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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