Archives for March 2010

The most recent common complaint heard among many older members is the lack of gratitude displayed by recipients of a gift. Time and again I hear older members lament how a gift (perhaps a graduation, wedding or birthday present – most often money) is never recognized with a “thank you” note. It irks lots of people to give a gift that garners no extension of thanks. Perhaps it’s a generational thing, but the good manners of saying “thank you” are often absent.

Recently, I’ve been the recipient of no less than three “thank you” notes – all from people who have stayed in our home. They were pleasant surprises – and made me think even more highly of those who sent them. I was duly impressed with all three people before getting their card, but the cards reinforced my belief that these were all people of the highest caliber. All three were Christians ranging in age from young (20) to middle aged.

Be gracious. If you’ve been given a present, or been extended some hospitality – send a “thank you” note. Express your gratitude. It’s good manners. It’s always appropriate to be thankful for kind treatment. Young and old alike will appreciate your thoughtfulness and think better of you.

The Internet and email are among the most time-consuming passions of people today.

There are far too many survey results to cite that prove the point, but I don’t think they’re even necessary. Most of us can simply look at our own lives and realize we waste precious time surfing the net, reading/responding/creating email messages, communicating with instant messages, text messaging, playing online or computer games – and so much more, including mindless hours in front of the TV set.

Wasting time, or spending time is a challenge for all of us. Investing time wisely is very difficult for most of us. In part, because some of us give it too little thought. We go through life on auto-pilot with little regard sometimes for how we’re spending or investing our time. We just do what we do.

The Lord’s work, our home responsibilities, our relationships and all the things that matter most can suffer if we’re not careful to examine our lives – and the time we spend doing unproductive things.

The Internet poses a great challenge in Christian homes because the element of time is often lost. We sit in front of a screen surfing from one site to the next – perhaps in pursuit of something quite noble or enlightening – only to find that hours have passed. A few feet away may sit a small child or a spouse who wasn’t engaged in any meaningful way. Those we love the most are often suffering from a more full relationship with us because we’re staring into a piece of electronics connected to people we may not even know. Ironic.

Email, forums and instant messaging are soaking up more time that might be better spent with those we love. Hours sitting in silence in front of TV sets hasn’t enhanced any family relationships. Many of us are wasting far too much time disconnecting with the important people in our lives – while we’re overly connected with people who have little or no meaning for us.

It seems strange when you put it in those terms, doesn’t it? It should. Because it is strange, sad and too often true.

Curb your addiction to the Internet and other time wasters. Make yourself aware of how you’re living. Consider those you love. Behave in ways that will enhance your meaning and value in their lives – and as result, make your own life more valuable to them.

Some suggestions:

1. Try checking your email twice a day. Most of us can’t imagine that.
2. Try going 3 days without TV.
3. Try going a week without a newspaper.
4. Try avoiding instant messages and text messaging for 3 days.

Now, try this:

1. Read your Bible one hour a day. It doesn’t have to be continuous.
2. Pray three times a day in addition to giving thanks for your meals.
3. Have as many meaningful conversations with your family as possible. Share.
4. Call and check on somebody who is suffering, or go see them.

Spend. Or invest. It’s always our choice. Make your choices wisely.

Sowing seed used to be much more personal than it is today. Farmers now use machinery. Rural America was once characterized by farm workers sowing seeds as this photograph depicts. One person casting the seeds onto prepared ground. True to the parable of the sower, not all seed lands on good ground, or soil capable of taking the seed. Men’s hearts are the ground spoken of in the parable.

A gospel meeting is a sowing of the seed. Our fall meeting with Ronny Wade is now history. For the past 8 days Ronny sowed the seed of the gospel to all who came to worship. Like all sowers, Ronny was unaware of the full condition of all the soils that heard the Gospel. Some soil was likely ready, but other soil was clearly not. His job was to preach the Word – to sow. His part in this task is now completed – so far as our fall meeting is concerned. But the work is far from over.

It now rests with each member and each person who heard the Gospel to make a decision. What will be our response?

It may be that our heart – our soil – wasn’t fully prepared to accept the sowing of the Truth. If so, then an opportunity for salvation may have been wasted. All people must prepare their hearts to accept the Truth. All people must continue to guard their hearts so they can continue to be touched by the Gospel.

But, if we failed to prepare our heart before our meeting – it’s not too late. The seed of the gospel is long-lasting, but only if you will continue to consider the things we were taught by Ronny. Go back and listen to the sermons again. They’re posted on our Events page under “Audio Sermons.”

Prepare your heart. Go to work on your soil, making it ready to accept the Truth. The gospel only gives you two basic options: acceptance or rejection! Salvation accompanies acceptance. Damnation accompanies rejection. A seemingly easy choice, but unfortunately, during our meeting some were perhaps determined to remain in sin.

Are you determined to reach heaven?

Are there things in your life that distract you from being the Christian you know you should be?

Name something in your life that is more important that serving God. (If you can name a single thing, then you’re not living as you should.)

What will you do – today? What choices will you make about how you live and where you decide to spend eternity?

The gospel of Christ was sown during our meeting. If you attended one or more of the services, then you were the recipient of that sowing. Will the seed take hold in your heart? Will you make positive changes in your life to serve God faithfully?

Listen to Ronny’s sermons again. Listen to the Truth of what he taught. Listen to the personal appeals he made for every listener to accept the Gospel and be more devoted to the Lord. It was personal. It was directed to you – and me – and all who were present. Now, it’s necessary for you to do your part and let it take hold and germinate in your heart.

The scriptures admonish us to prove ourselves – because life is a test.

2Cor. 13:5 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

Regarding the word “prove” Mr. Barnes comments: “This word, prove, refers to assaying or trying metals by the powerful action of heat; and the idea here is, that they should make the most thorough trial of their religion, to see whether it would stand the test.”

Gal. 6:4 “But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.”

Every man must compare his life – his thoughts, actions and behaviors – with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Each must seriously inquire, “Is my life in harmony and compliance with the Gospel?”

This is our barometer on whether we’re passing or failing the test – that is, “Are we pleasing God?” Only obedience to the Gospel of Christ pleases God.

2Th. 1:8 “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:”

Life here isn’t designed for any purpose other than our willingness to serve God and glorify Him. It’s a testing ground, a proving ground. Most will not stand the test. Most will fail.

Matt. 7:13, 14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

Each of us bear the responsibility to make sure we’re standing the test. Duty demands that we surrender obedience to the Gospel so we can show God we’re prepared for eternity. Only prepared people will enter heaven. It’s up to us to insure we’re standing the test, and ready to go.

Matt. 24:42 “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”

1Pet. 2:9, 10 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”

Thoughts of mercy rarely happen – except when we find ourselves needing it. Debates have long raged about justice and equality. People lament at the unfairness of a variety of things. Unfortunately, too few consider the real value of God’s mercy. They’re too busy searching for man’s mercy.

The foundation of the Gospel of Christ is that God sent His only Son to the earth. Christ surrendered to every command of God. The scriptures say that even Christ pleased not Himself. And yet men still seek to please themselves. Doesn’t make much sense.

Christ willingly allowed Himself to be crucified so the sins of mankind could be forgiven. On the night of His betrayal, Christ told Peter and the others that He could call legions of angels to come to His defense. He didn’t make that call though. Instead, He suffered a humiliating trial and death. By His death we have the hope for heaven. By His death we have the opportunity to contact the mercy of God and be redeemed. By His death we can be God’s people by being part of God’s Kingdom, The Church.

Peter’s inspired writing (quoted above) show us that today – as in ancient times – God has a nation. Once, it was physical Israel. Today, it’s the Church. Once, the people of God were the Hebrews. Today, the people of God are Christians. No longer are God’s blessings restricted by physical birth. Rather, His blessings are bestowed on those who have submitted to the spiritual birth. The one Nicodemas questioned, “How can I enter again into my mother’s womb to be born again?” Nicodemas didn’t understand the new birth – a birth of baptism for the remission of sins. The same birth recorded so often in The Acts of the Apostles.

Christians are a “peculiar” people. That just means we’re a purchased people. We’re bought with a price – the blood of Christ. We’re not purchased with silver or gold. We do not belong to ourselves if we’re Christians. We belong to the Lord.

Today, whether a person is a Jew or Gentile by birth has no bearing with God. All people – of every race, sex or geographical location – have access to become Christians. Every person has the right – the duty and obligation – to obey the Gospel. And when we do, we become God’s people.

The mercy that we obtain by obeying the Gospel is the greatest blessing we can claim. Before obedience our sin was counted against us. Our slate was unclean. Our record tarnished. Our sins condemning us. Without Christ we’re hopeless. People without any chance for mercy. In Christ, we have mercy that before wasn’t extended to us.

Saints (Christians) need to be constantly reminded of the value of mercy. Sinners (those who have yet to obey the Gospel) need to be taught the value of obtaining mercy. It’s the one thing we all have in common – our need for God’s mercy.

2Cor. 6:2 “For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

James 4:14 “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

Two principle ideas are put forth in these passages. One, today is all we have. Now is the best time to decide to live for God. Two, we have no idea what tomorrow will bring. Our lives are short and that brings urgency to today.

Millions of dollars are spent and earned to help people combat procrastination. Companies and individuals enroll in educational programs designed to help people overcome the traps of putting off things that should be done today. Personally, I have serious doubts about the return on investment of such programs, but it does speak to our collective recognition and need to fix a problem. You’d think if we all knew it was a problem that we’d get busy fixing it, but alas – we’re too busy putting off the fix. People often choose to do what they want rather than what is needed.

Of the 1st century Christians Luke was inspired to write, “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” (Acts 5:42)

Daily they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Let that soak in. Not a day passed without them doing these things.

Could it be that the success we often so admire of the 1st century Church resulted from that type of daily dedication? Could it partially explain our present day lack of success in spreading the gospel?

It also points to an answer to our posted question, “How can you make a difference every day?” The best way for a Christian to make a positive difference every single day is to mirror Christ by behaving like a redeemed person and by sharing the gospel of Christ.

Teaching is both active and passive. Active teaching happens when we sit down with somebody and review scriptures together. It happens when a public speaker addresses an audience and delivers teaching from the scriptures. Passive teaching happens when others see the choices and decisions we make. It happens when others witness our vocabulary, our restraint, and our conduct that is obviously unique. It happens when people daily see us behave kindly toward others. It happens when they see how we dress, how we talk, how we behave and when they see us refuse behaviors that are commonplace to others.

For a moment think of public teaching. The speaker delivers a sermon based on the Gospel. A week later he does the same thing. On the third week he speaks, but his speech is worldly and he is clearly not speaking according to the scriptures. When he speaks on the fourth week, what are you thinking?

Are you thinking of the first two Gospel-based sermons he delivered? Or, are you thinking how odd it was for him to use worldly language in that third sermon – and wondering why he’s now given an opportunity to deliver a 4th sermon? You’re thinking, “He shouldn’t be allowed to preach!”

All of us would be thinking the latter. Why is this man still allowed to preach publicly? We don’t care how excellent or scripture-based his first two sermons were. He’s clearly not a man who lives by what he preaches. We’ve witnessed speech and behavior that don’t mirror the Gospel that he preaches. We immediately recognize that inconsistency. The odd man out sermon is the one he delivered using worldly speech. It’s the one that stands out in our minds. It’s that sermon that determines our view of the speaker.

Why do you think it’s different with passive teaching? Why do people think they can behave like Christians one day, but neglect it another day – and expect people to still see Christ in their life? It makes no sense, but too often it’s how some Christians live.

Others will immediately spot the inconsistency in your life. It will jump out as clearly as the worldly worded sermon of our illustration.

The daily difference we’re commanded to make requires our daily commitment to be Christ-like. It demands that we watch what we say, what we do, where we go, how we dress and how we behave. That’s how you can make a difference every day in your life and in the life of everybody around you.

If you’re discontented and unhappy
And your place and purpose grow dim,
There is always a ship at Joppa
If you don’t want to stay and win.

If you turn from the task of the present
To follow a beckoning star,
There is always a ship at Joppa
To take you from where you are.

But you’ll miss the blessing He gives you
If you wander away from His place;
For there’s a fare to be paid at Joppa
If you do not remain in your place.

by Gertrude G. Sanborn

Before the advent of McDonald’s few companies embraced or even understood the power of systems that would deliver predictable and consistent service or products. Modern assembly lines were well established during the industrial revolution, but that was manufacturing. Few had considered using such approaches to deliver something to customers on the spot. That is, until McDonald’s.

Forty years ago you could walk into any McDonald’s and be served a burger or anything other item on the menu – and it would be exactly like all the others you had ever had from any other McDonald’s. You could argue that it might not be the very best burger, but you got exactly what you expected. Predictable. Consistent. It has been the staple strategy that has served to make McDonald’s among the world’s leading fast food chains. They don’t disappoint.

There is a value to that approach. McDonald’s is living proof that you don’t have to be the best. You just have to deliver with predictable and consistent performance.

Christians don’t compare themselves with other Christians. Or worse yet, with those of the world. Christians are obligated to give God their best – not somebody else’s best.

2 Cor. 10:12 “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”

God has never expected more of us than we can deliver. He does, however, expect us to perform predictably and consistently. Examine the parable of the talents (Matthew 25 and Luke 19). The men were given different amounts to oversee. The man entrusted with the lowest amount was not expected to deliver beyond his ability. But he was expected to deliver what he could.

The master in the parable – analogous to God – expected the servants (that’s Christians) to perform. He anticipated that each man would deliver a return. He expected each man to be fruitful based on his abilities to serve.

Two of the three servants delivered the expected return – something predictable and consistent with their ability, as the master saw it. Each man was given a responsibility to handle rightly an amount within his ability.

1 Cor. 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

“Above that ye are able” is a theme expressed throughout the scriptures. God has never expected men to do more than they can. He does, however, expect them to do ALL that they can.

God expects things of us. He expects devotion, obedience and predictable reliability. What are we giving Him? Are we as predictable to God as McDonald’s is in giving customers burgers and fries? If not, how sad – that our lives may pale in comparison to a fast food chain. Sadder still, that we drive through any fast food chain – any chain – and we expect them to get our order correct, every single time. Too often, we don’t expect that of our own lives when it comes to serving God though.

McDonald’s serves billions of burgers. Christians serve God. Who is more consistent? Who is giving more predictable service?

Baseball is basically a no-contact sport. I can think of 2 exceptions. When players of the same team run into each other while chasing a fly ball. And when a runner is coming home only to be confronted by a catcher blocking home plate. But baseball is among the most whining, complaining, ill-tempered sports going. Every week you can see a player storm to the dug out and begin to take out his wrath on a water cooler and anything else within arm’s (or bat’s) reach. Complaining is part of the fabric of baseball.

Bitterness. Envy. Wrath. Complaining is as American as baseball, apple pie and mom. Sometimes the Lord’s work – His Church – suffers because people behave poorly.

1Cor. 10:10 “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.”

The children of Israel were delivered by God from Egyptian slavery. God took care of them, but they were dissatisfied. They wanted the food back in Egypt – evidently preferring good food and slavery to freedom and the food God provided.

Not much has changed really. Today, some Christians – freed from the slavery of sin by the blood of Christ – are unhappy with the Church, the Gospel, their local congregation, the preacher, the elders and brethren. They don’t like this. They complain of that. Like the Israelites of old they are full of murmuring.

Perhaps our democracy has ruined us to submit ourselves to each other as we really should. We want OUR way. We want everything done to suit OUR lifestyle. We want what WE want. We don’t much care what others want. We’re so focused on our desires that we grow angry sometimes when we don’t get our way. We often complain – sometimes with venomous demeanor. We sometimes behave as poorly as the baseball player or manager who throws a tantrum.

People murmur against God. They murmur against His leaders, elders. They murmur against one another. It has been so for centuries. God was often the focal point of murmuring, but Moses and Aaron (and other leaders) were, too. Brethren murmured against each other.

What does it mean to murmur?

To grumble or complain.

John 6:43 “Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.”

That doesn’t stop Christians from complaining and murmuring. Against each other. Against elders or leaders. Against teachers. Against preachers. Against God.

The Hebrew writer made this declaration about elders who faithfully serve in the Lord’s Church.

Heb. 13:17 “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”

This passage implies one central issue behind all complaining and murmuring in the Church – a lack of respect.

When people have insufficient respect for God, they’ll be tempted to complain against Him. When people have insufficient respect for God’s Word, they’ll be tempted to complain against it. When people have insufficient respect for faithful gospel preachers, they’ll be tempted to murmur against them. When people have insufficient respect for faithful leaders, they’ll be tempted to complain or murmur against them. When people have insufficient respect for each other, they’ll complain or murmur against each other.

An interesting fact of murmuring and complaining is that there is no biblical evidence that it accomplishes anything other than death for the complainant. Death. That seems a severe penalty for what so many freely engage in, but Christians who devote themselves to the practice will find themselves weighed and found wanting at Judgment. God will not tolerate disrespect.

Exercise care to protect yourself against murmuring and complaining. Take care to show proper respect to God and those who faithfully conduct the Lord’s business. Examine yourself. Walk in the Faith.

“Turn” is a verb. “Clear” is also a verb. “Vision” is the noun.

Tourist spots around the country have these coin operated binoculars. The red knob located between the eyes enables the user to focus the image. Turn the knob and it clears up the vision.

It’s nice to have a knob like that, one you can turn to clear the focus. Spiritually, we all need a knob like that. Thankfully, God gave us one when He gave us His Word. Unfortunately, too many people don’t like the knob God gave and they prefer to ignore it so they can see things the way they’d prefer. Our vision, or view of things, is always determined by what we want. If we want to see things as God sees them, we have to turn to clear vision – using the knob that is God’s Word. If we want to see things for ourselves, in ways that suit our preferences, then we have to ignore that knob and rely on our own wisdom or the wisdom of somebody else. But not God.

James 1:22-25 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

Beholding and looking are vision issues. Spiritual vision.

We live in a large city. The DFW area is full of eye surgeons who blitz us with radio, TV and newspaper ads claiming to use the latest technology to help improve our vision. People are interested in having improved eye sight. Older folks want to avoid using reading glasses. There’s a fix for that. Near sighted folks want to remedy that. There’s a fix. Far sighted folks want a remedy. Again, they can find it at one of the many eye surgeons in our area. And if you don’t want to endure surgery, that’s okay. You can go with contacts or glasses. There’s no excuse for suffering with poor sight if your vision can be fixed with one of the many solutions offered by modern technology.

Spiritually many people have poor vision, but no man-made solutions exist. Well, they exist, but they’re snake oil. They don’t work with heaven. They don’t work for eternity. Only God’s Word has the power to improve spiritual vision.

Still men sometimes try to answer spiritual problems with man-made solutions. They look for salvation in places other than God’s Word. They think and feel they can serve God in ways that work for them, without considering seriously enough if they work for God – the object of their worship. But God really isn’t the object of their worship at all. They are the object of their worship. So they embrace programs and practices that find favor with the community, perhaps members of their congregation and maybe with other religious people they admire. Sadly, God’s favor takes a backseat.

At the heart of today’s out-of-focus religious practices is the false notion that the scriptures, God’s Word, don’t serve as a pattern, but rather as a philosophy viewed with no greater authority than opinions. The worship and practices need not always be dictated by the scriptures, but they’re subject to modifications based on current trends, technology and social needs.

Heb. 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

The gospel that worked to establish the Church is the same gospel that will establish a faithful congregation today. The gospel that converted souls to become first century Christians will also convert souls to become 21st century Christians.

Popularity, entertainment value, fulfilling social needs, elevating emotions and generating a sense of inclusion have never been – nor will they ever be – the mission of the Lord’s Church or the Word of God. Eternal salvation dwarfs all other goals. Salvation outshines all other objectives. The Church that Christ died for and the Gospel that He established by the authority given to Him by God the Father matter most. Together they provide the vehicle for eternal salvation.

If God’s Word doesn’t establish the authority for establishing a clear vision for how we ought to live, then what does?

If the Church that Christ established with His own blood doesn’t provide salvation for us, then why did He die for it? What good did His shed blood do?

If the Word of God doesn’t serve as a pattern for our lives – and if it doesn’t direct our work and worship – then what purpose does it serve?

Rom. 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

Men strive to fulfill seemingly worthy – but carnal, physical and quite temporary – goals. The Gospel of Jesus Christ serves our eternal needs. It sustains us and provides us with everything we need to reach heaven’s shore.

Eph. 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”

The vision many men want is earthly, carnal, fleshly and short-term. They craft churches and congregations designed to make men wealthier, happier, more connected with others, better educated, and give men a greater sense of acceptance. Salvation isn’t the object. In fact, in many churches salvation isn’t even discussed! Hell isn’t discussed. Sin isn’t discussed. Obedience is legalistic concept. Souls are being led into deception. Satan is having a field day while heaven is sorrowing.

The focus of our lives, the focus of our families and the focus of our congregations needs to be crystal clear. It needs some old-fashioned knob turning to bring things into clearer vision. It needs the knob of the Gospel to clarify how we ought to behave, how we ought to worship, how we ought to serve and how we ought to obey so we can go to heaven. Nothing else matters. Nothing.