Abraham Lincoln and a young friend were out one night when a shower of meteors fell from the clear November sky. The friend was frightened but Lincoln told him to look up in the sky past the shooting stars to the fixed stars beyond shining serene in the firmament and said, "Let us not mind the meteors but let us keep our eyes on the stars." Sometimes it seems our world is falling to pieces around us. If we look at the wars, famine, immorality, drugs, crime that seem to be taking over the world, it's frightening. But we can look past these to Jesus Christ the one who is the same yesterday, today and forever. Let us keep our eyes on the Son.

A MESSAGE OF INACTIVE CHURCH MEMBERS

We've been missing you in church recently. It's been several weeks since we've seen any of you at Sunday School or worship services. Before you drop out completely from church life, consider several things about your inactivity.

1. Consider the Lord's will. Does He want you inactive?
2. Consider your children. It doesn't take many years of inactivity on you part to guarantee that they will grow up without knowing Christ. Do you want this?
3. Consider your life. Have you noticed the un-Christian actions and thoughts increasing in your life? Do you remember when you committed your life to Christ?
4. Consider your world and talk a lot about the bad shape it is in. As an inactive church member, are you helping or hurting?

It's true that church attendance is not all there is to being a Christian, but it certainly is vital. Without it, the rest of life suffers. Don't remain inactive. Great joy awaits you when you return to active service and participation in the church.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Jan. 23, 1994, p. 2-3]

LEARN A LITTLE EVERY DAY
Little rills make wider streamlets,
Streamlets swell the river's flow.
Rivers join the mountain billows,
Onward, onward, as they go.
Life is made of smallest fragments
Shade and sunshine, work and play;
So may we with greatest profit,
Learn a little every day.
Tiny seeds made plenteous harvests,
Drops or rain compose the showers;
Seconds made the flying minutes,
And the minutes made the hours.
Let us hasten then to catch them,
As they pass us on our way,
And with honest, true endeavor,
Learn a little every day.
Let us while we read or study,
Cull a flower from every page.
Here a line and there a sentence,
'Gains't the lonely time of age.
At our work or by the wayside,
While we ponder, while we play.
Let us then, by constant effort,
Learn a little every day.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Jan. 23, 1994, p. 3]

NEUTRALITY

One of the most debilitating problems that perennially wars against the church, that seeks to keep the church from her mission to be the pillar and ground of truth, is the sin of being neutral.

Pilate has gone down in the annals of divine history as one who refused to stand against a clamoring mob and rescue the Christ. He thought himself excused from his spineless deed by symbolically washing his hands in front of his constituents (Matt. 27:24). This same man asked our Lord the question "What is truth" (John 18:38). It seems Pilate's intellectual disposition led him to doubt even the unrighteousness of murdering an innocent man. Though Pilate continues to live in infamy by his actions that are recorded in the New Testament, many Christians also carry this disposition with them.

Many Christians sit idly by as false teaching rages through the church. The non-committal, "wait and see" attitude reminds us of Israel's response in days of Elijah when he confronted the wicked Ahab. While Elijah was at the forefront of the battle, the scripture records that the "people said nothing" (I Kings 18:21). The lukewarmness of the Laodicean church sickened God then and the same indifference to truth and right sickens God now.

Too many times Christians will not teach the gospel to their neighbors for fear of being branded a "fanatic". Some Christians will not even stand up for what is right among their own family members!

If there was ever a time for the church to become militant for righteousness, the time is now. This libertine society in which we live has influenced the church in an unprecedented way. The spirit of compromise disguised ingeniously as the spirit of love pervades so many that call themselves Christians that almost anything goes. God wills his people to be at war with those that assail his truth (I Tim. 6:12). God directs the church to reprove works of darkness (Eph. 5:11). The apostle Paul warned every Christian to "Put on the whole armour of God." (Eph. 6:11).

The time has come for every member of the church to honor the Bible and its truth. The Bible is clear on the issue of marriage-divorce-remarriage, withdrawal of fellowship, mechanical instruments of music, marking heretics, assembling, giving, etc.

Let us not be neutral but make a stand for truth and right!
[by Holger Neubauer from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Jan. 16, 1994, p. 2]

JUST SUPPOSE

Just suppose the Lord should begin tomorrow to make people as sick as they say they are on Sunday?
Just suppose the Lord should take away the children whom the parents use as an excuse for staying away from church?
Just suppose the Lord should make some people as poor as they say they are when asked to finance His program?
Just suppose the Lord should have every covetous man stoned as He did Achan?
Just suppose the Lord should strike dead all who lied about their giving, as He did Ananias and Sapphira?
Just suppose the Lord should let some parents look into the future and see where their example and lack of control led their children?
Just suppose that all Christians really live consistently and prove by their lives that they really love the Lord?
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Jan. 16, 1994, p. 2]

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

In 1923, a group of the world's most successful financiers met at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago. Present were:

The president of the largest independent steel company. The president of the largest utility company. The greatest wheat speculator. The president of the New York Stock Exchange. A member of the President's cabinet. The greatest "bear" in Wall Street. The president of the Bank of International Settlements. The head of the world's greatest monopoly.

Collectively, these tycoons controlled more wealth than there was in the United States Treasury, and for years newspapers and magazines had been printing their success stories and urging the youth of the nation to follow their examples. Twenty-five years later, let's see what happened to these men.

The president of the largest independent steel company - Charles Schwab - lived on borrowed money the last five years of his life, and died broke. The greatest wheat speculator - Arthur Cutton - Died abroad, insolvent. The president of the New York Stock Exchange - Richard Whitney - was recently released from Sing Sing. The member of the President's Cabinet - Albert Fall - was pardoned from prison so he could die at home. The greatest "bear" in Wall Street - Jesse Livermore - committed suicide. The president of the Bank of International Settlement - Leon Fraser - committed suicide. The head of the world's greatest monopoly - Ivar Kreuger - committed suicide.

All of these men had learned how to make money, but not one of them learned how to live.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Jan. 9, 1994, p. 2]

JOY AND PEACE

We're accustomed to seeing the terms "Joy" and "Peace" together. One follows the other in Paul's list of the fruit of the Spirit.

These conditions of mind and heart are also familiar associates during the Christmas season. They're so closely related that one can't exist without the other. Both terms suggest a security independent of circumstances, and a confidence based on trust in the love and power of God.

This season, as always, we're wishing "Joy to the world" and "Peace among men." What will determine whether these wishes come true?

Certainly, it can't depend on external conditions. There are those we know who are facing severe economic pressures. Some are out of work, and others feel definitely threatened.

Under these unstable conditions, is the spirit of joy and peace still possible? Is it even realistic?

That depends on the basis of our security. If our confidence is in a God who is loving and at the controls of the universe, we have as much reason for joy and peace in times of adversity as we did in the most prosperous of times.

Christmas is a reminder that "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son." Paul reasons that if God gave His precious Son for us, He will certainly provide all else we need.

He has promised to meet our every need "according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." For those who live by this faith, this season's wishes of "Joy and peace" will be fulfilled.
[by Ruel D. Catlett from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Dec. 26, 1993, p. 2-3]

It's not hard to get acquaintances. Just buy a few rounds in the pub and you will have acquaintances by the score. There will be good conversation and you will be welcomed whenever you are there as long as you provide the magic round of drinks. That is easy in the neighbourhood sense as well. Have the best barbecues in the block or the best parties and everyone will be your acquaintance for a time. They won't really be friends, they will only be acquaintances. The book of Proverbs says there are friends who pretend to be friends but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. God understands the transience of human relationship and that often we are only in them for what we can get out of them. That the reality of friendship is precious and hard won. But when you do find genuine friendship, it is deeper than you can ever imagine. It is a reflection of God's friendship to you, hard won and close. But one where you have to respond and stick just as close to him as he is to you.
[Radio Rhema]

Truth is knowledge but knowledge is not always truth. Some people have all the answers and all the answers are wrong. Isn't our problem that although we have made the most amazing discoveries and have amassed knowledge beyond our wildest dreams, now we really don't know what to do with it. We can know too much and believe too little. Moody once said, "The Christian sees more on his knees than the philosopher sees on his tip toes."

OUR RICHES IN CHRIST
In Christ we have:
A love that can never be fathomed
A life that can never die
A peace that can never be understood
A rest that can never be disturbed
A joy that can never be diminished
A hope that can never be disappointed
A glory that can never be clouded
A happiness that can never be interrupted
A light that can never be extinguished
A strength that can never be overcome
A beauty that can never be marred
A purity that can never be defiled
Resources that can never be exhausted.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Apr. 10, 1994, p. 3]

THE APPLE WITH THE WORM

You have seen many times an apple with a wormhole in it. But did you know whether the worm began to bore the hole in the apple from the inside or from the outside? Scientists will agree with the common observer who declares that the worm began on the inside. As a matter of fact they tell us the egg was laid in the heart of the apple, whence he bored his way out.

And that is precisely the way the worm of sin starts to work in the human life. He begins in the heart and bores his way out. We know it is true that out of the heart are the issues of life. We must not ever forget that the heart must be sound or the life will be mutilated.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Apr. 10, 1994, p. 3]

A CHRISTIAN IS...
A mind through which Christ thinks
A heart through which Christ loves
A hand through which Christ helps
A mouth through which Christ speaks.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Mar. 27, 1994, p. 3]

THAT IS YOUR INTERPRETATION

Make no mistake about it, there are two areas of life where people insist on their privacy - religion and money. When discussing the faith of the scriptures, more often than not, people will seek to terminate the discussion by saying, "That's your interpretation."

I always know that they mean. "You have your interpretation, and I have mine" is but a protest meaning "your interpretation might be valid for you but it is not valid for me." In other words, "I have just as much right to believe what I want to believe as do you."

Merely to protest against teaching by saying "that's your interpretation" is to overlook one fundamental fact - there are such things as correct and incorrect interpretations. If your interpretation is a correct one, then I need to make it my interpretation too. You see, truth is not private property - it is a public commodity. It might be my boat or my house or my car, but the truth belongs to all. It is "worthy of all acceptation." (I Tim. 1:15).

If my interpretation is an incorrect one, I must change it. If it is correct, I must persuade others of its absolute validity.
[by Nich Hamilton from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Mar. 10, 1994, p. 2-3]

REASONS NOT TO OBEY THE GOSPEL

All of us know from God's Word that we are saved by God's rich and wonderful grace (Eph. 2:8-9), and that our part in the process is to obey the Gospel so that God's grace may be ours. Any doubts about this can be dispelled by studying Heb. 5:8-9; Mark 16:16; and II Thes. 1:7-9. We desperately need the blood of Christ applied to our sin stained souls. That happens when we are baptized into His death, to be raised to walk in newness of life. It will help to study Rom. 6:1-6, 16-18; I Cor. 15:1-4; Gal. 3:26-29; and John 14:6 to see that this is all true.

But, of course, folks do not always obey the Gospel when they have the opportunity. It may be that they have their own reasons for this course of action. Let's think of what some of those reasons might be.

1. A person may not believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the Living God. He might not believe that the Bible is true. If this is the case then the only hope is that they will study God's Word until they believe (Rom. 10:17).

2. Some might believe, but not obey because they don't feel the time is right. The idea here is that "I'll do it later." The problem with this is that we are not promised that we will live long enough to have a "later." The devil loves this "reason" because he knows that human hearts grow harder and harder as time goes along.

3. As hard as it is to believe, I am convinced that some don't obey because they don't want to be inconvenienced. To them it would be an "OK" thing to do, when and if they ever get around to it. Such an attitude belies a shallowness of thought that is in itself a dangerous personality flaw.

4. Some don't obey because they have seen, as they say, "hypocrites in the church." Well, it is likely that we have some, but so what? When the judgment comes, it won't be a matter of what somebody else has done, it will be what have you done? I have to deal with the fact that Jesus died for me, first and foremost!

There are other reasons and excuses that may be given. But it is all a sad exercise in spiritual futility. God loves you (John 3:16), and wants you to be saved (I Tim. 2:4). We all ought to want the same thing! Right? Right!
[by Bill Irby from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Mar. 10, 1994, p. 2]

HOW DO WE KNOW WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD
When we love things we once hated.
When we hate things we once loved.
When we find joy in Christian fellowship.
When we hunger and thirst after righteousness.
When we pray, "Not as I will, but as thou wilt."
When we give ourselves to the noble working of making peace.
When we have obeyed, "from the heart that form of teaching".
When we are more interested in serving than being served.
When we fit our lives into God's great plan as water fits into a vessel.
[from Otumoetai bulletin, vol. 9, no. 22, 12 June 1994, p. 1]

IN GOD'S SON-LIGHT
May your face be turned to God's Son-light,
May you develop and grow in Him;
May He be your peace and your portion
As His praises each day you sing.
May the joy of His life within you
Bubble up like a mountain spring
And overflow with the love and peace
That the fruit of His Spirit will bring.
[by Sylvia Fraser from Otumoetai bulletin, vol. 9, no. 22, 12 June 1994, p. 1]

FATHER'S DAY REFLECTIONS

Father's day is here. I wish I could tell my father face to face how much he means to me, but that day is long past. For those of you who can still express your appreciation, let me urge you to do it while you still have the opportunity.

I was reminded of the importance of doing this as I noticed the following from Quote: A Child's image of His Father

4 years: My Daddy can do anything!
7 years: My Dad knows a lot...a whole lot.
8 years: My Father does not know quite everything.
12 years: Oh well, naturally Father does not know that either.
14 years: Oh, Father? He's hopelessly old fashioned.
21 years: Oh, that man - he's out of date!
25 years: He knows a little bit about it!
35 years: Before we decide, we'll get Dad's idea first.
50 years: What would Dad have thought about that?
60 years: My Dad knew literally everything!
65 years: I wish I could talk it over with Dad once more.

It may be too late for some of us to talk it over with Dad, but it's not too late to be the kind of father we ought to be. In 1992 Ken Canfield wrote a book, The Seven Secrets of Effective Fathers. His list stresses: (1) Commitment, (2) Knowing your child, (3) Consistency, (4) Protecting and providing, (5) Loving their mother, (6) Active listening, and (7) Spiritual equipping.

Be all that you can be as a father! Precious young lives are at stake.
[by John Gipson from Syamore Chapel bulletin, June 19, 1994, p. 2]

PASSION FOR TRUTH

The Apostle Paul had a passion for the truth in his life that ought to inspire every one of us. By using the expression "passion for truth" I mean to emphasize Paul's devotion to spreading the Gospel of Christ, his commitment to the cause even in the face of persecution, and his love for lost people that drove him to do everything within his power to lead lost souls to Jesus Christ. Where did he get that passion? Can we have that passion for truth today?

We can have Paul's passion for truth if we will adopt his attitude about our own salvation. Listen to him...(I Cor. 15:10). He spoke of his thankfulness to Christ for his salvation in I Tim. 1:12-15. Paul knew that all that he was came out of God's grace. He was so very thankful that God had saved him!

Now, let's apply this to you and me. Do we take for granted our own gift of salvation? Think back to when you were baptized. Wasn't that a wonderful day? Remember those emotions and use them to motivate you to Christian service today! Maybe if we would reflect seriously on our own salvation we would be more enthusiastic about spreading the Good News! We have a gospel meeting coming up. The only saving message (Rom. 1:16) on Earth will be preached that week right here! Let's be motivated to invite folds to come hear the Gospel preached by appreciation of our own salvation! Paul's passion led him to be beat up and left for dead. What does our passion for truth lead us to do?
[by Bill Irby from Syamore Chapel bulletin, June 19, 1994, p. 2-3]

A FATHER'S PRAYER

Give me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid - one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.

Give me a son whose wishes will not take the place of deed; a son who will know thee - and that to know himself is the foundation stone of true knowledge.

Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and strains of difficulties and challenges, let him learn to stand up in the storm. Let him also learn compassion for those who fail.

Give me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high - a son who will master himself before he seeks to master others - one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.

And after all these things, add enough of a sense of humour so he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility so he may always remember the simplicity of true wisdom and the meekness of true strength.
[by Douglas MacArthur from Syamore Chapel bulletin, June 19, 1994, p. 3]

TIME
The clock of life is wound but once,
And no man has the power
To tell just where the hands will stop
At late or early hour.
To lose one's wealth is sad indeed;
To lose one's health is more;
To lose one's soul is such a loss,
As no man can restore.
[from Syamore Chapel bulletin, June 12, 1994, p. 2]

Counting time isn't half as important as making time count.
[from Syamore Chapel bulletin, June 12, 1994, p. 2]

TAKE TIME
Take time to think...It is the source of power.
Take time to play...It is the secret of perpetual youth.
Take time to read...It is the fountain of wisdom.
Take time to pray...It is the greatest power on earth.
Take time to love and be loved...It is a God-given privilege.
Take time to be friendly...It is the road to happiness.
Take time to give...It is too short a day to be selfish.
Take time to work...It is the price of success.
Take time to save...It is the foundation of your future.
[from Syamore Chapel bulletin, June 12, 1994, p. 3]

IF GOD SHOULD GO ON STRIKE
How good it is that God above has never gone on strike,
Because He was not treated fair in things He didn't like.
If only once, He'd given up and said, "That's it, I'm through!
I've had enough of those on Earth, so this is what I'll do:
I'll give my order to the sun - cut off the heat supply!
And to the moon - give no more light, and run the oceans dry.
Then just to make things really tough and put the pressure on,
Turn off the vital oxygen till every breath is gone!"
You know He would be justified, if fairness was the game,
For no one has been more abused or met with more disdain
Than God, and yet he carries on, supplying you and me
With all the favors of His grace, and everything for free.
Men say they want a better deal, and so on strike they go,
But what a deal we've given God to whom all things we owe.
We don't care whom we hurt to gain the things we like;
But what a mess we'd all be in, if God should go on strike.
[by Walt Huntley from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, June 12, 1994, p. 2]

FISHING WITHOUT A BARB

In some of our trout streams out West, fishermen fish without a barbed hook. They fish for enjoyment and release the fish painlessly. In fact, in some places a barbed hook is required. This means the fishermen must rely more on his skill than on the barb. He must be patient and keep the slack out of the line.

Jesus called fishermen to be his Apostles. He said to Peter, "I will make you fishers of men." It occurred to me that Jesus did not use a barb either. Jesus relied more on his message of love and forgiveness. He was patient and caring. He fed and healed some to show his compassion. He paid the ultimate price on the cross to bring us to the Father. Yet men could walk away. Judas did; Peter did for a while.

Wouldn't this be a good approach to marriage. Even though it is for life, "till death do us part." Yet we should keep the marriage, not with a barb, not with a mere piece of paper called a contract, but with the skills of caring, kindness and loving. Too many, I'm afraid, depend on a barb. "You are hooked, and I will not let you loose." Marriages that depend on a barb usually end up breaking the line. Those who rely on a one-time ceremony, ring, vow and a kiss are destined for disappointment and heartbreak. You are relying on a barb when you cease to care about what you say, how you look, how your mate feels about this or that. Jesus said, "Love one another as I have loved you. (John 13:34)

Parenting, even though it calls for a tight line with a little slack, has no need for a barb. Yes, there must be discipline, but we must win their love, their confidence, their respect. Or they too will break the line. (Eph. 6:4).

Satan uses a barb. His intention is to kill and eat. If you have been on his line and get loose, you will leave some of your own flesh, and most never get away. Those who do carry scars for life.
[by Bob Plunket from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, June 5, 1994, p. 2-3]

Satan hinders prayer, but prayer also hinders satan.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, June 5, 1994, p. 3]

OUR GREATEST DANGER

Most of us have grown up hearing that an idle mind is the Devil's workshop. It is. But a busy mind can also serve Satan. Too many of us have our days crammed so full of appointments, obligations, and various responsibilities that little, if any, time is left for prayer and meditation. Satan then has us where he wants us - too busy for God.

Jesus warned that the daily concerns of living can crowd out God's word to the extent that our lives prove fruitless (Mark 4:18-19). This is perhaps the greatest danger of our age!

But how can we put into practice Jesus' principle that if we seek the kingdom first, all other things will fall into place (Matt. 6:33)?

Let's compare our lives to a car trunk. If the largest pieces of luggage are put in first, then an amazingly large number of smaller things can fit in around the edges. But if the small things go in first....

Mature Christians have discovered that priority must be given to things that really matter. What some call "quiet time" is a regularly scheduled appointment with God: a certain definite time and place each day where our weary faith is renewed and our sagging commitment is strengthened once again. If we can schedule time for eating and sleeping, surely we can see to it that prayer and Bible study have their daily place in our busy lives.

Something has got to give. Either we put first things first, or we put first things second - or third, or fourth. Let's not let Satan fool us into thinking we are doing OK as long as we are keeping busy.
[by David Gibson from Sycamore Chapel Bulletin, May 29, 1994, p. 2]

THE PEOPLE BUSINESS

1. Speak to people! There is nothing as nice as a cheerful word of greeting.

2. Smile at people! Smiling is the international language. It takes 72 muscles to frown; but only 14 to smile. And it pays dividends!

3. Call people by name! The sweetest music to anyone's ears is the sound of their own name! "Greet friends by name" (III John 14).

4. Be friendly and helpful! The best way to have a friend is to be a friend. Jesus was called a "friend of sinners" (Luke 7:34).

5. Don't put strings on your love! None of this "I'll love you IF." Jesus loves "because" and "in spite of."

6. Be genuinely interested in people! It's easy to treat people as if they are really worth something if you remember THEY ARE!

7. Be generous with praise! You can literally "Praise people to greatness" (works with kids, marriages and church members).

8. Be considerate of the feelings of others! The golden rule applies (Luke 6:31).

9. Be thoughtful of others' opinions! There may be three sides of controversy: 1 - yours, 2 - the other fellow's, 3 - the right side!

10. Be alert to give service! The "servants" and the givers are the ones on the way to greatness (Matt. 20:26).
[by Marvin Phillips from Sycamore Chapel Bulletin, May 29, 1994, p. 2-3]

WHY DO YOU LIVE?
I live for those who love me:
For those who know me true;
For the God who reigns above me,
And the good that I can do.
[from Sycamore Chapel Bulletin, May 22, 1994, p. 2]

THE REST OF THE STORY

Americans all know, love, listen to Paul Harvey. He holds us spellbound with his "the rest of the story." To understand this article you must read Luke 8:26-40, especially v. 40". The familiar must be read more closely. Jimmy Moffatt did this - he passed this along to me.

LEGION! Bizarre, wild, demonic Legion. A Gadarene. Jesus healed him. Mark says he was sitting, clothed, in his right mind. The story also has another bizarre twist...the demons that were in Legion were implanted into 2,000 hogs who drowned themselves in the sea. The Gadarenes, being hit in their pocket books, asked Jesus to leave. In other words, Jesus was "run out of town." We all know this story. Kids love it. Adults love it. Now - the rest of the story.

Legion was thankful, converted. He tried to sign up with Jesus. Jesus rejected him! Jesus said, "I already have my 12 apostles." He flat out turned him down, or did He? He told him to stay put...to stay home to evangelize! He simply said, "Tell men what God did before you tell men what to do." Start at home. Some want to go to mission fields to evangelize who are not even doing it at home. Start where you are with what you have. One man can make a difference. One person can save a town.

I love Legion. He didn't out over rejection. From house to house he told each about his own personal salvation by Jesus. Those who know tell those who don't! A town who "ran Jesus off" now welcomes Him back! The difference? LEGION! Legion changed their minds. His request to serve Jesus was answered.

We can still bring people to Jesus if we want to. Now you know the rest of the story.
[by Charles Hodge from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, May 15, 1994, p. 2]

CHIP IT AWAY!

Michelangelo was once asked how he had sculptured his masterpiece, David. He answered, I bought a block of granite and chipped away everything that wasn't David."

He chipped away everything that wasn't David.

Paul taught the same process in our becoming like Christ. (Eph. 4:22). This exhortation is one that is emphatically personal. It's not a mere change of opinions or of religious observances, but of life, habit, character; not altering a few things, but putting off - chipping away - that which is not Christ.

It is not until this chipping away has been done that the "rebuilding" process can begin. (Col. 3:9-10).

Just as Michelangelo, in working on his masterpiece, we must chip away from our lives that which is not Christ! Then, we can say with Paul...(Gal. 2:20).
[by Gary Grady from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, May 15, 1994, p. 2]

LORD, PLEASE DON'T EVER BE NEGATIVE

The Lord Jesus Christ is the pattern or example in all spiritual matters. There are some however who seem to give the Lord this place only in lip service when it comes to preaching. They are so "positive" the words "no", "except", and "not" are not a part evidently of their vocabulary...that is unless it be a negative word and attitude toward those who preach the Truth and expose error. This idea has critically infected some, paralyzed others, and weakened "nigh unto death" many congregations. The balanced preaching of Jesus, Paul, and Peter is traded for the "positive" friends however would probably inform Jesus that He made a large mistake with His "negative and narrow" preaching; that the church surely would not grow if He didn't stop being so "negative." CAN YOU BELIEVE THE LORD SAID:

1. Matt. 6:24
2. Matt. 6:16
3. Matt. 6:19
4. Matt. 7:1
5. Matt. 7:6
6. Matt. 7:13
7. Matt. 7:15
8. Matt. 7:21

What would be the response to such preaching today? Perhaps, "Lord, please don't ever be negative...we all know the church won't grow with that type of preaching...and please don't suggest that I turn and read again II Tim. 4:1-4!
[by Gary Colley from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Mar. 13, 1994, p. 2]

DON'T PLAY GAMES!!!!

How much would you have to spend in a video arcade before you decided your habit had become excessive? Ten dollars? Twenty? Well, how about $80,000? That's how much Lewis Smith, a 27 year old jewelry salesman from Ottumwa, Iowa lost.

In December 1987, Smith traveled to Metrocenter shopping mall to conduct business with several stores there. He decided to take a break and ducked into the Gold Mine Arcade, where he placed his brief case on the floor in order to free up both hands for the joy stick. While Smith devoted himself to gobbling up electric bits, destroying menacing centipedes, and sniping at enemy spacecraft, someone walked off with the sample case, containing $80,000 worth of merchandise. Police have no suspects.

Imagine that: a man lost a fortune in jewels because his attention was distracted by playing games.

The risen Lord Jesus, in Rev. 3:11, admonishes His valiant church in Philadelphia, ... Christians need to understand that the gospel is a treasure worth more than all the world. It should be guarded with a vengeance and shared with a passion, but never ignored.

Sadly, many of us become distracted with the world and its games, and carelessly toss our prize to the floor at our feet. Making money, gossiping with neighbors, watching television, and pursuing hobbies make us an easy prey for the sneak-thief, Satan. Even in the church, we often focus on committees and charts, programs and parties, and forget that our purpose is to share Christ with a dying world.

What a tragedy if, when the trumpet sounds, some distracted Christian should turn from his worldly games, reach for the crown he laid at his feet just a few moments ago, and find instead only emptiness and the haunting laugh of the Enemy.
[by Douglas F. Parsons from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Mar. 13, 1994, p. 2-3]

MAKE UP YOUR MIND AHEAD OF TIME
(Josh. 24:15)
Do you want to save a lot of time and hassle? The best way is to make decisions now in anticipation of the future.

Jesus warned his followers that persecution would come, and with the trial would be opportunities to witness (Luke 21:12-19). Then He told them...(Luke 21:14).

Jesus knows the value of making prior commitments. By forethought we can decide beforehand how we will deal with them. Here are some examples:

Assembling with the church. When I was growing up I didn't feel I was "made to go to church." It was a simple fact; the decision was made in advance. We would assemble Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. Why make the decision each time? If worship and fellowship are important, then make the decision beforehand.

Supporting the Lord's work monetarily. The Bible teaches purposing, planning ahead how much will be given. "First-fruits" giving is a demonstration of faith in and a love for the Lord. Why decide each time? Plan ahead so the Lord won't get left-overs.

Living daily for Jesus. The devil works overtime. But by deciding beforehand what companions you will have and not have, where you will go and not go, what you will do and no do, what speech you will use and not use, you can save time and emotional energy. Jesus will be glorified as you let your light shine.

Discipline for spiritual growth. Making a prior commitment to a daily devotional time of Bible study, prayer and meditation will make growth much easier. Spiritual goal-setting works.
[by Bob Mize from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Mar. 6, 1994, p. 2-3]

ROY'S RULES

Below are the membership rules of the Roy Rogers Riders Club, founded in the 1940's. How different America would suddenly become if our children were taught the same rules in the 1990's!

1. Be neat and clean
2. Be courteous and polite
3. Always obey your parents
4. Protect the weak and help them
5. Be brave but never take chances
6. Study hard and learn all you can
7. Be kind to the animals and care for them
8. Eat all your food and never waste any
9. Love God and go to Sunday School regularly
10. Always respect our flag and our country.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, Feb. 6, 1994, p. 3]

JIM CROWELL'S VISION
(Mark 9:38-40)

This last week I was in the grocery store and there was a little boy, a very small boy. He was running around the aisles with a wild look on his face and with tears beginning to run down his cheeks. He was on that thin edge just before panic. I could see it in his eyes. I was quite certain that this little boy was not with the one he was supposed to be with, and a kindly gentleman walked up to him and made the statement adults often make in this type situation. He said to the little boy, "Young man, is your mother lost?" Well, the little boy looked at him with a puzzled look and he said, "No, I am lost."

Well, he cut right to the heart of the matter quickly. That is typical sometimes of experienced youngsters that they move right to the heart of the matter and are absolutely honest. This little boy said that it's not the mother who is lost, "I am lost", and I am not at all sure that the reason why we sometimes, as religious people, fail to grow to the extent that we should and fail to take into our own consciousness the things of God that would help our own lives to be ordered in the way that they should be is because we have a tendency to think of the world being lost as though that was a party external to ourselves...that it is only something that we talk at or talk to rather than being a part of.

When the day comes that we begin to use our religion as a personal inventory, when we begin to take our religious ideas as a kind of direct medication for our own spiritual ills, then and then alone will we begin to be in a position to convert the world. If you've studied the letters that Peter wrote, he is really saying through all of this that what matters is that we care for one another. That is the bottom line. He is talking about being tolerant of our differences and accepting the fact that we can disagree, not running away from each other because we have had a difference of opinion trying to reach some middle ground with others. He speaks about being a peacemaker, trying to mend broken hearts, sewing wounded spirits back together, trying to build bridges over troubled waters. In other words, loving our neighbors just like Jesus taught us to do.

The theme that Jesus Christ came to the world to say was the thing that hung him on a cross. That is that all men are equal before God, that there are absolutely no distinctions, that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son.

When we talk about love, sometimes we end up with maudlin sentimentality, and I have no intention of winding up there. I would like to talk about love as objectively as possible this morning and talk about it in perhaps in a perspective that Christian people really ought to see. I think this is critical.

The disciples came to Jesus one time and they said, "We have found a man that is casting out demons in your name, and we told him to stop because he was not one of us."

Now I think this story had been preserved across all these 2000 years of time for you and me because it is extremely important to God. Undoubtedly, there were a great many little episodes, such as this one, of things that happened to Jesus and the disciples and between him and the disciples that are not recorded for us in the book...stories that have not been preserved, and therefore when I look at those that have been preserved I ask myself, "Why did God in his infinite wisdom, decide to preserve this lesson for us? Why did he allow this one to be recorded in the sacred word that we might read it 2000 years later? What is it about the lesson that is so important? What does this reveal about the personality of our God? Is there something here that He would like for us to immolate? What does He want us to understand from the story? What is he trying to get us to grasp and practice in our own lives?"

The disciples said, "Here is a man that was casting out demons in your name, but he was not one of us, so we told him to stop."

We are not talking here about membership, because there is no indication that this man who was casting out demons was applying for membership in the church. There was no indication that this man was trying to be accepted by the disciples. He was not requiring of them that they put his name on their roll book, but instead he was simply going about casting out demons in the Lord's name, and they told him to stop because he was not one of them.

As a matter of fact, there was probably a little bit of jealousy here, because a little later on one of the disciples tried to cast out a demon himself, and he got in trouble, and he couldn't do it, so he had to call for Jesus to come and help him out, but this man was doing it, because that is what the disciples said. He was casting out demons. He didn't say he was trying to cast out demons, or that he was claiming to cast out demons, but that he was doing it in the name of Jesus.

Now this was very unsettling to the disciples, and you can well imagine that, because all of their lives they had been raised in the Jewish concept. This was difficult for them to grasp. They said subconsciously, "We are the chosen people of God, and if you want to be a member of our club, then you have to go through our initiation rites". And those initiation rites in their case were not those that had been revealed by God, but instead they were initiation rites that they had created, and had been established by the Jews themselves. And when Jesus came to earth he came to eliminate the concept of division. He established his own pure and simple initiation rites.

I read an article by Bill Love, a gospel preacher, and he said that there are many people who seem to desire to build walls. They have a huge desire to be erecting walls rather than tearing them down. I suppose that all of us are a little bit like that. We bought the automobile that we drive, or we wear the clothes that we wear, or a great deal of things so that we can be different from other people. We can be in some way exclusive.

One man said that we all have a pension for forbidding. We want to be sure or make sure that other people are either in line with the things we want them to be in line with, or else we want to condemn them. So we have this pension for forbidding other people.

Love's article went on to tell the story of a club he and some other boys had had when they were children. They would charge a dime as dues to be a member of their club. They set the club up in a chicken house so you can imagine the decor and the odor that surrounded them. He said that they would use the dime dues to buy a Sugar Daddy.

Some of you are old enough to know what a Sugar Daddy is. You know, that's that caramel thing on a stick, and you sink your teeth into it, you make a permanent commitment.

But he said that they had this club and that one of the things they did...in fact, the main thing they did was to sit around and talk about how the other boys couldn't get into their club, and as he grew old and got to college, we had fraternities and sororities (except that the Christian schools, we had social clubs because we didn't believe in fraternities and sororities). But these social clubs spent a lot of time talking about, "Now can this person come into our club? Does he or she have anything to offer us? Is he or she a good athlete? Is he a good debater? What does he have to offer? What is his academic standing? What is his or her social level? Can he do us any good in our club?" We have this criterion, "Can he do us any good in our club?" We have this pension to want to be exclusive. It makes us feel better. We want to be different. We want to be unique.

If we are not careful, we want to be able to look down on other people around us, and it has been characteristic of religion throughout the centuries that religious people have built a wall around ourselves instead of going out with a missionary spirit to bring people to the love of Jesus Christ to share with them the grace that has been given to them and the love of God that has been poured out with undue measure on them. We instead have taken this as our personal possession. We have insisted that if you want to share what is ours, you have to agree with our point of view and almost everything.

Now we launder all this, of course. We run it through the cleaning process by suggesting, "But this is what the Bible says." We never seem to realise that this is how we interpret what the Bible is saying, but that is sort of beside the point. This is not suggesting that anything goes. Not at all. The Bible is crucial, and that the Bible does say anything about how we are supposed to be, or what we are supposed to be like, but what it does say is this...that you and I ought to have the attitude that we want to reach out to the farthest most sinner in the world, to the individual out there that no matter where he is, like us, or different from us, we ought to have the kind of love that Jesus Christ had when he was here on earth.

You know when Jesus sprinkled his parables with parables about people who are different. Who was the man that was benevolent on the road? It was the hated Samaritan. Jesus said of the Roman Centurion, "I have not seen this kind of faith in all of Israel." That man was not accepted. He said to Nicodemus, who was of the leading class of the Jews, "You think you have the Holy Spirit, but you need to be born from above." From the cross Jesus said, "Forgive them, forgive the lost (forgive those who are crucifying him) for they know not what they do." His concept of love was universal. His view of everyone excluded no one. He did not wish for his church to be exclusive in its attitudes toward the world, and it is important for us to preach and teach love so long as we continue to pride ourselves on our exclusivity on the rightness of our position as opposed to the wrongness of everyone else's position.

Our focus should be loving people enough to accept them that we may teach them the truth more perfectly. I am not talking about changing our doctrinal beliefs. I am not suggesting that doctrinal beliefs that differ from us are always wrong or are ever right, but what I am saying is until the fundamental attitude of the church toward those with whom we disagree changes from the attitude of exclusivity to an attitude of love and cooperation with those who would promote the cause of Jesus Christ, we will continue to hinder it by the attitude that we have.

If there is an ultimate doctrine in the Bible, it is the doctrine of love. God is love. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. Jesus Christ said that the last word of the law is to love God and to love our neighbors even as we love ourselves.

There are two kinds of love, and unfortunately a great many times we don't realize, as the little boy in the story did, that we are the ones who are lost as well as those outside of Christ. Now I am not talking about the Church of Christ. I am talking about Christians in general.

That when we begin to talk to the world, we are talking from our seat of exclusiveness to the world, and that it is not just true about us, but it is characteristic of every religious group that I know anything about. Almost everyone has this exclusive idea that within our church building we do certain things, and we are more right than others up the street that you ought to come and be with us. Now I think that it is a great thing to urge people to come and be with and be a part of our fellowship, but when this is kind of a competitive thing, we are destroying the very concept of Christianity, and when in the acceptance of other people we lay down these rules that we have created (hundreds of them in number), and they have to pass through our gate and agree with all of our rules, then we are providing an unrealistic barrier to people coming into fellowship with Christ, or else we cannot accept them as some who might cast out demons in Jesus' name because they are not one of us.

Jesus said to the disciples on that occasion, "Stop forbidding them." And he said something else, "You might just find that he is doing something that is good. You might find that this individual is doing more good than you are." This is sort of implied in what Jesus said to the disciples. He was always kindly when he spoke to the disciples but if you read between the lines you will find that he sometimes slapped their hands rather severely.

We need today to begin to move out of the sectarian concept of religion. We need to begin to discuss religion rather than to argue about it. Instead of being in the position of the authorities, we need to be in the position of a student or a learner. Only when we turn our eyes heavenly to learn from him, realising that we need the lessons ourselves, will we begin to grow. So long as we view ourselves as the one that have all of the truth, and therefore are the teachers, so long as we are the ultimate authorities, we will continue to speak to deaf ears in a world of lost people.

Until we recognise that we are one of them, the only way you can speak to a lost world is to identify with it. And when we recognize that we are the lost, then and then alone will we begin to move in the direction of being able to communicate something of worth to those who are in the same boat that we are.

Though we may have removed ourselves a few degrees doctrinally from the rest of the world. We may have taken some steps in the right direction as far as the organisation of the church is concerned, and as far as technical correctness is concerned, but in the overall picture of God's plan for the world, I wonder what priority that really has. I think instead that what happens inside the individual that allows him to have the attitude of love toward all mankind that Jesus Christ had, the acceptance of all human beings who would come to him as Jesus had. I think that must take priority over all of the technicalities of religion in our world.

He has called us to be lovers of men and women. We are talking about the kind of love that comes with maturity. This is not a child-like love we are talking about today. It's not the kind of love that a child has for a mother. It is certainly not the kind of love a teenage boy has for his girlfriend. It is not the kind of love that is romantic. It's not the kind of love that can exist in an immature world. Instead it is the kind of love that must exist above all others in an immature world in which it is not affected by it.

It is a mature love because it is a love that is developed by these things which have preceded it. And what are they? Peter says that they are strength of character and virtue and knowledge of real truth and knowledge of self and knowledge of God and knowledge of life that can only come from above, not a warped sense of what reality is. Virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, goodness, desiring to be like God, brotherly kindness, the ability to be kind to one another, and that the end of the list when one has developed these things in his life as matured by this criteria. Then one gets this full measure of love. This kind of love is a mature love. Which can only be exhibited by one who has grown to this extent. If you find it difficult to love your enemies, if you find it difficult to love even those who are brethren who are not always the way you want them to be. If you find it difficult to love someone with whom you do not identify, who happens to be of a different class, a different race, a different religion, a different church. If you find it difficult to go on loving your spouse when they disagree with your position and when they do things in a way that is not exactly the way you want them done. If you find these to be difficult, then it indicates that you have not matured along these lines, because the natural process of growth by the things that are mentioned in this text and the things that we have studied lead one to the conclusion that they are a loving individual.

One that has developed in this way would never be guilty of saying we told this man to stop casting out demons in your name because he was not one of us. I think that the religious world in general, and Christianity in particular, has fostered a non-love in the world clinging all the time to preach a love religion. We by our exclusivity and our self-righteousness have never admitted that we are also are lost and in need of God. We need each of us individually within ourselves to develop these qualities of maturity which will lead us to be a loving personality. Until we get to that place, we are not yet in a position of preaching Christ to a lost and dying world. The world wants to see love. Jesus said there is a way the world will know that you are my disciples if you have love one for another. Until we realise that we are the little boy, that I am the one that is lost, and I need to begin with the help of his Holy Spirit to place in my life the things which will allow me to become a loving person. Until we get to that place then we still wonder as lost people, and we don't even know it.
[Sermon written by Jim Crowell and presented by Gary Beauchamp on Aug. 8, 1993 at the morning service of Highland Oaks church of Christ]

MELODY IN F (The Prodigal Son, Luke 15)

Feeling footloose and frisky, a feather-brained fellow forced his fond father to fork over the farthings and flew to foreign fields and frittered his fortune. Feasting fabulously with faithless friends, fleased by his fellows in folly, and facing famine, he found himself a feed-flinger in a filthy farmyard. Fairly famishing he feigned would have filled his frame with foraged food from fodder fragments. He said, "Phewey, my father's flunkies fair far finer." The frazzled fugitive frankly facing facts, frustrated by failure, and filled with foreboding, fled forthwith to his family. Falling at his father's feet, he forlornly fumbled, "Father, I have flunked. I have fruitlessly forfeited family favor." The farsighted father forestalling further flinching, frantically flagged the flunkies to fetch a fatling from the flock and fix a feast. The fugitive's fault-finding brother frowned on fickle forgiveness of the former folderol. But the faithful father figured filial fidelity is fine, but the fugitive is found. "What forbids fervent festivities? Let flags be unfurled, let fanfares flair." And so the father's forgiveness formed the foundation for the former fugitive's future fortitude.
[by Phil Kerr]

TELL THE TRUTH!!!

The Old Testament says that...(Prov. 14:5; Prov. 19:22). Jesus says that the devil is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). Paul told those at Colossae...(Col. 3:9). It seems abundantly clear that God wants men and women to tell the truth.

The problem we face in today's world is that truth for many people is a malleable thing, not objective and not inviolable. We are ready to pounce on our politicians for their tendency to stretch the truth and lie to us. Indeed, we ought to demand that people tell the truth. But we must remember that unless a man or woman has a concrete moral foundation and a commitment to right for the sake of right, he or she will have no reason not to lie! The problem with prevarication is that many folks just don't think it is wrong. And God will deal with them (John 12:48).

But we do know better. We are Christians. We are dedicated to the concrete moral foundation revealed in God's Good Book. And so we do not lie, nor do we take lightly the public or private lies of others. This should be remembered in times when we are tempted to gossip or "talk" about others. There is no end to the trouble caused and experienced in the church by folks gossiping and perhaps inadvertently repeating a lie. The best way to avoid repeating a lie like this is to be sure we never gossip. And if we have heard something we know is not true, we would surely never repeat that! Nothing stings worse than the flapping of an untethered tongue!

Christians should demand that the truth be told. Christians must never take part in lying or its first cousin, gossip. Why? Because we have...(Col. 3:2).
[by Bill Irby from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, July 31, 1994, p. 2] [Relevant scripture: James 3]

MY EIGHT HOPES AS I GROW OLDER

Hope number 1. Keep me from the bad habit of thinking that I need to say something on every subject and on every occasion.
Hope number 2. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody else's affairs.
Hope number 3. Make me thoughtful but not moody, helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity to not use it all.
Hope number 4. Keep my mind for the recital of endless details. Give me what I need to get to the point.
Hope number 5. Keep me from constantly publicizing my aches and pains. They're increasing and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.
Hope number 6. Give me growing humility.
Hope number 7. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.
Hope number 8. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people. Give me the grace to tell them so.
[from Beltline Beacon of Decatur, Ala. via Sycamore Chapel bulletin, July 31, 1994, p. 2-3]

STRANGE PEOPLE I'VE MET

People who profess to be Christians but who seldom attend services.
People who say God's word is the Bible, but they will not read it, and will not obey its simple commands.
People who follow the devil all of their lives and expect to go to Heaven when they die.
Preachers who profess to be gospel preachers but will preach things that they cannot find in the Bible.
People who will read the passages of scripture that teach that baptism is essential to salvation and then say that it is not.
People who read that there is one body (Eph. 4:4) and then say there are many churches when the Bible plainly teaches that the church is the body of Christ.
[from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, July 17, 1994, p. 2-3]

MUD OR STARS?

McMillen, in his great little book None Of These Diseases, quotes part of an ancient poem and tells how it is applicable to us today. "Two men look out through the same bars: One sees the mud, and one the stars."

Both were experiencing the same imprisonment, but one looked "up" while the other looked "down."

We are all going to experience some difficult, disappointing, frustrating and painful times. The attitude with which we view these experiences will either help us win over them or collapse under them. Our view of the situation is all important. The external stress factors about us need not create the internal stresses that will destroy us. Resentment, chronic brooding, a flare of temper, etc. are all indications of faulty adaptation to external stress. The internal stress we produce by these inappropriate reactions to external stress set up toxic reactions within the body that cause all sorts of problems.

Some external stress can actually be very healthy for us IF we have the right attitude about it. Have you ever had a headache, stomach cramp, etc. and then had some external stress require you to get up and go out to deal with it? When you returned you felt better than when you left? That happens frequently - if you have the right attitude. Whether the stress heals you or makes you sick depends upon how you view it - your attitude.

You could be your own worst enemy. Control your attitude - look for the stars and save your own life.
[by Billy J. Watson from Sycamore Chapel bulletin, July 10, 1994, p. 3]

DON'T PAY TOO MUCH FOR YOUR WHISTLE?

"Mom, I've got to have that radio!" "I need that new tape by my favorite group!"

Sound familiar? How often, after you receive your tape or radio, does it seem like it's not as wonderful as you thought it would be? Benjamin Franklin had the same problem over two centuries ago. He wrote about his experience in an essay entitled, "The Whistle."

One day, when he was seven years old, he was given a pocketful of pennies. He headed straight for the toy store. On the way, he met a boy who had a whistle which captivated him. He gave all his money for that whistle, which was four times more than it was worth. When he got home, he blew and blew his whistle, and drove his family to distraction. When his brothers, sisters, and cousins found out what had happened, they of course ridiculed him mercilessly.

Benjamin Franklin learned a valuable lesson from this experience. Later, in his essay, he discusses several different people, and how in his opinion, they "pay too much for their whistles." For example, he mentions a person who neglects his responsibilities in search of popularity. The price he has to pay for this "whistle of popularity" is the neglect, and eventual ruin of his personal affairs. He also wrote of a miser who sacrifices comfortable living and his friendships to search for wealth. He also "pays too much for his whistle."

Franklin concludes by saying, "In short, I conceived that a great part of the miseries of mankind are brought upon them by the false estimates they have made of the value of things, and by their giving too much for their whistles." Let's look at a couple of people who didn't count the cost.

Recently, in California, a young man named Shawn was run over by a train. Shawn and his friends were playing "chicken" with the train. The object of the game was to see how long they could stay on the track. The winner was the person who stayed on the track the longest. Obviously, Shawn won, but what do you think? Did he pay "too much for his whistle?"

There was a second young man whose name was Peter who paid "too much for his whistle." His father and older brothers were all doctors. He was a senior in high school, and a super athlete. To top it off, he had the school's most popular girl hanging on his arm. He had it made...until...at the senior party he had just a couple of drinks. Then he was going to have some fun. He and his friend, John, got out their motorcycles. They were driving around showing off when their motorcycles collided. John was thrown into the bushes unharmed, but Peter's face was crushed on the handlebars. Not only was his face terribly deformed, he was also blinded. Now, Peter, who had everything going for him, had lost it all. Since he is blind, he must now be dependent upon others. After this wreck, he not only lost his girlfriend, but he can no longer participate in sports. If you could ask Peter if those drinks were worth it, he would surely say, "No, I paid way too much for my whistle!"

Jesus, in the book of Luke, paints a word picture expressing similar thoughts. He tells of two men, each dealing with a different situation. The first example is of a man who plans to build a great tower. The man checks to see if he has enough money to finish the tower. If he doesn't, he will be unable to complete it, and he will be counted a fool. Jesus said this man should count the cost.

Then Jesus talks about a king. He said that any king, planning to go into battle with another king is going to see how many men he has and how well prepared his men are compared to those of his enemy. If, and only if, he thinks he can overpower them, does he fight. Otherwise, he tries to make peace with his enemy. Even today, we compare our weapons and manpower with those of an enemy country before we go to war. In this parable and the previous one, Jesus is trying to teach us the importance of counting the cost.

There is one other Bible example of a couple who paid "too much for their whistles". Remember Ananias and Sapphira who wanted to give money to the church? They sold some property and were going to donate some of the money to the poor. But, wanting others to think them generous, they pretended to donate all of the money while keeping part of it. When Ananias went to Peter to give him the money, the Spirit, speaking through Peter, told Ananias what he had done wrong. Just as soon as Peter finished, Ananias was struck dead. A few hours later, his wife, Sapphira, came to Peter. Peter gave her an opportunity to confess by asking her the following: Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?" She also lied. Again, the Spirit, through Peter, spoke and condemned her for lying. She fell down dead. I know that if they could speak to us, they would say, "Yes, we paid too much for our whistle." They paid the ultimate price to pay on earth - their lives. What an expensive whistle!

Too often we create or own problems by failing to "count the cost for our whistles." We must consider the consequences of our actions. Even before we are tempted, we need to commit ourselves to doing right; "I will be honest," "I will act with integrity," "I will submit to godly authority," etc. Only then can we avoid a harvest of negative consequences. It will help us to do right if we heed Benjamin Franklin's advice and determine not to "pay too much for our whistles."
[by Shane Richardson from Teenage Christian Magazine, via Sycamore Chapel bulletin, June 26, 1994, p. 2-3]

THE GRAMMAR OF LIFE

A professor of English prescribed a set of rules for adequate living, which he called "The Grammar of Life." He said:

Live in the active voice, not the passive. Think more about what you make happen than what happens to you.
Live in the indicative mood, rather than the subjunctive. Be concerned with things as they are, rather than as they might be.
Live in the present tense, facing the duty at hand without regret for the past or worry for the future.
Live in the first person, criticizing yourself rather than finding fault with others.
Live in the singular number, caring more for the approval of your own conscience than for the applause of the crowd.
And, if you want a verb to conjugate, you cannot do better than to take a verb to love.
[from The Outreach, 12 June 1994, p. 3]

A 5-year-old who was familiar with the candy commercials on television told me he knew how God had made man. These are his words:

"He made the bones - like peanuts, you know, in candy.

"Then He did the nougat" - (Here he pinched up his small arm to show the fleshy part.)

"Then He put on the 'thin chocolate shell' - that's the skin part."

Somehow a candy bar doesn't taste the same anymore.
[by Barbara Coleman from Carlesbad, N.M. from Kneecaps in the 'Christian woman' magazine reprinted in The Outreach, 20 Feb. 1994, p. 2]

My son Danny, was born with a partial hearing loss. When he was about 8 years old, he had done something wrong and then tried to cover himself with a lie. I took him aside and explained how doing the wrong deed was bad, but when he told a lie about it, that was two sins instead of one.

Later, he came to me and placed two coins in my hand. "What is this for?" I asked.

"Well, you said a lie was two cents."
[by Pat Shepherd from Houston, Tex. Kneecaps in the 'Christian woman' magazine reprinted in The Outreach, 20 Feb. 1994, p. 2]

A SOCIAL RESEARCHER'S FAITH

Only a fool would argue that the church should change its doctrine to keep up with the times. One does not arrive at moral judgements by counting noses. Nor does one derive ethical systems from surveys.
[by Andrew M. Greeley in America (Nov. 7, 1992) reprinted in The Outreach, 5 June 1994, p. 1]

EVERY DAY IS MOTHER'S DAY

Women who fulfil their vocation hold power even over powerful men; such women mould public opinion and prepare future generations. And so it is they who hold the power to save people from all our present and impending evils.

Yes, women, mothers, in your hands more than in those of anyone else lies the salvation of the world.
[by Leo Tolstoy in The Lion and the Honeycomb reprinted in The Outreach, 5 June 1994, p. 2]

An old Scotswoman said to her pastor: "That was a grand sermon you preached last Sabbath at the kirk!" Seeking to test her sincerity he asked, "And what was the text?"

"Ah, meenister! I dinna ken the text or the words. But I came home and took the false bottom out o' my peck measure!"
[from The Outreach, 5 June 1994, p. 2]

BLOOM IN YOUR OWN SEASON

Once upon a time there was a spring season when the jonquils popped out of the ground and, as usual, bloomed before all of the other flowers. But this year they made fun of the other flowers which were just beginning to send their green shoots into the air.

"Look at us with our golden blooms!" yelled the jonquils. "You tulips and iris and chrysanthemums are nothing. We have beautiful blossoms and you are just some insignificant foliage!"

But one day the jonquils lost their blooms, just about the time the tulips were beginning to flower. The tulips, having had their fill of all the bragging done by the jonquils, had to have their say. So they did the same thing to the other flowers.

"Look at the glory of our colours," they said to the other flowers. "You can't do this. You are nothing."

At the end of the summer the chrysanthemums made their fantastic appearance with amazing colours. They screamed at what was lefty of the other plants. "You are nothing but has-beens. We are the greatest."

Of course, flowers do not do this, but we as human beings do it all the time. People are like flowers. Some bloom early and some late, yet our culture wants everyone to bloom at the same time. It expects that at a certain age all must think and act like a given norm. All five-year-olds or all seventy-five-year-olds must conform to the same textbook image. We have not learned the lesson of the flowers.

It's not very appropriate for those who are in bloom to criticize those who are not. Nor does it do any good to scoff at those who no longer can show the talent and the beauty of another time. The greenery of the plants has its own majestic beauty even when there is no flower.

God gives individual gifts, and at different times, to each of us. This is the way we see His creation. If all of the flowers were identical and they bloomed at the same time it would be a dull world.

So it is with people.
[by Hill Riddle in "Tidings", Trinity Church, New Orleans via The Outreach, 5 June 1994, p. 3]

POWERFUL WORDS

DID is a word of achievement,
WON'T is a word of retreat,
MIGHT is a word of bereavement,
CAN'T is a word of defeat.
OUGHT is a word of duty,
TRY is a word each hour,
WILL is a word of beauty,
CAN is a word of power.
[from The Outreach, 24 April 1994, p. 2]

WHAT DID I TEACH THEM TODAY?

Teachers (and preachers) have days that they wonder if anything they say gets through. Often, what students hear is somewhat unlike what they are taught. Now these revelations are not new to most of us, but just in case they are to you let me share some examples.

Ancient Egypt was inhabited by mummies, and they all wrote in hydraulics. They lived in the Sarah Dessert and travelled by Camelot. The climate of the Sarah is such that the inhabitants have to live elsewhere, so certain areas of the dessert are cultivated by irritation. The pyramids are a range of mountains between France and Spain. The Egyptians built the pyramids in the shape of a huge triangular cube.

The Bible is full of interesting caricatures. In the first book of the Bible, Guinessis, Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. One of the children, Cain, asked, "Am I my brother's son?"

God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Montezuma. Jacob, son of Isaac, stole his brother's birthmark. Jacob was a patriarch who brought up his 12 sons to be partriarchs, but they did not take to it. One of Jacob's sons, Joseph, gave refuse to the Israelites.

Pharoah forced the Hebrew slaves to make bread without straw. Moses led them to the Red Sea, where they made unleavened bread, which is bread made without any ingredients. Afterwards, Moses went up on Mount Cyanide to get the ten commandments. He died before he ever reached Canada.

David was a Hebrew king skilled at playing the liar. He fought with the Finklesteins, a race of people who lived in Biblical times. Solomon, one of David's sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.

Later came Job, who had one trouble after another. Eventually, he lost all his cattle and all his children and had to go live alone with his wife in the desert.

The Greeks were a highly sculptured people, and without them we wouldn't have history. The Greeks invented three kinds of columns - corinthian, ironic, and dorc - and built the Apocalypse. They also had myths. A myth is a female moth. In the Olympic Games, Greeks ran races, jumped, hurled the biscuits and threw the java. The reward to the victor was a coral wreath.

Eventually, the Romans conquered the Greeks. History calls people Romans because they never stayed in one place for very long. Julius Caesar extinguished himself on the battlefields of Gaul. The ides of March murdered him because they thought he was going to be made king. Dying, he gasped out the words, "Tee hee, Brutus." Nero was a cruel tyranny who would torture his poor subjects by playing the fiddle to them. Rome came to have too many luxuries and baths. At Roman banquets, the guests wore garlics in their hair. They took two baths in two days, and that's the cause of the fall of Rome. Today Rome is full of fallen arches.

In the New Testament, an epistle is the wife of an apostle.

Then came the Middle Ages, when every one was middle aged...

The moral of this story is: Be careful what you say the next time you teach one of our Bible classes, someone might (or might not) be listening.
[by Dee Dee Pierson from The Outreach, 6 February 1994, p. 3]

Could I with ink the ocean fill;
were the whole earth of parchment made;
were every blade of grass a quill,
and every man a scribe by trade;
to write the love of God above,
would drain the ocean dry;
nor could the scroll contain the whole,
though spread from sky to sky.

THE WONDERFUL BIBLE

The Bible is the most wonderful book in the world. (Psa. 119:13)
The Bible answers all questions regarding man's needs
God is our creator
The Bible is the book of all books
Read your Bible every day
The Bible must be inspired
Christianity was taught from the Bible
The Bible tells us about people, both what they did right and wrong (Rom. 13:1-7; Mark 12:17)
Each man has the right to do the right thing
Man has to speak for himself
Every man is an individual
One wife to one husband
Children may not have a home or any parents
Christians are commanded to sing
(Matt. 12:33)
[notes on lecture by Walter M. Milton CH&BS lectures, 1962]

CHILD-PARENT RELATIONSHIP
If any man love me he will keep my command. (John 14:23; Deut. 6:7)
We must teach our children to love God
(Heb. 13:7)
We have all our responsibility
Train up a child in that way that God would tell you to go.
Now is time to teach your children
Solomon said train.
(Eph. 6:4)
If we don't do what God says we will not go to heaven
We should not push the responsibility onto the church
Let's give heed
We are to train our children
We have a right to expect our children to follow us
Children should be obedient
Our parents look after us
Your parents are responsible for your life
(Prov. 19)
God delivers our parents
(Prov. 6:22)
[notes on lecture by W. H. Driskell. CH&BS lectures, 1962]

OBEDIENCE RATHER THAN SACRIFICE
What is sacrifice?
God commands a sacrifice
(Psa. 12:1)
God knew Abel's faith
Abel did what God said
Abel offered the blood sacrifice
You can not deceive God
We will sacrifice a living sacrifice
A sacrifice is to impress God
Sacrifice gives us a way to heaven
Obedience and sacrifice go together
The devil knows how to tempt us
(Rev. 5)
Pray without ceasing
We are living for God
To obey is better than sacrifice
(John 4; I Cor. 13)
Obedience is a good lesson
Obey God rather than man
(James 2:1)
[notes on lecture by Sam Kitching, CH&BS lectures, 1962]

HOW EARLY CHRISTIANS WORSHIP
(Acts 17)
We must obey God rather than man
We should search the scriptures
We should know the truth and the truth shall make you free
(John 4:24)
Jesus died on the cross for the remission of my sins
Jesus became a sacrifice
If any man speak, speak of the truth
They pray in the church
They give as they were willing to give
(Gal. 6:14)
[notes on lecture by Paul T. Breakfield, CH&BS lectures, 1962]

JESUS' LOVE FOR THE LOST
Jesus was sacrificed
For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost
We can't understand the love of Jesus
(John 3:16; John 3:19)
Jesus came to die for us
(Gal. 4:4)
Jesus humbled himself
(John 17:21)
Jesus came to do the will that his father told him
Jesus was willing to do what his father said
Jesus' disciples left him when he died
(Heb. 12:2)
We are blessed by the death of Jesus
(John 15:13; Rom. 5:6-10)
Jesus died for us
(Gal. 4:4-5; Heb. 9:15; Zech. 13:1; Eph. 1:8)
By Jesus the church was established
(Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:23-25; Eph. 2:16; Isa. 29:2; Rom. 1:4; Rom. 5; I Cor. 15; John 14:1-4)
[notes on lecture by Raymond Elliott, CH&BS lectures, 1962]

HOW JESUS WANTS US TO WORSHIP
(John 1; Col. 1:16; Matt. 10; Matt. 23)
Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord
(Matt. 11:23; Luke 5; Heb. 10:28; Prov. 4:33; Rom. 8-9; John 15; Matt. 16:17; Col. 2:16)
Who does Jesus want us to worship
(Matt. 4; John 4:52; Acts 12; Matt. 18:12; Matt. 28:25)
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
(Matt. 6:24; Matt. 6:33; Luke 10; Luke 7)
Our sins are forgiven
(John 17; Psa. 11:9; Matt. 14; Matt. 4; Matt. 6; Luke 18:37; Matt. 5:23; Rom. 6:17; Matt. 28; Acts 23:7; Acts 20:21; I Cor. 16:2)
[notes on lecture by Paul Askew, CH&BS lectures, 1962]

THE LAST HOUR OF JESUS
(Heb. 5:5-9)
Jesus' birth fulfilled many prophecies
John the Baptist was a great man
Our Lord can do anything
(Acts 10:38)
God is almighty
The disciples were with Jesus when he was in the upper room
We are to serve Christ
We should learn to be humble as Jesus was when he washed the disciples feet.
Jesus knew that Judas was going to betray him
We have confidence in Jesus
Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver
We must straighten ourselves up
(Acts 1:1)
Jesus gave us an example to observe the Lord's supper
We should do what God says
We should do what God has given us the example to do
Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives
Peter said he was with Jesus
(I Thes. 5:22)
Peter said he wouldn't deny Jesus
(Gal. 6:1)
God was so close to the world
There was a brook of Jesus' blood
Jesus prayed there
(John 18:1-2)
We should pray every minute
People don't pray because they're too busy
We are to pray like Jesus prayed
(Acts 5:16)
We should do everything for this world
God and Jesus knows everything
James and John went with Jesus in the garden
(John 5:30; John 6:38; John 17; John 9:4)
Watch and pray
The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
We need to pray more
Come unto me and I will give you rest
It is easy to step out of the church
We ought to study and to pray more
We must help God's creation
(Gal. 6:10)
[notes on lecture by Malcolm Hill CH&BS lectures, 1962]

MYSTERY
Mystery is one of the words in the Bible
(Eph. 3:1-13)
There is a mystery of Christ
(Eph. 6:19)
There is a mystery of the gospel
The mystery is a secret
(I Tim. 3:16)
God saw the plan of humanity
(I Cor. 2:7)
I speak God's hidden wisdom
Only the spirit of God knows what God is thinking
It is simple to remember Jesus Christ
The mystery of godliness: God manifest in the flesh, Justified in the flesh, Seen of angels, Preached unto Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up into Glory
We are one
God is an infinite spirit
Jesus said he was God in the flesh
(John 14:20) I am in the Father and the Father is in me
Jesus appeared on earth
Jesus was seen of angels
An angel is a messenger
Angels are witnesses/eye witnesses
(Acts 10:23)
Witnesses are people
To teach all nations
(Rom. 1)
For obedience in the flesh
People believe what they heard
Jesus performed what God told him
(Acts 1; Psa. 24)
Lift up your heads
Heaven is opened up}
(John 14:1-4)
[notes on lecture by Kenneth Adams, CH&BS lectures, 1962]

SCARS FOR JESUS
Go and search for the Lord. One must manifest his life.
(John 15)
People will persecute you
(Matt. 10:16)
Be ye wise. Kings will be near. People are with Jesus.
(Gal. 6:17)
Paul could take off his shirt and see scars
(II Cor. 11:23-28)
Paul was treated badly. You could see the marks on his back. Paul was beaten with rods. Why must Paul go through that?
(Gal. 2:20)
Tradition says Peter died by crucifixion
(Gal. 5:14)
Live in the faith of God. Jesus gave himself up for us.
(Heb. 2:9)
Jesus was crucified, and died upon the cross. Paul was taking his life
(Phili. 3:7-8)
We must gain Christ. The Jews had a religion.
(I Cor. 2:2)
Jesus Christ and him crucified
(Acts 20:24)
They should see his face no more. The Gospel of the grace of God. The ministry in the gospel was first
(Acts 21:13)
I am ready to die in the name of the Lord. I must be ready
(I Cor. 1; II Tim. 2:14-15; II Tim. 3:2; II Tim. 3:12)
All shall suffer
(Rom. 12:1)
Christ made a sacrifice
(I Pet. 2:21-25)
Jesus bore the punishment, he bore in his body our sins. The people cried out, "Let him be crucified." Jesus bore all the stripes, shed his blood, bore our sins. Jesus had scars on his body. We must be willing to bear scars, take the punishment
(John 11:25-26)
We will be obedient. There are billions that will die. We need the truth. We must have the gospel. We are willing to suffer. Jesus gave up his life for us. We must gain knowledge to do God's word. All we have belongs to God. We must be careful. We must use money wisely. We are too wasteful.
We can do a lot. We can help everyone. We must serve Jesus. We can take the world for our Lord. We can turn the world upside down. Let us act.
[notes on lecture by F.F. Kearley, CH&BS lectures, 1962]

RESTORING NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY
We must go back to the Bible. Everything has to come from that source. We must obey God. We must take action. We should do what God says. There is one church, one faith, one baptism. Paul warned of apostasy such as people wanting to be head of the church. We must study Christianity. People are too weak. People are not alert to the devil's schemes.
(I Tim. 4:1)
There are aspects of spiritual growth. Some have knowledge. Some people have hope. We must study New Testament Christianity. The Lord built his church. The Bible is the source. We are guided by the Bible. What does the church teach? How does the teaching compare to the best translations of the Bible. We must teach God's word. We should be prepared. We should be fully restored.
(Acts 2)
People must teach. People should rejoice.
(I Cor. 15:38; Gal. 6)
How much time would you spend on the Lord. We must live godly. We must be willing to sacrifice.
(I Pet. 3:1)
Our primary focus should be on what Jesus said.
[by Willard Conchin, CH&BS lectures, 1962]

DOCTRINE OF SALVATION
(John 3:16)
The world can be saved. God has provided the doctrine of salvation. Man stands in need of salvation.
(Isa. 59; Eph. 2; Rom. 3; Acts 16) What must I do to be saved?
The Lord is not slack but wants everyone to be saved, giving time and multiple chances. Upon this rock I will build my church. God is preparing a place for us. Jesus is our saviour.
(Matt. 1)
Jesus will save us from sins
(Luke 24:44)
All things must be fulfilled. Man must respond.
(Acts 3; I Pet. 2; Eph. 2)
Grace is the gift of God. Christ is our saviour.
(Luke 16; Phili. 2)
Work out your own salvation. I understand that there is a saviour. The need of salvation. The plan of salvation.
(John 3; Acts 2:22). Peter was preaching Christ.
God raised up Christ.
(Acts 8:35) Philip preached Jesus. Philip baptised the eunuch.
(I Cor. 2; Rom. 6; Matt. 15)
People should worship Jesus.
[by J. Cliett Goodpasture, CH&BS lectures, 1962]

BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY
God will direct our footsteps. All of us fall into sin. The sluggard isn't willing to work because it is winter
(II Thes. 3:10)
People should take test.
(Luke 17:1-3)
Can we make a desire of going beyond the call of duty. We should do what we are commanded to do. There are commands in the Bible (e.g. Luke 10:27)
(John 8:31; John 14:21; I John 5:2-3; I Thes. 5:22)
If it is doubtful, it is not wise to proceed.
(James 1:27; Matt. 5:43)
We are to pray for our enemies.
(Luke 10:27; Acts 7)
Stephen preached the truth. Stephen was a good man.
(Acts 8:4)
We should be God's children.
(I Cor. 11:23-24)
We should teach the truth.
[by Howard B. Wakefield, CH&BS lectures, 1962]

HOW TO DECIDE RIGHT AND WRONG
(Heb. 5:13-14)
With proper attuning to the will of God, we should be able to decide right and wrong.
(Gal. 5:19-20; Rom. 13)
Christians are the salt of the world. We wouldn't have any flavor if there were no Christians. We are the flavoring power. We are the light of the earth.
(Matt. 6:33; II Tim. 2:4; Luke 14; I Cor. 6:14)
Pick the best husband
(II Cor. 6; Rom. 12:1-2)
Our body is the temple of God. We know what is wrong for our bodies. As a man thinketh, that's what he is. We should read Christian literature. Be careful what you read...what you feed your mind on.
(Rom. 14:23)
Whatever harms my body is wrong.
(Isa. 55:9)
Christ lived in this world. There are some things that are definitely wrong. Study God's word.
[by Royston Moss, CH&BS lectures, 1962]

I SAW SATAN FALL
Satan moves over the earth
(John 12:1; John 16:11; II Cor. 4:4)
Satan is a powerful being. Satan reigns in us if we obey him. It is difficult to turn from Satan. We are on probation. There is a difference between Jesus and satan.
(Jude 6; II Pet. 2:4; I Cor. 15; Dan. 2:44; Luke 10:11)
The kingdom has come to you. How can we defeat evil.
I beheld satan. Nothing can pierce you. Jesus said, "I saw Satan fall." Do we have the power found in applying the scriptures? Satan can fall.
(Eph. 3:20-21)
There are partial lies - half truths. You have some power to resist satan. God promises to give you more. Satan can fall by the power of God. There is a simple New Testament church. Satan's weapons are aimed at the church. We should help the world overcome satan. The church is growing. There is power in prayer. God said, "I will work with you." God has control of the weather. We must see satan fall. There is power in truth.
[by Joe D. Gray, CH&BS lectures, 1962]

HOW TO BE A BETTER CHRISTIAN
(II Pet. 3:18)
Grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord
(I Pet. 2:1-2)
We should be satisfied. We should do the best we can. We should give our very best to Jesus. We must have a desire. We can improve over times. We should be sure we are a Christian. Examine yourselves. We should do what the Lord said. All Christians will be growing. We should be a regular church member. The word of God is food for the soul. We should hunger and thirst for righteousness.
(II Tim. 2:15)
People talk about issues of the Lord's church. The power of the word of God is righteous. People are taking unnecessary risks to use manuals instead of the Bible as their guide to spiritual growth.
(Eph. 1:18-23)
God has glory. Christ was raised from the dead. Everything is under Jesus' feet. You will seek the companionship of a Christian.
(I Cor. 15:33)
The wrong kind of friends hinder our growth.
(II Cor. 6:14; Psa. 1:1; Prov. 4:14; Prov. 24:1)
We should be a better Christian. We have a lot of responsibility. We should teach God's word. People should work according to their ability. Salvation is the gospel. God holds us responsible. People should do their duty. We must all appear in judgment before God. People turn their back on the Lord. There are some hypocrites in the church. Do your duty.
(Eph. 4:32)
Be ye kind. We should forgive one another.
(Col. 3:14)
We need to be cooperative. People can be better than they are. We don't always tell the truth. People should think of the other person.
(Gal. 5:20)
There is no place for a Christian and jealousy. Why stand you idle? Don't fail in anything.
[by George Darling, CH&BS lectures, 1962]

THE PRICES WE PAY FOR SIN
There is a price tag for everything in life.
(Luke 14:26)
(Matt. 13:44-46)
There is a price tag on evil
(II Sam. 12:5)
Samson never fell in love with a godly person. His wife was Delilah. Be sure your sin will find you out.
(Col. 3:35)
There is a price of suffering.
(II Tim. 3:3-8)
A preacher must preach to stedfast people. Teachers must pay a price. We are subject to all commands.
(Mark 10:28) We have left all to follow Jesus
(II Cor. 5:1) Heaven is a house not made with hands
If you pay the price now, you will gain great dividends in heaven.
[by Frank Crispin, CH&BS lectures, 1963]

THE MOST NEEDED LESS IN THE WORLD
(Luke 10:38ff; John 11:2ff; Matt. 6:33; Deut. 6:6-7; II Tim. 3:16; II Tim. 1:16; Prov. 21:60; Eph. 6:4)
Every 45 seconds someone is murdered. Every 3 seconds there is a major crime committed.
(Rev. 21:8; I John 3:15; Matt. 22:37-39; Matt. 5:43-44)
We should sit at the feet of Jesus.
(Isa. 7:42; Matt. 5:38-41)
We haven't gone the first mile with Jesus, how could be go the second?
(Eph. 6:9)
Your master is in heaven. 2,000 divorces
(Matt. 19:4-6; Eph. 5:22-27)
The husband is the head of the wife.
(Eph. 5:25)
Husbands love your wife even as Christ loved the church.
(Eph. 4:4; Eph. 1:21-23; Titus 2:14)
We need to be zealous.
(Jer. 10:23; Jer. 6:16; John 15:6)
[by Marshall Flowers, CH&BS lectures, 1963]

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED
We have the responsibility to go out and preach the gospel. They that gladly received the word were baptised
(John 6:45; I Cor. 9:32; Gal. 1:10; I Cor. 2:1-2)
It is our responsibility to teach.
(Heb. 1:1; II Thes. 2:2; Gen. 3)
We are to study to show ourselves approved unto God.
(Heb. 11:6; Rom. 5:9)
The blood of Christ is in the church.
(I Cor. 16:13) We must stand fast in the faith.
(Acts 3:19; Acts 2:38; Acts 11:18; Rev. 2; Rom. 2:4; Matt. 10; John 12:42; Mark 16:15-16; I Pet. 2)
[by O.C. Thompson. 1963 CH&BS lectures]

A CHRIST-CENTERED LIFE

All righteousness is through God by faith. Forget the things behind and stretching forward. Paul looked forward to the future in store for his life. For me to live is Christ. We have purpose in our lives. Be careful who you marry. We need to center our lives on Christ. If I am going to live, I will live like Christ. If you haven't accepted that goal in life, you have accepted something Christ doesn't like. Do what Christ said to do, you would be all right. We need love and faith in Christ. Without it there are no guarantees of getting to heaven.
[by Van B. Ingram, CH&BS lectures, 1963]

GETTING ALONG WITH OTHERS
(II Cor. 4:2)
We should be able to get along with others. A person in Christ is easy to get along with. You might be hard to get along with if the development in your personality is not in Christ. Study to show thyself approved unto God. How do you develop a personality? The tone of voice is important. Wives be in subjection to husbands.
(I Pet. 2:17)
The Bill of Rights is important. The dress of a woman is 5% of her appearance. One's grooming is 15% of your life. You can't dress up the inward man with outer apparel. Our conversation is about 15% of your personality. We need to watch our conversation. We have talkaholics in the church. When you are talking make sure you know what you are talking about.
[by W. Stanley Blackman, CH&BS lectures, 1963]

THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS DRESS
There is no law regarding the dress you should wear, but there are biblical principles to consider.
(Titus 2:11-14; I Pet. 2:5; Esth. 1; Phili. 2:16; I Tim. 2:9; I Cor. 11)
Paul in I Cor. 11 commands to wear veils.
(Eph. 5)
The custom in wearing veils doesn't exist
(James 6:4; Col. 3:1-2; Rom. 8:6)
You have conformed to be like the world
(I Pet. 3:1-4)
Dress properly on the outside.
(Prov. 11:22; I Cor. 6:13; I Cor. 6:20)
[by George M. Yates, CH&BS lectures, 1963]

A CHRISTIAN AND HIS WORK
After one has become a Christian what is his work?
(Phili. 2:12)
Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
(I Cor. 15:58; James 1:22-25)
What is the work we have to do if we are a Christian?
(II Pet. 3:18; Rom. 8:6; Phili. 2:5)
What would my Lord say?
(Rom. 8:9; I Pet. 2:2; Titus 2:11-12; Eph. 4:32; Rom. 1:14-16; I Cor. 3:9; I Cor. 3:11; Matt. 13:13; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:4; Col. 1:4; Gal. 6:10; James 1:27; Rom. 12:30; Gal. 6:10; I Cor. 16:1-2; I Cor. 10:1)
[by Charles L. Houser, CH&BS lectures, 1963]

A CHRISTIAN AND HIS WORSHIP

Christ is truly Jesus. Jesus is a wonderful teacher. Come let us adore Him. This would be a wonderful place if people would obey him. He that hath ears to hear let him hear. It is my responsibility to hear Jesus as he preaches.
(John 4) The Sameritan woman came to Jesus.
Surely the Lord is in this place. God is everywhere. God is no respector of persons. God dwelleth not in a temple made with hands. When the spirit is gone the body is dead. God hates sin. God is a spirit and they that worship must worship him in spirit and in truth. When man worships God in spirit he is showing his dignity. We must worship God in truth. What is truth? We must restore Christianity. The gospel is the truth. The people that worship God teach doctrines as are taught in the scriptures.
[by Winston Tynes, CH&BS lectures, 1963]

THE CHRISTIAN AND COURTSHIP
(Heb. 13:4) Marriage is honorable in all.
Columbus courted Queen Isabella. 40% of the brides are teenagers. Out of every 6 teenage marriages 5 of them end in divorce. How does courtship come into marriage. For assurance of marriage success, courtship will take time. Courtship has been here for centuries.
The Bible will govern us. Strive to remain physically and mentally fit. Dependable in mood. Acts appropriate to their age. Pleasant with a sense of humor. Who am I to please. We need to please God.
(Col. 3:17)
God is to be considered when choosing a marriage partner. Your parents need to be pleased. Your mother and father have been there before.
(Rom. 15:2)
We are to please others
(Gal. 1:6)
God, parents, friends need to be pleased.
[by Max L. Johnson, CH&BS lectures, 1963]

THE JOY IN SERVING CHRIST

Everyone wants joy. In 1929 there were a large number of people that committed suicide. If religion is omitted from your life, when the Lord comes you will be sorry. If a man lusts after a woman in his mind, he has already committed adultery in his mind.
(Eph. 4:32)
There is joy in serving the Lord.
(Matt. 18)
Don't just forgive 7 times but 70 times 7...meaning always. If the joy today is in the world we are all in the world.
[by J.P. Prevatt, CH&BS lectures, 1963]

MY GOD

Learn to know God. Unless you know God you will not know joy. We must seek first the kingdom. What god to you serve?
(Phili. 3:19; Col. 3:5)
We can see God's hand in the service we render. We today are of all people most blessed. The teachings of man's heart was evil. God led the Children of Israel across the Red Sea. The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof. God is here today. God is all powerful. In him we live and move. God is always near.
(James 4:8)
Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you. There is no fear when God is here. God knows us by name. God knows how many hairs are on our heads.
(II Tim. 2:19; John 10:4; I Pet. 3:12)
God sees evil and good. When you do a good deed God knows that. Rock of ages cleft for me. God will not suffer us to be tempted beyond our ability to bear.
(Psa. 41; James 1:17)
Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.
(James 1:5; Acts 2:38; Matt. 7:7-11)
Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened. God is able to make these things abound.
(II Cor. 9:8-10)
These are promises of God.
(Rom. 8:23; Rom. 8:31; John 10:4)
Jesus speaks of himself as a good shepherd. All power is in heaven and on earth is his.
(Matt. 28:18-20)
[by Van Tate. 1963 CH&BS lectures

THE WORLD NEEDS CHRIST AND HIS GOSPEL
The Bible contains the message of the salvation of God.
(Matt. 28:18-20)
It is our duty to rescue the parishing and care for the dying. There are 4 serious accidents a minute, 4,500 burglaries, crime is up 500%, 68,000,000 drinkers, 550 divorces this year (1964). We need Christ and the Gospel. Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel." We must be like Isaiah.
(Matt. 17:5)
This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him.
(Heb. 1:1)
We do not dare to disobey the law of our government. We should also obey God's law to Go!
[by Malcolm Hill, CH&BS lectures, 1963]

WE HAVE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE OUR FAITH
Have phone - will call; Have pen - will write; Have interest - will come; Have car - will bring; Have voice - will sing; Have concern - will pray; Have Bible - will study; Have money - will give; Have time - will serve; Have children - will teach.
[from The Outreach, 12 Dec. 1990, p. 2]

(Psa. 33:12). No higher patriotism can be found than serving God, for it insures God's care and providence for the nation. Without that care, the nation will fall! (Psa. 127:1; Prov. 14:34). Serve your God, your country and yourself.
[from Gospel Minutes, vol. 28, no. 32, Aug. 10, 1979, p. 1]

WE CAN BE PARTNERS WITH GOD

When there was danger of jealousy dividing Christians at Corinth, with some following Paul and other Apollos, Paul showed that he and Apollos were "on the same team." But he further showed that there was another on that team! (I Cor. 3:6-9). That is an exciting concept, for the apostle is saying that we are actually "partners with God."

The apostle wrote in I John 4:8.... Jesus stated of Him...(Matt. 19:26). And Paul asked...(Rom. 8:31). That is the kind of partner we all want! With God as our partner, we can never fail. But God gives us responsibility, else there would be no partnership at all. When He put Adam in Eden, He told him...(Gen. 2:15). He gave Adam a job. And God gives us a job to do. He will help, but God will only do His part; we must do ours. But there is great work for this "partnership" to do.

WE ARE PARTNERS IN SAVING THE LOST

God's desire that the lost be saved is made clear at the cross...(John 3:16, Heb. 2:9). God...(I Tim. 2:4). So He gave the gospel, "the good news," to lead men to salvation in Christ...(Rom. 1:16).

But the gospel will not save unless people hear it. And that is where we come in. God gave the gospel, but He leaves it to us to preach it and make it known to the lost. (Mark 16:15). The fervor with which the early Christians accepted that task shows their recognition of partnership with God. (Acts 5:42; Acts 8:4; Acts 15:7; Acts 20:24). God gave the gospel, Christians preached it, and the lost heard it and accepted it. "God's fellow-workers" were telling the story of the cross, and so must we.

WE ARE PARTNERS IN HELPING THE NEEDY

God cares what happens to people in this world, and so should we. (I Pet. 5:7). When we are sick, lonely, afraid, tempted: God cares. In the law God gave to Israel, He ruled that the poor were to be cared for (Exo. 23:11). In the New Testament...(Gal. 2:10). His promise is sure (Heb. 13:5). God cares.

To show our partnership with God in caring for the needy, Jesus pictures the basis of the judgment...(Matt. 25:31-46). God cares for the needy, and those made in His image should care, also.

God warns...(Prov. 21:13). The question asked in I John 3:17 is pertinent today. We are told...(Luke 10:27; Gal. 6:10). God has no hands, except ours, to minister to the needy; He has no funds, except ours, to supply those needs; He has no feet, except ours, to carry the supplies to the hungry and naked; He has no words of comfort or solace, except those we speak, to encourage the lonely and troubled. In caring for the needy, we are "God's fellow-workers."

WE ARE PARTNERS IN BUILDING UP THE CHURCH

The psalmist worte...(Psa. 127:1). This is especially true with regard to...(I Tim. 3:15). But He intends for the church to...(Acts 9:31). The gospel is given that we...(I Pet. 2:2; Eph. 4:15). God gives us the means and the strength, but He gives us a job to perform, also...(I Thes. 5:14). In fact, the command is this...(I Thes. 5:11).

The teaching of the gospel is necessary if the church is be built up (Acts 11:26), so the admonition is given...(II Tim. 2:1-2). Through the mutual teaching of the members of the body of Christ, all of the members grow: and thus the church grows. In Gal. 6:1 God is concerned about the spiritual state of each of His children. As "God's fellow-workers," we must be concerned for the spiritual welfare of our brothers and sisters in the Lord...(Heb. 10:24).

WE ARE PARTAKERS IN SAVING OURSELVES

The fact that we are "saved by grace" does not mean that God leaves nothing for us to do. (Eph. 2:8; Rom. 5:2). It was by the grace of God that Jesus died for us (Heb. 2:9), so...(Rom. 3:23-24). If we are saved at all, it is by the grace of God.

But notice that God gives us something to do to accept His grace! "By grace through faith." The expression "through faith" indicates there is something for us to do: partners with God! We read the example of saving faith in Heb. 11: "By faith Abel" offered a sacrifice, "By faith Noah" built an ark, "By faith Abraham" obeyed. It is always obedient faith that God rewards, and that is the type faith that responds to the grace of God. (Rom. 1:17; I Pet. 1:22; Rom. 6:17-18).

Christ died for our sins...(Heb. 2:9). Then we, by faith...(Rom. 6:3-4). There is our partnership with God, the partnership of grace and faith, meeting in the death of Jesus Christ. That was the reason the apostle Peter, asked by believers...(Acts 2:37-40). We cannot save ourselves by ourselves, but "by grace through faith" we become partners with God in saving ourselves when we comply with His will for our lives.

Paul asks...(Rom. 8:31). Then six verses later, "We are more than conquerors through him that loved us." That is the reason for the triumphant cry of Paul...(Phili. 4:13). If we are truly "God's fellow-workers," then the eternal victory is ours!
[by Clem Thurman from Gospel Minutes, vol. 28, no. 32, Aug 10, 1979, p. 1-3]

THE BIBLE AND THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST

The Bible reveals God's will unto man, that he may worship and serve his God acceptably. The Cross epitomizes complete obedience to God's will, by which man becomes an heir of God. We invite you to worship where both the cross and Bible are held in highest esteem, and His will is faithfully obeyed. (Study Heb. 5:8-9).
[from Gospel Minutes, vol. 28, no. 36, Sept. 7, 1979, p. 1]

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