Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

 

https://thepreachersword.com/2018/03/22/dont-sweat-the-small-stuff/#more-12106

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

“Often we allow ourselves to get all worked up about things that upon closer examination aren’t really that big a deal,” wrote Dr. Richard Carlson in his classic little book entitled Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.

Carlson illustrates how we may “focus on little problems and concerns and blow them way out of proportion. A stranger, for example, might cut in front of us in traffic. Rather than let it go, and go on with our day, we convince ourselves that we are justified in our anger.”

There are so many little things that can divert our attention from the bigger, more important issues of life.

Slow service at a fast food restaurant.

Listening to criticism that is unjustified from someone who’s uninformed.

Wait in line at the grocery store.

Being stalled in traffic.

Doing most of the work without anyone helping.

What do you do about the small irritants? Complain to Jesus? I know someone who did.

Luke records an occasion where Jesus journeyed to Bethany to visit two sisters. Mary and Martha. (Lk. 10:38-42). Their brother was Lazarus, whom Jesus later raised from the dead. Apparently, Jesus had a close connection and felt a special affinity for this family.

Martha welcomed Jesus into her home and began preparations for a meal. This would have been a considerable task. Usually, Jesus traveled with some or all of the apostles. If he did on this occasion, it would have been a lot of work to prepare a meal for so many people. Remember, too, this is before the days of modern conveniences. No casseroles already prepared and in the freezer. No restaurants to deliver food. No microwave ovens.

Martha was busy. The Bible says she was “distracted with much serving.” There was a lot on her plate. Because she was doing all the work by herself.

Where was her sister, Mary?

Sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to His Word.

Martha had enough. She was irritated, anxious and upset. So, she complained to Jesus.

“Don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!

Think about Martha’s complaint. She has the audacity to accuse Jesus of not caring. And she tells Jesus what he ought to do–make my sister help me!

No doubt Martha was expecting Jesus to rebuke Mary and propel her into action. Ironically, Martha is the one who received a mild reproof.

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Jesus was not only telling her not to sweat the small stuff but to refocus her priorities on something of infinitely more value.

Now before, we’re too hard on Martha. She was a good person. A hard worker. A ministry minded woman. She loved Jesus. But, she was distracted. She allowed the ‘small stuff” to aggravate her.

There are many lessons from this text. But for today don’t let yourself get overwrought with the mundane issues of life. Sure, there are bills to pay. Appointments to keep. A house to manage. A car to service. People who need our attention. Notes to be written. Events to attend. Vacations to plan for. And retirement to plan for.

Add to all of these personal responsibilities, the concern of our community, national and international problems. We worry about our safety. The economy. World peace. Who’s in the White House. And what life is going to be like for our children and grandchildren.

Whoa! Slow down. Relax. Take a deep breath. Refocus your thinking. Practice patience. Live in the moment. Accept the imperfection of others. Manage your stress. Lighten up. Mind your own business. And remember Jesus’ advice to choose the good part.

Never forget. Jesus does care.

And by choosing that which is better. It can never be taken away.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

A new day is dawning! by Roy Davison

 

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/MorningStar.html

A new day is dawning!

Nights can be long!

Pain or grief can cause the night to drag on and on, hour after hour. In the darkness one waits, longing for the morning light. Sunlight is important, but light from God is even more important.

The Psalmist says: “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning - Yes, more than those who watch for the morning” (Psalm 130:5, 6).

The morning star gives hope to those who long for a new day. The morning star is actually the planet Venus, the brightest celestial body in the sky, after the sun and moon. When you see the morning star, you know the night is almost over!

Jesus is our morning star!

“I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16). Jesus is harbinger of a new day! He gives hope for a better future.

Balaam called the promised Messiah a rising star: “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel” (Numbers 24:17).

Christ has come to enlighten us. “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life'” (John 8:12).

God “has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:13).

Followers of Christ do not walk in darkness. When we follow Him by heeding the Scriptures, the morning star rises in our hearts. “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19).

When we see the morning star in the sky it gives us hope for a new day. But when the morning star has risen in our hearts, we always see the Morning Star!

Our hope is based on the mercy of God.

When the morning star has risen in our hearts, our hope is based on the sacrifice of Christ and the grace of God.

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:11-14).

When the morning star has risen in our hearts, we have good hope even in the midst of difficulties! “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:1-5).

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

Jesus gives the morning star to those who persevere!

If we endure to the end, Christ will give us the morning star! “He who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations ... and I will give him the morning star” (Revelation 2:26, 28).

What have we learned?

Christ is the Morning Star who gives hope to those who long for a new day. He gives us hope for something better than the darkness of this world. If we follow Him, He rescues us from the power of darkness. When we obey the Scriptures, the morning star rises in our hearts. By the grace of God, this gives us hope of eternal live. If we endure, Christ will give us the morning star. Amen.

Roy Davison

The Scripture quotations in this article are from
The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers.

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

"CHALLENGES CONFRONTING THE CHURCH" ( Introduction ) by Mark Copeland

 

Introduction

INTRODUCTION

1. The church in the first century often experienced grave challenges...
1. Persecution - Ac 8:1-3; 9:1-2
2. False teachers - Ac 15:1-2; 2Pe 2:1-3; Re 2:14,20
3. Apostasy - Ac 20:29-31; 1Ti 4:1-3; Jude 3
2. Today we see similar challenges confronting the church...
1. False teachers leading many astray
2. Churches apostatizing, resulting in new religious organizations
3. With more than 38,000 denominations now existing!
3. In this series of lessons, I would like for us to examine challenges we face today...
1. Certainly not every challenge, for there are many
2. But a few of the more common ones faced by many churches of Christ

[But first, it might be helpful to carefully distinguish between the universal church and local church as revealed in the Bible. Let's begin with describing...]

1. THE CHURCH UNIVERSAL
1. COMPOSED OF ALL CHRISTIANS...
1. The church to which Jesus referred in Mt 16:18
2. Made up all the saved, both living and dead - cf. He 12:22-24
2. THERE IS JUST ONE...
1. The universal church is called the "body" of Christ - Ep 1:22-23
2. There is only "one body"; therefore, only one church! - Ep 4:4
3. BEGAN ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST...
1. In Jerusalem, following the death, resurrection and ascension of Christ - Ac 2:1-47
2. As Peter later referred to this day, it was the "beginning" - cf. Ac 11:15
4. ENTER ONLY BY BEING ADDED BY THE LORD...
1. One cannot "join" the church by their own volition
2. Rather, they are "added" by the Lord Himself when saved - Ac 2:41,47
5. THE LORD KEEPS THE BOOKS OF MEMBERSHIP...
1. There is no agency on earth that keeps the registry of true members
2. Enrollment is in heaven; only the Lord knows those who are truly His - He 12:23; 2Ti 2:19
6. CONSISTS OF ALL THE SAVED...
1. The Lord is presenting to Himself a church holy and without blemish - cf. Ep 5:25-27
2. Individuals in the church who sin and refuse to repent are "cut off", "cast out", "spewed out" - cf. Jn 15:2,6; Ro 11:19-22; Re 3:16
7. MUST BE IN THIS CHURCH TO BE SAVED...
1. For the Lord is the Savior of the body (which is His church) - Ep 5:23
2. Since the Lord adds one to His church when they are saved, one cannot be saved and not be in the church universal!
8. HAS NO EARTHLY ORGANIZATION...
1. The church universal does have organization - cf. Ep 2:19-22; 1Pe 2:5
1. What organization exists is spiritual in nature
2. Christ is the cornerstone, together with His apostles and prophets as the foundation
3. All Christians are "living stones" built upon that foundation
2. But there is no earthly headquarters for the church
1. E.g., no telephone number to call to speak with the "head" of the church
2. For the Head and His headquarters are in heaven!
9. CANNOT BE DIVIDED...
1. For there is no earthly organization to divide!
2. If division appears to exist...
1. Some unscriptural organization of churches must have been created
2. Such organizations can have division, but not the Lord's church universal!
3. Those who would seek to divide the church through doctrine, conduct, etc., are simply cut off by the Lord Himself!
1. As seen before, individual Christians are "cut off", "cast out", "spewed out"
2. Local churches can have their "candlestick removed" - cf. Re 2:5
3. We need to make sure we are remaining faithful to be in it!
4. Thus there is and always will be, "one body"! - Ep 4:4
1. Death cannot prevail against it - Mt 16:18
2. It is a kingdom that will last forever - cf. Dan 2:44; Lk 1:32-33; Re 17:14
10. DEATH DOESN'T AFFECT MEMBERSHIP...
1. The church universal is made up of the saved, both living and dead - He 12:22-23
2. When one dies, they are still with Christ! - Php 1:21-23; 1Th 5:10
11. DOES NOT HAVE ONE OFFICIAL NAME...
1. No one exclusive name or term is used to describe the universal church
2. Various terms used include church of God, body, kingdom, etc. - 1Co 10:32; Ep 1:22-23; Col 1:13

[Such are some of the defining characteristics of the church universal. In contrast, consider...]

2. THE CHURCH LOCAL
1. COMPOSED OF CHRISTIANS IN ONE LOCATION...
1. A local church is made up of Christians in one geographical area
2. E.g., the church at Corinth, the church of the Thessalonians - 1Co 1:2; 1Th 1:1
-- In contrast, the church universal is made up of Christians everywhere!
2. THERE ARE MANY CHURCHES...
1. Paul had reference to local churches when he wrote Ro 16:16
2. And again when he wrote Ga 1:2
-- When it comes to the church universal, though, there is just one!
3. BEGINS WHEREVER PEOPLE JOIN TOGETHER...
1. As the gospel spreads and people respond to it, those in a particular area start a local church when they agree to work together as one
2. Just as the church in Antioch began later than the church in Jerusalem - Ac 11:19-26
-- Whereas the church universal began in Jerusalem on Pentecost, local churches have begun at different places and different times!
4. ENTER BY JOINING OURSELVES...
1. When one wishes to become an accepted member of the local church, they must "join themselves" to that church
2. As Paul sought to do when he came to the church in Jerusalem - Ac 9:26-28
-- Whereas one is "added" by the Lord Himself to the universal church, we can seek to "join" a local congregation (if its members are willing to accept us)
5. ENROLLED BY HUMAN JUDGMENT...
1. Whether we are accepted into a local church is a decision made by the leaders or members of that church
2. Sometimes people are rejected when they should be received - 3Jn 5-9
3. Other times they are accepted when they should be removed - 1Co 5:1-13
-- Evil men may succeed in kicking one out of a local church, but only the Lord determines who stays in the universal church!
6. CONSISTS OF BOTH SAVED AND LOST...
1. Since enrollment occurs through human judgment, fallible decisions can be made
2. A local church may therefore have some who are Christians in name only - cf. Re 3:1-4
-- Hypocrites may become members of a local church; but they don't sneak by the Lord to become members of the universal church!
7. DO NOT HAVE TO BE A MEMBER TO BE SAVED...
1. One can be saved, and not belong to any local church
2. Such was the case of the Eunuch immediately following his conversion, and of Paul when he was in transit between Antioch and Jerusalem - cf. Ac 8:39; 9:26
-- Of course, this should be temporary; in the universal church, it is impossible!
8. HAS EARTHLY ORGANIZATION...
1. A local church when scripturally organized will have bishops and deacons - Php 1:1
2. These bishops were also called elders and pastors, whose role was to oversee and feed the local congregation - Ac 14:23; 20:17,28
-- The only role or position ever given men over the universal church on earth was the apostles and they were not replaced when they died - e.g., James in Ac 12:2
9. CAN BE DIVIDED...
1. Local churches can easily be divided over doctrine or personalities
2. Such was the case with the church at Corinth - 1Co 1:10-13; 3:3,4
-- While we can't divide the universal church, we can be responsible for dividing local churches!
10. DEATH DOES AFFECT MEMBERSHIP...
1. When we die, our membership in a local congregation ends
2. When Stephen died, he was no longer a member of the Jerusalem church - Ac 8:1-2
-- But our membership in the church universal continues on after death!
11. MAY USE DIFFERENT SCRIPTURAL NAMES...
1. Showing relationship to God or Christ - 1Co 1:2; Ro 16:16
2. Identifying the location of the members - 1Th 1:1; 2Th 1:2
-- There is no one official name, but we should use scriptural names!

CONCLUSION

1. Understanding the distinction between the church universal and local is important...
1. Failure to do so can lead to faulty thinking about the church
2. Failure to do so can make one susceptible to many challenges facing the church
2. Understanding the distinction between the church universal and local is encouraging...
1. Most challenges confronting the church today do not affect the church universal per se
2. Most challenges confronting the church today involve how local churches respond to them

The church of Christ universal is in good hands (those of Jesus Himself). Whether we remain in His church universal is greatly determined by how we face challenges that affect us as members of local churches of Christ!

The first challenge we shall examine may be the most important, for it determines how we respond to all other challenges we may confront: Authority In Religion!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2022

A Heavenly Smile by Gary Rose

 

Just when I thought I had seen every sort of rainbow there is to see, well, here is a new one ( to me at least ). A rainbow in the form of a smile; wonderful. Imagine that, heaven is smiling at me. The only thing better would be to see Jesus smiling at me. Now, that would be very good news, indeed!

Speaking of Good News, I thought of Luke 3 and the message from heaven, not only to me, but to everyone.

Luke says...

Luke 2 ( World English Bible )

¹ Now it happened in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.

² This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

³ All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.

⁴ Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David;

⁵ to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.

⁶ It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth.

⁷ She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.

⁸ There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.

⁹ Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

¹⁰ The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.

¹¹ For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

¹² This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”

¹³ Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.”

In a world full of misery, death and sin, God loved us enough to send his one and only son to give us a way out. A very old message, but nonetheless a very, very wonderful one.

And think about this… the way out is still available. You know, I think God is still in heaven- SMILING!