Mankind has developed powerful and terrible weapons of destruction over the years and more are probably being developed as we speak. The atom and hydrogen bombs already exist and we know their destructive power. Whole cities, even countries, can be destroyed by just one of these bombs and we know that our country has many hundreds of these pointed right at us. We have returned the favor and pointed some right back.
Pakistan is a country with nuclear weapons and there has been much fear around the world as to what is going to happen to them. With the recent assassination of the former Prime Minister, there has been much turmoil in that country and much concern that the nuclear arsenal may fall into the hands of terrorists who have no resignation about using them.
There is no stretch of the imagination to see somewhere down the road, that one man, or group of people, with vengeance, extremism, and hatred in their hearts may someday control such inconceivable force. It may be in Pakistan or some other country, but there will surely be someone willing to set off such bombs.
The gospel of Jesus Christ has the power to stop such people for it is "the power of God unto salvation" (Romans 1:16.) The gospel teaches that real power lies with God and that people filled with hate can learn to live in love and peace with all mankind. The power does not lie in us (II Corinthians 4:7) but in God. The gospel has the power to cast down the strongholds of the mind, human reasoning, and to capture hearts for Christ (II Corinthians 10:3-5.) We must learn to keep our focus on God and keep preaching His word for therein lies the power to have real "peace on earth toward those of goodwill" (Luke 2:15.) Yes, we need to stand against error but should do so with the gospel realizing that God Himself will one day destroy this world (II Peter 3:10.) Now that is real power and everyone needs to be ready.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
A Shadow of Things to Come
This past week has been unusual as far as weather is concerned. Not only have we seen much rain, but thunderstorms as well. Some areas around central Kentucky even saw tornadoes and other parts of the Midwest dealt with even more destructive weather as thunderstorms and tornadoes were more widespread. We are reminded that many folks fear the shadows of dark clouds for they know the storm is coming.
The casting of shadows many times leads to fear. The shadow of the hawk causes the hen to sound a warning to her brood to take cover. In ancient times, the shadow of the moon upon the earth during an eclipse was seen as a bad omen.
Shadows are not all bad however. Seeking the shadow of a tree can cause much relief on a hot, summer's day. In like token, the Old Testament was a shadow of "good things to come" (Hebrews 10:1.) The apostle Paul reminds us that "the things written in former days were written for our learning, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope" (Romans 15:4.) The Old Testament contains examples (I Corinthians 10:6) for us so as not to repeat their mistakes.
A study of the Old Testament will yield many treats for serious students of the Bible. We learn about the nature of sin (Romans 7:7), and the holiness of God (I Peter 1:15-16.) We learn about how God punishes sin and the separation from God it causes. But we also learn about the coming Messiah that would take away sin. The law was intended to lead us to Christ and teach us of Him (Galatians 4:1-4) and was never intended to be in permanent force since Jesus came to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17-18.) Once fulfilled, it was to end but while it is not in force today there is much to be gained by a study of it. Don't be guilty of ignoring those holy scriptures that revealed the coming Messiah.
The casting of shadows many times leads to fear. The shadow of the hawk causes the hen to sound a warning to her brood to take cover. In ancient times, the shadow of the moon upon the earth during an eclipse was seen as a bad omen.
Shadows are not all bad however. Seeking the shadow of a tree can cause much relief on a hot, summer's day. In like token, the Old Testament was a shadow of "good things to come" (Hebrews 10:1.) The apostle Paul reminds us that "the things written in former days were written for our learning, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope" (Romans 15:4.) The Old Testament contains examples (I Corinthians 10:6) for us so as not to repeat their mistakes.
A study of the Old Testament will yield many treats for serious students of the Bible. We learn about the nature of sin (Romans 7:7), and the holiness of God (I Peter 1:15-16.) We learn about how God punishes sin and the separation from God it causes. But we also learn about the coming Messiah that would take away sin. The law was intended to lead us to Christ and teach us of Him (Galatians 4:1-4) and was never intended to be in permanent force since Jesus came to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17-18.) Once fulfilled, it was to end but while it is not in force today there is much to be gained by a study of it. Don't be guilty of ignoring those holy scriptures that revealed the coming Messiah.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Congregationalism
Congregationalism is the idea of "church activities" and has been around for years. We see more and more emphasis placed on "congregational programs" and "congregational goals" all with the point of meeting the challenges facing the church. Much of these ideas come from enlarged church budgets and yet many of the congregational projects undertaken do not reflect the interest of the individual members. Many are thrust into various projects, and asked to contribute money for them, yet they had no voice in the "project" to start with. Sadly, plain New Testament teaching about the work of individual Christians is being ignored as we strive to meet our "church goals."
This may shock many but the New Testament does not place the work of the Lord on a congregational basis. Yes, there were times when a congregation acted in an emergency or could support a widow when there was no one else to care for her (I Timothy 5:3-16) but by in large the emphasis is placed on the individual. It is interesting to note that in Paul's discussion about churches supporting widows mentioned above that there is much individual responsibility to meet before a church could even consider her. If she is younger, SHE needs to care for herself, or seek help from the MEMBERS of her family. Only when she has obtained a certain age and NO ONE else should the church step in. GO ahead-- read the text again. It certainly does not sound like a "church program" needed to be set up. Nor does it sound like a goal of supporting "50' widows or orphan homes per year was in order.
Another clear example is found in Acts 11:29-30 as it records the first "program" for aid of the Judean brethren caught in a famine. "Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren living in Judea, and did so and sent it to the elders by the hands of barnabas and Saul." There was no "church drive" to enlarge the congregational budget so they could meet their quota. Individuals determined what they could do to help and then they did what they determined. Needless to say one could search long and hard and not find a finance committee or church budget outlined in this text. Simply put, a need was presented to them and the individual saints at Antioch responded to meet the need.
Certainly our interest in church growth and development has caused us to put too much emphasis on "challenge budgets" and financial drives. No person is going to go to heaven because the church budget was met or the church excelled in benevolence. We don't ride the coattails of the church to heaven. We go because we EACH did the Lord's work.
This may shock many but the New Testament does not place the work of the Lord on a congregational basis. Yes, there were times when a congregation acted in an emergency or could support a widow when there was no one else to care for her (I Timothy 5:3-16) but by in large the emphasis is placed on the individual. It is interesting to note that in Paul's discussion about churches supporting widows mentioned above that there is much individual responsibility to meet before a church could even consider her. If she is younger, SHE needs to care for herself, or seek help from the MEMBERS of her family. Only when she has obtained a certain age and NO ONE else should the church step in. GO ahead-- read the text again. It certainly does not sound like a "church program" needed to be set up. Nor does it sound like a goal of supporting "50' widows or orphan homes per year was in order.
Another clear example is found in Acts 11:29-30 as it records the first "program" for aid of the Judean brethren caught in a famine. "Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren living in Judea, and did so and sent it to the elders by the hands of barnabas and Saul." There was no "church drive" to enlarge the congregational budget so they could meet their quota. Individuals determined what they could do to help and then they did what they determined. Needless to say one could search long and hard and not find a finance committee or church budget outlined in this text. Simply put, a need was presented to them and the individual saints at Antioch responded to meet the need.
Certainly our interest in church growth and development has caused us to put too much emphasis on "challenge budgets" and financial drives. No person is going to go to heaven because the church budget was met or the church excelled in benevolence. We don't ride the coattails of the church to heaven. We go because we EACH did the Lord's work.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Lights in the World
The apostle Paul told the Philippians, "that you may be blameless and innocent children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:15.) Just as in the first century, the world today is crooked and twisted. Immorality, humanism, false religion, broken homes, drug abuse, lying, homosexuality, and so many other sins run rampant now just as they did back then. Of course we have many today that see no sin. Every deviant behavior is explained away as some "psychological defect" or sickness. The motto of many is to "please number one." It is a shame that so many seek to soothe their conscience in such ways but God still sees the violation of His will as sin and condemns such.
Christians do not live separate from this "crooked and twisted" generation. Jesus prayed, "The world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You would keep them from evil" (John 17:14-15.) In other words, the Lord's disciples lived in the world and the world hated them. It was not possible for them to be removed from the world to live separate from evil people but the Lord prayed that they might not be taken up with the evil around them. So it is with Christians today.
If God's people wanted to be away from sin, they would have to leave the world (I Corinthians 5:10) but that is neither possible nor God's will. As His people we are to live right here in this crooked and twisted generation to shine as lights among it. Our love for the Lord keeps us learning from His word and we do not listen to the "council of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, not sit in the seat of the scornful" (Psalms 1:1.) We meditate on God's word night and day (Psalms 1:2.) John admonishes us to "Love not the world" (I John 2:15.) Clearly the focus of the Christian is not on worldly things but spiritual and such being true, does not practice the sin he sees around him.
As Christians, we are "lights" in the world. It is not our job to be the "police of the world" to force conformity to the gospel of Christ. Our job is to bear fruit. We grow in the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and as the world sees our love, joy, peace, longsuffering, patience, etc grow, they see something better than themselves. A Christian is a blessing waiting to happen and as we come in contact with others, we are showing them a better way of living. Then the time is right to teach them about Jesus Christ and salvation so they too can know and experience this more noble way. We have to be right in the midst of the turmoil of the world while living above it but this should make us a beacon to those around us.
Christians do not live separate from this "crooked and twisted" generation. Jesus prayed, "The world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You would keep them from evil" (John 17:14-15.) In other words, the Lord's disciples lived in the world and the world hated them. It was not possible for them to be removed from the world to live separate from evil people but the Lord prayed that they might not be taken up with the evil around them. So it is with Christians today.
If God's people wanted to be away from sin, they would have to leave the world (I Corinthians 5:10) but that is neither possible nor God's will. As His people we are to live right here in this crooked and twisted generation to shine as lights among it. Our love for the Lord keeps us learning from His word and we do not listen to the "council of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, not sit in the seat of the scornful" (Psalms 1:1.) We meditate on God's word night and day (Psalms 1:2.) John admonishes us to "Love not the world" (I John 2:15.) Clearly the focus of the Christian is not on worldly things but spiritual and such being true, does not practice the sin he sees around him.
As Christians, we are "lights" in the world. It is not our job to be the "police of the world" to force conformity to the gospel of Christ. Our job is to bear fruit. We grow in the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and as the world sees our love, joy, peace, longsuffering, patience, etc grow, they see something better than themselves. A Christian is a blessing waiting to happen and as we come in contact with others, we are showing them a better way of living. Then the time is right to teach them about Jesus Christ and salvation so they too can know and experience this more noble way. We have to be right in the midst of the turmoil of the world while living above it but this should make us a beacon to those around us.
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