What Can We Do About This Mess?

written by Tim Jennings

You can feel the earth quake with political unrest. Malicious words and outlandish lies are the dialect of our day. Societies are boiling over with anger and violence. Immorality is accepted and even celebrated. There is a constant fear of the latest virus or natural disaster that threatens to change the landscape. The constant news cycle, like a drug dealer, injects the latest form of distress into the ears of a society of anxiety addicts.

What can a disciple of Jesus do about this mess? Should we be consumed with despair? Should we retreat to islands of isolation? Should we fume and fight? No. We should not be surprised. The Bible constantly compares the nations to a raging sea, foaming and cresting with turbulence. The turmoil of our day is not unique, but our response should be. The Bible does not call us to take up arms and raise our fists, but our Commander orders us to drop to our knees and raise up holy hands in prayer. Please don't be disheartened by the simplicity of this response. Prayer is no cop-out. It is not the passive reply of the timid. Prayer is the courageous act of heaven's soldiers (Eph. 6:18). It is "of first importance" (1 Tim. 2:1). It raises our heads out of the mire to see that God is still actively on the throne (Isa. 6; Rev. 5). Nothing is hopeless. The shouts of angry and wicked people will not have the last word. So yes, the world is a mess, but you can pray 1 Timothy 2:1-8 provides us with a model of how to pray in a messed up world.

Prayer Reminds Us God Is In Control

First, our prayers must push beyond our national boarders or political ideas and reach out for the spiritual good of all people. Paul writes, "I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people;" because God desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:1,4).  Our prayers should be as big as God's desire to save. This includes even praying for "kings and all those in authority" (1 Tim. 2:2). No matter how distant they are or how sinful they live, we can touch their lives through prayer. The reason prayer is effective over such vast lands and powerful people is because God is in control! Paul begins his letter to Timothy praying to a God who is "the eternal King," and he ends his letter praying to "the King of kings, and Lord of lords" (1 Tim. 1:17, 6:15-16). Prayer is our declaration that God reigns. "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He will" (Prov. 21:1). Daniel was distressed over the condition and survival of God's people, so he turned to prayer. I'm sure the prayer of an old man seemed like nothing compared to the horse and chariot, spear and arrow. Except the God of heaven heard it, and that very day dispatched angels to turn the hearts of world leaders to save His people (Dan. 9-11; esp. 10:12-20). Daniel knew that God "changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings" (Dan. 2:21). A fearful and complaining spirit characterizes those whose eyes are turned downward, but a hopeful courage is the possession of those who pray.

Pray To Live A Godly Life

The purpose our prayers is that we might live in peace, as Paul put it, "pray...that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Tim. 2:2).  God created government for the peace and security of society. When it functions correctly disciples can fulfill their responsibilities without interference. That is why we pray for peace, not for our personal comfort or national pride, but that the cause of Christ might flourish (Acts 9:31). This is accomplished by living "peaceful and quiet lives." This relates to our submissive and supportive attitude toward governing authorities (Rom. 13:1-2; 1 Pet.2:13-14). Praying for leaders drains away thought s of hat red and rebellion, and allows us to see them as objects of God's concern. In addition, peaceful conditions allow us to more effectively model "godliness and holiness" (see 1 Thess. 4:11-12). Each day we live in peace is a perfect day to model the gospel of peace in a world of sin and conflict (1 Pet. 2:11-12). There are places all over this world where Christians cannot live out their faith openly and the gospel is not welcomed, but prayer can change that.

Pray So People Will Be Saved

Ultimately, prayer has an evangelistic goal —"God desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:3). We pray for leaders, that we might live in peace, so we can be free to live and share the gospel with the world. The greatest problems in this world will not be solved by an election, a referendum, a war, more education, or a financial handout. The needs of our world are fundamentally spiritual. People need to know the truth so they can see through the deception of sin. People need peace with God which comes through Jesus, the "one Mediator between God and men," "who gave himself as a ransom for all people" (1 Tim. 2:6). It is time for our prayers to grow beyond our personal desires and physical comforts. Our world is in a mess. It is time to pray.

WHAT DO 21ST-CENTURY CHRISTIAN YOUTH NEED?
Roger D. Campbell

We thank the God of heaven that there are youth in His church who love Him and make their best effort to live a godly life. It is both refreshing and encouraging to see their youthful zeal. If young folks are in the Christ, then I do not look at them as the church of the future —they are just as much God’s child as I am, and they are the church of the present. True, they may be future leaders in the church, and they may outlive older members and keep the church going strong, but I dare not count them as low-level or inferior members of the body. 
        What are the spiritual needs of our youth? What do they need in their lives that can help them to bear spiritual fruit and be ready to go to heaven after their earthly journey ends? I do not have a magic wand that can guarantee 100% spiritual success, but here are five fundamental needs of today’s young saints. 
        1) They need to see good examples from adult Christians.Paul told the brethren in Philippi, “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do...”(Phil. 4:9).We who are older owe it to our younger brothers and sisters to set the same kind of example that Paul did.As the same apostle instructed Titus, “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works...”(Titus 2:7), so our lives ought to be an exemplary model for our youth. As we teach them God’s truth, we must also live it in our own lives (Rom. 2:21-23). 
        2) They need to be loved.That is a basic human need at each stage and age of life. Our youth may never directly say to us, “Please love me,” but, in fact, they have a tremendous need to be on the receiving end of agapelove —the kind of love that wants what is best for them. They need to know that we really care for them; yes, that we will very gladly spend and be spentfor them (2 Cor. 12:15). They deserve to be encouraged and complimented for good efforts.Because our heart truly longs for them to have the most fruitful life in Jesus (Col. 1:10), we must be committed to telling them what they need to hear for their personal and spiritual development. That includes discipline in two phases: first, education about proper conduct in God’s sight, and second, when needed, a word or action that warns or rebukes. Jesus rebukes and chastens those whom He loves (Rev. 3:19). There are times when our youth need “tough love,” but let us always approach them with respect and compassion.
        3) They need to be given opportunities to use and develop their talents.Servants of the Lord, at every age level, have abilities. As the Parable of the Talents shows (Matt. 25:14-30), our Lord wants us to use (for His glory) the abilities and blessings which He has placed in our hands. Yes, He wants us to be faithful stewards (1 Cor. 4:1). Like those of us whose youthful days are a distant memory, young saints need to use and develop their talents. That takes time. It also takes experience, but one cannot gain experience unless he/she is granted opportunities. Let us make our greatest effort to get our youth involved in the work of the local church—involved in visiting widows, performing tasks around the church building, reaching out to members who have left their first love, distributing literature, leading in worship (if brothers), helping teach kids, and many other aspects of the Kingdom. Let us take time to work with them and train them. It will pay great dividends both now and in the future.
        4) They need to develop close friendships with other faithful members of the Lord’s church.Studies indicate that when young disciples of Jesus have a close friendship with not just one, but several other young saints, they have a much higher probability of remaining faithful to the Lord through the trials of life that inevitably will come their way. While “evil company corrupts good habits” (cf. 1 Cor. 15:33), it is equally true that close camaraderie with those of “like precious faith” (2 Peter 1:1) can be a wonderful leavening factor, provide encouragement, and even supply “positive peer pressure” to keep a person from making foolish choices. Parents, you are making an invaluable investment in your children’s future when you provide them and their close Christian friends with opportunities to spend time together.
        5) They need to develop their own personal faith.This is the key, brethren. It is not simply of major importance, it is the key! The Bible says our faithis what overcomes the world (1 John 5:4). The just/righteous live and please God by faith (Heb. 10:38,39). Since faith is produced by hearing God’s word (John 17:20;Rom. 10:17), then this must be the focus of our efforts! We must get our youth into God’s Book —teach them, indoctrinate them, ground them in the truth. The matters that have been mentioned above will be of no value unless a young sister or brother develops her/his own faith; not an inherited faith, but a personalfaith that is a blend of conviction and trust that leads to obedience.
        Do you know what? As I look over the above list of the five things that I’ve scribbled down, I realize that I am far beyond the years of my youth, yet I have a lot in common with my youthful sisters and brothers —my spiritual needs are basically the same as theirs. That is correct. While I may have to face somewhat different challenges at this stage of my life, in reality, if I am going to serve my Lord faithfully, then my spiritual needs must be met —the very same needs that our youth have. 
        Hmm, I must be special too! Let us pray for our youth and support their efforts to live for the living God.

THE LORD’S CHURCH WAS NOT ESTABLISHED TO...
Marvin Weir 

        The Lord’s church is the one that was established in A.D. 33 in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. The Lord’s church is the onethat Jesus built (Matt. 16:18) and purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28). The Lord’s church is the one body the apostle Paul recognized as being valid (Eph. 4:4). There is only one body that the Savior has promised to save (Eph. 5:23). It is imperative to understand that we are not discussing what denominations were established to do. Denominations may do whatever their founder desires them to do and please men, but they will never please God. If the church of our Lord is to be faithful, it must only do the bidding of its founder, Jesus Christ, and such will never please most men. 
        The Lord’s church was not established to exist incognito! It makes one want to gag to hear those who profess to be members of the Lord’s church avoid telling people they are a member of the church of Christ. These modern day dreamers will tip-toe for miles on eggshells before they will admit they are a member of the church of Christ. Upon being forcedto make the admission, they then apologize by saying, “But we don’t believe we are the only one’s going to heaven.” 
        What is wrong with the name church of Christ? Am I ashamed that Christ built His church? Am I embarrassed that the church wears His glorious name? Do I not want the church to be connected with the Savior? Brethren, these questions deserve an honest answer. Many members need to begin thinking for themselves and cease following the liberal change-agents who would place the church under a bushel (cf. Matt. 5:13-16). Faithful soldiers of the cross will boldly proclaim the essentiality and eternal destiny of the Lord’s church. We cannot keep the church a secret and save the souls of men! 
        The Lord’s church was not established to provide entertainment for its members! One can search the Bible from beginning to end and never find one incident where God has sought to entertain His people. It can be proved, however, that God “would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth” (I Tim. 2:4). It is also true that “the Son of man came to seek and save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). We read that it was the Lord’s desire “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). When the early church was persecuted and scattered, they did not offer all types of entertainment to attract people. They did, however, go “about preaching the word. And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them the Christ” (Acts 8:4-5). The early church realized that the Gospel was the only “power of God unto salvation,” and they were not ashamed to proclaim it (Rom. 1:16). 
        The early church did not seek to attract people with eloquent dramatized skits laced with finger-nail biting excitement! Neither did the early church have “youth ministers” to entertain and baby-sit the young. Didn’t they know that because of severe persecution they would have to cater to the wants of both young and old in order to grow? The wisdom of man says that the early church is destined to fail. The result — the early Christians who feared God and unashamedly proclaimed the Gospel grew by leaps and bounds (cf. Acts 2:41; 4:4; 5:14; 6:7; 9:31). 
        The Lord’s church was not established to provide a soothing answer to man’s sins! The majority of men want to live in sin, enjoy the pleasures of the moment, and be told that all is well with their souls. Thus, alcoholics have a disease, homosexuals have a defective gene, fornication is simply an affair, lying is misinformation, and sin is tolerated as a mistake. Brethren, we can ill afford to pat members on the back, accept their contribution, and overlook sin! All sin is deadly (Rom. 6:23), and all must repent (give up) of their sins or lose their souls. Even though not “politically correct,” Christians will teach sinners that they must “repent or perish” (Luke 13:3). 
        May we keep in mind that the Lord’s church was established to do what no man-made institution can do. Let us therefore not lose sight of the glorious purpose and mission of the Lord’s church. 
 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE “ISSUE ORIENTED?”
Tom Wacaster 

 Occasionally, I hear someone make the comment that those who are adamant regarding issues that face the Lord’s church are “issue oriented.” Funk and Wagnalls defines “issue” as “a matter of importance to be resolved.” Webster says it is “the point or matter depending in a suit on which two parties join and put their cause to trial.” Oriented means “the determining of one’s position with reference to circumstances, ideals, etc” (Funk and Wagnalls). Hence, to be “issue oriented” is to “determine one’s position and put that cause to trial or to the test.” 
        Since the Christian has the obligation to “prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (I Thess. 5:21), it stands to reason that there will always be “issues” facing the Lord’s church. And, since we have the obligation to “...sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (I Peter 3:15), we are therefore “oriented” in giving a defense for the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). 
        While it is possible to become so imbalanced that we are cynical about the Lord’s church and its future, we must also face the fact that so long as the church exists, we are going to have to face the issues that come our way. To do otherwise is to abdicate our responsibility. 
        A negative connotation has been attached to the words “issue oriented.” This “label” is used by critics to hush the mouths of those who still love the truth while making the unsuspecting believe that there is something inherently evil in dealing with issues. None would be so bold as to suggest that all issues should be ignored, since even the most liberal change agent will take us to task on the issue of being issue oriented. 
        The question arises, then, as to “when” our dealing with issues becomes imbalanced. I suggest to you that any issue, and every issue that comes down the pike, is an issue that cannot be ignored and must be dealt with forthrightly. If the truth is at stake we cannot and will not remain silent. The only alternative is to ignore the issues and allow the church to be swept into apostasy. It is my studied conviction that at least one reason why the Lord’s church is so troubled today is that too many brethren have simply grown weary of fighting the battle. Consequently, false teachers have crossed the threshold and are in the midst of the flock having a heyday. Meanwhile too many elderships and preachers sit back and do nothing for fear that they might be perceived as being “issue oriented.” 
        Yes, it is possible to become so consumed with the issues that face the Lord’s church that we become cynical and never hold out any hope to God’s people. But the desire to provide hope and peace cannot drive us to ignore the issues that would in fact rob us of that hope and peace by leading us into error.

The Privileges Of Membership

David Boren

         American Express has the slogan:  “Don’t leave home without it!”  The company is suggesting that membership has its privileges. With it, you can do anything from grab a bite to eat or go on a family vacation; and, if you were to lose your card while on vacation, you could get a new card and even a cash advance, so that your vacation will not be interrupted. It is certainly a comfort to know that you won’t be stranded in the middle of nowhere.

         Now, brethren, membership in the Lord’s church has even greater privileges.  We have the privilege of calling upon God our Father in prayer, and cast all our cares “upon Him” (1 Peter 5:7), knowing that “His ears are open to” our prayers (1 Peter 3:10-12).  We have the privilege of worshiping Him “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24) because through His beloved Son, we have “grace and truth” (John 1:17).  We don’t have to wonder or guess or think up how we are going to serve Him, or worship Him; He “has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3).  We have the privilege of knowing that wherever we are, wherever we go, we can carry with us the blessed hope of eternal salvation (Hebrews 10:22-23). For those who are on vacation or about to go on vacation, it is a privilege to know that there are faithful, sound congregations of the Lord’s church in many locations, usually within a short distance of where we plan to go on vacation.  It is a privilege and beautiful thing to be in different locations, with different people, and still be able to worship the same God together, in the same way (e.g. “in spirit and truth”).  It is a privilege to know that should we find ourselves drifting away from God (through sin), and realize that, at that very moment, we are lost; that we can come to God with a penitent heart, confess our sin(s), and know that He is loving and merciful, and that He will forgive us of our sins (1 John 1:5-2:2).  It is a privilege to know that we can be restored to His good favor (Jude 20-21).

         Friends, if this sounds good to you, here is all you need to know in order to apply:

                  a.      Study the Bible, specifically the New Testament (as the Old Testament has been fulfilled,

                           Matthew 5:17; Luke 24:44; Galatians 3:24-25; Hebrews 10:9-10; and has been nailed to the cross,

                           Colossians 2:14), until you are convinced that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God

                           (John 8:24; 20:30-31).

                  b.     Upon believing in Jesus as Lord and Christ, confess and repent of your sins (turn away from

                           those sins, change your destiny by changing your direction; 2 Corinthians 7:10;Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30).

                  c.      Having repented of your sins, confess your faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living

                           God (cf. Matthew 16:16; John 11:27; Acts 8:37).

                  d.     Once you have confessed your faith in Christ, be baptized “in the name of the Father and of

                           the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19) “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).

After you have done these things, the Lord Himself will add you to His church (Acts 2:47); and you will have, at that very moment, the blessed hope of eternal salvation (cf. 1 Peter 1:3-5; Romans 8:24-25).

An added privilege:  no one will run a credit check on you.  All who come to God, through Christ, come hopelessly in debt. That’s why people want membership – because Jesus paid the debt that we could never pay!  He paid the penalty for our sins when He died upon the cross of Calvary.  As Paul said, so every member of the Lord’s church says:  “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).  In Christ, your debt of sin can be forgiven!  

If you haven’t done so already, please apply for membership today!

To God Be The Glory Both Now And Forever!