THE POUND
PROCLAIMER
Volume IV
November 2008
Number 1
Sing
to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day
to day. Psalms 96:2
BLACK FRIDAY,
TRINKETS AND OTHER THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT
My oldest son works for the local
Wal-Mart Super Store. Therefore, I understand the concept of “Black Friday”.
The holiday season is a time of giving gifts to those we love. The retail
industry has come to rely heavily on this time to make their much needed
profits. As a true Capitalist, I applaud the ingenuity of those like Wal-Mart
who make their businesses work with smart sales practices.
The problem is not with retail sales but
with the consumer. Too many people have allowed themselves to be overly
influenced by slick commercialism that stirs the inner desire for things. We
have become a society of people who must be reminded what is the greatest and
most important thing a person can obtain. We must not live our lives grasping
for trivial things but need to be striving for the true treasure of life.
When I heard about the incident that
caused a thirty-four year old Wal-Mart employee’s death, it sent cold chills
down my spine. My son is thirty-five years old. You can see how I can express
empathy with the family of this person. It could have been my son who went to
work expecting to return home later but was not given the privilege, because a
bargain price was worth more to some customers than a person’s life.
It is obvious that “Black Friday”
bargains were the driving force behind two thousand Wal-Mart shoppers in
This is no doubt an extreme event.
However extreme it may be, I wonder how many Christians were standing outside
Wal-Mart stores across the land at five am waiting to get a bargain. And, if
there were Christians in the mob in
We are told, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What
shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these
things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first
the
Do we desire earnestly the far greater
treasure, “... which is Christ, in whom
are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-3). The faith we have in Christ is referred to by
Peter and Paul as, “like precious”
and “unsearchable riches” (2 Peter 1:1; Ephesians 3:8). Oh, that we could truly recognize the value of
serving the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
At this time of year, many in our society
give lip service to Christ. They sing, “Oh, Come Let Us Adore Him,” with
enthusiasm yet neglect Him for the rest of the year. What shall their end
be? “Not
everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but
the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will
say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons
in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’
And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers
of lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:21-23).
Do you value Jesus the Christ as supreme
in your life? Why not do so before it is too late?
The Editor’s
Page
In the last century, many local churches
divided over the question of institutionalism. Institutionalism in this article
shall be defined as the practice of some local churches taking money from their
treasuries to support human institutions for benevolent purposes. It shall also
include the practice of many local churches sponsoring one church from their
treasuries for the purposes of evangelism and edification.
A favorite verse for those who promoted
institutionalism was James 1:27. The
verse states, “Religion that is pure and
undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their
affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” The argument
made was that a local church was to practice pure and undefiled religion,
hence, the scripture obligated local churches to visit [provide for] orphans
and widows. The desire to have scriptural authority for one’s belief and
practice is commendable. However, handling correctly the scriptures used is of
utmost importance.
Those who opposed institutionalism argued
that passages like James 1:27 speak
to the individual not the local church. The response they often received was
something on this wise, “So that means the church cannot practice pure and
undefiled religion!”
This response exposes a basic
misunderstanding of the character of the local church. Before one can fully
understand the work and worship of a local church, they must understand the
biblical distinction between the universal church and the local church.
The universal church is a generic term
that refers to all saved individuals. This universal church by necessity is
composed of all saints both living and dead. It is a fellowship that God and
God alone controls (1 John 1:5-10).
The local church is a body politic that
is composed of baptized believers in a specific location. These saints have
banded together to accomplish the collective work that God has appointed them.
It is characterized by the following. Those who are members are in agreement
about their role as Christians, there is oversight of the work, they engage in
a pooling of their resources and abilities for the work (Act 4:32-35), and the local church is completely independent and
autonomous in that it determines the boundaries of its fellowship (Acts 9:26-28).
It has always amazed me that brethren can
speak intelligently and with clarity of thought about many complicated
subjects. However, when it comes to a discussion of the Bible, intelligence and
clarity of thought fall by the wayside.
The first point to be learned about
Scripture is that it does not contradict itself. A doctrine taught in one verse
will not be in conflict with a teaching in another place. With this said, we
shall look to other verses to help us understand James 1:27.
Paul instructed Timothy to teach that, “If any believing woman has relatives who
are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it
may care for those who are really widows” (1 Timothy 5:16).
From this verse, it is obvious that there
is a difference between individual responsibility and collective i.e. local
church responsibility. James tells the individual Christian how to practice
pure religion. Other verses instruct the local church in the matter of how it
should practice pure religion.
WORKING FOR THE
MASTER
It was Friday night. It was the home
team’s homecoming. By the half time, it was obvious the visiting team had no
respect for it being homecoming for their opponents. The coach knew his job was
to inspire these high school football players to victory. He began, “It is the
fourth quarter. We are down by two points. We have the ball on our own twenty
yard line. There is two minutes on the clock. Now, who is going to step up,
suck it up and reach down into their heart and pull out a victory for the
team?”
Jethro, a somewhat awkward looking
teenager stood up and said, “I will, coach!”
The apostle Paul made a rather bold
statement when he wrote, “Be imitators of
me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians
11:1) The very idea of a man encouraging other men to do as he was doing is
a radical concept to the majority of men. The philosophy of most is, ‘Do as I
say, not as I do!’ How could Paul say such a thing? Was he self-righteous? Was
he a deceiver or hypocrite?
The fact that Paul suffered many slings
and arrows from the devil is evidence he was not a deceiver or hypocrite. (2 Corinthians 11:23-28) The fact that
Paul considered himself the chief among sinners, rules out self-righteousness. (1 Timothy 1:15) The reason Paul would encourage
others to imitate him, is because he understood the responsibility of Christians
to be examples.
In 1
Timothy 4:12, Paul writes, “Let no
one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in
conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” The Christian is responsible to
keep the words of his mouth. Vulgar, obscene language should never be used by
Christians. The life of a Christian should reflect his relationship with
Christ. The Christian’s love should be a holy love; not base and worldly. The
Christian’s faith should be strong and alive. The Christian’s character should
be innocent, without blemish which comes from impure thoughts.
It is important for Christians to be
aware of their example. Obviously, if a Christian’s life is not reflective of
the Christian character, his soul is in jeopardy. And beyond that, he is not a
proper influence for others.
Paul understood that he could lose his
soul even though he had preached the gospel to others. (1 Corinthians 9:27) “Therefore
let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12) It is dangerous to
think we can live any old way and still go to heaven when we die!
Another consequence of a slothful
Christian life is poor influence. Even people who are not Christians understand
that one’s life is to reflect a certain standard, if they are to be considered
a Christian. When others observe Christians whose lives are no different than
people of the world, they will not be influenced to follow Christ. Christians
who use vulgar and obscene language, who live lives addicted to the pleasures
of sin, who have little or no faith and whose character has lost its innocence,
cannot say, “Be imitators of me, as I am
of Christ.” This kind of Christian is a hindrance to the cause of Christ.
They do harm to the Lord because they keep those who would, from coming to the
Lord.
Congregations often ponder why there is
little or no growth. Could it be that the influence of the congregation is
tainted because of members who do not maintain a proper influence before the
world? Could the problem be that congregations continue to hold these members
up before the community as examples by using them as preachers, teachers and
those who serve in public worship?
Christians, we must be examples of
believers! It is time that we let our lights shine before the world. (Matthew 5:14-16) What does your
influence say about you?
Life’s evening sun is sinking low. There
is not much time left. The Devil has harassed us and pushed us back. There are
many obstacles ahead that would keep us out of Heaven.
The Lord Jesus stands and speaks, “Who
will be used up until nothing remains?”
Then one, born a new from their sins,
with youthful zeal stood and said, “I will, Lord.”
THE LAST WORD
PRINCIPLES
OF GROWTH
The following are ways we can grow in the
grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.
1. Be Optimistic. We should be too busy
to expect failures, for we know we can do all things through Him. Philippians 4:13.
2. Be People Oriented. Men think that success
comes with organizing some program. We must focus on people, not programs. Romans 10:14-17; 2 Timothy 2:2.
3. Recognize the Limit of Your Duty. Goal
setting is very important for a congregation. Look ahead with a realistic goal
in mind.
4. Strive to Excel. Elders, deacons,
evangelists, teachers and all disciples must resolve to be the very best.
Satisfaction stifles improvement and equals spiritual death. 2 Peter 1:5-11; 3:18.
5. Distinguish Christianity as a Life,
not a Ceremony. Christians are the Church, we do not
merely attend church. Colossians 1:18;
1 Corinthians 12:12-25.
6. Honestly Deal with Flaws. Do not pin
the sacred cow of perfectionism on the church. The church consists of humans
and humans have flaws. Prospects are turned off when they cannot reconcile what
they observe in us and what they hear us preaching. Luke 18:9-14.
7. Encourage Everyone to Talk Up the
Church. Speak often of your respect for the elders, how you appreciate the
deacons, the knowledge gained from the sermons, and the love shown by the
church.
8. Be Determined to Grow. Do not accept,
“We can’t do that here.” The naysayers would have everyone’s faith to be as
weak as their own. Philippians 4:13.
9. Address the Needs of ALL Ages. Do not
neglect either the young nor the old. All have
spiritual need. Philippians 2:1-4.
10. Do Not Over-Organize. Leadership and
organization are necessary, but spiritual bureaucracy is worse than political
red tape. Both can and do strangle the ability to reach goals.
11. Demand a Strong Pulpit. Strong Bible
oriented preaching that is presented in an understandable fashion, is
absolutely necessary. 2 Timothy 4:1-5.
For a man's ways are before
the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his paths.
Proverbs 5:21
####################
WHAT MUST
I DO
Hear: Rom 10:17
Believe: Heb 11:6
Repent: Lk 13:5; Ac
17:30
Confess: Matt 10:32; Ac
8:36
Be Baptized: Ac 2:38;
22:16
TO BE
SAVED?
###################
FAMILY
MATTERS
AUDIO SERMONS & RADIO PROGRAM:
If you would
like to hear a sermon you can access our Audio Sermons page. Also on this page
is a place to access our radio program [WALKING BY FAITH]. Place your cursor
over the title, WALKING BY FAITH radio program and click. This will take you to
a page where you can download a program. The program is a weekly so there will
be a new program uploaded each week. We also keep the sermons updated as well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Pound church web site = www.poundchurchofchrist.org/
WALKING BY FAITH
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The Pound Proclaimer is published monthly by the Pound
All articles by the editor unless
otherwise stated
Editor: Glen Young
Phone: 276-796-5767=Office
804-365-8694=Home
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Wednesday: Bible Classes—7 pm
E-mail: gyoung47@comcast.net
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