February 4, 2001 Volume 2 Number 5
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Long ago a statement was made concerning our Lord and His people that spoke of His future reign at the right of Jehovah and that His people of be willing sacrifices. It says in Psa 110:1-3, “’The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool." The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies! Your people shall be volunteers in the day of Your power; in the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, you have the dew of Your youth.” In these verses a great victory is described, as our Lord will be honored, He will rule over His enemies and His strength will come out of Zion. The verse speaks of the church coming forth from Jerusalem and His people will willingly volunteer in the day of His power. In order for Him to rule there must be a people to be ruled; a people that would be ready for any sacrifice, people that would willingly and quickly present themselves from an inward desire. Being that the church was established in 33 A.D. many years have passed and many people have willingly given of themselves to serve God. As we start a new year there will be many opportunities to do the same. We are created for the very purpose of doing “good works” (Eph 2:10). Jesus exhorted us to, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt 5:16). Paul writes in Titus 2:14, “who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” The Bible is full of such passages. From the moment we “voluntarily” gave our will over to God’s on the day of our baptism we became part of a volunteer army that is ready to do whatever God asks of us. As we consider all that can be done, the question is what will you do? What are you going to volunteer to do? Every day of every month of every year finds many things to be done. Many members of the church volunteer a great deal of their time to further the cause of Christ. Whether it is volunteering to clean the building, mowing the lawn, or preparing the Lord’s Supper for the 1st day of the week there are things that need to be done. Still others devote, of their own volition, time to prepare for Bible classes by making copies of material and decorating classrooms for the kids. There are those who volunteer to participate in the duties of worship by leading prayers, leading song service, greeting people at the door or making announcements. It is this spirit of volunteerism that was spoken of by the Psalmist. It is this spirit, which we must have, if we are going to be pleasing to our Lord. Are you manifesting this spirit? Do you expect someone else to do “it” what ever “it” is? Active participation by the Lord’s people for the Lord’s work is essential to our spiritual livelihood. Samuel exemplified this attitude. 1 Samuel 3:10 says, “Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel answered, "Speak, for Your servant hears." He was prepared to hear God. We also need to be prepared to hear God through His word to learn what it is He wants done. Isaiah is another example of one having this wonderful attitude. In Isa 6:8 it says, “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." Do you have this attitude? Does your arm have to be “twisted” to get you to do something? In the near future many projects must be completed. Announcements will be made, dates will set and some people will participate. There are some who will not put forth any effort to participate in the work of the church; whether it is in the spiritual realm or the physical. It is not always the grand things that need to be done often it is the small things that keep the work going. The child of God should always be interested in serving God and His kingdom. David demonstrated this attitude in that he served “by the will of God” during “his own generation” (Acts 13:36). For those who normally volunteer to serve God in any and every capacity it is particularly encouraging when others willingly give of their time to further the cause of Christ. Do want to be more involved? Just ask, there is something for everyone!
In the early days, the preaching went on in spite of loss, sadness, trial and persecution. What does it tell us about preaching the gospel under our circumstances? “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word" Acts 8:4. Stephen was dead, Saul was on a rampage, the apostles were left alone in Jerusalem, and persecuted Christians were preaching the word. What a remarkable story! Hearts were saddened at the loss of Stephen, that young man, "...full of grace and power, who had, ...wrought great wonders and signs among the people" Acts 6:8. Yes, we can read his sermon on the pages of inspiration; but wouldn't you like to have been there, to have heard his eloquence, and to have seen the convicting power of God's word? Surely the Christians left behind mourned the loss of this man of great faith. Surely they were encouraged at his last words: "...Lord Jesus, receive my spirit...Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” Acts 7:59-60. Then, there was another young man, Saul of Tarsus. How could a young man be so full of hatred for those dreaded Christians? Later evidence suggests a thorough education in Judaism (Acts 22:3). Most will admit being influenced in at least some way(s) by their teachers; Saul more so than perhaps most. His zeal for the Law of Moses and for the traditions of the fathers produced a rabid, zealous disciple of what he believed to be absolutely right. He was willing to openly declare his allegiance to Judaism. But the change that came over Saul on the Damascus road is a watershed, too. So ferocious was Saul's opposition to Christ, that his conversion to the one he had been persecuting is more remarkable and glaring. Some of the Christians wondered if the change was real. But it was, as the life of the Apostle Paul bears out. What about the apostles who remained in Jerusalem? The Lord had commanded them to wait in the city for the promise of the Father Acts 1:4, but how long after this they were to remain is unclear. Undoubtedly, by this time there were Christians in prison; and they would need comforting and assistance. Luke does not tell us if Peter and John and James and the others became the immediate target for more opposition. They had already suffered much, with more to come Acts 5, 12. Did Peter ever forget his denial of the Lord? Did John ever forget the great love he had for his Savior, and the Savior for him? Each man had his own story to tell. The statement made by Paul sums up the reality of each apostle: "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death" Phil. 3: 10. And then, there were those persecuted Christians who were scattered throughout the region of Judea. They did their work well. Again from Paul: "For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews” 1 Thess. 2:14). There was something lasting about the work these people did. Their emphasis was God's word. They were happy to announce the good news of salvation to lost men and women. "The people doing this evangelizing were not elders, deacons, and preachers. They were disciples, great hosts of them, seeking a place of refuge from the destruction of Saul. As they found places to sleep or stay for a few days, they would have to explain the purpose of this plight and flight. In so doing, they went everywhere telling the bad news of their persecution and the good news of salvation in Christ" -(Reese, New Testament History: Acts, 317). These early Christians preached the word in spite of losing loved ones and friends. These early Christians were sometimes isolated and alone, but they still preached the gospel. These early Christians were forced to leave home and hearth behind, but they still preached the word. They faced enemies. If they preached the word in the midst of their circumstances, can't we preach the word in the midst of our circumstances? Facing The Facts When someone is going to argue something in an attempt to prove a point, it is best if he has some facts to substantiate his claim. A fact is simply a piece of information presented as having objective reality, i.e., it is an actual truth. Some people, however, do not like facts, especially when they are contrary to the position they hold. The old saying, “Don’t confuse me with the facts” is how some people really feel. Nevertheless, facts are important and when it comes to spiritual matters, facing the facts can be a soul saving experience. So, let’s face some facts. Fact: The pleasures of sin last but for a season. It would be naive to say that there is no pleasure in sin. The Devil is no dummy. Well, actually the Devil is a dummy, but he knows enough to realize that unattractive sin is not going to lure too many people to it. In order to catch a fish, you have to have bait that is going to be desirable to the fish. Satan at least knows this much about sin and people. Most sin, therefore, is attractive at first glance. It is pleasurable to the flesh to experience. But the attractiveness of sin wears off soon enough. Its pleasure is transitory. The Hebrew writer wrote, “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” Heb. 11:24-25. Getting drunk with the boys may be fun at first, but soon the pleasure fades away and the drunkard is left with a hangover. It may be satisfying to the flesh to commit fornication, but the gratification is temporary and the end result is often some kind of disease or unwanted condition “Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due” Rom. 1:27. Let’s face the facts! There is some delight in sin, but the pleasure is fleeting and the end result of unrepented sin is eternal damnation "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." Matt 25:46. The Spirit Expressly Says
... Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. The Attributes of God The attributes of God are those characteristics of divine nature which are inseparable from the idea of God. Consider, that God is not only the author and giver of life, but He is Life!
While, this life holds no promises, we can know that we have eternal life in God, through Jesus Christ. Come Worship and learn more about God with us. We hope to see you Soon. Food For Thought “Don't let yesterday use up too much of today” We
hope you find this bulletin useful in your Bible study. 2
Sam 22:31
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