"Giving Thanks to His Name"

In Hebrews 13:10-15 the writer says that Jesus is worthy of the sacrifice of our praise. He calls this sacrifice the “fruit of our lips.” The writer also tells us what the content of this sacrifice of praise is—“giving thanks to his name.”

Thanksgiving is not a Holiday to be celebrated, but a lifestyle for every Christian to embrace. Paul tells us that Christians are required to give thanks. “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful…” (Rm. 1:21). All of those who have been called by the gospel will be thankful (Col. 3:15). In everything we are to give thanks (1 Thes. 5:18). God is so worthy of our thanks.

Since He’s worthy, let us “give thanks to His name” for . . .

The Beginning of All Things
“In the beginning, God created . . .” (Gen. 1:1ff). The climactic event of this creative process was man. In point of fact all that preceded man’s creation on day six was created for him. “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food” (Gen. 1:29). It is with this thought in mind that we give thanks today for food, water, clothing, shelter, and the very air that we breathe.

The Book of Books
It is the Bible that records for us some of the thoughts from the mind of God (1 Cor. 2:9-11). Whenever we read the Bible it’s literally as if we’re sitting down with Jehovah himself and listening to His voice. So, I’m thankful that God’s mind was revealed to us.

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like if the forty different writers, over a span of two thousand years just gave up? I know we’re speaking illustratively here, but if Moses had given up we would miss the account of the delivery from bondage. If Joshua had given up we would not know the history of the entrance into Canaan. If Samuel had given up we would not know one of the greatest children’s accounts of all time—David and Goliath. If Paul had given up we would miss out on lessons about church growth, salvation, and world missions. Oh I’m thankful that we have the Bible.

The Body of Christ
The church is not an afterthought (Eph. 3:10-11). I’m thankful for her world mission and her local autonomous arrangement. I’m grateful for her individually and collectively (Rm. 12:4,5; cf. 1 Cor. 12:26). I’m appreciative for the clarity with which we’re taught of the salvation that lies within her (Acts 2:38-47).

We could spend days “giving thanks to his name” for all the many benefits that God has rendered unto us. Perhaps it would be a good exercise from time-to-time to take out a pen and paper and write down as many blessings that we can think of and then pause and give God thanks. We’re so blessed. Let us give thanks!

“I’m Just a Nobody Trying to Tell Everybody About Somebody Who Can Save Anybody”

A few years ago I was privileged to listen to brother Jerry Jenkins of the Roebuck Parkway Church of Christ deliver an outstanding lesson on the subject of personal evangelism. The lesson I’m referring to was delivered at the annual Polishing the Pulpit Workshop. His assigned topic was entitled, “I’m Just a Nobody Trying to Tell Everybody About Somebody Who Can Save Anybody.” It was in that lesson that brother Jenkins said something that really caught me off guard. He said “God is an amateur.”

Now that I have your attention, what did he mean when he said that “God is an amateur”? He said that the word “amateur” is from a Latin word that means “just for the love of it.” He was making the point that “God is love.” There perhaps has never been a more crowded phrase than “God is love.” He loves you (Dt. 7:8). He loves the righteous (Ps. 146:8). He loves the sinner (Rm. 5:8). He loves the world (Jn. 3:16). He loves us (Eph. 2:4). He loves with a great manner of love (1 Jn. 3:1). He loves with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3).

Like God, we too should be amateurs—especially when it comes to personal evangelism. Let’s do personal work, “just for the love of it!”

Remember, You’re Just a Nobody
I once heard someone say that the suffix in the word Christian stands for “I ain’t nothin’ without Christ.” Paul said, that it wasn’t “I that live” but Christ who lives in me (Gal. 2:20). Like Isaiah, we’re completely undone without Christ (Isa 6:5).

Remember, the Gospel is for Everybody
Jesus said things like, “Go into all the world” and “preach the gospel to every creature” (Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15,16). There is not a single soul that is unimportant in the eyes of God—the homeless whose address is “downtown;” the neighbor whose dog keeps you awake late at night; the grocery store clerk you see every time you go to Bi-Lo; the person who cuts your hair; your waiter at the local restaurant you frequent; the visitors to our community who stay at our local hotels; those to whom you pay your bills; etc…

Remember the Greatness of the Almighty Somebody
He is the great “I am” (Exod. 3). He is the creator of the universe (Gen. 1,2). He is the sustainer of life (Acts 17:28). He is the one who healed the sick and raised the dead (Mk. 1:34; Jn. 12:17). He is the one who made our way of escape and offers salvation (Heb. 2:3).

Remember, You Should Reach Out to Anybody
What an experience it will be to stand in heaven and say to someone, “Here is my friend that I introduced to Jesus.” Jesus took time for the castaways, the runaways, and the nobody’s.

Perhaps we need to allow our hearts to broken on the cross of shame and recognize the value of every soul (Mk. 8:37). Maybe we need to become “amateur” soul winners. If we could all say, “I’m Just a Nobody Trying to Tell Everybody About Somebody Who Can Save Anybody” then imagine how the borders of the kingdom could be expanded.

"How to Build a Great Church"

The title above is also the title of a great book written by brother Mac Layton on the subject of church growth. It's been a profitable study for me. Incidentally, I find it interesting that brother Layton did not title his book under the banner of the popular “Let’s Build a BIG Church.” Rather, he used the term “Great.” So, for the purpose of this brief essay, let’s discuss five items that will help make our congregations "great" churches.

Preach the Gospel
A church that preaches the gospel of Christ will be a great church. We may be known for a lot of things (i.e. benevolence, kindness, enthusiastic, lovers of the youth, etc.), but if we’re not known for our zeal in preaching the gospel of Christ, then we’re derelict in duty. Brother Layton put it this way, “The Book of Acts is the Lord’s Showcase for action in all generations, and it gives us the full story, the clear-cut meaning of what the church is all about.” He went on to describe the specific workers and said, “The apostles went out preaching. The deacons preached. The members preached (Acts 8). Lastly, he described what preaching the gospel means to the local church: “Preaching the Word was the glory, the radiance, the beating heart of the work of the church.”

Teach the Saved
A church that teaches the saved will be a great church. It is not enough to tell people what to do to become Christians; we must equally spend time telling people how to remain faithful Christians. That was what the Lord meant when he said, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Mt. 28:20). There are a number of ways that we can teach the saved. Primarily, we do this through the education program in the local church. Typically, a good deacon(s) will lead this charge, but unless every member jumps on board to cheerlead the effort, it will not succeed.

Maintain Soundness
A church that will uphold and defend the truth—maintain soundness, will be a great church. The apostle Paul said, “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tm. 3:15). Only the truth, and sound doctrine have the power to make us free (Jn. 8:32). “Elders and preachers have the sacred responsibility to see that the Word of God is read, quoted, and preached at every gathering of the Lord’s people.”

Build Strong Character
A church that builds the kind of character that God wants will be a great church. Paul told the Galatians that his goal for them was that Christ might be formed in them. “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you” (Gal. 4:19). Only membership in the greatest institution ever established can help mold and motivate one into the kind, faithful, humble, zealous, generous, forgiving, loving servants God wants us to be.

Create a Positive Atmosphere
A church that will provide an atmosphere where the Christian life can flourish will be a great church. Over and over again we have heard that the church is only one generation away from apostasy. That is a thought, which should not be taken lightly. The obvious cure here is to teach, teach, and teach. However, that teaching must be done in the right atmosphere. The atmosphere that makes up the church must be one of love, understanding, patience, and forgiveness. Again, to borrow the words of brother Layton, “The church can get along without stunning architecture, soft lights, and beautiful décor, but it can’t make it without the right atmosphere.”

Source:
Layton, Mac. How to Build a Great Church. Edmond, OK: Grace Publications, 1987.

"My President"

“Tonight—tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Sen. Obama, I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president.” These words came from the concession speech delivered by Senator John McCain on a night that marked a major change in our nation’s history. What a humbling expression of good will by a man who called this campaign experience, “the great honor of my life”.

It’s no secret that President-elect Barack Obama was not my candidate of choice. Nonetheless, voters have spoken, and come January 2009 we’ll have a new President of the United States of America. Believe it or not, I’m thankful. I’m thankful for the great country in which we live. I’m thankful that we can share ideas without the fear of imprisonment. I’m thankful that we live in a land of overwhelming prosperity. I’m thankful that we live in a free society that allows us to worship whenever and wherever we so choose. I’m thankful that we have people who are willing to sacrifice their own lives for these freedoms. I’m also thankful for men and women like Senator Obama and the many other political figures who choose to serve in the political arena and endure some of the loneliest positions of power that exist. I’m thankful for the current Administration who has kept our country safe from further acts of terror. Above all, I’m thankful for the God who still rules heaven and earth with a hand of mercy, love, and kindness.

So, with these thoughts in mind, I trust that each one of us will recognize the importance of honoring our new President-elect who will soon hold the highest office in the land. After all, the Good Book says, “Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king” (1 Pt. 2:17; cf. Tit. 3:1-2). We owe our newly elected leader(s) the honor and respect that the office(s) demand. To borrow a line from Senator McCain, here are some things we owe the one who “…will be my president”:

We owe President-elect Barack Obama our respect. While we may not always agree with any particular Administration we still owe the President of the United States our respect. Paul said, “To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men” (Tit. 3:2). Over the last several months we’ve heard both sides speak disrespectfully about President George W. Bush. Are the “Golden Rule” principles no longer valid? “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Mt. 7:12).

We owe President-elect Barack Obama our prayers. Francis Bacon once said, “In this world, only God and the angels may be spectators.” My friends, Mr. Bacon was completely wrong. God is still in control. One of the prophets of old said, “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee” (Isa. 43:1-2). Since God still works in the lives of men, we must pray—now more than ever. Prayer is what calls upon the power of the One who created heaven and earth and everything therein. Prayer is what opens the door to the throne room wherein sits the One who healed the sick, raised the dead, delivered the wanderers, and made salvation possible for all. My friends, great things happen when we pray.

We owe President-elect Barack Obama our voice. For the past several months I think most would agree that we’ve learned very little about our future President. We’ve heard that sentiment expressed by both sides of the political aisle and if you’ve followed this entire process, you know that to be true. However, what we have heard from Senator Obama’s lips to our ears are a number of things for which he stands that no faithful Christian will agree—issues like abortion, infanticide, same-sex unions, and the like. I trust that as Christians we will not give out, give in, or give up in our fight for the righteousness God promises to bless (Prov. 14:34). Our voice can, must, and will continue to be heard on Capitol Hill and in the White House with respect to these matters. It is my hope that as we express our thoughts and concerns to our new President, that we will do so with firmness but with kindness. Remember how that Paul said, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Eph. 4:15).