The Advantage To Growing Up In A Christian Home
Part 2

In our last issue we discussed the advantage of growing up in a Christian home and how we might question those who became Christians later in life getting the same reward in heaven as we do. In this issue we want to look at detail the advantage of long lives of service to God.
Those who have lived faithful lives throughout most of their adult years have some definite advantages over those who didn’t.
The one who has lived a life of sin has many regrets in their lives. The Apostle Paul asked the Romans, “What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.” (Romans 6:21) Sin takes a toll on a person’s life in many ways. Sin has ruined people’s physical health that can never be regained. Sin has destroyed people’s mind and emotions that can never be restored. Sin has taken away the livelihood of many. But, perhaps the way sins affect us most drastically is in our relationships. Not only does sin destroy our relationship with God, (Isaiah 59:2) but it also destroys our relationships with those we love on this earth.
One of the saddest things I have faced in this life is to hear people grieve over the loss of their children to Satan. Their children grew up in their home before they became Christians and were not brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4) When parents become Christians later in life, after their children have left home, they deeply regret the fact that their children are not Christians and the parents often find it very difficult to reach them for Christ.
Another thing I hear often is grief over a marriage relationship which has ended in divorce. Many people divorce because they were not Christians and did not build their relationship on biblical principles. Most of the time it is too late for them to mend those broken relationships after they have become a Christian.
Alcohol, adultery, fornication, anger, jealousy, greed and any other sin can bring many regrets and sorrows into the lives of those who are not living by God’s principles. Even though the sins can be forgiven, the scars and results of the sins can affect us and those we love all of our lives and even into eternity.
So, if you have been a Christian from an early age, be thankful that you have escaped the snares of the devil that produce so much pain and sorrow in the lives of others. Also, be thankful that those who have lived a life without God, can be forgiven and become His children and have that home in heaven also.
If you are not a Christian, don’t wait any longer. The longer you wait, the more sorrow, pain and heartache you may have because of you delay in obedience to God. - LP

The Advantage To Growing Up In A Christian Home
part 1

In Matthew 20:1-16 Jesus tells the parable of the “Laborers in the Vineyard.” In the parable he tells of laborers who were hired early in the morning and others who were hired midday and still others who were hired late in the day. When it comes time to pay them, they are all paid the same amount. The owner paid those who worked the shortest time first and those who had worked the longest were paid last. They, of course, complained about not getting paid more since they had worked all day long and the others had worked only a short while. The owner told them that they should be satisfied that they received what they had agreed to work for the day. He had the right to pay the others what he wanted.

When we apply that to our Christianity, we conclude that those who are brought up in Christian homes and become Christians early in life and live their whole life as Christians get the same reward on judgment day as those do who became Christian late in life and labor a very short time in the kingdom. 
We, also, may conclude that it is not fair for those who lived their life as they wanted until late in life, receive the same reward as we who have lived whole lives of faithfulness to God

The older brother in the parable of the “Prodigal Son” in Luke 15:29-31 seemed to have the same problem. He complained that he had served his father all these many years and had never transgressed his commandment at any time; but his father had never thrown a party like that for him as he did with the younger brother. The father’s response is significant for those who have been a Christian since an early age and have served God all the rest of their lives. He said, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. The older son had been blessed much more that the younger who had suffered the results of his sin for all that time.

Paul dealt with a similar problem in Romans 2 & 3 where he talked about the gentiles and compared them to the Jews. He asked in Romans 3:1-2 “What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? [2] Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. “

If we ask that same question (What advantage?) about those who have been brought up in the church and those who became Christians late in life; the answer is the same, “Much in every way.”
Next week we will look at the advantage in detail. - LP

This article was written in during the 2011-2012 football season.
THE BEST PLAY WAS NOT EVEN ON THE FIELD!   
Neal Pollard   

Yesterday, professional football fans saw one of the most exciting, improbable victories in its history climaxed by the stunning first play from scrimmage in overtime when Tebow hit Thomas for a playoff, overtime record 80 yards in a playoff, overtime record 11 seconds.  Local play-by-play man Dave Logan's call, which will likely go down in Bronco lore, captures how monumental it was for the underdog Denver team.  If you watch ESPN, there will be several highlights of passes, runs, and defensive plays.  However, without a doubt, the best play of the day happened up in the stands, almost on the front row in the seats at the 15 yard line.  The game was tied, 23-23, and it was about 5:45 P.M.  The outcome was completely unknown and very much in doubt.  The last minute of regulation, alone, was a pins and needles affair.  It was right about then that a Christian husband and father, a deacon in this congregation, told his son, "It's time for us to go."  The son, a huge Tim Tebow and Broncos fan, was curious as to why.  His dad explained, "We've got something more important to do."
Wait a minute.  What is more important than seeing on the biggest sports moments in this town in years?  That father knew that the saints were assembling at 6:00 P.M., and he wanted his son to know that worshipping God was the highest priority.  Here is a father who is raising his son to enjoy and appreciate those normal "guy things" that will be a source of entertainment for this young man for decades to come.  But, he is also teaching him something infinitely more important!  Those earthly diversions and entertainments are subordinate to "kingdom matters" (Mat. 6:33).  This father was showing his son Who reigns on the throne of his heart.  I pray that this man's example will influence us all to remember what really matters most in the end.
Thanks, Dean!  What a great "play"! - LP

KNOWLEDGE
Adapted from, “A Word From Williams Road”, Williams Road church of Christ
(Passed on to me by Arnold Smith)
We have more information and knowledge available to us than ever before in the history of the world. And, I’m delighted about that. But, there is a danger, a deception. It is easy to mistake knowledge for wisdom, information for insight. It’s easy to become arrogant. 
When a new patient was settled comfortably on the couch, the psychiatrist began. "Since I don’t know what brings you here," the doctor said, “perhaps you should start at the very beginning."
"Of course," replied the patient, "In the beginning, I created the Heavens and the Earth..." 
The doctor –and we – can quickly see the problem. Can we see anything of ourselves in this illustration? Oh, we would never proclaim ourselves to be God. But might we simply forget at times that we are not, that there is one who knows better than we how to direct our lives? 
That happens when we think things like, “I know what the Bible says, but . . .” and then proceed to rationalize ignoring the wisdom of the Creator. Or, more subtly, when we think, “I can be Christian without the church” even though the Christ in Christian said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). He thought the church was important enough that he “gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). Are we really smarter than he? 
Information is wonderful. A smart phone is handy. The internet is invaluable. Knowledge trumps ignorance. But, “Knowledge puffs up,” – swells the ego – while “love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1).  For all of our advanced learning, are we living better lives, being better people? 
Perhaps this bit of information will help. Wise people will, “Clothe yourselves with . . . humility” (Colossians 3:12). Humility listens. It seeks good advice. It knows that God is God, and I am not. - LP

WHO ARE THEY TO ASK?

David Anguish

Not long ago, my bank called.  Some recent purchases had caught their attention.  Could I verify the transactions?  Were the charges legitimate?
Well, I immediately asked them just who they thought they were.  It was my money.  If I wanted to buy those things, who were they to hassle me about it?  I let them know in no uncertain terms that I did not appreciate their meddling and they were to never to bother me again!
What’s that you say?  I overreacted?  Was rude to people who were only doing their job?  Wasn’t being very smart?  You’re right.  I would have been all of those things and probably some other things as well – if I had really answered that way.
You see, I know they were doing their job.  Furthermore, I know that they were looking out for me.  In today’s world, they were right to be wary.
So, I confirmed the purchases.  And then I thanked them for calling.
Then I thought of how we sometimes respond when someone expresses concern over something we’ve done that is at odds with Christ’s image. Too often, we sound like my imaginary response. “It’s none of your business.”  “It’s my life, who are you to meddle?”  “I’ll thank you to never bother me again!”
Why do we do that?  Perhaps it’s pride.  Maybe it’s an attempt to justify or ease the guilt we feel in being called on something we know is wrong. Or, maybe it shows that we’ve bought into a view of life that’s more cultural than biblical.
The Bible does teach that God will let us “do our own thing”, though we should not forget that there are consequences for our choices (see Rom 1:24, 26, 28).  But, it also teaches that, once we sign on to the commitment of faith that puts us into Christ’s body (1 Cor 12:13), we have agreed that our lives are no longer just about us.  We are “members one of another” (Rom 12:5; Eph 4:25) who therefore are to have “the same care for one another” (1 Cor 12:25).  When faithful people see us wandering (James 5:19-20), they are supposed to try to “restore [us] in a spirit of gentleness” and “supply what is lacking in [our] faith” (Gal 6:1; 1 Thess 3:10).
Yes, we can reject their overtures and even treat them as enemies because they told us the truth (Gal 4:16).  But, in light of eternity, and how we would react over something as relatively trivial as a call to see if our purchases are legitimate, is that really smart?


I thought the above article was a good illustration of how we may react when someone expresses concern about our spiritual welfare and wanted to share it with you. - LP

Many of you may have seen the diagram above. If you haven’t it may be difficult for you to see the word “JESUS” in it. It is there and it is not a foreign language. The reason we have a problem seeing it is because we tend to focus on the small white lines and because the word “JESUS” blends in with the black border. If you just cannot see the word “JESUS” try putting a white sheet of paper above and below the white marks in the black square.

If you are a Christian then Jesus is in you.

John 14:19 "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 

2 Cor. 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified. 

If Christ is in you then others will notice. 

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 

What do people see when they look at your life?  Do they see Jesus? Or is the bad, or the sin in your life, standing out so much that it’s all they see?  Perhaps you are blended so much with the world that it is too difficult for others to see Jesus in you. It should not be a puzzle or a difficulty for people to see Jesus in the life of a Christian. Step back and look at your life and ask yourself, “What do people see when they look at me?”
- LP

THEY REALLY NEEDED THAT

An elderly woman, who lived just a block from the church, never missed a Sunday service for most of her life.  Each week, as she greeted the preacher after church, she would always say, “Preacher, that was a wonderful sermon. THEY really needed that!”
One cold winter day, after a heavy snowfall with most of the town buried in deep drifts, she was the only one who showed up for church.  The preacher decided that he would take advantage of the situation by preaching a sermon on the evils of being self-righteous and hypocritical.
As she left the church, the woman greeted the preacher as usual and exclaimed, “Preacher, that was one of the best sermons you ever preached.  It was really great.  It’s too bad THEY weren’t here. THEY really needed to hear that!”

Are we guilty of applying bible teachings to others but not to ourselves? It is easy sometimes to fall into the trap of not seeing our own sins but seeing those of others. 
Matthew 7:1-5  "Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. 
The bible directs commands specific to individuals on how they are to act. Husbands/wives; slaves/masters; parents/children; saints/sinners; elders/deacons; etc. the scriptures are intending for us to apply them to ourselves personally not to others.
We only profit from the scriptures when we apply them personally.

Hebrews 4:1-2  Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 

May we all strive to take the scriptures personally and apply them to ourselves as God intended. - LP

CHEMISM - CHEMICAL ACTION
CHEMOTROPISM - MOVEMENT IN RESPONSE TO A CHEMICAL STIMULUS 

In the natural world and in scientific experiments chemicals do all kinds of amazing things. By mixing different chemicals together man has discovered how to make all kinds of things from explosions to vehicles that work as a result of small explosions; from things that can cause illness and death to things that can cure illness and prevent death. It is truly marvelous the way that God created this world and our minds to be capable of all this variety. Every chemical from the single element to the most complex combination has certain qualities that affect what it does when it comes in contact with other chemicals. 

In the church we sometimes need to have something that causes a reaction or an action like chemicals do in the physical world. There are other times when a chemical reaction is the thing that we don’t need. It all depends on the chemical and what it will do. Spiritually there are as many different kinds of ‘chemicals’ as there are in the science lab. There are good ones like love and understanding, and there are dangerous ones like hatred and gossip. There are some that are neither good nor bad in themselves, but dependent on how they are used and what others they are used with. For example: anger used with love and truth can be very effective in correcting a sin problem, but anger used with hatred and lies can destroy all that come in contact with it. 

One thing of which we must beware is the way we allow these things to affect us. Chemism is the chemical action itself, and we need to never use a ‘chemical’ in a way that would cause a problem. Chemotropism is how we or someone else responds to the action of the chemical. We can’t control how another will respond, but we must control how we respond. You see, the spiritual world is not like the physical world. In the physical world if enough of a chemical that is deadly contacts you your body will die, you can’t control it. In the church, however, no matter how much of these deadly chemicals people use against us we still control the response. We can allow someone’s hatred of us to destroy our faith, or we can overcome that evil and continue to do what is right. 

The church must be on the alert so that we do not allow what society or other religions or even other congregations of the Lord’s body to control us or draw us away or push us away from the truth. We need to be a people who act on the Word of God and not a people who react to every trend or false teaching that comes along. Throughout the last 2000 years churches have split and split again because even though the Bible says “B” one group says “A”. Instead of countering the falsehood with the truth, the second group goes to the other extreme and says “C”. Christ’s Deity is a perfect example of that. One group says, ‘He was just a man’ and the other group says, ‘No, He was just God’. Then they begin to design all kinds of elaborate theories to prove their points rather than going to the Bible and seeing that He was both man and God. We need to be firm on teaching the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth. It is never right to counter one false teaching with another no matter what the intentions are. (Eph 4:13-15) “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: {14} That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; {15} But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” 

CELTICISM - A CELTIC CUSTOM
 Customs as long as they don’t interfere with obedience to the Word of God are not a problem. The danger occurs when we allow customs to be intermixed with or even to replace the doctrines that the apostles gave. I don’t suppose that Celtic customs are any more likely to do that than any other kind.

 The Celtic religion is a pagan religion and thus the customs of that religion like any other non-Christian religion should be shunned. We should never allow the customs or traditions of men to interfere with our obedience to God whether it be a family tradition, a religious doctrine, or a national, ethnic, or cultural custom.

 Some Celticisms that we should watch out for are Easter, Christmas trees, and St. Patrick’s Day. Although all of these things have become associated in one way or another with religious activity, we need to watch out that they don’t get in the way of the truth. I am not saying that we should not have anything to do with these three things or any other custom as long as it does not cause sin. We must, however, remember that these pagan oriented traditions have no more place in our assemblies than do Halloween, Valentine’s Day, or July 4. The time that we are assembled together is a special time set aside for praising God in song, studying His Word, praying, observing the Lord’s Supper, giving of our means, and exhorting and encouraging our fellow Christians.

 We don’t need to celebrate Easter as a religious holiday (holy day), but if we enjoy hunting Easter eggs and giving candy that is all good and fun. We remember Christ’s resurrection each week when we partake of the Lord’s Supper, and that is sufficient. Christmas trees are fun to decorate, pretty to look at, and a good place to store presents, and there is nothing sinful in that. There have been sins associated with trees in times past, and the custom does come from a pagan form of worship, but as long as we recognize God’s creative power and don’t fall to worshiping the created rather than the Creator we are not sinning with them. (Jer 10:3-5) “For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. {4} They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. {5} They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.” Jeremiah points out the sin of worshiping or attributing some special powers to a tree, but not the use of it as decoration.

 (Gal 4:8-11) “Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. {9} But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? {10} Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. {11} I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.” Paul makes it clear to the Galatians that there is only one God and only the commandments that He makes are to be heeded. If we like these Galatians observe all of these “holidays” and think that we are in some way better for it, we are mistaken. They are fun and enjoyable, and we get to be with family, but there is nothing HOLY about our Holidays.

 There are many that use these traditional gatherings as well as others like family reunions as an excuse to miss the assembly of the saints. When we allow that to happen we have sinned. Let us put forth every effort to observe God’s Holy will and not man’s holy days.

CATHOLICISM - FOLLOWING THE TEACHINGS AND PRACTICES OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
 There are enough dangers with Catholicism that I could spend the rest of the year on this subject alone. If you are interested in further study on this topic you might be interested in two books:
1) Traditions of Men Versus the Word of God, by Alvin Jennings, published by Star Bible Productions, Inc., P.O. Box 821220, Fort Worth, Texas 76182, 1-800-433-7507.
2) Catholicism Against Itself, by O. C. Lambert, published by Star Bible Productions, Inc., P.O. Box 821220, Fort Worth, Texas 76182, 1-800-433-7507.  There are probably other good books on the subject as well, and the Bible itself is full of incriminating evidence against the Catholic religion.  Let’s look at just a few of the teachings of Catholicism that contradict God’s Word.

1) They claim to trace the Papacy back to Peter. According to their own regulations, however, Peter could never have been a ‘Pope’ because he was married (Mat 8:14) “And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.” Further, according to history the first Pope proclaimed himself such, it was not passed down to him, and that was Boniface in 608 AD. No, the Catholic church is not the same church that Christ established in the first century.

2) Priests are called ‘Father’. (Mat 23:9) “And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.”

3) Only a priest can mediate between the congregation and God. The Bible says that only Christ is our mediator and that all Christians are priests. (1 Tim 2:5) “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” and (1 Pet 2:5) “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” and (1 Pet 2:9) “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”

4) Tradition and teaching of ‘Popes’ and councils is held above the Bible and study of the Bible is not encouraged. Jesus condemned tradition that violated God’s law, and Bible teaches that it is all sufficient and should be studied.  (Mat 15:3) “But he answered and said unto them, ‘Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?’” (2 Tim 2:15)  “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim 3:16-17)  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: {17} That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.  There are many more doctrines that are held by the Catholic church in direct opposition to the Bible (idolatry, prayer to those who are not God, infant baptism, confusion over saints, etc.), but I suppose that is what happens when you believe that man’s ideas are better than God’s. Let us always look to God and his revealed will for our authority in religion and in life.