Know Your Bible
VOL. 13 June 29, 2014 NO. 17
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SUMMERTIME TEMPTATIONS
Summertime is a delightful season in many ways. It is joyfully anticipated by school children and teachers who need to relax from the regimen of the classroom. It is usually a time for many families to take a much needed trip to a place where they can have fun and enjoy themselves. But, as God’s people, let us remember that as Christians we are always Christians wherever we are and at whatever time of year it may be. Christianity is a year-round religion. However, during the summer, there are certain temptations that we must overcome and avoid. Let us notice some of them in this short article:
1. NEGLECTED WORSHIP.
We are taught not to forsake the assemblies of the church (Heb. 10:25). But some who have been regular in their attendance during other seasons of the year will start allowing summer activities to get in the way, and they will start missing the services of the church. Some will take vacation trips with carefully laid out plans for food, lodging and entertainment, but with no advance planning or thought to where they are going to meet to worship with the saints on the Lord’s Day. Christians should not plan vacations and weekend trips with no intentions of attending the worship services of a faithful congregation. This is very unwise and will weaken one’s faith.
2. NEGLECTED LOCAL OBLIGATIONS.
Every Christian is to support the work of the local congregation by giving cheerfully on the first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:1-2). How could any child of God think that he is excused from this responsibility because it is summertime? Why should the work of the local church suffer because Christians fail to “make up” their contributions after they return from a trip? One thing is for certain, congregational expenses do not cease during the summer.
3. INDECENT EXPOSURE.
Some think the moment the weather warms up, it is time to start taking off their clothes, and begin wearing skimpy clothing that leaves most of their bodies exposed. The Apostle Paul plainly says that Christians are to dress modestly (orderly and decent), with propriety (with a sense of dignity, shame, with the ability to blush), and with moderation (seriousness which reflects a heart of modesty and purity) (1 Tim. 2:9-10). Another problem with immodesty is that the person dressing in such a manner can cause another person to sin (Matt. 5:28). If parents have not instilled a sense of modesty in their children’s hearts and minds when they are very young, by the time they reach adolescence, it is probably too late. Do you as a parent, or as a husband, want your daughter or wife to become sex objects when they appear in public wearing skimpy, immodest clothing, tight, revealing outfits, swim suits, costumes, uniforms, etc. Do you want your wife or daughter to be the objects of vulgar leers of worldly men who make it a point to lust after and observe their nakedness in scanty, revealing clothing? Is dressing (or better yet, undressing) this way becoming to a Christian? Think about it! Some years back, the Army did a study concerning how soldiers should dress in tropical, desert climates. They found that skin temperatures were actually cooler when they wore loose long pants, as opposed to knee-shorts worn by British soldiers. If you will notice, those who live in hot, desert areas, wear loose, long, light colored clothing that covers the entire body. Exposing our skin when it is hot is not to be used as an excuse to stay cool and dress immodestly.
May we all have a pleasant summer season. But please remember your responsibilities as a Christian. Don’t allow the casual, easy-going spirit of the warmer months to sear your conscience and weaken your faith in God.
—R.J. Evans
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ATTITUDES TOWARD PREACHING
"Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him" (Lk. 8: 18).
The Savior used these words to instruct His disciples concerning their reception of the truth. In order to accept His words and conform their lives to His teaching, His followers would have to possess the proper attitude. Moses had prophesied of Christ: "The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. And it shall come to pass that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people" (Acts 3:22,23). With respect to the seriousness of that statement, each person should re-examine his attitude toward the preaching of the gospel.
The book of Acts contains examples of various attitudes men manifest toward the truth of God. As these attitudes are examined, let each reader conduct an honest self-examination to determine his own attitude.
INDIFFERENCE
Many people display the outward appearance of indifference. Gallio, a Grecian deputy, is an example of such a deplorable attitude (Acts 18). When the Jews had kidnapped Paul, forced him to court against his wishes and made false accusations against him, Gallio refused to sit in judgment over the case. Then the Greeks brought the chief ruler of the synagogue and physically beat him in the presence of Gallio. The inspired record says: "And Gallio cared for none of those things" (v. 17).
All too often we come in contact with this type of individual — too busy, too important, or too bored to be bothered with religion. Indifference is a most unfortunate response to the word of God.
RIDICULE
Almost every Christian has run into this attitude. "Religion is just for children and old ladies." "Only a sissy would be a Christian." There are numerous manifestations of ridicule. As Paul was preaching to King Agrippa and Bernice (Acts 26), Festus interrupted to inform the inspired apostle that he was crazy. "Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!" (v. 24) Many believe that when Agrippa said, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian" (v. 28), the words were not spoken from a sincere heart, but rather with ridicule or sarcasm. Such may have been the case.
Ridicule is often used as a cover-up for ignorance. Rather than admit a lack of knowledge, a sarcastic remark seems a convenient response.
CLOSED MIND
The Jews constantly exhibited this attitude, The envious Jews of Thessalonica are an excellent example (Acts 17). Rather than hear simple truths of God's word, they started a riot and attempted to kill Paul and Silas. Not even willing to listen to the apostle's doctrine, they closed their minds. Jesus expressed the situation this way: "For the heart of this people has grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their heart and turn, So that I should heal them" (Mt. 13:15).
OPEN MIND
In contrast to those mentioned above, there are some honest and sincere people who will receive the gospel, examine it, and then obey it. The Jews of Berea were such people (Acts 17). "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (v. 11). All should manifest this attitude. This is the person that Christians must always be looking for.
How is your attitude?
—Roger Hillis
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***SENTENCE SERMONS***
Blaming your faults on others does not remove your responsibility for your actions.
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Worry about tomorrow pulls tomorrow's clouds over today's sunshine (Matt. 6:34).
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Know Your Bible" is e-mailed weekly by the church of Christ which meets at 112 Roberts Avenue in Wise, Virginia. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in next week's mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and we will remove your address promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page and further instructions will be given as to how you may contact us.
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