|
|
A New Creature In Christ
– Second Corinthians Five –
Second Corinthians five opens with Paul
comparing a believer's body to an earthly tent. This earthly body will die and
be dissolved. It is not designed to last forever. Our more important part, the
soul, will be rewarded in heaven if we will serve God faithfully. The faithful
of God go immediately to a place called "
There are only two options, (1) To live till
the Lord comes again, or (2) To die. We will die because sin brought physical
death into the world. (Romans 5:12) The wicked die and the righteous also die.
"The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it
to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous
is taken away from the evil to come." (Isaiah 57:1) Paul anticipated death
because he was looking forward to heaven, and to seeing the Lord! Paul was
groaning with sufferings here, yet he earnestly desired his heavenly home. We
too should long for heaven because (1) This life has many troubles (John
Paul wanted at all times to be found clothed
with righteousness, holiness, and grace. He desired to be set apart from the
world and constantly cleansed by Jesus' precious blood. It was for the sake of
the hope of heaven that Paul labored on through all kinds of difficulties. He
knew that while he was at home in the body he was absent from the Lord. It was
his desire to be present with the Lord and pleasing to Him. Paul groaned under
the attack of Satan. This groaning caused him to long for heaven.
Judgment is coming and it is necessary. All
the people that have ever lived will stand before God at judgment. We will be
rewarded or punished based on the things done in our bodies. Paul had the love
of Christ in him. He had enough of the love of God in him to want to work for
the salvation of all people everywhere. As Christians we must not live for
ourselves but for others, for their welfare and benefit. Paul recognized that
apart from Jesus all are sinners. It does not matter about physical background
or even if they had seen Jesus in the flesh. It was whether a man had been
redeemed from sin that was most important to Paul, and whether he was living
for the one that had bought him back from sin and death. Christ makes you a new
creation, gives you hope, regenerates you and reconciles you to God.
A house not made with hands – 2 Corinthians
5:1-5: Death will come to all because this life is only temporary.
However, there will be happiness in eternity for those that will walk with God.
Heaven is (1) A building of God, (2) A house not made with hands, (3) An
eternal reward, and (4) A place of true life. Our Father's house will be the
eternal home of those that are faithful to God. “In My Father's house are many
mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for
you.” (John 14:2.) When our soul leaves this earthly tent it will return unto
God who gave it. Those that have walked with God down here will dwell with Him
in eternity. This body of flesh that we dwell in causes many burdens. God's
faithful servant is willing to die and be with Him in eternity instead of
living on earth in the flesh. In the world to come God's people will not be
naked; they will be clothed in robes of righteousness. The present indwelling
of the Spirit is an "earnest" of the everlasting reward in
heaven.
A walk with God by faith – 2 Corinthians 5:6-10: The
state of being in this earthly body means that we are "absent from the
Lord." In one sense we are with God but not in the same way we long to be
and hope to be with Him. Here we walk by faith; in eternity it will be sight.
Our heavenly hope fills our heart with comfort even through the worst of
struggles and through death. (2 Corinthians 5:8) Our desire to be present with the
Lord makes us labor in a most ambitious way in the Lord's kingdom. The most
important thing in this life is to so live that we are acceptable with the
Lord. Judgment is coming; we should therefore be faithful to the Almighty. We
learn that (1) Judgment is certain (we must appear), (2) Judgment is universal
(we must "all" appear), (3) Christ is judge (It is His judgment
seat), (4) Judgment will be according to that we have done in our body, and,
(5) We will be rewarded according to what we have done (whether good or bad).
The Love of Christ constrains us – 2 Corinthians 5:11-15: Judgment
is pictured as the "terror of the Lord." Certainly coming judgment
should cause us to persuade men to repent and to live righteous lives. Paul did
not speak of his work to commend himself or to seek the approval of men. Paul
was not the villain that some wanted to make him; the fruit of his labor proved
that he had been faithful to the word of God. He did not work to his own glory.
His goal was to help the church and to glorify God. Christ's sacrificial love,
that took us from spiritual death to eternal life, compels us to labor in His
kingdom. Now that Christ has died for all we must live for Him. Those that love
Christ and consecrate their lives to Him will live in such as manner as to
glorify the Lord. “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus:
that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who
live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and
rose again.” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15.)
A new creature in Christ – 2 Corinthians 5:16-21: Regeneration
and reconciliation are both necessary if we are to be with God in heaven. Both
regeneration and reconciliation are in Christ and by Christ. Regeneration is
being made new in Christ. Even the bodily presence of Christ is not as
important as the spiritual change of heart brought about by Him. A great change
takes place as one becomes a Christian. He becomes a new creature. Old things
are passed away. Through Jesus we are not only regenerated we are also
reconciled to God. Sin had separated but reconciliation is in Christ. Peace
with God is made possible by the blood of Jesus' cross. To go to heaven we must
be reconciled to God and we must plead with others to be reconciled to God.
This reconciliation is only through Jesus. He took
our sins that we might have his righteousness. “For He made Him who knew no sin
to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2
Corinthians 5:21.)
Will you appreciate Jesus and His sacrifice enough that you will
prepare for eternity NOW? To become a Christian you must hear the gospel
(Romans
- - - - Charles Box
News
& Notes
1. Prayer List: In Need Of Prayers: Jimmy
Allen, Deane
Autrey, Mae Beverly, Mary Frances Casto (sister of Betty Findley), Nell
Cates, Birdie Lee Godwin, Roy Goodwin, Judy Green, Montine Hardin, Evan
Hartsell, Betty & Jimmy Hobbie, Linda Holley, Dot Killings-worth,
Mary Lawrence, Abby Lee, Jeremy McGill, Shaunnie McGough, Jo Ann Moorer,
Curtis Newton,
Romona Newton, Opal Missil-dine, Mary Powell,
Linda Sexton, Don Shirley, Austin Shows, Leroy Waller, Richard Watts, Elizabeth
and Price Williams and Mary Williams. Crowne Health Care: Mary
Alexander, Gladys Childs, Buddy
2. Baptized
Into Christ: Erin and Ryan Taylor were baptized into Christ Sunday evening after
the devotional. Erin and Ryan are the children of Stuart and Vivian Taylor. Please
encourage them in the Lord.
3. Requesting
Our Prayers: Billy Heartsill requested the prayers of the church on his behalf.
Please remember him in your personal, private prayers.
4. Please
Pray For: The following people are serving in
5.
Egg Hunt: Marty and Alicia Sexton are hosting an egg hunt
for our children on March 22nd at
6. Prom Alternative Banquet/Retreat:
7. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays this week are: March 25th Corrine Till and March 29th Lomax Owens.
8. Backwoods
Christian Camp Walk-A-Thon: Eleven young people from
9. Thank You: To the Walnut Street Family, The love and
concern you have shown our family when we lost Mama will never be forgotten.
The Walnut Street Church Family showers you wilt love visits, food, prayers and
lots of hugs. This outpouring of love is always shown and welcomed, but
especially comforting when you lose “MAMA”. The gorgeous flowers you sent in
Mama’s memory warmed our hearts. Many of you joined us on Sunday as we
celebrated her wonderful life. We are all at peace because we know she and
Daddy are together again in heaven and that make’s everything right! We are all
blessed by your love and prayers. There isn’t a church family on earth that
rally’s around its family members the way
10. Put These Dates On Your Calendar: (a) March 30th–April 3rd – Memphis School of
Preaching Lectures – Theme: “Strengthening The Heart”, (b) April 6th – Homecoming 2008 – Opp
Church of Christ – Time and Speakers: Bible Class 9:30 a.m. Roger Dill, Worship
10:30 a.m. Ross Mitchell, Singing 1:00–1:25 p.m., Worship1:30 p.m. Barry Elliott
(c) April 12th–2nd Annual Girl’s Purity Day –
Dalraida Church of Christ – Speakers Cindy Colley and Julie Owen – Time 9:00
a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Contact Elizabeth Wakefield (b_wake@hotmail.
com) by April 6th the number of
people attending. (d) June 22nd-26th –
Vacation Bible School –
Children Of The
Flood
As the Noahic flood rains began to fall, it seems likely that children all over the world began curiously asking their parents what was happening. They had never seen rain before, and while some may have been frightened, others likely ran outside and began playing in the mud puddles. But watching from inside, parents who had not heeded Noah’s warnings began to worry. As the waters rose, the joy left the children’s eyes and fear set in, though surely many of them still trusted their parents to protect and save them. However, we know that every man, woman, and child except for the eight souls in Noah’s family died shortly after the flood began. How heartless and selfish were those wicked parents (Gen 6:5) who not only condemned themselves to die, but also sentenced their precious children to death by drowning. Consider with me briefly, though, that there is a form of negligence that is even crueler than the evil that the parents in Noah’s day did.
It is hard to imagine a greater injustice
than allowing a child to die because of one’s own self-will and rebellious
decisions. But when we understand the fact that children who die are innocent
of sin and will inherit a heavenly reward, we can see that a greater crime
would be to watch them grow up without steering them in paths of righteousness.
Parents have a crucial responsibility to instill God’s will in their children’s
hearts. Use every opportunity to share the Word with them (Deuteronomy 6:7).
Warn them of the punishment that awaits the disobedient (Ezekiel
Flood waters are rising all around our children…waters that seek to destroy more than their bodies. Parents must choose to protect their beloved children from peril much more awful than drowning. The decision to protect them must be made quickly, for we don’t know when it might be too late. Will you allow your children to drown in sin because of your spiritual neglect, or will you do all you can to help save them.
- - - - Darrell Powell
The fact that
a person is criticized is an indication that he is trying to do something; only
the dead have no critics.
Don’t just own a Bible; read it!
(334-382-3001)