The Small Things

Have You Overlooked Something?

God’s people had just returned from Babylonian captivity. They had no temple, no priesthood, no altar, and the city of Jerusalem was in ruins. This was far different from the glorious days of the past, and it would have been so easy to be discouraged. The holy city once had a population of hundreds of thousands, but the number of those who returned from captivity was about 50,000. Jehovah knew their thoughts and said to them, “For who has despised the day of small things” (Zech. 4:10)? The intent of His words was to remind Israel that while men might despise small things, our God is the one who has always used “small things” to accomplish His purposes.

“For who has despised the day of small things” (Zech. 4:10)?

“For who has despised the day of small things” (Zech. 4:10)?

The Lord used Gideon’s small army to destroy the Midianites. The massive army of the Midianites had come against Israel with an army of at least 135,000. Gideon, having faithfully followed God’s instructions about reducing the size of his army, came with his army of 300 soldiers. It would have been so easy to “despise small things” which Gideon used. He was outnumbered four hundred and fifty to one. We must learn to not despise small things when God is involved in using them. Had Gideon’s army equaled the size of the enemy’s army and won the battle, men could have given glory to Gideon. Read the story in Judges 7, and when you get to the end, all the glory belongs to God!

The Lord used the widow’s small bottle of oil to feed her son and Elijah for months and months. The prayer of Elijah had shut the windows of heaven and brought devastation on all the people of the land. At God’s instruction, the prophet left Israel and went toward Syria where he met the widow who lived in Zarephath (1 Kings 17). She and her son were dying of starvation, but she took the last oil from her jar and made a cake for Elijah. Miraculously, the oil in the jar kept replacing itself, and the container of flour did not run out until Elijah prayed again. One might despise the small container of oil as insignificant, but God used the small jar to accomplish His work.

The Lord can use the small things you have to accomplish His purposes. You may think you have little which God can use, but you are so wrong. The widow’s two mites have taught millions about giving. The rod in Moses’ hand parted the Red Sea and brought a river of water flowing from the rocks.

Is it possible we have overlooked “small things” we have? We have added souls to the kingdom from those small business cards and booklets available in the foyer. The friendly warmth at Palm Beach Lakes comes from joyful greetings of many members. The House to House labels and the magnetic bumper stickers have lead the lost to Jesus. Think about it. Are you letting God use your “small things” for His purposes?

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Heed the Warnings

Heed the Warnings

My wife and I were born and then spent the vast majority of our lives living in Maine. Maine, where devastating winter “Nor’easters” can deliver blinding “white-outs,” single story snowdrifts, and several feet of snow as well as sub-zero temperatures, all in one, paralyzing, days-long winter punch. Understandably, the local weather reports in advance of such winter weather events, serve a very vital and life-saving purpose, as many New Englanders hear and heed those warnings and head to the stores, making sure they are adequately prepared for the storm. Filling fuel tanks and stocking up on flashlights, batteries, blankets, shovels, bottled water and other food essentials help prepare for their survival in the case of any potentially days-long power outages and/or vehicle failures.

Warnings are there to protect you.

Warnings are there to protect you.

Later on, when we moved to the upper Midwest, we soon discovered the purpose of those personally never before encountered, funny-looking, multiple-mushroom capped telephone poles in town, when their piercing sirens sounded the warning of approaching, severe – and potentially life threatening – weather.

And then, some eight or so years ago when we moved to Oklahoma, we once again encountered a warning sign like we had never seen before. It was posted along the interstate highway we were on, and it read: “Do not drive into smoke” (making us once again wonder what we were really in for). Of course, over time we have come to learn about the devastating and life-threatening effect of summer grass fires in the south and are therefore very grateful for all such warnings.

Just a week ago this past Tuesday morning in “Tornado Alley,” a deadly twister touched down in Elk City, Oklahoma, killing one, injuring others, and leaving many homeless and without power. One reporter commented along the lines that the loss of life could have been a lot worse, had people not heeded the warnings and made the appropriate advance preparations as well as they did.

Warnings. They’re everywhere. And for the most part we are very grateful for them, because heeding their message often results in the prolonging of life/prevention of death. Warnings come in all shapes and sizes: on medicinal, prescription, and pharmaceutical products; in alcohol, tobacco, and food and drug commercials – as well as prominently displayed on much of their packaging; and posted where you work, live, recreate, and just about anywhere else you turn. In fact, it would amaze almost anyone to actually make a point of counting how many warnings they routinely come in contact with, one way or another, each and every day! And many of those warnings are federally and/or locally mandated by law!

So… why is it then, that so many warnings regarding the slightest prolonging of our earthly lives – which are at best but a brief vapor’s breath to begin with when compared with our eternal lives (Jms. 4:14; Psa. 90:4-12) – are so warmly welcomed, eagerly sought after, diligently demanded, and even rigorously required by the laws of the land in many cases, when the far more far-reaching and life-giving warnings from God regarding one’s eternal life, safety, security, and destination, as well as those who then faithfully preach, post, and promote them, often go unwanted, unheeded, and even hated and/or outlawed? Why is it warnings which save lives are seen as wonderful – except when we seek to save people’s eternal lives/souls from literally ‘going to hell,’ by sounding the essential warnings insisted upon by their loving Creator? Why is that? How exactly does that work?

Why is it when we simply sound God’s warning from Galatians 5:19-21: “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God,” that we are viewed as insensitive, unloving, and uncaring people who just don’t want anyone to have any fun? Are those who post weather warnings regarding imminent and deadly earthly storms just insensitive, unloving, and uncaring people because they give you advance notice in order that you may make the appropriate changes and adjustments in order to survive? Of course not!

Why is it when we simply sound God’s warning from 1 Corinthians 6:9-10: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God,” that we are considered as bigots and homophobes? Are those who sound the warnings to evacuate in the face of such life and death situations as hurricane Katrina was, condemned as bay-haters and houseaphobes? Don’t be ridiculous. They are at times considered and celebrated as life-savers!

Why is it when we simply sound God’s warnings regarding such essential elements as: repentance (Lk. 13:3-5) and baptism for the forgiveness or washing away of one’s sins – as well as their subsequent salvation (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:27-41, 22:16; 1 Ptr. 3:21); or God’s eternally-settled in heaven word (Ps. 119:89) of warning instruction regarding the one, biblical, pre-denominational body or church of Christ (Eph. 1:22: 3:8-12, 4:4-6; Ro. 16:16); or the fact that man-made doctrines make any worship based upon them totally vain (Mk. 7:1-13) because the Father is seeking only those who will trust Him enough to worship in spirit and truth (Jn. 4:23-24, 17:17; Acts 2:42); that we are perhaps considered as narrow-minded and legalistic by our denominational friends and family members? Do they disregard the warning labels on prescription drugs as being too narrow, prohibitive, and legalistic as well?

The fact is that warnings that save lives are wonderful. And warnings that save eternal lives and souls are seen as even infinitely more wonderful in the eyes of “Him with whom we have to do” (Hebs. 4:13); with Him who demands that His faithful children keep on warning (Ezek. 3:16-21, 33:7-11; Acts 20:26-32; 1 Thess. 5:12-22). And so, thus shall we do. “He who has ears to hear, let Him hear.”

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Life from the Womb…

When Does Life Begin?

The inspired psalmist observed: “For you formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well” (Psalm 139:13-14).

You covered me in my mother’s womb.

You covered me in my mother’s womb.

The Lord said to the prophet Jeremiah: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you;” (Jeremiah 1:5).

The prophet Isaiah confirmed: “Listen, O coastlands, to Me, and take heed, you peoples from afar! The Lord has called Me from the womb; From the matrix of My mother He has made mention of My name… And now the Lord says, Who formed Me from the womb to be His servant” (Isaiah 49:1,5)

When James observed that “the body apart from the spirit is dead” (James 2:26), the corollary must also be true in that if the body is living, then the spirit must be present.

After experiencing terrible tragedy, Job asked: “Why did I not die from the womb? Why did I not give up the ghost when my mother bore me?” (3:11). How can something die if it is not first living? In Job 3:13-16, the patriarch listed several formerly-living-but-now-dead people with whom he would have had something in common if he had died in utero. He mentions kings and princes and child who experienced a “hidden untimely birth” (i.e., a miscarriage). Job considered the miscarried child to be in the same category as others who once lived but had died.

It is obvious from the text that God views life to begin at conception rather than birth.

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¿QUIEN ES EL ANTICRISTO?

¿QUIEN ES EL ANTICRISTO?

Hay un gran numero de personas quienes están convencidos que el anticristo está en existencia hoy en día. La primera vez que escuché este término mi mente se trasladó directamente al Apocalipsis de Juan. Sin embargo le sorprenderá a usted que la palabra anticristo aparece solamente 5 ocaciones en el N.T y ninguna de esas 5 tiene lugar en el Apocalipsis; (1 Juan 2:18-22; 1Juan 4:3; 2 Juan 3).

¿QUIEN ES EL ANTICRISTO?

¿QUIEN ES EL ANTICRISTO?

Interesantemente los preminelialistas pintan la figura del anticristo como un único líder futuro que gobernará el mundo  y se revelará ante todo lo santo. Algunos han dicho que Hitler era el anticristo y que por tanto resucitará para cumplir semejante tarea. Otros han piensan que es el papa, mientras otro tanto que es el bebé de Rosmary… todo simplemente es fantasía de los preminelialistas. Los cinco textos anteriormente citados, identifican no a alguien en particular si no a muchos. Juan también expresa en los versículos anteriores que el anticristo ya estaba operando en sus tiempos. Antes del cierre del siglo I ya existía: ¿porque entonces los premilenialistas esperan a una persona en particular y esperan que sea a futuro?. Anticristo simplemente designa a alguien que está en oposición a Cristo y su doctrina, tal como Juan lo advierte en 2 Juan 9. Hay varias factores que pudieron haber estado en el la mente de Juan cuando escribe estas epístolas y hace uso de la palabra anticristo: 1) El judaísmo. Por supuesto que los simpatizantes de la ley estaban en oposición a  Cristo desde el inicio, cuando el Señor aún estaba con vida. Después de su muerte encarcelan e intimidan a los apóstoles en Hechos 5 y cuando los creyentes son esparcidos no se conformaron con sacarlos de la ciudad sino que salen ellos también en persecución, de la cual un joven llamado Saulo de tarso tenía parte, y la razón especifica era por anunciar a Cristo. Ni siquiera el hecho de haber perdido a uno de sus mejores cazadores los detuvo, la obra del diablo a travez de ellos continuó hasta casi arrastrar al fracaso a uno de los apóstoles, uno llamado Simón Pedro en Galatas 2, a quien Pablo reprende cara a cara porque era de condenar quien también dedico bastante espacio en el N.T para tratar el problema con estos anticristos; los Judaisantes. 2) El gnosticismo. Como si el problema no fuera poco esta corriente de pensamiento estaba corriendo rápidamente y estaba inundando a la Iglesia del Señor también. Básicamente estos anticristos creían, que la Deidad de Dios no pudo haber habitado en cuerpo humano como lo hizo en Jesús. Por lo tanto Jesús no pudo haber sido Dios en naturaleza. Negaban la existencia de un cielo eterno para el cristiano y un infierno para el impío, pensaban que la carne es pecaminosa  y que no existe nada bueno en ella. ¿ Puede usted imaginarse lo terrible que debió de haber sido escuchar semejantes disparates para Juan? como apóstol de Jesús él estuvo ahí presente cuando el Señor caminó sobre el mar, el vio a cientos de cojos de nacimientos andar y a mudos hablar, ¿quién más que Juan en la cruz del monte calvario? El estuvo ahí presente viendo el cuerpo fragelado de Jesús, pudo escuchar el sonido de la lanza introduciéndose en el costado de su maestro mientras aquel cuerpo frío colgaba en el madero todo desangrado. Es el mismo Juan quién en su evangelio se hace llamar así mismo “el otro discípulo” que el domingo por la mañana corrieron junto a Simón al sepulcro  después del anuncio de las mujeres y ven la piedra removida probablemente partida en muchos pedazos y el sepulcro vacío, y que por 40 días continúan viendo al Cristo resucitado hasta que en Hechos 9 asciende al cielo a la vista de ellos y que más tarde va a presentársele a travez del ángel para revelar el Apocalipsis diciendo “Yo soy el que estuve muerto pero vivo” (Apoc 1:18). Imagine usted con todo esto y que de repente algunos hermanos le comenten a Juan …¡Ah por cierto Juan, Jesús… bueno la verdad no creemos que haya sido Dios en naturaleza!. Por eso Juan usa estas palabras “anticristos” estas personas estaban en oposición directa al Señor. 
Los muchos espíritus que han salido para engañar (1Juan 4:1), todavía siguen por ahí andando de casa en casa y negando al Señor de la Gloria. El anticristo ha estado en nuestras narices desde hace siglos y probablemente usted ya haya conocido a alguno de ellos. Sin embargo el concepto tiene que ver con estar  en Contra de Cristo y si usted no está a favor de la verdad, si no está a favor de la única Iglesia de Cristo, si está en contra del santo libro la Biblia en toda su pureza y su correcta interpretación… usted puede pasar a ser un anticristo también. Oro al Señor para que no sea así, sino más que como el apóstol Juan y como Judas el medio hermano del Señor podamos contender ardientemente por la fe que sido dada una sola vez a los santos (Judas 3).
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The Issue of Fellowship?

Where Should We Stand on the Issue of Fellowship

The Bible doctrine of fellowship is a difficult subject for many because of the strong emotions involved in personal relationships.  No one wants to withdraw fellowship from anyone, especially their friends and family.  Yet the Bible teaches clearly in such passages as Matthew 18, 1 Corinthians 5, 2 Thessalonians 3, and Romans 16:17 that sometimes we must.  The Bible also teaches that failure to withdraw fellowship appropriately is equally offensive to God (2 Thessalonians 3:14).  Such underscores the seriousness God has regarding the command.

Failure to withdraw fellowship is offensive to God.

Failure to withdraw fellowship is offensive to God.

Practicing this command is not easy to do either spiritually or emotionally.  Because of this, some simply will not do what God desires: they will not withdraw fellowship when God’s word demands it.  This kind of thinking places our love for men above our love for God and His word.  These individuals need to be reminded that God comes first in our affections (Matthew 6:33, 22:37-38).  We love God by keeping His commandments (1 John 5:2-3).  Can we both love God and fellowship those who have left the faith?  We cannot.

In contrast to the above attitude, there are those who abuse church discipline.  These want to withdraw fellowship upon the slightest of indiscretions.  To compound their error, they hold faithful brethren, who in patience and love continue to work with these individuals, in equal contempt.  This view of fellowship is based upon the erroneous conclusion from 2 John 10-11 that mere personal appearances with certain people are enough to withdraw.  In contrast, 2 John 10-11 teaches that we ought not to give aid and comfort to deliberate false teachers.  If we do such, with support and encouragement, obviously we partake of their evil deeds.

2 John 10-11 does not suggest, however, that fellowship ought to be recursively withdrawn from anyone appearing with someone who is in error.  Such a position would imply that faithful brethren would need to withdraw fellowship from themselves as there is always someone with whom we are in fellowship, who fellowships someone who fellowships someone (etc.) who is not in fellowship.  Any doctrine of fellowship that implies that a faithful Christian need withdraw fellowship from himself is a false doctrine of fellowship!  On the other hand, we have those who say there are no boundaries of fellowship at all.  “We can fellowship everyone regardless of who they are or what they believe.”  Such is an equally repugnant and unbiblical position to hold.

How ought we to practice the Bible doctrine of fellowship?  We ought, on a case by case basis, to judge according to righteous judgment and not according to appearance (John 7:24).  We ought to accept each individuals person without partiality (1 Timothy 5:21, James 3:17) until such a point in time as they prove to us individually that they have left the faith (1 Timothy 1:19-20).  Such proof may take the form of their public writings, speaking, or other actions.  If their actions are private, we are obliged to follow the procedures set forth in Matthew 18:15-20 until such a time as it becomes public.  We have no precedent, however, to withdraw from someone other than dealing with their actions individually and personally.  Nevertheless, when such has been proven that they have left the faith, we must withdraw.

Such a view of withdrawal is biblical, balanced, loving, and consistent with the Bible’s complete teaching on the doctrine of fellowship.  It thus seeks to love God first in obeying His commands, and also our fellow man in respecting his personal situation without judging inappropriately.  Practicing the Bible’s teaching regarding fellowship is not easy one way or the other.  Let us not, however, seek to make it easy by either not practicing it at all, or by throwing out the proverbial baby with the bathwater and not having fellowship with anyone but our own clique.  Instead, let us seek to judge each individual fairly, on a case by case basis, without resorting to a cliquish or devilish mentality.

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