[Biblemat] The Messenger Vol 002 Iss 002

Sat Jan 13 17:28:35 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 002::January 14, 2007  

ARTICLE ONE: A Way That "Seems" Right

ARTICLE TWO: To the Young and the Young At Heart

A Way That "Seems" Right

            Is there actual right and wrong in religious practice?  I mean, if we really break it down does it really matter? If there is a difference: who sets the standard.  Is it up to man to figure it out? A quick look around the religious world today and one may conclude that man does decide on matters of religion. There are many who teach and preach tolerance and respect of individual faith. Is that the right approach, can they all be right?

            There are "rules of truth." By the nature of its definition the word "truth" itself declares a necessity of purity. Truth is absolute! Truth only exists in pure form. That is, truth is only truth if it is 100% truth. When two disagree on any matter of "truth" there are only two possibilities: One is right and one is wrong, or both are wrong.  We know according to the words of Jesus spoken in His prayer that the word of God is truth, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth" (John 17:17).    

            Too many are not satisfied with what God has established; they desire to create their own forms of teaching. Let's take a few moments to consider what happens when man leaves behind God to seek a different way that seems right to him. Starting in the Old Testament we will work our way through the pages of time to the New Testament then we will consider today.

Old Testament: 

            When people simply do what God asks they are rewarded. Consider the characters recorded in Hebrews 11.  Abel (v.4), Noah (v.7), Abraham (vs. 8-10), etc. followed God's will-God's way and they certainly were rewarded. 

            Not all the characters in the Old Testament were satisfied to do things God's way: Nadab and Abihu prepared a sacrifice according to their own will by offering the wrong fire (Leviticus 10:1). God had commanded a certain source for fire. Another fire seemed right to them. They were consumed by fire and God spoke very plainly as to why they were killed (Leviticus 10:2-3)

            The Israelites, in 1 Chronicles 13:1-4, decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to their own nation. They were clearly instructed in the proper method of transporting the Ark (Deuteronomy 10:8); they knew that it was not to be touched (Numbers 4:15). However, it seemed right to them to bring it on a cart (1 Chronicles 13:5-8). Uzza had to steady the ark so it would not fall. When he touched it he broke God's command and he died (1 Chronicles 13:9-10). Uzza paid greatly for something that seemed like the right thing to do. 

            One more, consider Naaman's reaction to God's instruction (2 Kings 5:5-14).  Naaman did not like the words he heard (v.10-12). Naaman was not satisfied with his instructions. He felt that the prophet's request was lacking something. In this incident Naaman's servant proved himself wiser than his master. In verse thirteen the servant posed this question, "If the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it?"  Only when Naaman humbled himself and did what he was told (v.14) was he cleansed of his leprosy.

New Testament: 

            Many were willing to do God's will and were counted as faithful. Those converted on the day of Pentecost continued to do God's will (Acts 2:42). The brethren in Thessalonica were satisfied with and desired to share God's way (1 Thessalonians 1:6-8).  

            For a variety of reasons many others were not satisfied, for example the Jews who stoned Steven in Acts chapter seven. The truth exposed them as wrong and they rebelled against God's word as Stephen spoke (Acts 7:57-60).          Elsewhere, the Jewish converts were teaching the necessity of circumcision for the Gentiles (Acts 15).  They did not want the Gentiles to be accepted according to God's will. 

            Another example is the Apostle Peter, when he was not satisfied with God's way. We know the apostle Peter as courageous and very bold. He was driven by emotion. This same emotional drive worked against him and caused him to resist God's will.  He resisted the necessities of God's plan. In Matthew 16:21-23 his emotions told him that Jesus should not be killed.   When he resisted, Jesus said, "Get behind me Satan!" Peter was not mindful of the things of God-not mindful of God's will. Later, he again resisted (John 18:1-11). Peter tried to stop the mob from taking Jesus and Jesus responds to Him with, "Shall I not drink of the cup which My Father has given Me?" All these things at the time seemed right to Peter. 

Today:

            God's wonderful plan of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ is still very simple. So, even today, many feel that it is not enough.  Like Naaman they reject the truth for something that seems more religious or more spectacular.  For centuries men have tried to add some "materialistic idea of greatness" to what God desires because they themselves desire it. They have tried to add mystery: a mysterious separation of clergy (e.g. language, lifestyle, etc.).  They have added pomp and ceremony with robes and regalia, mechanical music, and large ornate buildings. 

            Then the "contemporaries" have tried to add excitement through live bands with brightly lit stages. Even fancy promises of wealth, healing hoaxes, and motivational speakers cloaked as preachers. All this in the name of great religious "feeling".

            The servant of Naaman asked the appropriate question in 2 Kings 5:13.  God has asked us to do simple things in a very simple way. A way that men are not satisfied with; they want something more spectacular. If the requirements for salvation were climbing to the top of Mt. Everest to pray we would have people lined up from here to the Himalayas. An unchangeable fact remains:  God's way is the only way. Those who become too proud to associate with the humble requirements of God's will are also too proud to go to Heaven (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5; 5-6).        

Conclusion:

            Today, many do not desire the simple, reverent requirements of the worship that God has shown us in His word. They desire to be entertained and focus their "worship" on themselves.  

            Many are not satisfied to follow God's simple plan of salvation. In their arrogance they become like Naaman wanting something more spectacular, they use their own imagination and conceive ideas that seem to be right. In order to please God today you must do His will. Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death". The way of salvation is humble and simple. Are you willing to do it God's way? Or are you satisfied to wager your soul on things that seem right?

To the Young And the Young At Heart

      Let's take the time to search the scriptures and discover what God has said, specifically, to young people.  This doesn't mean that any of the older ones can check out the things we will cover will be beneficial for you as well. 

The importance of seeking this information is that we desire the wisdom that will result. Ignorance and youth do not have to go hand in hand. We have the knowledge readily available to each of us that can bring us to wisdom.  Remember the saying,"By knowledge, not age comes wisdom." You don't have to be old in order to be wise.  Please open your Bibles as you read along considering each verse that is mentioned.

"Rejoice In Your Youth"

We are only young once. The big problem is that we never truly understand the vitality of our youth until we are too old to have any left. There are wonderful things about being young and God wants us to rejoice in them. When we are young we live with few responsibilities but many abilities. We are able to do most anything we set our minds on without hindrances of adult stresses. We, however, are not totally void of responsibility. One undeniable responsibility is to our Creator-God.  

Consider the book of Ecclesiastes chapter eleven verse nine. According to the wise preacher's inspired pen God wants you to rejoice in your youth. In that verse we are told, "Let your heart cheer you." In other words enjoy the time of your life when your responsibilities are few. He continues to say, "Walk in the ways of your heart." What a wonderful commendation to follow your dreams. To see what you can achieve in this life. Then also, "Walk in the sight of your eyes."  In this we are told to see what good things the world holds for us. 

However, or but-and this is a big BUT-know that God will bring into judgment your every action. We all will answer for the things done in the body whether good or bad (2 Cor. 5:10). Finding your place in life and enjoying all the good that life has to offer are both good as long was we place them in proper priority. The priority is clear. God must be first then everything and everyone else can be considered (Matthew 6:33). Rejoice in your youth.

"Praise Me With Your Strength"

We need to continue in Ecclesiastes. This time let's look at chapter twelve and verse one. "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth."  The Bible is full of admonitions to praise God and the young are also subject to those admonitions (Psalm 148:7-13). The call of praising God is for the young and the old. When we are young we seem to be able to devout hours and hours to the things we enjoy. Our energy reserves never seem to run out when we are doing things we like to do. It is this energy that God deserves to have from us when we are praising Him.

God desires our praise. If you do not know how to praise and geem to lorify God consider the words of the Psalmist in these three different Psalms. Psalms104:31-35, Psalm 111 and Psalm 146. Have you praised God Lately? It is God who is able to bless us beyond all expectation. It is God who created us and who sustains our lives (Acts 17:24-27). It is God who has seen fit to give you a mind and a choice that is yours. It is His desire that you will choose Him. God desires that you will remember Him in the vigor of your life.

"Trust Me"

            This should be the easiest trust ever developed. God has never nor does He ever fail and God will not fail you.  The Bible makes an ever-applicable statement-"God never fails." Through the inspired pen of Paul we read this statement in the context of 1 Corinthians 1:9. Paul makes this statement three times in his letters to the Corinthian brethren. This means no matter where, when, or how you are, God is faithful. He is faithful in all ways to all His promises.  This is absolutely essential to know when we consider Paul's second use of this statement, "God never fails." This is found in 1 Corinthians 10:13. Paul speaks of the common nature of temptations. The fact is that no matter what we are faced with we cannot say, "No one knows what it's like." Temptations are common to all people. Someone else has been where you are.  Paul introduces the statement and it is followed by, "He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able." You can refuse the temptation if you trust God. God promises to provide you with a way of escape. No matter what it is that you are facing. Even if your feel that it is impossible to escape there is a way out if you open your eyes. 

Earlier we were considering the Psalms. There is a great feeling of solace recorded by the Psalmist in 118:1-8. Especially verse six in the Psalm which reads, "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"  If we turn back to the New Testament and read in Paul's letter to the Romans in chapter eight, verse thirty-one, we read much the same sentiment. "What shall we say to these things? 'If God is for us, who can be against us?'"  Trust God. He is all in all. If, in this life, you loose everything but do not loose faith in God you have lost nothing at all. 

Conclusion

Yes, rejoice in the strength of your youth. Follow your heart and chase your dreams, but in all things remember your Creator. There is a wide open horizon of opportunity within the boundaries of God's will you can be happy, fulfilled in life and assured. We each are presented with the opportunity of a great life here and now and then the promise of everlasting life in Heaven. 

Perhaps the most comforting verse in all the scriptures is, "Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). The Great Almighty, God of Heaven cares for you! Seek that care. Rejoice in the life He has provided you. Praise Him with the strength He has supplied you. God will never let you down. Open up to Him, sharing every concern of your heart with Him-Trust Him. God holds is the key to achieve the greatest success you will ever know, will you obey Him today?          ~tss

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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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