Editorial

This month has not bade well for our schedule. But the lack of regularity doesn't diminish the quality of the excellent material you'll find here. Hang in there with us. Keep checking back. There'll be something here to keep you from starving, if not always a seven-course meal.

I'll be traveling to the U.S. on Wednesday, for six weeks. Be assured that there'll be new contacts, and new faces to show themselves around Forthright. And new articles.

We could scrounge up stuff that's already published around. But Forthright insists on original articles. Nothing you've seen anywhere else.

So keep the faith, even if we don't keep the pace. It will pick up soon.

by Barry Newton

We see them whenever we gather for worship. They may drop by to see you at home or in the hospital. They are the ones who have been charged with watching over us and caring for our well-being.1 God's Word directs us to obey them in order that their work will be a joy to them.2 We call them elders, shepherds (pastors) or overseers.3 These descriptive titles identify their relational function which the Lord himself created for the growth and good of the church.4

Because overseers are to understand the path which we all ought to be following, they are able to guide us in healthy doctrine and refute those ideas which would mislead us.5

Although none of us are perfect by our own right, the elders are to be living examples of Christian maturity.6 As such, on the one hand they cannot be recent converts, while on the other hand they must be blameless. This means they cannot be living hypocritical lives as those who profess Christ in our assembly but possess active skeletons in their closets. Because they do not live a double life, they will have a good reputation even with those outside of Christ.

We call them shepherds because they are to possess the pastoral qualities of a gentle and temperate spiritual shepherd who understands the way we are to go and is under self-control. These are not to be overbearing men with short fuses from whom people flee in fear. Rather, just as sheep enjoy the presence of their shepherd who takes care of them, these men are to be approachable when we find ourselves struggling with our own spiritual issues.

Elders are to be family men with a proven track record. Men who have one wife and who manage their own children well.5

God's people need good elders, that is, we need shepherds who care and actively serve the flock. Whoever desires to serve as an overseer is not only focusing upon serving in a noble manner, but when the Chief Shepherd returns this willing servant of God will receive an unfading crown of glory!6

Are you too young and inexperienced to become an elder? It has been said that the whole of life is simply the unfolding of the decisions we make as a young person. Decide now to live for God, allowing His word to shape your decisions, thoughts, values and actions, in order that one day you might exhibit the qualities of someone who will be able to step up to serve God's people through this important function.

1 I Peter 5:2, Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17 2 Hebrews 13:17 3 1 Peter 5:1-2; Acts 20:17, 28 4 Ephesians 4:11-13 5 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9 6 1 Peter 5:3; 1 Timothy 3:2-7; Titus 1:6-9 7 1 Timothy 3:1; 1 Peter 5:4

by Greg Tidwell

Over the past three years I have had the opportunity to work with my twin sons in Cub Scouts.

Recently, at Scout Leaders’ training, I was reminded of the importance of a good knife for productive work. A sharp blade cuts clean and makes work straightforward, while a dull edge makes work awkward and cuts rough.

The quality of a knife depends both on the temper of the steel and on the form given the edge. As Benjamin Franklin observed in Poor Richard’s Almanac: “There was never a good knife made of bad steel.” If care is not taken in the formation of the blade, no amount of whetting will bring quality to the edge.

Character Matters

In the same way the work of the various programs of the Boy Scouts seeks to develop character as boys become men. Character is like the steel of the blade, the underlying feature that determines its quality.

Given good character, a young man becomes a useful part of society – his abilities honed to a keen edge of effectiveness because of the underlying strength of the stuff of which he is made.

An Investment for Eternity

As notable as the work of scouting is, the work of the church is even more important. We are responsible for teaching the gospel to the boys and girls God has placed in our care. This training is our task as parents, and as Christians. We owe our youths the opportunity to grow into the men and women they can be in Christ.

As the wise man counsels: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (ESV) The children we touch with the truth of Christ are a blessing now and forever, not merely effective citizens of a human republic but productive citizens of the eternal kingdom.

by Barry Newton

Fear of something in creation

Because the intelligence report of twelve spies revealed that the enemy was well-fortified and ten of those spies counseled that it would be futile to attack, the seeds of fear gripped the heart of a nation as God’s command to “go in and take possession of the land” was cast aside.(1)

Because his soldiers were clamoring to bring back the best of the spoils from war, fear caused Israel’s first human king to capitulate under this pressure. He rebelled against God’s command.(2)

Because the Jews had decided that whoever acknowledged Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue, the parents of a blind man (who had been healed!) cowardly avoided acknowledging Jesus.(3)

When God’s people fear something within creation, it can cripple and paralyze their service to God. Acts of love towards others will vaporize if wary Christians retreat behind protective barriers. Furthermore, the fear and doubts of “what if ____” can cower God’s leaders into failing to perform their God-given commissions.

Although God’s people might allow their fear of something within creation to shut down their service to him, this need not occur. Even through threatening dark situations which could create fear, God has illuminated and empowered a path toward faithful service!

Fear of the Creator

The correction for becoming overly concerned with this world is to interpret our world based upon knowing God. For example, through Isaiah God taught his people that they should not fear human oppressors bent on their destruction. Why? Because such evil people are mortal and will pass away like the grass.(4) Instead of being overwhelmed by something within creation, they were to remember that it is God who comforts, who has created all things and whose righteousness and salvation will endure forever!(5)

Whether for the purpose of directing our love or fear, God has called us to build our focus upon Him and not upon creation. Jesus taught, “do not be afraid of those who can kill the body and after that can do no more. I will tell you who you should fear: Fear him who, after killing, has power to cast you into hell. Indeed, I tell you, fear him.”(6)

It is living out of a deep reverence for God, this fear of the Lord, which can guide us in how to live wisely. Furthermore, it also forges that heroic character of faith we see in David, Joshua, Caleb, Peter and Paul.(7)

Knowing who our God is and what he wants us to do, let’s live courageously for him. With God-centered courage, let’s tackle our God-given purposes with zeal allowing God to defeat Satan’s arrows of fear and doubt.

(1) Deuteronomy 1:21, 26 (2) 1 Samuel 15:24 (3) John 9:21-22 (4) Isaiah 51:7-8,12 (5) Isaiah 51:8, 13-16 (6) Luke 12:4-5 (7) Proverbs 1:7; 1 Samuel 17:37; Numers 14:5-9; Acts 4:19-20, 1 Thessalonians 2:2-4; 2 Corinthians 4:13-18

by Phil Sanders

The tragic events of last year have left an indelible mark upon America, and things will never again be the same. Who knows what mischief lies ahead in the hearts and plans of evil men? By the time you read this message, some new terror may again strike this land.

In the midst of the confusion in this world, it is consoling to know that we have peace in Christ our Lord. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27).

Our ultimate peace lies not in the strength of our nation’s military but in the power of God to deliver us from the evil one (Matt. 6:9-13; 2 Tim. 4:17-18). Because of this, it behooves all of us to be at peace with God. Peace within begins with peace with God.

If you are anxious, remember that God invites you to cast your cares upon Him, because He cares about you (1 Pet. 5:7). Paul advises us to stop worrying about anything, but to let our requests be known to God (Phil. 4:6). The result is that the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (4:7).

Whatever happens, good or evil, we cannot be separated from the unconquerable love of God (Rom. 8:35-39).