[Biblemat] The Messenger Vol 002 Iss 014

Sat Apr 7 17:25:20 CDT 2007

The Messenger

Published Weekly by Main Street Church of Christ

306 West Main Street, Newbern, TN 38059   731-627-3514

bibleanswers at charter.net                                    www.mainstreetcofc.com

Bulletin Editor: T. Sean Sullivan

VOLUME 002::ISSUE 014::April 08, 2007  

ARTICLE ONE: Detectable Christianity

ARTICLE TWO: Following "Fully"?

Article One: Detectable Christianity

How long does it take someone that you have never met, to recognize that you are a Christian? Most of us do not wear sandwich boards that declare our faith or do we?  Our faith should carry with it indicators that are apparent to most anyone with whom we come into contact.  In John 13:35 Jesus said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."  The love we have for each other, as brethren should be an indication that we are Christians-disciples of Christ. This "love" is one of many things that let the world know we are Christians. 

There are indicators of our faith. Today, with changing trends away from faith and the ever-changing morality we will become more and more apparent to those outside that we are different. It will not take long for someone to recognize faithfulness in a Christian. Our conduct should be much different then the world. The things we say the things we do and the places we go will all indicate a difference. 

How About Our Words?

A lot is revealed by one's words-the things we say.  Peter revealed himself as a Galilean by His speech (Matthew 26:73). Sometimes when I speak people recognize that I am not from around here (even though much of that difference has faded). We need to be careful what we say. A Christian is one from whom I would never expect to hear coarse language. The world is full of cursing a swearing. Even today there are women that could make a sailor blush with their curses. There is no need for this type of language. Jesus said that what we say is in direct relation to who we are inside. Our hearts are revealed by our speech (Matthew 15:10-19).  James exhorts, "Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so" (James 3:10). Christians are to be pure of heart (2 Timothy 2:22) and it follows suit that we would also be pure of speech.

 We will be recognized as Christians by our speech. There are words that just do not have any business in our vocabulary (Colossians 3:8). By our speech alone we are distinguished from others and they will notice. 

How About Our Actions?

The things that we do in this life speak very loudly. There are many who only look at, "What we don't do" They snarl and say," You don't drink, you don't swear, you don't think anything else it the truth, etc." What they fail to see is the things that we are doing. Yes, it may be true that we don't swear or drink but not just to be negative. We do adhere to a strict code of morality and positively hold to that code. We are about the doing of the "good morals" not just the avoidance of the bad.  By the pursuit of the good, the evil is shunned (the same would work the other direction as well). 

We stand for the truth (Colossians 2:6-10; Ephesians 6:13-18) and by this we reject anything else. We do not want philosophies (Colossians. 2: 8). We do not want traditions of men (Mark 7:7). We do not want another gospel (Galatians 1:6-8).  

One of the things we do or should be doing is standing for modesty and morality. (1 Tim. 2:9; 1 Peter 3:3-4).  The clothes that people are wearing today, or should I say not wearing, should send every mom and dad into a fit. When I was a kid if somebody saw you underwear you were embarrassed for life.  Today guys are walking around with their pants falling down showing off their underwear and are proud of it-they think it is 'cool'.  Girls are walking around in very short dresses and skirts, bare mid-drifts or they don't bother to put their shirts on at all calling a sports bra an athletic look.  What happen to the idea of self-respect and common decency?  There seems to be a "new sense of modesty." That bluntly fails to fill the need. This new way of thinking can only go one direction and it will take many souls down with it.  By taking a stand we do not follow the trends of the world whether the ever increasing doctrines of men or the every increasing immodesty and worldliness (Romans 12:1-2).  This stand is as indicator of our faith. 

How About Our Environment?

Where we go is also an indicator. The places that we are seen are indicators of our faith. Being here to worship is an indication of our faith (Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 20:7). We come together three times a week to build each other up to increase in the knowledge of God's word and to encourage each other's faith (Ephesians 4:13-16). People will recognize your faith by your faithfulness to attend services. 

Where we go here in this life will determine where we go eternally. We are responsible to be faithful in service to God. In Matthew 25:21 it is only the "good and faithful" servant who is welcomed home. 

Conclusion:

We shouldn't need to tell anyone that we are Christians. They will know by our words, our actions, and our environment. Have you been conducting yourself in such a way as to cause doubt rather than understanding in the minds of others? Have you been coarse with your speech? Have you been giving in to the world rather than being transformed? Have you been faithfully attending every service, enjoying the benefits that are here to share? If you have answered, "No" to any of these questions then you need to pay attention to what that indicates. It says you are weakening instead of strengthening. It says you need to make things right before it is eternally too late.   What do your life patterns indicate? ~tss

Article Two: Following "Fully"?

Our lesson begins in the record of Caleb, a man who walked with God many centuries ago. We find his example recorded in Numbers 13:17-33; we must also notice Numbers 14:1-9 and we need to give attention to Number 14:20-24. 

This man Caleb was said to have a "different spirit". God recognized Caleb as different and special. It was his attitude and his determinations that set Caleb apart. His heart was set on God and he trusted Him completely. God recognized Caleb's attitude and rewarded Him openly.

We need to take a few moments to consider the reason for Caleb's recognition as one who "fully followed God". Let's consider how that we might be recognized as "fully following" God's will today.  Please consider these points with me.

"Fully" Pleasing God.

The Apostle Paul admonishes the brethren to become "fully" pleasing to God (Colossians 1:9-14). To be fully pleasing, they, and we today, need to walk worthy of the Lord. To accomplish this, we must guard our ways. Our conduct should say, "I am a Christian" (1 Timothy 4:12). Our words and deeds should say, "I am grateful to God that He has provided a way to escape from sin (Romans 5:6-8)." Our actions should be worthy of the place we have been allowed to have-in Christ (Philippians 1"27-30). We have been washed, set apart, made right before God (1 Corinthians 6:11) we must not go back to the filth of sin. We have put off the old man of sin we must not put him back on (Ephesians 4:20-30). 

To be fully pleasing we must be fruitful in every good work. This is a consistent theme in the scriptures, bearing fruit and bearing more fruit (John 15:1-2). We are to bear fruit in "good works".  Outlined in the scriptures is "every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). If "a work" is not found in the scriptures it is not a good work that God wants you to be concerned with. We must "do" those good works and not just "know" those good works in order to bear this fruit (James 1:22). Let's determine to be doers of the word. 

To be fully pleasing we must increase in the knowledge of God. The scriptures reveal to us our Creator; without this revelation we would not know Him (Psalm 19:7-11; Acts 17:24-31). We need to take the time to know Him for ourselves (1 Timothy 4:13; Psalm 1). Again, we must know His will, so that we can do His will.

To be fully pleasing we must be joyfully patient. Many times God's timing and our timing are vastly different (2 Peter 3:8). We need to trust that God will take care of us and we must stay with Him no matter what (Romans 8:31-39). Sometimes, we need the rough road because it makes us stronger (Romans 5:1-5; 1 Peter 1:6-9). We all have some things to do in order to be "fully" pleasing to God. Caleb walked, as he should, "fully" following God. How are you and I doing?  

"Fully" Convinced of God's Promises 

Abraham was a man like Caleb, in the fact that he placed His confidence in the promises of God even when it didn't seem reasonable (Romans 4:18-5:1). Caleb trusted that with God the land would be given no matter how strong the nations were who resisted.  In a similar way Abraham trusted that God would bless him with a son even though He was well past the years of physical ability. 

We also have many promises given by God that perhaps do not match logical reasoning. Consider our own salvation. How can water wash away sins? That doesn't seem to make sense. God has told us that baptism is a requirement. We learn from the scriptures that water combined with faith can wash away our sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21).

Something else that is hard to comprehend and certainly surpasses human logic is the promise of everlasting life?  We cannot even fathom, evaluate, or consider completely something that lasts forever. Should that cause us to enter into disbelief? Or are we fully confident in God's promises (John 3:16; 4:14; 6:40)? 

Where is your confidence, with God or man? (Psalm 118:8). Abraham was fully convinced of God's promises even when they did not seem logical or reasonable. Caleb put His trust in God to deliver on His promises no matter the obstacle. Are you fully trusting God? Does He have your confidence?

Resting Our Hope "Fully".

The Apostle Peter speaks concerning our opportunity for salvation 1 Peter 1:10-19. He speaks of the grace that will be revealed-truly our salvation is of grace-a gift from God.  We must rest our hope fully upon that gift and certainly this means that we determine to meet the requirements God has set for us do in order to receive that gift. 

Even in this same passage Peter tells us to do some things in order to have this hope. Gird up the loins of your mind: Direct your thoughts and actions by God's word (Romans 12:1-2). Be sober: Clear thinking, not distracted chemically or just by lack of priority. Be obedient: Do not go back to sin (Ephesians 5:1-10). Be holy in all your conduct (Romans 3:21-23). 

Where is your hope? Are you hoping that this is all a joke and there is no God? It is not a joke (Psalm 100:3; Proverbs 1:7). Are you hoping that God will change His mind? He won't (James 1:17).  Or are you resting your hope fully upon God and His wonderful plan of salvation? The plan that is prepared and available for each one of us who will put their confidence in God (Hebrews 3:14).

Conclusion:  

Caleb was recognized and rewarded by God for the fact that He "fully" followed. The scriptures direct us to find the same recognition by doing the same as Caleb. Today we also consider some other opportunities that were described with this adjective "fully".  Are you "fully" pleasing God? Are you "fully" convinced of His promises? Are you "fully" resting your hope in Him? ~tss

If you are enjoying The Messenger and you know someone else who would like to receive it. Please forward it to them or send me their email address and I will add it to the list.   Sean

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