The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
March 11, 2007
In
This Issue:
When
Reputation Exceeds Reality
by
Steve Klein
How
To Grow Spiritually
by
Rodney Britton
When Reputation Exceeds Reality
On June 12, 1939, an article in Time magazine boasted that, "The French army is still the best fighting machine in Europe." And it seemed so. The French certainly had a long history of successful military campaigns, and the French boarders had recently been fortified by the construction of the famed Maginot line, which was hailed as an impenetrable defense. But, as history records, the assessment of France's military capabilities was vastly overrated. On June 14, 1940, just one year after the article in Time magazine, Paris fell to the superior forces of Nazi Germany.
In Revelation 3:1-2, Jesus said of the church in Sardis, "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God." Sardis, like 1939 France, had a reputation that did not match reality. The church was not alive, it was dead. Instead of doing everything right, it was doing nothing right.
The works that God has given local churches include evangelism and edification - reaching out to the lost with the gospel and building up the saved with the teaching and discipline of God's word. A church can develop a reputation for doing these things well, even though the reality may be otherwise.
When the Lord evaluated how New Testament churches were doing in their efforts to accomplish their assigned works, He often found both successes and shortcomings. For instance, the church in Thessalonica was praised because they had "sounded forth" the word of the Lord in every place (1 Thessalonians 1:8). They were doing the work of evangelism! But, they were very lax in teaching and disciplining one another to live productive and holy and productive lives. And so, the Lord chastised them through the apostle Paul -"For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed" (2 Thessalonians 3:11-14).
The New Georgia church has a fine reputation in the community and in the brotherhood. I often hear unsolicited praise about the group here. But does it reflect reality? Are we working as hard as we should be to share the gospel and help one another go to heaven? It's fine to have a good reputation, but it's much more important that we actually do the works deserving of a good reputation. Let's all determine that we will. We have a Gospel Meeting approaching next week. This presents us with a great opportunity to live up to the name that we "are alive".
-- Steve
Klein
Without a doubt, growth is necessary in all areas of life in order to be successful. Whether on the job or in scientific research, whether in technology or education, growth is a prerequisite for prosperity. No place is this more evident than in the life of a Christian. Peter taught, "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever" (2 Pet. 3:18).
With all the hindrances to living a godly life it would only make sense to look for ways of improving our "graceful growth" in the Lord. I challenge you to think on these areas with me as we try to grow as God wants us to and then apply them to your life that we "may grow thereby" (1 Pet. 2:2).
CONSTANTLY EXAMINE YOURSELF.
Paul urged the Corinthians to "Examine
yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know
ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be
reprobates?" (2 Cor. 13:5). We should always measure ourselves
in relationship to Christ. Have there been improvements in my
knowledge? Do I have the same zeal that I had when I first became a
Christian? Do I set good examples to everyone I come in contact with?
Am I trying to improve my circumstances or conditions that will
enable me to grow? How would you have to answer these questions?
GET YOURSELF ACTIVE IN YOUR LOCAL CONGREGATION.
There is no better place to begin your quest for
growth. Offer your services to the elders in what ever form it is
needed. The greatest source of satisfaction and joy is to aid the
flock that you are a part of. Have the desire that Isaiah had;
"Here am I, Send me!" (Isa. 6:8). Be an encouragement
rather than a discouragement. Be a builder instead of a destroyer.
Don't criticize, but rather we should always support sound,
scriptural efforts.
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH GODLY PEOPLE.
Spend time daily with people who can assist you in
your growing. Understand that people I associate with will go a long
way as to how I mature in the Lord. Paul said, "Be not deceived:
evil communications corrupt good manners" (1 Cor. 15:33). Always
understand that where a man's heart is, his affections will be as
well (Matt. 6:21).
AVOID ANYTHING THAT WILL HINDER YOU.
Stay away from things that take your mind away from
godly things. Don't allow anything to come before the Lord! Our daily
lives can offer many troubles, trials, and temptations, but we must
not let them cause us to despair (2 Cor. 4:9ff). Do not allow
laziness to affect your growth. Just as physical growth would be
affected by lazy, effortless lifestyles, so is the life of a
Christian (1 Tim. 4:8).
STOP THE DRIFT!
Sometimes our minds wander. Sometimes our lives are
hectic and the "rat race" too much to handle. Sometimes we
lose sight of the real issues at hand and before we know it we have
drifted out to sea. We didn't feel it, but it happened nonetheless.
We didn't necessarily want it to, but it did anyway. We used to sing
an old song that said, "You are drifting too far from the shore,
You are drifting too far from the peaceful shore. Come to Jesus
today, let Him show you the way, you are drifting too far from the
shore." We must constantly keep our attention on the
"shoreline". We must know where Jesus Christ is (and where
He is not) and where He so desperately wants me to be. "Set your
affections on things above, not on things of the earth, for ye are
dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God" (Col. 3:2, 3).
FINALLY, PRAY EVERYDAY!
How long has it been since you prayed alone? How long
has it been since you talked to God about your life? About your
family? About your fears? How long has it been since you asked God to
help you? How long has it been since you talked to God? We are
instructed to, "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17).
Prayer will change lives!
Are you growing in the Lord?
-- Rodney
Britton
in The
Cartwright Caller, via. Gospel Power, Vol. 8, No. 32, August 19, 2001