Spiritual But Not Religious

(Guest article by Jack English,
minister of Center Street church of Christ in Fayetteville, AR)

“PARADE Magazine that comes in the Sunday paper carried an interesting article recently on spirituality in America. The conclusion was that many Americans today are separating spirituality from religion by disavowing organized practice altogether while privately maintaining some form of worship. The old terms ‘atheist’ and ‘agnostic’ are no longer being used to describe people outside traditional belief. In fact, a whole new category is being defined as ‘spiritual but not religious.’ For some, ‘spiritual but not religious’ means someone who has combined diverse beliefs and practices into a personal faith that fits no standard definition. Either definition reflects discontent among those who desire a relationship with God but are not finding satisfaction in their previous experience.

“Our nation was built on a foundation of strong faith but that has been lost or ignored by politicians in recent years. According to PARADE’S survey 69% of Americans still believe in God, 77% pray outside of religious services and 75% believe it is a parent’s responsibility to give children a religious upbringing. But even though 45% of respondents called themselves religious, 50% said they rarely or never attend worship services and 27% said they don’t practice any kind of religion.

“Another statistic not in the PARADE article but documented by other surveys is that 50% of those who do not attend worship services would attend if invited by a friend or relative. People who want to be spiritual but not religious will still respond to the personal invitation of people they love and trust. Who do you know that may not be religious but still have the desire to be spiritual? A simple invitation from you could make all the difference.”

Things like this make us aware of the fact that it is up to us as individual Christians to let people know we care. Let’s reach out. God did.

See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.

Love, Tony

What Is A Teacher?

Jesus was a teacher. After Jesus washed His apostles’ feet he said, “You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am.” (John 13:13) And in John 3:2 Nicodemus addresses Jesus with, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

Most of the time when someone addressed Jesus, they used the term Teacher, or Rabbi (which means teacher.) Every Christian, of course, should also be teaching - by word or example. However, there are a group of people within the church who accept the responsibility of teaching our Bible classes. In appreciation to those who diligently are involved in teaching, I offer the following thoughts by an anonymous author. It’s entitled “What Is A Teacher?”:

• A teacher is one who affects the eternity of others.
• A teacher is one who helps another learn.
• A teacher is one who imparts his or her knowledge to others
• A teacher is one who awakens another to his or her needs.
• A teacher is one who inspires others.
• A teacher is one who guides others.
• A teacher is one who corrects others.
• A teacher is more important to the teaching/learning process that the method, the setting, or the visuals.
• A teacher is the product of conscientious labor.
• A teacher is able to pump abilities from the resources of the student, and make him or her aware of his or her own resources.
• A teacher is ninety percent of the curriculum.
• A teacher is a sculptor of souls.
• A teacher is God’s ambassador on earth.
  

Thank you, teachers, for the time you give to sharing God’s word with others.

Now, let me give each of us who are involved in teaching in any way something else to think about. Jesus said in Luke 6:40, “A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.”

After you and I have taught, what will your/my student be like? Am I like the Teacher whom I call Master? If so, then my students will be like Him also. Let’s pray that it is so.

See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.

Love, Tony

Sharing Our Love

Peter gives some encouraging words in 1 Peter 3:8 when he says, “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.”

The phrase “love as brothers” literally means, “loving the brothers” or could be stated ‘brother lovers.’ Have you loved a brother or sister lately?

How? What can I do to love someone? Having preached in several congregations in this country and visited several others in foreign countries, I am convinced that there is a great amount of love in the church - both worldwide and right here in our Dewey Family. I also feel, however, that we find it difficult to express that love on a personal basis at times. I would like to suggest a way that almost anyone can express love toward a brother or sister in Christ. Invite someone into your home. Many of those who are older can remember that this was a common occurrence in past generations.

I’ve heard many ‘reasons’ why people don’t do this. Some are: “My house isn’t large enough”
or “I don’t cook really well” or “I’m a widow (or widower)” or “We’re old (or young)” or “Our jobs have crazy hours” or “Nobody would want to come to our house”…

Stop and think about why you haven’t invited someone to your home. Maybe you just haven’t thought about it. Maybe it’s because of some of the reasons I mentioned in the previous paragraph. Remember this - It isn’t your house you are sharing; it is your HEART and HOME.

It appears to be pretty much of a fact that if new Christians do not become closely associated with at least six other families or individuals in the church soon after their baptism, they have a tendency to fall away. That doesn’t mean a handshake and a smile. It means friendship and fellowship. We are our brother’s keeper! And it goes beyond our ‘Welcome To The Body” ministry. It builds on individual concern for each other and a desire to be family. It also teaches the younger generation that the church family is truly as important as any other activity in our lives. Let us not become so busy with all sorts of other interests that we have no time for each other.

Let me encourage each of us to try something. Invite someone you don’t know very well in the church to come to your home. It doesn’t have to be for a meal. Don’t wait for a visit. Invite a visitor. Have “love for the brothers.”

See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.

Love, Tony

What Are The Terms?

Whenever one enters into any kind of agreement it is good to know what the terms are. How long is the commitment? What is the interest rate? What is expected of me? All fair questions.

Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life.” (John10:10) And, “the son of Man is come to save that which was lost.” (Matthew 18:11) What about this saving? Are there any terms or stipulations? Jesus also said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

God has always given rules to obey in order to be acceptable to Him. It is no different concerning man’s salvation today. Let’s note what Jesus Himself says the terms are:

1. “...if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” - John 8;24
2. “...unless you repent you will all likewise perish…” - Luke 13:3
3. “Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” - Matthew 10:32
4. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” - Mark 16:16

These are the terms Jesus delivered. But what of applications? Jesus told his apostles to teach all men “to observe all things that I have commanded you;…” (Matthew 28:20) Did they teach what Jesus taught?

In Acts 2 the apostles are in Jerusalem. Through the power of the Holy Spirit they begin to preach. What is the message? It is about Jesus! They speak of the prophecies about Him and the fulfilling of them. Verse 36 drives home the point that they must believe in Him and acknowledge Him - “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

The Jews evidently believed what was preached and were willing to accept His terms. They asked, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter was very clear in his instructions to them. Christ had told him and the other apostles what to teach those who were willing to believe that He was the Christ. The answer given in verse 38 is, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

The terms? Upon their willingness to believe in Jesus as Lord and Christ, repent of their sins, and be baptized, they would have remission (forgiveness) of sins. Verse 41 says, “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.” When they accepted and obeyed the terms they were added. Those were the terms for having the life Jesus came to give - to be saved as Jesus came to save. We cannot change those terms. We must preach the same message the apostles preached.

See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.

Love, Tony