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Birdwell Lane Church of Christ Big Spring, TX |
Weekly Thoughts - August 2007
| <---- July 2007 | -- | September 2007 ----> |
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05 - BUILDING A DYNAMIC FORCE FOR GOD 12 - I WANT A CHURCH THAT MEETS MY NEEDS 19 - FATHERS, CHOOSE WHOM YOU WILL SERVE TODAY 26 - IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE SAVED AND NOT BE A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH? |
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BUILDING A DYNAMIC FORCE FOR GOD "... and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matt. 16:18) Many are deserting the church today. Folks are screaming, "Jesus yes; the church no." Moralists are declaring they want Christianity and not churchanity. Liberals are relegating the church to the museum, declaring that established religion is passe and out of touch with contemporary needs of our time. Some brethren are pleading for a restructured church. Thank God, Jesus stood by His church in these words: "... the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." While many are knocking the church - we must build it! The place to begin is at the local level. The local church is the best thing to which a person can give his life. We must join partnership with Christ in building the congregation of God. The local church is the gathered people of God. (1 Cor. 1:2) By their own volition saints are to voluntarily associate themselves together for mutual worship, fellowship, proclamation, teaching and ministry of benevolence. All Christianity gravitates to the local church. We can never love the church universal until we love it LOCAL. (Acts 14:23, Phil. 1:1; 1 Peter 5:1-3) The local church is to be a dynamic force for God in a sin-ridden world. Within a new climate of love, fellowship and unity, renewed people are to bless God, others and their lives. The local base is a LIGHT HOUSE to illuminate the path of those lost (Isa. 2:4); it is a HOSPITAL for broken and sinful men (Lk. 19:10); it is a REHABILITATION CENTER for those made invalid by iniquity (Acts 20:32); it is an INTENSIVE CARE UNIT for those fighting for their life (Rom 15:1-2); it is a FRATERNITY HOUSE for those seeking an incendiary fellowship (Acts 4:32); and it is an ARMORY where troops train for active duty. The church; our life: our love; our all. No wonder Jesus threw His protective wings over her: ... the gates of hell shall not prevail against her. While many criticize her, some despise her and others have abandoned her - I stand by her. I owe her my life and my love. While it would be a place of distinction to serve as the head of a school, editor of a paper, president of a bank, or president of a board - I would rather be a local preacher. It is the greatest place to serve in the world! If I had a thousand lives to live, I would rather be a speaker in the house of God, than a speaker in the house of Representatives; I'd rather be a foot-soldier of the cross than Commander-in-Chief of all our U.S. forces. I am standing by the church because I want to stand with Jesus. See ya Sunday, Ralph |
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I WANT A CHURCH THAT MEETS MY NEEDS The statement made in the title is not only the desire of many in the religious world, but is becoming the philosophy of many Christians, because many of us are seeking a religion that "meets our needs." The phrase itself has virtually become a new religious term. Many persons praise or blame a particular congregation because it is or is not "meeting my needs." Let me hasten to say that if the phrase means that we need to satisfy spiritual hunger, then it is a good expression, for surely everyone ought to be in a Christian community where his/her deepest spiritual longings are being addressed. The voice of God needs to be heard through spiritual teaching, and we need opportunities to serve, love and be called to repentance. But being a part of the church to some means reaching for goals of "self-actualization." So if the church doesn't fulfill certain expectations, wants and preferences, they must move on to another emotional department store with different merchandise more appealing to their "tastes." Sadly, and probably without realizing it, many congregations have gotten into thinking that "we have to do all these things and plan all the activities to meet people's needs so they won't leave." Consequently, well-meaning leaders have turned God's church into a merchandising institution. So we promote this program and that program for this group and that group. But, in my judgment, the system has become turned upside down from the way God intended it to be. Whatever happened to the attitude in a Christian's heart of "I'd like to be a part of this congregation because of what I can do to meet its needs?" When are we most fulfilled? When our needs are met, or when we meet the needs of God's church on this earth? We ought to be a part of a congregation not so our needs can be met, but rather so we may best meet the needs of God's work. Christians need to recall the Truth of the scriptures that personal fulfillment is a great spiritual paradox. We are most filled when we empty ourselves and be filled serving others. Jesus taught us, "…whosever will be great among you, let him be your minister (servant)…even as the son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister (serve)" (Matthew 20:26-28). Paul said of his own heart, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). And again, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1). "Reasonable service" is not being served (having your needs met) but serving (meeting the needs of others). We need to relearn the axiom, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). Let's not demand that God's church be a place where people (leadership or membership) cater to our desires and preferences. Let's turn it right side up again and be a part of a congregation, not for what it can do for us, but for what we can do for it! William Woodson |
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FATHERS, CHOOSE WHOM YOU WILL SERVE TODAY
No one would be kinder or braver than he, tomorrow. A friend who was troubled and weary he knew Who would be glad of a lift and needed it too, On him he was calling to see what he could do, tomorrow. Each morning he would stack the letters he would write tomorrow. He thought of all the folks he would fill with delight tomorrow. It was too bad he was busy today, And he had not a minute to stop on his way, “More time I have to give to others,” he would say, tomorrow. The greatest of workers the man would have been, tomorrow. The world would have known him had he ever seen tomorrow. But in fact, he faded from view And all that he left when his leaving was through Was a mountain of things that he intended to do tomorrow. The powerful book of Joshua ends with a bold challenge to each of us. Let us determine to serve God TODAY. See ya Sunday, Ralph |
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IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE SAVED AND NOT BE A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH? Oftentimes the question is raised: “Is it possible to be saved and not be a member of the church?” This question deserves careful consideration. In this short article, I mean by the “church”, the Lord’s church. The church which is identical in name, practice and organization with the church which you can read about in the New Testament! I am not referring to religious bodies which have been founded by men. By the expression “saved” I mean forgiven of past sins, redeemed, that one has become a child of God. Many people think that they can be saved outside the church as well as in it – that they can be Christians outside as well as in the church. They reason that as long as they are good neighbors, good husbands or wives, good parents that all is well. But what does the scriptures say concerning this question? We can find God’s answer in the Bible! In that book He has given unto us all things which pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Now, let’s consider this question in the light of the word of God. If One Can Be Saved Outside The Church As Well As In It Then: One can be saved as a rebel against God! Jesus is now “…the King of kings, and Lord of lords…” (1 Timothy 6:15). Jesus is now reigning (1 Cor. 15:25). All who submit to Him come into His kingdom! (John 3:5). When people submit to King Jesus by obeying the gospel, they are “translated” from Satan’s kingdom to the kingdom of God’s dear Son! If one can be saved outside the church, then one can be saved in Satan’s kingdom, a rebel against God! But such is impossible. If one can be saved without the blood of Christ. Jesus purchased the church “…with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). Christians are redeemed by Jesus’ precious blood (1 Peter 1:18-19). Christ gave His life and His blood for the church (Ephesians 5:25. None can be saved without His blood, but none can be saved by His blood without coming into the church! If we can be saved outside the body of Christ, which is the church (Col 1:18), then we can be saved without the savior of that body in Christ. Jesus is the savior of that body. As Christ is also the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body (Eph. 5:23), then how can one be saved outside of that which Christ saves? He cannot! There’s no promise of salvation outside the body of Christ, the church. Christ purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). How may we be beneficiaries of his precious blood? By being in the church – and being faithful. When we are saved by His blood, the Lord adds us to His church. “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47). Salvation is in Christ. But to be in Christ is the same as being in His church” (Col. 1:24). To enjoy salvation, we must be in Christ, but to be in Christ is to be in the church. Therefore, there is no salvation outside the Lord’s church! If it’s possible to be saved outside the church of the Lord, then it’s possible to be saved without being a part of the saved! Which conclusion is absurd! One must be a member of the church of the Lord to be saved. See ya Sunday, Ralph |
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