The Reporter     Volume 47 # 25,  --  June 22, 2007

 

The Finish Was In Sight

– Matthew Twenty-One –

 

   Jesus' had predicted that His earthly life would end with His death on the cross, burial, resurrection, post resurrection appearances and His ascension to Heaven. Matthew twenty-one begins that last phase in Jesus' earthly mission. Soon He would say from the cross "It is finished." These are the things Jesus came to this earth to accomplish. This is simply the carrying out of God's eternal plan.

 

   Matthew twenty-one gives the account of how Jesus was praised as He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The people put their cloths on the donkey and set Jesus thereon. The "great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way." Matthew said that they cried out, "Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest."

 

   Jesus was faithful to the heavenly Father and He was also busy teaching until the finish. Some of His greatest lessons were those that were "Taught when the finish was in sight." He taught (1) The Lord has need of what you have, (2) Be humane in your dealings with others, (3) Do not pretend, but practice Christianity, (4) Respect God's authority, (5) Do not allow your life to hinder  those  that would  enter  the kingdom, and (6) Receive God's Son and honor Him in all of your life.

 

   With the finish in sight Jesus entered Jerusalem and cleansed the temple – Matthew 21:1-17: One of the great statements from this section concerned the donkey and colt, "The Lord has need of them." Your hands, your eyes, your feet, and your heart -- "the Lord has need of them!" Another great statement that was made in connection with Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem from Bethany (Bethphage) is "So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them." (Matthew 21:6) Just think what could happen today if we would go and do as the Master commanded? Jesus was welcomed to Jerusalem with the words of Psalm 118:26. "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." The people shouted "Hosanna" (Save us now!) Christ came as the Prince of peace to conquer the hearts of the humble.

 

   Jesus drove out those that bought and sold in God's sacred place (the Temple). He said, "It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves." (Matthew 21:13) Jesus was angry with those that exploited their fellow human beings. No doubt the heart of God grieves today at the much exploitation of men by their fellow men. Jesus drove out the guilty while the needy remained and received His help. "Then the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and He healed them." (Matthew 21:14) It is of vital interest to notice that even at this point in Jesus' life children are still involved. "Do You hear what these are saying? And Jesus said to them, yes. Have you never read, out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have perfected praise?" (Matthew 21:16)

 

   With the finish in sight Jesus caused a fig tree to wither – Matthew 21:18-22: The fig tree is unique in that the fruit and the leaves come at the same time. Mark wrote, "For the fig season had not yet come." (Mark 11:13) The fruit tree was hypocritical. It professed fruit but bore none. Each person should be useful to God. The fig tree was useless. Therefore, it was caused to wither away. God wanted action not talk or pretense! Jesus also used the withered fig tree to teach the apostles a great lesson on prayer. "Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." (Matthew 21:22)

 

   God comes to many so-called disciples, seeking fruit, and finding only leaves. His grace and blessing will be removed from that life where a person continues to be unfruitful. Peter said that Jesus cursed the fig tree. (Mark 11:21) Obviously He did not use profanity against it. Instead He doomed the tree to death and it withered. The tree literally "dried up from the roots." (Mark 11:20) This was a vivid illustration of how the fruitless Jewish nation would wither away spiritually.

 

   With the finish in sight Jesus taught about authority and repentance – Matthew 2l: 23-32: The chief priest and elders confronted Jesus with questions about His authority. "By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave You this authority?" (Matthew 21:23) He answered their questions by saying "I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?" (Matthew 21:24-25) They would not answer Jesus. His question is still valid -- "From heaven or from men?" Ask that question about (1) Sprinkling for baptism, "From heaven or from men?"  (2) The doctrine of once saved always saved, "From heaven or from men?"  (3) Instrumental music in worship and a host of other religious matters -- "From heaven or from men?" Accept that which is from heaven; reject that which is from men.

 

   Repentance is a change of mind or heart followed by a change of action. This is illustrated by the son that at first said "no" but later repented (regretted it) and went. (Matthew 21:29) Jesus used this parable of the two sons to teach the chief priests, elders and all that promise God but do not perform. "Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him." (Matthew 21:31-32)

 

   With the finish in sight Jesus spoke of God's goodness and desire to save – Matthew 21:33-46: "The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the House of Israel." (Isaiah 5:7) God had entrusted His vineyard to men. They were responsible for it. The abuse of Israel's religious freedoms led her far away from both God and truth.

 

   Those in charge of the vineyard even killed the Son of the owner. "But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, this is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance. So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him." (Matthew 21:38-39) But, thank God, "this stone which the builders rejected is become the chief corner­stone." This parable shows God's goodness and His desire to save and also it shows how wicked and deliberate man can be in his sins.

 

   The most important thing in life is to become a Christian and then live like Jesus and for Jesus. To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 2:38), confess faith in Jesus as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized to wash away sins. (Acts 22:16) As a Christian we must have that genuine commitment that Jesus had. Be faithful until the finish so that heaven can be your home. (I Corinthians 15:58)

 

- - - - Charles Box

 

News & Notes

 

1. Prayer List: In Need Of Prayers: Linda Bender, Lorene Beverly, Mae Beverly (grandmother of Tyler Ray), Janice Box (knee surgery June 19^th), Peri Chapman, Marie Curlee, Roy Goodwin, Berniece Gorum, Montine Hardin, Latrelle Harrell, Evan Hartsell, Billy Heartsill, Mary Jo Hoffman, Jerry Johnson, Darrell Jones, Wanda Kyser, Mary Lawrence, Percy Newton, Steve Osborne, Barbara Parker, Glenn Phillips, Mary Powell, Jack Queener, Shirley Schofield, Ottey Simno, Ralph Sims, Vickie Starky, Mary Lou Terrell, Mary Williams and Melissa Woodruff. Crowne Health Care: Mable Harrell (grandmother of Dustin Harrell), Kathy Johnson, Myrtle Perdue, and Iva Lou Wright. Homewood Greenville: Marie Walton. Pine Needle: Mary Lou Phelps. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Helen Autrey and Doris Pierce. Shut-Ins: Emma Lee Gafford, Jean Hayes, and Doris Taylor.

 

2. Baptized Into Christ: We welcome Melissa Bagents into the body of Christ. She was baptized after service Sunday night. We rejoice with Ryan and all the family. Do what you can to be a blessing to her.

 

3. Please Pray For: The following people are serving in Iraq: Sam Sanders, Jason Godwin, Michael Howell, Kimberly Williams, Taylor Bodie, Lynn Kervin and Paul Findley. Pray for them often!

 

4. Mail For Jason Godwin: The only way to communicate with Jason Godwin is through his e-mail, jason.e.godwin@us.army.mil. This will be used until he comes home. The mailing address is no longer any good.

 

5. Birthdays: Celebrating a birthday this week is: June 27^th Gene Davis.

 

6. Wedding Invitation: Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Preston Stabler Request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Rachel Elisabeth to Lester Wayne Clements, II, son of Karla Ann Clements and the late Lester Wayne Clements on Saturday, the seventh of July two thousand and seven at two o’clock – Walnut Street Church of Christ, 306 Walnut Street, Greenville, Alabama.

 

7. Vacation Bible School: Vacation Bible School at the Walnut Street Church of Christ will be July 15^th-19^th – 6:30 until 8:30 each evening. Plan to attend.

 

8. Regular Schedule: We are planning to do Vacation Bible School on a regular schedule again. We will do Vacation Bible School being on the third Sunday in June 2008.

 

9. Thank You: (a) Thank you so much for all of the nice gifts we received at the baby shower. Your continued thoughts and prayers will be greatly appreciated. Love, Ryan & Melissa Bagents (b) Thank you for the prayers, visits, cards, calls, food, and every way you showed your love and concern during my illness. I love and appreciate you all. Marie Curlee

 

10. Agape Coin Cans: By now your Agape Coin Cans should be almost full. They will be collected on June 24^th. This is a simple and wonderful way to touch many lives. So, do what you can to help!

 

11. Mr. Backwoods Christian Camp: Patrick Lucas was selected Mr. Backwoods Christian Camp at the recent “June Bug” session of Backwoods Christian Camp. Congratulations!

 

12. Backwoods Christian Camp: Our week at Backwoods will be July 8-13. Camp fees will be paid from the Carl Sessions Camp Fund for all Walnut Street youths that participate. Registration forms are at the Welcome Center. Get them filled out and back to Darrell right away! You can also print a copy of the form from our website at

 http://walnutstreetchurchofchrist.org/backwoods/backwoods_christian_camp_2007.htm.

 

13. Put These Dates On Your Calendar: (a) July 6^th – Area Wide Singing – Prattville Church of Christ – 7:00 p.m. – Refreshments provided following singing. (b) July 8^th-13^th – Backwoods Christian Camp – Sixth Session – Directors Charles Box & Terry Claunch – 4^th grade through College. (c) July 8^th-11^th – Homecoming & Gospel Meeting – McDonald Street Church of Christ, Crestview – Speaker MacArthur Cooper – Sunday 10:00 a.m. Bible Class, 11:15 a.m. Worship,2:20 p.m. Singing, 3:00 p.m. Service and weeknights 7:30 p.m. (d) September 24^th – 26^th – Regions University – Spiritual Enrichment Forum – Embassy Suites, Montgomery.

 

A Friend Loves At All Times

 

   I have always been blessed with wonderful friends.  The greatest of which is my beautiful wife, Jamie, who honestly is my true companion. Many people joke about having the “perfect marriage,” but I say it without blinking an eye and in all seriousness. I even have a friend, Brint Rice, my first cousin not removed, who joins me in the practice of replacing one another’s names with the title, “buddy.”  Good friends are a great blessing from God. “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion” (Ecclesiastes 4:9). Here are some helpful things I’ve learned about friends.

 

   “A man who has friends must himself be friendly” (Proverbs 18:24). In order to have friends you must be a friend. What does the Bible say is involved in being a TRUE friend?  “A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17). A true friend is always a friend, not just when it’s easy to be one. It is written, “Many seek the favor of a generous man, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts” (Proverbs 19:6). It’s not always an easy task to be a true friend.

 

   A true friend (Christian brother/sister) is “born for adversity.” They will be there in times of trouble. They are forgiving and willing to make things right if they’ve done wrong or been wronged. “As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17). When iron sharpens iron, the two pieces grind against one another while parts of both are filed off. A true friend won’t always agree with you, and will, at times, help to remove negative things from your life.

 

   Jesus is the friend who surpasses all others.  “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends” (John 15:13). If you are Jesus’ friend, you must be a friend of His children (1John 5:1-2). How effectively are you fulfilling this commandment? What do you need to do to become a TRUE friend…a friend to Jesus (John 15:14)…and a friend to others?

- - - - Darrell Powell

 

 

Don’t just own a Bible; read it!

 

Walnut Street Church of Christ

P.O. Box 551

Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551

(334-382-3001)