You Have But Little Power

You Have But Little Power

The Pew Research Center published an article on September 13, 2022 entitled: Modeling the Future of Religion in America.  The first paragraph of that article states: ‘Since the 1990s, large numbers of Americans have left Christianity to join the growing ranks of U.S. adults who describe their religious identity as atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular.’  While the article examines a downward trending of Religious affiliation, inherent in the data is the possibility that the percent of the population clinging to spiritual truth is also likely declining.    Man’s destiny is perfectly and directly connected to the Bible which is not a little power but that of God to mankind for salvation (Romans 1:16).Downward Trend

There are many assemblies of Christians across the country.  The quality of instruction they receive from the pulpit can be readily seen through writings, audio sermons, and video posted online.  Affixing the spiritual state of those lessons to that of the congregation is quite often not encouraging.  Examining many congregational websites and the views and activities they promote sadly leaves a further disappointing viewpoint. Those who choose not to gather, but “worship” at home by following these teachings/examples are worse off yet.  When observing the “Seeking a Preacher” ads which have been circulated, a deeper lack of hope is seen.  As a representation of the Lord’s true and singular Church which He established (Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 4:4), these sources lend themselves to data pointing toward spiritual decline among the population of the United States.  Again, observationally, the preponderance of spiritual truth also appears minimal.

The most powerful presentation of truth the world has ever known is readily available in nearly every populated location on earth (Bible).  The evidence it contains demonstrating the existence and perfect wisdom of God is to the earnest, unrefusable.  The pitfalls proclaimed in Matthew 13:10-23 are also visible in everyday life.  A lack of understanding, the trial of faith, and the lure of the world (desire of flesh, eye, and pride of life – 1 John 2:16) work to diminish the present numbers of Christian faithful among the living.  Yet, despite these occurrences, trends, concerns, there are faithful, seeking Christians yet.  The have of themselves, but little power; however, they keep the Word of God and do not deny the name of Christ.

Lost among the crowds of larger and mid-size congregations and quite possibly the cog of frustration to the “religious” in small congregations, herein, reside the faithful.  They obey the Book.  They follow the commandments of Christ.  They are those righteous from the first century forward who were and are in the congregations to which the seven Churches of Asia in the book of Revelation are a type.  Despite a likely decline in numbers, the presence of false teachings, the existence of unauthorized worship, and the waning of godly works around them, their hearts, minds, and actions stride boldly onward seeking their heavenly Father.  If you will, they are the representation of the Church of Philadelphia (Revelation 3:8).  They patiently endure holding fast to what God has given them.  The statistics, trends, polls, and reality of the wave of data calling the weak and brazen to forsake Christ will not detour them from their goal.  The Master of the Seas is their Captain; no storm can reject His Command or founder the peace which He offers.

Friends, brothers and sisters, do not let the rumors of the demise of Christianity weaken your resolve to serve God.  Seek, study, care, comfort, strengthen, and love while there is yet time.  Rely upon Him who can save your souls.  No force, no number of agnostics, atheists, or blind guides can take away what Christ gives freely.  Do not let the illusion of loneliness overtake you for long.  The great crowd of witnesses in heaven await your presence before the throne of God.  Our loving Savior will return in the clouds and with a great cry of command we will arise with those who have gone on before us.  Never lose sight of this.  Never lose hope. You may have little power by your own hand, but our mighty God can accomplish all things as He wills.

Posted in Travis Main | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on You Have But Little Power

Jesus’ Way is the Best

Jesus’ Way is the Best

Not too long ago, I saw on Facebook an article about an almost pristine Caddo canoe that was discovered in Louisiana. Archeologists were examining it, but it looked to be authentic. Such discoveries thrill us because they give us some insight into the history of our area and how native people’s lived hundreds of years ago. We believe that we can learn from the past, and so we invest energy into discovering things of the past and studying them. We also value primitivism. This is the notion that the peoples of the past did things better than we did. We may view their lifestyle as superior to ours because of its simplicity, resourcefulness, and originality.jesus way canoe

While the things that we learn from a Caddo canoe are limited, we can certainly apply these principles to our spiritual life. We look to the teaching, example, and life of Jesus as the one who did things better than we do them. His was truly a superior lifestyle being simple, resourceful, and original in its spirituality. Jesus didn’t complicate things like we do; He didn’t seek all the worldly pursuits that we engage in; He trusted in the blessings of His Father one day at a time. His plan is simple, resourceful, and original, and it is best to stick with Him. This is why He said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). Let’s not complicate things with so-called “contemporary” spiritual pursuits, but trust in the primitive, simple words of Jesus.

Posted in Kevin Cauley | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Jesus’ Way is the Best

Paying Attention to the Spices

Paying Attention to the Spices

The words of Jesus just hours before His death had to be so startling to His listeners. Their religious leaders had taught them the importance of giving tithes (10%) of all that the Lord had given to them. The leaders went beyond the obvious gifts like giving the tithe of crops they had planted and harvested. Based on Leviticus 27:30, they devoted the principle to the spices that were part of their lives.

Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe of mint and dill and cummin…” (Matt. 23:23). All of these were used in cooking, and cummin was also used as a medicine. While wheat and barley involved large sections of the land, the spices were grown in a far smaller place.  Think about the spices that you have to use in your cooking, and you will see how devoted these leaders were in tithing. Imagine counting out all of these “seeds” and giving every tenth one to God.

Before looking at the rest of what Jesus said, do not make the mistake some have in applying these verses today. We hear individuals talking about “majoring in minors,” and in the application they conclude the only thing God is concerned about is the “weightier” aspects of what God says and concluding that the “lesser” matters really do not matter at all.

Jesus did not minimize the tithing of spices. In fact, He said that you should not ignore them, you should do them. However, He then addressed the ignoring of the “weightier” matters and called these leaders, “Hypocrites.” They substituted attention to the “lesser” items and gave the appearance that they were far more religious than others. He said that the motivation to all their works were done to be seen by men (Matt. 23:5). This is a classic illustration of hypocrisy.

Look at the “weightier” matters which the leaders had neglected. Jesus said that they had “…neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith.” They had devoted all their energies to lesser aspects of what God said (it was easier for a hypocrite to do this), while at the same time ignoring what God said.

The tithe of these spices was external and far easier to do. These “weightier” matters were internal and had to do with the heart and soul of the servant of God. They are not “seed” items because they are “soul” items.

That first commandment, the greatest commandment, involves loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. Take time to see how this has such great application in our walk with the Lord in the new covenant. Service given to God that is only external is far removed from the greatest commandment. Think about this!

Posted in Dan Jenkins | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Paying Attention to the Spices

Do You Seek Togetherness?

Do You Seek Togetherness?

Over the last thirty years, my wife and I have moved many times. It seems as if the number is a lot larger, but for certain we have lived in at least 20 different locations.  We have also worshipped with brethren in numerous states.  Whether as the located preacher, conducting a meeting or a class, or just visiting, it is likely we have assembled with well over 100 congregations large and small.  Beyond the places of worship, we have gathered with Christians in even far more venues enjoying their company, sharing their lives, coming to know their families, and comforting one another over the trials and struggles that present themselves.  Whether in a home, an auditorium, a gym, a grange, a restaurant, sitting at a ballgame, out fishing, taking a walk, at conferences, the park, antique malls, countless settings, the togetherness made a difference.  Who knows how many emails I have received from Christians over the years or calls I have received or made to other Christians/preachers.  It helped and continues to beat back the feeling of being a Christian and being alone.Togetherness

Christians since the first century have met together on the first day of the week to worship God and remember their Savior at His command by communing with other Christians though the Lord’s Supper, singing, study, and prayer.  They follow the example and inference of coming together from Luke 22:19, Acts 20:7, I Corinthians 11: 17-29, I Corinthians 16:2. This practice has been verified and recorded through plentiful extra-biblical writings of Christians and non-Christians from the first century forward.  This has been observed from those early days throughout the world.  However, there are examples, not commanded by God, when Christians in the past gathered.  Acts 2:46 records Christians gathering at the temple as well as “house to house” sharing meals together.  The fact that Christians early on did not meet in “church” buildings is without dispute.  Equally as true is that the preponderance of times they met together was not for the purpose of worship.  People lived normal lives of work, play, and other occasions when they came together individually and as a community to share their time with one another.  Why do they do this?  Because people typically do not spend their time alone.  They enjoy building relationships, having fun, sharing conversation, encouraging one another, and helping one another in life.  This is true for Christians and non-Christians alike.

Jews and Christians have often suffered over the ages.  Near to the first century during the time of the Maccabees there was unrest.  Pompey would take Jerusalem in 63 BC for the Romans.  The Jews were under this governance when suffering the murder of their children by Herod during the childhood of Jesus.   Jesus would later go to the cross instead of Barabbus an insurrectionist (an activity drawing the attention of Rome).  The Jews would be forced from Rome at the hand of Claudius during the 40s AD due to concern over insurrection.  The insurrection of the Jews during the 60s Ad ultimately brought about the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD by Rome.  Christians were not immune from being tied to the behavior of the Jews.  They were considered just a sect of the Jews.  Unfortunately, not only did Christians suffer because they were either Jews or associated with them, but they also suffered at the hand of the Judaizers for their beliefs.  The witness of this is great throughout the New Testament.  While, the destruction of Jerusalem eased the punishment of the Judaizers upon Christians, Rome would certainly have their hand upon Christians as time would progress.  If you found yourself a Jew or Christian during these times do you think you would isolate yourself from those who could lend you support?  The Christians specifically would need to gather themselves together even more closely as it seemed they were being persecuted from all sides.  They would need the comfort, aid, and fellowship of brothers and sisters in Christ to get them through the terrible times.

Enter the book of Hebrews.  Hebrews is written to what is believed to be a Hebrew/Israelite/Jewish Christian audience.  The letter furthermore is believed by many to have been written specifically to the Jewish Christians of Jerusalem possibly months before the 70 AD destruction.  Whether or not that is exact, or the letter was written to Jewish Christians of that timeframe throughout the known world of that time, the Christians were alive during a time of increasing stress, hard times, persecution, and peril.  Apostles were being martyred! Fear and uncertainty most certainly surrounded Christianity.  Herein comes Hebrews 10:23-25:

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but encouraging one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

This passage is most often used to guilt people into making every bible study a body of Christians holds i.e. additional Sunday morning, night, and Wednesday evening gatherings.  No such mandate of these specific times was ever made in scripture.  The authorized command of assembling by Christ in remembrance and examples of assembling on the first day of the week by the Church has been established, but no other has been bound in heaven nor can be upon the earth.  If the context of Hebrews 10 were specifically refencing a congregational time of worship, the first century Christians would not define the time of assembling as done today.  Under such a specific view the time would be the first day of the week.  However, is this what Hebrews 10 is referencing?  The context of Hebrews would resoundingly say “No!”.  The meaning is far deeper and critical.  The assembling here using the logical ability to infer, as authorized by Christ in (Matthew 22:29-32), would always direct Christians to the understanding of communing together for comfort, encouragement, and strength.  Specifically, as they see the time of duress coming near.  Again, in context, a time of judgment would be approaching the Christians (Hebrews 10:13, 27-39).  They had been in and would be through trials.  They needed “encouraging” (25), “compassion” (34), “confidence” (35), and “faith” (38).  If the time coming was the destruction of Jerusalem, persecution from Rome, or the final Judgment of all (unlikely due to the immediacy of the language of Hebrews), as stated earlier, the Christians would need the comfort, aid, and fellowship of brothers and sisters in Christ to get them through the terrible times.  This involves a whole lot more cruciality than a mindset of making a Bible study.  It means in one’s life gathering with Christians frequently in a wide variety of settings and locations for multiple purposes.

The Hebrews 10 passage brings about a truth that the entire Bible confirms.  Being in contact with and surrounding ourselves with godly brothers and sisters will build us up and see us through all seasons.  It will help us avoid the feeling of being alone, helpless and stranded in a world of sin.  While it is a truth that frequent Bible study is uplifting and done so in assembling with other Christians has the possibility of making it even more so, we must leave passages in their appropriate context as addressed to the given audience.  To “forsake”, “treat as empty”, “desert”, or “leave behind” assembling with others also has a far different connotation associated with it than being concerned about a specific Bible study time.  Christians we need to remember that at times, there are different needs that must be met.  We are created for the purpose of good works.  This means your time may be better served talking to someone and spending time with them, rather than having your head in the good and holy Book (Matthew 15:1-9).  Value the time to go serve someone and show the love of Christ.  Let us not be like the Pharisees happy to show our check list of successfully attended class times, but rather be as the anonymous good Samaritan who seized the moment to do what is right and pleasing in the sight of God.

 

 

 

Posted in Travis Main | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Do You Seek Togetherness?

Reproof or Reprove?

Reproof or Reprove?

Yes, words have meaning.  It is important to know what they mean.  As a boy, I once called my father a name I had heard from the boys at school.  I had no clue what it meant.  After I got up off the ground my father explained to me what the word meant.  When it comes to scripture, words are more important than a knock on the head.

Words impact the meaning of the context they are in.  A man running from a smoking building and yelling “fire!”, is in a far better place than a man in front of a death squad yelling “fire!”.   When we turn to the scriptures, we want to be able to understand them because they can affect the destiny of souls.  This brings me to the specific topic of this article.  The word “reprove” is Strong’s number H3198 in the Old Testament and its partner in the New Testament is G1651.  These words in Hebrew and Greek carry the idea of rebuking, correcting, or admonishing someone.  This word is not the same as “Reproof”. Fire has multiple meanings.

The “Reproof” I am referring to is in the New Testament.  It is used only two times.  It is the word with Strong’s number #G1650.  It is first found in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”.  Nearly every preacher I have ever known or heard has taught this passage is teaching rebuking and then correction.  That is simply not correct.  It is a proof, evidence, or aspect which convicts.  Scripture aids in coming to know doctrine.  It presents convicting evidence.  It enables poor behavior to be corrected.  Finally, it provides direction on how to do right.

The second passage and only other which uses this word, strengthens this understanding.  Hebrews 11:1 states: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  Here we come to an understanding of a few things.  Faith is the substance or foundation.  Faith, of course, is built on what is heard from the Word of God (Romans 10:17).  Faith is furthermore composed of what is stated in the latter part of the verse, “evidence” – Exactly what 2 Timothy 2:16-17 claims.  The Word is profitable for evidence and that faith building evidence is what our hope stands on.  Failing to understand the meaning of the word reproof in Timothy (which should be written evidence as in Hebrews 11:1), pulls it from the supporting tool chest drawer of verses that it needs to be in.

The Bible is the mind of God.  Understanding it takes time and study.  It provides continual growth and insight as to who our God is.  Take the time to examine words and find their place in God’s great message.  He has given it to us to uncover and discover as we glorify Him day to day.

Posted in Travis Main | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Reproof or Reprove?