THE POUND
PROCLAIMER
Volume V
July 2010
Number 5
Sing
to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day
to day. Psalms 96:2
THE “RIGHT”
CHURCH
By: Robert F. Turner
A brother told me his friend asked if the church of which he was a member was the true church. The brother is an honest, conscientious man, and he said he couldn't tell his friend the church of which he was a member was perfect. He knew, and the friend knew, they had problems and imperfections. So he told the friend it was the nearest thing to “right” of which he knew. Is this the best approach?
The “nearest thing to right” says I know what is “right,” but either I can not find - perhaps believe there does not exist - one that measures up; or I am willing to settle for some ‘thing’ less than what I know should be.
Perhaps some of
our readers believe he should have said he was a member of the
I suggested he discuss the church of the NT records from two angles: the IDEAL, or the perfect church one might envision by studying what is approved and disapproved of God. Then, point out that the actual congregations of the 1st century were not perfectly aligned with this ideal. In fact, we learn what Christ desired by seeing their errors corrected, as well as by approved examples, etc. Then, drive this home! Anything short of a sincere, all-out endeavor to be and do what Christ wants us to be and do, is not quite good enough.
Tell your friend
you have done what you believe God's word teaches one must do to become a child
of God. And you are in fellowship with other like children, who are endeavoring
to work and worship as God's word directs. Ask him to examine your faith and
practices in the light of God's word. If you can show him you welcome
constructive criticism, will correct any errors he might find, are ever
cognizant of weakness and need to improve, and are praying for forgiveness and
strength to do better - brother, you have shown him the “right” church. If you
can't stand such a test, perhaps you will CHANGE THE SUBJECT!!
The Editor’s
Page
ARE YOU APATHETIC?
A man once said,
“The doctor said I was suffering from apathy but I don’t care.” Apathy is being
indifferent toward one’s life in general.
Specifically, it lacks feeling or concerns for the responsibilities
inherent within jobs and relationships toward others. It is manifested in the
attitude of “I don’t care”!
When we consider
our service to the Lord, it is evident that ‘apathetic’ is not, does not, and
should not describe the Christian. Paul writes, “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.”
(Romans
12:11) Christians are commanded to be “fervent in spirit, serve the Lord”. The characteristic of “apathy”
should never be found in the Christian. I doubt any Christian would contradict
this statement, however, how many Christians exemplify the character of being
apathetic? How much concern do you show regarding the work in your home
congregation? Are you always ready and willing to offer your skills and effort
to the local work? Are you attending the services as you should? Do you have
the attitude that shouts “let some else do it” and then complain that ‘nobody’
is doing the work? On a personal level, how is your Bible study going? Do you
talk with others about God's truths? Do you strive to live fervent, godly
lives? Answering these questions will be a good start in finding out if you are
apathetic in your spiritual life.
So, what are we
to do to cure the spiritual apathy that plagues us today? Helen Keller said
that, “Science may have found a cure for most evils, but it has found no remedy
for the worst of them all – the apathy of human beings.” Ms. Keller’s words
ring true. There is no support group called Apathetic Anonymous for one to join
in an effort to overcome apathy. There is no medication the doctor can give you
that will cure apathy. So, what is a Christian to do?
Jesus says, “1I am the true vine, and my Father is the
vinedresser. 2Every branch in me that does not bear fruit
he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may
bear more fruit. … 5I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever
abides in me and I in him, he it is that produces much fruit, for apart from me
you can do nothing. … 10If you keep my commandments, you will abide
in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his
love.” (John 15:1-2, 5, 10)
The cure for
apathy is found in Jesus’ words. A Christian should recognize that he is in
Christ. As the branch is attached to the vine, so we are to Christ. The
Christian is to produce fruit. A truly faithful Christian is not just a ‘hanger
oner’ sapping strength from the vine without producing.
They are actually giving something back to their Lord. In order for the
Christian to produce righteous fruit, he must obey the commandments of Christ.
Are you
apathetic? If your answer is yes, then repent and turn back to God before you
are cast away and burned. If your answer is no, then God’s riches blessings be
upon you. Continue in the Lord and you shall reap the eternal inheritance
promised to the faithful.
WORKING FOR THE
MASTER
WHAT IS “FELLOWSHIP”?
By: David Smitherman
The early
disciples “continued steadfastly in ...
Fellowship” (Acts
Fellowship is not “placing membership” or having one's name “on the roll.” Nor should it be equated with one’s bodily presence in an assembly. In spite of these things, there are many brethren who are not in fellowship with the congregation they claim to be a part of.
The prefix
“fellow” means being a partner, having or sharing in common with others (Philemon
But simply having things in common with others does not make one “in fellowship” with them. The suffix “ship” suggests a “state, condition, quality” that must be attained and maintained by activity. Extending the “right hand of fellowship” (Galatians 2:9) and jointly participating with others in activities that we all have a common interest brings us into true fellowship. There must likewise be a “fellowship of the spirit” (Philippians 2:1) or disposition. We must all “will” the same things.
A local church
is such a fellowship of saints: those with common interests, having a united
spirit, and jointly working together in providing for various activities (Philippians
1:1, 5;
In the work of the church do I “aid” my “fellows” in their scriptural endeavors to the extent of my ability? Do I “share” my “resources” (time, talents, money, etc.) with them as they work to accomplish their goals?
In the
assemblies of the church do I seek to learn from the teaching (Galatians
6:6)? As prayer is offered do I become of “one spirit” with the one
expressing thoughts to God (1 Corinthians
Isn’t it strange that brethren can believe they are still in fellowship with a local church even though they seldom, if ever, attend the assemblies, refuse to participate in the assemblies they do attend, or fail to “lend a hand” in the various programs of work being carried on?
Brethren, whenever we withdraw our “spirits” (and we are no longer interested in what is being done), or when our participation in the work ceases because we have deliberately withdrawn it, then we have withdrawn our fellowship. How many assemblies we attend, or our names being in the directory means nothing.
Brethren, let us
be actively interested and involved in the work of the local church that we may
truly continue steadfastly in fellowship.
THE LAST WORD
NO EXCUSE SUNDAY!
To make it possible for everyone to attend church next Sunday, we are going
to have a special “No Excuse Sunday”.
Cots will be placed in the foyer for those who say, “Sunday is my only day
to sleep in.”
There will be a special section with lounge chairs who feel that our pews
are too hard.
Eye drops will be available for those with tired eyes from watching T.V.
late Saturday night.
We will have steel helmets for those who say “The roof would cave in if I
ever came to church.”
Blankets will be furnished for those who think the church is too cold and
fans for those who say it is too hot.
Score cards will be available for those who wish to list the hypocrites
present.
Relatives and friends will be in attendance for those who can’t go to
church and cook dinner, too.
We will distribute “Stamp Out Stewardship” buttons for those who feel that
church is always asking for money.
One section will be devoted to trees and grass for those who like to seek
God in nature.
Doctors and nurses will be in attendance for those who plan to be sick on
Sunday.
The sanctuary will be decorated with both Christmas poinsettias and Easter
lilies for those who never have seen the church without them.
We will provide hearing aids for those who can’t hear the preacher and
cotton for those who say he is to loud.
- Author Unknown -
*******************************************************
SENTENCE
SERMONS
“No one knows of your
honesty and sincerity unless you give out some samples.”
“The devil is never too
busy to rock the cradle of a sleeping saint.”
“If you aren’t big
enough for criticism, you are really too small for praise.”
“We make a living by
what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
“Some folks look ahead,
some look back, but most folks just look confused.”
“A bitter world cannot
be sweetened by a sour religion.”
“A lot of people waste
too much sympathy on themselves.”
“Others may ruin your
reputation, but only you can damage your character.”
“It is far more
important to make a good life than a good living.”
“If you expect to draw
true interest, you should have true principle.”
####################
WHAT MUST
I DO
Hear: Rom
Believe: Heb 11:6
Repent: Lk 13:5; Ac 17:30
Confess: Matt
Be Baptized: Ac
TO BE
SAVED?
###################
FAMILY
MATTERS
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be a new program uploaded each week. We also keep the sermons updated as well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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The Pound Proclaimer
is published monthly by the Pound
All articles by the editor unless
otherwise stated
Editor: Glen Young
Phone: 276-796-5767=Office
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