Historical Posts
Planning for the Vacation of a Lifetime
School is out. Summer is upon us. Vacation time is here.
If a vacation is in your future, you need to be aware of how much effort will be required to get ready. Plans, preparations, and reservations often must be made months in advance. Going on vacation is hard work.
If you are still interested, I know the ideal spot. The weather is perfect for a vacation. It never rains, yet the meadows are green. Flowers perfume the air. Trees line the banks of a river which runs clear and unpolluted. There are no insects with which to contend. You will not be stuck in long lines. It is not crowded. There is no crime. And yes, I almost forgot, once you get there it will not be necessary to spend another dime. Everything is free.
If you are still with me, you’re probably thinking, “Yea, right! There’s no such vacation place. If there was, everyone would want to go there. People would do whatever it takes to have the vacation of a lifetime.” You would, and so would I!
Well, it’s not a fairy tale. There is such a place, though it is not really a vacation location. The Bible calls it heaven. It’s everything I have described, and so much more.
For those who make heaven their final destination, “God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is the lamp” (Revelation 21:23). “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful” (Revelation 21:27). “The river of the water of life, as clear as crystal” flows through the midst of the city. Trees line the banks. The leaves are for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:1-2). John is describing the indescribable. Heaven is more than our finite minds can comprehend, and it can be ours.
It takes a lifetime of preparation, but the reward is worth the effort. Are you preparing for the vacation of a lifetime? Jesus died to make it possible.
- Do you believe that He is the Son of God (John 8:24)?
- Are you willing to repent of your sins (Luke 3:2)?
- Will you be baptized for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38)?
- Will you serve Him faithfully (1 Corinthians 15:58)?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Hebrews 04:12-13 Worship: Hearing from God
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Text: Hebrews 4:12-13
Introduction
1. Worship is such an important event! I have spent the past month preaching about worship. I hope it has been of benefit to everyone. As I come to the end of this series I want to take a moment to review.
2. I’ve talked about its importance; how that worship helps us put God first, reminds us who we are and what we must do with ourselves.
3. Worship must be done in spirit and in truth from our hearts with all our mind, soul and strength.
4. Worship is not something to watch but in which we participate, is something we do to please God not others, and not out of tradition.
5. Worship must be done decently and orderly according to the pattern of the apostles.
6. When we come together, it is to sing praises to God and admonish each other. Worship includes praying and giving and participating in the Lord’s body and blood.
7. So, we come to the last part of worship, which is about the sermon or preaching.
Body
I. All of the previous teaching on worship applies to this as well! The sermon must put God first and remind us who we are or should be.
A. The sermon must be preached and heard in spirit and in truth.
1. It must not be a performance, but something to please God. It must not be based on the traditions of men.
2. It must be clear and decisively the word of God!
3. There is much misunderstanding about the presence of sermons each time Christians get together.
a. Some people think it is all about money! Like the little girl who became more and more restless as the preacher’s sermon continued. Finally, she leaned over to her mother and whispered, “Mommy, if we give him the money now, will he let us go?”
b. Some think it is a nice place to take a nap!
A woman embarrassed about her husband told the preacher,
“I hope you didn’t take it personally, preacher, when my husband walked out during your sermon.”
“I did find it rather disconcerting,” the preacher replied.
“It’s not a reflection on you,” she insisted.
“My husband has been walking in his sleep ever since he was a child.”
B. This lesson is not a defense for my job. If having a full-time located preacher were the subject, I would spoken about that specifically.
1. This lesson is not about the work of a preacher.
a. That is an important topic as well.
2. This lesson is about the part of worship where we hear from God and how important it is for all (including the preacher) to listen.
II. Examples of Preaching in Worship
A. The First Church – Acts 2:41-42 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
B. The Church in Ephesus –
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus – Ephesians 1:1
how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) – Ephesians 3:3-4
C. The Church at Troas
Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. – Acts 20:7
III. The Key To Preaching In Worship
A. Our Obligation To Each Other
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:23-25
B. Heavenly Goal
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. – 1 Corinthians 1:21
C. Participating in Preaching in Worship – Everyone Worships Through Listening
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. – Romans 10:17
D. Only By Hearing God’s Word Can We Know His Will.
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. – John 17:17
E. Only By Hearing God’s Word Can We Know Christian Maturity
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. – Hebrews 5:12
F. Only By Hearing God’s Word Can We Prepare For The Judgement
He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him— the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. – John 12:48
Conclusion:
1. So, how do we worship effectively during a sermon?
a. Pray about it.
b. Take notes.
c. Look up verses.
d. Question everything presented
e. Rely on and trust the Word!
f. Seek God first.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Ten Virgins – Matthew 25:1-13
Text: Matthew 25:1-13
Five wise and five foolish virgins were all invited to a wedding feast. The wise virgins brought extra oil for their lamps, whereas the foolish virgins did not.
All slept while waiting for the bridegroom. When they learned the bridegroom was approaching, the foolish virgins found they had run out of oil for their lamps. The wise told them to go in the city and buy some.
While the foolish virgins were gone, the bridegroom arrived. The wise virgins entered the wedding feast, whereas the foolish virgins did not because they were outside the door when it was shut.
There are three main lessons to gain from this parable.
Be prepared!
As there were both wise and foolish virgins invited to the feast, not all were prepared. All persons need to be prepared to do God’s will. Paul illustrates to Timothy that not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and earth are equally important, especially for the master’s use and prepared for every good work (2 Timothy 2:20-21). Likewise, we have God’s Word to prepare us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). By careful study, we can be prepared to answer those that ask a reason within us with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15).
The bridegroom gets the bride!
The bride is described as a holy city, new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-2). The church began at Jerusalem and spread throughout the world (Acts 2:5ff; Acts 8:1). The bride is described as the Lamb’s wife (Revelation 21:9). The bride is also referred to as the saints, often a term used for Christians (Revelation 19:7-9).
Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29; Isaiah 53:6-12; 1 Peter 1:19).
Paul told the church at Corinth they were espoused to one husband, presented as chaste virgins to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2).
Be watchful!
The foolish virgins tried to get in saying, “Lord, Lord” (Matthew 25:11), but the door was shut. Jesus said to watch and pray for we do not know when the Son of Man will return (Matthew 25:13; Mark 13:32-37; 1 Thessalonians 5:6). Therefore, only those that do the will of God and are ready will enter (Matthew 7:21).
Content by Richard Dillon
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