Heaven's View of Christmas

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders;   And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.   There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this” (Isaiah 9:6-7).      I have a huge request to make of us all.  I want us to try to picture ourselves in the literal presence of the Lord.  Let’s try to forget everything going on around us and focus on being in the presence of God.  Now, whatever thought you have, I promise you it is better than that. 

    I want us to think about how heaven views Christmas and I am here to tell you it is not the way we view Christmas.      The world sees Christmas as this little, cute baby who grew up to become a great teacher and He did, but, there is a lot more to Christ than His birth.  Some of us, we see Him as the Son of God who died on the cross for our sins and He is the Savior of the world.  And we can have an intimate relationship with Him, and all of that is true.  But, there is so much more.  It doesn’t matter how high, how holy the picture we have of Jesus right, He is so much more and the reason I know that is because the Scripture reveals people who had a high view of God, but when they saw Him they were shocked to be in His presence.

    I love what Job says.      The Bible portrays Job as the most righteous man on the earth and even when all of the tragic events took place in his life, he stilled loved and worshiped God.  But listen to what Job said:  “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear;  But now my eye sees You; Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:5-6).
    The view of heaven goes so much further than a time of warm feelings when heaven views the birth of Christ.  Even Christ had a higher view:  “Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, Sacrifice and offering You have not desired,   But a body You have prepared for Me;  In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have taken no pleasure.  Then I said, Behold, I have come (In the scroll of the book it is written of Me) To do Your will, O God” (Hebrews 10:5-7).  The sacrifices of animals did not satisfy the penalty of our sin, but the body and blood of Christ did.  That little baby came into human existence with a body to die for.

    What is our response?  What would heaven have us to do in view of what was announced to the shepherds keeping their flocks that night?  “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3).  Anything short of that and we have missed heaven’s point of the coming of Christ.

Submitted By: Lennie Reagan

The Value of Good Godly Material in Christian Homes

I was fortunate while growing up to have Bible publications and study resources around the house. Material written by Guy N. Woods, Gus Nichols, Bobby Duncan, and other faithful preachers and teachers was always near. Articles about doctrine, Christian living, worship, and the Church were right at our finger tips. Good Godly material was beneficial in our home while growing up, and the benefits continue today. This article has a twofold purpose: (1) to emphasize the need for good study material and (2) to recommend a new series of class books being released.

Good material has always stimulated students in their studies. If I knew nothing about Brother Camp, these quotes would peak my interest in studying the Book of Matthew:

“We begin the study of the greatest sermon that has ever been preached. This sermon becomes the basis of the preaching that’s found in the book of Acts. The basis of the preaching that the apostles did when they went out into the great commission and we need to take some time to study this sermon carefully”.

“I’d like for us to think about that the things, the attitudes and the principles that are set forth in the Sermon on the Mount is giving us a picture of the inside of a man or the person that has believed and repented and been baptized in the book of Acts. If you want to find out what one is to be like, the principles are given in this Sermon on the Mount. We have taught, rightly so, that one must be a citizen in the kingdom that started Pentecost in order to be saved. But not only must one be a citizen in the kingdom, he must be a particular kind of person that is a citizen.”

“That’s the reason that I told you when we started this book. This book will upset you. If you are in earnest about going to heaven it’ll upset you. It won’t let you just go along from day to day and be the same. It’ll dig around the root of where we live. It’ll make us look on the inside and examine what we are like on the inside. It’ll make us think about what we are. That’s what we’ve got to do. That’s what we need to do. That’s what we must do.”

The benefits of good material are limitless. Reading and studying good material will help us mature in God’s word. Paul told Timothy “to study or give diligence” in 2 Timothy 2:15. Peter said, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15). Our familiarity with scripture is enhanced through Bible study. Peter uses an expression, “But he that lacketh these things is blind and cannot see afar off…” (2 Peter 1:9). Today, blindness of scripture, typically speaks to one’s spiritual immaturity. Good material also challenges us to grow. I remember my first day of preaching school at Memphis School of Preaching. I thought, as many young preacher students do, I knew it all. It didn’t take long to realize just how little I really knew! I was overwhelmed with good material while in school and it helped build my foundation and stimulated spiritual growth. Good, scriptural material can do that.

Good material helps Christians to ascertain and to maintain the truth as well. Good writers help point us to the truth and help us see the validity of searching the scriptures for answers. Studying with good writers will guide us into areas of study that we might not have gone. Good material helps broaden our minds.

I have pointed out the necessity and benefits of good material, and now I would like to recommend a new series of material. Brother Franklin Camp’s material, Redemption through the Bible, is being bound into book form and formatted into a Bible class series. While the material is geared towards adults, it could be used for High School aged teens as well. It will be at least a five year series to study the complete Bible. Over a five year span Brother, Inc. will be producing this material, with one Old Testament book and one New Testament book released each quarter. We are very excited about the opportunity to produce this material and any profit that is gained from its sale will be used to put preacher students through faithful schools. Each book will be Brother Camp’s material condensed for spacing. That is why, especially for teachers, we suggest that you also get a set of Brother Camp’s CDs, so that you will have every word he spoke. It is our hope and prayer that this material will be a great benefit to Brothers and Sisters in Christ everywhere.

We are thankful to have Christian Family Bookstore to handle all of the material for us. If you would like more information, you can contact us or Christian Family Bookstore. To order, call Christian Family Bookstore at 1-800-782-8175.

Submitted by: Ronnie Hayes

Why Is There So Much Religious Confusion?

There is way too much religious confusion in our world today. Religions have sprung up for various reasons through the years and almost every religious whim results in another “branch” of “Christianity” being started. It is sad to hear that all of the differing churches base their existence and diverse doctrines on the Bible.

Does the Bible present and endorse this kind of confusion? Is it possible to know what the Bible teaches about all the differing churches? Absolutely, yes! We can know and we can distinguish the fake from the real. Paul, in writing to the church at Rome, declares the fundamental basis for unity: “But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient to that form of teaching to which you were committed” (Romans 6:17). If we all were to submit to and obey from the heart “that form of teaching,” we all would be one.

It is extremely important for us to understand that the Lord has only one church. Jesus promised to build His church, one church (Matthew 16:18). Luke records that the saved were added to the church (one church), (Acts 2:47). Paul reminds us that there is one body (Ephesians 4:4). Christ is the head of the church, and He is the Savior of the body (Ephesians 5:23). There is only one church. The differing and divisive religions of the world do not make up the one church.

My dear friend, please consider the truths of the Word of God. Let’s return to the simplicity of the Bible and let’s be committed to do what God has asked us to do for the reason God said to do it and in the way God said to get it done. We can understand the Word of God and we can obey His Word. Please contact us if we might help answer your Bible questions. Thank you for your time.

Submitted by: Lennie Reagan

Gospel Meeting / Revival

The Christian Language

What is the worst “handicap”? The worst handicap is not to be deaf, or blind, or emotionally crippled, or confined to a wheelchair, or even to have all of these handicaps at once. The worst handicap of all is to meet God on Judgment Day without Jesus as our Savior. This is a handicap which cannot be overcome, and which is eternally devastating. *

“Go into all the world….” So many times we think of far-away lands when we think of mission work. How awesome and life changing it can be to experience another culture and to realize that this great country of “America the free” is only a small speck on the planet earth. The great diversity that God designed is awe inspiring. When Jesus walked the earth He experienced a culture very different than ours here in the United States. But in His culture, in His time, He was clear that we must “make disciples of all nations” and that we must love our neighbor as ourselves. We must not leave anyone eternally devastated.

“All nations” refers to all people, regardless of sex, race, culture, or whether they are deaf or hearing. The truth is, we have deaf neighbors who are overlooked by well intentioned Christians. Neighbors who have not been told the love of God or message of salvation. Do we love our neighbors as ourselves? Our journey of fulfilling the Great Commission starts with our neighbors.

Of course, communication barriers are a challenge to overcome. But imagine living a lifetime in a culture where it is impossible to speak the language. Every effort, every gesture is appreciated – a smile, a hug, a written note. As Christians, we have a language of grace, truth, love and salvation. This language builds bridges into any nation and despite differences or challenges; this language can build a bridge into the hearts of our deaf neighbors. No language will separate when we all meet God on Judgment Day.

No more silence,

No more sound,

No more walls

Where love abounds.

(* “Serving With Persons Who Are Deaf”, Duane King)

Submitted by:  L. Conner

Do You Know How Old Your Children Are?

The Bible class was shocked by the question the new member asked.  He wondered if the fathers knew how old their children were.  One of the men angrily answered, “Of course we know how old our children are!”  The new member replies, “I don’t mean to irritate you, but you all seem confused about how old your children are.”  Another man challenged, “Tell us how we seem confused.”  “I will,” the new member answered softly, “but you won’t like the answer.”

            “I’ll start with Jason, who is not expected to sit still for eight minutes during the invitation on Wednesday evening, because he’s too young….” “He is too young,” interrupted Jason’s father.  “Perhaps, but you expect him to sit still for six hours in school,” continued the new member. “Then there is Sally, who is old enough to sing with every song on the radio, but isn’t expected to sing with the congregation.  And what about Joey?  He won’t even say ‘Hello’ when an adult greets him at church.  He learned the rules of soccer, so why can’t he learn basic etiquette.  Is Janie too young for the Bible?  Instead of the Bible, she read paraphrased Bible stories, yet she is old enough to watch PG-13 movies?  Is Jimmy really too young to learn the books of the Bible? He was expected to learn and can quote all fifty states.  How can Ellen be old enough to write a research paper for school, but be too young to look up Bible references during a sermon? How can Tiffany…”  “All right, you can stop now,” said Tiffany’s father.

            There was silence for many minutes, then another father said, “I have been treating my 10 year old as if he were 15 on Saturday night and as if he were 5 at church.  It seems the rest of us haven’t done any better.  God told us to raise our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.  Are we taking God seriously?”

            No one answered.  The silence that followed was the silence of repentant prayer.

(This article was written by Kent Davis and taken from the bulletin of the Myrtle Beach Church of Christ.  I did adapt it just a little bit.  Wow, how true it is.  Let’s raise the expectations we have of and from our children.  Sure, they will fuss, but, in the end, they will appreciate your high view of them.  By the way, doesn’t our heavenly Father have high expectations of us?)

Submitted by:  L. Reagan

Physical or Spiritual?

Is it possible for a congregation to be relevant in our American society and maintain the integrity and purity of the Word of God? Can we serve our communities, making a difference in their lives and still hold true to design and purpose of God? Dear reader, not only can we, we, without fail, absolutely must. How do we do that?

Please forgive me if you feel I am over simplifying a response to this pertinent question, but the Bible holds the answer to this query. As the proponents of both views: the church must be involved in responding to the physical needs of our communities and the other end of the spectrum, the church is to preach to the lost, will agree, there are Biblical patterns for the respective tenants. And they are correct. However, one view is not to the exclusion of the other. There must be balance.

Bible students know that Jesus and His followers attended to the physical needs of people. They were healed (Mark 5:25-34), fed (Matthew 15:32-38), cared for (Acts 2:44-45), and loved (John 11:19-44). We also recognize that Jesus and His followers preached the Word and upheld the verity of God’s Word (Matthew 15:1-20; Galatians 1:6-10). We must also be willing to recognize that both aspects, physical and spiritual, were addressed as the need presented itself. The work of Jesus while He was on Earth cannot be misconstrued to support a social gospel as it is presented today. The nature of the gospel involves a social aspect, but not to the exclusion of the truth. The message of salvation and the truth of God’s Word demand our participation in the lives of others, but not to the exclusion of kindness and compassion.

So, how do we hold to the Biblical pattern of balance? Simply respond to the needs of the people of whom we come in contact. If there is a physical need, let’s do all we can meet it: “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Galatians 6:10). Additionally, the gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation and we must teach it fervently and passionately: “But He said to them, I have food to eat that you do not know about. So the disciples were saying to one another, No one brought Him anything to eat, did he? Jesus said to them, My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work” (John 4:32-34).

Compassion and the gospel of Christ are not at odds against each other. Caring for the needs of the body and the needs of the soul are not strangers. The lost around us are in need. It is my prayer that our hearts are stirred to show them love of God in every way. “No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.” (1 John 4:12).

Submitted by:  L. Reagan

Phone Bar Code Scans

Here are some Bar Codes to scan into your android phone or iphone:

 

Scan to access the Oak Forest Church of Christ Website

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