The Church is the People

The Church Is The People

We teach it. We preach it. We say we believe it. We just seem to have a devil of a time understanding it – and a far worse one of fully accepting and living it! How many times have we preached, taught, heard, read, said, and/or were convinced we understood it? “The church is the people.” Yes, it is a very simple statement. And yet, it is one not all of us apparently understand the full implications of. You see, when a church member complains or finds fault about what “the church” is not doing (and they themselves are guilty of any similar if not the exact same negligence), they are actually complaining about, and condemning themselves! Why? Because “the church is the people,” and the complainers in the church, are “the church” they are into complaining about!

The church is not made of wood and stone, flesh or bone, but faithful souls serving God.

The church is not made of wood and stone, flesh or bone, but faithful souls serving God.

For example, when a church member complains that the church is not doing enough to bring new folks in, they need to be immediately asked, “So; when was the last time YOU brought someone new in… or invited someone to sit down and study the bible with YOU… seeing as how YOU are the church? When a church member contends that the church either has not done, or is not doing enough now to hold onto our youth, they need to be immediately asked, “So, why haven’t YOU done more, and why aren’t YOU doing more now to hold onto them… seeing as how YOU are the church?” When all some brethren want to do is sit back and criticize “the church” for supposedly being so divided they can’t work or get along together, they need to be immediately asked, “So, why are YOU so quick to complain, alienate, and justify your own not working with your brethren by staying home and not supporting their unity, harmony, and labor of love whenever there’s an opportunity to get and work together for growth, fellowship, and service events… because YOU are the church?”

But you see, that’s not usually what brethren mean when they start griping and complaining about “the church.” Their meaning is more often instead, to point the finger of blame at the elders, the preacher, the older, the younger, the richer, the poorer, and/or any or all of the other people who make up “the church” – but surely not themselves! And certainly never with the vim and vigor with which they routinely judge and condemn their brethren! Oh, on occasion you might hear some throw in the obligatory “And I’m guilty of it too.” But the sincerity of such statements can often be easily determined by simply observing the strength of the efforts they put into personal repentance in the days to come.

But for those Christians who want to constantly just gripe and complain about “the church” – which is what they themselves are – and point their fingers of blame at all the rest of their blood-bought brethren while giving themselves a self-justified free pass to continue right on along without ‘Being and making the changes they want to see,’ Jesus has some incredibly stern words of warning…

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matt. 7:1-5). Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you…” (Ro. 2:17-24. Essential additional instruction can be found in Lk. 6:35-38 & Phil. 1:27-2:16.)

The following adage is true. So the next time you hear a church member complaining about “the church” not having done this or that, remember: “Whenever someone points their finger of blame at someone else, they have three of their own fingers pointing back at themselves.” And they’d better not be guilty of what they’re judging “the church” for not doing… For the church, is THEM!

 

Posted in Doug Dingley | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Church is the People

A Million Days of Life

How Long is Time?

There’s an old saying, Another day, another dollar; a million days, a million dollars. But do you know how long a million days are? Hold your breath! You would have to live 2,739 years to live a million days!

Have time enough for a million years of days? What would you do with it?

Have time enough for a million years of days? What would you do with it?

Actually, the Bible suggest we have three-score years and ten to live. That is seventy years or about 25,000 days. A magazine article once suggested that teenagers will live, on the average, one hundred years and your children might well live until they reach the ripe old age of one hundred fifty. The author of the article suggested that old age is just a disease and we have a right to expect science to conquer this disease as well as many others.

Of course, nobody wants to die. Life is wonderful and the more of it we have, the better. Yet, how well you live is much more important than how long you live. Jesus was only thirty-three, but look at the mark He made upon the     world. ?Oh, yes, you say, but He was God’s Son. True. And we will never match Him. But, we are also God’s children—in a different sense, of course—but we, too, can fill life full of great living—in our way.

How? Here are some ideas in brief. Suppose you add some others. Talk this over with your friends:

1. Conquer the inner frustrations that keep you unhappy—the fears, the doubts, the inner turmoil. Become emotionally stable.

2. Respect yourself, but learn to live for others. The selfish life is an unhappy life. Minister to others; serve; give yourself away.

3. Be sensitive to the things of the spirit. Walk with God. Confess your sins and receive God’s forgiveness.

Posted in Robert Notgrass | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on A Million Days of Life

Ten Commandments Today?

Are we to follow the Ten Commandments? Are they written for us?

Do commandments of the Law of Moses have authority over the Christian?

Do commandments of the Law of Moses have authority over the Christian?

Your question really involves two separate questions with which I want to deal with separately. First, let’s ask the question, “Were the Ten Commandments originally written for all mankind?” The answer to this question is, “no.” The Ten Commandments as originally given are found in Exodus 20:1-17. They are part of the covenant that God made with Israel when they came out of Egyptian bondage. We read in at least two places in the Old Testament that the Mosaic Covenant was not intended for all mankind, but for the nation of Israel alone. In Exodus 34:27, 28 we find this explicitly stated. “And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel. And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.” (KJV). Notice that the covenant was with Moses and with Israel specifically. It was not for any other nations. Notice the content of the covenant in verse 28, “the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.” So the Ten Commandments were only given as a covenant to Moses and to Israel. Let’s look at another passage of scripture dealing with this same issue. In fact, this passage is actually a commentary by Moses on Exodus 34:27, 28 because Moses is restating the Ten Commandments for the children of Israel who are about to go into the land of Cannan. We read in Deuteronomy 5:1-3, “And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them. The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.” The covenant was made with Israel. This covenant did not apply to their fathers (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), but to them specifically. Now let’s ask some practical questions regarding this first question. If we were to draw up a covenant between two parties today (let’s say between Kevin and Tony) and we were to say that this covenant which we have is between Kevin and Tony, then automatically everyone understands that other people are excluded from the covenant. The same common sense applies to the Old Covenant. God made that covenant between him and the children of Israel. That is the entire scope of the Old Covenant and it does not have application to any other party or group of people outside of that nation of Israel.

Your second question is as follows: “Do the principles and content within the Ten Commandments have application for us today?” The answer to that question is a resounding, “Yes!” There are aspects of the Ten Commandments that are still applicable for mankind because these aspects are against man’s moral nature. In other words, committing these sins would be acting in a way that is against the way in which God created us. Such is the case with murder, adultery, theft, lying, covetousness, and failing to honor father and mother. The principles under-girding the Ten Commandments themselves will never cease to be applicable as long as man walks upon the face of the earth, because man is who God made him to be. The remainder of the Ten Commandments is applicable in principle as well. Don’t worship idols and don’t use God’s name in vain. The one commandment that most people have questions about today is, “Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy.” Here is where we must understand the principle undergirding the commandment. God’s principle was for the children of Israel to set aside a day out of the week to rest and to worship. This day was the Sabbath or seventh day; what we today would call Saturday. Is Saturday binding today as the day of God’s worship? No. Must we worship God today on Saturday? No. Has God changed the Sabbath so that it is now Sunday? No. Sunday is NOT the Sabbath day. Is the principle of worshipping God at least one day out of the week still in effect? Yes. Absolutely. Today, God commands us that we worship upon the “first day of the week” (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor.16:2) or Sunday.

Now, what is the key to understanding the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament. I would recommend that you study a few passages. First, in Colossians 2:13, 14 Paul writes, “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.” The “handwriting of ordinances” is a reference to the Mosaic covenant. This passage clearly teaches that it was “nailed to the cross” along with our sins. Those who suggest that we need to keep the Old Covenant are, according to this passage, making the equal suggestion that we should remain in our sins. That is just a suggestion that cannot be tolerated. Notice also Hebrews 8:13, “In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.” The first covenant is now the “old” covenant. It has decayed, waxed old, and vanished away in its authority. In contrast, the New Covenant is new, young, and visible–it is the one that contains all authority from God. Notice Hebrews 9:15a, “And for this cause he is the mediator of the New Testament….” Jesus mediates for a new covenant now. To try to place oneself under the Old Covenant now is to reject the mediating power of Jesus Christ. Notice Hebrews 10:9b, “…He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.” The first needed to be done away with in order for the second to contain authority for all mankind.

There are several other passages that one should look at and study: Galatians 4:1-7; Galatians 4:21-31; Romans 7:1-4; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; Matthew 5:17, 18; 2 Corinthians 3:11-16. Each of these passages makes it abundantly clear that it was never God’s intention for the Old Covenant to be an authority for all mankind. It was a temporary system for a limited amount of time. When Jesus died on the cross, he fulfilled the Old Law and established the New Covenant. Today, we must hear the words of Jesus
(Hebrews 1:1-4).

Are the Ten Commandments still in effect? In principle, they are, not as part of the Old Covenant, but rather as part of the New Covenant–the covenant for which Jesus is NOW mediator. Inasmuch as these commandments are restated under the New Covenant, we are to follow them and give our complete allegiance to them, as we would to any part of God’s will for man today.

Posted in Kevin Cauley | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Ten Commandments Today?

Your “Like” Represents the Church

Think Before You Like

Twenty-five years ago, there was a phrase that was familiar to most New Testament Christians: “bringing reproach upon the church.” A person who was caught publically intoxicated or caught having a marital affair brought shame upon the church, as well as themselves. Christians committing a public sin were expected to go forward at their local congregation and ask for the forgiveness of the congregation. After all, that person represented all the Christians in that particular community.

Be careful what you decide to represent by a "like" or "retweet".

Be careful what you decide to represent by a “like” or “retweet”.

Fast-forward twenty-five years and that particular phrase has been cast on top of an antiquated heap of words that are not used very often. Most young people today have probably never heard that phrase used in the Lord’s invitation. But the situation remains: New Testament Christians can bring reproach upon the church by their very actions. And sadly, for many Christian young people, this reproach is just one click away.

Want a modern-day example? How about when a Christian “likes” or “retweets” someone’s post that contains profanity or immodesty? Sure, the Christian was not the originator of the post, but their “like” or “retweet” has now brought it before the eyes of their friends and family—and sadly, it now bears the Christian’s stamp of approval.

There are two problems with this situation. First, and probably most critical, is a heart problem. What you “like” displays a window into your heart. Why would a Christian young person today be “liking” a post or meme that contains profanity, vulgar slang, or indecent language? Or why would they retweet or like an image of someone scantily clad? These are not things that a person seeking to be more Christ-like would be doing. These are symptoms of someone who has fallen comfortable being in the world. This is someone who has not put on the new man, and has forgotten what it was that put Jesus on the cross.

Second, this individual has forgotten that they represent the church to many of their friends or coworkers. They are “Christians” in the eyes of classmates or coworkers. And so those lost in sin look at this behavior and never feel any conviction about their own sin. They look at this Christian and feel comfortable—because after all, they are not much different from one another.

Friends, it matters what you “like” or “retweet” on social media. It matters what your friends think you are putting your stamp of approval on. Christ died for His bride, the church. When you click that “like” button you are a representative for His bride. Don’t take your job too lightly. And don’t “like” something that crucifies Him afresh.

Posted in Brad Harrub | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Your “Like” Represents the Church

SIRVIENDO DE CORAZON

SIRVIENDO DE CORAZON

Muchas de las personas en la actualidad, cautivan por sus extraordinarias hazañas o actos heroicos.  Cantidad de películas y obras de teatro se han llevado a cabo con esta mentalidad, si usted vio por ejemplo “Superman” personaje que se transforma y salva  la cuidad y a Luisa, o quizás haya tenido la oportunidad de  haber visto “Iroman” otro hombre con un traje de  metal  interesado en siempre  estar en el momento indicado y salvar la Tierra, y tantas otras conmovedoras historias diseñadas para hacernos llorar y  reír. De pequeño siempre Soñé en volar como “superman”, la realidad es que muchos son movidos a hacer actos heroicos como estos hombres y otros tan solo fingen para ser alabados por el público. Lo cierto es que la Biblia nos enseña a poder servir como hijos de Dios en cada situación que tengamos a nuestro alcance. Si usted hace memoria en el paso de su vida sobre esta tierra se encontrará que en algún momento determinado pudo ayudar a alguien en alguna situación de carácter difícil o imposible. Estoy seguro que en ese momento usted se sintió especialmente feliz en ser Útil independientemente de ser visto o no . 

SIRVIENDO DE CORAZON

SIRVIENDO DE CORAZON

El Señor Jesús uso de su valioso tiempo para dejarnos lecciones grandes sobre este tema, ignorado y mal interpretado por otros. Mat 20:28 claramente el Señor hablaba de un servicio un tanto fuera de la usual. El servicio es algo que todos pueden hacerlo pero cuando unimos este texto con Juan 15:9  Nos damos cuenta que en realidad el servicio del que hablaba el Señor es la expresión sublime del Amor.

Cierto hermano padecía de una fractura sería en el fémur de su pie derecho que le atormentaba constantemente y al encontrarse con ciertos hermanos en una complicada situación decidió ayudar; pasó 4 días realizando actividades difíciles; y sobre todo levantando objetos que tenía prohibido hacer a causa de su pierna, por las noches no podía ni siquiera dormir a causa de su dolor a pesar de que se le pedía constantemente que descansara continuaba hasta cojeando,  más decidido en ayudar a sus hermanos por el gran y profundo amor que les tenía. Este hermano pensaba en la promesa plasmada en las páginas del Sagrado Libro en Lu 12:37,  de recibir su recompensa de parte de Dios esto es servir de Corazón ; Ro 6:19: Ro 12;7 2 Cor 11:8.  De una manera absoluta el Señor decidió morir por nosotros en la amarga cruz del monte calvario aquel oscuro día en que  le mataron sin tener culpa de todas las acusaciones. Es inevitable  que aunque nosotros sirvamos de corazón nos paguen con desprecios y críticas, pero es donde se encuentra la clave de todo el servir de corazón,  sin esperar recibir algo bueno a cambio, la Justicia de Dios siempre ha estado presente en cada situación,  ´EL Dios de Israel, ´El Dios que hizo al mundo, ´El Dios que nos ha creado, ese mismo Dios está interesado en que aprendamos a “estar abajo” por decirlo de alguna manera, el poder mirar a los Ojos con una sonrisa a quién a procedido con engaño, crítica y desprecio hacia nosotros  y sentir verdadero amor es algo que nos hace de una especie única, algo que la gente común no hace, algo que es mil veces mejor que responder con una maldición. Ahí en ese momento cuando sus lágrimas bajan por sus mejillas o cuando su corazón se desangra por dentro del dolor, es cuando Dios toma su “martillo” y comienza a moldear una escultura que será única en el mundo; Ese momento como cuando usted decide rechazar algún título o  reconocimiento de parte de las personas, ese momento cuando decide hacer grandes obras viviendo en el anonimato, es la el Éxito rotundo en el Servicio tan solo piense por un momento  cuando el mundo entero, hasta su Familia y mejores amigos le dan la espalda a pesar de haber servido excepcionalmente,  Dios pronunciará su nombre un día y todos sus ángeles  le reconocerán personalmente.

La motivación que nos hace el Señor en la Biblia es de “Servir de corazón”, con amor, con sentimiento  a veces puede sonar complicado pero es un hábito que debe ser cultivado en lo profundo… que a su tiempo segaremos Gálatas 6:7 . El cristianismo es una vida de servicio constante, la motivación de los textos anteriormente mencionados es a hacerlo, aunque recibamos mal y además a Hacerlo para como para Dios Col 3:23 y sí en algún momento pasa el pensamiento humano de encenderse en ira recuerde que: “hemos muerto” (Col 3:3 ). Esto no lo hizo ni “superman ni Iroman” ni ningún actor. Es Cristo quien vive ahora en Nosotros Gal 2:20 a travez  de su palabra, la Biblia, para que nos dediquemos en una completa vida de Servicio de Corazón.

Posted in Heiner Montealto | Tagged , , | Comments Off on SIRVIENDO DE CORAZON