Historical Posts
A New Life
Jesus Christ can provide a fresh start
No matter what may haunt a man from his past, Jesus Christ can provide a fresh start, a clean slate, a new beginning. That’s really what conversion is all about. When a man looks to Jesus as savior, surrenders his will to the will of Christ, repents and is born again, he really is given a new life.
We should walk in newness of life
Paul wrote to the Christians at Rome: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin” (Romans 6:3-6).
Baptism marks a new beginning or new birth for a Christian
The old life with all its sin is renounced. A new life begins. It is a life patterned after Jesus. We are no longer controlled by the devil. We have become children of God. We must behave like God’s children. We are specifically charged to put off the old man with his corrupt deeds and put on a new man made in the image of the Creator (Colossians 3:9). We must rid our lives of all that is wicked and vile, and fill the void with what is good.
We must become what god wants us to be
The problem is that many find the promises of Jesus very appealing, but are unwilling to accept his demands. They want the blessings of a relationship with Christ without any of the responsibilities. That’s not possible. Yes, there is forgiveness, but there must also be reformation. We must become what God wants us to be. That’s why he gives us a fresh start, a new beginning, that we might become a new man. “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away: behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Would you like to be a new man?
Read your Bible. Believe what it says. Repent of your sins. Confess the precious name of Jesus. Be baptized! Christ will add you to his church, and you can become the person he wants you to be.
–Roger
SEPTEMBER 18, 2011
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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It’s a Crazy World
Some time ago I read a story in the Columbus Dispatch about a child-custody case in which the parents were in disagreement over their daughter’s education. The mother was insisting on home-schooling her daughter, and the father was just as insistent that the child attend public schools. My interest in the story had nothing to do with the pros and cons of home-schooling. What caught my attention was the reason the mother gave for wanting to home-school her daughter. She said, “I believe when you teach your children, you teach from the Bible.”
Claiming to be a Christian
Again, I have no quarrel with the home-school movement, nor do I have a problem with our local public school system. I feel my children received a good education in our public schools. But, as parents, we also played a significant role in their education. So, what’s the point? It seems this girl’s parents were never married. They have lived together for the past four years. The child was the result of that relationship. Still, the woman claimed to be a devout Christian.
While living an immoral life
I realize that many in our society see nothing wrong with two people living together outside of wedlock and conceiving a child in that environment, but the Bible does not condone it. It is sin. And, someone living in open sin cannot be called a “devout Christian.” Granted, I don’t know the whole story, only what I read in the paper. It is possible that this woman just acquired her faith, and as a result, kicked the father out of the house because he would not do the right thing and marry her.
Christians are called to live godly lives
At any rate, living together outside of marriage, and conceiving a child in that sinful relationship is not right. Devout Christians do not live that way, and they do not defend those who do. Christians are called to live godly lives. And, although we are not perfect, we certainly do not live in open sin while professing a devout faith. We are called to live a different life. Paul wrote to Titus that “the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world” (Titus 2:11-12). Anything less is not devout Christianity but blatant hypocrisy. Though the world seems not to know it, Christianity demands a holy life! In our crazy world, this truth has been forgotten!
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Resolutions (2007)
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Introduction
1. As a New Year begins, I am reminded of the fact that we are one year closer to…
a. The day of our death, or the day the Lord returns
b. That day when we shall stand before the Lord in judgment – 2 Corinthians 5:10
c. That day when He will either say…
1) “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” – Matthew 25:34
2) “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” – Matthew 25:41
2. Since we are one year closer to that day when our final destiny will be forever determined, let me use this opportunity…
a. To provoke your thinking as to how you have used this past year
b. To suggest some resolutions for the coming year
Body
I. IN THE PAST YEAR
A. HAS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND CHRIST IMPROVED?
1. Have we drawn nearer to God? – cf. James 4:8
2. Bearing in mind that a close relationship depends upon good communication…
a. Have we been faithful in listening to God through His Word?
1) Another year has gone by; did we read through the Bible this year?
2) If not, and especially if we never have, can we honestly say that we are taking our relationship with God seriously?
b. Have we been steadfast in talking to God through prayer?
1) Any effective communication requires a two-way street
2) Therefore fervent Bible study should be joined with fervent prayer
3) Has our degree of prayerfulness increased or decreased this year?
B. HAS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH BRETHREN IMPROVED?
1. Has our love for one another increased this year? – cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10
2. Are we any closer to one another than we were a year ago?
a. E.g., have we been in the homes of brethren?
b. E.g., have any of them been in our homes?
3. Do we even know who our brethren are?
a. Each year brings new members into the family of God
b. Have we made the effort to know them? Even by name?
C. HAS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THOSE IN THE WORLD IMPROVED?
1. As people of God, we have an important responsibility toward those in the world – Matthew 5:13-16
a. To be a positive influence (“You are the salt of the earth”)
b. To demonstrate a better way (“You are the light of the world”)
2. Have we made progress this year in developing meaningful relationships with people in the world?
a. So the light of Christ can be seen in our lives
b. So the gospel of Christ can be communicated to them
3. Or are we like most “neighbors” in this day and age…
a. Living next to each other, but not really knowing each other?
b. Having forgotten the lost art of “Southern hospitality”?
“Another year has gone by; have we made good use of the time the Lord has given us, or have we wasted it?” It is likely that all of us in some degree have not made good use of the past year. But at this point, let’s apply the words of Paul:
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
II. FOR THE YEAR AHEAD
A. RESOLVE TO DRAW NEARER TO GOD AND CHRIST…
1. By having a daily reading program of God’s living and abiding Word – Hebrews 4:12
a. Read the Old Testament this year – cf. Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:14-17
b. Read the New Testament also – James 1:21; 1 Peter 2:2
2. By being diligent in prayer – Hebrews 4:14-16
a. Let’s be a thankful people – cf. Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
b. Perhaps Daniel’s custom of praying three times daily would be worthy of emulation – Daniel 6:10
B. RESOLVE TO BECOME CLOSER TO THE BRETHREN…
1. By making it a point to learn every one’s name – cf. 3 John 14
a. Get a directory
b. Each week, connect a couple of names and faces until you learn them all
2. By having a different person or family in your home each month – cf. 1 Peter 4:9
a. It doesn’t have to be a fancy dinner
b. Just a simple visit to become better acquainted
C. RESOLVE TO GET TO KNOW NON-CHRISTIANS BETTER…
1. By having one new neighbor or co-worker in your home each month – cf. Galatians 6:10
2. Or by visiting one new neighbor or co-worker each month
a. It doesn’t have to be a fancy meal or formal visit
b. It is amazing how far simple hospitality and neighborly kindness can go…
1) To build meaningful relationships
2) In which opportunities can be created to share the gospel
Conclusion
1. These resolutions may sound simplistic; but if implemented, they go a long way…
a. To producing the kind of lifestyle that is becoming of Christians
b. To increasing closer relationships with God, our brethren, and the lost
1) That will bless our lives
2) And be a blessing to the church and our community
c. To create a clearer conscience next year at this time
2. Time is a precious commodity, given to us by God…
a. That is truly like a vapor – cf. James 4:13-15
b. That needs to be carefully redeemed – cf. Ephesians 5:15-16
— I hope that these suggestions for resolutions for a new year will help you in making better use of it!
“A New Year, A New Beginning”
The old year ends, a new begins
With pages clean and new;
And what is written on each page
will now depend on you.
You can’t relive the year that’s past,
Erasing every wrong;
For once a year – or day – is spent,
It is forever gone.
But don’t give up in dark despair
If you have failed some test;
Seek God’s forgiveness and resolve
Henceforth to do your best.
Resolve each precious day to do
Things good and kind and pure;
Though days and years may pass away,
These things shall still endure.
You know not where your path may lead
Nor what’s beyond the hill;
But know that God walks at your side,
If you will do His will.
All things are possible with God,
Though days be bright or dim;
So do your best and know that you
Can leave the rest to Him.
– Author Unknown
If you are not a Christian, or you are a child of God who has strayed from the Lord, you need to make the best use of the time you have now…
“We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: `In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” – 2 Corinthians 6:1-2
Content by Ralph Price
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Ephesians 05:01-21 Walking in Love, Light and Wisdom
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Text: Ephesians 5:1-21
Introduction
1. Though we now enter chapter five, we are still noticing how to “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” – Ephesians 4:1
a. We have been “called” to be
1) “holy and without blame before Him in love” – Ephesians 1:4
2) “sons by Jesus Christ to Himself” – Ephesians 1:5
3) “fellow citizens with the saints” – Ephesians 2:19
4) “members of the household of God” – Ephesians 2:19
5) “a holy temple in the Lord” – Ephesians 2:21
6) “fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ” – Ephesians 3:6
b. What sort of “walk” is worthy of such a calling? So far we have seen that it is one in which we are
1) “Walking Together in Unity” – Ephesians 4:1-16
2) “Walking In Truth and Holiness – Ephesians 4:17-32
2. As we come into the fifth chapter, we learn that our “walk” (or conduct) which is worthy of our calling is one in which we
a. Walk In Love – Ephesians 5:1-7
b. Walk As Light – Ephesians 5:8-14
c. Walk As Wise – Ephesians 5:15-21
Body
I. WALK IN LOVE (Ephesians 5:1-7)
A. FOLLOWING CHRIST AS OUR EXAMPLE (Ephesians 5:1-2)
1. Jesus certainly has loved us and given Himself for us
2. He offered Himself to God as an offering and sacrifice in our behalf
3. Let His example teach us how to “walk in love” – cf. John 13:34-35; 1 John 3:16-17
B. WITH A LOVE THAT IS PURE (Ephesians 5:3-7)
1. Our love should be free from any hint of immorality or greed – Ephesians 5:3
2. Even words or jokes suggestive of immorality or greed are unbecoming those who are “saints” (holy, set apart for God’s purpose) – Ephesians 5:4
3. This is a serious concern, for immoral or greedy persons have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, but instead will experience the full wrath of God! – Ephesians 5:5-7
II. WALK AS LIGHT (Ephesians 5:8-14)
A. WE ARE NOW “LIGHT IN THE LORD” (Ephesians 5:8-10)
1. Before coming to Christ, we were once “darkness” (remember Ephesians 2:1-3); but now we are “light in the Lord” and should walk as “children of light” – Ephesians 5:8
2. The fruit expected of those children of light is goodness, righteousness and truth – Ephesians 5:9
3. By bearing such fruit, we fulfill our role as “light” by “proving” (demonstrating) what is well-pleasing to the Lord – Ephesians 5:10; cf. Romans 12:1-2
B. AS “LIGHT” WE MUST NECESSARILY EXPOSE “DARKNESS” (Ephesians 5:11-14)
1. We are not to have fellowship with “unfruitful works of darkness” – Ephesians 5:11, 5:3-4
2. Instead, our task is to “expose” them – Ephesians 5:11b-13
a. Things that we must expose are often so disgraceful, it is shameful to speak of them
b. But by “walking in the light” ourselves, we can through example and word expose by contrast these “works of darkness”
3. Thus the need to be “light” ourselves, something that comes only from Christ – Ephesians 5:14
a. Christ gives “light” to those who were spiritually asleep and dead – cf. Ephesians 2:4-6
b. Some scholars think this verse (Ephesians 5:14) may have been an early “baptismal hymn”, sung at a person’s baptism
III. WALK AS WISE (Ephesians 5:15-21)
A. CHARACTERISTICS OF “WALKING AS WISE” (Ephesians 5:15-17)
1. Doing so with great care – Ephesians 5:15
a. The word translated “circumspectly” means “exactly, accurately, diligently”
b. Unlike fools, who care little about where they are going or what is happening
2. Taking advantage of the time available to one – Ephesians 5:16
3. Understanding the will of the Lord – Ephesians 5:17
a. Only by understanding the will of the Lord can we be a “wise people”
b. Just as Israel was to demonstrate their wisdom by doing the will of the Lord, so we can “walk as wise” only if we understand His will for us – Deuteronomy 4:5-6
B. TO WALK AS WISE REQUIRES BEING “FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT” (Ephesians 5:18-21)
1. While those who “walk as fools” delight in being filled with wine, those who walk as wise” will endeavor to be filled with the Spirit!
2. What evidence is there that one is “filled with the Spirit”? Paul describes three indications…
a. One indication is singing praises – Ephesians 5:19
b. Another indication is giving thanks – Ephesians 5:20
c. A third indication is submitting to one another in the fear of God – Ephesians 5:21
Conclusion
1. Children of God who delight in:
a. Singing praises and making melody in the heart
b. Giving thanks always for all things to God
c. Submitting to one another in the fear of God
d. Demonstrate that they are “filled with the Spirit”, and as such, truly are “followers of God as dear children” – Ephesians 5:1
2. As children of God, and “filled with the Spirit”, they are able to walk in a manner worthy of their calling, as they:
a. “Walk in love”
b. “Walk as light”
c. “Walk as wise”
3. Brothers and sisters in Christ, we live in a world:
a. That has perverted the meaning of “love”
b. That takes perverse pleasure in works of darkness
c. That stumbles around aimlessly, like drunken fools
d. Can we not see the need for the people of God today to live up to their “calling”, and to “prove what is acceptable in the Lord”?
4. May God fill His children with His Spirit:
a. So that we can truly “walk in love”, “walk as light”, and “walk as wise”
b. And thereby show to the world the fruit of the Spirit, goodness, righteousness, and truth
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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1 Timothy 01:12-17 Master, Let Me Walk with Thee – audio
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Text: 1 Timothy 1:12-17
Introduction
A. It is very important to have a sound concept of what being a Christian is all about. In particular, we need to have a scriptural perspective on what is involved in being a servant of God
B. We ought to view serving God just as the Prodigal Son viewed going home to his father, requesting the privilege of being just a servant – Luke 15:18-19
C. A wholesome concept of godly service is reflected in the song: O Master, let me walk with Thee in lowly paths of service free
Body
I. LIFE IN CHRIST IS A MATTER OF WALKING WITH GOD
A. The Bible pictures faithful men walking with God
1. Enoch – Genesis 5:24 – He pleased God (Hebrews 11:5)
2. Noah – Genesis 6:9
B. Walking with implies friendship and close companionship
C. Walking with God requires walking in His truth – 1 John 1:5-7
1. Zacharias and Elizabeth – Luke 1:5, 6
2. Psalm 86:11; Isiah 2:3
II. THE ONE WITH WHOM WE WALK IS OUR MASTER — WE ARE HIS DISCIPLES
A. Disciple = learner, follower, one under the discipline of another
B. We must live with the Master, and adopt His manner of life and character – Matthew 28:19-20
C. Walking with the Master is not always easy – John 6:66
III. WE WALK WITH THE LORD IN PATHS OF SERVICE
A. Life in the Lord’s kingdom is a life of service – Matthew 20:25-26
1. Acts 20:35
2. Life ought to be more than a selfish concern about whether our own needs are being met
3. It is not the servitude, but the master, that makes slavery degrading – Exodus 21:5-6
B. Jesus Himself was a Servant: Luke 22:27; Matthew 20:28
1. Galatians 6:2
2. 2 Corinthians 12:15
C. In His service to us, Jesus is the Great Example – John 13:1-17
IV. DISCIPLESHIP TO CHRIST IS AN OPPORTUNITY, A PRIVILEGE
A. 1 Timothy 1:12
B. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10
C. God had to be merciful to each of us to allow us to be His servants. Service to Him is not a thing to resent, but to be thankful for!
D. Gratitude for God’s grace and mercy shows up eventually as zeal, enthusiasm, and diligence in God’s service
Conclusion
A. We need to make discipleship an entire way of life, not just one of our many activities
B. When we walk with the Lord, we come to know Him – John 17:3
C. The words of another song speak of the glory of walking with the Master:
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word, what a glory He sheds on our way.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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