The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
November 11, 2007
In
This Issue:
Our
Gospel Meeting: Intensive Training for YOU!
by
Steve Klein
Harry
Potter and the Word of God
by
Edwin Crozier
Our Gospel Meeting: Intensive Training for YOU!
In many fields of endeavor, brief periods of intensive training are known to increase human performance. Football players go to training camp, where for a few weeks their bodies are pushed to the limits of physical exercise and their minds are challenged to learn proper positioning and playing techniques. They typically come out of camp as a cohesive team of improved players. Similarly, new soldiers go to boot camp, where they too receive brief intense training of body and mind. Teachers and educators have in-service training. Business executives go to leadership seminars and doctors go to conferences. The results of these periods of intense training are that individuals are more knowledgeable and skillful in their professions.
Years ago, gospel meetings were largely evangelistic in nature. The focus was on reaching the lost with the gospel, and the result was that many of the lost were saved. In recent years, for various reasons, the focus of most gospel meetings has shifted from evangelizing the lost to edifying the saved - helping Christians gain strength and knowledge. Don't get me wrong; gospel meetings still evangelize. They often bring folks in from the community who have never heard the pure gospel before. But most of the benefit of gospel meetings nowadays is in the positive effect they have on church members.
Just prior to the feeding of the 4,000, great multitudes gathered to Christ on a mountain near Galilee. There, Jesus taught them and healed their sick (Matthew 15:29-32). Apparently the experience was so intense that the people had not given forethought to having something to eat; Jesus expresses concern that if He sent them "away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way" (Mark 8:3). Those people were focused on Jesus for three days. That was a great gospel meeting! Can you imagine how it changed their lives and strengthened them?
Today, we begin a gospel meeting. I'd like to challenge every church member to commit to this brief period of intensive training. Attend every service. Listen carefully to the lessons preached. Think deeply about their application to your life. Spend more time in prayer. Limit other outside activities to allow yourself to maintain spiritual focus. You'll be amazed at the strength you gain.
-- Steve Klein
It is no secret I am a Harry Potter fan. I have enjoyed the fantasy world Rowling has created. I have enjoyed the mysteries and trying to work out the clues to solve them seeing where the story will go. After each book, I have been involved with anyone who would talk about them regarding their theories. When new books were coming out, I have enjoyed speculating what they would contain.
In fact, I have noticed something. Around the times that the books and movies have come out, I will talk with anyone I can about them. It has been the topic of numerous conversations.
I was just thinking the other day, do we treat the word of God like this? This past week, I have talked to many friends about how far they got in the latest Harry Potter book. Everybody just thought that was a natural question. Why don't we ask, "How much Bible reading did you get done this week?" If somebody asked that, we would accuse them of prying and being nosy.
I have asked numerous people what they thought about this facet of the story or that facet of the story. Everybody thought those were natural questions. How often do we just stop and ask someone, "What do you think about this passage in the Bible?" If somebody asked that out of blue, we would probably think they were a little odd.
I set aside almost an entire Saturday just to read the newest book. I even reread most of the old books to get ready for this newest one. How many of us set aside entire days to read God's word? How many of us even set aside hours to do so? How many of us go back and read it again and again and again because we enjoy it so much?
Sadly, for many of us, Bible study is more like homework. We don't really enjoy it. We do it only because we have to and only when we think we had better get some in or we might get in trouble. We definitely don't talk about it much. We certainly wouldn't strike up a conversation about the Bible with a perfect stranger.
Why is that? (And I am as guilty as the next person, perhaps more so.)
It is not wrong to be entertained. It is not wrong to enjoy secular literature. Paul read the poets of his day (cf. Acts 17:28). However, I think I need to give some serious thought to how my feelings and actions toward entertainment like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Lost and 24 compare to my feelings and actions toward God and His Word.
I can't be saved by any of the modern world's entertainments. Salvation can only come through God and His Word (cf. Acts 20:32). Perhaps my excitement and enthusiasm for God's word should surpass my excitement and enthusiasm for modern books, shows and movies. Just a thought.
-- Edwin Crozier
Via College View Columns, September 9, 2007