Posted by David on July 26, 1998 under Bulletin Articles
Jesus is the full expression of the goodness, love, and glory of God. Jesus came because God loved the ungodly so much that He sent His Son (John 3:16). Our excellent God sent Jesus to be the Light who would lead us out of the darkness of evil (1 Peter 2:9, 10).
Jesus made it quite clear that he represented God. He could do nothing of himself; he could only do what he saw the Father doing (John 5:19). He could do nothing of his own initiative; he did not seek his own will, but the will of the one who sent him (John 5:30). He devoted himself to doing what the Father gave him to accomplish (John 5:36).
Jesus shows us the depth of God’s love. Jesus being on earth documents the determination and persistence of God. All the failures from the flaws of the patriarchs to the colossal short comings of Old Testament Israel could not prevent God from fulfilling His intent and keeping His promises. Jesus’ death shows us the depth of God’s grace and mercy. Jesus’ resurrection shows us God’s power.
Jesus did not come to glorify himself. He came to bring glory to God (John 17:1). Do you wish to see God’s goodness? Look at Jesus. Do you wish to see God’s compassion? Look at Jesus. Do you wish to see God’s concern for the individual? Look at Jesus. Do you wish to see the power of human repentance to move God? Look at Jesus. Do you wish to see God’s untiring forgiveness? Look at Jesus.
It was God who used resurrection to make Jesus Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). It was God who placed the resurrected Jesus on His right hand (Acts 7:56). It is God who gave Jesus all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). And it is to God that Jesus Christ shall willingly surrender all things that God gave him. In fact, at that moment, the Son will subject Himself to God that God may be the “all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:23-28).
May we commend the excellencies of our great God to the world. May our glorious Savior work through us to bring people to God.
Posted by David on July 19, 1998 under Bulletin Articles
Elders, thank you for making an exceptional opportunity possible last week. Monday through Saturday noon I audited a graduate study of Acts at Harding Graduate School in Memphis. I attended to spiritually feed myself. I chose Acts in order to study under one of the most enlightening teachers I have met, Dr. Richard Oster. A semester’s material was covered in one week of intense work.
At noon of the first day I told Joyce that I learned more about Acts in an hour and a half than I had ever known. It was a spiritually rich, wonderful week. My knowledge of scripture; my understanding the work of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit; and my faith grew enormously.
“Was it a refreshing experience because it proved that your ‘factual knowledge’ was correct?” No. It confirmed some of “my facts,” but it also revealed that some of “my facts” were not facts.
“Was it a refreshing experience because it verified your concepts?” No. Some of my concepts were verified, but some were completely transformed. In some instances what I thought that I saw in Acts and what Luke actually wrote were not the same thing.
“Was it a refreshing experience because it justified the past conclusions that you drew from Acts?” No. Some conclusions were justified, but other conclusions were replaced with understandings that more correctly reflected the teachings of Acts.
“Then why was it such a valuable spiritual experience?” It deepened my understanding of scripture. It brought me closer to God. It deepened my understanding of Jesus the man and Jesus the Christ. It more clearly revealed the workings of God from Genesis 12. It created a better focus on the message of the Old Testament prophets. It created a more accurate understanding of God’s intents and purposes. And all of that was refreshing!
What is the objective of Bible study? We do not study to massage our Christian egos. We do not study to pour concrete around our convictions. We study to draw closer to God. We study to better understand His will. We study to better comprehend His ways.
When we study the Bible to “defend self” or to “prove that I am right,” we defeat the objective of Bible study. We close the eyes of our hearts. We become victims of the same spiritual blindness that destroyed the Pharisees. They knew what scripture said. They did not understand what scripture meant.
“God, please deliver us from the Pharisees’ misuse of Bible study and Bible knowledge.”
Posted by David on June 21, 1998 under Bulletin Articles
Christians commonly emphasize ways that faith in Christ expresses itself. Talking about what faith accomplished is comfortable. Talking about faith’s power is reassuring. We could easily compose a lengthy list of things that faith does.
Consider what faith in Jesus did not do. It did not cause the disciples to flee into the night when the soldiers arrested Jesus. It did not cause Peter to deny Jesus. It was not the reason that the Jewish counsel falsely convicted Jesus. It did not motivate Pilot to wash his hands of the situation. It did not create Jesus’ abuse and mockery prior to his death. Faith did not nail Jesus to the cross and jeer as he died.
Faith did not cause Thomas to say, “I will not believe Jesus is alive unless I feel the wounds.” It did not cause Ananias and Saphira to lie about their contribution. It did not create the accusations and dissension in the Jerusalem church regarding their benevolent program. It did not move Saul to hold the clothes of Stephen’s executioners.
Faith did not cause the confusion about salvation in the church at Rome; or the division and ungodly behavior in the church at Corinth; or the acceptance of Jewish ritual over grace in the churches in Galatia; or the wrangling between Jewish and non-Jewish Christians at Ephesus; or the personality clashes in the church at Philippi; or the mixing of idolatry and Christianity in the church at Colossae; or the irresponsible, lazy behavior found among Christians in the church at Thessalonica.
But faith in Christ had the power to reverse any of those. It revitalized the disciples. It restored Peter. It converted some of those responsible for the crucifixion and placed them in the first church. It forgave Thomas. It gave Ananias and Saphira opportunity to confess and repent. It brought healing to the Jerusalem church. And it transformed Saul into the apostle Paul.
Through faith, all the problems in each of those churches could be reversed. The specific goal of the letter written to each church was to reverse their problems by maturing their faith in Jesus Christ.
The objective of faith in human life is to redirect. What has faith in Christ reversed and redirected in your life?
Posted by David on May 31, 1998 under Bulletin Articles
The sun rose and set as always. Physically the world looked the same. But things were eerily different. A popular man who did nothing but good was executed about two months earlier. However, hundreds of people saw him alive after his execution. His after death appearances were the talk of Jerusalem.
On this day, a loud, strange sound was heard throughout the city. It attracted thousands of people to one place. Twelve disciples of the executed man spoke to this huge crowd. The men were obviously uneducated. Yet, they spoke their message just once. Instantly and without interpreters, people from sixteen different regions heard the message–in their own native language.
One of the twelve took charge. He said what they witnessed was the result of God pouring out His Spirit. This was the actual fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy (Joel 2:28-32). God’s Spirit would be poured out. Their sons and daughters would prophesy. Young men would see visions, and old men would dream dreams.
With these events (Acts 2), the family of God, the community of Christians, the “called out of sin and into Christ,” or the church began. That day a unique spiritual movement began. Though it was very small, it would change the world.
When evil entered this world, God began tirelessly working toward this day. Three things made Jesus’ resurrection the pivotal point of history. The first was God’s work and planning. The second was the pouring out of God’s Spirit. The third was the visions and dreams of people.
Jesus Christ’s resurrection powerfully declared a unique truth. Death could not stop God’s work in Jesus. Therefore, death cannot stop God’s work in the people.
The combination of (1) Jesus’ resurrection, (2) God’s work and purposes, (3) the Spirit’s work and purposes, and (4) the visions and dreams of people who are in Christ changed the world. Not suddenly, but certainly.
What reason is the foundation for our special contribution June 7? For raising a million dollars for the renovations and the Family Life Center? We wish to blend our visions and dreams with the work and purposes of God and the Spirit. Why? To work with God, Christ, and the Spirit to produce eternal results through resurrection.
Posted by David on May 24, 1998 under Bulletin Articles
Christians are a community that serves God. We serve God because we trust and love Him. We trust Him because He created our forgiveness by allowing people to execute His Son. We love Him because we see His love for us in the blood of His Son.
Jesus built the community called Christians. His sacrificial death destroyed Satan’s power. His blood freed us from evil’s control. His resurrection gives us solid assurance. He who gave Jesus life in resurrection gives us life in Jesus.
Christians who serve God serve people. We treat people as we wish to be treated (Matthew 7:12). Learning from God’s love, we learn to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44-48). The way we treat others is the way we treat Jesus (Matthew 25:40).
We must work wisely within the opportunities the times provide us. By far, the most effective way to touch people today is through the association of friendship. In America, friendship association is the key that opens opportunity’s incredible doors.
West-Ark has enormous potential. We need better tools to take advantage of our opportunities. Our renovations and Family Life Center are such tools.
Some members expressed interest in creating these needed tools without expanding our indebtedness. That would be wonderful!
Two weeks ago I challenged you to consider doing two things. First, I challenged you to help us do as much of the renovation work as possible “in house.” That significantly will reduce the cost of renovation. Second, I challenged you to give generously to a building fund. Contributed funds will reduce the amount of money we need to borrow.
Contributed funds of a million dollars might eliminate the need to borrow any money. This would hasten the day when our indebtedness ended. It would hasten the day when we have “in place” the tools we need to better utilize our enormous potential.
On June 7, 1998 we will take up a special collection for our building fund. We ask every member to do what he or she can do. We want no member to attempt what he or she cannot do.
Posted by David on May 10, 1998 under Bulletin Articles
Paul told the congregation at Ephesus “you were dead in your trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). But God, in His rich mercy and grace made them “alive together with Christ” (2:4,5).
When a person enters Christ and receives forgiveness, he or she literally comes to life. A congregation is composed of people who were dead in evil but came to life in Christ. The more Christ-like, transformed, and spiritually mature they become, the more life filled they are.
One fascinating spiritual phenomena we can observe is the process of watching a Christian or a congregation become increasingly filled with life. Watching West-Ark become increasingly filled with life gives me great joy. Our service to Christ is increasing, maturing, and growing in strength.
Last Sunday, after months of preparation and planning, “Kids for Christ” began. This is a special teaching program for ages two years old through sixth grade. It parallels the evening worship assembly from six to seven p.m. Before it began, 53 children committed to attend. The first evening, 66 children attended. Our Sunday evening attendance increased about 12%! Groups of adults will rotate monthly in teaching and directing activities. Contact Rochelle Brown if you want to help.
A group dedicated to encouraging visitors and newcomers is working with Jim and Deborah Wilson and Bill and Martha Walker. They are implementing plans to receive visitors and newcomers with increased friendliness and helpfulness. We want visitors to return! We want newcomers to stay! They are implementing excellent plans.
A group met Sunday evening to discuss and develop effective forms of outreach to singles. There is an enormous opportunity to minister to the needs of singles in the congregation and the community.
We all took special joy in the completion of the first His Needs/Her Needs course. Many are impressed with the obvious accomplishments of that course. Special thanks to all the husbands who shared with the congregation the blessings and benefits each couple experienced through the course! A second course is scheduled to begin in mid-June. If you are interested in being a part of it, contact Paul Shirley. These are just the recent evidences of “increasing life” at West-Ark!
Posted by David on May 3, 1998 under Bulletin Articles
At certain moments, we all attempt to play God. We do not consciously try to play God. But we do. At the moment we are certain that we know what God thinks. We are equally certain that we know what God would do. We definitely know the direction God would take, the action God would initiate, God’s immediate priority, and the specific results God wants “us all” to achieve.
Confession: when I experience such moments, my confidence, convictions, desires, and perspectives begin with me. Certainly, at those moments, I would emotionally deny this self indictment. “I am so focused on Christ, so ‘into’ the Bible, and so committed to God’s will, I am certain that I am God’s appointed spokesman.” Of course, later, with embarrassment, I realize that I appointed myself.
The truly humbling moments of life occur when I get a glimpse of me as God sees me. A reading from the Bible, a biblical insight, an awareness from a real life situation, or reflection on God’s incomprehensible being provides that glimpse. Such moments are too rare, too infrequent. But they are life’s most useful moments–intensely spiritual and blessing filled. What prayers those moments produce!
The God who created everything seeks to direct me who created nothing. The God who forgives anything seeks to guide me who struggles to forgive. The God who loves the ugliest, evil torn, ungodliest person seeks to focus me who thinks it an accomplishment to love the lovable. If I were God, I don’t think I would like me. I am ignorant, weak, flawed, mistake prone, arrogant, conceited, evil afflicted, and easily tempted. My heart and my mind are a mess. The only righteousness that I can honestly claim as my accomplishment is self-righteousness. Were I God, how clearly and honestly I would see all of that–and so much more! I am incapable of the honesty that permits me to see how weak and flawed that I am. I, as all humanity, am addicted to denial. And were I God, I would see me for what I always have been.
God sees, knows, and understands all about me–in full detail! God knows that when I am the best me that I can become, little of that will change. Yet, He still loves and forgives me when I have the honesty, humility, and courage to repent.
I am glad that He is God.
Posted by David on April 26, 1998 under Bulletin Articles
“Burnout” is a devastating experience. It occurs when a person feels totally depleted, “used up.” He or she has nothing left to give. He or she is beyond regenerating energy, recharging motivation, and renewing commitment.
A factor that significantly contributes to each incident of “burnout” is ingratitude. People who serve zealously with sacrificial hearts and selfless efforts are refreshed and strengthened by sincere appreciation. God’s family should never allow a single child of God to suffer “burnout.” This congregation must be a fountain of gratitude. We must refresh all servants in its flowing waters of appreciation.
We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the building committee. They were given a specific job to do for us, and they did it well. Please create an opportunity to express your appreciation. To each member of that committee, thank you for your hours of work in meeting with groups within the congregation and meeting with the architect. Thank you for taking to heart the many suggestions, for considering present needs, and for considering future effectiveness. To Ron Lenderman (chairman), James Anderson, Sandy Berger, Gary Brown, Richard Broyles, David Dickey, Barbara Herren, Jim Pratt, and Jane Smith, thanks!
Please begin praying in behalf of Gary Brown, Jerry Canfield, Tom Porter, Paul Shirley, Jay Trotter, Bill Walker, and Jim Wilson. Last Sunday evening you selected these men to serve as the congregation’s screening committee. In the Sunday morning worship assembly, the elders will give this committee their charge. In the immediate future, they will receive your nominations for additional elders.
Pray for God to guide their thoughts as the Spirit works in their hearts when they interview the nominees. Pray that their efforts will result in a sense of togetherness and unity that takes us to new levels of service and fellowship.
Pray for God’s guidance as you consider men to nominate as potential shepherds of God’s flock at West-Ark. Pray that God will guide you in understanding of the kind of qualified men we need to lead us to God’s green pastures and still waters.
And let no one who serves among us suffer “burnout” because we did not notice their service and failed to express gratitude!
Posted by David on April 19, 1998 under Bulletin Articles
Imagine the experience of having a Christian family from the first century congregation at Philippi spend a month at West-Ark. Suppose they were guests in your home for a week. This family spent a normal week with your family. Their children did everything your children typically do. As wife and mother, you arranged for that wife and mother to accompany you through a typical week. As a husband and father, you arranged for that husband and father to be your “shadow” for a typical week. They got an honest look at life in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
In this month, they also experienced typical life in the congregation. That included Bible classes, morning and evening worship, fellowship, a “family meeting,” a funeral, a wedding, teen studies and activities, children’s world, a care group, visitation with the Hilltoppers, quilting with the quilting ladies, delivering a meal to someone who needed it, a hospital visit, etc.
If for a week the two families spoke the same language, interaction overcame major culture shock, and the two worlds did not clash, what would the experience be like for their family and your family? We could write a book about such a week. I doubt that today’s morals, violence, or marital instability would shock them. All of those were worse in their world.
Two things might shock both families. First, they would not recognize Christianity as we practice it. Christian activity centered around church buildings and church membership would be strange and new. Christian realities without apostles or the Holy Spirit (as they experienced Him) would be strange. Even printed Bibles would be strange and new to them.
Second, I think they would react to our society and the church like this: “We do not believe that Christianity as we knew and experienced it can exist in this world and time.” I can see how they would believe that. Why? Too much had changed! If we struggle with just the changes from the oldest to the youngest living generations, can you imagine their struggle with the changes between the first and twentieth century worlds?
May I share a thought? God loved and saved people in the first century. God loves and saves people in the twentieth century. If this world continues, God will love and save people in the twenty-fifth century–and I cannot image what that world will be like!
No amount of change prevents God from loving and saving people. Regardless of how extreme the differences are from century to century, God loves and saves people. Regardless of how extreme the changes are within a century, God loves and saves people. Our challenge: if God can love and save us, we must learn to respect each other. Our highest goal should be to love every person God saves. Our minimum goal must be to respect every person that God saves.
Posted by David on April 12, 1998 under Bulletin Articles
One of my biggest problems is taking myself too seriously. I never realized I did that (and still don’t). There are times when, with every good intention, I try to think for Christ and decide for God. I am so serious, so focused, so committed that I am certain that I know what is best for Christ, know what is best for the congregation, and know specifically what must happen if God’s will is to be accomplished.
I hope God is amused instead of angered. Personally, I suspect God is amused at us a lot. He used a cross to establish His eternal kingdom 2000 years ago. He did so without consulting us humans. Good thing! We would have told Him it wouldn’t work! And He has maintained that kingdom for 2000 years. God must have a sense of humor to tolerate us when we are determined to rescue the church when He protects it.
Today I received excerpts from Jonathan Lee’s “Reservations of an Airline Agent” published in The Washington Post. Jonathan’s experience (over 130,000 conversations) hilariously illustrate people who are “certain” when they should not be.
There was the man in Minneapolis who did not know there was more than one city in the South (“wherever the South is”); the man in Dallas who tried to pay for his ticket by sticking quarters in the pay phone he used; the man who asked if the flight flew to exit 35 on the New Jersey Turnpike; the woman who wanted to know if the airline flew to area code 304; and the woman who wanted to know why she had to change clothes on the flight from Chicago to Washington.
My favorite: a woman wanted to fly to Hippopotamus, NY. When told there was no such city, she became irate declaring that it was a big city with a big airport. When asked if it was near Albany, Syracuse, or Buffalo, she exclaimed, “Buffalo! I knew it was a big animal!”
No, I did not laugh at the people. I laughed at me. I remembered all the times that I was so certain that I knew or was so certain about what had to happen. Thank you, Lord, for not requiring us to relive our pasts! The embarrassment would overwhelm us!
Something fantastic happened Sunday night! Two people prepared for eternity! Cyndi Glidewell, and her daughter, Corey Wakefield, joined Jesus in his crucifixion and resurrection by being baptized. They gave Jesus their lives and their sins, and Jesus forgave them and made them his daughters. That’s wonderful! That is what everything we do is about! May we help them mature in Christ as they help us.
