Previous Articles

Past Articles –

Messages of encouragement and information

     It takes two to make a couple. It takes a committed man and woman to make a marriage. Each of them has the responsibility to mold the two into one. (Gen 2:24) The Scriptures tell us that the wife is to be subject to her own husband as to the Lord. (Eph 5:22) When that was written, it reflected the societal norms of the day. There were exceptions and rebellions, but in general, the husband was the master of the home and his wife was in submission to him.
     We live in a different time today. Many homes do not have a husband. In many families, the wife holds down a full-time job outside of the home. In our society, there is a tendency towards equality between husband and wife in the home. The idea of one or the other being the "master of the home" is frowned upon.
     As Christians, what are we to do? Do we try to live by what many view as an archaic and outdated family order? Or do we look at the Scriptures and interpret them through changing cultural lenses, amending it to reflect the current societal ideals?
     There are some things in the Scriptures that are purely cultural. We certainly are not bound to travel as they did, or write letters according to their writing standard. And yet, at the same time, there are some things that clearly transcend culture, such as our need for salvation through Jesus alone. The difficulty is in knowing which is cultural and which is transcends the culture of the day.
     Fortunately, we should not have to spend much time debating whether the husband is the head of the wife or not, or whether the wife is to be in submission to her husband or not. This is one area where the Scriptures clearly reveal that this order transcends any culture. In 1 Corinthians 11:3, a Divine order is expressed. But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. God has presented a descending hierarchy: God, Christ, Man, Woman. There is not a cultural setting in which Christ is the head of God, nor is there a cultural setting where Man is over Christ. Neither is there a cultural setting where the Woman can legitimately have the headship over the Man.
     Until next time...

Return to Article Index

10/1/00 - Do What You Want To Do

     A young couple, after a period of dating and discussing their views toward one another, decided to get married. But the young man felt that he had to ask some important questions of his intended wife to be.
     1. Will you expect me to come home every night after work?
     2. Must I feel obligated to greet you with a kiss every night?
     3. Surely, you will not expect me to remember, and give gifts for all those dates like your birthday, our anniversary, Valentines Day, and Christmas!
     4. You won't demand I keep a job, bring home money and pay the bills and buy clothes for you and the children, will you?
     5. When you are away you won't expect me to read the letters you write me, will you?
     If you were that young lady, what would have been your reaction? What would you have told the young man? Well.....the young lady thought about her answer for a while and then said, "If you love me with all your heart, soul, and mind, you just do what you want to do!" She realized that if he really loved her, he would want to do all those things correctly and make any sacrifice necessary to make her happy. She knew that he would do whatever he could to make her happy, just like she intended to do toward him.
     Don't you think that the Lord knew this when He said, "If you love me, keep my commandments!" (Jn 14:15) And, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome." (1 Jn 5:3). And, as well, when the Lord pointed out that the two greatest commandments were to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind," and "love your neighbor as yourself." (Matt. 22:37-39)
     All the sermons in the world on what we should do will fall on deaf ears unless the heart has been won to the Lord. And when this happens, the person is willing to do anything, make any sacrifice, and cannot do enough to serve the one he loves. Deep love for God never asks, "Do I have to?"
     Until next time... (Thanks to Paul Cantrell, Lebanon, PA.)

Return to Article Index

10/8/2000 - Working

Last Sunday morning, a request was made on behalf one of our families for some volunteer work. A sister needed some good brother to stay with her husband while she did some necessary errands out of the house. To God be the glory for all those brethren who volunteered to help her out in this way. But you know that that’s not the end of the story. There are many others within our family who are also helping others do what they themselves cannot do. God be praised for our brethren who are doing these kinds of things for others simply because they care.

Paul wrote these words to the church in Rome: contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. (Rom 12:13) Oftentimes when we read the word contributing, we think in terms of dollars. Each Lord’s Day, we take up a contribution from that with which God has blessed us. Out of that contribution we share in many good works, both at home and abroad. But we limit the meaning of Romans 12:13 if we limit it to a contribution from the gifts which God has given us financially, or as we have been prospered, as Paul wrote to the Corinthians. (1 Cor 16:2

One of the best contributions we can make to another is the gift of our time. How easy is it to give someone five or ten dollars and be done with our involvement? How much more rewarding is it when we give five or ten hours of our time to personal involvement? And how much more beneficial is it to the one or ones to whom we are giving of our time?

When we give our time to another, we are making a statement about how much we care for them personally. Such is not to say that we don’t really care when we donate money to a good work, but the investment of time in another’s life shows how much we care about them as an individual. They are not simply a statistic on some ledger, but a living, breathing fellow traveler through life in need of what we can give them right then, right there. The rewards from a cash donation are quickly spent; the rewards from our personal involvement linger for a long, long time.

The next time a need comes up that needs an investment of your time, give it your careful consideration, and then, show someone you care for them personally.

Until next time…

Return to Article Index

10/15/00 - Exclusive Statements

     Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me." (John 14:6) That is a monumental claim for anyone to make. It is positively exclusionary! And yet, the empty tomb stands as a testimony to the validity of Jesus' claim. If one does not approach God through Jesus, one will never be able to approach God.
     Jesus also said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5) That also is an exclusionary statement. One must be born again, born of water and the Spirit (both), in order to enter into the kingdom of God. If one has not been born again, one will not leave this life for eternity to be with God.
     Jesus also said this, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned." (Mark 16:15,16) In this statement, Jesus linked for all times belief in the gospel and baptism in order for one to be saved. It is an exclusive statement. All those who do not meet both conditions Jesus set forth will not be saved.
     It is at this point that many religious people, believers in Jesus, have trouble with His exclusionary remarks. They accept whole-heartedly that Jesus is the only way to the Father. They accept without compromise that one must be born again to enter the kingdom of God. But they balk and cry, "Foul," refusing to believe that baptism is essential for their salvation.
     It seems that some people take what Jesus said and filter it through their own understanding. It is as if they went to the Bible like it was MCL Cafeteria - pick and choose what they like and leave untouched anything they don't like. When our children go through a cafeteria line, we ensure that get everything they need - even when they balk at it. Should we not also be helping people to "get everything they need" from God's word? Should we not be helping people see that it is God's hand who connected belief and baptism?
     Until next time...

Return to Article Index

10/22/2000 - What is a Church?

     Almost every community in our country has religious groups, or churches, meeting on a regular basis. Though they vary sometimes quite dramatically in what they teach, their presence in a community is a testimonial. But I have a question: of what is it a testimonial? In other words, why are their religious groups known as churches? Perhaps we have to ask another question first: what is a "church"?
     Some people will point to the structure in which meetings of various kinds are held and call it "the church." According to Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, that is the most common use of the word church: "a building for public and especially Christian worship." The dictionaries second most common understanding is "the clergy or officialdom of a religious body." I'm not familiar with people who use the term in that way. But I am very familiar with those who hold to his next most common use of "church": "a body or organization of religious believers." The way the word is defined one could say, "The church meets in the church."
     Dictionaries are good for finding out how a word is used today. But because it reflects today's use it may not always be accurate in defining religious words the way the Bible uses them. The Bible uses the word church numerous times. For instance, Jesus said He would build His church (Mt 16:18); Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia (Gal 1:2); after Ananias and Sapphira's deaths, fear came upon the whole church (Acts 5:11); and Barnabas brought Saul (Paul) to Antioch and they met with the whole church for about a year (Acts 11:26) These use of the word "church" in these contexts could not possibly refer to "a building for public and especially Christian worship." Nor can they refer to "the clergy or officialdom of a religious body." But they can, and do, fit the use as "a body or organization of religious believers." See also Acts 14:27, Rom 16:3-5, and 1 Cor 11:18. Biblically, "church" applies to those who are disciples of Jesus Christ. These disciples are depicted as meeting together for encouragement, instruction, fellowship and worship.
     While many refer to the building in which the church meets as the "church," let's try to use it in the sense in which God has used it - the followers of Jesus Christ.
     Until next time...

Return to Article Index

10/29/2000 - Why a "Church"?

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said that He would build His church. It was to be founded on the rock-solid truth Peter had just spoken about whom Jesus was: Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God. (Mt 16:16) But why did Jesus want to build a “church”? If we look at the Greek word that has been rendered “church” perhaps we can gain a little insight into why Jesus wanted to build His church.

The New Testament has come to us in the Greek language. It was the “international language” of the day. People knew their native tongue, and many knew Greek as well making it the ideal choice for communicating God’s message. In the Greek New Testament, the word rendered as “church” is ekklhsia, or ekklesia in English characters. It is a compound word even as “outlaw” is a compound word: one who stands “outside the law.” Dissecting ekklesia into its components, we find “ek” meaning “from, out, away from” and “klesia” which is derived from a verb meaning “to call.” Hence, its basic meaning points us to those who have been “called out” from one thing to another, from the ordinary to the special. Its basic meaning is those people who have gathered for some purpose. It is used in the New Testament in that sense in Acts 19:32 where people gathered together but there was confusion over why they were gathered together.

The word “ekklesia” is ideal to describe the followers of Jesus. The Bible describes these people as those who have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Pet 2:9), and as those who have been delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred … to the kingdom of His beloved Son (Col 1:13). Jesus Himself said that He had called His disciples out of the world. (Jn 15:19)

God’s people have always been distinct from others people. Israel was chosen by God to be distinct from other nations, to be God’s people uniquely. Jesus was going to call His followers out of the world unto Himself. Like Israel of old, they are in the world, but distinct from the world. Jesus’ followers are to be a distinct people from the rest of mankind. Their relationship to God through Jesus gives them a unique position – they have been “called out.” They are the “church” of Jesus Christ.

What a privilege to be a part of the “called out” of Jesus Christ! And also, what a responsibility we have as the church of Jesus Christ! Until next time…

Return to Article Index

11/5/00 - Why This Church? (1)

Jesus promised to build His church, and He did. On Pentecost after his resurrection, the gospel of the resurrection was proclaimed for the first time. That day some 3000 men joined those who were already disciples of Jesus. The people who are called out of darkness into God’s marvelous light had become a reality. Jesus’ church was a reality.

At that time, the question of “which church” was never asked. There was only one church, the church of Jesus Christ. Sometimes it was called “the Way” (Acts 9:2), sometimes the “church of God” (Acts 20:28), sometimes the “church of Christ” [small “c”] (Rom 16:16), and sometimes there are other descriptive terms used to describe it (e.g., 1 Tim 3:15; Heb 12:23).

Today, it is another matter. Over the years, those who have professed faith in God through Jesus have wreaked havoc on the church. Today, we find churches of almost every variety wearing names of men long since dead, wearing names derived from some facet of their organization or belief system. It was easy in the first century to know which church was the right church. Today, how does one know which church is right, or if all of them are right, or if any of them is right since their doctrines, methods, and organizations vary so widely? Putting it another way, why should I be a part of THIS church and not a part of THAT church?

One can start by looking at the church. Do they teach what Jesus and His apostles taught? Most of them at least claim to. Some will say it doesn’t matter. Those get x-ed off my list immediately. Which ones teach how to become a Christian as we can read about it in the book of Acts? Many (most?) churches today teach that salvation comes from simply expressing faith in Jesus, pointing to Rom 10:9-11. But they overlook so much more of what God had recorded in His book. Do they teach that one must be immersed into Christ for the forgiveness of their sins? (Mk 16:15,16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Gal 3:26,27; Rom 6:3,4) If they do not, then they are not teaching what Jesus and His apostles taught no matter how much they protest otherwise.

By examining the teachings and practices of a church and evaluating it with the written record in the New Testament, one can determine if they are indeed a part of the church that Jesus built. Why this church? Because it is the one Jesus built.

Until next time…

Return to Article Index

11/12/00 - Why This Church? (2)

The religious world today espouses many different faiths in their many different denominations. Jesus built only one church. He alone is the foundation. (1 Cor 3:11) The faith of that one church is exposed in the pages of the New Testament. Whenever and wherever a person learns of the Jesus revealed in the New Testament and submits to Him as it is recorded they did in the New Testament, then that person is a part of the church Jesus built. He or she must now become an active part of a congregation.

In some places it is not uncommon to see several congregations of the Lord’s church in a community. How does one decide which body of believers to work and worship with? In other words, why this congregation and not that congregation?

Some “health” questions are in order before one can answer that question.

1. Are they in fact a congregation of God’s people? (There is more to being God’s people than the description on the sign.)

2. Do they teach the plan of salvation as revealed in the New Testament? (Only those who are “born again” as the Bible teaches are God’s children.)

3. Is God the audience in their worship assemblies, or are they the audience? (Some conduct their worship assemblies as if the people were the audience.)

4. Are they working in the vineyard of the Lord? (Some are content just to “go to church.”)

Presuming the answers to these kinds of questions all “Yes,” there are some other questions to consider. These questions are of a personal nature than of a Scriptural nature. They deal with my visit to them.

1. Did I feel comfortable? Were they friendly, helpful, concerned about me?

2. Was my visit with them pleasant?

3. Did anyone come to visit me shortly after my visiting the congregation?

4. Do they seem like people with whom I can work and worship?

Certainly there are other questions that can be asked. The bottom line is two-fold: Are they a living, vibrant congregation of God’s people? And, can we work together to bring honor and glory to God.

Why this church? It is a healthy and vibrant family in Christ who cares about God’s work, God’s people, and those still lost because of sin. Until next time…

Return to Article Index

11/19/00 - More Than a Thursday in November

O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Thy name in all the earth! (Psalm 8:9)

Teach me Thy way, O LORD; I will walk in Thy truth; Unite my heart to fear Thy name. I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Thy name forever. (Psalm 86:11,12)

For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Thy works, And my soul knows it very well. (Psalm 139:11,12)

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, And His faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 100)

Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones, And give thanks to His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:4,5)

I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. (Psalm 7:17)

Thanksgiving… it’s more than the fourth Thursday in November. It’s a daily expression from those who know God.

Until next time…

Return to Article Index