Historical Posts
What is Worship?
All of life is not worship.
In the modern era of religious pluralism, when anything that is offered to God with a modicum of sincerity is considered worship, many are left scratching their heads and wondering what worship really is. Some have come to the conclusion that all of life is worship and that we reverence God every time we put on our socks, or wash the dishes, or feed the cat. If people would just read the Bible, they could tell that all of life is not worship. Abraham understood this to be the case and expressed his understanding in Genesis 22:5. Worship is something that human beings do purposefully and deliberately. But, even this realization still begs the question: “What is worship?”
“Worship” in the Christian Age.
Gospel preachers of the Restoration Movement have long preached about the so-called “five acts” of worship. Like the “five steps” in the gospel plan of salvation, the five acts of worship are entirely derived from the New Testament. While they may not appear in any one passage, as a neatly compiled list, they are no less detectable, when Scripture is compared with Scripture. There is no particular order in which five acts must be done, but they all must be done, in order to constitute “worship” in the Christian Age (John 4:23-24).
The church is commanded to sing
We know that singing, for example, is one of the five acts of worship. We know this, because the church is commanded to sing in passages like Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16. We know that this singing is part of our worship because of passages like 1 Corinthians 14:15 and Hebrews 2:12. Furthermore, we know that this singing is to be done without accompaniment of mechanical instruments of music, because none of the passages that mention singing in the New Testament authorize us to do anything more or less than sing.
Prayer is mentioned as part of worship.
Also, we know that prayer is one of the five acts of worship. Christians are commanded to “pray without ceasing,” in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Prayer is mentioned as part of worship in passages like 1 Corinthians 14:15. Passages like Matthew 6:5-15 teach how we ought to pray, both in public and in private.
Disciples came together and partook of the Lord’s Supper.
Additionally, we know that observance of the Lord’s Supper is one of the five acts of worship. When Jesus instituted this memorial feast, He said, “this do, in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19b). In 1 Corinthians 11:26, Paul wrote, “For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.” Acts 20:7 shows us that, on the first day of every week, the disciples came together and partook of the Lord’s Supper, as they worshipped (Cf. 1 Corinthians 11:20-21).
Giving of our means is worship.
Furthermore, we know that giving of our means is one of the five acts of worship. Ancient Christians were taught to give of their means on the first day of every week, when the church was assembled for worship (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Ancient Christians did not give “tithes” of their income, but rather they were taught to give an offering of their own free will, which might even exceed ten percent (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).
Preaching was part of the worship services of the ancient church.
Finally, we know that preaching is one of the five acts of worship. Preaching was part of the worship services of the ancient church (Acts 20:7). Preaching is the method that God has chosen to disseminate His message to the whole world (1 Corinthians 1:21). Whether one simply reads the Scriptures aloud, or expounds upon their meaning, it is essential that the Word of the Lord be heard in the congregation of His people.
The “Five Acts” of Worship:
1. Singing (Ephesians 5:19)
2. Prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
3. Communion (Acts 20:7)
4. Giving (1 Corinthians 16:1,2)
5. Preaching (1 Corinthians 1:21)
On the first day of the week (Sunday).
Apart from the five acts of worship, it is equally important for us to understand that we may worship God only on the first day of the week (Sunday). According to Acts 20:7, this was the day when the ancient church came together for just that purpose. The Bible does not authorize us to worship God on any other day. The Bible does authorize us to sing (James 5:13), pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17), give (Galalatians 6:10) and preach (2 Timothy 4:2) on other days of the week, but the only day in which we may rightly do all of the five acts of worship together is the “Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:10).
God sets the standard.
Let there be no confusion about worship in anyone’s mind. Worship is a special event, in the lives of all of God’s children. Worship is not whatever we might imagine it to be. It is what God demands of us, and it is only right that He should set the standard of what is and is not Scriptural worship.
Content by Russell Kline
Return to the Home Page
I’m a Creationist… Are You?
A creationist worldview holds back innovation and scientific understanding?
Recently, in a video posted on YouTube by a science advocacy group, called “Big Think,” former TV show host and scientist, Bill Nye voiced his concerns about how a creationist worldview is holding back innovation and scientific understanding in the United States. You really have to view the video to get the full impact of what he said and how he said it, but he has caused quite a stir in religious circles with his remarks. Mr. Nye did not really say anything new, in this video. Atheists and others who advocate for evolution have long believed that those of us who believe the Biblical account of creation do so because we don’t know any better. They think of us as ignorant, uneducated simpletons, who ought to be pitied for our lack of enlightenment. This kind of intellectual snobbery is used to intimidate people into believing in evolution and has even led some who call themselves Christians to attempt to find some kind of harmony between the Bible doctrine of creation and the theory of evolution.
Many creationists are afraid to identify themselves for fear of reprisals.
In an article posted by Apologetics Press online, Jeff Miller argued against the assertions made by Mr. Nye and cited sources, which list the names of thousands of scientists, past and present, who believe in God and the Biblical account of creation. One such source, was quoted, “On my list I have well over 3,000 names including Nobel Prize winners, but, unfortunately, a large number of persons that could be added to the public list, including many college professors, did not want their name listed because of real concerns over possible retaliation or harm to their careers.” What is truly sad about all of the controversy over creationism vs. evolutionism is that many creationists are now hiding their beliefs and are afraid to identify themselves for fear of reprisals against them. Something must be done about this, before all creationists are shoved into the proverbial “closet” by evolutionists.
Be vocal – Scientific evidence confirms the Bible’s account of creation.
It is high time that creationists began to be as vocal about their beliefs as evolutionists are about theirs. We must arm ourselves with scientific evidence that confirms the Bible’s account of creation and we must use that knowledge to defend against evolutionary attacks. We must not attempt to compromise with evolutionists by seeking to find harmony between evolutionary theory and the Bible, where none exists. In particular, I want to encourage Christians who have advanced degrees in science, engineering and medicine to become advocates for the truth and respond to the allegations made against them by people like Mr. Nye.
I am a creationist.
I would like the public record to reflect the fact that I am a creationist. I am not a “theistic evolutionist,” or even an “intelligent designer.” I believe that the Biblical account of the creation of the cosmos, found in Genesis 1 and 2 a literal and historical account of how the universe was made. I do not believe that any part of it was mythical or allegorical, but that it all happened in just the way that the Bible describes it. I know that there is documented, scientific proof, which establishes that the creation account in Genesis is accurate and that the “things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Hebrews 11:3). I am completely convinced of this, so that my faith is unshakeable.
I am not an idiot – I was not brainwashed.
Furthermore, I would like the public record to reflect that I am not an idiot. I was not brainwashed into believing these things, as a child. As a matter of fact, I did not attend any kind of church on a regular basis, until I was 15 years old. At that point in my life, I had bought into the theory of evolution that the intellectual snobs were selling. I had to be convinced that evolutionary theory was wrong and that the Biblical account of creation was right. I have been a Christian for almost 30 years now, and my faith in the Bible has only gotten stronger. My faith is not something that I have to make up for a lack of evidence. I have faith because of the evidence (Hebrews 11:1).
Stand up with me.
Won’t you stand up with me, dear reader, and identify yourself as a creationist. Don’t let fear paralyze you into inaction. If you still need to be convinced that the Bible is right, then, by all means, investigate its claims. Visit the Apologetics Press web site mentioned earlier. Follow the links there to other web sites and dig deeply into the evidence you will find. I am supremely confident that you will be convinced of the veracity of the Bible, as I am, because the truth is out there and it cannot be denied. Mr. Nye has predicted that, in a couple of hundred years, the creationist worldview will no longer exist. Many others have made similar claims about the Bible and about Christianity. But, as Jesus put it, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew. 24:35).
Content by Russell Kline
Return to the Home Page
Addicted to the Ministry
In one of those marvelous passages that we so often overlook a beautiful compliment is paid an early Christian family. Paul said of the household of Stephanas, “they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints” (1 Corinthians 16:15).
At a time in our history when we are hearing so much about drug addiction, alcoholism, and the nicotine fit, it is refreshing to be reminded of at least one family whose addiction was not fatal or even harmful. Theirs was an addiction to doing the will of God.
The word `addicted‘ means “given over to a pursuit, practice, or habit.” The house-hold of Stephanas was devoted to persistent and habitual service. In the Greek language the word is `tasso,’ and it means specifically “to place in a certain order; to set first.” So Paul is saying of this family that they had made the `ministry of the saints’ their number one priority in life. Jesus came first! A greater compliment could not have been paid them.
Our Lord, in the Sermon on the Mount, commanded: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). This family took that command seriously. We all should! Doing so will not only enrich this life, but will also make it possible for us to live eternally. There are many things which we can give our time, talents, and energies to, but none so important as our service in the kingdom of Christ.
- Are you a Christian?
- Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?
- Will you obey Him?
- Will you be “addicted to the ministry?”
Only you can answer those questions. Remember, your answer determines what eternity will hold for you.
—Roger
SEPTEMBER 9, 2012
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
Return to the Home Page
A Little Bundle Of Joy
A little girl had been naughty all day. Her mother had finally taken all she could stand and sent her daughter into the back yard to fetch a switch from the willow tree. Ten minutes later the little girl still had not returned. Her mother yelled from the back door, “Get in here, and bring that switch with you!”
Lips puckered and quivering, she meekly appeared with her hands behind her back.
“Well?” the mother said, “Where is the switch?”
“I couldn’t reach the willow tree,” the youngster said, and then, holding out one hand, added, “But here’s a rock you can throw at me.”
At that, her mother’s heart melted!
Children can be mischievous. As a matter of fact, I am a little concerned when they are not. That’s what parents are for. Kids (I know they are not goats) need skilled hands to guide them. They need loving arms to embrace them. They need a gentle heart to forgive them. They need loving discipline to teach them!
Have you thanked God lately for your little ones? What a blessing they are!
How quickly they grow up and are gone! When they are young and the demands are great, we may wonder how we will survive. But, all too soon, our little one is no longer little. Our son’s a man. Our daughter’s a woman! It happened all too quickly
If you are a young parent today, I hope you will value the precious time you have with your youngster. Don’t see that baby as a burden, but a blessing. Commit yourself to being the best father or mother that child could have. The most important work you will ever do, you are doing now as you mold and shape that young life. You will never regret the sacrifices of time and resources it takes to be a good parent. But, you may regret forever your failure to make those sacrifices.
The Psalmist wrote: “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they shall not be ashamed, when they speak with their enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:3-5 NASB).
- Spend a lot of time with your children.
- Teach them by word and example.
- Give them a spiritual foundation upon which to build.
- Don’t send them to church, but bring them!
—Roger
SEPTEMBER 9, 2012
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
Return to the Home Page
The Right Attitude
A connection between associations and attitudes
As the story goes, Casey Stengel, who was a successful manager with the New York Yankees, knew the connection between associations and attitudes. When Billy Martin was a rookie manager, Stengel gave him some sage advice. Martin recalled, “Casey said that there would be fifteen players on your team who will run through a wall for you, five who will hate you, and five who are undecided. When you make out your rooming list, always room your losers together. Never room a good guy with a loser. Those losers who stay together will blame the manager for everything, but it won’t spread if you keep them isolated.”
I think there is a parallel in the church
The church has always had its share of losers. Their numbers are relatively small, but the damage they do can be extensive. I have in mind men like Hymenaeus, Alexander, Phygellus, Hermogenes, Demas, and Diotrephes (1 Timothy 1:20; 2 Timothy 1:15; 4:10; 3 John 9). Hang out with people like them and their bad influence will rub off. Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33).
We all know people who find fault with everything in the church but themselves
Isolated they do little damage, but when they are surrounded by the weak, the immature, and others of their own disposition, they can cause great harm to the body of Christ. We need to do two things to mitigate the damage they do.
First, we must commit ourselves to developing a good attitude. Rather than constantly focusing on the negative, we must highlight the positive. It is said that two birds fly over the California desert, the humming bird and the vulture. One sees the beauty and the other the death of the desert, and the explanation is simple. They see different things because they look for different things.
Second, stay away from those who would suck you into their negativism. It really doesn’t take long to learn who wants to contribute to the cause, and who just wants to criticize. I’m not suggesting that we be harsh, unkind, or critical. I’m simply saying that if we are not careful, we will become like them. Let the few who feel the need to constantly criticize stick together. They will do little damage that way, and those who are really committed will be free to serve the Lord effectively.
I’m reminded of the fellow who requested a meeting with the elders. At that meeting the gentleman pointed out a number of things which he felt needed improvement, noted areas of neglect, and offered a series of objections regarding a host of issues. The elders thanked him for meeting with them, and acknowledged that some of his suggestion had real merit. They were simply too busy to address all of them personally. Could they call on him to deal with some of the most important issues raised? His immediate response, “I’m way too busy to get involved, but I am always happy to meet with you in an advisory capacity!” The Lord’s church has enough advisers already. What we need are workers!
Let’s develop the right attitude toward Christ, His word, and His church
We can then be a positive force for good in a world in desperate need of better role models, but it won’t happen unless we develop the mind of Jesus (Philippians 2:1-8).
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
Return to the Home Page
Non-Denominational Christianity
We are very accustomed to choices
A casual stroll down the aisles of a local supermarket will quickly illustrate this point. I am amazed at the variety of options available when it comes to something as simple as pork and beans, potato chips, or peas.
Each spring, as people prepare for their gardens, choices abound. What kind of corn will be planted? What kind of tomatoes will be set out? What kind of beans will be raised? The choices seem almost endless. And, everyone has his/her favorites!
Looked at automobiles lately? There are so many makes and models. They come in a multiplicity of colors and with all kinds of options. There are so many choices to make, but that’s the way we like it.
It is the Church of Christ’s choice, not ours
We have become so accustomed to variety that we have incorporated the concept into religion. Almost daily we encounter the message: “Worship with the church of your choice this Sunday!” This idea is at the heart of denominationalism. But, the concept is completely foreign to the New Testament. It is not the church of our choice, but the church of Christ’s choice that we should seek. The apostle Paul rebuked the Christians at Corinth for failing to understand this. The church was in turmoil because of the denominational spirit which had developed. He pleaded with them not to divide, but to unite (1 Corinthians 1:10).
We would do well to listen to the Lord’s prayer
He cried out to the Father, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:20, 21). That’s our prayer as well. Let’s abandon all denominational ties and unite in Jesus Christ. How can that be wrong?
To do this we must commit to the authority of Scripture
Our goal should be to be obedient to the will of God. Our purpose is not to please ourselves, but our Savior. Every matter essential to the development and maintenance of a relationship with the Creator is clearly spelled out in the Bible. The problem is not that men don’t understand the will of God, it is that they do not accept it! Non-denominational Christianity will never be achieved as long as men reject the Word of God.
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
Return to the Home Page
What Did He Mean?
Treat others the way we want to be treated
Jesus said: “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets ” (Matthew 7:12 ESV). I doubt that Jesus said anything in the course of His ministry that is more readily recognized, or more universally accepted. But, what did He mean? The intent is clear. We should treat others the way we want to be treated! It’s called the Golden Rule.
Love is the badge of discipleship
I can assure you that come Judgment Day Jesus will not be asking, “And how were you treated?” However, He will, among other things, take careful note of how we treated others. As Christians, there is never a time when it is right to be rude, unkind, mean-spirited, or hateful. Love should motivate our every word and deed. Love is the badge of discipleship. Jesus also said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35 ESV).
Loving sinners does not mean that we should ignore sin
Some interpret what Jesus said regarding love as proof that Christians should never disagree, never speak out against anything or anyone, and certainly should never suggest that someone else may be wrong about something. We must be tolerant. Any criticism, any disagreement, any suggestion that someone might be engaging in sinful conduct is to be rejected. It’s argued that these kinds of things are incompatible with the principles espoused by Jesus. If that is the case, please answer the following questions.
Did Jesus violate His own principles when He repeatedly called the Pharisees hypocrites (Matthew 23)? Was He wrong when He overturned the tables of the money changers and drove them from the temple (John 2)? Was He being unloving when He commanded the adulterous woman to leave her life of sin (John 8:11)? Is there a note of intolerance in His words when He said to Nicodemus, “You must be born again” (John 3)? Was He being judgmental when He referred to his own generation as a “brood of vipers” (Matthew 12)?
The Golden Rule does not demand that we acknowledge every lifestyle as acceptable. Loving sinners does not mean that we should ignore sin. The words of Jesus don’t prohibit us from speaking out about sin. In fact, His words demand that we speak out, but that we do it lovingly and kindly!
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
Return to the Home Page
Can We Still Believe in Jesus?
Oh, I can’t believe that…
Around of the 19th century Bruno Baur, theologian historian, concocted the notion that Jesus lived. According to Baur, Jesus was entirely mythical. He argued that Christ was simply a mental invention of a few century drew their concepts of their “Messiah” from Greco-Roman philosophy.
Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965), a more recent German theologian and medical missionary, acknowledged the existence of a “Jesus,” but asserted in his book The Quest of the Historical Jesus (1906) that real Jesus of history was so different from the Christ revered Christians that the Lord Jesus of New Testament could not really be based upon historical fact.
Rudolph Augstein, publisher of the German Der Spiegel (Germany’s equivalent to our Time magazine), wrote a book titled Jesus, Son of Man in which he claimed that it is impossible to that Jesus was God the Son.
One author has noted that believers in Jesus are often saddled with the reputation of being very gullible, and that Christianity reminds some people of the scene in Alice in Wonderland when Alice asks the queen, “How old are you?” The queen responds, “I am a hundred and one, five months, and a day.” Alice shakes her head, “Oh, I can’t believe that.” The queen assures her, “Can’t you? Shut your eyes, hold your breath and try again.”
Not some blind leap into the dark
Faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God is not some blind leap into the dark. The identity of Jesus is based on an historically reliable document (Luke 1:1-4). We can know with certainty who He was, what He did, and what He expects of us. Our faith is not based on hearsay testimony, but on eyewitness accounts of His life, death, and resurrection (2 Peter 2:16; 1 John 1:1-3). The events and characters in question were not removed from the mainstream of life and society, but were open to the closest public examination. As Paul said to King Agrippa, “These things were not done in a corner” (Acts 26:26). Those who investigate Jesus are struck by His amazing appeal. He speaks to the issues that concern us. In the hospital, at the graveside, in the comfort of our own family room, the words of Jesus offer comfort and challenge to us. The alternative, disbelief, offers nothing.
We can be confident
There is not the slightest reason for us to question the biblical record concerning Jesus. We can be confident that the record is true. Our faith is not misplaced.
—Roger
AUGUST 12, 2012
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
Return to the Home Page
Understanding
Years ago I read the following. I have no idea who wrote it, but I like the message. It is, after all, the truth. It would be a better world if everyone believed it.
A little girl, three years old, was riding in a taxi with her mother when she pointed to the black driver and asked, “Mommy, why is he so black?” The woman noticed the man’s shoulders stiffen at the question. She hastily searched for the right words that would satisfy both the driver and her daughter. She said, “God makes people as He makes flowers in the garden, so the world will be more colorful and beautiful. Some are white, some are brown, some black, some yellow, and all shades in between. That makes all of us the more interesting to look at, don’t you think?” The little girl nodded, for this made sense.
As they left the cab the black driver said to the woman, “Ma’am, when my little girl gets big enough to ask why some people are white, I know now what to tell her. Thank you!”
The woman was wise
She created light instead of darkness, and trust instead of suspicion. She thought too much of her daughter’s soul, the black man’s soul, and her own soul, to show prejudice. Let us show love instead of prejudice. If the Lord will accept all people without partiality, we have no choice but to do the same (Acts 10:34-35).
God is color blind, and so are His people
Jesus certainly demonstrated this in the course of His ministry. People were people. Everyone was to be treated with respect and dignity. Jesus reached out to sinners, immortalized Samaritans, embraced lepers, healed the diseased, elevated women, and died for humanity (John 3:16). As His people we must reach out to others with the same love and compassion. After all, in the eyes of God, we are all His offspring (Acts 17:28).
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
Return to the Home Page
Life Without Meaning
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). This is not a skeptical and pessimistic view of life, but a poignant refutation of materialism. Wealth, power, pleasure and fame are all fleeting. Solomon, generally acknowledged as the author, observed: “I denied myself of nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11).
Life from a materialistic point of view is hopelessness
This is the attitude of one looking at life from a purely materialistic point of view. It portrays the hopelessness of those who trust in wealth, power, pleasure and knowledge. Experience teaches that rich or poor, wise or foolish, great or small, all must die. That being true, our author laments: “So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. I hated all things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 2:17-18).
Maybe you’ve felt the same sense of futility
If you have, don’t despair! There is hope. Having tried it all our author concluded that man’s whole duty was “to fear God and keep his commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Wisdom, knowledge, and happiness come to those who put Him first, but to those who do not life remains meaningless, a chasing after the wind (Ecclesiastes 2:25-26). A man may chase the wind, but he never captures it!
Is there meaning to life?
Is there hope? Can man find peace? Yes, but not in material pursuits! There is no lasting satisfaction or joy in a life apart from God. The struggle is futile until He comes into the picture. One may be rich, famous and powerful, but if God is missing, life offers nothing lasting (Luke 12:16-21). Everything is meaningless!
Does your life have meaning?
—Roger
JULY 29, 2012
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
Return to the Home Page
Just a State of Mind
A woman summoned her waiter and requested that he turn the air-conditioning down. Minutes later, she summoned the waiter again, asking that the air-conditioning be turned up. As her complaints continued, a man seated at the next table said to the waiter, “She must be driving you crazy, making you turn the air-conditioning up and down like that.” “Not at all,” the waiter replied. “We don’t have air-conditioning.”
State of mind
I have observed a lot of people like that woman. Some of them keep their thermostats on eighty in the winter and seventy-two in the summer. Still, their houses are too cold in January and too warm in July. It’s all a state of mind.
The Bible conveys a similar message
Solomon wrote of man, “as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). We are what we think. The apostle Paul admonished, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).
Whatever we allow to fill our minds will control our lives
Jesus taught that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). Words and deeds are the expressions of thoughts. It is no wonder that Solomon also wrote: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23).
Those concerned with living right will also be concerned with thinking right
The mind is a battlefield. To win the war we must keep the battlefield cleared of all those things which make for defeat. That is why Christians oppose pornography, filthy and vulgar language, indecent movies and TV programs, and vulgar and suggestive books and magazines. The battle is difficult enough without filling the mind with that kind of garbage.
In order to succeed in the struggle we must fill our minds with God’s word
The Psalmist exclaimed, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). We must do the same!
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
Return to the Home Page
Watch Your Words
At one time or another we have all said things we later regretted
No one is immune to the foot-in-mouth disease. James wrote: “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check” (James 3:2 NIV). The tongue is a dangerous thing when unbridled.
Paul warned against the misuse of the tongue
He wrote: “…rid yourselves of all such things…slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other” (Colossians 3:8-9 NIV). Christians should not slander others, should not use profanities or vulgarities, and should not lie. In a positive way, what we say should be kind, pure and true! Every word we speak should be examined to make sure it passes this threefold test. Is it kind? Is it pure? Is it true?
Say the right things in the right way
It is not only important that we say the right things, but that we say them in the right way. “A soft answer turns away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). When someone shouts at us, “I’m not angry!” we can be confident they are! That is why James also wrote: “every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath” (James 1:19). What we say says a great deal about us. Our words reveal our character or lack of it! It is extremely important that we watch our words. The psalmist prayed: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). We would be wise to repeat that prayer frequently!
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
Return to the Home Page
It Is Not Progress
Society has lost ground
The past one hundred years has seen more change than any century in recorded history. The advances in technology have been phenomenal. We’ve entered the computer age. And, it is impossible to predict what lies ahead. I guess some would say that we have made tremendous progress in recent years, but have we? I’m not so sure! Technology has advanced, but has society kept pace? No! In fact, we have lost ground.
The barbarity and inhumanity of the past is as much with us as ever
Two millenniums ago, the Roman statesman, Seneca, wrote: “We slaughter a fierce ox; we strangle a mad dog; we plunge the knife into sickly cattle lest they taint the herd; children who are born weakly and deformed we drown.”
William Barclay, in his Letters to Galatians and Ephesians, page 209, records the following letter dated 1 B. C. from a man called Hilarion to his wife Alis. It reads: “Hilarion to Alis his wife heartiest greetings, and to my dear Berous and Apollonarion. Know that we are still even now in Alexandria. Do not worry if when all others return I remain in Alexandria. I beg and beseech of you to take care of the little child, and, as soon as we receive wages, I will send them to you. If–good luck to you!–you have a child, if it is a boy, let it live; if it is a girl, throw it out. You told Aphrodisias to tell you: ‘Do not forget me.’ How can I forget you? I beg you therefore not to worry.”
Are you repulsed by a society without regard for its own offspring? Do you thank God that children are no longer brought into such a wicked and cruel world? If so, I should point out that in our nation one and a half million defenseless babies are murdered in their mother’s wombs each year. And, the response of many, especially those in positions to stop this wholesale slaughter, is to look the other way. Yes, they say they find it personally offensive, but it’s a woman’s body and a woman has the right to do as she pleases with her own body. Maybe you think that is progressive thinking, but I find it just as barbaric as anything the Romans did.
You shall not murder
It is a sad commentary on society when the weakest and most vulnerable are casually cast aside. In the womb or out of the womb, murder is still murder, and the Bible says: “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:12 NIV).
–Roger
JULY 8, 2012
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
Return to the Home Page
It Isn’t So!
A devout religious faith is abnormal? Not so!
William James, noted American psychologist and philosopher, wrote nearly 100 years ago, “There can be no doubt that as a matter of fact a religious life, exclusively pursued, does tend to make the person exceptional and eccentric.” He went on to say that these were individuals “for whom religion exists not as a dull habit but as an acute fever.” He argued that religious leaders were especially subject to abnormal psychological behavior. At the heart of his argument was the belief that a devout religious faith was abnormal. It isn’t so! The devout tend to be happier, healthier, and more fulfilled than any other segment of society.
Religion is the chief cause of wars, death, misery and suffering? Not So!
Whenever someone wishes to attack religious faith, they argue that religion has been the chief cause of wars, death, misery and suffering in our world. They often point to the Crusades, the conflict in the Balkans, the animosity between Jews and Arabs, or the bloodshed between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland as proof of their assertions. It isn’t so! Those who do this fail to recognize that these things have come about, not as a result of following the Bible, but because the Scriptures were ignored. Further, the critics disregard all the good that has come as a result of Christianity.
Religion is merely as a crutch for the weak-minded? Not So!
Some view religion merely as a crutch for weak-minded individuals. They argue that all religions are essentially alike. They discount the prospect of Divine revelation, and attribute belief to superstitions from our distant past. One religion is no better nor worse than another. All paths lead to the same destination. It isn’t so! Christianity argues that there is one way to God, and that is through His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). And, He knew that most people would find His way too narrow. In the Sermon on the Mount He said: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
Only religion offers Absolute Value
Bruce Sheiman has written an interesting book titled An Atheist Defends Religion. Even though he is an atheist, Sheiman points out repeatedly that our world is far better because of religion. Obviously, I couldn’t endorse everything he writes, but he does make a strong case for religion. One observation is worth noting. Sheiman wrote: “Only religion offers Absolute Value as the sages for millennia have defined it. That is why most people are and will always be religious (page 68).
Are you walking in the way that leads to life?
If not, are you ready to begin?
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
Return to the Home Page
Different!
Men and women are different
Someone has illustrated the difference between men and women this way. “A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband. A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.” Probably an over generalization, but it does imply a difference between men and women that is often denied.
In this age of equality, we must not lose sight of our differences
They reach beyond the obvious physical dissimilarities. There are clear distinctions between men and women, but these differences have nothing to do with our worth. At a time when women were viewed, first as the property of their fathers, and then of their husbands, the apostle Paul asserted: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for all are one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). God doesn’t determine our value on the basis of externals. He accepts us all into His church on the basis of our baptism (Galatians 3:27).
In the home it was the intent of the Creator to place man in the leadership role
He is to be head over his wife even as Christ is head of His church (Ephesians 5:23). That does not imply his superiority or her inferiority. It does indicate a difference in roles. Some men have abdicated their headship, and some women have usurped the leadership role in the home.
Neither negates the fact that God has ordained how the home should function
Whether we like it or not, that’s what the Bible teaches.
In the church we have a similar dichotomy
Men are given the leadership role in the church. The apostles were all men. Elders or bishops were always men (1 Timothy 3:2). Male leadership permeates the Biblical narrative. And, the role of women in the assembly was specifically limited (1 Corinthians 14:34-35; 1 Timothy 2:11-12). Again, these distinctions in roles do not suggest inferior worth.
We have different roles
It has become common place in this enlightened age to disregard the clear gender distinctions made in Scripture. The fact is that we are not all physically, intellectually, or emotionally equal, but we are all equally loved by the Savior. We have different roles. Each of us must acknowledge our role and live up to His expectations for us.
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
Return to the Home Page
Some Things You Should Know About Elders
Organization of the Lord’s church
The organization of the Lord’s church is one of the most misunderstood concepts in the religious world. One can find all manner of organizational structures in the denominational world, but the New Testament offers a simple yet effective organizational system for the Lord’s church. In relationship to organization, the church is called a body. There is one body, and there is but one head, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:4; Colossians 1:18). It’s not an organization of many bodies with one head, or one body with many heads, but one body with one head.
Each congregation is autonomous (self-governing)
There is no organization in the New Testament larger than the local church. Each scripturally organized congregation is overseen by qualified elders (Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9), and served by qualified deacons (1 Timothy 3:8-13). Elders have no authority beyond that contained in the New Testament. They have no authority to bind or loose. That is, they cannot make laws for Christ, nor can they set aside those laws contained in the “perfect law of liberty.” Their responsibility is to lead the local church in the direction dictated by her head Jesus Christ.
Elders are not perfect
They do not claim to be. They can and do make mistakes. No qualified elder would ever claim infallibility.
Elders have the best interests of the church (congregation) at heart
The well-being of the body always outweighs that of any one member, or small group of members.
Elders often deal with matters that are highly confidential
Sometimes they are misunderstood because all the facts are not on the table, and can’t be, out of respect for personal privacy.
Elders, as already noted, have no authority to add to or take from God’s word
But in matters of indifference, opinion, and expediency, they must weigh all sides and lead in the direction that is best for the church as a whole.
Elders have various responsibilities
They often work in demanding jobs, are involved in many civic organizations, and have family responsibilities like other members of the church. Still, they take time to study, pray, counsel, and shepherd the flock. They do so not for personal recognition or honor, but out of a love for Christ and His church.
Elders genuinely desire your prayers and support
And they will listen patiently to your suggestions and criticism.
Elders have a very serious work to do
They approach that work earnestly desiring to please the Lord. There are some things you can do to make their work easier. The writer of Hebrews offers a good summary. “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you” (Hebrews 13:17).
— Roger
JUNE 17, 2012
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
Return to the Home Page
What’s Changed?
What happened?
I hear it frequently, especially from those who are older. What’s happened? Why aren’t people interested in the gospel anymore? Usually, those questions are accompanied by recollections of a little country church overflowing during a gospel meeting. Buildings were filled and people stood outside hoping to hear the preaching.
I can relate
I grew up in one of those country churches. I remember the gospel meetings vividly. For us it was the only time we heard real preaching. Every spring and fall a preacher would come for a protracted meeting, and that was the only time I remember baptisms taking place. Meetings lasted from ten days to two weeks, and then it was over. We really looked forward to hearing the gospel proclaimed.
I think people feel less urgency now than in the 50’s and 60’s
Then the nation had just come through World War II and the Korean Conflict, and we lived with the constant threat of nuclear annihilation. Now we’ve become complacent. We’ve been at war for over a decade, but for most Americans life goes on uninterrupted. There has been no real call for sacrifice, except on the part of our service men and women and their families. We now live careless, quiet and secure in our own little world.
Sixty years ago people had a higher opinion of organized religion
Now it’s not at all uncommon to hear someone express admiration for Christ, but disdain for His church.
There was general agreement regarding what was moral and immoral
The world I was born into was one in which church going people were in general agreement regarding what was moral and immoral. That is clearly not true today. Interestingly, those churches which have strayed farthest from biblical morals and ethics have experienced the greatest decline.
Atheism lacked the militancy of modern times
Evolution was not advocated in the school systems of my youth. Sixty years ago most Americans were believers, and identified themselves with Christ. Now, Christianity is under constant assault. Believers are accused of being superstitious, uneducated, out of step with the times.
People went to worship each Sunday
When I came into this world, by and large people went to worship each Sunday. They wanted to hear the word of God. Now they want to be entertained. A brief message on pop psychology consisting of humorous anecdotes, no mention of sin, and an accepting nonjudgmental presentation is desired. TV was in its infancy, Sunday’s were still reserved for worship, and people weren’t as rushed!
Children were raised in the home
When I came of age folks did not think it the responsibility of the church to raise their children or fill their social calendar. That was the purpose of the home. It still is!
People had Bible knowledge
People had a better knowledge of the Bible back then, and a much higher regard for its authority. Christians were much more willing to evangelize then than now. In our politically correct society we don’t want to be perceived as judgmental, and certainly don’t want to say something that may be seen as offensive.
No, things were not perfect back then.
There are many things about the past that I would not want to return to. But, what’s changed? The Bible hasn’t. Our desire for it has! God hasn’t, but men are still trying to remake Him in their image. Jesus hasn’t, but our attitude toward Him has changed.
Perhaps we need to be reminded again
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them” (Hebrews 13:8-9).
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
Return to the Home Page
The Church is Like…
Our task is to practice and preach truth
God’s family is called a kingdom in relationship to its government (Colossians 1:13), a body in relationship to it’s organization (Colossians 1:18), and a church in relationship to the world (Colossians 1:18). His spiritual family is to be the “pillar and support of truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). As subjects of the King, we are here to do His bidding. As members of His body we have a job to do, a role to fill. As part of the church, we find ourselves in the world, but the world is not to be in us. Our task is to practice and preach truth throughout the world by means of works and words. But, I’m not sure everyone understands this mission.
Yet, people act like it is a country club
The church ought to be more like a hospital than a country club. Yet, people act like it is a country club, not a hospital for the soul. We should see the church for what we can give rather than what we can get. Worship should prepare us for a week of work for Christ, not entertain us for an hour. The emphasis should be service and not serve us!
A service station would be more appropriate
An appropriate modern analogy for the church may be the old fashioned service stations many of us remember as children. Our parents went there on a regular basis to refuel their cars. Not only did they fill the tank, but they checked the oil, cleaned the windshield, and checked the air in the tires. If there were mechanical problems, they took care of them. It truly was a service station. We left prepared for the road ahead.
This seems a good (not perfect), analogy for our worship assemblies. In a sense, our time together fills our tank, checks for problems, cleans our windshield (so that we see clearly), and gets us ready for the road ahead (life). Hospitals address our physical needs while the church focuses on our spiritual condition.
Not to be entertained…
We do not come to be entertained, but to exalt the Savior, to be educated in the gospel, to be equipped for service in the Lord’s army, to be excited about our task of taking His message to the world, and to have are defects (sins) exposed so they can be corrected. We can’t address a problem if we are unaware that it exists.
Food, fun, and fellowship are fine, but they are not and never have been the emphasis of the faithful. They all have their place, but let’s make sure they are never substituted for the real purpose of our assemblies or the reason for membership in His family.
There are lost and hurting people all around us
We need to bring those who are lost and hurting to the Great Physician where their wounds can be healed and their hearts mended. The church offers people real solutions for their problems. It provides hope to the hopeless. It offers help to the hurting. It gives direction to the lost. It takes care of the sick, or at least it’s supposed to!
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
Return to the Home Page
A Lesson from Our Past
Hardships of worship in seventeenth century Connecticut
Diana Ross McCain, writing in Early American Life (October, 1989), described the hardships of worship in seventeenth century Connecticut. Church attendance was almost universal since it was required by law of young and old alike, unless excused by serious illness or some other equally compelling circumstance.
Church buildings were not built for the comfort of the church goer
Winters were especially hard on the devout. The church building of that day had no fireplace, no stove, no significant heat source of any kind. Preachers often delivered their sermons wearing their heavy coats and mittens. Samuel Griswold Ridgefield, writing of his boyhood in Ridgefield, Connecticut, around the turn of the nineteenth century, said, “Nobody thought of staying home from church because of the extremity of the weather.”
What happened?
In about 1830 stoves were introduced. Ridgefield, writing about their introduction, said: “As soon as this reform was suggested, they began to wrestle with the people, until at last the church and society were divided into two violent factions, the Stove Party and the Anti-stove Party.” At the first worship service following the introduction of the stove, the head of the anti-stove faction slid to the floor in her pew in a faint. She was carried outside where she quickly regained consciousness. “What happened?” she was asked. “Oh, it is the heat of those awful stoves,” she replied. “No, no, my dear,” responded the head of the stove faction, “That can’t be: it’s a warm day, you know, and there’s no fire in them.”
You shall not add to it or take from it
It is an amusing story, but it illustrates an important point. It has been man’s tendency, almost since the day God first revealed His will to man, for men to seek to change it. We either make laws where God has made none, or set aside the laws which He has made. Moses warned against this when he wrote: “Everything I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it” (Deuteronomy 12:32). So many problems could be avoided if we would only heed this command! Let’s not make laws where God has made none, and let’s not set aside any which He has made.
This is our goal
Would you join us in seeking to be Christians, and Christians only?
— Roger
MAY 27, 2012
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
Return to the Home Page
The High Cost of the Low Life
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34)
The high cost of sin is evident all around us
There is hardly a family that has remained untouched by the stigma of divorce. Modern sexual immorality will lead to the birth of thousands of illegitimate babies this year, while a million others will be murdered by abortion. Venereal disease is rampant, and homosexuality is not only tolerated, but even advocated by some as an acceptable lifestyle. Alcoholism is a real problem for millions of Americans of all ages. Drug abuse is a national disgrace. Crime statistics are ever climbing. The “good life” for many is really the “low life,” and the low life always has a high cost. The “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
We can not play with sin
We are only kidding ourselves when we think we can play with sin and not suffer its consequences. A long time ago Moses warned the Israelites, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). The low life always has a high price, though we may not realize it at the time. Tragically, the cost for some becomes intolerable (Matthew 27:3-5). No one can escape the consequences of low living for ever. A day of reckoning will come (2 Corinthians 5:10-11). Jesus offers an alternative to the low life. He offers His disciples the “abundant life” (John 10:10). Let’s dispel the myth once and for all that one can’t be a Christian and enjoy life too. Actually, you can’t really enjoy life and live it to its fullest apart from Christ. True, as a Christian we have to turn our backs on the momentary pleasure of sin (Hebrews 11:24-25), but we’re also turning our backs on the wretched consequences of sin as well. And, the consequences are always greater than the fleeting moments of pleasure sin offers! We can escape the high cost of the low life, but only by living by the Lord’s standards and not our own.
What ails us individually and as a nation is SIN.
Jesus Christ provides the only remedy.
It is our job as the church to model discipleship every day by a good example, and to proclaim the good news of Jesus everywhere we go. The world needs to see and hear the transforming power of Jesus in the lives of genuine disciples.
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
Return to the Home Page
