The Gospel Spotlight
(Electronic Edition)
(Romans 1:16)
December
The Gospel Spotlight is a
publication of the
Editor and Evangelist
Don McClain - donmccla@msn.com
Previous issues of the "Gospel Spotlight" can be
viewed on our Web-Site - http://www.w65stchurchofchrist.org/My_Homepage.html
Contents
I.
Higher Expectations -
By Don McClain
II.
What Can I Do To Make
Our Bible Classes Better? - by John Clark
III.
Just As God Forgave -
Joe Fitch
IV.
A Deadly Disease - W.
R. Jones
V.
Mainstream - Rodger Trimm
Higher Expectations
By Don McClain
What kind
of spiritual goals have you set for yourself this year? Are they lofty, but
reasonable goals? For many, the tendency is to aim low, and shoot lower, so
that when they evaluate their progress they can say – "Hey, I didn’t do
all that bad!"
The name
Christian means, "A follower of Christ." If your goal
is to be a follower of Christ – you have set the highest of goals! As
Christians, our goals are relative to our calling, (Ephesians 4:1-3). Our
priorities should be to become more like our Savior Jesus Christ and our
heavenly Father, (Ephesians 5:1-17), developing our attitudes and desires to be
the same as Theirs’. These are HIGH goals and expectations indeed, and in more
than one sense! The character of God is the highest of characters – and His
desires are the highest of desires – They are MOST excellent, noble, and
productive, we can excel no HIGHER! To set such a goal is a must for the
Christian, (Hebrews 12:1,2). – The cost is great, but
the benefits are much greater! (Matthew 16:24-26).
Is such a
goal reasonable? The Calvinistic theology of human depravity has so flooded the
mindset of the religious world that very little, in terms of godliness,
holiness, and righteousness, is expected from humanity. This mindset has
permeated the thinking of many Christians and can be seen in that they are
"lowering the bar" when it comes to their expectations in
terms of spirituality. Thus we see professed Christians doing, wearing, saying,
and even defending things which they should not, and things brethren wouldn’t
have dreamed possible just a few years ago. This attitude is manifested in
several areas, including worship, not only in the acts of worship, but also our
approach to worship. The push is on to make worship more casual, more relaxing
in atmosphere and less demanding.
We need
to expect from ourselves that which God expects of us. God expects us to be
holy – (1 Peter
How
Can We Achieve Such Lofty Goals? In Kenneth
J. Lodi’s book, "Tapping Potential," four things are noted as
necessary in goal achievement. I have taken these things and modified them in
application to meet our objective of achieving spiritual goals.
Motivation – Why?
In order
to achieve the spiritual goals of holiness, purity, and godly living, we must
have the right motivation. We will not succeed if our motivation is to please
our parents, friends, or from selfish desires. We cannot be driven to achieve
merely because we want to avoid hell! If such remains our primary motivational
push, we will ultimately fail. Our motives MUST shift to a grander and purer
source. As the apostle Paul stated, "The love of Christ compels us,"
(2 Corinthians
Objectives – What?
We have
listed some general objectives of the Christian already, but what is needed is
for each of us to get more personal and specific. Paul says to the church at
Strategy – How?
Every war
and every battle demands a strategy. In order to gain the ultimate success,
short range strategies must be enacted that will help us succeed in
accomplishing our long-range goals, (Proverbs 29:18). For example, if we set a
goal to read through the Bible this year, we should enact a plan that will
enable us to accomplish our goal in a systematic and consistent way. Maybe your
long-range goal is to become a more successful personal worker. Short term
strategies, such as, – selecting and reading books relating to the subject, and
of course, the Bible being the most important, will prepare you to accomplish
your desired goal. With the proper motivation, and preparation you are ready to
begin, but you still need strategy – Who? How? Where? When? Maybe you want to
begin participating more in the worship services – leading singing, public
prayer, teaching classes, or preaching – you need a plan. If the church sets a
goal to become more active in local evangelism, restoring those that have
strayed, developing leaders, or to support more preachers abroad, it needs a
plan – it needs a strategy.
Most
goals cannot be fully accomplished in one attempt. It takes planning,
preparation, and effort! Do you have a plan based upon sound biblical exegesis,
or – are you just hoping things will fall into place allowing you to slide
UP (?) the ladder of spiritual success?
Time - Frame – When?
Whatever
our past failures, we can be assured that they can be put behind us. Today is a
new day, we can begin by changing course TODAY, but to make the advances that
children of God have been called to make takes time, (Hebrews 5:12-14). We may
be able to put down the cigarettes today, but it may be months if not years
before we can put the temptation to smoke into the realm of forgotten memories.
Do what we can do today – let tomorrow take care of itself, (Matthew
Time
plays an important role in meeting our goals and goes hand in hand with
developing a strategy – "Make plans based on time restraints." If we
are going to read our Bibles through in a year, we must set aside a time to do
it. We cannot allow the pressures of time restraint to push aside our most
important goals. Time can be a hindrance therefore it is extremely important
how we prioritize our time. Most know of the illustration where a professor
began filling a jar with rocks . . . after he put in the larger rocks, he put
in smaller rocks . . . then sand . . . then water. The point being – if you
don’t put the larger rocks in first – you will not get them in at all. Time is
like that . . . we only have so much of it, and if we don’t make sure that the
most important things are done first . . . they won’t get done at all.
We can
also use time to keep us on track. Determine where you think you should be in
six months, then after six months, make an evaluation. If we set deadlines for
ourselves in reaching certain goals we will come closer to achieving them.
Understand that all of this is relative to "what the Lord wills,"
and that all that we plan to accomplish in the future is contingent upon that
fact, (James 4:15). "Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time,
for it is the stuff that life is made of." . . . [Benjamin Franklin].
Our daily activities should not be the expenditure of time, but rather
investments!
One final thing – Action
–
"Well
done is better that well said," [Benjamin Franklin]. Unless we act we
will never succeed! Not only action, but, we must act with enthusiasm – "Nothing
great was ever achieved without enthusiasm" [Ralph Waldo Emmerson].
The Bible teaches time and time again the importance of enthusiastic action,
(Titus
Real
effort, hard work, sacrifice, and guts are needed to become the people that God
demands that we become! Sir Winston Churchill once said, "Sometimes it is
not good enough to do our best, we must do what is required." The
greatest goal, underpinned by the greatest cause, supported by the greatest
strategy and planning will fail if not executed!
Conclusion
In
assessing our goals for spiritual growth, we MUST consider God’s expectations
for us. They are high and we should never be guilty of lowering, or even
leveling the bar. We have been called by the gospel unto a high calling . . .
one that demands that we leave the past in the past and continually build
toward our ultimate goal.
Do you
have what it takes? There may be some pessimistic soul out there thinking,
"these goals are too high! I can’t
attain them!" Look out! That’s not the attitude of Joshua and Caleb,
but of the other ten spies, (Numbers 13,14). Ella
Wheeler Cox said, "There is no chance, no
destiny, no fate, which can circumvent, nor hinder, nor control, the firm
resolve of a determined soul." I agree when the resolve is to serve
and please God, (Romans
Paul says
it best when he states, "12Not that I have already attained, or am
already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ
Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13Brethren, I do not count myself to have
apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and
reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14I press toward the goal for
the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15Therefore let us, as
many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God
will reveal even this to you." Read that again – Now, is that
the kind of attitude we have in meeting the "upward call" unto which
God has called each of us?
What
Can I Do To Make Our Bible Classes Better?
by John Clark
Since we are what we think, say and do, let us
determine that we will think seriously and optimistically about our Bible
classes this year. As you talk to yourself say, "I’m going to make the
best effort I have ever made to make a positive, constructive contribution to
strengthen and improve our Bible classes." Having made such a commitment,
we must get down to the nitty-gritty of taking the steps - doing the things
conscientiously that we must do to reach that goal. Let’s look at several
practical steps to be taken:
1. I will make attendance on Sunday morning and
Wednesday evening mandatory, a must (this is settled, decided, not to be
debated) not optional (deciding from week to week if I feel like it and I want
to work it in).
2. I am determined to be on time for services. I
will break the habit of being late by planning ahead, starting sooner, making
it a challenge to show the importance of this by being on time. If others in
the family are helping create the problem, I will seek to solve it by
discussing it with them.
3. I will show my involvement and the seriousness
of my commitment to excellence in our Bible classes by working on all
assignments and making daily Bible reading as much a part of my day as eating,
sleeping and working. I will come to class prepared to enter into the
discussions with enthusiasm and something to contribute to the class because I
have taken the time to study.
If I am teaching a class I will seek to be the
right example to others as I reveal by my attitudes and actions how important
study of the word of God is in our daily lives. I will earnestly strive to be a
"workman that needeth not to be ashamed" (2 Tim.
4. I will see our Bible classes as a means to an
end. I want to truly understand the Bible better because I want to be and do
what Christ wants me to be and do. I will constantly remind myself that
ignorance of the Scripture is ignorance of Christ and His will for my life. As
I prepare for the class, I want to see it as the means whereby I grow and grow
up to a greater sense of responsibility coupled with real joy in our Lord.
5. I will use my influence to be a true and
positive encouragement to teachers, the classes, and the arrangements which the
elders have made to be certain that the word of God is faithfully taught. Were
I find discouragement I will seek to encourage; where I find complaints, I will
show appreciation; where the seeds of doubt and discouragement are sown, I will
plant faith, hope and love; where some have surrendered to apathy and
indifference, I will seek to make a real difference by striving for excellence.
I will seek to be like Paul when he wrote, "straining toward what is
ahead, I press toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me
heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Phil.
Just As God Forgave
Joe Fitch
And be
kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in
Christ forgave you.(Eph.4:32). This passage demands that Christians forgive
each other. It also sets a strick guide for this forgiving -- "just as God in Christ forgave you." God is the perfect standard for forgiving, but what
does "just as God forgave
"
include?
God is
willing to forgive. No one twisted God's arm to grant forgiveness. Nothing
demanded that he forgive -- except that he willed to forgive. As God was
unwilling for any to perish(2Pet.3:9), so he was
willing to forgive all trespasses. Thus, you can count on God's mercy -- "He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse
us from all unrighteousness "(1Jno.1:9).
Our standard is set! It is deeper than duty; it roots in the heart. We must be
really willing to forgive.
God is
aggressive to forgive. In regard to forgiveness, who approached who?
Man did not make the first overture. It was God who reached out to man while he
was still a sinner -- still a rebel. " But God
demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us "(Rom.5:8). Again
the standard is set for us. Jesus said: "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that
your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar,
and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer
your gift "(Mt.5:23-).
Jesus expected the "sinned against " to aggressively pursue forgiveness
-- even before offering his sacrifice. Thaat emphasis mimics God. It is
ungodlike to withhold forgiveness or to make no efforts toward forgiving one
who sinned against us. "Just as God forgave " demands we make the first
step.
God
forgives absolutely. There are not hidden clauses, no reservations in God's
forgiveness. In awe, the psalmist argued, "He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the
heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear
Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our
transgressions from us "Psa.103:10-).
How far has he removed sins? --"as
far as the east is from the west." God forgives -- and
completely disposes of sin "Just as God forgave " sets a high bar! Our
forgiveness must absolutely absolve our brother -- completely erase all charges
against him.
God
forgives permanently. Sins forgiven never rise again.
Jeremiah prophesied of God's covenant for the last days. It is quoted and
applied in Hebrews. "This is the
covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put
My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them," God's "last days " covenant was written in
hearts rather than stone -- as was his first covenant. Note the addendum:
"then He adds, "Their sins and
their lawless deeds I will remember no more "(Heb.10:17-). How long is
forgiveness? Remembered no more! No reprieve for a year! -- forever
gone! "Now where there is remission of
these, there is no longer an offering for sin. "(v.18). No need for more sacrifice for those sins; they are
forgiven! They are done with forever. Other sins may plague -- and separate
from God, but God forgiven sins never are brought up again. Forgiveness is
permanent! No strings attached. There is no other variety! "Just as God
forgave "
demands we forever loose the charges against a brother. We expect such
from God; we must extend the same to a brother.
God
forgives conditionally. All God's expansive mercy does not argue against
conditions for forgiveness. God always placed repentance before forgiveness.
There has never been unilateral forgiveness -- God acting without man doing
anything. God always first required sinners to " turn to
God, and do works befitting repentance "(Act.26:20).
God did much to induce repentance, but no forgiveness was ever granted before
or without repentance. That is how God forgives! -- the
only way God forgives! What did Jesus say of those who refused to repent and
come to him? "...you will die in your
sins "(Jno.8:24). -- unforgiven. He also said of them: "where I go you cannot come "(
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subject line.
A
Deadly Disease
W. R. Jones.
Something
like 1900 years ago, John wrote a letter to the church of the Lord at
THE
DISEASE: This disease is described by the expression, "Thou hast left thy
first love." The person with this disease has forsaken something and
something has gone out of his heart. He no longer has the intense enthusiasm
and ardor for Christ that he once possessed. Simply out of a sense of duty he
may continue to attend, give, work, and commune faithfully, but true devotion
has diminished. Such a person is like the wife, who out of a sense of family
duty continues to perform expected responsibilities toward her husband, but her
love for him is in a state of decay. By all means we can call this a "dead
disease" because it is also fatal to the soul, unless the divine remedy is
applied. NO doubt it is one of the great killers ravaging God's people today.
THE
SYMPTOMS: Being a Christian is just a "hum-drum" affair. Attending
worship is a burden rather than a joy. One is no longer thrilled and excited by
hearing the gospel preached. Easily distracted from spiritual matters; quick to
doubt and despair. One only does what he is expected to do and is generally
insensitive to the great work to be done. He is easy to excite about material
things, and things of pleasure, but hard to excite about the cause of Christ.
THE
EFFECT: "I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out
of its place, except ye repent." (Rev. 2:5). This simply means the loss of
one's identity or a church's identity with God. This is spiritual doom! No one
has ever recovered from this diseas without the use of the divine remedy.
THE
REMEDY: "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, repent and do the
first works." Reflect on the wonderful thrilling love you one time
enjoyed. Reflect on your present drab condition. Repent, have a real change of
mind (that brings about a genuine change in your life). Let the goodness and
mercy of Jehovah dominate your thoughts and life. This remedy
is not easily applied, but when properly used always bring about
complete recovery. You may use it with confidence, for it has never failed.
-----------W. R. Jones.
Mainstream
Rodger Trimm
Mainstream:"adj. Representing the prevalent attitudes and values
of a society or group: mainstream morality." American Heritage
Dictionary.
It has become fashionable, today, for a significant number of our
brethren to refer to themselves as mainstream. They certainly are in the
majority. Their argument seems to be that size equat- es with substance. Where
did this mainstream come from? They are the product of the institutional wars
waged during the middle of the last century. The majority went with the
institutions (church supported orphan homes, the Herald of Truth, etc.).
A small minority opposed the institutions as unscriptural. They were labeled as
"anti's." Now th mainstream finds itself in
another war; this time over the very liberal views of some who want the
churches of Christ to take their rightful place among the "other"
denominations. To students of church history, this is neither surprising nor
unpredictable. Ed Harrell (and others) saw this inevitable conclusion long
before it happened. History continues to be repeated.
In the middle of the 19th century, brethren fought over another
institution (the Missionary Society) and an innovation to worship (mechanical
instruments of music). This resulted, around the turn of the last century,
in two separate religious groups (
We can expect a similar result today. Murch paid the churches of
Christ of that era an unintended compliment. "The right wing of the
movement, the Churches of Christ, had so isolated itself from the mainstream of
the Christian world and from the cultural and scientific movements of society
in general that it was almost wholly unaffected by the controversy"
(ibid., pg. 237). Being a "backwater" bunch can have
advantages it seems.
The Mighty Mississippi River is said to have its source in a small
lake in
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