How Long

Most churches spend little time looking ahead and planning for unexpected events.  

In the 70s some black folks were going around interrupting church services to read  their "Black Manifesto." At one of the business meetings the men of the congregation we attended in Ohio addressed the issue of how the congregation would respond. One of the men said if they showed up he would blow them back out the door with his shotgun. No one asked if he had the shotgun with him at all times or if he had it stored someplace accessible in the building.  I did not doubt the former or the latter.

Now change the scenario to gay. How will we react to a practicing homosexual showing up at our door; maybe as a result of an invitation of one of our members?  When it happens it will catch us off guard and we will be unsure of how we should react or act. The men have already shown we cannot discuss sensitive issues so this should be good one.

My guess is the men will be surprised to know the word homosexual does not appear  in the original text but rather a description that some translators translate as homosexual. Several versions translate the terminology as homosexual but the word does not appear. It did not exist until the last century.

1 Cor. 6:9 (ESV)
    Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality (KJV-nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, ) 

1 Tim. 1:10 (ESV) 
    the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality (KJV-defile themselves with mankind), enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, 

 

Homosexual is slang for queer. Queer means: off center, weird, odd, unwell. Synonym to queer is strange. Nothing to do with same gender sex.

According to the Wiki Dictionary, Gay in the sense of homosexual (first recorded in 1951) was shortened from earlier gay cat 'homosexual boy' in underworld and prison slang, itself first attested about 1935, but used earlier for a young tramp or hobo attached to an older one.

People attracted sexually to members of their own gender are at the very least a bit odd, weird, off center.  They are queer. They should not be mistreated because of their queerness but there is no denying they are a bit odd. Anyone who has ever seen a female impersonator doing burlesque understands those folks are a bit strange. 

Anyway I am looking forward to the eventual discussion of what we do.

 

As an aside notice in 1 Corinthians 6:9 sexually immoral, adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality are different, Apparentloy adulterers are not being sexually immoral as effeminate, and abusers of themselves with mankin are not being sexually immoral. That might be worth discussing that in a class sometime.

When to Ask for Forgiveness

Jesus told the people:

Matthew 5:23-24

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

On the other hand have you noticed that most of the time our public prayers end with our asking for our sins to be forgiven?

If we really believed we had sins that required forgiveness wouldn't that be the first thing for which we would ask? We have several phrases we use to signal we are approaching the end of this prayer. Our public prayers are to fill the time allocated for a prayer not for communicating with God.

Not Apples and Oranges

 

1 Corinthians 16:1-4  

    Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.  [2] On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.  [3] And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem.  [4] If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.

 

The expression Now concerning identifies these instructions as a reply to a question Paul had been asked earlier.

 

The collection to which Paul refers is for the poor saints in Jerusalem. Sunday was convenient. The amount was to be as they had prospered. The purpose served for the instructions was so the contribution would be available when Paul arrived. Christians were to store up money, supplies, produce, animals etc for Paul and local representatives, if they so chose, to take to Jerusalem for Christians in need. This collection had nothing to do with the support of the activities and comfort of the local congregation.

 

The bible does not support our contention this storing up was an "act of worship."

The example was directed outward. We have changed that to inward. We use the funds mostly for our own benefit. The example, helping the poor appears is not optional. Preachers, buildings, secretaries, church supplies, pews etc are not addressed in the bible making them non biblical and optional.

Members of any organization should be willing to support the activities of that organization. This is reason enough to keep the membership informed and involved.  

We have taken a convenience and made it law does anyone see Pharisee?

 

Why is the GSMCOC?

If you ask typical church members why their church exists, you'll get a wide variety of answers. A survey of members of nearly a thousand churches asked the question "Why does the church exist?"

 

89 percent said "The church's purpose is to take care of my family's and my needs." For many, the role of the (preacher) is simply to keep the sheep who are already in the "pen" happy and not lose too many of them. 11 percent said, "The purpose of the church is to win the world for Jesus Christ."

 

The leaders of the same churches answered exactly opposite. 90 percent said the purpose of the church was to win the world and 10 percent said it was to care for the needs of the members.

 

Is it any wonder why we have conflict, confusion, and stagnation in many churches today? If the leaders and congregation can't agree on why the church exists, conflict and disagreement on everything else is inevitable.

 

Unless the driving force behind a church is biblical, the health and growth of the church will never be what God intended.

 

Why does Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ exist? No where does the bible suggest allowing others to assemble with us is a goal of the New Testament church.

 

Are we relevant? Are we having an impact? Is the church Jesus established on Pentecost better because we exist?

 

What is Wrong?

We do not pray as Paul prayed. Our prayers are not concerned with the same issues that concerned Paul. We want health and wealth and success and miracles and church growth and prayer in schools and a conservative president and a job and a good life for our children and…and…

James tells us we do not receive what we ask for because "you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions." We ignore that and pray mostly for ourselves to use it on our passions. Jesus said where your treasure is is where your heart will be. Our treasure is us.

All religions that believe in God, a god or higher being of some sort pray to that entity. None receive answers, all our comfortable. In Old Testament times Cyrus permitted the people he conquered to keep their religion. The religion made no difference. Religion keeps a people docile. Allowing that Christians follow Jesus and Jesus is God one would think the prayers of Christians would make a difference but they do not. What is wrong?

God Does Not Cause Bad Things to Happen

God permits the rain to fall on the just and the unjust.

John 9:1-3

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

The disciples' initial question is not logical. How or when could the man have sinned to cause blindness at his birth? Can we sin before we are born?

God did not cause or permit this man to be born blind to give Jesus an opportunity to heal him. The weaknesses and illnesses of the parents or the surroundings of the persons had been such the result was the baby was blind at birth. This man having been born blind provided Jesus an opportunity to give him sight, demonstrate Jesus' power and kindness, and make known the power of God to the world. This does not suggest all suffering and disorder does not come as the result of sin and violation of God's law. The blindness was not the direct result of sins of his parents or in fact the baby.

John 11:1-4

Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." But when Jesus heard it he said, "This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it."

Lazarus was sick. Jesus could have prohibited his death but did not. Death was not the object. Jesus had another reason to delay to permit Lazarus to die. Jesus was honored through the exhibition of miraculous power in raising Lazarus from the dead.

The Auditorium is NOT a Holy Place

We stress the church is people not buildings; then we sing

"The Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silent before him"

to remind folks they are in a holy place. Church auditoriums are places you whisper, dress up, and do not dare carry a cup of coffee into. Listen to the reasons given to small children concerning why they should not run in the auditorium after the assembly.

Unconditional Love vs Moral Guardians

 

The story of the  Samaritan woman at the well provides an example to us how to react to sin. Jesus did not mention the fact she had had five husbands and that the man she was living with was not her husband to confront or to judge or to "fix" her. He offered no commentary and dismissed it as not relevant to his primary concern. He mentioned it only to convince her that he was the Messiah. Jesus let her know he knew everything about her past and that his offer of "life" was still available to her, no questions asked. Knowing this the woman ran back into town and happily proclaimed  she had met a man who knew every thing about her, including her sin. If she felt Jesus shamed her or was judging her it would have hardly been a happy occasion.

 

The point of the story is not how Jesus fixes people's moral lives but how he loves people and how he offers everlasting life regardless of their moral lives. We are to: "walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." We are to see a need and meet it. . .no questions asked. We must not do what Jesus did not do: position ourselves as wiser, morally superior guardians and "fixers" of others. Moral guardianship was what the Pharisees did . . .not Jesus.

 

   

 

Gospel Preacher or Keynote Speaker

Matthew wrote that Jesus told the disciples to

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."

One can preach about Jesus to the unsaved. According to a dictionary preaching is to speak, plead or argue in favor of. But you have to teach people to observe all that Jesus taught. According to the same dictionary teach means impart skills or knowledge to; accustom gradually to some action or attitude.

Our formal service permits only preaching. A preacher should be out preaching while back at the home front elders should be teaching. We have neither. We have a key note speaker.

Freedom of Religion Unless the State Does Not Like Your Religion

The media and the courts continue to beat-up the Mormons. As Christians applaud the life sentence given to Warren Jeffs we would be wise to remember that the majority and laws have never been and never will be the correct measure of what is right. Relying on government to enforce our morality is dangerous. What the government gives the government can take away.

Marie Antoinette was born in Vienna, Austria, November 02, 1755, child number 15 out of 16 born to the Empress Maria Theresa and the Emperor Francis I. To preserve the alliance between Austria and France, Marie was married to the future king of France, Louis the 16th, when she was 14 years old. The world has changed. Today we would most probably have Marie's parents arrested.

Most states set the minimum age to marry between and including 14-18 with New Hampshire setting the minimum age for girls at 13. In Utah for those 15 years old, parental consent must be obtained, approval from Juvenile Court is necessary with the court concluding the marriage is voluntary and in the best interests of the minor.

Throughout most of the 19th century, the minimum age of consent for sexual intercourse in many of the states was 10 years old. In Delaware it was seven; as late as 1930 twelve states allowed boys as young as 14 and girls as young as 12 to marry with parental consent.

If the state can decide what is best for the FLDS when do you suppose they will decide what is best for the Church of Christ and what do you suppose that might be?

Based on tradition we would probably have Jesus' grandparents on his mother's side arrested for letting their daughter marry at such a young age especially to an older man like Joseph. Do you suppose Joseph was a pedophile?

As I have often said most Christians operate on automatic. They have no idea what they believe or why they believe it but they are sure they are right because someone such as a preacher told them so. What is the real reason we do not like the Warren Jeffs of the world? Are the men envious wishing they were Jeffs? Are the women jealous that young girls are so much in demand?

Oh, another thing. Marie Antoinette is one of the most famously misquoted people in history. It was actually an earlier princess, Maria Theresa of Spain, who said, "If there is no bread, let them cake."

Praying for Marriage in America?

In the September 2011 issue of Christian Chronicle the Editor Emeritus wrote in his Opinion article Praying for marriage in America that he is praying for marriage as an institution in the life of the United States. He also mentioned he is praying for marriage as a meaningful, godly union where people develop rich, full lives blended by the Holy Spirit. Sounds nice but what does it mean?

 

What specifically does "pray for marriage" mean? What specifically won't God already be doing, if he was going to do anything, or want to do without such a prayer? Until we get specific and have Bible support for our prayers we are no different than the Pharisee thumping his chest and thanking God he was not like the sinner. Most prayers are a waste of time and breath.

Prayer Either "Works" or it Does Not 'Work"

Look at the following story with special attention to the 5th paragraph from the end.

http://www.christianchronicle.org/article2159422~At_church,_recovering_addicts_must_come_out_of_hiding

If prayer "works" how could anything take more than an "I'm praying for you?"

Looking to Government to Enforce Morality

Christians err when they look to government to enforce morality. What government gives government can take away.

What Can I Spare? vs What Will It Take?

In times of need whether the need is to spread the news about Jesus or help in times of physical needs too many Christians ask "What can I spare?" when they should be asking "What will it take?"

Here and Now

Jesus told Pilot: ""My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world."  The result of that position Jesus died as did most of the apostles and many of his followers. How should that affect about the "here and now"?

 

Now I realize Jesus wanted to die. But how should his statement guide us as to our physical protection? Paul ran rather than fight.  Today, Christians are looking to the "now" and live too much for the "now." Listen to the public prayers. We are focused on the world not on heaven: on the physical not the spiritual: on the flesh not the spirit.

 

 

 

Was Not and Is Not

The Pledge of Allegiance of the United States is an oath of loyalty to the federal flag and the Republic of the United States of America composed in 1892. Adopted by Congress as the pledge in 1942 it has been modified four times with the most recent change adding the words "under God" in 1954.

Prior to 1942 the United States did not have a "pledge."pledge did not exist. Before 1954 the United States was not considered a nation  "under God." It was not and is not.

In 1956 "in God We Trust" was adopted as the official motto of the United States. The phrase first appeared on coinage on the 1864 on the two-cent coin. ince 1938, all coins have borne the motto.

In July 1954, just one month after the phrase "under God" was incorporated into the Pledge of Allegiance, Congress required the motto on all coins and currency. The motto was added to paper money during 1957 to 1966.

The point is the United States was not and is not a country under God and has not and does not trust in God. Christians are in the world but not of the world and should act like it.

 

Focused in the Wrong Direction

The church is too focused on itself. Where our treasure is there will be our heart. Our heart is definitely on ourselves. When you listen to the public prayers they are all about us. One Sunday when I was working at Dollywood we had a lot of people with mental and/or physical problems and it occurred to me at that very time there were a group of Christians thanking God that they are not like these people. If God blesses Christians then he curse the ADAs at Dollywood. What do Christians think God is going to provide health, provide safety, etc for them when he doesn't even help the innocent helpless hapless creatures such as in this story. . .

http://www.themountainpress.com/view/full_story/14797675/article-EDITORIAL--Cruel-and-unusual?instance=main_article

Preachers tell us Jesus is with us, we are never alone. Personally I do not find comfort in having a "friend" who can help me but will not. The church should be more outward focused and less inward focused.

Simple When You Think About it - Addendum

If you told your children to do something and gave them specific instructions as to how to do it would you accept results not even close to what you had instructed?
 
God told Timothy to appoint elders in every city. We changed that to elders in every congregation. We changed that again to if you do not find anyone interested let the hirling lead but do not call him leader. When the men of the congregation refused to submit to authority we changed it again to let the men run the congregation. How close is our way to the bible way?

Simple When You Think About It

On the subject of "What is a Christian?" in the July Gospel Advocate the answer is simple. A Christian is a disciple of Jesus. A Christian is a follower of Jesus. Kind of simple when you think about it.

 

Same article the fellow defines when a group is and is not the Lord's church. Again the answer is simple. The called out are the group that did what the folks on Pentecost did. 

 

The fellow writes to be considered the Lord's church the group must be scripturally organized. Since GSMCOC has been in existence for almost twenty years and is not currently, has no plans to be, and has no desire to be scripturally organized does that mean the group is not the Lord's church? 

Could the problem be our leaders do not avail themselves of a copy of the "inerrant" Word of God. Simple when you think about it.

 

Providence of God?

Providence, is God's activity in the world. A distinction is usually made between "general providence", which refers to God's continuous upholding the existence and natural order of the universe, and "special providence", which refers to God's extraordinary intervention in the life of people. The latter possibly be the result of prayer.

While I do not ascribe to the term "providence of God" I cannot prove it does not exist. One cannot prove a negative. One can prove an existance or occurance one cannot prove the lack of existance or occurance.

It was long thought all swans were white, an unassailable belief and confirmed by empirical evidenced. The first sighting of a black swan illustrated the limitation of learning from observations or experience. Though to that point in history only white swans had been observed. The sighting of the first black swan proved assuredly that all swans were not white.

I cannot say assuredly God does not answer prayer. What I can say is I have never experienced nor observed answered prayer. What I can say is after over half a century I have never observed God healing anyone but Christians continue to pray for such an event. How can they pray expecting which according to James is the only acceptable manner of prayer.

 

 

Drawn to the Church

Is one a Christian if they do not offer unconditional love as Jesus offered? Is one a follower of Jesus if they do not do what Jesus did? If one is not following Jesus one is NOT a Christian. Tax collectors and prostitutes were drawn to Jesus because of the unconditional love and acceptance he gave. Tax collectors and prostitutes are not similarly drawn to the church because they do not find unconditional love and acceptance. They experience judgment.

Do As Jesus Did

Followers of Christ were called Christians. Do our lives demonstrate we are followers of Christ? Christian is not something one becomes separate from following Jesus. Does the world know we are followers of Jesus? When you look at others do we know if they are followers of Jesus. . .or not?

The story in John of the woman caught in adultery tells us that it is one thing for a sinless person to say "sin no more" and quite another for people like us---with logs in our eyes to say it.The story should also remind us her accusers were in no position to judge her; that they were as much sinners as she. Jesus did not condemn her. Jesus told her to abstain from sinful behavior in the future. To judge another one must be without sin and if one is without sin one won't judge.

Followers of Jesus are to love not condemn. Followers of Jesus are to do things as Jesus would do them.

Providence of God

The "providence of God" refers to God's activity in the world and consists of "general providence" God's continuous upholding the natural order of the universe, and "special providence" God directing every detail of his creation.

Are the results of natural law "providence of God."  Are the consequences we experience because of our actions "providence of God."  Is everything preordained?  

Gospel Advocate, July 2011, The Revised NIV: A Trojan Horse of Error, Gregory Alan Tidwell

Editor, Gospel Advocate:
 
For years I have asked folks which version they are referring to when they claim the Bible says we have the complete Word of God.
 
Our preacher tells a story something like this: Marshall Keeble, when asked what the Greek says asked the people how many understood Greek. When no one said they did MK said it would do no good for him to tell them what the Greek said. Apparently he did not have to deal with a multiplicity of versions as we do today. Our preacher regularly tells us what the Greek and Hebrew say and most of us do not know either.
 
Apparently we need to be fluent in Greek and Hebrew to be able to discern which version we should use. The translators claim to know what the Greek and Hebrew say, our preachers claim they know. I wonder who knows. Not being fluent in Greek and Hebrew how can we be sure we have the "complete" Word of God?
 

Editing Sermons

We edit what the preacher says while newer Christians do not have that capability. The other night the preacher talked about how God is with us; we are not alone. What does that mean? Are we supposed to be comforted by that thought. Did it comfort Stephen when he died? Does it comfort victims of accidents and crime? Does it comfort animals victims of abuse and torture? Does it help those Christians victims of genocide and or starvation? Preachers say things that sound nice but do not mean anything but confuse.

The Majority Does Not Determine What is Right

When asked: "Do you think the social discrimination made against the Negro race in the South is justifiable by the Scriptures?" David Lipscomb wrote: "The Bible never proposes to disrupt and change social and political relations suddenly."

Lipscomb believed, while the Bible taught that black and white Christians were one, early Christians accepted social and political situations as they were. Not being revolutionaries then, Christians must not disrupt contemporary social conditions. From the perspective of the whites this may seem a reasonable approach but what about from the perspective of the blacks.

Earl West wrote: "In summary, while race relations deteriorated nationally between 1900 and 1918, the churches of Christ gave the question no small amount of thought, but always with the assumption of white superiority and the separation of the races."

The majority never has been, is not, and will never be the measure of what is right.

Them or Us?

In the first century do you suppose individuals immersed on Pentecost avoided assembling with others immersed or do you guess they met with the others as often as possible? Do you suppose when they entered the area in which they were meeting they sat as far away from each other as possible or do you guess they may have tried to be as close as possible? Unless influenced by outside pressures do you suppose the left as soon as they could or do you suppose they lingered as long as possible?

So. . . do you suppose those early Christians met as often as possible, sat as close to each other as reasonable and stayed as long as they could or were like we are? Attend as little as possible, stayed as far away from each other as the room allowed and left as soon as the final "amen?"

Hebrews 10:23-25
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Elders? Why Not?

Many congregations of the church of Christ claim to follow the bible in all they do with at least the exception of congregational governance. Paul told Timothy to appoint elders but today congregations are comfortable not having elders. If elders were important in the 1st century why aren't they today? It seems Christians do not like surrendering authority to others.

Classes and Sermons?

One of the reasons classes and preaching today are not beneficial is due to each of us being comfortable with our beliefs and do not change so classes and sermons fall on deaf-ears. We make a big deal out of the Restoration Movement but generally discount as out-of-step with reality a lot of what they said. For example:

David Lipscomb wrote: "When I hear of a church setting out to build a fine building, I give that church up. Its usefulness as a church of Christ is at an end." He was also against paying preachers: "Concerning preacher salaries: "The preacher will cater to his supporters.

Apparently we support the Restoration Movement. . . to a point.

Looking Elsewhere

 

Have you noticed how many people shake hands and never look at the other individual? Christians assemble on Sundays, shake hands and many do not look at you. Can you imagine that being true in the 1st century, meeting in secret? Church is a habit and the church Jesus established is failing fast.

Habit Prayers

Many. called Christian, "offer a prayer for the 'meal'." 

 

Have you ever noticed how many public prayers for "the meal" fail to mention the 'meal?'

 

Now most of those folks would not think of eating without a prayer, any prayer it makes no difference. Content is irrelevant. Prayer for food is unnecessary and gives God credit for something he had nothing to do with. If we did not have the money there would be no food. Ask the hungry people in the world. Prayer is a habit. Paul says the Holy Spirit helps but I imagine he figures habit prayers aren't worth his time.

Humility Enables Us to See Ourselves

"Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and one a tax collector.

 

The Pharisee stood and was praying to himself: 'God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.'

 

But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!'

 

I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other, for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

 

 

 

Avoiding Suffering is Not Possible for Christians

Following Jesus exposes the individual to suffering:

 

1 Peter 2:20-21

    For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 

 

1 Peter 3:14-18

    But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

    For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 

 

 

Accepting this as fact is the cost of being a disciple:

 

Luke 14:27-33

    Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

 

When followers of Christ suffer they are participating in the suffering and death of Jesus:

 

2 Corinthians 1:5

    For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 

 

2 Corinthians 4:10

    always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 

 

Philip. 1:20

    as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 

 

Col. 1:24

    Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 

 

1 Peter 4:12-16

    Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 

 

Carrying "the" cross is the price of social nonconformity. Suffering is the badge of discipleship. Suffering is the price of advancing God's rule.

 

Christians praying to avoid suffering are asking God to do something he will not do.

   

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

Focus On the Spiritual not the Physical.

John wrote: Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world." 

 

Matthew wrote that Jesus said: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

 

Our focus has to be on the spiritual, not physical.

 

What part of this do we not understand?

 

 

 

 

 

Rummage Sales vs Personal Contributions

Does the bible support churches' running businesses and using the profits from those businesses to provide funds for the church?

People Believe What They WANT to Believe

People believe what they want to believe. What is obvious to one is not to another. Many beliefs especially those of a religious nature are irrational, illogical and self deceiving. Concerning God, people have naive, ignorant and unrealistic expectations.

Most pray hoping or wishing not expecting. On the subject of prayer James wrote: "You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."   For many years I have suggested that we should think specifically what we are asking God to do and then see if we have bible support for such a request. Can we expect?

 

Most public prayers thank God for food and ask Him for health and safety. Does God provide our food? Without the money to buy the food would you have any food? If you do not take care of your body would you be healthy? If you behave recklessly or carelessly do you expect safety? The answer to all is a resounding "NO!" God will not provide food or health or safety. They are up to us. For one to believe otherwise requires the acceptance that God curses the sick and mentally or physically disabled. That God curses the hungry and he curses victims of crimes and accidents. There is no biblical support for such beliefs.

 

When bad things happen or when good things happen God has nothing to do with either. Jesus said "… he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." 

 

To be continued.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Singing is a fading ability in churches of christ.

The ability to read music is a fading ability in the churches of Christ. Most song leaders, unwilling to learn different songs lead songs they grew up with. That means they lead the songs the song leaders led in the congregations they attended in their formative years. Which means those song leaders led songs they grew up with and on and on. Unwilling to learn different songs means most congregations of the church of Christ are singing songs a song leader 150 years ago learned and lead. Most songs sung in churches of Christ are written by people with whom most members of churches of Christ differ. In the minds of the members of churches of Christ the authors of their favorite hymns are lost for eternity. 

 

Less than 100 years ago congregations of churches of Christ had to sing "new" songs because none existed. Today there would be even less singing than there is. Many congregations sing 10 or so stanzas in an assembly and few, if any, complete songs. Singing is seen as the way of choice to keep the assembly to an hour duration.  

 

Joe Ed Furr of Sherman Texas has taught the history of church music at his singing school for 40 years. The following is excerpted from an article Changing "Generations and Song Repertory" written by Joe Ed Furr. The Singing School

 

At the singing school, each summer song writers are introduced and their stories told. A line or two of some of their most famous songs are sung.  Usually the students are able to sing a line or two of the most famous songs from memory without having to look up the songs in a hymnal. 

 

A few years ago things changed.  When it came time to sing a line or two of the most famous hymns and gospel songs the adult members of the class sang along, but the teens did not.  It was obvious today's teens can no longer sing a line or two of class hymns from memory.

 

 

During the week of the singing school the teachers carefully select songs to encourage the students to sing all styles of songs.  Classic hymns, gospel songs, southern gospel, spirituals, and songs of praise and worship are blended together.  The students select their favorite songs from that list of selections.

 

On the last day of the singing school the ten most popular songs determined by the students are sung.

 

Classic hymns and gospel songs are rarely found on that list.  A few of the Stamps-Baxter southern gospel songs used to be found on that list, but not recently.  Spirituals and songs of praise and worship are the dominant songs on the list.

 

Classic hymnals published for churches of Christ used to never print southern gospel, spirituals, or songs of praise and worship.  Hymnals used to publish only gospel songs and a small number of hymns.  Today's young people are no longer interested in the songs that once dominated hymnals.

 

At the end of the nightly singing lab at the singing school we turn out the lights in the chapel and admire the huge stained glass walls that surround us.  In the dark the students spontaneously break into singing songs they can sing from memory.  Almost all those songs are songs of praise and worship.

 

You can read how the  taste in church music changes over time. It should be eye-opening to realize that young people unable to sing a line or two of classic hymns and gospel songs.

 

 

 

God So Loved the World but We are not to love the World

 

 

John wrote "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

 

John also wrote "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

 

With the exception of John 9:32 in every instance the word translated "world" is defined by Strong's Exhaustive Concordance as (2889-the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively)  

 

God loved the world but we are not to love the world. Does that appear a bit odd?"

 

Matthew recorded Jesus saying "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."

 

Could the lesson possibly be we are not to become enthralled with the physical? We are to be looking to Heaven where are heart is to be.

 

Listen to our prayers look at our actions. They are all about the here and now, the physical.

 

 

 

 

 

Move Focus from Here to There

Jesus said "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.'" 

 

Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…"

 

God does not "bless" Christians anymore than he "blesses" anyone else physically. His blessings are spiritual. Christians need to get their focus off themselves.

 

 

 

 

Prayer and Verifiability

 
I have observed what I call the Law of Verifiability which says when verifiability is low confidence is high and when verifiability is high confidence is low. As with the Law of Gravity there is no law just observations of consistent behavior.

 

This observation covers athletic event predictions; weather predictions; political predictions; in other words any prediction of future results as well as the practice of prayer.

 

When we pray we hope or wish but seldom do we expect.

 

James told his readers that prayer had to be asked in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 

 

Of course James could be limiting his instruction to a prayer for wisdom but if he is not hoping and wishing are not acceptable.

Jesus told his followers "if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen." Was he talking to us, I doubt it.

Obviously hoping and wishing are not examples of faith so those prayers will not receive a reply. 

Prayers for the sick, for safe travel, for security, to bring the troops home, our government leaders etc have low verifiability so our confidence that God answers those prayers are high. But prayers to protect the church building have high verifiability so our confidence is low and we place our confidence in a security system. Congregation's financial stability has a high verifiability so our confidence is low so we rely on savings accounts and the like for times of low contributions.

 

 

 

 

 

Why Do You Pray?

No matter how many people pray, no matter how often they pray, no matter how much they believe, no matter how deserving the focus of their prayer, what we know is that prayers do not inspire God to regenerate amputated legs. This happens despite what Jesus promises us in Matthew 21:21, John 14:14, Mark 11:24, etc.

If God intervenes with any request why doesn't he intervene with cancer patients: children who are abused and or killed; animals tortured and or killed; amputees to regenerate lost limbs?

Thousands of children die each day for preventable reasons like malnutrition and unsafe drinking water. If Jesus answers prayers as he promises in the Bible, then why haven't the prayers of billions of people to end world hunger caused Jesus to solve the problem of global poverty?

There are not two laws of probability -- one for people who pray and one for everyone else. There is a single law of probability that applies equally to everyone. Prayers have zero effect in any statistical study.

Why do you pray?

Music and the Church of Christ

When the Church of Christ assembles the only activity in which the attendees actively participate is singing and possibly the Lord's Supper. I say possibly the Lord's Supper because most try to take the smallest piece of bread and are served a miniature shot glass of juice. Hardly evidence of actively participating in a memorable Lord's Supper.

 

The role of music in the assembly is crucial.

 

There is no magic number of minutes for music. George Barna reports that highly effective churches dedicate an average of 20 minutes of uninterrupted music into their services.

 

The Church of Christ considers music a necessary evil and sing as little as possible.

Congregations need Leaders

Congregations must have leaders with a vision of what they seek to create; a respect base relationship with the congregation; able to communicate; courage; and a passion for the outcome.

Are Christians Really Followers of Christ

When you listen to our prayers on Sunday you immediately are aware the prayers are for worldly expectation.

 

Paul wrote in Romans 8:28  

    And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 

 

Jesus said in Matthew 6:31-34  

    Do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

    "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

 

Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-7  

    … Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

Jesus said in Matthew 26:42

    "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." 

 

Why are we so hesitant to accept what happens…? Why do we think we have a better solution?

 

Are Christians really following Christ. I doubt it.

Wrongly or Rightly?

James 4:3   

    You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 

 

Have you ever had a prayer go unanswered? Maybe it is better asked, have you ever had a prayer answered? I have not.  Apparently I ask wrongly to spend it on my passions. How about you?

 

 

Effective or Righteous?

 

 

James 5:16   

    Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous person has great power

 

 

Have you ever met a righteous person? Apparently I have not. For over sixty years in congregations I have attended prayers for sick people have been or are spoken every week. But I have yet to see anyone healed of a serious illness. Sure God is given credit for healing people with minor illnesses and injury but cancer appears to have his number he just doesn't seem to be able to heal a person with cancer.  According to James the effective prayer of a righteous person has great power so for over sixty years I have neither experienced nor have I observed an effective prayer or even a righteous person. I wonder why? Others do not notice.  

 

 

Elders and Healing

James 5:14-15

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

If one believed James refers to us today wouldn't it be prudent to have elders in every congregation. If no elders were available wouldn't it be prudent to find men willing to be trained and qualified to be elders? If for no other reason than to have a guaranteed way to be healed when one was sick?

The problem is Christians can read and understand but they cannot intellectually apply what they believe. James did not mean to suggest this would work for us today but if one believes it does then why don't we find elders or men being trained to be elders in every congregation? Fact of the matter is Christians do not believe although they claim they do.

Where is God When You Need Him?

We explain suffering is the result of man bringing sin into the world. It is man's fault.

Christians pray that God will protect them and heal them. Would a loving God protect and heal them while he does not protect innocent children and animals and in fact permits them to be mistreated, tortured and killed?

Christians need to face reality. What they claim to believe does not appear to be real. Where is God when you need him?

Love Not the World

1 John 2:15-17   

    Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  [16] For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.  [17] And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

 

Assuming we do not need to be Greek scholars to understand the bible it appears John is telling his readers not love any aspect of the physical since it is passing away.

 

The word translated world refers to (2889-orderly arrangement, by implication the world (in a wide or narrow sense including its inhabitants)). He emphasizes if anyone loves (25-in a social or moral sense) the world the love (26-affection or benevolence) of the father is not in him.

 

 

Now listen to our prayers, listen to our concerns they are all about "us."  Jesus says where our treasure is there are heart will be. Our heart is in the world. Christians can read, they can understand, they cannot intellectually apply. Christians do not have the love of the father in them. I can only presume unless they change they are lost.

 

Free Will or Robot?

Paul told the church in Rome "there is no condemnation for those in Christ." Christians rely on that to forgive their sins. In heaven will all the folks think alike? Will it not be possible to sin? Hard to believe a group of individuals with "free will" all thinking alike. Does that mean robots will be in heaven with no option to sin? Christians say God does not want to be "worshipped" by robots but by people with free will? Does that change in heaven and God settles for robots?