Posted by David on October 4, 2009 under Bulletin Articles
When Paul penned those words, the Roman Empire was unsympathetic to Christianity. The predominant form of religion was some expression of idolatry. A common thing binding most idolatrous religions was a polytheistic thrust. Most forms of idolatry did not care how many gods a person worshipped. Worship of one idol did not exclude other idols. Thus doing good to “all men” included kindness, thoughtfulness, and helpfulness to people who worshipped idols. One principle of faith in Jesus Christ was defeating evil by doing good instead of by vengeance (Romans 12:17-21).
Christians were strange! The Roman Empire valued force! Defeat enemies by using force! The surrender of a defeated enemy was a wonderful thing! Doing good sought a willful cooperation; defeat sought an unwilling subjugation.
Christians were weird! Christians-slave or wealthy-regarded all who believed in Jesus as family! All believers were God’s family! Love motivated them to care for each other and those who did not believe. They threatened no one. One who included himself or herself in their ranks did so by personal choice. Anyone could belong. All, regardless of background, could be one of them. Though they believed in one God, they were kind to those who believed in many gods. Their morality was the weirdest known in that world!
Last Sunday was “Blue Jeans Sunday.” All colors of denim in all forms were worn-skirts, jeans, overalls, and jackets. The objective: to emphasize the biblical connection between worship and service. Between 200 and 250 served that afternoon. Cards were written, vans cleaned, linens at CURE folded, toys prepared for give away, quilts for earthquake victims in China made, and over 700 pairs of jeans collected for and delivered to the Hope Chest. There was a campus prayer walk, the yard of the new Lions For Christ house received massive help, and equipment manned-chain saws, a chipper, and a tractor with sweaty people dragging brush. When the day ended in a fellowship meal, the FULL price of the new property was contributed. God was honored, people were served, and we felt His life in us. We worked and gave to benefit people we have yet to meet! Young and old, different races, men and women worked side by side. We all were just Christians! God was glorified as we rediscovered the joys of Christian service.
Posted by David on September 27, 2009 under Bulletin Articles
… For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. However, not all men have this knowledge … (1 Corinthians 8:5-7, NASV)
Begin by reading Romans 14:1-12, 15:1-3, and 1 Corinthians 8. All this was written because Christians were confronting Christians in regard to proper worship practices.
Worship backgrounds in the first century differed with today’s Christian worship backgrounds. Then, whether Jewish or idolatrous, worship often involved a sacrifice, eating part of the sacrifice, and sharing the meal. Both the eating and the sharing were regarded to be worship acts (remember the Passover and the Lord’s Supper). Worship often involved feasting-sharing the sacrifice and the feast honored the god.
An argument erupted among Christians (imagine that!). Some were vegetarians because market meat may have been offered to an idol. Those understanding the concept of 1 Timothy 4:1-5 said a Christian could eat anything anywhere if God the Creator was thanked. Meat, sacred days, and other practices considered worship acts were involved.
Paul declared Christians could come to opposite conclusions in pursuit of the same objective. So, regardless of the conclusion reached, realize you all are servants of the Master. Servants serve. They do not judge fellow servants. Only the Master judges. Thus, each of you be ready to explain to God your motives and acts.
Then Paul said something quite contrary to many of our conclusions. God can and will cause Christians reaching opposite conclusions to stand in His approval. Each Christian has two responsibilities: (1) remember you are a servant, and (2) do not judge the religious convictions of another Christian.
Posted by David on September 20, 2009 under Bulletin Articles
The first-century Roman Empire was quite different from our society. The church began as completely Jewish. Later it was a mix of Jews and converted idol worshippers. By the end of the first century it was mostly converted idol worshippers.
Poor people, by far, were the largest group in society. The middle class barely existed, and the rich were a small part of society.
There was enormous concern that Christianity (the church) not discriminate against the poor. The obstacles faced by the poor were enormous without enduring spiritual discrimination! James 2:1-9 declared Christian assemblies should make the poor feel welcomed and appreciated. Prosperous visitors were not to be favored. 1 Timothy 2:8-10 suggested prosperous Christians should not declare by dress or jewelry that godliness depended on what the person wore.
Remember there were no weekends then as today. Sunday likely began the work week in Jewish society, and probably was just another day for all non-Jewish people (the majority). That would mean Christians assembled early before work or late after work. The poor and the slave probably came to Christian assemblies in work clothes.
James 2:1-9 and 1 Timothy 2:8-10 often are used to suggest that today’s Christian assemblies never be used to make the disadvantaged feel out of place or be used to display prosperity. Wearing work clothing shows no disrespect to God, but champions God’s values of not showing favoritism to prosperity at the expense of the disadvantaged.
Again, unity is not a matter of Christian agreement, but of Christian-to-Christian respect.
Posted by David on September 13, 2009 under Bulletin Articles
(Beginning understanding: Until “Blue Jean Sunday” (September 27), there will be three bulletin articles on “Moving Toward God’s Unity.” Though each hopefully will be complete in itself, be certain to read all three articles to receive the complete thought.)
When God through Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery, in a short time the Israelites came to Mount Sinai. There the Israelites received the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20), other teachings, and built the Tabernacle. The construction of the Tabernacle (a tent) is recorded in Exodus 35:4 – 37:29. It served the Israelites as a portable place of priestly worship for the forty years they spent in the wilderness. Its internal furnishings, especially the ark of the covenant, were in Canaanite worship centers after Israel’s conquest of and settling in that land. Then the furnishings, especially the ark, were placed in the temple David desired and Solomon built. The Tabernacle was built with free will offerings given by men and women who wished to give.
Since the construction (1) was funded by free will offerings and (2) was an expensive task involving expensive materials (Exodus 12:31-36 suggests the origin of these materials), congregations used this occurrence to do two things: (1) build buildings, and (2) impose a worship dress code. The evolving reasoning based on these scriptures was (1) God’s people give Him their best when constructing a place to worship God, and (2) God’s people wear their best when they worship God. (This concept was also based on understandings/applications that came from scriptures such as Exodus 19:9-15.)
Whether you agree with this concept or not, understand that (1) many of the past building of facilities were based on this concept/understanding; (2) Scriptures were used to form the concept; and (3) many Christians you know use this teaching to form a specific conscience reaction to what they do and why they do it. Please remember, Christian consciences are not easily nor quickly changed. Also remember respect, not agreement, is the basis of God’s concept of Christian unity.
Posted by David on September 6, 2009 under Bulletin Articles
Ah, the brevity of life! The brevity of life is a “timeless” topic! The author of the above scripture died centuries ago. He inspired many to write about the obvious! Life spans did not begin being brief in the last few generations-they always have been brief!
The deceit: “The brevity of life is just a matter of perspective.” At 15, life is agonizingly slow. At 25, life is timeless. At 40, you need to slow down long enough to at least be aware that life is whizzing by. Then the births of grandchildren make you admit you are “that” old. Then opportunities diminish. Then you look at an old man in the mirror shaving-and it is you! Then energy fails as you cannot do what you used to do. A secret: never tell a 95-year-old (or older) that life is not brief! (Unless you enjoy being humiliated by laughter!)
The truth: “Time passes fast regardless of age or arrogance.” No matter your age, you never have time to waste. Regretting the past use of time is a common plight of living.
Consider some things to think about. Wisdom can result from accurate perspective, too!
- Take nothing for granted-never assume that what you did today you can do tomorrow.
- There is no “do over” button to be pushed in your 60s for what you did in your 30s.
- In your 20s, do not think you will have the same body and energy level in your 70s.
- Treat those you regard as old with respect; eventually someone will see you as old-without your permission. (You will get accustomed to being seen as being old.)
- It may be true that you are only as old as you feel, but your body has a nasty habit of telling the truth. Have you counted your doctor visits lately?
Posted by David on August 30, 2009 under Bulletin Articles
Few societies throughout history have dedicated themselves to the education of everyone within the society as have we. This nation has long realized that an essential key to opportunity, to a better lifestyle, and to an improved life is education. To neglect people’s mental development curses a nation. How many nations aspire to teaching every person for years? Why do we? Education benefits the person and the nation.
We wish to encourage and challenge those who impart knowledge and those who gain knowledge. There are benefits, and there are dangers. We urge you to see both. To those of you who impart knowledge, may your task be a privilege. May it never be just a job. To those who seek knowledge, may knowledge always be a part of opportunity. May seeking knowledge never be just an obligation to get “out of the way.” To both groups, may education always be a challenging opportunity that only begins with school. May learning to think accurately be a key to personal fulfillment.
May none of us use our knowledge as the means for justifying evil. Most murderers justify their destruction of life. Most addicts justify their addictions. Most greedy people justify their greed. Most people who exploit justify their exploitations. When we justify our evil acts, we often lose sight of the consequences of our actions, or the impact of our actions on other people.
Paul even knew people who were extremely committed to their religious views, but were committed to zealous ignorance rather than honest insight. Their basic problem: they substituted their values for God’s values-and were not aware of the substitution. The result: they substituted their righteousness for God’s. Learn, but do not be foolish in what you know. Know, but never justify the existence of evil within yourself. Knowledge cannot make you a god, so never let what you know deceive you.
Posted by David on August 23, 2009 under Bulletin Articles
We Americans are living through a major recession. This is more than a nationwide reality; it is a worldwide experience. This economic downturn offers amazing opportunities, but none of those are for the fainthearted. One must be certain he (she) is addressing a genuine need and has the needed finances to bring the project to completion.
The foundation of the project must be built around an ideal product–addressing a universal need, worthy of sacrifice, and affordable to an enormous range of people.
God invested in a morally bankrupt humanity at a moment of enormous moral recession. His investment utilized His every act, His every involvement with people for centuries. Everything God did in the past bore witness to this amazing thing. His investment was not limited-He did not hesitate to give His own son, and His son did not hesitate to be God’s gift. The human need God addressed was universal! Every person needed it. The divine product also was attainable! Incredibly, it was available to every person-every person literally could have access to God’s gift! What God offered/made available could be found nowhere else-it was truly unique!
Amazingly, God not only addressed a universal need, not only used all His past acts to declare the uniqueness of what He offered, not only made His product accessible, but He also provided this product (a) as a gift and (b) verified His own character in providing it.
Whatever did God provide in such a harsh moral climate? Redemption from personal moral failure! To whom did He provide it? Everyone! How could all cultures, societies, and levels of humanity have access to what God did? Through confidence in what God did in Jesus Christ! Is God’s gift available to us? Yes, if we trust what God did!
What God does for us in Jesus Christ is beyond our imagination! God works; we accept! Through Jesus’ blood God redeems, and we gratefully accept through an obedient response.
Posted by David on August 16, 2009 under Bulletin Articles
Are you a good person? What a hard question! As compared to whom? The popular comparison is to someone we regard to be extremely wicked, selfish, and greedy. In that comparison, we usually say, “I like to think I am a good person,” or, “I never do these things …” or, “I always try to do these things … .” When “good” humans are compared to “bad” humans, we look pretty good.
What if the comparison is to God? That is the comparison we never like! Why? No matter what acts or attitudes are compared, none of us look good. We are talking about the One who gave us Jesus, who gave us forgiveness, who gave us mercy, and who provides us salvation in our unworthiness. How do you compare yourself to that?
Understand one thing, and impossible despair is replaced with the hope of expectation. What one thing? This realization: God does not compare! He gives us Jesus for two objectives: (a) to eliminate comparisons and (b) to provide us goals for transformation. God looks at you, your personal potential for godliness, and your commitment to growth in Christ-likeness. How much do you believe in what God did for you in Jesus’ death and resurrection? Is your confidence in your deeds or in God’s achievements in Jesus Christ? Do you obey God to place God in debt to you, or do you obey God to express your gratitude? Do you serve God because you fear divine punishment, or because you genuinely desire to be like Jesus? Do you do good to honor yourself or to honor the Lord?
God knows your background, weaknesses, struggles, and failures, and it is okay-if you place your confidence in Jesus. Some of the most religious people Paul knew made a huge mistake: they placed their confidence in their deeds instead of what God did in Jesus Christ. Never trust your deeds-they are never enough! Trust what God did in Jesus-it is always enough! The difference is the difference between that of failure and service, between a terror-filled life and a hope-filled life! Trust Jesus, not you!
Posted by David on August 9, 2009 under Bulletin Articles
I hate to say it-I do not like to admit it-but honesty forces me to acknowledge it. What? We are spoiled. When I was a teenager, many men died of heart attacks from 50-60 years of age. Nobody liked it. Everybody accepted it. There was nothing you could do about it. We had no telephone of any kind until I was in the 8th grade. There were no telephone lines. Nobody in the community liked it. Everybody accepted it. There was nothing you could do about it. I could talk about TV and hot water in that same way.
In that time there was a high tolerance level for physical inconvenience. Yes, many were in the same situation. Yes, many things today considered necessities were unavailable. Yes, most did not gripe, because if you could eat, live dry, and survive, that was acceptable. Circumstances that could not be quickly “fixed” were accepted.
God had a goal. God’s goal-to reconcile with people (2 Corinthians 5:20, 21). Though God worked continuously, people kept hindering God by loving evil and hating His values. The result: our reaction to God’s efforts continued to prolong God’s timetable.
Godly people committed to God’s values knew God was doing something special. When they inquired as to WHEN God would do these unknown things, God said, “Not in your lifetime.” Though the human need was enormous, God would achieve His goal in the future. So God said, “Keep your commitment by understanding you are blessing people of the future. I am using your faithfulness for My will, but My ultimate goal is not for you now.”
Can you imagine God telling you that? “It is not about you or now.” Psst-a secret. What secret? Christianity is still not about us or now. The ultimate is not about forgiveness, nor the “correct” combination of forgiveness and physical indulgence. The ultimate is about living with God eternally. Would you suffer for others? Would you say, “God, what happens to me is unimportant-just use it for Your purposes”?
Posted by David on August 2, 2009 under Bulletin Articles
“Decide????? You mean there are decisions involved in being a Christian? I have to decide? I thought the only decision involved was to say you believed!”
Me, I am an automatic man! I love machines that take the work out of tasks. I do not enjoy the experience but the results! Automatic cameras, automatic transmissions-automatics are my machines! I love good decisions made without my having to choose!
It is so simple to become a Christian that we regard it to be a convenient machine. We express a desire to be baptized. We are asked if we believe that Jesus is the son of God. We are baptized for the remission of sins. We make a congregation our church home. We attend that congregation several times a month. We may or may not get involved in the congregation’s activities. We say (when asked) that we attend “X” congregation.
It is done! We are members! We are Christians! In fact, we are insulted if anyone questions that we are Christians. After all, we attend most of the time. We are on the congregation’s membership list. Our contact information is on the database. Our picture is in the directory. Why would anyone question our Christianity?
Please, do not mistake the point! We are a congregation of men and women who were baptized for the remission of sins because of faith in Jesus as God’s son. We seek to be a community of believers who wish to be known to and contacted by our spiritual family.
However, there is more to being a Christian than baptism, declaring membership, attendance, and involvement in church activities. It is a spiritual growth commitment. Increasingly, it involves who we are, how we behave, what kind of single person we are, what kind of spouse we are, what kind of parent we are, how we interact with people, what kind of employee/employer we are, what kind of neighbor we are, etc.
There is no automatic version of Christianity. Yes, faith involves personal decision making! The more spiritually mature we become, the more decisions we make!
