| June 18, 2000 |
Vol. III, No. 7
|
Before someone objects to the use of the word “church” in the title of this article, we hasten to explain. We’re using the word “church” primarily in the sense of “assembly” as it is used is such passages as Matt. 18:17; 1 Cor. 14:34, etc. In fact, this is a basic, root concept of the word as used in Scripture. When we use the term “local church” or the term “universal church,” we are viewing God’s people AS IF they were assembled, even though they may not at that moment in time actually be physically gathered together.
One more preliminary, before we get on to the task at hand. I want to give credit for this lesson to J.W. Hicks, a great gospel preacher. J.W. has faithfully preached the gospel of Christ for many years. I sat under his preaching for about two years before I finally “gave in” and permitted him to baptize me into Christ, late summer, 1961. In the autumn of 1962, he spoke the ceremony that united me with my wife, Betty. Though he has since lived and preached in several other places, he is once again in Liberty Hill, Texas, where I knew him first. Brother Hicks, as most of us preachers, learned a lot from others and used a lot of their illustrations and materials. In fact, he prepared relatively few sermons “from scratch.” But one night he dreamed he was preaching this “sermon.” He woke up and quickly wrote down the out-line, and has preached this lesson many times since. I have also preached this sermon several times in several places. We jokingly refer to it as his “inspired sermon.” Now, don’t blame brother Hicks for this article -- I am writing it. But please credit him with the IDEA or approach. That came from him.
HOW FAR IS IT TO CHURCH? In Acts 8:27, the Ethiopian eunuch traveled a thousand miles to be in the assembly of God’s people. Was it convenient -- or did he do it simply because it was right? Jesus traveled, according to most scholars, about 60 miles, probably on foot, to be baptized by John, Matt. 3:13. Convenient? Probably not. But it was the right thing to do. In Old Testament times, because he feared losing his kingdom (and his head, too), Jeroboam built altars in Dan and Bethel and told Israel it was “too much” to go back to Jerusalem to worship. He counterfeited the true worship by establishing a feast in the eighth month “like” the one God had commanded in the seventh month. He established a priesthood that resembled the one God ordained. He made worship cheap and easy and convenient, and took his nation into apostasy. See 1 Kings 12:26-33; 13:34; 14:15-16.
In our day, many are lax in assembling with the saints. For some, it seems to be too far, or “too much.” (We hasten to add that in this congregation, we have several families who travel 45 to 50 minutes each way to be in our assemblies. And we commend them for it. But in this area where congregations are few and far between, they don’t really have much choice if they want to do what is right, and encourage their fellow saints to do what is right.)
IS IT TOO FAR TO CHURCH? That depends. It depends on your love for the church. The relationship we share cost God His Son, John 3:16. It cost Jesus His life, Rom. 5:8; Acts 20:28. Should it cost us nothing? We suggest that if we value this relationship as God would have us to do, it is not too far.
IT DEPENDS ON A REALIZATION OF YOUR NEED. The rich man in Luke 12 did not realize his need for spiritual things. If it had been across the street, it would probably have been “too far” or “too early” or too something. The Ethiopian of Acts 8 did realize his need. He went 1,000 miles. Probably three times a year, as the Law of Moses required, Deut. 16:16. If you realize the value of your soul, it is not too far to church, Matt.16:26.
IT DEPENDS ON YOUR SENSE OF GRATITUDE. In Luke 17:11-18, Jesus healed ten lepers. And nine of them didn’t have time to thank Him. Or perhaps, they didn’t THINK to THANK Him. Or it was too much trouble. Or out of their way. Or otherwise inconvenient. Or, maybe they just took His kindness for granted. ??? We need to REMEMBER our temporal blessings, James 1:17; Acts 14:17; 17:25. We Christians need to remember the spiritual blessings that are ours in Christ, Eph. 1:3. If we are properly grateful to God for all these blessings, it is not too far to church or too time-consuming.
IT DEPENDS ON YOUR ZEAL FOR THE LOST. Do you care about those in our society who are on their way to hell? No matter how busy your schedule, for their sake and yours, take time to set the right example, Matt. 5:13-16. If you don’t, who will?
IT DEPENDS ON YOUR DESIRE TO WORSHIP AND REVERENCE GOD. The “wise men” traveled 1,000 miles to worship Jesus as a baby, Matt. 2:1. Wise as they were, they didn’t know one tenth of what we know about Him. He died in our place so we could live forever in heaven. It is not too far for wise men and women to come to regular assemblies of God’s people and worship Him Scripturally, faithfully and regularly.
IT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS. In Luke 12, Jesus told of a farmer that God had blessed abundantly. But his treasure was stored in his barn. And when he died, his treasure passed on to someone else, and he had nothing to show for all his opportunities. In context, Jesus advised His hearers to conduct themselves in such a manner as to lay up “treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there you heart will be also” (vs. 33-34). If life’s most important decisions are made on the basis of “how much does it cost?” and “how much time will it take?” and “is it convenient?” we may seldom do the right thing. Let us rather ask, “Will it help me go to heaven?” And then such questions as “Is it too far or too costly or too time-consuming?” can be put in their proper perspective.
We suggest that if your heart is right, it’s not too far to church.
--CRJ
After He had cast the demons out of a young Canaanite girl in the region of Tyre, “Jesus departed from there, skirted the Sea of Galilee, and went up on the mountain and sat down there. Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them those who were lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others, and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them. So the multitudes marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel” (Matt. 15:29-31).
Mark’s account indicates that these miracles took place in Decapolis. Mark chooses one particular miracle to write about, the healing of a deaf mute. It was on this occasion that the multitudes said of Jesus, “He has done all things well” (Mark 7:37).
Scholars tell us that Decapolis was a loose federation of ten free Greek cities. William Barclay suggests that because of this fact, there were likely many Gentiles present to witness the miracles here -- perhaps more Gentiles than Jews. This would help explain why Matthew says “the multitudes marveled... and glorified the God of Israel.”
Perhaps as we reflect upon these miracles, it would be well to remind ourselves of the major purpose of the miracles that Jesus and His apostles worked in the early days of Christianity.
Let us not forget that God was intervening in human history. God had sent His Spirit upon numerous prophets in days of old -- such men as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Jonah, and others. But there had not been a prophet in Israel for about 400 years. For 400 years, God had been silent, except as He spoke to Israel through the inspired writings of Moses and the prophets. When Jesus and His companions spoke of the things God had made known through the prophets of old, they simply quoted them and reminded their audiences of those writings. But Jesus and His apostles also had new revelations to make known to the people -- messages not previously written. How could they establish that these new revelations were really from God? The answer: the miracles, signs and wonders God gave to confirm the Divine revelations He was giving them.
Mark says, “They went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs” (Mark 16:20). The Hebrew writer says this message of salvation “At first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit” (Heb. 2:3-4). Nicodemus knew Jesus came from God, “For no one can do these signs... unless God is with him” (John 3:2). The miracles were the proof of the Divine source of their new message.
--CRJ
Teenagers, finally some help on how to get along with parents. Obviously, the key is understanding, and hopefully, a little peace at home. Here are the six tips:
1. Do not be afraid to speak their language. Try to use strange sounding phrases like, “I’ll help you with the dishes,” and “Yes.”
2. Try to understand their music. Play a tape or a CD of one of their favorite tunes until you are accustomed to the sound.
3. Be patient with the underachiever. When you catch your dieting dad sneaking salted peanuts, do not show your disapproval. Tell him you like fat dads.
4. Encourage your parents to talk about their problems. Try to keep in mind that to them things like earning a living and paying off the mortgage seem important.
5. Be tolerant of their appearance. When your dad gets a hair cut, do not feel personally humiliated. Remember, it is important to him to look like his peers.
6. Most of all: If they do something wrong, let them know it is their behavior you dislike, not themselves. Remember, parents need to feel they are loved.
--Anonymous