Posted by David on March 23, 1997 under Bulletin Articles
Jesus healed many sick people and fed many hungry people. He validated his spiritual message by ministering to physical needs. He always was concerned about the whole person–mind, body, emotions, and spirit. He reeducated minds, fed bodies, redirected emotions, and cleansed spirits. He healed the body and forgave the sins.
He stressed the fact that his disciples concerned themselves with people’s physical and spiritual well being. Read Matthew 25:31-46 again.
31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 “All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 “And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 ‘for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 ‘I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 ‘When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 ‘Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ 41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 ‘for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 ‘I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 “Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Wealthy Christians were instructed to place their hope in God. They did so by being rich in good works, generosity, and readiness to share (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
We are wealthy Christians. If you compare our living standard to people of virtually all other nations, we are unbelievably prosperous.
Posted by David on March 16, 1997 under Bulletin Articles
The first natural, spontaneous expression of Christianity was generosity. A huge crowd of people heard Peter explain that they had encouraged and supported the execution of God’s Son (Acts 2:14-41). Three thousand openhearted people repented and were baptized that day. And the first congregation of Christians began.
The apostles taught them many things (Acts 2:42), but one reaction to their newly found salvation in God’s new Savior was spontaneous. Generosity exploded!
“Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:43-47)
“Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” (Acts 4:32-37)
Posted by David on March 9, 1997 under Bulletin Articles
A new congregation sprang into existence–seemingly from nowhere! It was this country’s first congregation, and it sprang to life almost spontaneously. Missionaries did not start it. It came into existence when some Christians arrived in the area looking for a place to live. Living in visible joy and faith, they introduced people to the crucified, resurrected Jesus.
This congregation was truly unique! Previously, Christ was not shared with people like these. This kind of people simply were not taught in other countries.
Before this congregation, all congregations began with a core group of converts who knew scripture and understood prophecies. Previously, each congregation had this core group the moment it began. From its beginning, it had a basic, sound understanding of godliness and morality.
But this new congregation began without that core group. Its converts previously worshipped idols. Therefore, their pre-conversion concept of morality was strikingly different. A scripture-based concept of godliness was new to them.
The first (and oldest) congregation was concerned. Since this new congregation began without their knowledge or oversight, they were not sure what had happened. Because they had not sent the teachers, they also were concerned about what was happening.
This “oldest of all congregations” decided it was wise to send a personal representative to evaluate the situation. When he arrived, the representative was thrilled! He saw that the hand of the Lord was with these people. He clearly saw the grace of God at work. With joy, he encouraged these new Christians to resolve to remain true to the Lord. Read about this congregation in Acts 11:19-30 and 13:1-3. They became an important missions base in the Roman empire.
When the focus is on Jesus, things happen!
Posted by David on March 2, 1997 under Bulletin Articles
We deceive ourselves when we conclude that being God’s family is more difficult today than it was in the first century. We are deluded when we conclude that it was simple to be a congregation in Jesus’ Palestine or Paul’s Roman empire. When slaves and their owners were God’s family in a first century congregation, it must have been incredibly complicated! Can you imagine working in a slave-master relationship at home and a brother-brother relationship in God’s family? How awkward!
Devout Jews did not socially associate with non-Jews. They commonly had little or no respect for non-Jews who worshipped idols. “Can you believe those people! They call a carved piece of wood or stone ‘god’? How ignorant!” Then, suddenly, a converted Jew found himself brother to a converted idolater–only because they both were in Christ. How awkward!
Non-Jews commonly had little respect for Jews. The non-Jews experienced rejection and discrimination for generations. “Those prejudiced, arrogant people! My money is always good, but I never am! They have absolutely no respect for us! They hold us in contempt!” Then, suddenly, a converted idolater found himself brother to a converted Jew–only because they both were in Christ. How awkward!
Those are three obvious difficulties. They clearly illustrate the urgency of an admonition repeatedly made to Christians. To the Christians in cosmopolitan Rome: “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (Romans 16:16). Twice to the Christians in decadent, sensuous Corinth: “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (1 Corinthians 16:20 and 2 Corinthians 13:12). To the Christians in wealthy Thessalonica: “Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss” (1 Thessalonians 5:26). To the Christians scattered throughout five provinces of the Roman empire: “Greet one another with a kiss of peace” (1 Peter 5:14).
They were urged to recognize the fact that they were family. Being in Christ made them family. They were to greet each other as family, and they were to physically express their family bond. “Greet each other warmly, genuinely, and sincerely.”
Greeting each other warmly, genuinely, and sincerely is no less important today. Because we are in Christ, we are family. That is the reality of our relationship, not a theological technicality. God through Christ made us family. We must build living bonds in that family.
Posted by David on February 23, 1997 under Bulletin Articles
“I want to draw closer to God than I have ever been. I want Jesus to exercise greater influence in my life. I want God’s Spirit to live in my mind and heart. I want to have more friends and better relationships. I want to increase the joy and happiness in my salvation.”
Wonderful! All of that can begin with one simple step. It can begin to happen in just one hour a week. By scheduling an hour a week, you can begin improving your relationship with God, Christ, and God’s Spirit and you can make friends and build relationships. The result will be increased joy and happiness in your salvation.
“Great! That’s an incredible opportunity! What do I do?” Attend a Sunday morning Bible class. A variety of study opportunities are offered. Numerous needs will be addressed in the classes.
Our spiritual needs are not identical. Our spiritual concerns are not identical. Our life crises are not identical. We seek to offer quality Bible classes that target our diverse adult needs. Each class will pursue a better understanding of God’s message in His Word.
Do you want to be closer to God? Increase Jesus’ influence in your life? Give God’s Spirit a greater place in your mind and heart? Develop more friendships? Build quality relationships? Increase joy and happiness in your salvation? Be a part of a class! SEE YOU IN BIBLE CLASS!
Posted by David on February 16, 1997 under Bulletin Articles
Love trusts and nurtures. Fear is suspicious and defends. When love is wounded in a marriage, fear emerges. Trust is displaced by suspicion. Mutual nurturing is displaced by defensiveness.
Can the relationship heal? Certainly! Love can assume again its role of promoting trust and nurturing if fear and its suspicions die. If the couple is afraid to love, they will not risk being vulnerable. Recovery is questionable. If the couple has the courage to restore healthy love, recovery will occur.
Should the couple forget the experience? Should they wipe from memory the events and attitudes that wounded love and created fear? No. If memory is erased, the experience does not teach them. If the experience taught no constructive lessons, the mistakes are likely to be repeated.
Should those memories dominate their awareness? No. If love for each other does not dominate thoughts and emotions, the relationship will not heal or mature.
The same is true in a congregation. Love trusts and nurtures. Fear is suspicious and defends. When love is wounded, fear emerges. Trust is displaced with suspicion, and nurturing is displaced with defensiveness. Relationships heal if fear and suspicions are allowed to die. While constructive lessons must be learned from bad experiences, heartache and disappointment must not dominate thoughts and feelings. The congregation seeks more than healing. It seeks the success only growth and maturity produce.
Help fear and suspicion die. Help restore love’s trust and nurturing. Do not fear congregational vulnerability–God is in control. Nurture living relationships that reflect the life and hope found in being God’s family and Christ’s body.
Pray for others by name. Let them know that they are in your prayers. Help them form relationships. Be as warm, excited, and helpful as is our Father.
Posted by David on February 9, 1997 under Bulletin Articles
The injustices of life often flood our worlds like a torrential cloudburst that refuses to stop. A person whose faith builds a beautiful life falls prey to an unthinkable disease. A person whose generous heart willingly shares “the shirt off his back” is tossed on the reefs of economic calamity. A person of compassion who always helps victims of tragedy is victimized by tragedy. A person whose life is guided by positive attitudes and a refreshing spirit dies much “before her time.” It is not fair!
Life’s unfairness has been a constant in earthly existence since Adam blamed God and Eve for his failure. The unfairness of injustice never skips a generation–Cain did kill Abel. The Bible is a documentary on the realities of injustice. To the extent that evil prospers, the unfairness of injustice abounds.
Christians commonly assume that Christianity “makes everything fair.” Some see “fairness” as a benefit of Christianity, some see it as a goal, and some see it as Christianity’s purpose. It is true that fairness blossoms in the lives of the godly. As we learn to treat others as we want to be treated, those blossoms mature to ripe fruit. Still, the unfairness of injustice is an unremovable constant in everything touched by evil. Everywhere evil exerts influence, the unfairness of injustice thrives. When we conclude (because we belong to Christ) that we will not experience the unfairness of injustice, we are prepared to be disillusioned. We can conclude that so easily! When disillusionment occurs, we are outraged.
Unfortunately, the unfairness of injustice often blinds us to the unfairness of salvation. Forgiveness is unfair. So is mercy. And so are compassion, kindness, and forbearance. All of them are based on undeserved consideration. All are built on the preferential treatment of love. None of them concern themselves with what we deserve; they concern themselves only with the noblest expressions of love.
Evil and its consequences are so unfair! In that unfairness is pain, grief, and destruction. God and the consequences of His mercy are so unfair! In that unfairness is peace, joy, hope, and salvation. Thank you, God, for being unfair, for it is in your unfairness that I find love and salvation. Please, God, help us understand how to be unfair as are you, not as is this world.
Posted by David on February 2, 1997 under Bulletin Articles
In our decision to come to West-Ark, I am indebted to Tommy Tubberville, the head coach of the University of Mississippi’s football team. He and his wife, Suzanne, are members of the Oxford congregation. He knew nothing about our leaving Oxford until I announced it. Then, how can I be indebted to him?
His decision to become head football coach at Ole Miss significantly influenced my perspective. When he accepted that position, the program was in major crisis. Twice it was found in serious violation of NCAA rules. The second time produced penalties that threatened the existence of the program. Scholarships were severely reduced. Television appearances and bowl invitations were banned. The loss of revenue would be devastating.
Since Ole Miss’ football tradition is too intense to exaggerate, alumni were deeply concerned. They wanted a quality coach who knew how to win. Coach Tubberville was an assistant coach at the University of Miami when the Hurricanes won a national championship.
At his first press conference, the hovering cloud of gloom and doom subdued the excitement of the faithful. Questions included, “Can the program survive? Can the team become competitive again?” To everyone’s shock and amazement, he replied, “In time, this program can win the national championship.” Few took him seriously. Yet, in his first year, this smallest university in the SEC had a winning season. With few scholarships available, he had unbelievable success in recruiting. His optimism was genuine. While everyone else looked at obstacles, he saw opportunity. Though the obstacles were real, he refused to permit obvious obstacles to obscure genuine opportunity.
Before I visited West-Ark, I heard about some past problems. “Then, why did you come?” First, the honest answer is that God made the decision–and we were and are profoundly grateful! Second, coach Tubberville taught me the importance of refusing to allow obvious obstacles to obscure genuine opportunity. When I met the elders and later met you as a congregation, I was deeply impressed with the genuine potential. As we, in faith, combine this potential and God’s power, the incredible will happen!
Several individuals have urged me not to be discouraged. I am not–and have not been for one moment! I arrived excited, and my optimism grows weekly. May I urge you, “Don’t doubt! Don’t fear hope, dreams, or faith! Don’t allow any disappointment from the past to obscure our future as God’s family.” Let’s place ourselves in His hands and watch what He does with and through us.
Posted by David on January 26, 1997 under Bulletin Articles
Slavery of the mind commonly is more horrible than slavery of the body. Frequently, an enslaved mind enslaves the body. Damaged emotions and distorted perspectives condemn the body to an unfulfilled, joyless existence. Such a mind and body experience pain frequently and contentment rarely.
Everyone sees such slavery. Consider persons enslaved mentally and physically to bitterness, jealousy, envy, anger, or vengeance. Nothing in their lives is a source of joy. Their obsession forces these people to live in degrees of misery that are always evident. Minds enslaved to such emotions constantly express themselves in the persons’ attitudes, words, actions, and body language. They never miss an opportunity to vent. Their slavery cannot be hidden.
The person enslaved focuses on the person who is the object of his or her bitterness, jealousy, envy, anger, or vengeance. The person is obsessed with his or her consuming emotion. The one who is the object of the contempt will never “pay” enough or suffer enough to right the perceived or actual wrong. The object of this contempt will never be free. He or she will be resented, despised, or hated as long as the enslaved one lives. With but one exception: forgiveness can liberate.
Two are enslaved by such negative emotions: the person who is the object of the emotions, and the person who possesses the emotions. The object is the partial slave. The possessor is the total slave. The possessor can be freed only by freeing the object.
The single greatest liberating force in human existence is forgiveness. Compassion acts on empathy. Mercy offers help. Kindness seeks to encourage. But forgiveness liberates–both the forgiver and the forgiven. Forgiveness is not the burden of my Christian responsibility. It is the gateway to my freedom. The past ceases to rule my present only when I forgive. Each time I forgive another, I free myself.
Posted by David on January 12, 1997 under Bulletin Articles
Reconciliation (translation for three New Testament Greek words) brings an end to enmity. It builds a bridge over the quarrel that produced enemies and caused separation. It ends the hostility.
The priority illustration is the reconciliation to God that produces a Christian (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Prior to entering Christ, every accountable person is God’s enemy (Romans 5:10; Colossians 1:21,22; James 4:4). Human evil, as it occurs in an unforgiven life, invokes God’s anger and stirs His just wrath. Righteous hostility alienates the God of holiness from the unforgiven person.
Reconciliation occurs only if the true cause of the enmity is addressed. God addressed the true cause of the enmity that invoked His wrath and alienated Him from people–sin. God empowered perfect forgiveness by destroying the cause of the enmity. The guiltiness for sin (evil) can be removed from a person by the perfect cleansing power of Christ’s blood. Atonement and redemption built a bridge over human evil.
If a person is to be reconciled to God, he must respond to God’s initiative. (God’s initiative exists independent of human response.) For a person to make reconciliation reality, he must accept ownership of his evil and surrender his evil to God’s forgiveness. While God cannot “forget” unforgiven human evil, God and people can be reconciled. God initiated reconciliation. People must respond to His initiative if reconciliation is to occur.
When enmity and hostility are born in person-to-person alienation, they, too, must be reconciled. A classic Old Testament example involved brothers, Jacob and Esau. Through exploitation and greed, Jacob stole Esau’s most precious right. Enraged, Esau vowed that he would kill Jacob, and Jacob fled.
In great fear of Esau’s anger and vow, Jacob returned many years later with a family and wealth (Genesis 32, 33). He initiated reconciliation, and Esau accepted. Jacob could not right the ugliness of his greed and abuse in the past. However, through reconciliation, they ended their enmity and built a bridge across their quarrel.
