The Bible has no value as a charm or relic. Its presence in the room, though not opened nor read, will not bless anyone.  God’s Word elevates man’s moral code, while atheism has never changed a person from immoral to moral. 

Why is the Bible valuable? It tells us about God (Gen.1:1), and our origin (Gen.2:7). God’s Word tells us of our obligations (Ecc.12:13) and our destiny (Ecc.12:7). Faith is created (Jn.20:30-31). The heart is pricked and cut (Heb.4:12; Acts 2:37); thus, it affects the conscience and makes people restless in their sins (Acts 2:37).  Furnishes unto every good work (II Tim.3:16-17). It helps us in times of: want (Mt.6:25-31); in plenty (I Tim.6:9-10; 17-19); in sorrow (Jn.14:1-4); and in times of death (Psa.23).  It tells us how to live and die (Phil.1:21).

            “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). Our goal is to always be like Jesus (Phil. 2:5). The scriptures reveal, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him” (Acts 10:38). Most folks want to do good and help others. Every congregation has a benevolent program of some sort. Most of the time it is a food pantry and members bring items and keep it stocked for the needy and downtrodden. Food pantries aren’t used as much today as in the past. Let me illustrate:

            The preacher receives a phone call at the office or someone knocks on the church door and the person is requesting help. How can we help? Generally it is money the person is wanting. Gas money, rent money, money for utilities. When you refuse to give them money (Not because you don’t want to help but most times your resources are limited) and offer them food they decline. Food stamps have replaced the church pantry in many cases.

            Our elders have a policy, always offer and give food to anyone. We have the words of Paul to do good to all. The Old Testament taught benevolence. In Israel they were commanded, “And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God” (Lev. 18:9-10). Solomon wrote, “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again” (Prov. 19:17). That’s impressive. When you help someone you are lending to the Lord. David addressed this in the Psalms when he penned, “Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble” (Ps. 41:1). So there is no doubt about our responsibility to help the poor.

            That responsibility becomes even greater when it comes to our brethren. Remember Paul wrote about doing good to all he and included this, “…Especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). James and John also taught on the subject. James wrote, “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit (Jam. 2:15-16)? James wrote this, “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him” (1 John 3:17)?

  One thing which can be said of our brethren is that they are a generous people in helping those in need.

                                                            Larry

In writing to the Romans, Paul pens, “I am debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians; both to the wise and to the unwise” (Rom.1:14) Paul was in debt, in that, he owed a monstrous obligation, even as we do today. 

We are indebted to God, since He made the world (Gen.1:1) and created man (Gen.1:27; 2:7).  God blesses us (Jam.1:17).  Man is to pay this debt by glorifying God (Ecc.12:13; Mt.5:16).  We are in debt to Christ for His sacrifice for us (I Pet.2:24) as well as left us an example by which to live (I Pet.2:21). 

We should attempt to repay this by following Him and by preaching to others (Mt.16:24; Rom.1:14-16).  Each of us is indebted to our parents, who cared for us and made sacrifices for us. 

We must reflect honor upon them in our lives (II Tim.1:5), and, if we are blessed enough to have a Christian parent or parents who have taken a special interest in our Christian lives.  We are indebted to them to teach our children about God and Christ as each of them have done for us.  

          Have you noticed that almost every restaurant in which you eat wants you to take a survey? They will put your name in to win some money or give you a free sandwich etc. Why do they do that? They want to know how they are doing. What if the congregation gave out a survey to all our visitors? What questions would you put on it?

1. Were the people friendly?

2. Did anyone speak to you in the parking lot as you arrived?

3. Was there anyone at the door to greet you when you entered the building?

4. After you were seated did anyone stop to introduce themselves to you?

5. Did anyone introduce themselves to you as the preacher or one of the Elders?

6. Was the temperature of the building comfortable?

7. Were you motivated to singing because those around you were singing?

8. If you have never attended the services of the church of Christ did anyone explain what was going on?

9. Was the service uplifting? When it was over did you have a desire to return?

10. Did you get a sense the Bible was important?

11. Did you get a sense that there was a passion for Christ among those who were present?

          Many of us have attended the services of the church for many years. Do we ever consider how our services are seen through the eyes of a visitor? Do we take the attitude that we are here, we have a nice building, we believe the Bible therefore you should be as interested as we are? Does the passage in the Bible, “Let your light so shine before men…” (Mt. 5:16) have any relevance?

I would put in the survey – don’t you think our preacher is great? Maybe not!

                                                         Larry

We do not need to be eloquent in speaking.  Moses was a man “slow of speech and of a slow tongue” (Ex.4:10). The apostle Paul “came not with excellency of speech” (I Cor.2:1).  Each of these is greatly responsible for books of the Bible being written as well as being key leaders of God’s people.  Education is not needed to be of value in the Lord’s work. 

The apostles Peter and John were unlearned and ignorant men since they were fishermen (Acts 4:13).  Education often times may cause more harm than good in the church as some may strive to put themselves upon a pedestal above others.  Riches are not required for service in the Lord’s church to be useful. Jesus himself was poor (II Cor.8:9), and the poor widow is mentioned as being useful (Mk.12:41-44).  The common people are the ones that keep the church moving onward. 

Years of instruction and experience are not needed to be of value in the church.  Immediately after Paul was baptized, he began to preach and go on his missionary journeys (Acts 9:19-20).  Are we being of service with what we do have now?

“Take it easy” is a common saying that is repeated often today.  Many people say it thoughtlessly.  These three words reflect the attitude of today’s world. For some people it is the only principle by which they live. 

Jesus told of a man whose greatest ambition was comfort and ease (Lk.12:19). When looking at the past, we may begin to notice that people were harder workers and more rugged, while today the average person lives a life of ease and comfort. 

This mind set has affected all realms of life.  Politics, households, and even religion are affected greatly.  Churches are in a race to see which church can make religion easiest instead of the safest. Standards are lowered with the hope of drawing crowds. 

Christianity is not a life of ease, however (Mt.16:24; II Tim.3:12; Rom.12:1, 2; Eph.6:11-12).  Life as a Christian is a life of work and endurance.  When looking at the lives of Christ and the apostles, as well as the early Christians, we notice that it was not a life of ease, but a life of work.  Are we taking it easy today when we can work for the church?

            Liberalism doesn’t come in and make an announcement, “I am here! Embrace me!”  It doesn’t enter the congregation, place membership and announce, “I am here to change things.” NO! NO! Liberalism creeps in usually unnoticed until the damage is done. “And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage” (Gal. 2:4). Many congregations have been led away because of an idea, an action, and a new way to do things. While we must avoid failing to recognize that societies and cultures change and that there are new ways to do things we must also remember the word of God is specific on what we are to do.  Here are some things we need to remember about liberalism.

            One is that sometime it is an effort to solve a problem. The singing is not very good so let’s use a praise team. We’ll give some of our good singer’s microphones and that will enhance our singing. What you really have then is a praise team (made up of men and women) leading the singing. Women are not to lead the singing. The Bible teaches us all are to sing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). There may other problems in the congregation and we begin to bring in or use methods that are not authorized by scripture. Keep in mind that some congregations have a praise team or special music to be like their denominational friends.

            Second there is an effort to be like denominations so that we may draw more people.  Hand clapping, special music and other activities are generated because some brethren feel like we are losing ground to the denominations. Why are churches of Christ having special Christmas services? To be like others? We don’t want to be different from our friends and family. They have a nativity scene at their church building and we don’t want them to think we don’t love Jesus. Our children love to participate in plays so we decide it won’t harm anything if we have a Christmas play besides it teaches the boys and girls about the birth of Christ. The next thing we do is have an Easter Sunrise Service.

            Third is that folks just want to do things their way and disregard the Holy Scriptures. These folks haven’t been grounded in the faith. It reminds you of the words of the Apostle Paul when he wrote, “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Rom. 10:3). Remember in the days of the Judges, “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).

            How do you keep liberalism from creeping in? Elders must always be on guard (Acts 20:28). The congregation must be taught and ground in the most holy faith. Never assume the congregation always knows these things. Because the preacher preached on it three years ago doesn’t mean they know. Ground the congregation in the principles of New Testament Christianity.

                                                                        Larry

The best way to live life is to live as a Christian.  A Christian is a person who has obeyed the Gospel of Christ having been baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 22:16).  A Christian is one who walks in newness of life (Rom.6:3-4).

Christians are to have a new speech (Col.4:6).  One is to have a new attitude toward neighbors and enemies (Mt.22:39; 5:44). As “Christian” suggests it is a name and life that revolve around Christ.  Each of us must strive to have Him as the focus of our lives (I Cor. 11:1). 

When one has become a Christian then one has the responsibility to grow spiritually (I Pet.2:2). We are to grow in numerous ways: knowledge (II Pet.1:5); good works (Gal.6:10); grow in giving (II Cor.8:7); grow in soul-winning (Jn.1:40-42).

At the end of life, if we have lived life as a Christian, then God has promised us eternal life (I Jn.5:13). 

        We all like to be victorious. It takes a certain quality to be victorious. The reason we have The Gospel Broadcasting Network, The Memphis School of Preaching and the tremendously successful House to House Publication and many other such works is because men desire to be victorious in the work of the Lord. 

        There is a great example of victory in Genesis 29:15-30. This was the occasion when Jacob had worked seven years for Rachel and then the morning after his wedding he ended up with Leah. John Maxwell in his The Maxwell Leadership Bible (This is the NKJV with his leadership notes) has the following, “Leaders find a way for their team to win, states the Law of Victory. That means good leaders are whatever-it-takes people. They are the ‘go to’ guys and gals who always find a way to achieve their goals. Such description certainly fits Jacob, the stubborn young man who fell in love with Rachel.

        After requiring Jacob to work seven years for his younger daughter’s hand in marriage, Laban substituted his older daughter, Leah—and Jacob didn’t discover the deception until the morning after his wedding night. Some men would have battled Laban. Others might have simply walked away. Jacob fumed, but he didn’t give up. He loved Rachel so deeply that he did what he had to do; he worked another seven years to get her. Jacob practiced the Law of Victory as a leader who did whatever it took to reach his goal.” If preachers and elders would practice The Law of Victory we would accomplish so much more.

        When things don’t go well many want to give up. Preachers have a bad experience and decide to quit. Someone complains to an elder about some decision made regarding a matter of judgment and the entire work of the Lord in the congregation stops for fear of criticism.

        The ant practices the Law of Victory and perhaps that is why Solomon said, “Go to the ant thou sluggard, consider her ways, and be wise” (Prov. 6:6).

                                                Larry

Returning good for evil is one of the most difficult things in the Christian life.  The human is “eye for an eye” (Mt.5:38), or “Love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy” (Mt.5:43), or maybe even “Salute your brethren only” (Mt.5:47). 

The Christian is to practice returning good for evil (Rom.12:17, 20-21; I Pet.3:9).  Christ prayed and died for his enemies (Lk.23:34; Jn.15:13).  Stephen prayed for his murderers (Acts 7:60). 

The Christian believes in letting the Lord take vengeance (Rom.12:19). 

The Christian believes in doing good unto all men, even his enemies (Gal.6:10). If this were followed by all men, there would be no murderers, no spite work, no discord — nothing but good will.  This is the best life to live. 

Christ’s way brings peace and happiness, but he who lives contrary has bitterness and misery.