Locusts and Wild Honey Introduction

Locusts and Wild Honey Introduction

Below is the first video posted at ChurchofChristarticles.com.  It is a simple introductory, then a reading from Genesis 1, followed by a few remarks.  Locusts and Wild Honey will be a program that I will be developing for the site as time moves forward.  The exact direction of it is still being developed.

In addition to this video, a program called “It’s Not Politics, It’s Bible” will be added as well.  This theme will focus on modern day happenings as they directly relate to how Christians are affected or should respond based upon what God’s Word has to say about it.  Often the phrase “silence of the scriptures” is heard when discussing the Bible.  However, the Bible really isn’t silent about anything.  Within the written mind of God we can find all we need for life and Godliness.

For now, accept this small test video as a down payment to what I hope will be a helfpul addition to this site and all of our lives.

God Bless,

Travis Main

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“The Churches of Christ”

“The Churches of Christ”

The churches of Christ are completely different from pretty much every other church you have probably ever visited. This is obvious right from the very beginning, in that we – unlike virtually every other church out there – are found in the very pages of the Bible itself. When the divinely-inspired Apostle Paul was writing to the members of the Lord’s church in Rome, centuries before any man-made division or denomination ever came into existence, he closed his letter to them by stating that “the churches of Christ” where he was writing from, sent their greetings and salutations to their brethren at Rome as well (See: Romans 16:16).

But the differences don’t stop there. As soon as one walks into one of our worship assemblies, one of the other differences they will more than likely quickly notice, is the notable absence of any musical instruments. This, once again, because of absolutely no other reason, than that we want more than anything else on earth, to be that church we see in the pages of the New Testament Scriptures. We believe that God’s Biblical plan, pattern, or blueprint – the one which He gave us in the Bible for building His holy house in each generation (1 Tim. 3:15; 2 Tim. 1:13) – is absolutely perfect.

In that sacred blueprint, we see that God’s people always sang their praises to God, together, to one another, and never with the addition of any instrumental accompaniment (Mt. 26:30; Mk 14:26; Acts 16:25; Rom. 15:9; 1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:18-19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 2:12, 13:15; and James 5:13). Hence, seeking to be that church we see in the Scriptures; the church which God so meticulously outlined therein; and the church which the apostles so diligently worked and worshipped in in the first century;we do appear completely different from any and all other churches,which, for whatever reason, seekto be something other than that churchwe see in the New Testament,which goes by God’s divine design, description,and designation alone(For further study, please listen to this free audio sermon: https://soundcloud.com/user-640047687/351-building-gods-house-requires-following-gods-blueprint-6-26-22-am).

But perhaps one of the biggest differences that most of our guests and visitors should notice right away between the churches of Christ and pretty much any and every other church they’ve ever visited, is that we request that our guests and visitors PLEASE, DO NOT, put any money whatsoever in the offering plate. That’s right. None. Unlike so many other churches that constantly hold so-called “free” concerts (wherein donations however, are readily and eagerly accepted), as well as a multitude of other “special events” (wherein so-called “love offerings” – a term never once seen in the New Testament Scriptures by the way – are taken), we do no such thing. We do not host concerts, car washes, bake sales, or anything else of the sort to raise money. Why? Once again, for the same reason: because of the New Testament pattern which God gave for His church to follow. And that pattern very specifically calls for “members only” to have the express privilege of giving to support the work and needs of the church– and NOT our guests and visitors (See: Acts 2:38-47, 4:32-35, 11:27-30; 1 Cor. 16:1-2 {which was written to the church –1 Cor. 1:2}; and 2 Cor. 8:1-5 {also written to members – 2 Cor. 1:1}).Not only would we be transgressing the blueprint to invite you to visit the church and then charge you for coming (no matter what label one wants to put on it), but it would be like inviting you over for dinner and then billing you for the meal!(For further study, please listen to this free audio sermon, at: https://soundcloud.com/user-640047687/354-its-safe-to-visit-leave-your-wallet-at-home-7-3-22-pm.

Yes, the churches of Christ are definitely different. But that’s because we truly believe that God knows best; that He knows what He wants His Son’s church to be called; that He knows how He wants His Son’s church to worship; as well as what He wants them to preach and teach as far as giving, salvation, and every other subject; and that He left usthose exact instructions in His word, which we therefore strive to faithfully follow.

Come see the difference, following God’s pattern makes!

 

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Unheralded Woman of Great Faith

Unheralded Woman of Great Faith

The popularity of Jesus early in His time on the earth was so immense. The multitudes followed Him and everywhere He went more were added to the number. Some came out of curiosity, others to be fed by Him with loaves and fishes, but some out of genuine concern for their personal need. As He was walking to the house of Jairus, whose twelve-year-old daughter was dying, the Bible described those who were around Him. Peter told Jesus, “Master the multitude throng and press You” (Luke 8:45). In that throng was one special woman whose faith that Jesus was truly Emmanuel surpassed the faith of almost all of those there.

She was a woman in a society where women were often viewed as property and were treated with contempt. It is so remarkable how often Jesus in His work interacted with women. His regard for all of them stands in marked contrast to the culture in which He lived.

She was a poor woman. She was sick and had spent all of her money trying to find a cure for illness. That society had little respect for the poor. In fact, even the apostles thought the rich would be at the front of all those who entered the kingdom. When Jesus spoke of how hard it was for them to enter the kingdom (remember what He said about the eye of the needle) the apostles said, “Who then can be saved?” (Mark 10:26).

She was an unclean woman. The law of Moses paid special attention to the ceremonial uncleanness brought about by the flow of blood this woman had had for twelve years. It is likely that those around her, if they knew of her condition, would have avoided her in every way.

She was a humble woman. She pressed through that mob around Him and approached Him from the rear, hoping to touch the hem of His garment to find healing without being noticed. Her faith was realized and immediately she was cured. There were many garments worn in that crowd, but there was something different about His garment!

She was a woman who told others about what Jesus had done for her. After Jesus had asked, “Who touched Me,” she came forward and “…declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately” (Luke 8:47).

She was a woman of great faith. Jesus said, “Your faith has made you well, go in peace” (Luke 8:48). There is a place in His kingdom for the sick, the poor and those treated with disdain by others. There is room for each of us.

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The Folly of a Poor Listener

The Folly of a Poor Listener

“He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him…” (Proverbs 18:13 KJV)folly talk

The most important skill of one who would give wise counsel to others is the skill of being a good listener. A good listener is not only is skilled at listening the spoken word, but he is also attentive to other forms of communication e.g.,  body language and voice inflection. Sometimes, with people we know well, we may think we know what they are about to say, so we react and begin to respond before they finish talking. When they say something and we assume that we know where the conversation is going, we stop listening attentively to what they are trying to communicate as we start to formulate our answer.

Miscommunication like this, at the very least can cause confusion and at the worst lead to a foolish and shameful mistake. We need to listen more and speak less, and at least hold our tongues until we have truly heard and understood  the matter before us. To truly hear a matter, oftentimes we may need to listen to people on the other side of the matter before we can advise anyone.

Read Proverbs 18:17; 27:17; James 1:19-20

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The Longest Word

The Longest Word

The longest word in the English language is some scientific word for a protein that is 189,819 letters long. Some would say, that’s not really a word. The longest word found in standard dictionaries is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis. It’s a disease that you get in your lungs from breathing in volcanic ash. The longest word in the Bible is Mahershalalhashbaz, the name of Isaiah’s second son that represented impending doom on Israel from Assyria. However, as long as these words are, there is a word that is longer than any of these.longest word

The word that I am talking about is a word that is as long as the ocean is deep. It is as long as the back is from the front. It is as long as the east is from the west. It is as long as seventy times seven. It is the word “forgiveness.” Yes, I know there are only eleven letters in that word, but there is no end to it because when you have been forgiven, you know how far away your sins are, and it is much bigger than eleven letters. Psalm 103:12 says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Isaiah 38:17 says, “For You have cast all my sins behind Your back.” Micah 7:19 says, “You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” “Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.’” (Matthew 18:21-22). Out of all the words in the English language, “forgiveness” is the longest, because it never quits as long as we keep asking.

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