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Birdwell Lane Church of Christ Big Spring, TX |
Weekly Thoughts - April 2008
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06 - AN EVANGELISTIC CHURCH 13 - WHAT A GREAT MEETING 20 - ARE YOU IDLE? 27 - SOUL WINNING – THE REAL WORK OF THE CHURCH |
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AN EVANGELISTIC CHURCH We are told one of the characteristics of the early church in Acts 6:7, Ánd the word of God increased and the number of disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly." Thus, the early church was an evangelistic and growing church. This is a characteristic which the church can and should have today. A church can be evangelistic if it has evangelistic leadership. The apostle Paul did not ordain elders in the churches to stop them from growing. Elders are not to hinder good works, but to encourage them. Likewise, preachers need to spend a great deal of time exhorting the brethren to good works instead of discouraging them. Please pray that I do this here at Birdwell. A climate for church growth can occur when we think positive towards evangelism. The following are attitudes we all need to strive for:
See ya Sunday, Ralph |
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WHAT A GREAT MEETING Our meeting with Brother Ted Kell has only tonight to go but what a meeting it has been. The Sunday attendance was great. The congregation is to be commended for their support and attendance. Visitors have come out to support the effort and to encourage all of us. Ted has done a masterful job of teaching and encouraging through his preaching. He has also encouraged us at the noon devotionals to continue steadfastly in our Christian walk. Attendance at all three services Sunday were exceptionally well attended. Monday and Tuesday evenings were also well attended. All of us were enriched by being there to hear what our brother had to say about growing steadily in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thanks go out to you who have provided meals for Ted both lunch and dinner. To you who have been at each service, your commitment to this effort is an encouragement to all of us. We have only tonight left before this effort becomes history as I write this article. My prayer is that this will be a meeting which we will always remember as a turning point in the work here at Birdwell Lane. If it is it will be because you as a congregation have faithfully supported our effort and in doing so have shown your love, faith and labor in Christ Jesus our Lord. Thanks again!!! See ya Sunday, Ralph |
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ARE YOU IDLE? In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus taught the great lesson that service for the Savior will result in rewards from the Redeemer. However, like so many lessons of our Lord, a second point stands out about idleness. The sad part of the story is that this one needed workers and went out five times in one day and found men idle! Jesus said the Kingdom would be like that (verse 1). There are cases where Jesus said "The Kingdom of heaven is like" this or that in which we may wonder exactly what He meant. But, when He said it would be like a case where much work was needed and many were standing about doing nothing, that I understand! Examine any congregation and you can see that. There are those outside of the Kingdom who attend almost every service but render no spiritual service to society. When the invitation of Christ is extended, they turn down the opportunity to break the spell of their spiritual idleness. Yet, so many workers are needed! This is sad and surely will result in no reward at the end of the day. WHAT DOES JESUS SEE IN YOU? A teacher of Truth? A song leader? A personal worker? One who helps in the church office? A "refresher" like Onesiphorus? A reliever of distress like the good Samaritan? What does He see. There is so much to be done that each member should avoid that brand of idleness where he or she could be serving better. Give your best to the Master by activating yourself in the phase of His work best suited to you. Be busy at your best, my brother! Inflict a fatal would on idleness. See ya Sunday, Ralph |
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SOUL WINNING – THE REAL WORK OF THE CHURCH The greatest need in the church today is that of SOUL WINNING. The church needs people who are willing to talk about Christ and His gospel. However, the kind of passion for souls as displayed by first century Christians seems to be completely lacking in most congregations today. “And every day, in the temple and at home, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus as the Christ.” (Acts 5:42). The early church was involved in a daily evangelism. They “ceased not” to teach and preach Jesus as the Christ. Even when persecution came upon the church, “they therefore that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.” (Acts 8:4). Somehow, we have misplaced our values. It seems that many are more interested in impressing people than implanting principles. Some, it seems, are afraid of offending folks with plain talk about the commands of the gospel. We must, however, get our values in proper perspective. NOTHING is more valuable than a soul. (Matt. 16:26). Our personal popularity is worthless compared to the soul of a friend or relative. Jesus was not running a popularity contest and neither must we! We need to overcome fear and discouragement through constant prayer and persistent effort. Realizing the urgency and importance of soul winning, let us not hesitate to speak to others concerning their need of salvation. SOUL WINNING IS THE REAL WORK OF THE CHURCH. See ya Sunday, Ralph |
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