The Elon Challenger

ELON CHURCH OF CHRIST

New Hope, Alabama

Seeking to challenge your interest in things

spiritual & eternal (Eph. 6:10-18)

Volume 15 Number 6

February, 2018

 

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Table of Contents

Rejecting God’s Calling——————————————————————Dylan Stewart

Doesn’t It Seem Strange?———————————————————————Unknown

Do the Services Seem Dull?—————————————————————– Unknown

Interracial Marriage——————————————————————- Dylan Stewart

More Valuable than Gold————————————————————- Mike Johnson

The Duck Church—————————————————————————– Unknown

What If You Were the Last Remaining Christian——————————— Greg Gwin

 

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REJECTING GOD’S CALLING

Dylan Stewart

Moses was a great leader and a great man of God, but his journey was a long one that began even before his pivotal encounter with God at the burning bush when he was 80 years old. That encounter changed his life and the lives of generations to follow forever. Moses answered God’s call from the bush with the words “Here I am” (Exodus 3:4), but whether out of apprehension or humility, he quickly added five excuses for not immediately doing as God asked.

Moses’ first excuse was he was not good enough to fulfill God’s command. Moses asked,“Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11). Moses showed humility here, but also appeared content with his life as a shepherd. Some content that perhaps most days he did not remember the sin that drove him into the wilderness (Exodus 2:12). When God called Moses to go back to Egypt, how could he forget? I imagine in the intimacy of the encounter at the burning bush, every sin felt fresh as it flushed through his mind, perhaps making him feel inadequate to lead the Israelites. However, God did not accept Moses’ first excuse because it is the same excuse anyone could use. How many of us reject the calls God places in our lives, and then wonder why we feel spiritually dry? While we may think we are being humble by rejecting opportunities to influence others, we are actually denying God’s desire to bring His transforming power into the world.

Moses’ second excuse was he did not have all the answers. He asked God, “‘Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?’” (Exodus 3:13). As a boy, Moses was raised in Pharaoh’s household. He had every advantage to learn and cultivate his intellect. He must have been a well-read, well-educated man, yet he questioned his abilities. However, he missed the point. This call wasn’t about him—it was about God. The Lord was asking Moses to be His vessel and His voice to save the Israelites from the tyranny of Egyptian leadership, and to fulfill His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This excuse didn’t fly. Moses did not need all the answers because it was never about him in the first place. God would provide him with all the knowledge he needed.

Moses’ third excuse was his fear that people would not believe his message. He questioned God again by asking, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you” (Exodus 4:1). This excuse is a natural human instinct. Being vulnerable is scary—especially to a potentially hostile group. God didn’t let Moses hide behind this natural human fear. He gave him two miraculous tools to give him the confidence he needed. A rod that could turn into a serpent, and the ability to turn his hand leprous, and then make it whole again, by simply placing it inside his cloak. God did not dismiss this excuse. He equipped Moses to overcome it.

Moses’ fourth excuse was his lack of public speaking skills. Moses said, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” (Exodus 4:10). Again, we see Moses’ humility, but, as we would see throughout his pilgrimage, Moses was actually a very good orator. Perhaps Moses was being exceedingly humble, or perhaps God truly used a flawed vessel. I believe both are true. God doesn’t call the flawless to do His work. He takes the humble and works His flawless plan through our cracked and broken vessels. This excuse was his best sales-pitch for the job!

Moses’ final excuse is interesting because we do not know the true intent of his statement. Moses pleaded with God to “please send by the hand of whomever else You may send” (Exodus 4:13). He made this statement either because he still did not believe he was qualified, he lacked courage, or he simply did not desire to fulfill God’s calling. No reason is stated here as to why God should send someone else because Moses is all out of excuses, so he pleaded with God for someone else to go. No matter the reason for the excuse, Moses angered God. I do not know precisely what physical manifestations evidenced the anger which Moses mentions in verse 14, but my own impression is this must have scared Moses half to death. Can you imagine making God mad, then having to stand there faced with His anger? If Moses was afraid of the presence of God in the burning bush before (Exodus 4:6), one can hardly imagine the fear which Moses had at this point. Although angry with him, God placated Moses and called Aaron to serve alongside his brother. Moses’ final excuse was abated.

 

Conclusion

 

As many of us do, Moses came up with many excuses as to why he could not fulfill his calling. The Moses of Exodus chapters 3 and 4 is the same man who shows remarkable courage, obedience, and strength of character a few chapters later. God works with each of us as we are and takes us to where He wants us to be. He “knows our frame” and knows how we can perform our calling (Psalm 103:14). We just need to be willing to leave behind the excuses. What excuses are we offering Him?

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DOESN’T IT SEEM STRANGE

Unknown

Does it seem strange that the more active you are in the church the more you see the need to be at every service?  The stronger your faith becomes, the more active your service is. If you feel nothing or think nothing about forsaking the various assemblies of the Lord’s church, rest assured you have a weak faith.  Don’t fool yourself into believing God will accept your half-hearted service by giving you a home in heaven. “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”  Jas.1:22.

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DO YOU FIND THE SERVICES DULL?

Unknown

Some members find the services of the church dull and uninteresting. They attend only from a sense of duty, hoping to escape the eternal fires of hell. But they derive no joy from the services. Having come, they interest themselves in their neighbor’s clothes or children or other distractions, and if the building is comfortably warm in the winter or cool in the summer, they might even enjoy a pleasant nap.

People enjoy what they have been trained to appreciate. The musician enjoys a concert. The artist enjoys an art gallery. The spiritually minded enjoy the services of the church. To the carnally-minded they are a bore.

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INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE

Dylan Stewart

In Romans 2:11, Paul declares, “For there is no respect of persons with God.” Respect of persons is a sin, and it exists in many forms today. One example of respect of persons existing today is racism, and, more specifically, negative perceptions concerning interracial marriage. Racism is a sin: a sin dividing the human family, blotting out the image of God among specific members of that family, and violating the fundamental human dignity of those called to be children of the same Father. Racism is a sin that says some human beings are inherently superior and others essentially inferior because of race. It is a sin that makes racial characteristics the determining factor for the exercise of human rights. It mocks the words of Jesus – “Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them” (Matthew 7:12). Indeed, racism is more than a disregard for the words of Jesus; it is a denial of the truth of the dignity of each human provided by God since Creation.

God’s love is unconditional. In fact, Paul proclaims, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). If we are to exemplify God and Jesus in our life as we are commanded (Matthew 5:48), then we too must love people unconditionally, regardless of race or ethnicity. Racism is a work of the flesh. No one should be favored or discriminated against because of their nationality or skin color. God is no respecter of persons. Peter himself needed to be reminded of this fact in Acts 10. The Lord appeared to Peter in a vision helping him understand “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34). Since God does not show partiality, should we show partiality today? No! Proverbs 22:2 plainly teaches no matter who we are, what background we come from, the color of our skin, the language we speak, our financial circumstances, etc., we all have this in common – “The Lord is the maker of [us] all.” Similarly, Proverbs 24:23 tells us “These things also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment.” Why then does racism through the form of negative perceptions about interracial marriage exist within the church today?

Some suppose the Bible condemns interracial marriages because of a command given to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 7:3-4, which states, “You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods. Then the anger of the Lord would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly.” Something worth noting about this command is the fact that skin color was not a reason why the Lord condemned intermarriage between the Israelites and other nations. Instead, God imposed this restriction because He knew the Jews would turn away from Him due to temptations of falling into idolatry. God wanted to keep His people separate from the sinful nations around them to keep them from being corrupted by sinful practices. Furthermore, the people who God forbade the Jews from marrying are specified in Ezra 9:1. The groups of people listed are all dark skinned nations similar to the Jews. Thus, differences in skin color was not the reason why God condemned intermarriage between the Jews and the other nations. It was condemned because of the temptation of idolatry (Nehemiah 13:23-26).

Another point worth noting is this verse does not apply to Christians today. This restriction was specifically for the Jews, which is made evident in Joshua 23:12-13. We do not have this same restriction today. When Christ died, He made the Old Covenant “obsolete” (Hebrews 8:13). In other words, commands from the Old Covenant do not apply to Christians today. The only way God’s command to the Israelites may be applied today would be as an illustration to encourage Christians to marry fellow Christians. It is possible for a non-believer to pull a believer away from Christ into a sinful lifestyle. Thus, it is wise to marry someone who shares our beliefs. However, it is not plausible for us to use those verses to support the notion of interracial marriage as a sin because there are no New Testament passages forbidding people from marrying outside their own race. In fact, Peter told Cornelius’ family (Gentiles), “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean” (Acts 10:28). Peter, a man who once was unwilling to teach non-Jewish people, realized it is wrong to believe one group of people is any different than another group. We should be like Peter and recognize the error in such a mind set because “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ” (Galatians 3:28), and we are all one TO Christ.

The New Testament repeatedly celebrates the fact that Jesus’ redemptive work has brought believing Jews and Gentiles, once separated by the ceremonial law, into one body – the church. No passage states this more clearly than Ephesians 2:11-22. Here, Paul indicates Christians of all ethnicities have been made heirs of the covenant promises, being brought into one body with all other believers as members of the family of God. To classify interracial marriage as sin is to deny an accomplishment of the atoning work of Jesus Christ. It is a contradiction of what the Gospel does in reconciling all believers “to God in one body through the cross” (Ephesians 2:16). Racism in the church, or indifference to it, is thus inimical to the Gospel and to the purposes of the saving work of Christ, since all can be united to Christ no matter their ethnicity. The work of Christ creates the communion of the saints, and Christians are to support and bear witness to the reality of that communion.

 

Conclusion

 

The Bible, our infallible guide in all matters of human relationships, speaks clearly and explicitly against racism, prejudice, and discrimination. The Old Testament declares all people are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27; 5:1-2). Similarly, the New Testament shows how barriers separating us from one another have been broken down through the life and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:26-28; Colossians 3:11). In the early church, the apostles confronted racial divisions, and it is clear their response was reconciliation through the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:1-7; 10:1-22). Based on these unequivocal biblical mandates, racism and, more specifically, negative perceptions concerning interracial marriage is a sin against our fellowman, and therefore a sin against God, who has created all humankind in His image.

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MORE VALUABLE THAN GOLD

Mike Johnson

 

Psalm 19:10 (thought to be written by David) says the Word of God is “… more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.” (NASB)

Wealth, whether in the form of gold or some other type of precious metal or even currency, is usually much desired.  Some people will do just about anything to obtain wealth.  They covet after material things which are their number one ambition in life. People also desire good food. Imagine the drippings of a honeycomb or picture another type of food which you highly desire.

There is something which should be more desirable than these, and that is the Word of God.  The Bible is communication from our Creator.  The Scriptures are so important because they tell us how to obtain eternal life.

David elsewhere pointed out in Psalm 119:97, “O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day.”  In verse 105, he said, “ Thy word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path.” God’s Word is our guide to heaven. Job 23:12 says, in keeping with the second half of our text, “…I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.”

Consider a poem written by Ken Thomas called “Our Precious Bible.”

 

OUR PRECIOUS BIBLE

“Our precious Bible, book divine”

It tells of God and the beginning of time

It’s a “light to our pathway, a

lamp to our feet”

May we always realize its

taste so sweet

It tells where we came from

and why we’re here

The possibility of life in

that heavenly sphere

It tells of a Savior, the

divine Son of God

Who as God/man this

earthly pathway trod

Who died and was raised

to save us from sin

If only we’ll hear and

let Him come in

If by faith we repent and

are baptized into Him

We can have that home

in the heavenly realm.

(Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:22-38, 40-41, 47)

           -Kenneth E. Thomas 11/10/03

 

Abraham Lincoln once said, “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good of the Savior of the world is communicated to us through the Book.”

What is your attitude toward the Word of God?  Do you desire God’s Word? Is it more desirable to you than gold or any material wealth? Do you study it enough to really know what it says?  Most importantly, do you love God’s Word enough to actually follow it?  In Matthew 7:21, Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.”  James 1:21 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

God’s Word is truly more valuable than gold, even fine gold; it is as sweet and desirable as honey.  Do you look at it like that?  If not, you should.

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THE DUCK CHURCH

(Unknown)

 

One fine Sunday morning, the ducks gathered for duck church.  They waddled into their duck pews, sang from their duck song books and listened to their duck preacher.  The duck preacher said, “Ducks, you don’t have to waddle.  You have wings like eagles.  You can fly!  Fly, ducks fly!

The ducks said, “Amen, Amen!”  Then when the service was over, the ducks got up and waddled home.

New Testament Application: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.” (James 1:22-24)

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WHAT IF YOU WERE THE LAST

REMAINING CHRISTIAN?

Greg Gwin

 

A tired and discouraged Elijah proclaimed to God, “I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life to take it away” (1 Kings 19:10). He was wrong, of course. The Lord explained that He had 7,000 who remained faithful (vs. 18).

But, what if Elijah had been right? What if he really was the last remaining faithful servant of God in all the earth? Two things seem clear: 1) He could not have used this as an excuse to give up, to surrender, to stop doing the will of God; and 2) The urgency of his work would have been even greater. The need for his proclamation of God’s word would have been even more pressing.

There’s a lesson here for us. Have you ever felt like you were alone in your stand for the truth? Has it seemed like no one else was committed to doing what was right? If so, you should take heart in knowing that there are many others who share your convictions and dedication. You are NOT alone. As in Elijah’s day, God knows and has an accurate count of all those who are faithfully living for Him. But, even if you were the last faithful Christian in all the world, you would still need to work hard to teach and practice the will of God. This would not be an excuse for you to give up or surrender in your service for Him. In fact, your work would be more important than ever.

If all men were to let us down, and we truly stood alone, we would still have this promise from God: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” And our reaction to this truth should be to “boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Heb.13:5,6).

Christian, you are not alone. You have a host of faithful brethren who stand with you. And, you have the Almighty God of heaven who supports you. Stand fast!

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The Elon Challenger is published monthly by the church of Christ meeting at 4021 Hobbs Island Road in Owens Cross Roads.  The mailing address is PO Box 149, New Hope, AL, 35760 where any comments, questions, or requests for further information can be sent.  The Challenger is also distributed monthly to the Elon congregation as an eight page, paper publication. The editor is Mike Johnson.

The website address is www.elonchurchofchrist.com

 

Evangelist & Editor: Mike Johnson

www.seekingthingsabove.org