The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
December 5, 2004
In
This Issue:
Our
Duty
by
Steve Klein
Persistence
in Prayer
by
Carrol Sutton
As
Happy as You Want to Be
by
Phllip Mullins
Our Duty
Duty is defined as "the action required by one's position or occupation." We admire and honor those in the armed services who do their duty to protect liberty, often at great personal sacrifice. We respect firemen who enter burning buildings, policemen who lay their lives on the line, doctors and nurses who work long hours, teachers who use their personal time and money to provide their students with educational opportunities -- all doing their duty in the interest of the public good.
Those who become Christians, like soldiers volunteering to fight in a just war, have answered the call of duty. Certain actions are expected of those who would fulfill their duty as Christians. In fact, we have a duty to do everything that the Lord has commanded us to do. In Luke 17:10, Jesus said, "When you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'"
The New Testament specifies several things that we are duty bound to do or that we ought to accomplish as Christians.
-
It is our duty to serve one another (John 13:14, 17)
- It is the duty of husbands to love their wives (Ephesians 5:18).
- It is the duty of the strong to encourage and edify the weak
(Romans 15:1-2).
- It is our duty to minister to the physical needs of those who
have ministered to our spiritual needs (Romans 15:17; 3 John 8).
- It is our duty to be thankful (1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2:13).
When we do any of these things, we are merely doing what is required of us as Christians. Of course, these are not our only duties. When we attend worship assemblies, pray, study the Bible, visit the sick and shut in, give with liberality, turn the other cheek, forgive a repentant brother, rebuke a sinner, tell others about Jesus, or do any other thing that He has commanded, we are merely doing our duty. Let us serve with honor. Let us do our duty.
By Steve Klein
Although prayer is an exalted privilege of Christians, it is not a substitute for obedience to the will of God. (See Mt. 7:21-23 & Luke 6:46.)
Early Christians prayed often and steadfastly. Acts 2:42 says: "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." Acts 12: 5 says: "Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him." Note: After Peter's release from prison, "he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John&ldots;where many were gathered together praying" (Verse 12).
To the saints at Rome, the apostle Paul said: "&ldots;Continuing instant in prayer" (Romans 12:12) and he exhorted those in Thessalonica to "pray without ceasing" (I Thess. 5:17). To the saints at Ephesus he said: "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints" (Eph. 6:18). Note: "Continuing", "without ceasing" and "praying always" suggest the idea of praying often, consistently and persistently.
In Luke 11:1, we read: "And it came to pass, that, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, one of his disciples said unto Him, 'Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.'" In verses 2-4, Jesus did teach the disciples how to pray. In verses 5-8, Jesus taught his disciples to be persistent in their praying by saying unto them: "Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.' And he, from within shall answer and say, 'Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.' I say unto you, though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Note: The word "importunity" means persistence and is so translated in the NJV and some others. This passage certainly teaches that we should be persistent in praying.
Luke 18:1-8 says: "And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying, there was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: and there was a widow in that city, and she came unto him, saying, 'Avenge me of mine adversary.' And he would not for a while: but afterward, he said within himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.' And the Lord said, 'Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily&ldots;'" Note: Here is another passage where Jesus clearly teaches persistence in prayer. Be persistent in prayer!
.by Carrol Sutton
Abraham Lincoln once said, "Most people are about as happy as they choose to be. Coming from a man who knew one heartache and disappointment after another, that is an interesting statement.
There is a common philosophy that states unless everyone is treating me the way I want to be treated, unless life is going my way, unless I have all that I want, I can't be happy. As a result many people are not happy and at peace.
The Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes teaches another approach to life. If you want an honest description of the harshness of life, then look no further than this ancient book. In Ecclesiastes, over and over the writer comments on the injustices, frustrations, and disappointments of life. Yet, over and over he advises his readers to do the same thing... rejoice. "I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor - it is the gift of God" (Ecclesiastes3:12-13).
The Bible is not teaching us here to be blind or naive. What the Lord is telling us is to make the most out of our lives. That in spite of our circumstances, as grim as they may be, we can be happy. Choosing happiness sounds foreign to some, but the Bible says it can be done. This is only possible though if you are living right with God. Then, no matter what is happening around you, you can rejoice.
by Phillip Mullins