I enjoy the snow, but I do not enjoy it coming on the weekend, especially on Sunday when people are not able to get out or make it to the church building safely. Many places in our area cancelled services Sunday morning. The first person here Sunday morning was Everett. We had 58 present which was a good crowd considering the weather and the contribution was exceptional. I realize that it was for the work in Haiti, but to have almost twelve thousand dollars given for that work speaks volumes about your concern for people throughout the world. I have no doubt that a few gave the majority of that amount, but if you gave one dollar more than usual, you are to be commended. Thank you for being so generous. There were some of you who wanted to give to help with this relief effort that were not able to be here Sunday. I am sure that we can make some arrangement to see that your gift gets to the appropriate place. My understanding is that the Estes church of Christ in Henderson Tennessee is sending a different crew every week to help with this effort. We are sending our gifts and support to them.
Also want to express a special thanks to those who helped shovel the sidewalk and driveways to make it safer for people to get here Sunday morning. Those who helped were Zac Cole, Billy Halliburton, Glen Reece and Jimmy Smith. It was cold, but the fellowship was enjoyable. I appreciate those who helped.
The young men conducted the services Sunday night and did an excellent job. Kaleb Bush and Glen Reece spoke and both of them presented lessons that were very thought provoking. Addison Halliburton also lead singing and helped with communion. Some of us Òolder folksÓ helped with the rest.
Several of you have commented about the front-page article in the Tennessean this past Sunday about the LordÕs church. You have to realize that for years they have used every opportunity to attack the church. It should not surprise us. Some of the congregations listed should remove the name church of Christ. I will try to deal with a few of the comments made in our lesson Sunday morning.
THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT Ñ THE WORD OF GOD
The apostle Paul vividly describes the Christian's armor: "Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:13-17). It is God's inspired, infallible, inerrant Word that we want to consider in this study. The Word of God is important and essential to one who desires to go to Heaven. Without a complete and sufficient guide, man is doomed to find his way to Heaven. God's faithful prophet, Jeremiah, said, "O Jehovah, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23). The Holy Scriptures are such a guide or roadmap. The apostle Paul says, "Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Jesus Christ is our example (1 Peter 2:21), and He effectively used the "sword of the Spirit" when tempted by the devil. Satan wanted Christ to demonstrate His power by turning stones into bread, but the Lord rightly answered, "...It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). Keep in mind that the Lord's answer is a long established principle! Long ago Moses stated, "And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by everything that proceedeth out of the mouth of Jehovah doth man live" (Deuteronomy 8:3). Mark it down well Ñ the sword of the Spirit will not fail one today!
While it is true that man must have bread in order to survive, it is equally true that "bread alone" indicates that one is dead while he lives! Jesus was extremely popular with the masses after feeding the five thousand (Matthew 14), but when He refused to be a mere "bread Messiah" the number of followers dwindled considerably. Those today who refuse to supply man with his "felt needs" while feeding him spiritual bread will also grow smaller in number. The faithful, however, will stand where Jesus stood and say, "For the bread of God is that which cometh down out of heaven, and giveth life unto the world"(John 6:33).
It is not that the Lord is not conscious of our physical needs. He is! But He also knows that man's greatest problem is not physical starvation or poverty Ñ man's greatest problem is sin. In fact, the more material things some folks have, the greater the probability they will forsake following the Word of God. The Lord's statement in Matthew 16:26 must not be forgotten: "For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? or what shall a man give in exchange for his life?" There is something far more important and precious than the "bread of the world" which is here today and gone tomorrow.
Let us now reflect again on the statement Jesus made in Matthew 4:4: "...It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Emp MLW). Many people in this world believe some of what Jesus teaches in the Holy Scriptures. Most people readily admit, however, that they do not necessarily believe all that the Bible teaches. Please make special note of "every word" as recorded in Matthew 4:4. Jesus did not teach that man will live by some words, most words, or a few words, but by "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
The Bible is not a "pick and choose book" whereby one can accept one verse of Scripture and reject another verse of Scripture. Listen to the Lord as He says, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:48). Again, Christ declares, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say" (Luke 6:46)? Christ is not the ruler of the one who adamantly refuses to do what the Lord says one must do to be His follower.
It will not be a tomahawk, a Colt .45, a cruise missile, or a nuclear warhead that gets us to Heaven. If Heaven is to be the home of our soul it will be because we were familiar with and effectively used the "sword of the Spirit" every day of our journey through this foreign land. May we hunger after "spiritual bread" and remember that the only citizenship that matters is located in Heaven (Philippians 3:21).
--Marvin
L. Weir, www.gospelpreceptor.com
The Church, What the World Can Never Be
The church is the society that the world wants and tries to be, but never can be.
In the church selfless love is typical, standard, normal. In the world it is the exception that makes headlines.
In the church Christians treat each other equally, as brothers. There is respect and equality. In the world men are judged by their skin, their clothes, their bank accounts, their homes and origins.
In the church justice and right-doing exemplify daily interaction. The world fails miserably to provide justice and approves of shameful behavior.
In the church mercy takes up where justice leaves off. Forgiveness is given freely. The world is harsh and unforgiving.
In the church service is the hallmark of the saints. The little ones are taken care of. In the world people elbow others out on the way to the top, and the elite, rich and powerful make the headlines.
In the church is joy of life and joy at the coming of the Lord. Circumstances cannot affect the church's mood. The world is a somber place punctuated by parties and temporary fixes.
In the church peace reigns, because disciples of Christ give preference to one another. The world has never seen a day without war and conflict.
The church is the community the world will never be because of its Governor and King. He is the one who makes all the difference between the church and the world.
"And the church is his body; it is filled by Christ, who fills everything everywhere with his presence" ( Eph 1:23 NLT).
-- J. Randal Matheny (Jan. 18,
2010), forthright.com