Category: Reflections Articles
Articles printed in the weekly bulletin of the West Side church of Christ
God’s Imperative
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
Paul speaks of many wonderful and important things in the first three verses of this wonderful chapter. He refers to the important sign of tongue speaking. He writes of inspired prophecy. He mentions faith and generous acts of benevolence. He refers even to martyrdom, the supreme sacrifice of life for God. Then he says that without love, none of these things have value.
Compliments from Christ
My son Jeremiah preached a lesson with this title a few weeks ago. This article basically takes his outline, and puts a portion of it in article form. The points made are worthy of consideration.
Everyone enjoys being complimented, but the value of a compliment is very much dependent upon the person who is giving it. A compliment from a wicked man would mean little, as would one that comes from insincere flattery. However, if a compliment were to come from the Lord Himself, that would truly be a great honor. So, consider the following individuals, and the compliments they received from the Lord. If the Lord complimented them, we know that if we do or are the same, we will please Him as well!
The Genuineness of Nathanael
“Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, ‘Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!’” (John 1:47). Consider Jesus’ description of the man, “an Israelite indeed…” This distinguishes between a merely physical lineage (born a Jew), and one who is truly faithful to the law of Moses, seeking to serve God. “For they are not all Israel who are of Israel” (Romans 9:6).
Consider Your Ways
“In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying, ‘Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying: “This people says, ‘The time has not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built’”’” (Haggai 1:1-2).
Consider this people who determined to place their own concerns above the desires of God. We look askance at their unwillingness to orient their priorities appropriately. But, are we guilty of the same? God wants us to do His work today, just as he wanted Judah to be about His business during the days of the prophet Haggai. And, so many of us can be guilty of the same attitude expressed in our text. “The time has not come…”
The Origin and Composition of the Bible
The Bible, from the Greek biblia (the books), is a library of 66 volumes of various lengths. The 39 Old Testament volumes were written over a period spanning 900-1,000 years, from about 1400 B.C. to 500 B.C. The New Testament consists of books and letters written in a 50 year period, from about 50 A.D. to 100 A.D.
Since these books were written by numerous authors over many centuries, they were not immediately gathered into the single volume we enjoy today. The compiling of the Bible took time. To understand how it came about, we need to discuss an important innovation of the first century called the codex. (Actually, we don’t know exactly when the codex came into use, though many scholars believe that it was around 90 A.D.).
Treating Symptoms
The latest mass shooting hit me a bit close to home. I was born in Lubbock, but was raised in Odessa, TX. I am a graduate of Odessa High School, where I met my wife. Our wedding was held at the West 22nd Street church building, just down the street from the elementary school I attended as a child.
We have a big problem in our nation. Gun violence is disturbingly common. It is, however, one of the most visible symptoms of a much deeper societal problem. Politicians are seeking solutions, but don’t seem to have a willingness to acknowledge the underlying disease that has afflicted our people. Perhaps it is time to turn to scripture for a true cure, rather than seeking merely to treat the symptoms of our broken nation.
Is It Possible?
When the question is asked, “Can the Bible be God’s inspired word?”, the simple answer is, “Yes!” As has been previously noted, the concept of inspiration presupposes the existence of God. While it is not the purview of this study to argue God’s existence, we agree with Paul’s contention, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead” (Romans 1:20). As the Psalmist testified, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). The contention of scripture and those who believe it is that the very existence of the universe demands the hand of a divine Designer. If an omnipotent and omniscient God exists, then nothing could preclude Him sharing His will with man through any means He chooses. This truth is axiomatic.
The Wise and the Foolish
Listening to the radio last week, the sports commentator was discussing a coach’s evaluation of one of his rookie players. He noted that the young man was very smart and teachable. He mentioned that this player seldom made the same mistake twice, and he never had to correct him more than once. Because of this aspect of his character, the coach was confident that the player would have a successful career as a professional.
The conversation brought to my mind the words of Proverbs 17:10, “Rebuke is more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows on a fool.” With each of us there is the potential for mistakes. These may come from ignorance, or perhaps because we have been taught wrongly in the past. What distinguishes the wise man from the fool is whether correction is accepted.
The Bible
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The Bible is a familiar book to many. It is actually a library of 66 different books, 39 of them in what has been designated the Old Testament, 27 of them in the New Testament. There are books of history, law, poetry and prophecy, as well as gospels (volumes of “good news”) about Jesus Christ, and letters, both private, and public in nature. The Old Testament is a foundational text of the religion of Judaism. The entirety of the Bible is respected by those who call themselves Christians.
Spiritual Surgery
Recently I came across a sermon outline by Joe Price titled Spiritual Surgery. (He preached it a couple of months ago). This article is basically a fleshing out of the three main points in his outline.
The apostle Paul, in Colossians 2, refers to a spiritual circumcision, using the token of the covenant between God and Israel to make an important point. “In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (2:11-12).
As physical circumcision was surgical removal (a cutting off, cf. Genesis 17:10-11; Galatians 5:12). Paul uses the same language to indicate they were to remove or put off the body of the sins of the flesh. This was not an unfamiliar concept to the Jews. In fact, Moses said something similar as he called upon the Israelites to repent of their transgressions against God in Deuteronomy 10:16, “Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.”
The Lord’s Supper
In 1991 Paul Sain published a book entitled Ready Reference for Growing Christians. A more concise, pocket edition was printed in 1997, of which I have a copy. It contains facts and scriptures on 100 Biblical subjects, one of which is titled, A Few Biblical Facts about the Lord’s Supper. This article is basically a copy of that outline, with a few scripture snippets and comments interspersed with the original material by brother Sain.
Scripture References
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Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:17-26; Luke 22:14-23; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29; 1 Corinthians 10:16-21
A Vital Church Grows
My copy of the New King James version contains paragraph headings. Sometimes they accurately describe the paragraph following, sometimes less so. I really like the heading placed before Acts 2:40-47:
“A Vital Church Grows”
Here Luke described the early days of the Lord’s church. Jesus told His disciples it would come in glory and power, and on Pentecost it certainly did! Peter and the other apostles, inspired by the Holy Spirit, preached the gospel message for the first time in mankind’s history. On that very day, in that very place, the promise of our Lord, “and on this rock I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18) was fulfilled. Three thousand souls were saved that day (Acts 2:41), and as the days progressed the gospel message retained its power. “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).
Jesus: An Example in Sacrifice
The apostle Peter calls upon Christians to follow the example of our Lord. “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). Paul agreed, encouraging the Corinthians, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Peter’s words specifically refer to the suffering of Jesus, as our sacrifice for sin. He did not revile in response when mistreated; He did not threaten; He bore our sins in His own body; He healed us by His own stripes.
As we contemplate the sacrifice of Jesus, it serves as a wonderful example for us to emulate, as His disciples. Consider the following points:
When Truth Doesn’t Match Conviction
This past week the Mueller report was submitted, and the Attorney General of the United States revealed that the report exonerates the President from the charge of criminal conspiracy to collude with Russia in the 2016 election. For the last two years many leaders in the opposition party were convinced that the President was guilty. Now that the report has been released, recommending no indictments, many continue to believe in his guilt.
The purpose of this article is not politics. I am aware that many want to see the report before making any final decisions, and that others will not be satisfied until they not only see the report, but the mountain of documents upon which it is based. My point is that many will stubbornly hold to their personal conviction regardless of what is actually so. And this tendency is not limited to a particular political party, or even politics itself.
The Thessalonian Example
The apostle Paul obviously considered the church in Thessalonica to be a faithful congregation. “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-4). They had received the gospel of the Lord from Paul and others, and through their obedience to it had become “examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe” (1:7).
The concept of faithfulness is married to an acceptance of truth, coupled with an effort to conform to it. Consider Paul’s description of the Christians in Thessalonica, “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus” (1:13-14).
“Lord, teach us to pray”
In Luke 11, one of the Lord’s disciples made this request, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples” (1). This is the only time recorded in the gospels where a disciple ever requested teaching on a specific subject, though the disciples often did ask Jesus for further explanation when confused about the Master’s words. This request was commendable, and Jesus honored it.
