It is not surprising to hear people say as we talked about Sunday morning, that the kingdom of Christ is yet to come. This is not what the Bible teaches. The doctrine of the kingdom is basic, yet it is one that it seems many people struggle to be able to explain. LetÕs look at several verses that should help us to understand about the kingdom.
ÒAnd I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.Ó Matthew 16:18, 19.
ÒTake heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own bloodÓ Acts 20:28. Compare that with Revelation 5:9,10, ÒAnd they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings [a kingdom, ASV] and priests: and we shall [and they ASV] reign on the earth.Ó
ÒTo the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.Ó Colossians 1:2. The letter to the Colossians was written to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ. Yet, just a few verses later Paul would proclaim, ÒGiving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear SonÓ vss. 12, 13.
ÒTo the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,Ó Hebrews 12:23. In verse 28 of that same chapter we read ÒWherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:Ó
Is the Young Man Safe?
When we read 2 Samuel 18 we read the question of this title twice, specifically addressed with regard to the SAFETY of ABSALOM (vv., 29, 32). David is the one doing the inquiring in this context. He had given strict orders to his commanding generals that they were to Òdeal gently for my sake with the young manÓ (v. 5). DavidÕs woes have been compounded by the rebellion of this son, yet he loves him dearly and evidently feels partly responsible for the sad state of affairs that now exist between the two of them. David is finding out, day by day, about the burden of sinÕs consequences. He had committed terrible sins and was reaping the whirlwind, but he desperately wanted his son spared from death. Thus, the major news that David sought when two messengers came back from the fighting lines was: IS THE YOUNG MAN SAFE?
As with many great questions asked in the Bible, this question also is an interesting one to apply to others besides that single one mentioned in the text. What of young men today? What about our young people today? How is it with them? Are they safe? Time spent contemplating these questions surely is time well spent, both for the young and for those who love them.
Temptations of Satan are strong in every phase of life on this planet. Yet, who would argue with the fact that life as a young person has its particular and powerful threats to true safety? In this instance we are not so interested in physical safety (as David was about his son Absalom), but rather safety in the long run. Solomon talks about the LONG HOME or the eternal home in Ecclesiastes 12:5. For Bible-believing and wise people any thought of SAFETY for young people would involve the spiritual aspect of their lives.
Satan is so successful in implanting into the minds of young people the idea that they have plenty of time to settle down SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE. The concept used to be expressed: ÒGo ahead and sow a few wild oats; then pray for a crop failure.Ó
This concept is one that will endanger the young peopleÐKEEP THEM FROM SAFETYÐand one that will give Satan great glee as they accept it in great numbers. The Apostle Paul teaches us plainly that this concept is dangerous and can only be accepted by those who are DECEIVED. We will reap what we sowÐÓBe not deceived: God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlastingÓ (Gal 6:7-8).
So then, what shall those of us who are older do to help our young people be SAFE and to help them avoid the common idea that there are yet many years ahead for settling down and living a life which involves preparation for eternity? Let me propose a list of items that should be useful in seeking that worthy goal.
1. Let us show interest in their lives and the things that are important to them. You might be surprised just how much such interest from an older member of the LordÕs church might encourage them to do what is right. They may begin to think of you as someone to whom they might turn for a different perspective from that which they receive daily from their peers.
2. Let us set the right example before them. So many poor examples are out there from among those who are older that it is no wonder they often follow those poor examples. We have a great responsibility as older Christians properly to model the Christian life before those younger in the faith. Let us say to them as Paul said to the Corinthian saints: ÒBe ye followers of me, even as I also am of ChristÓ (1 Cor 11:1).
3. Let us speak freely and often to them of the heavenly reward toward which we are headed. As Christians grow older we tend to think more about heaven. We love to sing the songs about the eternal reward. We love to read the passages, which attempt to picture heaven for us. The world is telling our young people that they must JUST DO IT. Grab all the gusto of this life. The emphasis they hear from others is get all the pleasure there is in life. That emphasis is upon THIS LIFE and totally absent is any mention of life after death. What if we can help the young man or young lady see the beauty of heaven? Will that not make a strong contribution toward securing the SAFETY of the young man or woman?
Yes, this short list is only a starter and I know that YOU can continue it for a few more pages without any great effort. Is it not a worthy effort to contemplate the question: IS THE YOUNG MAN SAFE? Whenever we begin to do more of this kind of thinking, as those who are older, then we will see a great impact on young lives! Of that I am extremely confident
--David
Lemmons, www.lemmonsaid
CHARACTERISTICS OF A LIVE CHURCH
There is no doubt most of want to be a member of a live, growing church. Most of us can easily tell the differenceÑand so can the Lord!
Live churches have all kinds of problems: parking problems, lack of classrooms, teachers etc. They always have more work, programs, missions and opportunities than they can take advantage of, dead churches do not have these problems.
Live churches have lots of crying babies, noisy youth, new people, new faces and people we donÕt know, dead ones do not.
Live churches make constant demands on time, talent and money. There are fellowships, services and classes to attend. There are people to visit, delinquents to reclaim and drifters who need encouragement and admonition, dead ones do not.
Live churches are filled with people who are weak, neglectful, forgetful and who need attention, but they are growing. They are concerned, prayerful and giving, dead churches are not so.
Live churches have preachers who are book and people oriented. They have preachers who preach hard, exhort often and know what is going on in the world, the church and in the lives of many of the brethren. Dead churches do not.
Live churches have elders who stretch the budget yearly to help the congregation grow. They have programs, sermons, classes, papers, missions, plans and hopes to take every member to greater heights of service, sacrifice and finally heaven. Dead churches do not.
Live churches have deacons that are pushers, vitally involved to improve everything the congregation is doing. They are out front serving and helping in the entire program to get more done now. Dead ones do not.
Lives churches have memberships that respond to challenges. The challenge of new programs, budgets, missions and always the world. They have people who evangelize rather than fossilize. Dead churches do not have such.
Live churches fight error and know where it is found. They are compassionate and kind. They are gentle and loving, but bold and brave and afraid of nothing. They love God and hate sin. Dead churches do not have this.
Andrew Connally, deceased