The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
January 4, 2004
In
This Issue:
She
Could Have Been a Millionaire
by
Steve Klein
Manhood
in the Home
by
Eugene Britnell
She Could Have Been a Millionaire!
I was on the computer at home and the TV was on in the living room. The show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" was on, and I was half listening. In her quest to win a million dollars, a contestant was asked what the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are known as collectively. That caught my attention. After narrowing her choices by using her 50/50 lifeline, she was left to choose between "the Psalms" and "the Gospels." She chose the Psalms! She lost a chance at a million dollars because she did not know "the gospels."
It seems incredible that an intelligent person in America could know so little about the best selling book of all time, the Bible. But multiplied millions throughout the world share her lack of knowledge.
The word "gospel" is used in the New Testament to refer to more than just an account of Jesus' life written by Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. It is the good news that includes the entire redemption story of Christ's birth, life, death, resurrection as well as what sinners must believe and obey in order to gain eternal life. "The gospel of Christ&ldots;is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16). "Our Savior Jesus Christ has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Timothy 1:10).
By hearing, believing and obeying the gospel, a person can hope to receive much more than a million dollars. The gospel tells us of a "hope which is laid up for you in heaven" (Colossians 1:5). It speaks to us of becoming "fellow heirs&ldots;and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel" (Ephesians 3:6).
Those who fail to know and obey the gospel cannot look forward to that great reward. There will be a terrible end for those "who do not obey the gospel of God" (1 Peter 4:17). Jesus will return one day "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 1:8).
How sad it is that someone lost a chance at million dollars because they didn't know the gospel. But much sadder still is the fact that many are losing the hope of eternal life for the same reason.
My brethren, the cup of this world's ignorance is ours to fill with the glorious gospel. Let every Christian be ready to say with the apostle Paul that "as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts" (1 Thessalonians 2:4).
by Steve Klein
As he functions as a husband and father, man is more like God than in any part of his existence. He was created to fulfill the role of leadership and guidance, and to provide for the welfare of his house. Manhood reaches its highest richness and glory in the happy fulfillment of these responsibilities.
Man and Wife
"Even so ought husbands to love their own wives as their own bodies," (Eph. 5:28). When a man chooses from all womanhood his partner for life, he lifts her to the supreme earthly place in his heart and crowns her queen of his life. He vows before God and man to love, honor and cherish her till they must part in death. She becomes flesh of his flesh and bone of his bones; they are in the most intimate sense, one (see Genesis 2:21-24).
As a man thus receives his wife unto himself, he is responsible for her welfare. His adequate provision for her will fall into at least three areas: spiritual, physical, and emotional. Should he fail in any of these, her happiness will be impaired and he will prove less than a man; however, when he succeeds in all three areas he will find his wife happy and prove himself a man in the fullest and most complete sense. As head of his house the husband is responsible to God for the spiritual training and welfare of his wife and children. The wife is commanded to "ask her husband at home," which implies his leadership in spiritual things (1 Corinthians 14:35). Men should say with Joshua of old, "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15). Example and sincerity will prove the only way of leading in this regard. The physical provision for the wife and children is equally imperative, for "he that provideth not for his own is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Timothy 5:8). This will involve making a living and providing the necessities of life. The loving husband and father gladly works from early to late in order to give his family a living. Perhaps the most difficult and often frustrating provision for his wife will be her emotional needs. Love is patient and kind, sacrificial and permanent; it is courteous and delights in doing nice things (1 Cor. 13:4-7). No part of life finds these qualities more natural than from the husband as he shows his deep love for her, and in being so loved, she finds a solid ground upon which to walk. A man should always remember that the wife has given more to the marriage than he, and that her life is largely under his control. Love and communication in marriage find complete fulfillment in the sexual relationship. For this reason, neither the husband nor the wife may withhold from their partner for any cause, except by mutual consent for brief periods of prayer and fasting (1 Cor. 7:2-5). Seeking her pleasure and fulfillment before his own will help greatly in sexual integration. Divorce courts are filled daily with couples who would not have been there had the husband and wife been more diligent in rendering to each other all that the Bible said was "due."
Man and Children
A father is commanded to bring up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). His leadership in the home will be positive as he teaches and trains his children in God's ways. He will command their respect and love as he insists upon obedience and furnishes the worthy example. Men who are only "nice guys" who show up once in a while with a paycheck and maybe for meals are not much. It takes discipline and love to bring up children (Pro. 13:24; 22:15; 29:15). Training involves correction and teaching. This requires time and effort. The worthy father who loves his family will lovingly and gladly function as God has directed in His holy book, the Bible. This is not only the right way; it is the only happy way.
byEugene Britnell