Our Relationship to the World

January 19, 2017 JT Leave a comment

Paul wrote that Christians were “not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world” (1 Corinthians 5:9-10). He reminded the Ephesians that before their conversion, “you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:12-13).

How did those Christians become Christians? “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?…So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:14,17). It has been said that every Christian is a walking sermon, so we should carefully consider our conduct when we are in the company of those who are outside the church. Our example and influence could be what leads them to Christ, but it could also be what drives them away.

With these things in mind, let us consider the Lord’s teaching as it refers to His disciples’ relationship to the world: “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

How have you let your light shine so far in 2017?

Articles

Be better, live better, serve better

December 31, 2016 JT Leave a comment

A new year is upon us; many people make resolutions to better themselves. Eat healthier, exercise more, read more, write more, learn a new instrument…the potential positive resolutions are numerous. There are, of course, more important resolutions than these. Children of God should be continually examining themselves spiritually and resolving to be better, not just at the beginning of the calendar year.

The apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:12-14, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Paul recognized that he still had work to do. He knew he could be better, live better, serve better. Christians today should realize that we, too, must continue to “press toward the goal” as long as we have breath in us. We cannot allow our past mistakes and forgiven sins to hold us back, rather “forgetting those things that are behind” (the failures of 2016) “and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” (the opportunities that await us in 2017 and beyond).

Can you resolve each morning that you wake up to be better than you were yesterday? Live better than you did yesterday? Serve better than you did yesterday?

Miscellaneous

An update from the Gatlinburg congregation

December 15, 2016 JT Leave a comment

House of Pancakes — Turn here to reach the current meeting place of the Gatlinburg church of Christ at 189 West Ogle St, Gatlinburg TN

Rod Rutherford reports that the saints in Gatlinburg are currently meeting at 189 West Ogle Drive, off Highway 321; turn at the “Little House of Pancakes.” The church is leasing this meeting space until their building can be rebuilt. They are still in need of financial assistance to help members and others in the area.

Sermon Outlines

Learning from Aquila and Priscilla

December 12, 2016 JT Leave a comment

Acts 18:1-4

I. Honorable

II. Hospitable

III. Humble

Articles

Alive in Christ

December 11, 2016 JT Leave a comment

I answer some interesting phone calls at the 911 center. Just a few days ago, I spoke to a confused individual who was trying to figure out whether he was alive or dead. After determining his location, my co-workers sent police and an ambulance to help him. The officers wanted him to come downstairs to his front door to meet them, to which he said, “Well, if I’m a ghost, I can just float down there!” I agreed with his logic, and suggested that he try walking through the door without opening it. “If you can’t float through the door, you’re not a ghost,” I advised.

While the incident was amusing and sad at the same time, many Christians live in the same state of doubt, unsure whether they are alive or dead spiritually. When a person obeys the gospel, God moves him from a state of spiritual death to life.

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together in Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:1-7).

Don’t be confused anymore. If you have obeyed from the heart the gospel and are striving to live faithfully for the Lord, you are alive in Him!

Articles

Jesus Heals a Paralytic Man

December 10, 2016 JT Leave a comment

Have you ever wanted to meet someone so badly that you were willing to do just about anything to meet them? When Jesus walked the earth, people traveled from great distances and fought enormous crowds to get close to the Savior. Some—such as the paralytic man in Mark 2—put even more effort into it.

There are several things that we can learn from this incident. First, we learn that Christ “preached the word to them” (Mark 2:2). Jesus was compassionate and healed many people, but that was not His main purpose here. His primary goal was to teach truth. Likewise, we can do all the good deeds in the world, but if we’re not teaching people about God’s love and His grace and our response to that, and trying to lead others to Him, we’re not doing enough.

Another valuable lesson here is the importance of friendship. Friends help each other achieve their goals, no matter what obstacles are placed before them. They came to this house and there was a tremendous crowd, but they were determined to get the paralytic man before the Lord. They uncovered a portion of the roof and lowered their friend down to be near the Lord.

A third important lesson is the power and authority of the Son of God. Jesus upset the scribes when He told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” The reasoned, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

James Burton Coffman writes, “The declaration of Jesus had profound implications: (1) it was an assertion of his deity…(2) It was an indication that he had read the hearts…and that he had determined the spiritual attitude of the man to have been fully consistent with the reward bestowed. (3) It proved that Jesus understood the man’s greater need as forgiveness, and so that was given first.”

The people who witnessed this miracle glorified God. Likewise, we should recognize the good things that happen today and give praise to God.

Articles

Give Attendance to Reading

December 9, 2016 JT Leave a comment

The aged apostle Paul penned these words to the young evangelist Timothy: “Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:13).

In 1966, Words of Truth ran an article by Grady Latham in which he reported the time it takes for an average person to read each book of the New Testament, as appears below.

If brother Latham’s information is accurate, then the average reader could complete the entire New Testament in 10 hours and 39 minutes. Willard Collins reported in the Gospel Advocate in 1967 that a public reading was accomplished in 15 hours and 25 minutes.

Granted, one may not be able to mediate on the passages while reading if they are to be completed in this amount of time. One can, however, use a pencil to place a small checkmark in the margin next to a verse he wants to study more deeply later, or keep a small notebook handy to jot down a reference for future study.

Spend some time with God’s Word, and “give attendance to reading.”

Articles

Truth vs. “e-Error”

December 8, 2016 JT Leave a comment

When used appropriately, the Internet can be a wonderful tool for Bible study and research. You can study from a variety of translations simultaneously on your computer screen or smartphone, read lesson outlines and articles about Biblical topics, even listen to gospel sermons on a weekly basis.

The World Wide Web has made the spread of the truth much easier. Unfortunately, however, the Internet has also made the spread of error much easier. We must use caution when reading the writings of men, comparing their words to God’s Word, and rejecting those things which are contrary to the truth revealed through the pages of inspiration.

I have seen error taught through e-mail and blog postings on the subjects of marriage/divorce/remarriage, polygamy, fornication, and instrumental music, among other things. A man in Texas teaches that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (before the cross) do not belong in the New Testament. This doctrine is sometimes referred to as “MMLJBC.” In a seven-month period, I received at least 30 e-mails promoting this false doctrine which is sadly influencing some in the Lord’s church.

There are others who teach that we should practice full fellowship with false denominational groups, or that the Holy Spirit operates directly on the heart of the saint without the medium of the Word, or that Christians are not under law of any kind. Such teachings may be branded as “hobbies” by some, but that is really putting it too lightly. They are not “hobbies”—they are false doctrines, and they must be rejected since they are not taught in God’s Word.

“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-7). May we be noble as the Bereans, who “received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).

Articles

Using the Word to Overcome Temptation

December 7, 2016 JT Leave a comment

The Psalmist wrote, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” A good friend and brother posted a saying on Facebook: “This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book.” We must know what is in God’s Word to do His will, but it also protects us from violating His will.

If we can identify those things that tempt us most, we can better prepare ourselves to deal with situations as they arise. Consider the following temptations, and a few passages that might help Christians remain pure. Memorize the Scriptures that will help you fight temptations you face, or if you struggle with memorization, write them down on an index card and keep them in your purse or wallet.

Pornography: Psalm 101:3, “I will set nothing wicked before my eyes.”

Foul language/dirty jokes: Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

Laziness: Proverbs 13:4, “The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.”

Greed/materialism: 1 Timothy 6:6-10, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

Pride/selfishness: Philippians 2:3, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”

Worldliness/idolatry: Colossians 3:1-2, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Bad attitude at work: Colossians 3:23-24, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”

Racism/sexism: Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Disobeying God: John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

Disobeying parents: Ephesians 6:1, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”

Disobeying the elders: Hebrews 13:17, “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”

Envy: Proverbs 23:17, “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day.”

Apathy: 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

You may not struggle with any of these temptations, but there is something that keeps gnawing at you, trying to pull you away from God. Be honest with yourself, know yourself, and identify that temptation. Then discover how God has equipped you to deal with it through His Word.

Sermon Outlines

Stand and Fight

December 6, 2016 JT Leave a comment

2 Samuel 23:11-12

I. Shammah Stood His Ground

II. Shammah Fought and Defended the Land

III. The Lord Brings the Victory

But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. (Acts 8:12)