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EL PECADO DEL MIEDO
Caminar por un cementerio a las doce de la noche completamente solo, podría pintar una mala impresión en la mente de muchas personas, casi en unanimidad todos nosotros rechazaríamos tal oferta. El miedo de este tipo no es del que está en discusión en esta ocasión sino el miedo a los hombres. En muchas ocaciones la verdad se ve opacada por el miedo que algunos tienen de los hombres.
Ciertamente en la Biblia aprendemos de varios ejemplos, y ni siquiera los apóstoles escapan de este pecado. Pedro en primera instancia negó al Señor tres veces por temor. Los apóstoles todos excepto Juan huyeron al momento de la crucifixión de su Maestro, Judas por miedo decidió terminar con su vida ¿Pero que es el miedo en sí? Vines lo define así: fobos (fovbo”, 5401) tenía al principio el significado de huida; luego vino a denotar aquello que puede provocar la huida. Se traduce como «miedo» en Mt 14.26; 28.4; Lc 7.16; Jn 7.13; 19.38; 20.19. En forma de verbo 1. fobeo (fobevw, 5399), 2. deiliao (deiliavw, 1168), cf. deilia, , y deilos, COBARDE. Se traduce «tenga miedo» en Jn 14.27. Y sin duda alguna los cobardes están en la lista de residentes del lago de fuego de Apocalipsis 21:8. Si en algún momento usted a pensado que el miedo no es pecado le animo a que lea de nuevo Ap 21.
Los cristianos tenemos una esperanza suprema, si la Iglesia de Cristo hubiese sido destruida el chance más grande sin duda alguna fue al cierre del siglo primero e inicios del 2 siglo con; Nerón, Dominicano, y otros emperadores más pero eso no sucedió y todos ellos están muertos. Si ese era el chance más grande entonces ¿de que tenemos miedo? La Iglesia no debe temer al gobierno, ni a la corte suprema o a el presente electo y ni mucho menos al avance de las denominaciones. El miedo es categorizado como pecado, sino lo cree así solamente observe la frase que Pablo usa respecto al miedo de Pedro en Gálatas 2: 11 “…era de condenar”. Desde la antigüedad de hecho Dios estaba resguardando del miedo a sus principales piezas de batalla como lo fue el general Josué al decirle a él: “…No temas ni desmayes…”(Josué 1:9). Con miedo, es imposible conquistar una batalla. El Salmista en Salmos 56:3 expresa que cuando tenía miedo el depositaba su confianza en el Señor, sin duda alguna Dios desea eso, espera que nuestro ser, nuestros afanes y nuestras cargas sean puestas en El. EL miedo es un pecado ya que arrastra consigo la inseguridad. Los primeros que deben deshacerse del miedo son los predicadores del Evangelio de Cristo, y 3 elementos fundamentales si usted quiere superar el miedo como predicador o como miembro del cuerpo de Cristo: 1) Preparase bien. A pesar que el movimiento “anti” continúa oponiéndose a las escuelas de predicaciones, son han sido y continuarán siendo la sangre vital de la Iglesia. Le animó a que asistir a una de ellas sea su deseo pero por sobre todo le exhorto a que busque una escuela o universidad de la Iglesia de Cristo donde puedan preparar predicadores competentes. Donde lo preparen como un verdadero profesional en la Biblia y a la misma vez donde la humildad sea un énfasis de la institución. Si usted no ha profundizado en las materias Bíblicas ha como debería, lamento mucho informarle que usted no va a conversar a nadie, recuerde que Apolos era elocuente y poderoso en las escrituras (Hechos 18:24). 2) Desaparezca usted de la ecuación. Los predicadores que son exitosos son aquellos quienes no permiten que la atención se centre en ellos sino en lo que ellos están diciendo y enseñando hay muchos que asistieron a la “Escuela de Herodes” (Hechos 12:20-25) para lucirse en Público y recibir alabanza de hombres, ¡cuidado! La Gloria es de Dios siempre (1Tim 1:17) y es mejor ser ignorado por el publico y que la gloria sea de Dios porque después es Dios quien nos va a exaltar (Santiago 4:10). Como hombres siempre nos van a acusar de pecado y eso nos da miedo y aterroriza pero si desaparecemos de la ecuación el resultado será el mejor de todos= Regresemos a la Biblia, en tal caso la Biblia es perfecta y Jamás se equivoca aunque yo sí. 3) Ser consistente. En esta semana hablaba con un hermano que insistía en esto de la consistencia y defendía cierto asunto cuando un minuto después atacaba aquello que defendía anteriormente. Muchos hermanos ni siquiera saben que es ser consistente. Amigo una persona puede estar equivocada pero al mismo tiempo ser consistente aunque le suene extraño. Nosotros en la Iglesia de Cristo estamos en la verdad y necesitamos ser consistentes. Es decir; morir predicando lo mismo, sosteniendo las mismas verdades y posiciones doctrinales aunque el mundo se de vuelta y vivir desacuerdo a esa verdad, eso es ser consistente.
Mis héroes sin duda alguna son aquellos hermanos que no tienen miedo a nada ni a nadie, que pueden debatir con el ateo más influyente del mundo y estar convencido que tal persona está en error y probarlo, tal como lo hizo el hermano Thomas B.Warren con el inglés Antonthy F. , hermanos que no tienen temor de escribir artículos, predicar sermones hacer conferencias o grabar videos exponiendo públicamente falsas enseñanzas y dejando en evidencia el error de hombres mentirosos y estableciendo la verdad. Aquellos hermanos que no tienen miedo ni al demonio mismo en persona, de esos quiero ser yo, de esos espero usted también pueda ser. No se trata de nosotros, ni de que somos orgullosos o arrogantes como algunos quieren acusarnos falsamente, no hay nada especial en mí o en usted, se trata del mensaje divino que proclamamos (Judas 3). Recuerde Hebreos 13:6 “Así que podemos decir con toda confianza: «El Señor es quien me ayuda; no temeré.¿Qué me puede hacer un simple mortal?»” Amigo, hermano Dios está de nuestro lado (Rom. 8:37) no tema en lo absoluto lo que pueda hacer el hombre (Mateo 10:28).
Worship or Play Church?
Worship or Play Church?
I will never forget that cottonwood tree just outside the back door of the house I lived in for my entire childhood. It was where we built our treehouse and where the ropes for young “Tarzans” and swings for young children were anchored. But, the best memory I have of that tree was that several times every week we “played church” in its shade.
We were serious about “ playing church ”— I preached hundreds of sermons and lead hundreds of songs under its huge branches. However, just to be entirely truthful, if my mother offered us treats or suggested we go get a special toy at the “five and dime” store—talk about inflation, they are now called the dollar store—church ended!
Sometimes as I worship, I wonder if even now I fully comprehend the seriousness of worship. How far have I come from those days when I “played church”? The words God gave to two of His messengers come to my soul and create a longing for Him to help me to do more than “play church”—they help me to worship. “The Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before Him…Guard your steps as you go into the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools…for God is in heaven and you are on the earth” (Hab. 2:20; Ecc. 5:1-2).
It sometimes is far easier to “play church” and to just sing rather than to worship and praise Him. I know the words and melody of many songs but at those times when I sing, they come from my body and not my soul. Do you ever do this?
As I listen to godly men proclaim His message, I sometimes lose the attitude expressed by Cornelius, “We are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God” (Acts 10:33). God, at these times, help me. Mold me and make me…thou are the potter I am the clay. Do you ever do this?
We prayed under that cottonwood tree, but sometimes we missed the seriousness of prayer. Paul was in prayer, and when in prison, he asked others to pray for him because he truly believed he would be released from prison because of these very prayers (Phil. 1:19). Do you ever do this?
We used to pretend to give as we “played church.” Sometimes, I lose sight of how my giving is designed to help minister to the needy, to proclaim the gospel to the lost, to enable the church to be edified especially in our building and to “help” God accomplish His work. Do you ever do this?
The same is true of the Lord’s Supper. When I forget the cross, I close the door to spiritual maturity (2 Pet. 1:8-9). Do you ever do this? God help me to be changed by worshiping you. Forgive me when I just “play church.”
Posted in Dan Jenkins
Tagged playing church, worship, worshipping
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The Powerful Instruction of God
The Powerful Instruction of God
Mankind is lost in sin. A truth we must not forget (Rom. 3:23). The history of man reveals a history of sin. Even those who have given their life to Christ are guilty of sin. For John said, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 Jn. 1:10). Therefore, men need a savior and we need an instruction manual which is why Paul penned, “for the grace that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us” (Tit. 2:11-12).
The law of the Lord is perfect and converts the soul (Psa. 19:7). It is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16). It is sharper than swords and divides the soul and spirit of a man (Heb. 4:12). And so, since His word lives and abides forever (1 Pet. 1:23), there is no area of man’s activities that God’s word does not direct.
The Word of God does so much for us. We should be as the psalmist who loves God’s law and meditates on it (Psa. 119:97-104). But, when was the last time you meditated on God’s Word? Or, have you ever? You must know that only the pure word of God is powerful enough for man and God’s use. And, it cannot be changed (2 Jn. 9). One who does not live up to this word cannot expect to be pleasing to God. But, perhaps you do not know what the word of God does for us?
Consider the following: (1) It gives life (Jn. 6:63). (2) It converts the soul (Acts 11:13-14). (3) It saves. James tells us that the engrafted word is able to save the soul (Jam. 1:21). How is that? Because faith comes by hearing the word of God (Rom. 10:17). (4) It procreates the new life in Christ (Jam. 1:18). Paul gives further information on this by saying that we are born through the gospel (1 Cor. 4:15). (5) The word cleanses us (Jn. 15:3). (6) We are sanctified through the word (Jn. 17:17). (7) The word of God enables the Christian to make spiritual growth (1 Pet. 2:2).
Each of us is responsible for how we hear for we are to be doers of the word (Jam. 1:22) and not dull of hearing (Heb. 5:11). Therefore, we must grow from babes to eating strong meat (Heb. 5:12). We are expected to grow spiritually strong (1 Pet. 3:18) and not be like those in Heb. 5:12 who were rebuked because of their lack of growth. May we put the truth in our hearts. May we live by and teach it without adding or subtracting from it (Rev. 22:18-19) and may we declare the whole council of God (Acts 20:27).
We must give heed to the power of God’s Word. We must have receptive ears and hearts because we are hearing as we look at the horizon of eternity. May we ever teach the powerful, everlasting word of God and may we ever hold on to it.
Posted in Robert Notgrass
Tagged gospel, instruction, Salvation, word
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Dumb Idols & Foolish Men
Dumb Idols & Foolish Men
In Psalm 115 the psalmist is rightly critical of those who put their trust in man made idols. He says that men have created, by the works of their own hands, gods of silver and gold. They have mouths, but they do not speak. They have eyes, but they do not see. They have ears, but they do not hear. They have noses, but they do not smell. They have hands, but they can not handle anything with them. They have feet, but they do not walk. He goes on to say that those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them. In other words, the idols are dumb gods and those who trust in them are foolish men.
Many people do the same thing today with modern idolatry, be it television, sports, hobbies, work, or wealth. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with these things but when we put them above the one true and living God we create an idol. When we do so we are as “dumb” as the idols we worship. Don’t think it is true? What do you put first in your life? Where are your priorities? When the church meets to study, worship, fellowship, and serve where is your mouth, your eyes, your ears, your hands, and your feet? Be honest!
The one true and living God is a true shield in whom we can place all our trust. He speaks, sees, hears, smells, handles, and walks. And we can too when we bless Him, glorify Him, serve Him, worship Him, and put Him first in our lives. He then blesses us…nothing else can! Be faithful!
Moonquakes
Moonquakes
Between the years of 1969 to 1972 NASA sent Seismometers with the Apollo astronauts to be placed on the moon. They continued to send back data to earth until 1979 when they were turned off. They found that the moon shakes due to various different disturbances moonquakes. The seismometers recorded the impact of asteroids, the collapse of crater edges, tremors caused by earth’s tides, and even quakes caused by the transition from day to night, which, on the moon, is quite a swing. The most interesting feature of these moonquakes, however, was their longevity. Because the moon is a relatively solid chunk of material (unlike the earth which has a crumbly/brittle surface) the vibrations from its quakes resonated longer, like a bell as opposed to say, like the skin on a drum.
It’s not that the character of the vibration is any different, but rather, because the quality of the material is different. /1
This brings to mind one particular parable that Jesus told, the parable of the sower (Luke 8:4-8). In this parable, the sower scatters his seed upon different types of soil: trampled, rocky, thorny, and good. Each soil represents a different quality of heart. Some reject God’s word instantly; that’s the trampled packed ground into which the seed can’t penetrate. Some accept God’s word but because of persecutions ultimately grow weary, the stony soil. Some accept God’s word but then due to temptations of the world turn back, the thorny soil. The good soil, however, accepts God’s word and brings forth fruit “with patience” (Luke 8:15). The same seed was scattered; the only thing that was different was the quality of the soil. One persisted; two died off; one didn’t even get started.
The Bible has several things to say about persistence. Jesus said in Luke 9:62 “No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” The apostle Paul exhorted, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” The apostle Peter warned, “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.”
We live in a country in which the sound of God’s word may be heard frequently as it resonates from faithful preachers and teachers today. But whether vibration from God’s word resonates within our life or not depends upon the quality of our character. If our character is hollow, insipid, crumbly, and weak, then God’s word isn’t going to resonate very long. However, if our character is solid, clear, stout, and strong, God’s word will resonate on and on and our life will quake with His truth. Jesus said, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).
1. http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/15mar_moonquakes.htm?list209831
Posted in Kevin Cauley
Tagged attitudes, moonquakes, perseverance, steadfastness
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