27; Mark 14:38; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; 1 Corinthians 16:13). Yet in spite of our human weaknesses, if we are going to please God, we must ever strive for perfection.

 

Striving for perfection will involve a dedicated effort to abstain from those thing that are evil (1 John 2 :15-17; Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Thess. 5:22). It will require that we give our heart entirely to God with a love that knows no bounds (Prov. 23:26; Mark 12:30). Striving for perfection begins by being upright, fearing God and hating evil (Job 1:1; Prov. 1:7; Prov. 8:13; Prov. 14:26-27; Eph. 4:14-15; Heb. 12:28). Striving for perfection we develop roots in Christ and form solid convictions on which we stand steadfast. With strong convictions, people will know what we believe, where we stand and why (1 Cor. 16:13-14; 1 Cor. 15:58; 1 Pet. 3:15-16).

 

It is my desire and prayer that all who read these words will ever seek to be perfect, striving every day for the perfection that will one day bring about the greatest victory imaginable.

 

Charles Hicks

Philippians 2:12 --Wherefore, my beloved brethren, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Each of us has a personal responsibility to do whatever is necessary to bring about the salvation of our souls. We must constantly be alert to the danger of not being diligent to exert the effort needed to make our calling and election sure (2 Pet. 1:3-12).  In working out our own salvation, our attitude toward God and his word (the Bible). will be a determining factor as to whether we are successful or unsuccessful. Solomon tells us in Eccl. 12:13 to fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man. Jesus tells us in John 14:5 that if we love him we will keep his commandments. In Mark 12:30 Jesus tells us we must love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Do we truly fear God and keep his commandment to the best of our ability? Do we love him as Jesus says we must or do we love him with some reservations in our hearts? Our success or failure in working out our own salvation depends on how we answer these questions.

 

And what is our attitude toward God's word? There are those who simply ignore it, never really studying it. Others read it occasionally in a superficial way never understanding what they read. If we are to work out our own salvation we must diligently search out God's truth through his word and make that truth the rule of our lives (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Tim. 2:15; 1 Pet. 2:2-3; 2 Pet. 3:18).

 

If we are going to be successful in making our calling and election sure we must be willing to give God our best. The best of our love (1 John 5:1-3; the best of our gifts (2 Cor. 8:5, Rom. 12:1, 2 Cor. 9:7); the best of our labors (Luke 10:7, 1 Cor. 15:58). When we give our best, nothing is lost. Give our best and receive God's best. Work out your own salvation remembering that God's promise of final deliverance and salvation of the soul is only promised to those who obey him and remain faithful until death (Heb. 5:7-9; Heb.2:1-3; Heb. 12:1-2; Rev. 2:10).

 

Charles Hicks

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

And Then Some

Jay Payleitner and his wife, Rita, were driving back home late at night after a visit with their
son, Randy, a student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. They had taken the
afternoon off from work to travel down to the University to see Randy participate in an intramural
coed flag football game. They made the 6-hour round trip to see him play, but when game time came
around, the other team forfeited because they didn't have enough players. The Payleitners were
disappointed, but at least they had a good visit with their son.

As they traveled back home, Jay thought of the many things that he could have accomplished had he
not made the trip, but then he came upon a familiar spot on his journey that brought to his mind a
wonderful memory...

Ahead I saw a bridge crossing over the Fox River. A distant memory stirred... from back when I was
a Boy Scout. Every fall our troop made a two-day, 40-mile canoe journey down the Fox.

There was one year I would never forget. My dad dropped my brother Mark and me at the launch, made
sure our life vests were snug and said goodbye as our flotilla set off. I plunged my paddle into
the water and pulled hard, then lifted and stroked again. Mark, in front, did the same.

Before long we had a good rhythm going. "I wish Dad could see us," I thought.

About a mile downriver we came to a bridge. I looked up and there he was. Dad, standing right in
the middle of the span. He didn't shout instructions or do anything embarrassing. He simply waved
until we passed underneath. I looked back and he was gone. Huh? Was I just imagining him?

But several miles later, at the next overpass, there he was again. And the one after that. And the
next.

It turned into a game. The whole troop began looking for him. Every time we rounded a bend that
day someone would shout, "There's Mr. Payleitner!" All the boys were waving now, but no one was
happier to see him than I was.

My dad had taken a chance and literally gone the extra mile (and then some) to show us his love.
All these years later it had never left me.

Now I drove across the bridge in the darkness. I imagined Dad standing there, waving, still
encouraging me. It made me think of a nightly prayer I'd said when the kids were younger, asking
God to help me be the kind of dad my kids need.

At last I understood the most im¬portant thing I could do for my children — just be there, even if
it meant going the extra mile, the way my dad did for me, cheering me on. *

When we were separated from God, not by miles but by sin (Isaiah 59:1-2), God came to us in the
person of His Son Jesus (John 1:14). He came to save us and to make us His own by right of
redemption. Jesus died on the cross for our sins so that we can be reconciled to the Father and
become His children (John 1:12).

We are saved from our sins, added to His family, and receive the gift of eternal life when we place
our faith and trust in Jesus (Acts16:30-31), turn from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31),
confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness
of sins (Acts 2:38).

Then we can call God our "Father" and know that He is always there for us. "For He Himself has
said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'" (Hebrews 13:5). He is "for" us (Romans 8:31).
And, He will be there for us – even when we stumble and fall. He will pick us up and forgive us
when we turn back to Him in humble penitence (1 John 1:7-9).

God has gone the extra mile – and then some – just so you can become His child. Won't YOU accept
His loving offer by submitting your life to Him?

-- David A. Sargent

* From "The Extra Mile" by Jay Payleitner in Guideposts, posted on May 16, 2011, www.guideposts.org

MILLENNIALS AND THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

 

Millennials are that generation born roughly between 1980 and 2000.  At 80 million, they represent the largest segment of the U. S. population and the largest segment of the U. S. workforce.

 

I have been doing a bit of reading about the Millennials and their characteristics, and have been thinking about how the Lord's church might have a special appeal to them if they could be led to have a clear understanding of it.  Of course, all people need to know about Christ, His gospel, His church, and the way marked out in Scripture for how the Lord would have all people to live (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16).

 

According to my research (and admittedly it is limited), Millennials are looking for a strong sense of purpose and a chance to grow and learn.  They are looking for coaches/mentors who take a personal interest in them.  They are extremely team oriented, are transparent, and like honest and open relationships.  They want a personal connection to the causes to which they commit themselves.

 

Millennials are tech savvy and know everything about social media.  

They are multi-taskers, but as a consequence they can be easily distracted and side-tracked from the task at hand.  They want opportunities to advance and develop their careers, but look for work-life balance and flexibility.  They have a "work hard" / "play hard" approach to life.

 

Millennials also are known as the "Me Generation."  They crave instant gratification, having grown up receiving instant gratification and recognition from their Baby Boomer parents (born between 1946 and 1964).  Growing up, Millennials did not always have to actually excel at anything (academically, sports-wise, or otherwise) in order to be recognized or given an award of some kind.  They were given trophies, certificates, gift cards, etc. just for "showing up and participating."  Apparently, in no instance was their self-esteem to be negatively impacted!  

 

Millennials are said to be "nuanced, multifaceted, and open to many modes of thought."  "They're going to change the world, but they're in no hurry to move out of the room over mom's garage."  They will figure out who they are "as soon as they start paying all of their own bills."

According to David Kinnaman, President of the Barna Group, "When it comes to Scripture, practicing Christian Millennials—self-identified Christians who attend church at least once a month and who describe their religious faith as very important to their life—are quite orthodox and continue to hold the Bible in very high regard. In fact, nearly all of them believe the Bible contains everything a person needs to know to live a meaningful life (96%). The same proportion claim the Bible is the actual or inspired word of God (96%). Among these young adults, a plurality say, 'The Bible is the actual word of God and should be taken literally, word for word' (46%); an additional four in 10 agree it is divinely inspired and has no errors, though 'some verses are meant to be symbolic rather than literal' (39%); and 11% say the Bible is the inspired word of God, 'but has some factual or historical errors' " ("What Millennials Believe About The Bible").  Millennials hold a high view of Scripture and are said to still prefer to engage the Bible in print.  (Remember, the preceding is a description of those who view themselves as Christian Millennials, and is not representative of all Millennials by any means).

In the light of the above, it occurs to me that Millennials represent a large and ripe field to be harvested for the undenominational autonomous churches of Christ, overseen/shepherded/pastored by a plurality of godly, biblically qualified elders, served by a number of special servants (deacons), with preachers, teachers, and members all working together for the advancement of simple New Testament Christianity.

Churches of Christ have no denominational founder or origin.  They have no denominational hierarchy or headquarters.  They adhere to no denominational creed and are bound by no denominational traditions.  They wear no denominational name, but seek simply to be Christians only and the church of which one reads in the New Testament.  They have no denominational forms of worship, but adhere to the simple elements of worship that characterized the New Testament church.  They have no denominational plan of salvation, but set forth the very plan found in the New Testament.

My good friend Phil Sanders, speaker on the international television program "In Search of the Lord's Way," stated in a January 23, 2018 Facebook post: "As churches of Christ, we are distinctive! We preach the need for Biblical authority, restoring New Testament Christianity. We preach against the errors of innovation and human doctrines. We speak where the Bible speaks and are silent where the Bible is silent. We have no relationship with any denomination but look to Jesus as the only head of His church and the Bible as our rule of faith and practice." 

In his insightful blog "Something to Think About" of March 22, 2018, my friend and fellow preacher of the gospel James Hayes stated: "Churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16) reject the denominational model for church life. We seek to restore New Testament Christianity. We seek to do Bible things in Bible ways. We endeavor to look at Scripture through 1st century lenses and apply those truths to our 21st century lives. We do not have conventions where doctrinal matters are decided by popular vote. We do not have a central headquarters where decisions are made by special committees—each congregation governs its own affairs. We believe that what saved people 2,000 years ago will save people today, since God is not a respecter of persons. That method of biblical interpretation ignores American social trends, but that's okay since God never commanded us to ride the socially trendy waves. It is a belief that we must first go back to Scripture in order for us to move forward as a church."

We believe the above description of churches of Christ should have an appeal to Millennials.  In fact, we believe it should have an appeal to all who will give thoughtful consideration to it.

Hugh Fulford                                                                                                                                                                     

 

Demas hath forsaken me having loved this present world

 

Thought for the Week

 

2 Timothy 4:10-- "Demas hath forsaken me having loved this present world....."

 

This is indeed a sad statement. Demas was once a faithful fellow laborer with Paul (Philemon 24) but has now forsaken Paul. For whatever reason(s) the tug of the world at his heart was such that he could not resist it. The problem of worldliness was great enough in the early days of the church that it prompted John to issue a warning not to love the world or the things of the world (1 John 2:15-17). Paul understood how easy it would be to fall prey to the world (1 Corinthians 9:27).

 

Worldliness has been defined as things or actions that are worldly, of or pertaining to the world as opposed to God. John defines it as "lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life" (1 John 2:16). One very simple definition says that worldliness is anything that separates us from God. It consists of doing the things that afford success, comfort or pleasure in this life regardless of the effect  these things have on our spiritual growth and hope of eternal life.

 

Worldliness has claimed many men and women through an inordinate desire for success, money or material things causing them to neglect the salvation of their souls (Luke 12:15; Matthew 6:24; Heb. 2:1-3). It is the field of entertainment, amusement and recreation that worldliness has fastened its deadly tentacles upon many people. Some spend so much money and time satisfying their craving in this area of their life that they have little or no money and time for Christ and his church (Matt. 6:33; Matt. 6:19-21; Col. 3:1-2;).

 

And lest we forget worldliness can enter our lives through evil associates (1 Cor. 15:33).  We should endeavor to ever avoid "unequal yoking" which puts us into positions where we will be tempted to compromise our convictions (2 Cor. 6:14). In the close and intimate relationships of this life, the child of God should seek association with like servants of God  that they might help and encourage each other in the service of God. We must guard our hearts diligently lest we follow the example of Demas (Proverbs 4:23; Luke 21:34).

 

Charles Hicks