by Mike Benson

If I mention to you the dog of John, I have told you that the dog belongs to John, but I have not told you the name of the dog. Again, if I mention to you the wife of Sam, I have told you that Sam is married, but I have not told you the name of Sam's wife. And if I mention to you the church of Christ, I have told you that the church belongs to Christ (Matthew 16:18), but I have not told you the name of His church.

Actually, the church which we read about in the New Testament has no name. It is simply referred to as:

. "The church" (Colossians 1:18), or

. "The church of the Lord" (Acts 20:28 ASV), or

. "The church of God" (1 Corinthians 1:2, 11:22; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:13), or

. "The church of the living God" (1 Timothy 3:15), or

. "The church of Christ" (Romans 16:16).

You'll notice that each of these designations tells us to Whom the church belongs, but none of them tells us the name of the church. Now consider, if the church has no name and belongs to the Lord, then why do so many religious groups wear names that we cannot read about in Scripture?

It's something to think about, isn't it?

by Stan Mitchell

"I love thy kingdom Lord, the house of thine abode; The church, our blessed redeemer saved, with his own precious blood; I love thy church O God! Her walls before thee stand, Dear as the apple of thine eye, and graven on thy hand" (Timothy Dwight, 1800).

I know that I will have to defend the church from Satan's attack, and I understand that I will have to shield her from the enemies of the cross. I know that the "flaming arrows of the Evil One" will be directed our way (Ephesians 6:16).

But I will never understand why I must defend the church of Jesus Christ from the attacks of her own members. They act as if churches of Christ have done nothing right in 200 years. "Many members," someone has said, "are on the critical list ... they criticize everything."

When did it stop being right to call ourselves by the name of Christ? And when did a search for Bible answers to all life's questions become outmoded? And when did our opinions, feelings, likes and dislikes become more authoritative than God's word?

All our heroes seem to come from other religious groups; all our methods from cross-town denominations.

But I am proud of our brotherhood. Was there ever a television preacher who was more loving, yet more Biblical, than Batsell Barrett Baxter? Was there ever a better church builder than Ira North? Was there ever a better scholar than J.W. Roberts? Was there a sweeter singer than our own L.O. Sanderson? Was there ever a better book written than Lottie Beth Hobbs' "Daughters of Eve"? Was there a more dedicated missionary since Paul than W.N. Short, who spent 60 years in southern Africa?

We're so hard on ourselves, we become so disconsolate about our failures. Perhaps we should remember our triumphs, won by God's grace, and for his glory.

"Show proper respect to everyone: love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king" (1 Peter 2:17).

by Barry Newton

As Paul's pen scurried across parchment and papyrus, repeated glimpses of an amazing story have emerged. No, I am not writing about God's love toward us in sending his Son to forgive our guilt. We have much more than mere glimpses into that astounding story. I am referring to the simple fact that God has entrusted people with his message.

Consider humanity's record. Even with the simplest of instructions, such as "don't eat of that tree," humanity has messed it up. In that case, it seems as though at the first opportunity bad information was allowed to distort the perception of truth. And then, the trust was abandoned simply because someone said, "eat this." In view of our track record, is it not astounding that God has entrusted the most important message ever into human hands?

Across the pages of his writings, the ink from Paul's pen has flowed into words and sentences forming a picture. "I make known to you, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. ... it came to me by revelation of Jesus Christ."1 Regarding this message, Paul described it as "the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I was entrusted."2 In writing to Timothy about how this message should be handled, "Keep as the pattern of wholesome teaching what you heard from me in the faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the precious deposit that was entrusted to you through the Holy Spirit ... the things you have heard from me, through the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will be qualified to teach others."3 But Paul still had more to say. "People ought to regard us as Christ's servants and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. It is required that those who have been given a trust be found faithful. .... the one who judges me is the Lord."4

Several contours of his verbal picture stand out. The whole idea of a message being entrusted points to an author-centered understanding of the message, not a reader-centered one. In other words, what matters is the content of the original message, not what I might think it means.

A second observation is that the message we have received is not our message. We are not free to fundamentally reshape the message according to our tastes and preferences. What needs to be valued is working within the parameters and holding to the teachings it establishes.

Third, while people might still do whatever they desire with God's word, in the end the Lord will judge our faithfulness and trustworthiness. Pursuing the commendation and approval of our Lord is what counts.

  1 Galatians 1:11,12 2 1 Timothy 1:11 3 2 Timothy 1:13,14; 2:2 4 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, 4

by Richard Mansel

An exhausted Dad on Christmas Eve found the perfect gift for his little baby girl and stilled his frayed nerves as the clerk finished wrapping the burgundy box. The crowd pressed against him as he took the parcel and exited the mob scene. Soon he would see her eyes brighten with joy at his gift. It made the terrible ordeal of shopping worth the abuse.

The morning came and the clumsy fingers of his daughter tore at the beautiful paper and bow. Squealing, she opened the box, removed the expensive gift and put the box on her head. In her innocence, she had eyes only for the box, while the gift was lost in the clutter.

God must feel like that Dad as people dabble in religion, invigorated by the box while the gift is forgotten. Christianity without Christ and the Bible has become the new vogue.

In John 6:1ff, Jesus fed the multitude with five barley loaves and two small fish. Afterwards, Jesus dismissed the crowd. The next day they came back to Jesus for more bread and miracles (6:30,31). Jesus offered them spiritual bread and they misunderstood his intentions. When Jesus explained further they "went back and walked with Him no more" (6:66, NKJV).

They wanted Christ for the wrong reasons. They wanted pleasure and entertainment rather than the salvation Christ offered. Jesus rebuffed their insults and let them walk away. He had more serious work to do. His offering is the world's most valuable gift and only those ready to receive it will be blessed (Ephesians 2:8,9; Hebrews 4:16).

People come to Jesus for temporary fixes rather than the rebirth and reformation required of a child of God (John 3:3-5). People come to God to ease turmoil in their hearts and lives. When the problem is fixed, Christ is forgotten. They want the medicine, not the doctor.

Pain management is one of the greatest challenges in the medical field. Pain, though, is not the problem, but the symptom. When it is treated as the former, people fail to get well. Instead, we must address the real problem. Sin is the illness and the blood of Christ is the only cure (Romans 5:6-11). Jesus is the Great Physician, but he does not simply dispense prescriptions. He cures problems by focusing on the sin and hollowness of a sinful life (Matthew 11:28-30). Jesus prescribes a lifetime regimen that is difficult and consuming and few will accept the challenge (Matthew 7:13,14).

For example, the worship of angels is an ancient practice (Colossians 2:18). It has an appeal to those who would play with the box and discard the gift. The worship of angels provides the comfort and exhilaration of religion without the complications of commandments. Angels appear to ask nothing of us, so they provide a very enticing opportunity for those who wish to remain in their sinful life, appear righteous and enjoy the thrill of spirituality.

Jesus offers spiritual life and discipleship. He calls us to take up our cross, which is too difficult for many to bear (Matthew 16:24-26). Jesus cannot be separated from the Bible, Church, Doctrine and God. Jesus will be King of our life or he will be a stranger to us (Matthew 7:21-23).

As we approach the new year, please take Christ and discard the box. Jesus calls us to repentance (Acts 2:38). Please accept his invitation.

by J. Randal Matheny

Year's end, the fortune tellers and social scientists appear from the woodwork to tell us what to expect the coming year.

"A major international figure will probably die this next year." Yeah, right! Can't go wrong with predictions like that.

What does it take to be a proper futurist? Hebrews 12:1-3 gives us some clear clues:

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (NIV).

JOIN THE TEAM

First, join the team of futurists. That great cloud of witnesses are the heroes of faith in chapter 11. What did they have in common? They all looked forward to something yet to be received.

"And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not received what was promised" (Hebrews 11:39).

These people were future oriented, waiting to receive, by faith, what never appeared during their lifetime. For example, some even get short mention like Isaac who blessed Jacob and Esau "regarding things to come" (11:20). On his deathbed Jacob blessed Joseph's sons, thinking of the future (11:21). At his end and thinking years ahead, also, Joseph gave instructions about his bones when Israel would leave Egypt (11:22). All futurists. All people who, even at death's door, were looking at what yet would be.

The good futurist is the missionary I heard express the wish to see a church in every city in Brazil during his lifetime.

The proper futurist is another missionary who hung in his office the sign, "Maybe today."

The spiritual futurist sows his seed today, thinking of a great harvest yet to appear.

The futuristic church of God prays "Maranatha," -- "Come, Lord Jesus!"

PARE IT DOWN

Second, to be a proper futurist, pare down to the bare minimum: "let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us."

Sin is not always so easy to see in our lives when we are too much a part of this world. Paul forbids even the mention of immorality, impurity, or greed and commands we bite our tongue to avoid filthiness, silly talk, or coarse jesting (Ephesians 5:3-5). Never mind the doing of it, don't even talk or joke about it! Talk about radical!

That means many of us are too weighted down to be good futurists.

And not only the entangling sin which would flap in the wind and wind around our legs to prevent our best time on the track. But ANY encumbrance that would hold us back. Doesn't have to be sin. Could be football, hunting, novels, knitting, pets, you name it -- anything that hampers our progress in spiritual things. Now we're not only talking radical, but extreme! (The word of the decade, right?)

SEE THE LEADER

Third, to be a really good futurist, we must focus on the one far ahead of us all, "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith."

Whether we project ourselves into a fantastic future or not, Jesus started this whole project and he will finish it. With us or without us. But he so desires to bring us alongside.

He is far ahead and has shown us to face the trials with joy (see verse 3), understanding that through these the victory is won.

In the wilderness of temptation, he could already see the ministering angels.

Before the denials rang in his ears, he thought of the hot tears of repentance.

With bloody drops of sweat as he contemplated the cross, the crowning will of God and the crush of Satan's head soothed his brow.

We can go all the way, then, when we "consider him who has endured such hostility by sinners against himself, so that [we] will not grow weary and lose heart" (Hebrews 12:3).

SUCCESS GUARANTEED

The coming year will be smashing, successful, blessed, glorifying, because we have learned to see through the cascade of tears and reach beyond to the harvest of joy.

But only a proper futurist can do that. And now we know.

Happy new year!