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"And take...the sword of
the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17)
In this issue:
Carb-Friendly Article
(J. S .Smith)
Church Sponsored
Recreation
Sermon Outlines:
Noteworthy News:
Religious Icons
Carb-Friendly Article
J. S. Smith
It used to be that if you wanted to get
people’s attention, you put the word “Free” all over the place. Nowadays,
all anybody talks about are carbohydrates, so perhaps you will enjoy reading
this carb-friendly article. No carbs, as far as I can tell. Of course, I
neither watch my carbs nor know what they are.
There is something to be
said about maintaining one’s health. The human body is itself a gift from
God and responsible use of it is a matter of good stewardship (1 Cor.
6:19-20). Introducing dangerous and deadly substances into it is foolish and
sinful. Marijuana, cocaine, speed – illegal, deadly and sinful. Tobacco and
alcohol, while perfectly legal, are proven to do irreversible damage to the
human body, bringing on disease, premature death, and having impact upon
innocent others.
Other substances like meat
and sweets are not sinful, but without a dose of moderation, can be
dangerous to the human body. Before Dr. Atkins came along, we were all
warned that eggs and beef would kill us. Now we are supposed to gorge
ourselves on them! The real solution when it comes to sinless substances is
moderation. Meat, sweets, even carbohydrates, can be added to one’s diet and
enjoyed moderately without harming the body. Moderation is part of good
stewardship, for God does not expect us to return our bodies to him in
pristine condition. They should be used, but not abused (Prov. 23:2).
Yet moderation is only part
of the answer for those who obsess over dieting and the condition of their
bodies. If people would put as much energy into their spiritual diet and
souls as they do into their physical frames, we would see a religious
revival exceeding anything before.
What does the Bible say?
“”Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from
the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). Beyond those nasty carbs, we require the milk
and meat of God’s word. “[A]s newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the
word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is
gracious” (1 Peter 2:2-3). “But solid food [strong meat, KJV] belongs to
those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their
senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb. 5:14).
Beware physical gluttony (Titus 1:12), but
crave the spiritual nutrition of God’s abiding word. Feast upon it and live
(Rev. 10:9).
This article was originally published in the
May 9, 2004 edition of the Woodmont Beacon (www.woodmontchurch.org).
Contact author:
jssmith@woodmontchurch.org
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Church Sponsored Recreation
Joe R. Price
“No, we do
not need a church-supervised recreational and social program. Those matters
lie within the individual sphere of parent and child. We do need,
though, a greater awakening to our needs and responsibilities in that
field. But we need to bear in mind as we labor together in those matters,
as we labor singly or in groups, we labor as INDIVIDUALS and not
as a CONGREGATION. And if the time does ever come when we cast the
individual responsibilities of parent and child upon something we call the
CHURCH, one of the greatest agencies God ever created for good will have
gone into eclipse. And in the darkness attendant upon such an event the
tragedy which always follows after separation from God will reveal itself;
worldliness and irreligion will run riot, and misery will prevail. God
preserve us against such an eventuality. But if under God we may be
permitted to maintain the Christian home committed to the development of the
young, and the church of God devoted to breaking the bread of life, we can
laugh at calamity and sing for the day ahead.” (C.A. Norred, “Church
Recreation”, Gospel Advocate, Nov. 21, 1940; Reprinted in
Truth Magazine,
II:3, pp. 18-19,
Dec., 1957)
(Note:
C.A. Norred was born 1888, was baptized by J.D. Tant, and began preaching in
1910. He preached for the 10th & Francis church in Oklahoma City, the
College church in Abilene, TX, and the West End church in Birmingham, AL.
He wrote articles for the Gospel Advocate and Firm Foundation.
He authored The Bible Teacher, published by the Gospel Advocate in
1925, and Seeking the Old Paths, published by the Firm Foundation in
1933.)
The Mt.
Baker church of Christ believes and teaches TODAY the same that brother
Norred and most all preachers taught back before 1940.
But, times have changed (or, we should say brethren have changed). Today,
brethren who stand with brother Norred against church sponsored recreation
are derisively termed “antis”. Such name-calling clouds the issue and shows
contempt (not love) in a vain attempt to justify the unscriptural teachings
and practices of the social gospel among churches of Christ.
Some tried to stem the tide of
modernism among churches of Christ that brought in the recreational and
social gospel with its fellowship halls, church ball teams, church buses and
church sponsored bus trips, church-supported retreats, etc. But, brother
Norred’s worst fears have been realized. In many places, local churches of
Christ have ceased being a New Testament church as they try to fulfill the
role and do the work God has assigned the home (Eph. 6:1-4). The home
repeatedly relinquishes its work of rearing children to the local church (1
Tim. 5:8).
The Mt. Baker church of Christ
will continue to plead for a return to the Bible for our authority in all
things taught and practiced, speaking where the Bible speaks and remaining
silent where the Bible is silent (Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 4:11; 2 Jno. 9-11; Gal.
1:8-9).
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You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
My Condition of Heart (2)
Scripture Reading:
Psalms 51:10-19
Contrasting hearts: Saul &
David:
a. Saul: After the people’s heart – 1 Sam. 8:19-20; 10:24 (the popular
choice); 1 Sam. 10:8; 13:8-13, 14.
b. David: After God’s own heart – Acts 13:22; 1 Sam. 13:14.
I. LIKE
DAVID, WE CAN BECOME PEOPLE “AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART”
– Acts 13:22; 1 Sam. 13:14.
A. A
Responsive, Obedient Heart - Acts 13:22.
1. Saul failed to be this, 1 Sam. 13:13; 15:22-23
2. David obeyed God’s will! (“…who will do all My will…”) – 1 Sam.
23:2, 4; 2 Sam. 2:1; 5:19, 23, 25; Rom. 6:17; cf. Matt. 7:24-25; Jno. 6:68.
B. A Servant Heart – Psa. 89:20; 2 Sam. 12:13; Psa. 32:5 (cf. Psa.
6:1-4); Lk. 18:13-14; 17:10; 1 Pet. 5:5-6 (Matt. 25:40).
-(Jesus the Servant – Matt. 20:28; Jno. 13:12-17; Gal. 5:13.)
C. A Loyal Heart – 1 Sam. 17:37; 2 Sam. 22:1-4.
1. Moving the ark – 1 Chrn. 13:7-12; 15:2, 13.
2. Numbering people – 2 Sam. 24:10, 14, 24.
– Lk. 8:15; 2 Chrn. 16:9; Matt. 10:22 (2 Tim. 4:7-8).
II.
DAVID’S EXAMPLE GIVES US HOPE.
A. God
Will Receive Us When We Have a Heart that Willingly Obeys Him, that Serves
God & is Loyal to Him – Acts 7:46 (Psa. 51).
Conclusion
1. 2 Sam.
22:21-28 – Reward for those after God’s own heart.
2. Jas. 4:7-10 – Heart that is purified by humility, reverent obedience to
God, & genuine sorrow for sin: you will be lifted up.
3. Matt. 5:8; Prov. 23:7.
Top
You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Bible Question Box: (June 2004)
Scripture Reading: 1
Corinthians 13:4-8
#1: Please do a
lesson on the importance of the marriage relationship.
1. Marriage
in America is in decline.
2. Widespread pessimism about marriage.
3. Christ’s admonition relevant – Matt. 19:6.
-Marriage is important because…
1. It is
from God & honors God, Gen. 2:18-25.
a. Relationship God ordained that satisfies mankind. (Prov. 18:22)
b. God is witness & hates divorce, Mal. 2:14, 16.
c. God joins together: Do not put asunder – Matt. 19:6.
d. Honorable – Heb. 13:4. "
2. It lasts for a lifetime, Rom. 7:1-2; Matt. 19:4-5.
a. Permanency its essential foundation.
b. Commitment its bonding glue."
c. Union is its result and blessing.
3. It is the foundation of a stable society, Gen. 2:24 (Psa. 127:1).
a. Intact family structure – Psa. 127:3-5; Prov. 4:1-4.
b. Environment for moral constancy – Heb. 13:4.
c. Train next generation – Psa. 78:4-7; Eph. 5:33-6:4.
4. It protects against immorality, 1 Co. 7:1-5 (6: 12-13, 18).
a. God expects us to keep our bodies morally pure – 1 Ths. 4:3-8 (Ro.
13:12-14; Eph. 5:3,11-12)
b. To turn to other sources/means of sexual fulfillment hinders marital
fulfillment; frustrates trust & love & leads to defilement of marriage bed.
5. It exemplifies Christ & His church, Ep. 5:22-33
6. In marriage, God teaches us the virtue of loving someone else more than
self – SS. 6:3; 7:10; 8:6.
a. In marriage, love must be learned & lived – Gen. 2:24; 1 Cor. 13:4-7;
Eph. 5:25-29.
b. Wives & husbands – 1 Pet. 3:5-7.
Conclusion: – Eccl. 3:11, 5; SS 4:9-11 (Prov. 5:18-20)
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NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the
light of Scripture)
Religious
Icons
Joe R. Price
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The Bible fully expresses
for us the life of Christ, His apostles and His church. Since then,
men began producing art that depicts (according to the artist’s
perception) the events and people of the Bible (and beyond). Here
is what The Catholic Encyclopedia says about “Christian
Iconography” followed by brief comments in the light of Scripture:
“The science of the description,
history, and interpretation of the traditional representations of
God, the saints and other sacred subjects in art. Almost from the
beginning the Church has employed the arts as potent means of
instruction and edification. In the first centuries the walls of the
catacombs were decorated with paintings and mosaics (see CATACOMBS),
and in all later times churches have lent their walls, ceilings, and
windows as well as their altars, furniture, and liturgical vessels
and books, to be adorned with scenes from the Old and the New
Testament, from the lives and legends of the saints, and even from
old mythologies, modified, of course, and harmonized with Christian
teaching.”
·
Religious icons
are the artist expressions of men, not the revelation of God, and
therefore do not provide genuine edification from God (Prv. 14:12; 2
Ti. 3:16-17; Eph. 4:11-12).
·
The use of
religious icons to depict people and/or scenes from the Bible in
order to teach and edify Christians is a tradition of men that is
without Bible authority (Matt. 15:7-9; Col. 2:8).
·
Religious icons
elevate men and events above what is written in the word of God,
thus are without God’s approval (1 Cor. 4:6).
·
Christians use the
Bible, not icons, to grow in faith (Rom. 10:17; 1 Pet. 2:1-2; 2 Pet.
3:18).
Reference:
Exhibit shows Russian religious images |
This icon of
tempera on wood with silver gilt, filgree enamels, and seed pearls,
is part of an exhibit at Washington's Hillwood Museum and Gardens
which is showing 43 of them in an exhibit titled "Tradition in
Transition.” Russians have collected icons for centuries, displaying
the small paintings of religious figures and scenes and lighting
candles and lamps before them in special corners of their homes.
Early renditions of the most revered works rarely come on the
market and are valued in hundreds of thousands of dollars. (AP
Photo/ Edward Owen, Hillwood Museum and Gardens) |
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