Our special effort to reach out to our community with God’s word is this Sunday. “Back to School/Back to Worship” has been what we’ve been calling this effort. But what is a “special effort?”
I’ve been preaching for over 40 years and have seen the effectiveness of ‘special efforts’ rise and fall. We’ve had “Gospel Meetings”, seminars, ‘attendance drives’, and many other such like things. There are several reasons for the rise and fall of such special efforts.
One thing that affects the effectiveness of efforts of this kind is that our culture is changing. Things just aren’t the same as they used to be, in case you haven’t noticed. Life is rushing by for so many people. Technology has changed almost everything around us. People are pursuing more out of life but are not really finding the satisfaction they seek.
Another thing that affects the effectiveness of such efforts is our own attitude toward them. We have heard that the time of the gospel meeting has passed. Maybe that has some truth to it. Not many people know what you are talking about when you tell them we are having a “gospel meeting.” That’s because not many people actually know what the gospel is. Therefore we conclude that not many people are really interested in attending a “gospel meeting” or a “Special Effort.” That’s where we are wrong. Statistics show very clearly that people in our society today are searching more and more for spiritual fulfillment. They want to have something better in their lives. They are looking for answers and they are looking for God.
We have those answers. We have that ‘something better’ that people are looking for. We can offer through the Lord’s church the spiritually fulfilling life that people want. People may not know what a ‘gospel meeting’ or ‘special emphasis day’ is all about but they know when someone cares enough to ask them to come learn more about what God has to offer in - and for - their lives. They know when someone cares for them.
You see, the effectiveness of any special effort is directly proportional to how much effort we put into it. Be concerned about your own spiritual development and invite others to do the same - not just this Sunday but continually. When we grow individually, the church grows collectively. We must realize that we are having a “gospel meeting” every Lord’s Day when the Good News of Jesus is being taught and preached. Let’s share it with everyone we can. Let’s reach out because we really care. God did … and still does.
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
“….go tell your friends.”
Jesus healed many sick, cast out demons, and even raised the dead. In Mark 5 is the account of Jesus restoring a man to his right mind by casting out a multitude of devils. Yet, there is much more of a lesson taught than just the performing of another miracle.
Consider the Man. He was full of evil (vv. 2-4). He was seeking relief (v. 5) to the extent of mutilating himself. He confronted the Christ (v. 6) and ran to Him. He was filled with turmoil (v. 7) and cried out to Jesus.
Consider the Master. Jesus was not deterred by the awesome appearance of this man. He began quickly to help (v.8). He called for the demons to come out of him. He exhibited His power to save (vv. 9-11).
Consider the Results. The man was restored to his right mind (v. 15). People took notice (vv. 14 & 16). The man wanted to go with Jesus (v. 18).
Consider the Lesson. All who are Christians were in the same situation as this man to a lesser or greater degree. Ephesians 2:11, 12 makes this clear, “Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh - who are called Uncircumcision by what is called Circumcision made in the flesh by hands - that at that time you were without Christ being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.”
We came into contact with Jesus, too, just as the “demoniac” did and as did the Ephesians. “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13) Romans 6:1-11 reminds us of our contact with and obedience to Jesus - dying to sin, buried in baptism, being raised to a new life, and remaining in Him.
As new Christians we were probably full of joy and zeal as was the “demoniac” and we, too, as he did, wanted to “go with Jesus” (v.18). It would be good to be with Jesus, wouldn’t it? But Jesus pointed out something more important. He said...
“Go tell your friends.” (v.18) Jesus pointed out a mission field. Too often we look too far. Jesus said in John 4:35-38 to “lift up your eyes and look at the fields.” The harvest is also close by. Our own county is a mission field. Until we begin to think of it that way, we will not really be concerned about the lost.
In relating to the “demoniac” ask yourself: “Of how much have I been cleansed?” “Where would I be if Jesus had not helped me?” “How much do I appreciate what Jesus has done for me?” “Am I willing to share?”
The “demoniac” shared (v. 20). The Samaritan woman shared (John 4:28, 29). The early Christians who were scattered because of persecution (Acts 8:1-4) shared. They “went about preaching the word.” And God’s kingdom grew.
The gospel is still the “power of God unto salvation.” (Romans 1:16) What are you doing with it?
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
Consider the Man. He was full of evil (vv. 2-4). He was seeking relief (v. 5) to the extent of mutilating himself. He confronted the Christ (v. 6) and ran to Him. He was filled with turmoil (v. 7) and cried out to Jesus.
Consider the Master. Jesus was not deterred by the awesome appearance of this man. He began quickly to help (v.8). He called for the demons to come out of him. He exhibited His power to save (vv. 9-11).
Consider the Results. The man was restored to his right mind (v. 15). People took notice (vv. 14 & 16). The man wanted to go with Jesus (v. 18).
Consider the Lesson. All who are Christians were in the same situation as this man to a lesser or greater degree. Ephesians 2:11, 12 makes this clear, “Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh - who are called Uncircumcision by what is called Circumcision made in the flesh by hands - that at that time you were without Christ being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.”
We came into contact with Jesus, too, just as the “demoniac” did and as did the Ephesians. “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13) Romans 6:1-11 reminds us of our contact with and obedience to Jesus - dying to sin, buried in baptism, being raised to a new life, and remaining in Him.
As new Christians we were probably full of joy and zeal as was the “demoniac” and we, too, as he did, wanted to “go with Jesus” (v.18). It would be good to be with Jesus, wouldn’t it? But Jesus pointed out something more important. He said...
“Go tell your friends.” (v.18) Jesus pointed out a mission field. Too often we look too far. Jesus said in John 4:35-38 to “lift up your eyes and look at the fields.” The harvest is also close by. Our own county is a mission field. Until we begin to think of it that way, we will not really be concerned about the lost.
In relating to the “demoniac” ask yourself: “Of how much have I been cleansed?” “Where would I be if Jesus had not helped me?” “How much do I appreciate what Jesus has done for me?” “Am I willing to share?”
The “demoniac” shared (v. 20). The Samaritan woman shared (John 4:28, 29). The early Christians who were scattered because of persecution (Acts 8:1-4) shared. They “went about preaching the word.” And God’s kingdom grew.
The gospel is still the “power of God unto salvation.” (Romans 1:16) What are you doing with it?
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
Sunday, August 16, 2009
The Power of Asking
I just received in the mail this morning a letter containing twenty bumper stickers that say, “Please Invite Someone To Church This Month.” A couple of statements from the letter say, “Do you remember who invited you to church the first time? That simple act made a significant difference in your life! … Oklahoma has a population of over 3 million people and over 1.8 million of those people do not currently attend church on a regular basis.” The person who sent this letter was not asking for money nor making a pitch to sell more bumper stickers; just to raise an awareness of the importance of inviting people to church.
Several years ago the mother of Marshall Field gave the University of Chicago a million dollars. The board of Directors of Northwestern University, also in Chicago, heard of the gift, and sent a person to ask why a similar gift had not been made to them. The answer was, “Northwestern did not ask.” In Jesus’ parable in Matthew 20:7, some men were asked why they were standing around idle. They replied, “Because no man has hired us.”
Is it possible that some will stand before God on the Judgment Day who will be asked why they had not obeyed the gospel who might answer, “Because no one asked us.”
Are there those whom you know who don’t attend ‘church’ anywhere because they have never been asked? Are there children in your neighborhood who never attend ‘Sunday School’ because they have never been asked?
Several years ago there was a movie entitled Field of Dreams in which the main character was inspired by a ‘voice’ that said, “If you build it, they will come.” This was in reference to building a baseball diamond in the middle of his corn field.
There has been too much of a tendency to think that since we have a church building, put up a sign that says, “Everyone Welcome” and preach the gospel from the pulpit, that we have discharged our responsibility to the lost world. We think, “If they want to be saved, they will come.” That’s not normally the case. There are times when, “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.” (Proverbs 25:11)
Think back on your own conversion to Jesus. Didn’t it help to know someone else cared? Was there someone who took the time to invite you to hear the word of God preached or taught in some way? Many hesitate to attend religious services because no one has showed interest in them. It never hurts to ask. It may be the opening that someone has been waiting for. Let someone know you care by asking them to come hear God’s word.
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
Several years ago the mother of Marshall Field gave the University of Chicago a million dollars. The board of Directors of Northwestern University, also in Chicago, heard of the gift, and sent a person to ask why a similar gift had not been made to them. The answer was, “Northwestern did not ask.” In Jesus’ parable in Matthew 20:7, some men were asked why they were standing around idle. They replied, “Because no man has hired us.”
Is it possible that some will stand before God on the Judgment Day who will be asked why they had not obeyed the gospel who might answer, “Because no one asked us.”
Are there those whom you know who don’t attend ‘church’ anywhere because they have never been asked? Are there children in your neighborhood who never attend ‘Sunday School’ because they have never been asked?
Several years ago there was a movie entitled Field of Dreams in which the main character was inspired by a ‘voice’ that said, “If you build it, they will come.” This was in reference to building a baseball diamond in the middle of his corn field.
There has been too much of a tendency to think that since we have a church building, put up a sign that says, “Everyone Welcome” and preach the gospel from the pulpit, that we have discharged our responsibility to the lost world. We think, “If they want to be saved, they will come.” That’s not normally the case. There are times when, “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.” (Proverbs 25:11)
Think back on your own conversion to Jesus. Didn’t it help to know someone else cared? Was there someone who took the time to invite you to hear the word of God preached or taught in some way? Many hesitate to attend religious services because no one has showed interest in them. It never hurts to ask. It may be the opening that someone has been waiting for. Let someone know you care by asking them to come hear God’s word.
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
Sunday, August 9, 2009
What’s Our Goal?
A little elderly lady decided she wanted to learn to bowl. The instructor helped her pick out a ball and gave her some pointers about the proper approach and how to release the ball. The first ball knocked down all ten pins. “That’s a strike,” the instructor said excitedly.
The lady did the same thing on the next two balls and the instructor was equally excited. The lady put her ball back on the rack and started to leave. Her instructor asked her why she was leaving. Her reply was, “Well, anybody knows that you’re out after three strikes and since I
can’t get the hang of this game I might as well give up.”
Mixed up? Maybe so. That lady wanted to do something but failed to find out what her goal was.
The instructor, perhaps, took too much for granted.
How about you and me? Do we know what our goal is? Paul said, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14) Also, he states in 1 Corinthians 9:26, “Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air.” Paul had a goal and sought it with an unwavering, positive attitude. The phrase “as not without aim” indicates that he had ‘set his sights’, so to speak, on a specific goal and was pursuing it.
Jesus had goals. He had come “to seek and to save that which was lost.” He came to “do the will of Him who sent me.” He came to build his church. He came, as He says in John 17:21, “... that they may all be one; even as You Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” Those are ambitious goals. Jesus died to see their reality.
Someone has said, “Some people go through life aiming for nothing and hit their mark with amazing accuracy.” Let this not be said of the church here in Dewey. We must have goals, not just ‘pipe dreams.’ We can talk for years about what we want or what it would be nice to have. But - if we are ever to realize any of those dreams, we must work to see them fulfilled. We must pray for their fulfillment. We must give ourselves over to seeing them fulfilled.
What do you want for the church where you are? It means beginning with individual effort - setting individual goals - reaching out as individuals. Let us each set goals, for ourselves individually and for the church.
Let’s ask ourselves the question, “If I hit what I’m aiming at, what will I hit?” Don’t aim at nothing when you are serving the Lord. Strike - but don’t strike out!
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
The lady did the same thing on the next two balls and the instructor was equally excited. The lady put her ball back on the rack and started to leave. Her instructor asked her why she was leaving. Her reply was, “Well, anybody knows that you’re out after three strikes and since I
can’t get the hang of this game I might as well give up.”
Mixed up? Maybe so. That lady wanted to do something but failed to find out what her goal was.
The instructor, perhaps, took too much for granted.
How about you and me? Do we know what our goal is? Paul said, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14) Also, he states in 1 Corinthians 9:26, “Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air.” Paul had a goal and sought it with an unwavering, positive attitude. The phrase “as not without aim” indicates that he had ‘set his sights’, so to speak, on a specific goal and was pursuing it.
Jesus had goals. He had come “to seek and to save that which was lost.” He came to “do the will of Him who sent me.” He came to build his church. He came, as He says in John 17:21, “... that they may all be one; even as You Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” Those are ambitious goals. Jesus died to see their reality.
Someone has said, “Some people go through life aiming for nothing and hit their mark with amazing accuracy.” Let this not be said of the church here in Dewey. We must have goals, not just ‘pipe dreams.’ We can talk for years about what we want or what it would be nice to have. But - if we are ever to realize any of those dreams, we must work to see them fulfilled. We must pray for their fulfillment. We must give ourselves over to seeing them fulfilled.
What do you want for the church where you are? It means beginning with individual effort - setting individual goals - reaching out as individuals. Let us each set goals, for ourselves individually and for the church.
Let’s ask ourselves the question, “If I hit what I’m aiming at, what will I hit?” Don’t aim at nothing when you are serving the Lord. Strike - but don’t strike out!
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
Sunday, August 2, 2009
The Only Way To Go Is Up
Have you ever heard the saying, “The only way to go is up?” Well, I think that describes the church right here in Dewey (and everywhere else.) I realize that most people who use that phrase are referring to someone or something that is so far down that the only possible way to go is up. Complete collapse or destruction is the next step. I don’t think this church - or the church in general - is in such a condition but the phrase still applies.
Paul writes in Colossians 3:1, 2, “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth.” And the Psalmist writes in Psalm 121:1, “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.”
Beloved, when we are God’s children, the only way to go is up! If we are not striving in an upward way, we are serving something or someone other than the God who created us. The reason we set goals is so we may reach higher - and it is time we started setting some goals. This is all to the glory of God. If our affection is set on the things above, our goals cannot help but be met and surpassed!
Remember, increase comes in ones. One more Bible study. One more in worship. One more invited to study. This is how the church grows.
Is just one more really important? Let me ask you - how many are you? You are ONE. I am one. Are you important? Am I important? Of course we are. Jesus thought so! If you and I “seek those things which are above,” then we will be moving upward and can’t help but take others with us.
Why is ‘up’ the only way to go? Paul says it well in Colossians 3 when in verse 1 he says, “if you have been raised up with Christ.” And in verses 9 and 10 he reminds us that we have “laid aside the old self with its evil practices” and “have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.”
UP! What other direction is there for one who wants to live forever with God? Likewise, the church, if serving God, can go no other direction. Christ’s way is up and there is no other way! As the song says, “I’m pressing on the upward way; new heights I’m gaining every day.” Let’s put that into practice in our lives and in the church. Lord, plant our feet on higher ground!
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
Paul writes in Colossians 3:1, 2, “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth.” And the Psalmist writes in Psalm 121:1, “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.”
Beloved, when we are God’s children, the only way to go is up! If we are not striving in an upward way, we are serving something or someone other than the God who created us. The reason we set goals is so we may reach higher - and it is time we started setting some goals. This is all to the glory of God. If our affection is set on the things above, our goals cannot help but be met and surpassed!
Remember, increase comes in ones. One more Bible study. One more in worship. One more invited to study. This is how the church grows.
Is just one more really important? Let me ask you - how many are you? You are ONE. I am one. Are you important? Am I important? Of course we are. Jesus thought so! If you and I “seek those things which are above,” then we will be moving upward and can’t help but take others with us.
Why is ‘up’ the only way to go? Paul says it well in Colossians 3 when in verse 1 he says, “if you have been raised up with Christ.” And in verses 9 and 10 he reminds us that we have “laid aside the old self with its evil practices” and “have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.”
UP! What other direction is there for one who wants to live forever with God? Likewise, the church, if serving God, can go no other direction. Christ’s way is up and there is no other way! As the song says, “I’m pressing on the upward way; new heights I’m gaining every day.” Let’s put that into practice in our lives and in the church. Lord, plant our feet on higher ground!
See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.
Love, Tony
