The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
November 6, 2005
In
This Issue:
Man
of Sorrows
by
Steve Klein
Are
We Friends of the World or Friends of God?
by
Lynn Headrick
"Man of Sorrows"
In Isaiah 53:3, the prophet describes the coming Christ in these words: "He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him." In contemplation of this passage, hymn writer Philip P. Bliss was moved to write, "Man of sorrows, what a name for the Son of God who came -- ruined sinners to reclaim. Hallelujah! What a Savior!"
It is incredible that the Son of God lived on earth as a Man of sorrows. Did you ever stop to think what made Him sad? What caused His sorrow? The Scriptures reveal the following reasons for Jesus being a "Man of sorrows":
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THE SACRIFICE THAT HE HAD TO MAKE FOR OUR SINS. As Jesus enters the Garden with His disciples on the night that He was betrayed, Matthew 26:37-39 records that, "He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me." 39He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." Plainly Jesus is distressed as He faces the prospect of a gruesome and painful death. He knew, and we must remember, that it is our sins that made His sacrifice necessary.
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THE SUFFERING THAT HUMANS EXPERIENCE. The Bible says that when Jesus saw the tears of Mary, weeping for her dead brother Lazarus, "He groaned in the spirit and was troubled" (John 11:33). "Jesus wept" (John 11:35). This is not an isolated incident. The New Testament records that Jesus was frequently "moved with compassion" for the plight of His fellowman (cf. Matthew 9:36; 14:14; 15:32). He was sorrowful because He felt the sorrows and sufferings of others. This is the very meaning of compassion.
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THE SKEPTICISM & STUBBORNNESS OF THOSE WHO REFUSE TO ACCEPT THE TRUTH. As Jesus went on to the tomb of Lazarus, some of the Jews who accompanied Him said, "Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?" (John 11:37). At that point Jesus again was "groaning in Himself" (11:38). He was troubled, no doubt, by the lack of faith being exhibited by those who had already seen Him perform notable miracles. On another occasion, Jesus entered a synagogue on the Sabbath in which there was a man with a withered hand. The Jews "watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him" (Mark 3:2). Jesus "looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts" (Mark 3:5).
The things that created sorrow in the life of Christ while He walked this earth still sadden Him today. Our sins, our suffering, and our stubborn disobedience grieve the heart of the Lord! He lived here as a Man of sorrows. Must we continue to break His heart? Can we not strive to overcome sin, alleviate suffering and faithfully submit to His will? "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" (Ephesians 4:30).
--Steve Klein
The book of James is inspired of God and is very practical in content. Such everyday actions as the use of our tongues, helping the fatherless and widows, being careful not to show respect of persons, helping those in need, and restoring brothers and sisters who have sinned. We are all interested in having friends and being friends and James talks about this too.
James issues a warning concerning friendship. He says, "Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God," (James 4:4). On the other hand, James identifies the faithful Abraham as one who was "called the friend of God" (James 2:23).
What Does it Mean to be a Friend of the World?
James 4:4
I once asked a group of teenagers to
write down what they thought it meant to be a friend of the world. I
was surprised and gratified that they knew what this meant. A
composite of their answers is as follows:
1. Hide the fact that you are a Christian. Let people believe that you are not a Christian. Remember Peter (Matt. 26:69-74).
2. Go along with your friends that do evil (Exodus 23:2; I Cor. 15:33).
3. Cursing, Drinking alcoholic beverages, smoking (Ephesians 4:29; Proverbs 23; I Cor. 6:19-20).
4. Listening to dirty jokes; going to sinful movies (Phil. 4:8).
5. Wearing immodest clothing (I Tim. 2:9).
6. Putting things before the church (eg. Ball games, Matt. 6:33).
7. Finding something to do on Sunday besides worship (Heb. 10:24,25; Acts 20:7; I Cor. 16:2)
8. Conforming to the world (Rom. 12:1,2; I John 2:15; Jam. 4:4)
9. Slowly begin accepting what the world does as if it were all right (Heb. 2:1).
What Does it Mean to be a Friend of God, as was Abraham?
1. Believe God. Abraham did so (James 2:23). We
like to have friends whom we can trust. It is impossible for God to
lie and Abraham knew it. Therefore, he put his trust in God and did
what He said, regardless of what God asked him to do. God called him
His friend.
2. Obey God. "By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed&ldots;" (Heb 11:8). It is impossible to be a friend of God without obeying what he says. Have you repented and been baptized for the remission of sins? If not, do you think you can be a friend of God?
3. Worship God. Over and over, it is said in Genesis 12-15 that he "builded an altar unto Jehovah." What a privilege it is to worship Jehovah! Abraham did so and he was called the friend of God.
4. Be assured that God can fulfill His promises. Abraham was fully assured that what God had promised, he was able also to perform (Rom. 4:21). Just as God fulfilled the promise of a son to Abraham, so God has promised eternal life to all who obey Him. God is able!
Conclusion: Choose to be a friend of God and not a friend of the world!
-- Lynn Headrick