[Biblemat] The Messenger Vol 002 Iss 008

Sat Feb 24 16:26:02 CST 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.mainstreetchurchofchrist.org

Bulletin Editor: T. Sean Sullivan

VOLUME TWO::ISSUE 008::February 25, 2007  

ARTICLE ONE: Pride The Destroyer 

ARTICLE TWO: God Expects Love from A Good Conscience Pt.1

Pride The Destroyer

When I was growing up my mom always had the right phrase at the right time to make her point. It made me think that she was like a Wild West gunslinger with a holster full of sage advice.  Most of her points made an impact seeing how I still recall them as if I had just heard them yesterday.  Two of my mom's favorites were: "Too much of a good thing is a bad thing" and "Pride comes before the fall". These were two statements that I have heard a lot of while growing up.

At first, those things didn't seem to make sense to me. Then, as I grew older and hopefully wiser, I have come to realize that you can have too much pumpkin pie and it can have too much whipped cream on it-that is the, "too much of a good thing." category. (Most of us learn that reality after staying awake all night with indigestion.)

The second of those statements is, however, much harder to learn and live. Pride comes before the fall was my mom's rendition of Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." We all need to come to an understanding of how destructive pride can be. Now I am not talking about self-esteem, I am talking about a prideful attitude-arrogance.  

It is interesting how much those two statements work together, isn't it? Pride is a good thing-when it is about self-esteem-however, when there is too much of a good thing it is bad. In the remainder of the article let's consider the destructive power of Pride.

Pride Stops Spiritual Growth:

There are growth expectations set for each of us as individuals. We must grow and pride can stop personal growth. The scriptures declared: "We are grow up in Christ (Ephesians 4:15)"; "We are to produce fruit (John 15:1-8)"; "We are to be always prepared by the word (Ephesians 6:10-18)".        What can pride do to these expectations?  

Pride can cause us to assume that we know the scriptures. The Bereans searched the word daily leaving us an example of continual effort and study (Acts 17:11). Paul told Timothy to read, and to meditate on the scriptures, as a perpetual duty (1 Timothy 4:13, 15-16).  We are instructed to "rightly divide the word of truth", which takes diligence-continual effort (2 Timothy 2:15).

Sometimes we can think we know everything when in fact we have forgotten many things. 

There are growth expectations set for us congregationally.        We can become over confident in our knowledge "collectively".  This may result in a lack of zeal for God's word like the church at Ephesus who left their first love-zeal for God's word (Revelation 2:4-5).  This type of complacency could allow for teachers who will scratch our itches (2 Timothy 4:3-4). This lack of knowledge may also leave us without the strength to stand against the tempter's wiles (Ephesians 6:10-18).

The Psalmist describes God's word as his source of daily strength in Psalm 1:1-6. The secret of growth, is not a secret, it comes from finding your delight in the study of God's word and continual exercise in the word. We are all expected to come to a level of understanding that the scriptures describe as, "the knowledge of the Son of God" (Ephesians 4:13; 2 Peter 3:18). If we pridefully assume that we know enough, we may fall well short of this prescribed knowledge.

Pride Causes Lack of Communication:

All relationships are based on communication. If any relationship will prosper and be what it needs to be, the involved parties must be able to communicate. We can become too proud to communicate with our brethren. When you have a problem, is it your first reaction to cover it up in an attempt to keep it from your brethren? That is a symptom of too much pride!  If you are in need and you are worried that someone: might find out or you might have to ask for help-that is a symptom of too much pride!

Take a moment to consider these clear teachings from the Scriptures: John 13:34-35 ".love one another"; Romans 12:9-16 ".distributing to the needs of the saints"; Ephesians 4:31-32 "Be kind to one another." James 5:16 "Confess your sins (trespasses) to one another"; 1 Peter 1:22 "Love on another fervently with a pure heart"; 1 Peter 3:8 ""Love one another as brothers, tenderhearted, and courteous". These all teach us about our relationship one with another. The passages clearly show the good that comes from the fulfillment of our help for one another.

We can, also become too proud to communicate with God. Things go well, we feel pretty independent and suddenly something goes wrong and we realize it has been a long time since we prayed. We can do this because we are short minded or we could do this because we are too proud to ask for God's help. Paul said, "Pray without ceasing" in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Do not let pride build a wall blocking your relationships.

Pride Can Hinder The Spread of The Gospel:

Pride can cause us to forget our past and become prejudice toward the souls that need the gospel. When we forget that we were once lost in sin, we may not be willing to help someone else get out of the same place we were. Paul, often, reminded the brethren to not forget about their past: Romans 6:16-18 "You were slaves of sin."

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 "Such were some of you." Ephesians 2:11-14 "You were without Christ". 

We need to remember where we were so that we will have compassion on those who are still wandering there. 

Conclusion: Too much pride is a bad thing. Pride comes before the fall. Pride can allow us to have false confidence, false conclusions, and false prejudices. Proverbs 6:17 says, God hates: "A proud look"; on the other hand 1 Peter 5:6 says, ".humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time." Are you humble enough to admit when you are wrong? Are you humble enough to ask for help? Are you humble enough to reach down and help someone else out of sin? ~tss.

Doing My Share

            A great reality that we all must face is that we are not here to merely survive we are hear to succeed. There is a big difference between getting by and truly succeeding for the Lord. In order for this to work here we all have some work to do. 

            It is certainly true that there are many things that you have done already. But, it is time to forget those things! It is officially time to move on-because now is now and those achievement are in the past. It is time to forge ahead toward achieving our new goals for today. 

It is very important for all of us to, collectively and individually, set goals and make plans-without careful planning we will never succeed. Let's examine some goals for our congregation. Not for everyone else to do, but for "insert your name here" to do. Of course there is the understood part of the equation that we make plans in full consideration that time is uncertain and that every day must be treated like our last. Let's open our Bibles and consider how we can make this congregation better.

I Can Help Our Love Grow.

            We are nothing without love. Jesus declared that we must love one another (John 13:34). We are to be recognized as His disciples by our love for one another (John 13:35). We love one another because we have a common pathway (Philos). Our commonality is "One Faith"-from the one source of true faith (Romans 10:17). We have in common "One Doctrine" (Teaching) of Jesus Christ (2 John 9). These things put us on a common pathway (Matthew 7:13-14)-a path, on which we will need help, so we need each other and God.

            Can our love grow? YES from Philos to Agapé! There is a room for improvement in our love. The brethren at Philippi loved one another and still Paul said, "May your love still abound more and more." (Philippians 1:9). Too often we allow personal conflicts to distract our growth and our love. We must come to terms with these problems (Matthew 5:22-24; 1 Peter 3:7). Resolve them and put them in the past (Ephesians 4:25-32). To do this you can simply let it go (1 Peter 4:8). Romans 12:18 "As much as depends on you live peaceably with all men" You can go to the one with whom you have a problem (Matthew 18:15-17). Go to gain them back. 

            We must all grow in love. We can do it but it has to start with "insert your name here". "I" will get to know you more and love you more (Romans 12:9-15). We can grow in love. 

I Can Help Us Grow In Number.

            Why do we need to grow in number? If we are not growing we are dying (John 15:1-8). Bear more fruit (a continuous process, a perpetual statement). We cannot be satisfied to let others slip away into condemnation (Romans 3:23; 6:23). They need the gift of God and you know how they can get it. We are ethically bound to try to help them (Mark 16:16).

            What can I do to help this congregation grow in number? First, live a life of faith (Romans 12:1-2). Use your life as proof of God's perfect/livable will so that you are constantly setting the right example: Content, godly, loving, and kind: all the things that Christians are to be (2 Peter 1:5-10). 

            Then, follow the two most important rules of personal evangelism: Conversation: Engage in a dialogue (Anything you have in common is the starting place). Invitation: Invite them to attend services with you. If each of us determines to invite someone to each service just think of the growth potential we could have. 

I Can Simply Do More and More.

            We all have a role (Ephesians 4:13-16). We can be determined to take on a greater share of this work. Personal growth is the only thing that will cause collective congregational growth (Hebrews 5:12-14). Our daily service to God will be more apparent when we take on these actions with determinant effort: I will study more (2 Timothy 2:15). I will pray more (1 Thessalonians 5:17). I will spend more time helping my brethren (Romans 12:9-15). You may not be assisting them in any particular thing except for making it easier to be what they should be-surround your brethren with positive influence.

            I will look for things to do in this work. There many things for all of us to do: Anything from visit or a note for one of our ill members to perhaps sweeping the walk or organizing the hymnbook racks. Just ask if you can't find anything to do.

Conclusion:

            If each one determines to be the one who is willing to do. This work will grow in love, number, and service. But, it is up to "insert your name here". Each of us must work to our fullest ability in order for this congregation to be at it fullest ability. Let's determine to work to God's honor and glory. 

            Take a moment to imagine this building filled to capacity with men, women, and children who are willing to travel the one road home. Now let's stop imagining and make it happen. ~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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