The Elon Challenger

ELON CHURCH OF CHRIST

New Hope, Alabama

Seeking to challenge your interest in things

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

Volume 14  Number 5

January, 2017

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Table of Contents

Are You Frozen?———————————————————— Mike Johnson

Your Worst Enemy————————————————————–Unknown

Good Speech———————————————————–Richard Thetford

Some Things Are Not for Sale———————————————–Unknown

Does God Accept Your Worship———————————–Carrol R. Sutton

Why Truth Is Important——————————————–Carrol R. Sutton

Counting the Costs———————————————————–Cary Scott

If We Tell Our Children—————————————————-Unknown

Sentence Sermons———————————————————-Unknown

Are We Looking for the Right Packaging?—————————-Unknown

 

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Are You Frozen?

Mike Johnson

I would like to relate a story which I have had for many years in my files.  I don’t know the name of the author, but the message is certainly clear. The story is called, “Waiting too Long.”

Once a man standing by Niagara saw an eagle sitting on a lamb frozen in a piece of ice.  The eagle was feasting upon the carcass as it drifted towards the rapids.  Now and then the eagle proudly lifted his head to look around, as if to say, ‘I’m drifting toward danger, but I know what I am doing.  I will fly away and escape before it is too late.’ With great interest the man watched the piece of ice and its strange cargo drift nearer the awful roar of the falls.  At last the eagle stopped and spread his powerful wings and leaped for flight.  But alas, while he had been feasting on the carcass his feet had frozen to the fleece.  He leaped and shrieked in vain.  Together the frozen lamb and the eagle went over the falls into the darkness of death.

Many people today are like the eagle of our story.   They feast on sin, intending to obey God at some point in their lives.  But, like the eagle they do so at their peril.  Consider some very important factors.

To begin with, we need to recognize that delay is rebellion against God.  If a mother told her son to do something, and the child said, “Not now, I will do it tomorrow,” would she be pleased?  The answer, of course, is “no.” That child would be rebellious and would be displeasing to his mother. Do we want, at any point, to be in a state where God would regard us as rebellious?  II Corinthians 6:2 says today is the day of salvation. On one occasion, Paul preached to Felix (Acts 24:25) about righteousness, self control, and the judgment to come. Sadly, instead of obeying he delayed and said, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”

Also, delay is very dangerous.  First, at the longest, life upon earth is short. In Psalm 90:9, the writer refers to life as a “sigh”(NKJV). It is compared to a vapor which appears for a little while and then vanishes away (James 4:14).  Second, we can die at any time which may be while we are in rebellion against God.  Third, We do not know when Christ will return. The Bible teaches that Christ will return unexpectedly as a thief in the night (I Thess. 5:2).  If we could know exactly how long we are going to live, it would still be dangerous to defer obedience.

The “falls” are ahead for every person.  We may come to them a lot quicker than we think. It is important for us to be like the psalmist who said in Psalm 119:60, “I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments.”  Remember, delayed obedience is disobedience!

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Good Speech

Richard Thetford

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver” (Proverbs 25:11). Good speech might be defined as the expression of thought in well chosen words. People are judged by the words they speak and what they do. These are the two things we have by which to know the mind or heart of others. Jesus said, “Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). The importance of good speech was also emphasized by the apostle Paul: “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). Solomon also let us know the importance of choosing our words carefully: “Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him” (Proverbs 29:20). We will give an account for the words we speak in the day of judgment and that is why it is so important that we think before we speak. “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37). We all need to make sure we are careful with the words we speak, knowing that God hears us and that we will have to give an account of our words one day.

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Some Things Are Not for Sale

The story is told that the professor of an advance calculus class gave a big test to his students. Once the test was over and the students handed in their papers, the professor noticed that one of the students had attached a $100 bill to his test with a note saying “A dollar per point.”

The professor had graded the tests by the next class. He handed the test papers back to the respective students. The student who had attached the $100 bill and note got back his test score and $64 in change.

We live in a materialistic society. It is hard for the greater population to understand that money will not buy everything. Knowledge does not belong to the highest bidder. Knowledge belongs to those who will work hard, study, and apply their God given ability to think.

Physical health cannot be bought with money. The rich get sick and die the same as the poor. People have been known to spend small fortunes seeking for one more day of life and health. It matters not how much money is spent. If one has destroyed their bodies with their lifestyle, they will suffer the consequence of their actions. Good health comes from nutrition, exercise, and abstaining from alcoholic drink, tobacco, drugs, etc.

Sinners cannot buy their way into Heaven. God does not desire our money. It is our hearts and service rendered in His cause (Romans 12:1-2). Oh, how sad will be the end of those who try to bargain with God. God, just let my child get well and I will become a Christian. God, please don’t let them do away with my job and I will go to every service. Dear God, don’t let it be cancer and I will do anything you ask of me.

Bargaining with God does not work, because when the crisis is past people forget their promises. It is truly worse for them than at the beginning (2 Peter 2:20-23).

“But godliness with contentment is great gain: for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out; but having food and covering we shall be therewith content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8).

                                                                                                                Author Unknown

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Does God Accept Your Worship?

Carrol R. Sutton

Some people say: “It does not matter how we worship. I can worship God any way I want to and God will accept my worship.” Friends and brethren, is this what the New Testament of Jesus Christ teaches? Is it? Let us see.

 Ignorant Worship

In speaking to the Athenians, the apostle Paul said: “Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you” (Acts 17:22-23). It is obvious from the reading of this passage that God does not accept this kind of worship! Ignorant worship is vain worship!

 Vain Worship

In Matthew 15:7-9 Jesus said to some religionists of the first century: “Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” It can be clearly seen from this passage that worship is vain when people teach for doctrines the commandments of men, although they may draw nigh unto God with their mouths and may honour God with their lips. Their heart is far from God when they teach and are directed by the doctrines of men. God does not accept this kind of worship!

 Will Worship

In Colossians 2:18-23 the apostle Paul mentions some things and then says, “Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.” Will-worship is worship directed by and is after one’s own will. It is self chosen and for this reason it is a departure from God’s wisdom and way. However pious and plausible it may seem and regardless of how beautiful it may appear, it is folly and thus it is in vain. God does not accept this kind of worship!

True Worship

In John 4:23-24 our blessed Lord said: “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” It is quite obvious from this passage that it does matter how one worships God. God said that worship “must” be “in spirit and in truth!” We dare not say otherwise. Please examine your worship in the light of these and other Scriptures and see if God accepts it.

TRUE WORSHIP COMES THROUGH STUDY (2 Timothy 2:15)

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Why Truth Is Important?

Carrol R. Sutton

Truth is very important because:

IT MAKES US FREE. In Jno. 8:32 Jesus said: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Truth when known, will liberate us from superstition, the ignorance of sin, the love of sin, the practice of sin, and the wages of sin.

IT SANCTIFIES. Jesus said in his prayer in Jno. 17:17; “Sanctify them through Thy truth; thy word is truth.” TO SANCTIFY means to dedicate; to set aside for holy uses; to make holy.  Our dedication to God’s service, or our being made holy and being set aside for holy uses is accomplished by the truth, which is God’s Word.

IT PURIFIES. In 1 Pet. 1:22, Peter said: “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth…” We learn from Acts 15:9 that our hearts are purified by faith.. since faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17), we must hear the truth, believe the truth, and obey the truth in order for our souls or hearts to be purified. There is no other way.

IT SAVES. We learn from Rom. 1:16, that the gospel (which is the truth) is God’s  power unto salvation.  James says in 1:23; “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”  The truth must be believed and obeyed in order for us to be saved by it.  Jesus said; “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mk. 16:16).

IT WILL JUDGE US. In Jno. 12:48, Jesus said: “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my word, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”  The Word of Christ is the TRUTH by which we shall be judged in the last day.  Whether we receive or reject the truth, it will stand  forever and we must face it in judgment.  If we have spurned the Lord’s invitation to obey the truth, we will stand condemned and thus lost forever.  Our eternal destiny will be the lake of fire and brimstone where the devil and all the wicked will be cast to be tormented.

Yes, truth is indeed the pearl of great price.  We should be willing to pay whatever the cost may be that we might buy it, and even then it will be the greatest “bargain” of our lives.  As the wise man said; “BUY THE TRUTH AND SELL IT NOT.”

Are you willing to pay the price in order to receive the truth?  Do not be deceived by cunning craftiness and the sleight of men who lie in wait to deceive, but “try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 Jno. 4:1).

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Counting the Costs

Carey Scott

Anything that is of value will cost something. It will be money or time or some sort of effort on our part. An education will take time and money and lots of effort.  A marriage will be successful with the same ingredients along with love, devotion, and understanding. Operating a successful business requires the same ingredients. Most people understand this and willingly apply these things to whatever they choose to do. But we want to consider what salvation and Christianity will cost us in simple terms, and we will encourage you to make the right choice.

Becoming a Christian may cost us something in our human relationships. Jesus must come first and be more important than even our family and closest relationships.  While those relationships are important, we cannot allow those ties to keep us from serving God. Obedience to the gospel can cause a strain on a relationship, because the elements of such relationship have changed.  While one may be desiring to serve God, a loved one may not choose to do so. If you want your loved one saved, you may have to put a lot of effort to bring them to Christ, and we know that many people are not interested in spiritual matters, and they may choose a different path. Some people have been shunned by their entire families, and in some cultures, have been killed for leaving their former belief system.

It could cost us financially to become a Christian. There are many ways to make money, and it seems like the most lucrative professions are also the most sinful ones as well. Many people are not willing to become paupers for the cause of Christ.  They enjoy their luxury and their excess. Christians are giving people, and that does not limit their giving to the contribution plate passed on Sunday. The Bible tells us anytime we see a need, we should help with whatever ability or resources or money we have. We should give as we have been prospered, because we are concerned for the work of the church in the local area.  We should want to participate and support activities that could help others get to heaven.

It may cost us something as Christians to stand firm for the truth. There have been times when the truth was preached, that the preacher lost his life. Stephen’s preaching of the gospel angered the Jews, and they stoned him. The early church suffered persecution (even death) at the hands of those who had been given the word of God, but failed to recognize the grace of God of the gospel. Today, it is not much different. Many people hate it when a preacher points out their sins. And you don’t have to be a preacher to tell someone they are wrong in something, they will still despise you for saying so.

Following Christ will cost us our own selfish will. We are to become new creatures with new desires and new goals. We learn that we are not as important as we think we are, and that we should treat others as more important than ourselves. One might look at all the vices that are offered in this world and think that they have to miss out on all the fun. Well, the reality is that the moments pleasures usually have consequences that are often hard to bear. To party in excess usually ends up in hangovers and throwing up, and feeling bad all day, not to mention realizing some of the stupid things one did, and who they might have hurt or killed in their drunken stupor. One might think that using foul, vulgar language makes one popular, but only with a group that chooses that kind of language. In all, the cost of discipleship is very high, but extremely worth it.

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If We Tell Our Children

  • If we tell them that the Bible is the only source of spiritual food, but they never see us feasting on the precious promises, what are we teaching them?
  • If we tell them that the Christian must pray without ceasing, but they never see us on our knees, what are we teaching them?
  • If we tell them the church is the pillar and ground of the truth, but they see us attend irregularly, and give grudgingly, what are we teaching them?
  • If we tell them that our Father knows our every need and that our future is secure in Him, but they see us taking anxious thought for tomorrow, grasping for the things money can buy, what are we teaching them?

Sentence Sermons

  • The difficulties of life, if properly viewed, should make us better, not bitter.
  • A man does not want a woman for a wife if he cannot respect her as a lady.
  • To have a good marriage, you must not only find, but also be the right person.
  • Criticism is something one can avoid by saying nothing, doing nothing and BELIEVING NOTHING.
  • Do not regret growing old; it is a privilege many do not have.

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Are We Looking for the Right Packaging?

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.  As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car.

Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man’s name embossed in gold. Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, “With all your money you give me a Bible?” and stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.

When he arrived at his father’s house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father’s important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matthew 7:11, “And if ye, being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly father which is in heaven, give to those who ask Him?”  As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer’s name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words…PAID IN FULL.

                                                                                                Author Unknown

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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