Grow, Grow & Grow

As we see a newborn child begin to grow and develop, we know they often shout with a constant desire to be fed. Peter declares that we should have that same constant longing for God’s Word. It is that which supplies our spiritual growth in Christ. In Peter’s second letter, he would end with the command for our growth: “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Our strong desire and constant longing should be to grow. To grow spiritually, one will need “the sincere (pure) milk of the word.” It is that same word of the gospel “that liveth and abideth forever” (1 Peter 1:23).

~Wayne Rodgers

THE OLD BIBLE

By Nathan Franson

There is a poem written by Myra Brooks Welch titled The Old Violin that describes the fate of an old violin up for auction:

'Twas battered and scarred,
 And the auctioneer thought it
hardly worth his while
 To waste his time on the old violin,
 but he held it up with a smile."What am I bid, good people", he cried,
 "Who starts the bidding for me?"
 "One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"
 "Two dollars, who makes it three?"
 "Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three,"But, No,
 From the room far back a gray bearded man
 Came forward and picked up the bow,
 Then wiping the dust from the old violin
 And tightening up the strings,
 He played a melody, pure and sweet
 As sweet as the angel sings.The music ceased and the auctioneer
 With a voice that was quiet and low,
 Said, "What now am I bid for this old violin?"
 As he held it aloft with its' bow."One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?"
 "Two thousand, Who makes it three?"
 "Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
 Going and gone", said he.The audience cheered,
 But some of them cried,
 "We just don't understand."
 "What changed its' worth?"
 Swift came the reply.
 "The Touch of the Masters Hand.""And many a man with life out of tune
 All battered and bruised with hardship
 Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
 Much like that old violinA mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
 A game and he travels on.
 He is going once, he is going twice,
 He is going and almost gone.But the Master comes,
 And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
 The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
 By the Touch of the Masters' Hand.

In the mind of the casual observer the violin was a tattered and dusty instrument that had obviously been used many times over the years.  On the surface it was not attractive by any means. Then something remarkable was realized. The instrument’s worth significantly swelled when used for how it was purposed. How could anyone have overlooked this remarkable piece?

How often are people so distracted by the appearance of something that they fail to really see its value? While listening to a preacher one day, I noticed the old Bible that he used. The cover was worn, the binding was weak, a number of pages were ripped in addition to the writing scribbled on each of them. As he opened it, he suggested how maybe it was time to retire and replace “this old bible.”  If only he could have seen the value of what he held through the eyes of the students in front of him.    

Its tired condition came from years of being carried around and used by a Gospel preacher.  Its binding was weak from the countless times it had been opened.  Its pages were ripped from being handled, examined, and turned many times over; and all of the “scribbling” were notes from thorough study and annotations from the many sermons by other great preachers of the word. How many times had it been read and its content closely analyzed? How many sermons and bible studies had been conducted using it? How many souls had been saved while turning to the applicable passages within its exhausted body? 

What is the value of a bible?  For some it may be the new expensive edition with the fancy goatskin cover. For others it may be the one with the extended concordance and all the charts. Or maybe, it is the one whose owner appreciates it enough to realize that “the old bible” is worth the most when it is used.

Nathan’s Bio: Nathan Franson has been preaching for the church of Christ in Kissimmee, Florida since June, 2009.   He is a graduate of the Memphis School of Preaching.  Prior to preaching he lived in Los Angeles, California working as a special makeup effects artist in the motion picture and theatre industry.  He grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah where he spent his first twenty years in the Mormon Church before studying his way out and has taught and written much about their religion.  He has spoken at gospel meetings, lectureships, and has written numerous articles along with a tract. He currently lives in Orlando with his wife, Katy and son, Micah.

Links:

www.mormonstudy.net

www.kissimmeecofc.org

A SUMMER BLOG SERIES

Coming Soon!  A different kind of "Summer Series." 

A "Summer Blog Series"

We are going to feature a different 

author each day in the month of July.  

Check back soon for more details 

and each day of July for a new article.

Check out the Gulf Breeze church of Christ website: http://gulfbreezechurchofchrist.org 

Ye are the salt of the earth:but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16, KJV)

Be Careful What You Say (Text, Post, Comment, Share, etc.)

This past week’s news revealed a story about a man who’s text cost him $53,000!  Wow!  We might want to pay attention to what we say, type, text, comment, or reveal to others. The article as posted by Tero Kuittinen on Apr. 10, 2014 on http://bgr.com/2014/04/10/text-message-evidence-court-law/ reads as follows: 

One careless text message ended up costing a Buffalo, NY-area man $53,000, Buffalo News reported earlier this week. Louis J. Billittier Jr. dumped his fiancee with a terse text message, breaking off the engagement. Apparently trying to calm down the situation, he then sent a fateful text: “Plus you get a $50,000 parting ring. Enough for a down payment on a house.” Each of those 90 characters ended up having a price tag of roughly $600. 

New York state law usually sides with men, giving them the right to demand back an engagement ring if a wedding never takes place. But the man’s text message using the term “parting ring” term seemed to clearly indicate that his former fiancee is entitled to keep the 2.97-carat diamond ring. 

When the man changed his mind and started demanding return of the ring, the damage was already done. 

“The text messages … have persuaded this court that it is highly probable that a valid gift was given to her after the engagement was terminated” noted State Supreme Court Justice Russell P. Buscaglia, the judge presiding over the civil case.

Our words should be truth. The Bible plainly teaches that our words mean something: our “yes” should be “yes” and our “no” should be “no.” (Matthew 5:37). In other words, we should mean what we say or even what we text as it were the case mentioned above. This is a difficult lesson to learn and sometimes a costly one.

Our words should be those which would edify, encourage, strengthen, and teach. This includes our words spoken or texted even our posts or comments on social media and shared posts. Too often our forms of communication are used in tearing individuals down. Paul wrote: 

Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet- smelling aroma (Ephesians 4:25-5:2, NKJV).

Our words should be pleasant and influencing for good. Paul spoke of “speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15) and that we are to “walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:5-6, NKJV).

Again, this includes our words spoken, texted, emailed, posts and comments made on social media sites. It is an unfortunate side effect of texting and social media that we have come to believe that just because we are not face to face with someone that we can say whatever we want with no consequences. But, that is just not the case! Some folks even take on a completely different personas behind the cloak of their phones and computers. There are however still those who do not even need to hide behind a computer and still say whatever they want to say having no concern for the feelings of those with whom they communicate.

So, whether our words are spoken, written, typed, texted, posted, or shared publicly or privately let us remember who we are and what we are.

“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” (Matthew 5:13-16, NKJV).

Teaching His Truth In Love

In the letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul writes of unity based on a platform of seven “ones” (Eph. 4:1-6) and the purpose and length of spiritual gifts (vs. 7-16) for the benefit of the early church in its work.  In verse fifteen, we find a passage coupling the idea of truth and love together.  “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

Ephesians 4:15

While the phrase “speaking the truth” is found in the original to be “truthing in love,” it is the opposite of what is found by deceivers lying in wait (v. 14).  “Truthing in love” brings forth the idea that not only what we speak, but how we deal with one another as Christians is important to God.  In verse fifteen, the apostle Paul joins Truth and Love together.  There have been plenty of examples where truth without love & compassion for a soul has been expressed with a harshness that has left the hearer (whether a Christian or not) repelled, revolted, and now “hell-bound” as a result.  On the other hand, there have certainly been instances where because of love (so-called) trying not to hurt one’s feelings, the truth was never stated, taught, preached, or even seen in example.  Both extremes should be avoided and a healthy balance should be sought.  

Near the end of this chapter, Paul writes: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (v. 29).  Paul continues to admonish his readers with: “and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (v. 32).

In the next chapter, Paul sums up his thoughts and writes: “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love...”  So, not only our speaking, but our walking must be coupled together with love.  We do so for the spiritual maturing of the church, as well to be a “sweet-smelling savour” unto God.

~Wayne Rodgers