by Richard Mansel

Humans are indeed weak and sinful. Every day news outlets carry reports enumerating the troubling evidence. We handle this onslaught by becoming progressively desensitized and cynical. Additionally, we are bombarded with increasing volumes of temptations as a result of technology and mobility. Satan never naps and we are always being seduced (1 Peter 5:8).

Consequently, we wonder how Jesus could come to this wicked earth and become one of us. It seems more than we can conceive. John 1:1-3 tells us "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made" (NKJV).

In John 1:14 John tells us that the "Word became flesh and dwelt among us." This is as profound a thought as any ever delivered to man. Jesus is God and simultaneously the son.

C. S. Lewis wrote, "Lying at your feet is your dog. Imagine, for the moment, that your dog and every dog is in deep distress. Some of us love dogs very much. If it would help all the dogs in the world to become like men, would you be willing to become a dog? Would you put down your human nature, leave your loved ones, your job, hobbies, your art and literature and music, and choose instead of the intimate communion with your beloved, the poor substitute of looking into the beloved's face and wagging your tail, unable to smile or speak? Christ by becoming man limited the thing which to Him was the most precious thing in the world; his unhampered, unhindered communion with the Father."

We notice that the word did not enter or fill a man but "became flesh" in the form of Jesus. He came to participate with us in human nature to learn how we think and live. This is not to measure an historic event but to show his eternal nature. His presence here was but a spot on the time line of his existence.

Primarily he came to die for our sins (John 3:16). He was the only one who could serve as the Messiah, being completely acquainted with both God and man. He understands how we feel and what we endure daily. "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).

Jesus was exactly what mankind needed. Someone has said that if man's greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator. If man's greatest need had been technology, he would have sent us a scientist. If man's greatest need would have been money, he would have sent us an economist. If our greatest need had been pleasure, he would have sent us an entertainer. But our greatest need was for a Savior, so Jesus was commissioned to be our salvation.

Our sins have separated us from God, so we need a Messiah to bring us back to him (Isaiah 59:1,2). Christ came and died so that could be possible (Romans 5:6). His cross became a bridge back to God. Jesus pleads for us to come to him with humble spirits when he says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).

by J. Randal Matheny

A sign in Sao Paulo, where we were taking kids back and forth to camp this weekend, proclaimed that some group was "opening a church." Not infrequently we hear that phrase spoken, and seeing it in large letters struck me that the words are more than just an awkward expression.

Out near the Christian camp, it is told that one man who bought a little dilapidated building, formerly a bar, pondered whether to continue as a bar or "open a church." He apparently had trouble deciding which would bring in more money.

Biblically speaking, one does not open a church. You open a store. You open a business. You can even open, in Portuguese, an exception. You open a can (of worms). But you can't open a church. At least, not Christ's church.

This phrase is not merely an unfortunate expression. It belies either pecuniary interest or power issues. It climbs the height of religious sectarianism and plunges the depth of human depravity.

God gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:5-9). Man is God's tool to plant and water, but God makes it grow.

Jesus said that he would build his church (Matthew 16:18). His reference is primarily to the establishing of the church, as revealed in Acts 2, but it is he who continues to build churches throughout the world. It is not, and never can be, a human activity. The New Testament speaks little or nothing about church planting or church growth, to the chagrin of church growth advocates.

It does speak of the progress of the gospel (see Philippians 1:12). By these words Paul refers to what happened to him, not what he caused to happen. His imprisonment permitted him to preach to people who otherwise would never have heard the gospel.

Christians pray, preach, and teach. And through that divinely appointed activity, God makes it happen. The Lord builds churches.

In some places, because of Christians' lack of faith and disobedience, not even God is "opening churches." But that is a different travesty.

By Michael E. Brooks

"Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect him" (Matthew 24:44).

As I write these words I am less than four days from departing for Bangladesh. I have been home a little more than three months since my last trip and will be gone for over three months this time. I have known since arriving in March approximately when my next departure would be, and have had tickets purchased for several weeks. I have spent much of my time these months preparing lessons to teach during the fall semester in Bangladesh and for the campaign in Nepal.

Now ask me, "Are you ready to go? You have your bags all packed and your lessons all prepared, right?" You know the answer to that. I am not even close to ready. I have shopping to do, suitcases to pack, people to see, and yes, more lessons to prepare. I expect to be ready before next Tuesday, but I am not yet and it will take extra effort to accomplish total preparation.

The fact is, preparation is difficult. We are busy, frequently interrupted by unexpected circumstances, and prone (many of us anyway) to putting things off. Departure dates and deadlines approach with certainty and awesome speed, and we find it very difficult to meet them.

If preparation for a known, fixed and important deadline such as a departure date for a long mission trip is difficult, how much harder is it to be constantly prepared for an event whose timing is unknown? That event, of course, is the coming of the Son of Man, or as we more frequently refer to it, the Second Coming of Jesus.

We do not know when he is coming, but we know for certain that he is coming.

"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for him he will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation" (Hebrews 9:27,28).

"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first" (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

"Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thessalonians 1:6-8).

As we have certainty about the second coming of Jesus, so we have certainty about the importance of being constantly prepared for his coming. Peter, describing the great day of the Lord, asks, "What manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God?" (2 Peter 3:12). His answer is, "Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by him in peace, without spot and blameless" (2 Peter 3:14). Jesus often commanded us to watch and be ready, for his coming would be unexpected and surprising (Matthew 24:42,44).

Preparation for Jesus' return is not a matter of packing suitcases, nor of preparing lessons to teach. It does not involve passports, visas, or taking shots and buying medicine. Rather it is simply the process and practice of sanctification and faithfulness. To be ready for Jesus is to be found in a forgiven state, reconciled to God through the blood of his Son. It is further to be found in service to God. Paul describes it as follows:

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58).

by Tim Hall

The admonition of James 5:13 is familiar: "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms" (NKJV). We've often pointed to that verse as authority for Christians to sing. But have we ever asked why? Praying in times of suffering is understandable and natural. But what is the connection between times of joy and singing? This writer believes that it's more than just an outlet for our happiness.

One of the more notable instances of singing in a time of joy is found in Exodus 15. Following their deliverance from Pharaoh and the Egyptians, Moses led all Israel in a song of victory. It was, in fact, more than a song; it was a monument. John's reference in Revelation 15:3 to Moses' song suggests that it stood as a perpetual reminder of God's great power.

Another example of a monument to God's power can be found in 1 Samuel 7:12. It had been a dark time in Israel. The Philistines had intimidated God's people for years, and had even captured the ark of the covenant. Now, however, Samuel exhorted Israel to repent. When the people agreed to turn to the Lord with all their hearts, a dramatic victory was won over the Philistines. "Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, 'Thus far the Lord has helped us.'"

Ebenezer means "stone of help." It was a visible reminder to the people that God would deliver them if they would be true to him. The rock itself was not significant, but the truth it represented certainly was.

Perhaps Christians should have their own "stones of help." Perhaps these monuments can be spiritual in nature, maybe even musical. Is this what James had in mind when he commanded Christians to sing when they were cheerful?

A certain Christian was going through a strong trial. Many prayers were offered to God for deliverance. In time those prayers were answered and great joy resulted. At about that same time, a new song was learned while visiting another church. Ever since, singing that song has evoked strong memories of God's gracious response to that need.

Erecting a musical Ebenezer will help keep the memory of God's mercies from fading. It's another good reason why Christians should be people of song.

by Mike Benson

Question: "Why do members of the church of Christ eat the Lord's Supper every Sunday?"

Answer: Thank you for this important question. Let's go to the Scriptures for an answer:

1. The apostles of Christ were guided into ALL truth. "However, when He, the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth..." (John 16:13a).

2. They ate the Lord's Supper every Lord's Day (cf. Revelation 1:10) -- EACH first day of the week. Consider:

. The disciples were commanded to observe the Lord's Supper (Matthew 26:26-28; cf. Luke 22:17-19).

. Christians were commanded to assemble every Sunday (1 Corinthians 16:2; cf. Hebrews 10:25).

. The primary purpose of their assemblies was in order to partake of the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:20,33) and therefore remember His death (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:26,24).

. The first-century church observed the Lord's Supper according to the apostle's doctrine (Acts 2:42). NOTE: The Greek article (the) preceding "bread" is not present in the English, but is present in the original text. The article indicates that a special (unleavened) bread was under consideration.

. The apostolic practice was the first day of the week ("Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread..." Acts 20:7), the same day of Christ's resurrection (Luke 24:1-3,46,21).

3. Members of the church of Christ are only trying to follow the New Testament PATTERN. Since there is not a week that passes that does not have a first day, Christians partake of the Lord's Supper/Communion on this weekly occasion, according to the apostolic example, and in so doing, remember the sacrifice of the Lord on their behalf.