The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at New Georgia

Tim Johnson, editor

March 9, 2008

 
In This Issue:
Neeed a Reason to Show Hospitality?
by Steve Klein

The Armor of God
by Chuck Bartlett

 

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Need a Reason to Show Hospitality?

  Sharing what we have with others, especially those who are in need, is hospitality. As Christians, we are to be "distributing to the needs of the saints" and "given to hospitality." (Romans 12: P). We are commanded to "be hospitable to one another without grumbling" (1 Peter 4:9).

  To an increasing degree, Christians in our culture seem to be growing less and less hospitable. The problem could be related to the tremendous prosperity we enjoy in this country - fewer of us are actually in need. Or, maybe it has something to do with the fact that so many are absorbed with their own lives -- their jobs, their homes, and their recreational pursuits. Whatever the cause, it is apparent that we need to be reminded of the reasons God has given us for showing hospitality.

Why YOU should be Hospitable...

  • To express love. Christians know love because they know Jesus. The love we've received from Him compels us to love one another in real and tangible ways. The apostle John wrote, "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3: 16-18).

  • Because by so doing, others have entertained heavenly guests. Hebrews 13:2 instructs, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels." Anytime this verse comes up in a Bible class, someone invariably will ask whether it means that angels could literally be among us today and come into our homes as guests. Whether or not they can, one thing is for sure, when we show hospitality to others, we are truly showing it to a heavenly guest - Jesus Himself. For He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me" (Matthew 25:40).

  • To be good stewards. Everything we have comes from God and should be used according to His will to accomplish His purposes. Notice the connection between the command to show hospitality in 1 Peter 4:9 and the command to be good steward of God's gifts in verse 10. "Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. (10) As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."

  • To promote the gospel. Evangelists have needs, especially those who are laboring full-time in difficult places of the world. By helping them, we become "fellow workers for the truth." (3 John 5-8). We can also use occasions when we are showing hospitality to others, or receiving their hospitality, to share the gospel. Many times Jesus took advantage of such situations to teach the lost and share the gospel of the kingdom (cf. Luke 19:2).

  The reasons that God has given us for showing hospitality surely outweigh whatever has been keeping us from it.

-- Steve Klein

 

The Armor of God 

  "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:13). Our Father has not left us defenseless when it comes to our battles "against the wiles of the devil" (v. 11). Earlier, Paul mentioned that the brethren should be "strong in the Lord and in the power of His great might" (v. 10). Let's take note of our armor that God has given us through Christ.

  1. Having girded your waist with truth (v. 14). It is truth that can set us free (John 8:32). This gives us power over the enemy of lies, and the devil is that father of such (John 8:44). Without truth we have no defense against anything that is false. Truth is what is required for Ii soldier of Christ to be victorious.

  2. Having put on the breastplate of righteousness (v. 14). It is this quality that the enemy abhors. Righteous actions (word or deed) cause those in opposition to be tormented further (Romans 12:20). Saints will be tempted to engage in carnal warfare (2 Corinthians 10:4), which would mean to take off our breastplate. Make sure it stays on and resist the devil and he will flee (James 4:7).

  3. Having feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (v. 15). Any spiritual conflict would bring certain defeat without having a firm stand. Christians have the peace, which brings assurance, through the gospel (Philippians 4:7). Having doubts is to give a foothold to the enemy. Satan's earliest tool used to hurt man was by casting doubt: "You shall not surely die" (Genesis 3:3). The gospel of peace will cast out uncertainty (2 Timothy 1: 12).

  4. Taking the shield of faith (v. 16). The whole purpose of being a good soldier is to please our God, and without faith it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6). The edge that children of God have is their ability to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). This enables them to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one (Ephesians 6:16).

  5. Take the helmet of salvation (v. 17). What greater comfort is there than knowing you shall be saved? What soldier would fear a battle when he is assured victory? The salvation of the Lord is there for those who will wear it. This is trusting in God who can deliver us (Matthew 6:13,2 Peter 2:9). It is useless to fight without seeing the salvation of the Lord.

  6. Take the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God (v. 17). Knowing that the only thing we are up against is everything that is not God's word, it is only fitting that the use of God's word would be our needed weapon. Too many soldiers are trying to defend truth without God's word. We must use the word for it has the power (Romans 1: 16).

  As is often pointed out, notice that the armor does not prepare one who turns his back to the enemy--he would be unprotected. This is why throughout the scriptures we are told to press straight ahead (Philippians 3: 14). The narrow road doesn't have room to turn back for a rest. If you do that, you are not on the road.

Finally, our text in Ephesians 6, mentions, "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints" (v. 18).

Are you wearing the whole armor of God?

~ Chuck Bartlett

In Gospel Power, Anderson, Alabama, 9/7/97