Dealing with Adversity

Check out www.helenachurch.org.  We have the lessons from Sunday uploaded.  The rest of Mike's lessons will be added soon.

Great Lessons from Mike Wilson

Fantastic lessons yesterday from Mike's series on Dealing with Adversity.  Come tonight @ 7 PM.  Invite your friends, too!

Experiencing Hard Times?

Mike Wilson will present lessons on Dealing with Adversity.  He has walked through the valley of the shadow of death himself - losing his wife to cancer a few years ago.  Mike is a strong Bible student and will present material beneficial to all who come.  Make your plans to be there.  Sept 11-14 (Mon-Wed 7 PM).  www.helenachurch.org 

This weeks challenge

Remember to rejoice every day this week.  Philippians 4:4 :)

Getting Ready for Mike

In a couple of weeks Mike Wilson will present lessons about Dealing with Adversity.  This topic is very personal to him as his first wife died of cancer after a 6 year battle.  I know he will handle the various aspects of this subject in a Scriptural, practical, and compassionate way.  So start thinking now of who you want to invite to the meeting. The dates are Sept 11-14.

Let the Hammer Down

Don't forget to "Let the Hammer Down" today (Phil. 3:12-14).  For those who weren't at Helena yesterday morning you will just have to ask someone about it.

Worshipers are Lazy?

Pharaoh accused the Hebrews of using worship as an excuse to get out of work (Exodus 5).  Twice in the chapter he calls them lazy.  That made me think about today how people will use a variety of excuses to get out of worship.  I guess that would make Pharaoh happy.  But then I got to thinking: should worship be easy...something a lazy person can do?  I don't think so.  But it shouldn't be work either.  It should be refreshing like water to the panting deer (Ps. 42:1).  But those who treat it lazily end up weak, sick, and eventually dead (I Cor. 11:30).  God's word is amazing as it can fill our minds with challenging thoughts and questions.

Onomatopoeia - What sounds are your words making

Exodus 16:2 "And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:"
 
The word "murmur" both in English and in Greek (not sure about Hebrew) is an onomatopoeia.  Can you imagine the sound of 2 million people murmuring?  Its difficult for us to imagine how annoying Moses must have felt dealing with the constant complaining of so many people.  
 
Rather than murmur about what we don't have or the actions of whoever is in charge, we need to focus more on contentment and patience - and using our mouths to say things befitting such attitudes. .

Independence Day

Jesus told a crowd in John 8 that "If you continue in My word then you will be my disciples; and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."  I imagine that many Americans would respond the same way that the Jews did on that occasion: "We...have never been enslaved to anyone...How is it you say 'You will become free?'"  We cherish our political freedom not really comprehending how sin enslaves us.  And so Jesus' response is still valid today: "Truly I say to you who ever commits sin is the slave to sin."  The best, and most important, freedom is freedom from sin; it can only be realized through Jesus - the one who possesses the truth that sets us free. 

The Power is in the Message

Exodus 4:10-12 "Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."  The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD ? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." 

God had specially picked Moses to lead his people out of Egypt.  Moses tried to excuse himself from duty by claiming his speech was not eloquent.  Many people use the same excuse for not sharing the gospel with others.  But the power of the gospel is in the message itself, not the delivery (Romans 1:16).  That doesn't mean that we shouldn't try to improve our ability in speaking it, but just that the main thing is to share it! 

Honoring Bro. Curtis Flatt

Looking forward to a great get together this afternoon to honor the work of Brother Flatt.  He has preached for us for about 11 years and well over 60 years during his life.  Wow...a tremendous example of laboring in the kingdom.

An Earthly Heavenly Kingdom

John 18:36 - Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." 
 
Jesus' kingdom is from heaven and is thus not based upon the same structures as an earthly kingdom.  But notice that Jesus did not say "My kingdom is in another world."  Jesus intended for his kingdom to exist here on earth, which it does in his church.  So we are citizens of a heavenly kingdom while living on the earth.  We live according to the law of that kingdom and we persuade people with the gospel, not with a sword.

We've Had A Great VBS

This is kind of an early congratulatory note on our successful 2011 VBS - The Heart of David.  Big Thanks to everyone who contributed to the effort and to our wonderful students.  I will start back on sending the devotionals next week.

Jack Kevorkian died

Dr. Death spent much of his life attempting to legalize doctor assisted suicide so people could die with dignity.  God is much more concerned about another kind of death; the one by which we escape the penalty of sin.  Most people have heard that Jesus died on the cross but they have never been taght how that results in the believer's death.  Instead we constantly here the admonition to accept Jesus into your heart.  Are you interested in the divinely assisted death to sin that leads to salvation?

Jesus Practices Preventive Medicine

"All this I have told you so that you will not go astray." John 16:1
 

Jesus spoke these words to his apostles who were about to witness the crucifixion.  But don't they still apply today!  It is possible to go astray, thus God has given us the words of life to protect us from that danger.  We must respect both the danger and the preventitive remedy.

Memorial Day in Helena

Every Sunday the Helena church of Christ meets to remember the death of Jesus for our sins and his triumphant resurrection.  This Sunday will be no different.  Check out www.helenachurch.org for our assembly times.

Dr. Dickey's "Isms" on www.helenachurch.org

You can stream or download the lessons presented by Dr. Thaxter Dickey on www.helenachurch.org.

Love and Obedience

John 14:30-31 "I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me."
 
The crucifixion proved Jesus' total obedience to the Father beyond any doubt.  In agreement with what Jesus said earlier, this obedience proved his love for the Father.  If we love Jesus we will do what he says, just like he did what the Father said.  The formula is really that simple.  When we disobey, we know that our love is not yet perfect.  So, we press on, and endeavor to grow more in faith and love.  And we could look to Jesus as the perfect example of both.

World ending tomorrow...last chance to invite someone to church

Our meeting with Thaxter Dickey starts Sunday, May 22.  But the world is ending tomorrow so today is your last chance to invite someone to church.  For more info about Brother Dickey's topics send your friends to our website: www.helenachurch.org.

The "Isms" that Control Us

Thaxter Dickey will present special lessons next week, May 22-25 on The "Isms" That Attempt to Control Us.  Mon-Wed at 7 PM. Some of the topics are: "Humanism," "Feminism," "Selfism."  See www.helenachurch.org for more info.  Hope to see you there.

Think Smaller

Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."  Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me?" John 13:37-38a   Peter had things turned around.  He thought he could preserve God's plan by laying down his life for Jesus.  No doubt he wanted Jesus to be the triumphant Messiah.  But Jesus knew the plan would work another way...he must lay down his life for everyone.  It is easy to be distracted by what we think the plan should be; even grandiose ideas of significant acts of service.  Although it is possible that we will be privileged to do something "great" for the kingdom, it is probably much better to focus on the many smaller things we can do each day.

Win at all costs

Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.
John 12:9-11

Familiarity with the gospel story makes threats against Jesus' life seem rather ordinary.  But when we read that the leaders wanted to kill Lazarus, also, we get a sense of how wicked these men were.  Isn't it sad how far some people will go to protect their belief / power?  And isn't the situation ironic?  What did the rulers think they would accomplish by killing Lazarus - couldn't Jesus bring him back to life again!
 
But we, too, can be guilty of protecting our own beliefs (or positions of power / social standing) through denying the truth and attempting to quiet the opposition.  We must remember that we are serving God and His will, not our own.

Is your faith "Martha Strong"?

"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."  And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. "The Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for you."
John 11:27-28

Martha had a robust faith.  In this short quote we find her hailing Jesus as: Messiah, Son of God, and The Teacher.  She had heard Jesus and seen the miracles, but she also made the connection with numerous OT prophecies.  This depth of spirituality should not be taken for granted.  Are we cultivating (or allowing the Spirit to cultivate in us) a similar depth of spirituality? 

Is your faith Martha Strong?

"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."  And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. "The Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for you."
John 11:27-28
 

Martha had a robust faith.  In this short quote we find her hailing Jesus as: Messiah, Son of God, and The Teacher.  She had heard Jesus and seen the miracles, but she also made the connection with numerous OT prophecies.  This depth of spirituality should not be taken for granted.  Are we cultivating (or allowing the Spirit to cultivate in us) a similar depth of spirituality? 

Something a Miracle Cannot Change

So they said to Him, "What then do you do for a sign, so that we may see, and believe You?  What work do You perform?"

John 6:30

 
We are drawn to the idea of miracles; an astounding display of power that instantly proves beyond all doubt the truth.  But the Bible shows a different story.  Jesus had just fed 5000 people miraculously; and he had performed many miracles before that.  Yet here are people questioning him; wanting another sign.  Jesus recognized that they did not intend to believe.  They simply were looking for a free meal.  While we overestimate the power that miracles have in producing faith, we underestimate the power that carnality has in destroying faith.  Worldly desires can blind people to even the most awesome display of miraculous power.  So we must continually work on our hearts; making sure we develop them spiritually in accordance with God's word.

Believing the Words of Jesus

John 5:24 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."
 
Can we appreciate how this would have offended many Jews - the people who had the Law of Moses?  A person was telling them that they must obey his words, when they had the words of God given to them in the Law.  But they should have believed Jesus because the miracles he did testified to his divine approval.  Of course, people today still stumble over the idea that eternal life can only be found in the words of Jesus.  And we no longer have the excuse of having allegiance to another message from God.  Instead, it is simply our own desire to follow the world that interferes with hearing the words of Jesus.

Testimony from a Potential Enemy

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." (John 3:1-2)
 
Modern critics of the Bible start with the assumption that miracles are impossible.  Such a huge assumption, based on a materialistic worldview (materialism not as in money, but as in matter is all that exists) distorts their view of scripture and their ability to treat it fairly.  But notice that Nicodemus, who was aligned with Jesus' fiercest opponents, accepted the miracles as real.  He had every motivation to not believe in Jesus, for Jesus was a threat to his power, but he was honest enough to accept the reality and the implication of Jesus' miraculous power.  This is a great testimony to the veracity of Jesus' life.

Divinely Supported Faith

Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."
John 1:32-34
 
God has always provided objective evidence to undergird our faith.  I don't mean that every aspect of our faith has something tangible supporting it, but that God has provided enough of a foundation to justify those times when we must take that "blind leap of faith."  Surely, there was much about Jesus that John did not understand.  But he could confidently proclaim the parts of God's message he didn't understand, because God gave him clear evidence of the veracity of Jesus of Nazareth.

A Prospering Soul Matters Most

 The elder,
      To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.  Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3 John 1-4)
 
Here is a letter from an apostle to a dear friend.  Notice the perspective from which John is writing.  He is concerned about his friend's physical condition - his health and prosperity - but everything is grounded in the truth and faithfulness to God.  John wanted his friend to enjoy good things in life, but what gave him "great joy" was to know of his spiritual condition.  We live in times of financial uncertainty; much emphasis is placed on money matters.  We also live in a time of increased focus on healthy living.  Lets never forget that what matters most is the nourishment and prosperity of our souls.

Stay Content with what the Apostles Taught

II John 9-11 "Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work."
 
This is one of the strongest worded statements in scripture about how we react to false teachers.  But I want to draw attention to the structure of the admonition as John addresses the full range of reaction to the doctrine of Christ.
 
John first mentions those who go too far; they add their own speculation or teachings to the existing doctrine of Christ.  These do not have God.  Then he mentions those who abide in the teaching.  They are content with what the apostles taught; they have fellowship with the Father and the Son.  Finally, he mentions those who fail to teach the truth about Christ.  Their error is not so much what they say; it is what they will not say. 
 
Seeing how important this was to John, we need to understand the doctrine of Christ and then be ready to react as we come into contact with those who refuse to abide in the same.

An Ominous Truth

I John 5:19 "We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one."
 
John often wrote of things that we know.  So at the end of his book he writes that we know we are children of God.  That confidence comes from the gospel message.  But then he reminds us of an ominous truth, the whole world is under the control of the evil one.  This is a serious problem that confronts us.  We should not anticipate that being a Christian will be easy given the stiff opposition that we face.  But we have victory because of Jesus.

Take the Paul Williams 1 Peter Challenge

Paul Williams challenged us to read 1 Peter every day this week.  He emphasized in the lesson this morning the theme of "who are we" as Christians by looking at descriptions of Christians in 1 Peter.  I have no doubt that everyone who completes the challenge will benefit tremendously.  Do you think that's worth 15 minutes a day?

Join the Victory

 I John 4:4-6 "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood."
 
This is in the context of distinguishing between false spirits, ie false teachers claiming to speak by the Spirit, and the truth.  But I particularly like the first sentence: that we have overcome them, because God is greater than them.  This can apply to any spiritual battle we face and any trial in life.  The problems and battles are real, but so is the power of our God.  Let's not capitulate to the world when the victory has already been won.

Could it really be that simple?

I John 3:18-19 "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence;"

Eight times in this chapter John mentioned things we know (a couple of times he wrote of things that demonstrate someone doesn't know God).  These things form a dividing line between truth and error, godliness and worldliness.  Despite the attempts of many to demonstrate the complexity of the Bible (especially theologians/preachers who attempt to impress others with how sophisticated they can be) the main message is very simple according to John.  Either you know God or you don't.  The truth and our actions will clearly bear that out.

A Simple Principle

"And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.  If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him." (I John 2:28-29).
 
John presents the Christian life in its bare simplicity.  He looks at cause and effect; action and reaction.  If you know something then do it.  If you do not do it, then something is seriously wrong.  If you want to go to Heaven (be confident when Jesus returns) then continue in Jesus. 
 
Frequently, people want to explore nuance, contingencies - the gray areas of faith.  John presented a very simple principle for his readers: love and obey.

Joy in Sharing the Gospel

I John 1:3-4 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.
 
The apostles had fellowship with God through Jesus.  They also had the message by which others could enjoy that relationship.  So when we accept their message we, too, can have fellowship with God.  Notice that this process, ie spreading the gospel, made the apostles joy complete.  Just like we can have fellowship with God, we also can have the same joy John experienced when we spread the gospel.

A Powerful Finish

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.  (Jude 24-25)

Jude ends his short letter on a powerful tone; like a hymn that finishes in a crescendo with the congregation holding the last high note.  Our God is worthy of such praise.  It is by his power that we will have the victory.  In the verses prior Jude gives responsibility to his faithful readers to do the work of reaching out to struggling and wayward Christians.  And he had written in 20 "to build yourselves up in the most holy faith."  We have work to do, but the power and success of our labor is from the Lord.  He can see us through to the end when we will stand his presence - what a glorious thought!   

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Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I will say, Rejoice!

"Who Needs Faith?" - Special Weekend Lessons about faith in God as Creator

Check out the website - www.helenachurch.com for more info about our special lessons this weekened by Dr. Buddy Payne about the Evidence for an Intelligent Creator.  Tonight's topic is "Where did we come from?"

Built Up and Protected

Jude 20 "But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit."

Jude warned about men who sought to use the church for their own ungodly satisfaction. The remedy or defense against such men is found in verse 20 - build yourselves up in your most holy faith. I see two principles at work. (1) A person strong in the faith will not be deceived by false doctrine, no matter how eloquent the speaker. (2) A person strong in the faith will eventually, if not quickly, see through the facade of someone attempting to gain influence for his own purposes. This can be a tricky one; some are great con artists. But usually con artists go after the weak, gullible, or those who have a particular need in their life. Although it is possible (so if it has happened to you, don't waste time blaming yourself for someone else's sinful character), most often the tactics of charlatans are not likely to work on someone strong in the faith.

So let's determine to rely on the gifts and blessings that God has granted us to grow strong in the faith and thus live to His glory.

Exposing a Bully

Jude 10 "Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals—these are the very things that destroy them."
 
Evil often emboldens people.  They take a false stance of strength as they attempt to impose their wickedness on others.  It is important that we are strong in the faith to stand "toe to toe" with such people.  That does not mean that we use the same tactics - Jude mentioned that Michael the Archangel refused to rebuke Satan, but rather turned it over to God - instead we are prepared to not back down.  We know who we are and refuse to allow those with carnal motives to push others around without exposing who they are.  That was the whole point of Jude's letter 2000 years ago, and it is still a frequent problem today.

The Best Thing to Share

 "Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints."
 
Jude had in mind to write about the salvation we share.  Consider that he was a brother of Jesus; instead of claiming special authority or privilege, he saw himself as a servant of the Lord and here in verse 3 as one who shared, or had in common with others, salvation from the Lord.  Since salvation is something that we share with fellow Christians, we can also consider what a great blessing it is to share it with those who do not have it.  Maybe you know someone today who needs to have the gopsel shared with them.

 

If you want some help and encouragement on how to share the gospel please contact us.  We would love to share with you in that effort!

Jude knows how to start a letter...

"May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance" (Jude 2)

Don't you love the way letters were started in the 1st century? Such greetings convey the sincere affection that these Christians had for one another. Jude wanted his audience to not only experience these spiritual blessings but he wanted them to have them in abundance.

May all who read this message have mercy, peace, and love in abundance.

Welcome to the Helena church of Christ

Please stop by to see us. You can more information at http://www.helenachurch.com/.