If She Only Had a Brain

Have you ever seen the movie the “Wizard of Oz”?  Surely you have, it’s an all-time classic.  O.K., O.K., maybe you are one of the ten or so who hasn’t seen it; but surely you’ve heard of it.  Perhaps you remember the scarecrow who sang, “If I only had a brain.”

This song reminds me of a story about an atheistic school teacher who was trying to explain evolution to a class of 6-year-olds.  She said, “Tommy, do you see the tree outside?”  “Yes,” said Tommy.  The teacher asked, “Tommy, do you see the grass outside?”  Again, Tommy said, “Yes.”  The teacher said, “Can you see the sky.”  Tommy said, “Yes.”  The teacher asked, “Did you see God?”  Tommy said, “No.”  “That’s my point,” said the teacher, “We can’t see God because He isn’t there.”  A little girl spoke up and wanted to ask Tommy some questions.  The teacher agreed, and the little girl asked, “Tommy, do you see the tree outside?”  Tommy said, “Yes.”  She asked, “Tommy, do you see the grass outside?”  Tommy, getting tired of the questions by this time, said, “Yes.”  She asked, “Tommy, do you see the teacher?”  Tommy said, “Yes.”  She asked, “Do you see her brain?”  Tommy said, “No.”  She asked, “Does that mean she doesn’t have one?”

Good question.  Remember friends, “…faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for, the EVIDENCE of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1).

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We Are Not Alone

While we live in a very transparent society we can often find ourselves very isolated and alone. It is commonly the case that, during these moments of solitude, we are lured into a false sense of security. Hence, we let down our spiritual guard and regularly are overcome by temptation and sin. The seclusion of the hotel room while away from home offers the opportunity to view pornography, the privacy of a meeting room allows for an office flirtation to become more serious, the solitude of the car allows for words of anger to be spoken, the secrecy of a confidence affords an opportunity to violate that trust.

The fact is though that we are NEVER alone. God knows the thoughts in your mind, He hears the words from your lips and he sees the sinful act no matter our attempts to conceal them from all others (Job 34:21; Psalm 139:1-6). And He will hold you accountable for them in this life and the next. He hates the wicked imaginations and acts of a foolish heart.

We cannot hide from the all-seeing eyes of Jehovah (Proverbs 15:3; Psalm 11:4). God sees and watches all you do (Proverbs 5:21; Jeremiah 17:10). In His sight every foolish thought is sin (Proverbs 24:9; Ezekiel 14:4 Matthew 5:28). He sees where I go and what I do.

It is imperative for us to remember that the all-seeing eyes of Jehovah are looking at everything we say, hear, and do. Why? Because He is some angry God who is just waiting to pounce on us the minute that we “mess up?” No! He is looking for faithful men so that He might bless them (2 Chronicles 16:9; Psalm 34:11-16).

God walks with us and wants to bless us. Let us each ensure that we are always aware of His presence and live obedient and loyal lives!

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Time and Patience

Building the Lord’s Body Requires Time and Patience

Understanding time and the need for patience,  especially with respect to building the Lord’s  body, seems to be a mark of maturity. Young  Christians (and especially young preachers who need  seasoning) may not realize the amount of time and  patience necessary. Very often, our zeal and enthusiasm  (while a necessary quality—Titus 2:14) may rush us  into thinking that building the Lord’s body can be done  quickly, and we become impatient.

Consider the amount of time, patience, and care that God put into the scheme of redemption. When  Adam and Eve committed the first human sin in Genesis  3, Jesus did not come to die for them immediately, but  rather, a calculated plan of salvation went into effect.  This plan, which Paul described,  “According to the  eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our  Lord” (Eph. 3:11), took thousands of years to execute.  “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent  forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law” (Gal. 4:4). The point is that God demonstrated time and  patience Himself, so when we see Peter preaching on  the Pentecost, and more than three thousand responded  appropriately, we understand that much preparation went  into that occasion.

Consider another example. We often see the  wonderful effects of Philip and his preaching in Samaria  in Acts 8 as both men and women were baptized as a  result of him preaching Christ and the things concerning  the kingdom of God. Nevertheless, we may forget the  work that Jesus Himself did in Samaria just months  prior in John 4. As the conversation between Jesus and a  Samaritan woman led into Jesus teaching and influencing  many Samaritans, many of them believed on Him. As a  matter of fact, they were successful in persuading him  to stay two more days. Look at the saturating work that  Jesus was doing in preparing the hearts of the people.  Therefore, when Philip comes along months later, his  success with the preaching of the gospel and his Christ- centered message is directly related to the groundwork  that Jesus had already performed. Together, these show  that building the body of Christ takes time and often  patience.

Jesus illustrated the role of teaching and preaching  as sowing the seed in Matthew 13. Farmers understand  quite well the need for time and patience that goes with  planting and harvesting a crop. After planting the seeds,  farmers do not expect to begin harvesting the next day,  but they must exercise patience before the plants even  sprout above the ground, much less develop to the point  of producing fruit ready for harvest. So it is with building  the Lord’s body. While we understand the tremendous  promise that God gave us:

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from  heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth  the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that  it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the  eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of  my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it  shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall  prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.  (Isa. 55:10-11)

We also know that such is not promised with immediate results. Sometimes, the results are not seen for years.

From my experience, some of the most effective   preachers have been those who have labored many   years in one location. They have patiently labored in the   community to the point that even non-Christians in the   community know and recognize them. They have worked   patiently to develop a good name in that locality, and   it is often after working longer than a decade that they   reap their greatest harvest. Why? It is because building   the Lord’s body requires time and patience. I believe it   was the late William Woodson who expressed, “It will   take preaching ten to twenty years to undo ten to twenty   years’ worth of problems.” Such is very often true.

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Those Priceless Parables

The term “parable” is defined as “a simple story illustrating a moral or religious lesson.”  Literally it means, “a throwing alongside” (i.e., one thing is placed along side another for the purpose of comparison).  Often described as “an earthly message with a heavenly meaning,” Biblical parables were so effective in conveying spiritual truths that Jesus utilized them at great length in His teaching.

When His disciples asked, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” Jesus responded, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given…Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand” (Mt. 13:10-13). Though Jesus said this about 2,000 years ago His statement is just as pertinent today as it was then; for there are in this generation those of whom it could
easily be said, ”Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull.  Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them” (vv. 14-15).

Therefore, friends, “read and understand” (2 Cor. 1:13), for those priceless parables are still to the saving of the soul.

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Teenagers

What Can Teenagers Do?

First, parents who are reading this, stop reading, stop reading and give this article to your child right now. I mean it. Stop reading this and let your children have it.

Children, you should know that the finest people in the world are associated with the churches of Christ. They are washed in the blood of the Lamb, zealous, dedicated, pure, strong and faithful (1 Jn. 2:14). Yet, God never intended Christianity to be a “NO” religion and especially you as teenagers have been told many things you cannot do. But, let me tell you what you CAN do.

Christianity is not a spectator sport, but demands involvement (1 Cor. 15:58; Matt. 25:24-26). So, if you are old enough to obey the Gospel, you are old enough to labor in the vineyard of Christ and don’t let anyone tell you any different. Teens, you should know there are no apprentice programs for salvation, no “try it before you buy it” plans for Christianity and you do not have to be 18 to be in the Lord’s army. Every worker in the kingdom is expected to use his talents, abilities and opportunities for the good of the group.

Teenagers, you can obey the Gospel because God want every sinner to come to Him. However, too many think they will become Christians later in life, but then never do (Eccl. 12:1). People become interested in their youth, but are disinterested as adults and many will be eternally lost because they decided not to decide (2 Thess. 1:8). As tender hearts say “Yes” to God, Satan whispers, “Later.” Sadly, many listen to the serpent.

God wants you and those you know in the water (Acts 2:38)! That is, if you believe that Christ is His son (Jn. 3;16), are willing to repent (Lk. 13:3), and confess His great name (Rom. 10:9-11). This is where it all beings and you cannot serve God until you do.

Teenagers, you can worship God. Have you ever stood in the presence of the governor of your state or been in a room with the leader of a country? Few have, but each of us has a much greater privilege each Sunday. We stand in the presence of the Maker of heaven and earth! This includes you as teenagers! So, do not ever miss an opportunity to worship God because He deserves the praises of every voice in the world, including yours. Never deny Him and His glory (Heb. 10:25). And, for you young men, you should be allowed and encouraged to take leading roles in worship. Elders, deacons and those who are over the youth do not just give them an assignment. This won’t do any good. TEACH THEM!! Teach these youth how to lead singing, how to preach, how to lead prayers and to work on the Lord’s Table.

Teens, God expects you as well as others to worship Him reverently (Jn. 4:24). So, worship is no time for talking, passing notes, sleeping, or cutting up. It is a time when hearts are focused on pleasing God and minds are filled with spiritual things (Matt. 5:6; Psa. 96:8).

Teenagers, live right. You know that some adults see the years of youth as a Mme to sow wild oats, but you sober–‐minded young people know better! These years belong to God (Eph. 5:16; 1 Cor. 6:19‐20) and He expects every one of His children to give Him a sanctified life (Tit. 2:6, 12; 1 Tim. 4;12, 15‐16). At whatever age, it is time now to be adding the Christian virtues (2 Pet. 1;5‐8) and to incorporate the beautiful attitudes (Matt. 5:3‐10). You know that sowing wild oats precipitates a harvest that no one wants (Gal. 6:7). Why pray for “crop failure” when there is a better way?

Teenagers don’t forget that you can be involved with the local church. Now obviously, you are not qualified to do everything that others might do. Elders and deacons are not taken from teenage classes. But because one cannot do some things does not mean you cannot do anything!

There are many things young people can do. In fact, their energy, free time and zeal allows them to do more than many adults. Young people are terrific at door knocking for meetings and Vacation Bible Schools. They meet people well; enjoy working with other teenagers and especially like the opportunity to do something real for Christ. Young people are good at visiting, especially with old people. It does the elderly so much good to see a young person coming with a flower or a hug. Young Christians are good about sending cards to the sick and delinquent members who do not come.

Teens, you are better at bringing friends to meetings and regular services than almost all adults. You can be good soul winners because of a wider circle of friends than most adults have and you will find that your friends have more open minds than many adults. For these reasons young Christians lead many souls to Christ (Mk. 16:15-16).

Young people, you have a bright future in the church. We treasure the opportunity to help you grow stronger. Listen closely; learn well, for in not too many years you will be where we are which is the most challenging thing you will ever do! O.K. teens, give the bulletin back to your parents.

PARENTS, PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR YOUTH. CONGREGATION, HELP THESE YOUTH!!

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