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).

Hope in Christ

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,  “therefore I will hope in him." (Lam. 3:22-24, ESV)

Hope is seen even in Judah's worst moments.  Jeremiah reminded them and us that "the Lord's love never ceases…"

The prophets words remind us to trust in God because "The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him" (Lam. 3:25, ESV). 

Are you one who is seeking?  Jesus says, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened" (Matthew 7:7-8, KJV).

The Lord has provided “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3, KJV).  He has provided salvation (Matthew 1:21; John 3:16-17; Hebrews 5:8-9), redemption (Romans 3:24; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 1:7), sanctification (1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:13), and justification & peace with God (Romans 4:25; 5:1, 16, 18).

What Jesus has provided is HOPE for all mankind – a faithful expectation.

Paul speaks of this hope to Christians at Rome:

Romans 5:1-2, ESV “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Romans 8:24-25, ESV “For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”

Jesus Christ is the “hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27, KJV).  He provides all that we ask and seek. The prophet Jeremiah said “the Lord is good to those who wait for him and to the soul who seeks him.”  May we ever study and come to know Jesus Christ as our Savior.

Jesus said that we must believe in Him (John 8:24), repent of our sins (Luke 13:3), confess our faith in Him before others (Matthew 10:32-33), be baptized for our salvation (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 22:16), and ever live faithfully to Him (Matthew 10:22; Revelation 2:10).  For this is God’s plan of Salvation and the only HOPE for the world (John 14:6).

~Wayne Rodgers

The Precious Blood Of Christ

Redemption is defined as the act of delivering from sin or saving from; Repayment of the principal amount of a debt or security at or before maturity; the act of purchasing back something previously sold.[i]  Josh McDowell wrote: “If Jesus Christ was who He claimed to be, and He did die on a cross at a point of time in history, then, for all history past and all history future it is relevant because that is the very focal point for forgiveness and redemption.”[ii] The apostle Peter wrote:

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (1 Peter 1:18-25).[iii]

As Peter unfolds by inspiration that which is most “precious” when it comes to our redemption, we are reminded: that it is not with “corruptible things” (v. 18), that it was planned before the foundation of the world (v. 20), that it is found in the Gospel (v. 21), that in it souls are purified (v. 22), and that we are born again of incorruptible seed, the word of God (v. 23-25).  Let us consider verse nineteen of this passage noticing the precious blood of Christ.

PRECIOUS

Thayer defines “precious” as that which is of great price, held in honor, esteemed, held especially dear.  Consider its use in scripture: “There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat” (Matthew 26:7), “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.  Behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it…” (James 5:7).

The apostle Peter speaks in chapter two of Christ as “chosen of God, and precious” (2:4) and as the “chief corner stone, elect, precious…” (2:6).  In Second Peter, Peter wrote of the Christian’s “like precious faith” (2 Peter 1:1).

As the definition indicates something of a great price, consider the great price of the church.  Luke wrote: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28).  The church is held in high honor, esteemed, and held especially dear because of the great price which was paid: The Son’s Blood!

BLOOD

Why blood?  While most cringe at the mere thought of it, few like to speak of it.  Yet, it is vital for atonement.  The closest literal meaning from the origin of the word means: “AT – ONE”.  This idea is seen in both testaments:

Exodus 32:30 “And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.”

Leviticus 1:4 “And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.”

Leviticus 9:7 “And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded.”

Though the English word “atonement” is not found in our New Testaments in the KJV, it is seen in the word “reconciliation” of Romans 5:11 - “More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”  It is also seen throughout New Testament teaching in the following verses:

Hebrews 10:4 “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.”

1 John 1:6-10 “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

Revelation 1:5 “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.”

Not just any blood will do!  Not mine, not yours, not an animal’s…only that of Christ.  The Hebrews’ writer spends a great deal of time dealing with this subject under the theme of “the blood of Christ is better” (Hebrews 9:6-14).

OF CHRIST

The designation of “Christ” occurs 522 in the KJV denoting that Jesus was anointed or consecrated to His great redemptive work as Prophet, Priest, and King of His people.[iv]  Jesus of Nazareth was proved to be the Christ.  John the Baptizer spoke of Jesus as “the true Light”, the “Word made flesh”, “one preferred”, and “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world” (John 1:6-29).

Jesus spoke of himself: “While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions” (Matthew 22:41-46).

Peter spoke of the Christ answering Jesus: “thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16), and his entire sermon on the day of Pentecost was concerning the Christ: “Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you…” (Acts 2:22).  Peter went on to say:

“Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses” (Acts 2:29-32).

Paul spoke of the Christ, as well:

Acts 17:2-3 “And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.”

1 Corinthians 1:23 “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;”

1 Corinthians 2:2 “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

Acts 18:5 “And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.”

Because Jesus is the Christ, His precious blood can wash our sins away.  To the Christian, the blood of Christ is SO DEAR!  To the Sinner, the blood of Christ is SO VALUABLE!  To the God of Heaven, the blood of Christ is SO HONORED AND ESTEEEMED!

---

[i] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redemption

[ii] http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/joshmcdowe299815.html#Yfw1c5o4kAHDKvj1.99

[iii] All verses from King James Version of the Bible, electronic edition unless otherwise noted.

[iv] Easton’s Bible Dictionary, electronic edition.

This article was published in the Preachers Favorite Passage at: http://thepfp.weebly.com

Together In The Christian Life

Henry Ford is quoted as saying, "Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success." As we apply this good logic within the congregational setting of the Lord's church, what lessons can we learn from Mr. Ford? 

There is always a beginning, a coming together. Whether the individual having visited and learned the Gospel and then obeys (2 Thess. 1:7-9) or the brother or sister having moved into the area and begins worshipping with the congregation, there is a beginning. For the new convert, there is a learning curve where foundational teaching and application helps the convert grow by "the sincere milk of the word" (1 Pet. 2:2). Also for the new member who has moved into the area, there is a learning curve. There is a period of time where the congregation is getting to know this new member and vice versa. In both cases, the member is getting to know the eldership, deacons, and preacher.

“…when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might” (2 Thess. 1:7-9, ESV).

There is progress as time goes by that helps promote staying together. This is where each individual has opportunities to grow friendships with a Christian family and grow in faith. Paul reminds us that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17, ESV). Unity is founded in faith as each member grows in "knowledge" (2 Pet. 3:18) and in "love" (1 Cor. 13:4-8). Paul also reminds in Ephesians 4, “to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3, ESV).

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends" (1 Cor. 13:4-8, ESV).

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Pet. 3:18, ESV).

There is success when brethren are not only in unity, but actually working together. In fact, it is likely difficult to actually have unity when one is working and another is not. Success is seen then in the result of our working together. We work together with an eternal goal of Heaven (Col. 1:4-5). We work together with a common goal of our salvation and the salvation of others (Phil. 2:12; Mt. 28:18-20). We work daily in our praying, studying, helping, edifying, admonishing, preaching/teaching, etc.

“since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven” (Col. 1:4-5a, ESV).

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life” (Phil. 2:12-16a, ESV).

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt. 28:18-20, ESV).

Paul explained that, early in the church, miraculous gifts were given to benefit the church in its growth. We have the revealed Word of God today and that which has remained… “faith, hope, and love” (1 Cor. 13:13).

“…to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (Eph. 4:12-16, ESV).

From Mr. Ford’s logic, we can see the growth process in the life of a Christian in the local congregation.  A beginning and place to start a new life, making progress in life by staying together, and ever striving in life toward that goal as we work together.  May we ever strive to grow and work together so that we might have Heaven as our eternal Home.

Photograph: Getty Images/Library Of Congress

My Purpose In Life

Occasionally, I receive from a dear sister one of her calendar devotionals that she reads each day. This one had to do with our purpose in life: “To know and love God, and everything else will fall into place if I make this my priority.”

How fitting and timely these often are for us.  Seeing the need always to work on me, I pray this will help us all develop into the type of people that God wants us to be.

Finding real purpose in life begins at the source: God and His Word.

While there are many psychologists and philosophers proclaiming through “self-helps” and “espoused doctrines” how to find purpose in life, the source of all life is God; therefore, it is imperative that we begin with Him.  John, the apostle, wrote of how we should view God and explains why we were created: “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:11). 

In most all philosophies and doctrines taught throughout history, there was a goal to reach such as self-worth, knowledge, etc., but we are reminded by the wise man, Solomon, that “in the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death” (Proverbs 12:28).  Solomon thus reminds us that there is a path to be chosen, and that will also determine our eternal destiny.  So, as sure as I need to realize my purpose in life, the choice I make will determine where I will spend eternity.  My eternal purpose in life is very important to consider!

The Psalmist wrote:

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.  In all that he does, he prospers.  The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish” (Psalm 1:1-6, ESV). 

If we truly want to find our purpose, we must acknowledge that God has “a way” of life that is pleasing to Him.  As John wrote, “for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Therefore, we must consider that God’s way is “the” way, and it is a “better” way.  Consider what Isaiah wrote from God: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways may ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9, KJV).  

If our purpose is to bring honor, glory, and power according to John, then the way to do it will bring about blessings and prosperity according to the Psalmist. We honor Him when we obey (Hebrews 5:8-9). We glorify Him in the church (Ephesians 3:20-21). We are to submit to his power (authority) who is Christ, the head of the church (Ephesians 1:21-22).