[Biblemat] B> The Elon Challenger (V 5 N 3) November
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The Elon Challenger
ELON CHURCH OF CHRIST
New Hope, Alabama
Seeking to challenge your interest in things
spiritual & eternal (Eph. 6:10-18).
Volume V Number 3
November, 2007
===================================================================
Bridle the Tongue
Dan Bailey
In First Peter, chapter three, verses 10, 11, the apostle quotes Psalm 32,
saying: "He who would love life and see good days, Let him refrain his lips
from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit."
Truly, controlling one's tongue to refrain from stumbling in speech is one
of the most challenging responsibilities that God gives His children. In
James the third chapter, the writer notes that mankind is able to tame every
kind of beast, or living thing, yet no man can tame the tongue! This statement
does not mean
that it's impossible to avoid sinful speech, for I Peter 2:22 tells us that
Jesus "committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth, but it does mean
that we will never reach the point that we can lower our guard concerning the
things we say, lest we offend others; even God!
Every day, in every word that we speak, we must strive to rid our speech of
hostility, offense, and course jesting. Christian cannot afford to speak
whatever is on their minds, or to think that they won't answer for the sinful
things they say in the company of worldly people. In Matthew 12:36, Jesus
Christ teaches that we
will give an account in judgment for every careless word that we speak!
So today and everyday, when you speak, remember that God desires His
children to be courteous and respectful in conversation. Even if a rebuke is
needed, it must come from a loving heart. Even if all those around you are crass
and reviling, strive to bridle your tongue, not only to be a good influence,
but to please
your Father in Heaven.
From Bible Moments
__________
The Silent Killer
Mike Johnson
High blood pressure is sometimes referred to by doctors as "the silent
killer." It is referred to in this way because people often do not even know that
they have high blood pressure until it has already done its damage. This is
not an article about high blood pressure, but instead, about another silent
killer condemned in the Scriptures "bitterness." Bitterness might be called
the real silent killer. Like high blood pressure,bitterness may go
unnoticed by others, and sometimes, the person who has bitterness may not fully
realize it. Thus, it is important for us to "put on the cuff" from time to time
and check our "bitterness level."
We speak of something being literally bitter when it has a sharp or
unpleasant taste. Mentally, however, bitterness is an ongoing pain, hurt, and mental
anguish which is felt by people due to past events or circumstances.
Bitterness has been called "resentment which has been held on to." It is
resentment which has become rancid and rotten. It has also been said that
"bitterness is loss frozen in resentment." Bitterness grows out of our refusal to let
go when someone or something is taken from us. People get hurt because of
difficult circumstances, events, or other people; they hold on to that hurt,
and it turns into bitterness.
Naomi, from the Old Testament, serves as an example of a person who became
bitter due to various setbacks in life. In the book of Ruth, we learn that
Naomi, along with her husband and two sons, went to Moab to live because of a
famine in Judah. Her sons married two women Orpah and Ruth. In the course
of time, her husband died, and then her two sons died. Naomi's losses made
her bitter. She said, ". . . Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the
Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord hath
brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath
testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me" (1:13. 20-21). The
name Naomi signifies "pleasant" or "amiable"; the name Mara, which she wanted
to be called, signifies "bitter." Note above the number of times that she
blamed God for her misfortunes. Naomi allowed her losses to cause her to become
bitter. Often, people allow difficult circumstances to cause them to
become bitter today against others and, sometimes, even against God.
Hannah is another Old Testament example of bitterness. She was married to
Elkanah who had another wife besides her. Hannah was unable to bear a child
and was very sad as a result. Also, Elkanah's other wife was able to bear
children, which seemed to cause resentment between the two women. Although
Elkanah treated Hannah very well and loved her dearly, she was deeply grieved.
Her husband could not console her. According to I Samuel 1:10, she was in
"bitterness of soul." This is another example of the circumstances of life
causing bitterness. To Hannah's credit, however, she turned to the Lord during
this very difficult time. She asked God for a child, which she would give to
the Lord, and God granted her request.
Hebrews 12:15 is one of several New Testament passages which warns against
bitterness. It says, "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of
God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be
defiled." A "root of bitterness," like the root of a tree, can be below the
surface and not detectable by others. Eventually, it will show itself,
producing the fruits of bitterness such as evil speaking, anger, and hatred.
Bitterness, as the text says, can defile others, as well. It can hurt
relationships and can even cause disunity within a congregation.
Colossians 3:19 speaks of the danger of bitterness within a marriage as it
says, "Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them." Instead of
having bitterness toward his wife, the husband is told to love her. When
bitterness exists, proper love is lacking. Problems often occur between a
husband and a wife and when problems are not settled, ill-feelings can fester
into resentment and bitterness. Some disagreements need to be discussed and
resolved. Trivial disagreements should simply be forgotten. Many couples
need to learn how to "forget about it" or to "get over it." If not,
bitterness can develop which can destroy any relationship, especially a marriage.
Bitterness is a sin, and it must be put away. Ephesians 4:31 says, "Let all
bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put
away from you, with all malice." Sometimes a person will say, "With what has
happened to me, I have a right to be bitter." The Biblical answer is, "No you
don't." Some people, for example, say that they can't stop gambling,
committing fornication, or drinking. It may be difficult, but people can stop
these sins. In the same way, although it might not be easy, people can get rid
of bitterness. God does not require the impossible.
How do we put away bitterness? Ephesians 4:32 makes it clear that
bitterness is to be replaced with kindness and compassion. We need to have enough
kindness and compassion in our hearts so that there is no room for bitterness.
Verse 32 also points out that we are to forgive one another "even as God for
Christ's sake" has forgiven us. Sometimes it is very difficult to forgive,
but we must. Even if a person will not repent, the Bible teaches that we are
to love our enemies (Mt. 5:43-44), and that we are to overcome evil with
good (Rom. 12:17-21). Finally, we must repent and pray (Acts 8:22) in order to
be forgiven.
Many of life's dealings can cause bitterness: the deaths of loved ones,
sickness, difficult circumstances, people hurting or mistreating us in some way.
We must realize that life is full of hurts; it always will be. We must
never allow ourselves to be the "victims" of other people's offenses. Bitterness
has been called "the nest that the devil digs into our soul." It must, for
our own good and for the good of others, be put away.
__________
"OLD PATHS" (No. 3)
"...THE CHURCH...HIS BODY..."
Charles G. Maples, Sr.
The above statement is found in vs. 22 & 23 of Colossians one; being a part
of the statement, beginning at v. 20, which speaks of what God "wrought in
Christ, when He raised Him from the dead..." (v.20) It is clearly evident in
Ephesians 3:10-11 that the church was in "THE ETERNAL PURPOSE of God." (Note:
This is contrary to a belief of Premillennialists; that because the Jews
rejected Jesus, He could not establish His Kingdom, and so He established the
church instead.) This reference to God's "Eternal Purpose" suggests that we
should look back to the Prophets. In Isaiah 2:2-3, the Prophet foretold that
"...in the later days the mountain of THE LORD'S HOUSE" (would be)
established..." In I Timothy 3:15, we have "the Lord's House" identified as "the church
of the living God."
In Luke's record of the Lord's "Commission" to His apostles, He told them to
"...tarry in the city of Jerusalem until (they were) endued with power from
on high." (Lk. 24:49) In Mark 9:1, we see that with that "Power...the
kingdom of God" would come. (Note: in a later study we hope to show that "the
Kingdom"and "the church of the living God" are one and the same.) In Acts 2:1ff,
we read of the apostles doing as the Lord had commanded; they were
"tarry(ing) in the city of Jerusalem," that the "Power" did come, and in v. 47 we see
that His Church; which He had promised (Matt. 16:18), did have its beginning.
In Acts 11:15, the inspired apostle identified that day of Pentecost as
"the beginning." Among other things, the Lord's church had its "Beginning" on
that day.
In our time, we observe hundreds of churches; most of which claiming to
belong to the Lord. They wear different names, have different organizations,
teach different doctrines. But, we read in Ephesians 4:4 that "There is One
Body," and in Ephesians 1:22-23 we read of "...the church, which is His BODY."
Should there be so much confusion within one's physical body, such a person
would be said to be "Critical!" Yet, most people see no problem with "the
church;" the Lord's Spiritual Body characterized by "total chaos!" (It is
interesting to note that in Ephesians 4:4-6 God recognizes ONE "body"[church], just
as ONE God, ONE Lord, ONE Spirit!)
Briefly, we can identify the Lord's church by an appeal to His "Pattern."
(See: John 16:13ff; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Colossians 3:17, etc.) In regard to
WHEN it was established, we have seen above that that was the first Pentecost
after Jesus died and arose from the grave. Further, we can see its
ORGANIZATION from Philippians 1:1; a congregation of "saints, bishops and deacons." The
qualifications of those men who would serve as bishops & deacons are laid
down in I Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9. There is no Divine authority for an
earthly Universal Organization, as we see characteristic of many churches.
There is no earthly Head; therefore, no earthly "Headquarters!"
In Ephesians 4:12, we have identified by Inspiration the entirety of its
WORK: "...the perfecting of the saints," EDIFICATION; "the work of the
ministry," BENEVOLENCE (caring for its needy - Acts 6:1-6); the building up of the
body of Christ"(ASV) - EVANGELISM. Any church that is involved in works other
than these identifies itself as OTHER THAN the Lord's church!
Its MESSAGE: The Prophet stated (Isaiah 2:3) that when "the Lord's House"
(the church - see above) would be established, "...The Word of the Lord
(would) go forth from Jerusalem." We see the fulfillment of that prophesy, when
the Apostles of Christ were, at Jerusalem, empowered by the Holy Spirit to
preach the saving gospel of Christ, as they had been commanded by Jesus, as
recorded in Matthew 28:18ff; Mark 16:15-16 and Luke 24:46-49.
That message is identified as "the gospel of Christ"(Romans 1:16); "the word
of His Grace"(Acts 20:32); "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24)
That message taught that one cannot please God "..without FAITH."(Heb. 11:6);
that one must HEAR the Word, in order to have FAITH (Romans 10:13-17); that
before there can be FORGIVENESS of sins, there must be REPENTANCE (Acts 2:38;
17:30); that prior to one obeying the Lord in baptism he must CONFESS FAITH IN
CHRIST (Acts 8:37; cf. Matt. 10:32; Romans 10:9-10); that one must be
"BAPTIZED UNTO THE REMISSION OF SINS..." (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 6:3-4). Upon
that OBEDIENCE "from the heart"(Rom. 6:17-18) the Lord "ADDS" that individual
"TO THE CHURCH."(Acts 2:47)
NOTE: It should be understood that the above is not an exhaustive study of
the Lord's church; but that ORGANIZATION, that WORSHIP, that WORK, that
MESSAGE, was that which was true of "...all the (local-cgm) churches." (I
Corinthians 7:17)
At the ultimate "END," Christ will "deliver up the kingdom to God, the
Father..." (I Corinthians 15:24), and in Ephesians 5:27 we see that then it must
be "a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle," and that; among other
things; has to do with "THE MANNER OF LIFE" that the Lord expects of all those
who make up the church, which might be summed up in Revelation 2:10, "Be thou
FAITHFUL unto death..." (Revelation 2:10). (In our next issue, we hope to
go back to "The Old Paths" for the Lord's teaching on "...what manner of
persons..we should be." (See I Peter 3:11)
__________
Bible Preaching
John the Baptist’s message from the wilderness was not “Smile—God loves you.
” It was “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the
wrath to come.”
Jeremiah was not put into a miry pit for preaching, “I’m OK; you’re OK.”
It was for crying against adultery, idolatry, and other wickedness of his
nation.
Noah’s message from the steps of the ark was not “Something good is going
to happen to you!” He condemned the world and was a preacher of
righteousness.
Jesus Christ was not crucified for saying, “Consider the lilies how they
grow: but for saying “Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites...child of
hell...fools and blind guides...whited sepulchers...generation of vipers.
____J_____
CHRISTIAN CONDUCT AND
THE INTERNET
Chris Gautney
We now live in what has become known as the “information age.” People
communicate through e-mail on a daily basis. Families now can communicate in an
instant. This is all free of charge as long as you have a connection to the
Internet. These great advancements in technology are growing and rapidly
bringing a close to delayed communications and possibly even the postal system
itself.
As with all great things God has given us, Satan has been planning and
devising ways to use it to his advantage. Such tactics were first employed in the
Garden of Eden. God created all things and called them good. The trees were
all good but God put a condition on one of them, and Satan used this instance
to lure man away from God and has been doing so ever since.
This information age has only been around for about 20 years since computers
were first made available to the masses. Since that time, a whole different
side of this instant communication has evolved; a side in which Satan has
fostered sin and all kinds of ungodliness. The impersonal nature of today’s
communication allows one to be as anonymous and deceitful as they wish. People
masquerade as someone else and even steal other people’s real identities. Many
sites have virtual rooms where you can go and chat and meet new people and
exchange ideas and information. But sadly, people misuse and abuse such a
forum. You see it on the news all the time. Teen girls meet older men and women
leave their husbands for someone they have met online. Sin is perpetuated and
immorality is given free reign in this little world.
Many Christians have been caught up in this world of sin Satan has devised.
Temptation has drawn them away and caused them to do things ordinarily they
would have not. Paul told the Corinthians to flee sexual immorality (1 Cor
6:18) and to do whatever it took to get rid of it in their lives. However, this
online world is not a temptation for some. Many people in this new day and
time have met other Christians and been able to keep in touch and chat with
long lost friends from years gone by. It truly has been a blessing to those who
have used it in a Godly manner. But those to whom it has become a stumbling
block should put it away from them or put serious safe guards in place so
that they don’t flirt with sin and lose their soul.
Let the reader be aware that while the online world that now exists has the
ability to harbor ungodliness and all kinds of sin, that this is only a part
of the online realm. Just like in the everyday real world in which you live,
sin abounds but we should strive each day to live as the Lord would have us
to live. We shouldn’t just close up our computers and bail from the internet
just because a select few in the population have misused what God has given
man the knowledge to create but rather foster the good that can be done with
it.
I’m thankful for this technology because without it, I would have never met
the person whom I have come to love so dearly. I would not be able to email
family and friends who live so far away and keep in touch. The gospel of our
Lord is being carried through out the world more easily and into the hearts of
so many who might not have received it before. If you walk in this online
world, walk as you do in the real world, circumspectly, (Ephesians 5:15) such
that you guard yourself against sin and glorify our God who is heaven.
Below are some spiritually rooted guidelines adapted from
_http://www.naznet.com/ethics_ (http://www.naznet.com/ethics) that might be profitable to
consider by any Christian who is actively on the internet:
Guard your online relationships
Attachments develop as easily on the internet as anywhere else, and
sometimes more easily because of the anonymity involved in initial exchanges.
Particularly guard against relationships that encroach upon the level of trust and
faithfulness that is to exist only within a husband/wife relationship.
Be careful to visit web sites that do not compromise your life in Christ
There are sites on the internet that Christians must avoid, including those
that contain pornography. Do not visit such sites, even out of curiosity.
When, by accident (and it happens to everyone), you find such a page loading,
leave it immediately.
Take care that your written communications reflect Christ in your life
Even on issues about which you feel passionate, avoid saying things that you
feel might be displeasing to the Lord. Represent yourself and you intentions
in a truthful and upright manner in all your exchanges.
Guard your time to assure that your time online is kept in proper balance
with the rest of your life
The internet can consume time that should be invested elsewhere: family,
church, work responsibilities, and other activities that make for a well rounded
life. Especially guard against spending time on the internet that should be
spent with the Lord.
__________
SAVED BY SAVING
A man was walking over the mountains through a terrible snowstorm. He
gradually grew colder and colder until at last, he stumbled and fell. He said to
himself, “I shall never be found. This is the end.”
He thought he was too weak to rise, but as he fell, his hand fell across the
body of another man who had fallen in the same snowdrift. This poor man was
now unconscious and very near death’s door. The man who had just fallen,
exhausted and cold as he was, said to himself, “I can’t let him die like this,”
and as he bent over the prostrate form of the first traveler, he began to
briskly rub his face and his hands. By and by the man’s eyes opened. They
then helped each other to a place of safety. He had saved another’s life—but
he had also saved himself. Just so, we save our souls by saving others.
__________
“Daddy, Who Left the
Lights On?”
Passing the church building one Sunday evening where they attended morning
worship, two “Christian” parents’ little girl exclaims, “daddy, somebody
left the lights on. We should stop and turn them off.”
The parents drove on in silence. Later at home, they decided they had
better start attending evening worship. Not only to satisfy the curiosity of
their little daughter, but their own consciences as well.
If you passed the church building on Sunday or Wednesday evenings, would
your children wonder who left the lights on?
Congregations have coaxed, persuaded, tantalized and rewarded, trying to get
church members to attend worship. They have tried banners, seals, diplomas,
potluck dinners, and attendance drives trying to induce people to do what
they would do anyway if they really loved God and his Son.
But people go where they want to go, because where their hearts are, their
heels will follow. When we get out hearts right with God, then all these
other things will not be necessary to try and get people to attend worship as
they should. When our hearts are right there will be more feet in the church
building on Sunday and Wednesday.
If You Drove By The Church Building on Sunday or Wednesday Night, Would Your
Child Ask The Same Question?
>From Meditations on Truth
__________
ISN'T IT STRANGE
James P. Needham
When one wants to know what the work of preachers, elders and teachers is,
one can easily cite numerous passages which give the answer. (II Timothy
4:1-6, I Peter 5:2, Acts 20:28, Titus 2:1-8, etc.) When one wants to know the
function of youth directors, recreation directors, chairmen, superintendents,
coordinators, arch-bishops, or popes, no scripture can be cited. Yet these
positions exist in various churches. Now, isn’t that strange? “If any man
speak, let him speak as the oracles of God....” (I Peter 4:11)
__________
Constant joy and constant prayer should lead to a constant giving of thanks
to God (I Thess. 5:16-18).
__________
The Elon Challenger is published monthly by the church of Christ meeting at
4021 Hobbs Island Road in Owens Cross Roads. The mailing address is PO Box
149, New Hope, AL, 35760 where any comments, questions, or requests for
further information can be sent. The editor is Mike Johnson.
Evangelist: Charles G. Maples Sr.
Phone-256-530-0772
Evangelist & Editor: Mike Johnson
Phone -256-776-2223
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