The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
August 8, 2004
In
This Issue:
What
do you Think?
by
Steve Klein
Some
Unanswered Questions: Is there any word from the Lord?
by
Ron Halbrook
What do you Think?
I saw a sign that just said, "THINK!" Of course, most people think anytime they're awake -- at least I think they do. But, judging by some of the bone-headed stunts we all pull, it makes one wonder what we are thinking. How many children have been scolded with the words, "What were you thinking?!?"
People who are not spiritual, not morally good, or not saved, still think. Their problem isn't a lack of thinking, their problem is with what they think. The wicked man does a lot of thinking. "He devises wickedness on his bed; He sets himself in a way that is not good; He does not abhor evil." (Psalm 36:4). In Psalm 64:6 we learn that even for a wicked man, "Both the inward thought and the heart of man are deep." But the problem is that while he does a lot of thinking, "God is in none of his thoughts" (Psalm 10:4).
Christians are challenged to have the same mind in them that was in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5). We are to bring "every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). We are to think like Jesus.
How can we accomplish this? If we are honest, most of us would probably admit that we find our thoughts difficult to control; we sometimes think things that we should not. How can we train ourselves to think like Christ? Here are three suggestions from Scripture:
(1) Learn what the Lord thinks by studying His word. Our ideas about right and wrong or good and evil should be directed by God's word. "Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path" (Psalm 119:104-105).
(2) Meditate on good things. Meditation is directed thinking. It is certain that if we let our minds wander freely, our thoughts will not be what they should. And so, some time must be spent intentionally directing our thoughts to things that are good. In Philippians 4:8 we read, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things."
(3) Do what is right. We often say that actions follow thoughts, and often they do. But actions can also influence thoughts. When we, in obedience to God, do what is right, our minds will be directed to think what is right. "Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established" (Proverbs 16:3). In practical terms, this might mean helping someone else, not because we've been thinking about being charitable, but because it's simply the right thing to do. But when we do it, we just might start thinking more about being charitable!
Every Christian needs to work at disciplining the mind to bring every thought into captivity to Christ.
by Steve Klein
SOME UNANSWERED QUESTIONS:
Some years ago, I heard a preacher present an excellent lesson from Jeremiah 37:16--17 on the subject, "Is There Any Word From The Lord?" Citing many sins and errors which trouble mankind, he agreed with Jeremiah's answer, "There is!" The Word of the Lord will stop every sin and settle every issue because of its 1. Revelation (Eph. 3: 1-5), 2. Inspiration (2 Tim. 3: 16-1 7), 3. Illumination (ps. 119: 1 05, 4. Eternal Duration (1 Pet. 1 :23-25), 5. Completion (2 Pet. 1 :3),6. No Speculation (Gal. 1 :6-9) and 7. Sal-vation (Rom. 1: 16).
The speaker emphasized the importance of giving a Bible answer for all we preach and practice, and encouraged the audience to submit questions. When I submitted the questions below, he read the first one only, answered "YES" but offered no Bible passage, and laid the list down with the comment, "We are not here for this purpose." Several in the audience, including local members of the church, were disappointed and embarrassed at his response. Here are the questions with the Bible answers.
1. Does the Bible give authority for the church to provide a dinner or a kitchen? Did the Lord assign the local church the work of providing social meals, parties, and picnics? Is there any word from the Lord?' There is!
The Lord assigned the church the work of gospel preaching, worship, and benevo-lence to destitute saints (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Tim. 3:15; 5:16). Picnics and parties are NOT gospel preaching, NOT worship, and NOT benevolence. "If any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation" (1 Cor. 11 :34). If we speak as the oracles of God, no true church of Christ can any more provide kitchens than instrumental music (1 Pet. 4: 11).
2. Does the Bible give authority for the church to give money to colleges, camps, and other institutions (such as Southwestern Christian College, Abilene Christian University. etc.)? Is there any word from the Lord? There is!
The church is "the pillar and ground of the truth," proclaiming "the gospel of Christ" as "the power of God unto salvation" (1 Tim. 3: 15-16; Rom. 1: 16). The church has no authority to finance the teaching of math, economics, science, athletics, welding, camping, and such secular pursuits. People can go to heaven without knowing how to dissect a frog or start a campfire, but they cannot go to heaven without the saving power of the gospel of Christ! If frogs and fires were the message or work of the church, each local church is fully equipped by God to do its own work without donating its money to human institutions to do the work for the church (Eph.4:16; Acts 14:23; 20:28).
3. Does the Bible give authority for a solo, quartet, or choir to sing in our wor-ship service? Is there any word from the Lord? There is!
God ordained all the saints to join in the song service, "teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord," (Col. 3:16; Eph.5:19). God did not ordain a few to sing while the rest are entertained, giving their approval rating by clapping, shouting, foot stomping, and high 5's!
4. Does the Bible give authority for the church to sponsor ball teams? Is there any word from the Lord? There is!
The church is a spiritual institution with a spiritual message and a spiritual mission: proclaiming the gospel to souls lost in sin (1 Tim. 3:15; Rom. 1:16). No Church of Christ in bible times had a recreation program, and no true church does so today.
Church sponsored parties and kitchens, donations to human institutions, choirs, and ball teams originated in denominationalism, along with instrumental music, human names, and every other departure from God's word (Rev. 22:18-19). Any man who practices and defends such departures "abideth not in the doctrine of Christ" and thus "hath not God." He cannot be recognized or received as a faithful saint. To have fellowship with him is to be a "partaker of his evil deeds," (2 Jno. 9-11). Is there any word from the Lord? There is! To violate that word is to violate the standard of Revelation, Inspiration, Illumination, Eternal Duration, Completion, No Speculation, and Salvation.
--by Ron Halbrook
Hebron Herald, Vol. 25, January 2004, No.1