CHRIST
IS PREACHED
Philippians 1:12-18
As Paul is writing this letter to
the church of Christ in Philippi, he is prison, probably in Rome. However, being
in prison does not stop Paul or his work for Christ. He makes the statement that
the things which happened to him had actually turned out to advance the gospel message.
Sometimes what we think are bad things in our life, actually are for good. Paul
would make the remark that the whole palace guard had heard of the gospel message because of his imprisonment and that most
of the brethren were more confident because of Paul’s situation, even though he was in chains. Good things often come about in bad circumstances.
There were some though who were preaching
against Paul because he was in prison. They were preaching out of envy and strife,
from selfish ambition, and not sincerely. They were trying to add affliction
to Paul but in doing so they were still preaching Christ. Paul would summarize
their preaching in verse 18; “What then?
Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.”
Were these who were preaching Christ but
preaching against Paul false teachers? They were preaching Christ but for the
wrong reasons; did this make them false teachers? I do not think that it did. I do not think Paul would have condoned their preaching if it were false. Paul had already written to the churches in Galatia that those who preach a different gospel were to be
accursed. “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him
be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8)
There
is false teaching and there are false teachers. Jesus would foretell of false
teachers in his day in Matthew 24. Three times in this chapter does he warn of
their coming. In verse 5; “See
that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name saying, ‘I
am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.” These would
coming either saying they were the Messiah or saying that they come in the name of Jesus.
We have many false teachers who claim to be Christians and it is these who are most dangerous. In verse 11; “And
many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.” He summarizes
these statements in verse 24; “For false
christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”
Paul would warn the elders at Ephesus
“For I know this, that after my departure
savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse
things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.” (Acts 20:29-30) False teacher would come into the church and try to lead church members after themselves. Some of these would arise from among the church.
There are most definitely false teachers and false teaching in the church.
In 2nd Corinthians 11:
13-15, Paul again warns of the false teaching among the church. “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into
apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into
an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform
themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” If Satan himself can transform into an angel of light, you can bet that his teachers can be very deceitful
in their appearance and teaching. Most false teaching today will contain 95%
truth, if it did not people would reject it to begin with. False teaching is
very deceitful and has to be to be successful in prying the elect away from Christ. “They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that
you may be zealous for them.” (Galatians 4:17) One of the primary
characteristics of a false teacher is that they try to draw you away from Christ and to themselves.
Ephesians 4:14 reads; “…that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried
about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking
the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ…” As Christians we
are to grow and mature so that we are not led astray by false teaching. We grow
by staying in God’s word and we seek Scripture for all teaching. When something
is contrary to God’s word, we should be familiar enough to recognize it as false.
If we are not sure we should examine God’s word to determine the truth.
Sometimes we are deceived by thinking
that the Bible is outdated and is not viable in the modern culture. We are warned
of this also in Colossians 2:8 “Beware
lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles
of the world, and not according to Christ.” False teaching can
sound deceitfully good and up to date but it is still false when it is contrary to the teaching of Christ.
Paul would tell Timothy that the days will
come when men will seek teachers who will teach them what they want to hear. “For the
time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears,
they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
(2nd Timothy 4:3-4)
Paul told Titus that certain false
teachers needed to be stopped; “…whose
mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.” (Titus 1:11) A false teacher is often
in it for the money. Jude would verify this in verses 17-19 “But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles
of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their
own ungodly lusts. These are sensual person, who cause divisions, not having
the Spirit.”
False teacher have been present since
the Garden of Eden. Moses would present a test for false teachers in Deuteronomy
13:1-5: “If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and
he gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to
you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known—‘and let us serve them,’ 3 you shall not listen to the words
of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you
love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul. 4 You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice;
you shall serve Him and hold
fast to Him. 5 But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death,
because he has spoken in order to turn you away from the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land
of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of bondage, to entice you from the way in which the Lord
your God commanded you to walk. So
you shall put away the evil from your midst.”
The book of
Jude and 2nd Peter chapter two are very similar writings and both deal with false teachers. Both these passages identify three distinguishing characteristics of false teachers. One there is immorality
in their lives. Second there is always greed, and third there is lying or no scriptural backing for their teaching. Turn with me to the book of Jude beginning with verse 3: “Beloved,
while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you
to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn
the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. 5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the
Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness
for the judgment of the great day; 7 as Sodom and Gomorrah,
and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after
strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance
of eternal fire.
8 Likewise also these
dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending
with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these speak evil
of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves.
11 Woe
to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.
12 These are spots in your love
feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves.
They are clouds without water, carried about
by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; 13 raging waves of the
sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.
14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold,
the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly
deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh
things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”
16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. 17 But you, beloved,
remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there
would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons,
who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves
up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking
for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And
on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even
the garment defiled by the flesh.”
False teaching is ugly teaching. There is heresy, greed, immorality, and even a denial of Jesus as Lord.
False teaching is of course completely opposite to good teaching which leads people to Christ. There is ugly teaching, good teaching, and there is also bad teaching; the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Bad teaching may have been what Jude
was referring to in the later part of his writing and bad teaching may have been what was occurring when Paul was addressing
those teachers who were teaching Christ, but only with wrong motives. False teaching
is by no means to be condoned. God will bring judgment against the false teacher
and we are to be wise enough to not succumb to false teaching.
Our problem and challenge today is
to distinguish between false teaching and bad teaching and there is a difference. False
teaching is heresy, a tool of the devil, with the intent of opposing Jesus as Lord.
Bad teaching can be a misinformed brother proclaiming false teaching out of ignorance.
We see an example of bad teaching in Acts 18 when Apollos came to Ephesus as an eloquent speaker who was competent
in the Scriptures. He spoke accurately the things concerning Jesus but he only
knew the baptism of John. When Priscilla and Acquila heard him, they explained
to him the way of God more accurately. (Acts 18: 24-26)
Apolos’ knowledge was not complete
concerning baptism. Today we would proclaim that someone who disagreed with us
concerning baptism, would certainly be a false teacher; well maybe not. They
just may be a misinformed brother. Just because someone differs with us concerning
an issue, that does not make them a false teacher and we need to be very careful in labeling them as such.
I
do not believe Paul was labeling those who were preaching against him as false teachers in Philippians 1:18. These men certainly did not have the right motive in their preaching but they were still preaching Christ. This was a case of bad preaching; not false teaching and we must deal with these very
differently.
The Lord’s church today faces further
division because of bad teaching. There is way too much labeling and name calling
and hatred not from false teaching but from bad teaching. We can disagree but
we cannot refuse to love. So let us each be very careful in our judgment of others. Let us be attuned to God’s word, so that we know whether the teaching we hear
is good, bad, or ugly.
SUMMER OF DOOM?
Today
is the first Sunday of the summer season of 2008. I suspect this is going to
be an important and influential season for our nation and for the church. The
economic and moral standards of the United States are changing rapidly and drastically.
There is an ever widening gap between those who have and those who do not have; and this is always a sign of impending
transformation.
It is
very possible that we will go through an even more escalating period of difficult economic and social unrest than this generation
has ever experienced. A period like this is certainly not new to history, but
because we have been so blessed with peace and prosperity it will be very alien and disruptive to our times.
As Christians
we must be prepared and sensitive to these changes. There will be needs and opportunities that only the most senior of us
can remember. However, if an economic downturn will bring people back to the
Lord, then so may it be!
Galatians
6 tells us to bear one another’s burdens. The burdens of God’s
family are already occurring at an accelerated pace. They could magnify in the
season ahead. Paul would also write, “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who
are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10) Be aware of the
struggles of those around you.
In the
days of the prophet Amos, the Lord blessed His people with prosperity and peace. He
also sent famine and pestilence in their lives. Whether good times or bad, the
purpose was to stimulate the people to return to God. In both situations in Amos’
day; good or bad, they did not come back to God. Let us pray that as a nation,
we will reverse the devastating path that we are traveling and return to our loving Heavenly Father.
This
passage from the Old Testament still rings true today: “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn
from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2nd Chronicles 7:14)
LET HIM PRAY
Is anyone among you suffering? We all suffer in some ways as we travel through this journey called life. In the book of James the readers of the first century were suffering various kinds of trials. They were apparently suffering because of their faith. James
would tell them, and us, that the testing of our faith will produce patience.
In chapter 5 James makes
the statement that if you are suffering, pray. Prayer is the emphasis of James' conclusion to this powerful treatise, inspired
by the Holy Spirit. Seven times in these last verses the words pray, prayer, and prayed are found.
James 5:14 is a much debated
verse which generates several ideas; some are accurate, and some are not. "Is
anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them
pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." My opinion is
that James is directing those who are “sick,” meaning weakened by their suffering, to call for the elders of the
church for strength, support, and prayer. The Greek word for sick here means to be weak or lack strength. It is translated as weak and as sick in the NT. Because of suffering some had become discouraged and weak
and were instructed to call the elders of the church for encouragement.
The elders were to pray
and anoint with oil. This could mean to literally “rub him with oil”:
Oil was a form of medicine used in the NT days. Remember how the Good Samaritan
poured oil and wine on the wounds of the roadside victim. Remember also that
this was in the age of miracles and special gifts. In Mark 6:13 “Jesus
sent out the twelve and they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.” I suspect most of the church elders in the time James was writing had special healing
powers, and this may be part of what he is saying in this verse. However, I think
the verse best fits the context when we see it as figurative language. James
is telling those who are weary from suffering to call the church elders who are to come and encourage, comfort, and strengthen
the weakened brother or sister.
Remember the context of
this section is prayer. It is prayer that is being emphasized in this section
of Scripture. "And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will
raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven." This does not
reflect physical healing but spiritual restoration.
"Confess your trespasses
to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed." This is a very powerful statement about prayer. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are to pray for one another.
Especially, when a brother is discouraged or down with his direction in life, we are to pray that he might be restored. We are to pray for one another. So if
you are suffering from the suppression of sin, pray. If your weakness has
led to sin, then confess your sins and let the church pray for you. If you are
so weak and discouraged because of your suffering, come and let the elders of the church pray for you that you might be uplifted
and restored. May God bless each of us as we try to develop our prayer lives
and draw closer to Him!
A FEARFUL THING
Hebrews 10:26-39
If we sin willfully or deliberately it
is fearful thing because there is no more sacrifice to be offered for our sins. The
writer has already addressed this idea in Hebrews 6:4-6; “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened,
and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and
the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves
the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.”
Here he refers to the ones who have
received the knowledge of truth, and turn away, while earlier he refers to the once enlightened, ones having tasted the heavenly
gift, partakers of the Holy Spirit, having tasted the good words of God and the powers of the age to come; it they have done
this and fall away there is nothing left to bring them back.
Remember this entire writing is
addressed to an audience who were being tempted to leave Christianity and go back to the Old Covenant. He warns them early to “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in
departing from the living God;” (Heb. 3:12) These Christians were in danger of committing the deliberate sin of apostasy. Apostasy is the falling away from God’s truth.
To receive the knowledge of the truth and to reject it is to give up on the only way of salvation. There is nothing left.
What the person who once knows and turns
away has to look forward to is a fearful expectation of judgment, a fiery indignation, and a devouring. Judgment will not be a pleasant thought for that person. A
person that is once a faithful believer and turns back can only look forward to a fire that will consume God’s enemies. That is a fearful thing! “How shall
we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” (2 Thess 1:7-8) “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with
his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel
of our Lord Jesus.” You do not want to be in that group against the Lord!
The entire study of Hebrews has
revealed to us the significant superiority of Christianity over the Old Covenant. We
are truly blessed to be living in the time after Calvary. There is no comparison. But even under the Mosaic Law the punishment for disobedience was severe. Death was pronounced at the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Ex 21:15-17"Whoever strikes his father or his mother shall be put to death."Whoever steals a man and sells him, and
anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death. "Whoever curses his father or his mother shall be put to death.”
It is very serious business to fall into the hands of the living God. And if
the punishment was strict and serious under the inferior law of Moses, how much more serious will it be for one who transgresses
under the New Covenant of God’s Son?
What is one doing when they turn back
from God, having been enlightened, having come to a knowledge of the truth, and returning to their old way? They are trampling the Son of God underfoot. When you turn
back, you are putting into contempt everything that God’s Son did and stands for.
That is a very fearful thing to do! You are treating the crucifixion at
Calvary as a common event and that the special blood that was shed on the cross; that set us apart, as a common thing. What a fearful thing to do! Thirdly by
turning away you are insulting the Spirit of grace. If one willfully turns away
from God they; “have trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified
a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace.” ‘It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living
God”
As evidenced throughout the NT and especially
noted in the book of Hebrews, there are frequent quotes from the OT. The author
uses two quotes from Deuteronomy to remind that judgment will be; “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” says the
Lord and “The Lord will judge His people.” Believe and do what you may; choose to turn away but you will answer
for what you do. There is a day coming and it will be a fearful thing to fall
into the hands of the Living God.”
Jesus would tell us in Luke 12:4-6
"I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes,
I tell you, fear him!”
Then the writer of Hebrews tells the original
readers to be reminded of the former days when they were illuminated, when you were enlightened, when you received the light
of Jesus Christ into your life. So as he did in the first discussion of this
matter in Hebrews 6; the writer encourages the readers after pronouncing a serious statement of truth. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, but just remember how it was when you first
believed. Recall those former days and avoid the temptation of turning away from
God’s way. It is probably a good thing for us to spend time in reflecting
on how close to God we were at one time and make sure that we have not digressed from that closeness. We should always be on an upward path of growing closer to God, because it is a fearful thing to fall short.
The original readers were reminded
to remember the struggles and sufferings they endured in their early days as followers of Christ. And if they did not suffer directly themselves, they had companions who were made spectacles by reproaches
and tribulations. After all they had endured they certainly did not want to fall into
the hands of the living God.
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PREACHER
QUESTIONS
How do you plan your preaching and teaching?
I have a very general idea
of where I want to go for a three month period and specifically I have each month planned out.
I do vary from week to week on occasion due to circumstances and such. I
want God to use me as an instrument to those who listen. I have been teaching
through the OT on Wednesday’s and we cover a couple of chapters a week as a general rule. On Sunday evenings I spent three years preaching through the gospel of Luke and am now preaching through
Hebrews. It is my plan to preach through the prison epistles beginning the New
Year. For the first time in years we have been using a text book as a guide for our Sunday morning class. I use the text suggested, but usually just go with the Bible and an occasional remark from the text book. We are going through Mark this quarter and will begin in the Psalms for the next quarter. It is a faster pace than I would ordinarily use.
Sunday morning sermons are decided month to month and sometimes week to week.
A variety of issues help determine what we will speak on in that hour. I
occasionally will use a series, but more than often each lesson stands on its own. It is always my goal to cover the entire
Bible wherever I am.
How do you prepare your lessons each week?
I usually spend
time on Mondays reading through all the text that I will be using for the new week.
On occasion I will print a particular text on a sheet of paper, which allows me to take it with me for when I am waiting
in different areas. I will make notes and meditate on the passage as much as
possible. Reading, prayer and meditation are a big part of study for me. I do read commentaries and other material during the week to help in my lessons. I read from several translations of the English Bible and on occasion will lightly
go into the Greek. I am not an expert in the Greek and do not know Hebrew at
all, so I rely on others in word studies.
My routine varies
as far as the pulpit presentations are concerned. I do use Powerpoint some, and
hope to use it more in the future. Maybe six or eight times a year I will write
and use a full manuscript, but on most occasions I have a full outline for the Sunday morning lessons. In teaching I might have a few notes as a reminder but I mostly rely on the open Bible as I teach. As a general rule, I also do not use extensive notes during the Sunday night series.
I study whenever I can,
and find that my study can be effective anytime of the day. The morning and late
evening hours are usually the most rewarding to me. There are times when study
is hard and there are times when you just can’t stop. It also does not
matter how much I prepare in the week, if I do not spend appropriate time praying about what I am doing, it is not effective.
I try to have
all my preparation done by Saturday afternoon and earlier if possible. I attempt
to preserve most of the day Thursday and Friday for doing the bulletin and preparing my Sunday lessons. Somewhere during the week I try to have a day or a few hours in a day where I take off from my work. I very much enjoy what I do!
How do you choose your topics?
I listen and
try to know what is going on with the flock. If I detect issues that need to
be taught, then we do so. We try to teach the basics on a regular basis and I
do observe the special days of the calendar. I do preach appropriate lessons
on Christmas, Easter, Valentine and Thanksgiving. I will emphasize the scriptural validity of these days, but still have something
relevant to the occasion. Around the 4th of July I deliver a patriotic message and on Memorial Day weekend I spend
the entire morning worship service around the Lord’s Table.
Some of my topics
come from current news events and from what I am reading. My reading does provide
a lot of sermon ideas. But I also want to address topics that the church needs
and wants to hear. The reason I am putting this in the bulletin is that we are
approaching a New Year and I am thinking about where we need to go. I would love
your suggestions and thoughts about issues you would like to hear discussed and preached on.
Above all, I like to think that my selection of topics are coming directly from the Spirit, and that He is directing
me as I stand before you. May it always be so!
Please continue to pray for preachers and teachers of the gospel.
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LOVE OR NOT LOVE
Love is the central theme in the
Bible. God so loved man that he gave His only son that we might be saved. God so loved us that He has given us His word full of His promises and full of His
expressions of love to us. God so loved us, He has given us His Spirit to direct
our every thought and deed. God indeed loves us and to be pleasing to God we
too must express our love to Him and to our fellowman.
1st Corinthians 13 is one of
the greatest expressions of love found anywhere at anytime. Paul begins this
treatise by expressing the necessity of love. No matter the God-given gifts I
might possess, if I do not have love, I am nothing. If one is to be a Christian
then he must be loving and loved. He must allow God’s love to direct His
entire being.
Paul, directed by the Spirit, then
describes the character of love: “love suffers long, and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is
not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity,
but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
When you examine the special relationships
you are in; do you see these qualities in yourself that reflect on that union. Is
there real love involved? Love is action!
To act lovingly is to actively seek the benefit of someone else. Are you
a lover? Do you seek the best for others?
Are you patient with those around
you? Are you kind to others? Do
you envy what others have and are more concerned about yourself than their happiness?
Do you have a “better than you” attitude when with someone else?
Are you sometimes rude? Do you seek what is best for you in all situations,
with little regard for others? Are you angered by little things? Do you have evil thoughts? Do you rejoice when something bad
happens to someone else? Do you rejoice in the truth? Do you bear all things, believe all things, hope all things and endure all things? If not, then you should take a close examination of yourself to see if the love of Christ is in you. If
love is not in you then neither is Christ.
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BE STRONG
Sometimes it is so easy to get
distracted from the main thing we are to be doing. I had just spent two hours
in prayer with a family that had a family member who was near death in the ICU, and I returned to my office and I had mail
from a local preacher who wanted to debate the fact we had a kitchen in our church building.
I choose not to waste my time on such issues and with such ignorance, but I sometimes do. I checked my email and someone
had sent me an article concerning Rochester Christian College and how they were supporting women for leadership roles in the
local congregation. This too is a sore subject with me and one that I will allow
to distract me, but today I chose not to, and life went on.
I am not saying that we should
avoid the false and ignorant teaching that comes before us, but we should not let it distract us from our main mission. Today we are dividing and dividing and trying to find ways to divide again. I once was part of a campaign at a church where they were down to seven members plus the preacher and his
wife. The preacher was bringing six of these members to the church in a van and
was trying to sever fellowship with the seventh because of her lack of faithfulness in attendance. There were eight souls saved on the ark and I guess the preacher thought that was a good biblical number.
We do have to be protective
of the Lord’s church, and we have to remember that it is not the building but the people who make up that church that
is of utmost importance. There is a time and place to debate and argue our differences;
I am just not sure when that is. When we are facing continually emptying pews
and lack of interest among a number who do attend; when all you see in a church building is mostly white heads; and when there
is continuing charges against “organized religion” then we must focus on doing what we are supposed to do. It is easy to get discouraged, but we must be strong and go forward.
After the remnant of the
children of Israel had returned from captivity to their much neglected and destroyed Jerusalem, they came with hope and a
vision. After being back for a period of years they became discouraged and neglected
the temple and the Lord’s work. The Lord sent them the prophet Haggai to
uplift, instruct and encourage them.
Haggai first told them to “consider
their ways.” When we approach where we are today, we too should consider
our ways. How important is the church to us today? Haggai then reminded the people that the Lord was still with them.
Sometimes the work is hard and we do get discouraged, but we should be reminded that the Lord is with us. Haggai, speaking for the Lord, told the people to be strong. When
we are discouraged, and it seems there is more leaving than coming and there are problem after problem, we still need to be
strong. We are to never give up or loose our vision and goals. Be strong! From this very day forward, let us have a stronger
attitude as we continue to grow this congregation of God’s people. Let
us not forget that God is with us and He will do things on his time table, not ours.
THE
CHURCH IN NEW ENGLAND
I have just returned from my annual trip to the
Gander Brook Men’s retreat in Raymond, Maine. This is the eighth consecutive
year that I have been blessed to attend this great event. To be around the leaders
in the church in New England is very uplifting and encouraging for me. These
men are in difficult areas of work, but the truth is abounding in the area and I could see a time when great things will explode
in this beautiful part of our country.
If you are visiting the New England states please
support one of the special congregations of God’s people who meet and work there.
If you are a congregation searching for good works to support financially, then there are several opportunities to
help the work of the Lord in the New England states. Some of these churches listed could
benefit from financial support, as well as your prayers and encouragement.
This list
is not meant to be all inclusive. There are several other good works that I do
not list here. I do have contacts in most of the ones listed so if you need more
information about a particular work I should be able to put you with someone in that congregation. Here is a brief mention
of a few of these great congregations and the links to their individual web sites:
Connecticut
New Milford,
CT Tim Tarbet is working with this congregation and
they were instrumental in helping to start a sister congregation in Torrington, CT.
New Milford began in 1978 as a church plant of the Danbury congregation.
Torrington,
CT This is a four-year old church plant that
thus far has been a success. Steve Bastin and Ron Dombrowski are two of their
leaders. Their web site is: Greater Torrington Church of Christ, Torrington,
CT http://www.torringtonchurch.org/
Manchester,
CT This is the largest congregation of the Lord’s church in New England. They have a new facility on Interstate 84 about ten miles east of Hartford.
This is a great work with great leadership. http://www.manchesterchurchofchrist.org/
Danbury, CT This congregation has a great history in New England and I pray
that one day it will soon return to it’s prominence and influence in all of the North East. They have solid leadership in place and are currently searching for a minister to work with them. http://www.danburycoc.org/
Waterbury,
CT Jim Crisp has served as minister of this congregation
for almost twenty years. They are an active and growing work, who are influencing
their community. http://waterburychurch.org/
Mansfield,
CT The Storrs church of Christ serves the University
of Connecticut and Tom Yoakum is one of their capable leaders.
Wallingford,
CT http://www.wardstreet.com/
Trumbull,
CT http://www.churchofchrist-trumbull.org/
New Haven,
CT http://www.geocities.com/gemchurchofchrist/
Groton, CT
http://www.grotonchurch.org/
Farmington,
CT http://southroadchurch.com/
Massachusetts
Springfield, MA Ethan Brown is a talented preacher currently working with the West Springfield congregation.
Springfield, MA The
Greater Springfield congregation is in Chicopee and they too are blessed with good leadership. http://gs-churchofchrist.org
Chelmsford, MA This is an active congregation who are currently building a new facility. They hope to be completed by the first of the year. http://www.chelmsfordcofc.org/
Melrose, MA This congregation
has several talented members and leadership. I have grown to love and respect
several of the people who worship there. http://melrosechurchofchrist.org/
Marston Mills, MA
This is a great congregation serving Cape Cod. http://www.capecodchurchofchrist.org/
Natick, MA http://www.natickchurchofchrist.org/
Roxbury, MA http://www.churchofchristinroxbury.org/
Danvers, MA The North
Shore congregation is no longer assembling together. The facility is still available
and is currently overseen by the Roxbury congregation and White Rock of Dallas, TX.
Southbridge, MA http://www.allaboutchrist.net/home.htm
Fall River, MA This
is an exciting work headed by Mike Mullen and his family. They have a satellite
preacher training school and are making an impact on all of New England. http://fallrivercoc.com/
Leominster, MA They have a new minister after a long and faithful service of Decker Clark. http://www.leominsterchurchofchrist.org/
New
Hampshire
Concord, NH A very nice congregation of the Lord’s peoples serving
the capital city of New Hampshire. http://www.churchofchristconcord.com/
Manchester, NH A very influential congregation that has prospered under the long term m