JURONG OUTREACH - August 06

NOBODY MADE IT
5 NOVEMBER 06

Sir Isaac Newton once had an exact replica of our solar system made in miniature. At its center was a large golden ball representing the sun, and revolving around it were small spheres attached at the ends of rods of varying lengths. They represented Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and the other planets. These were all geared together by cogs and belts to make them move around the “sun” in perfect harmony. 

One day as Newton was studying the model, a friend who did not believe in the biblical account of creation stopped by for a visit. Marvelling at the device and watching as the scientist made the heavenly bodies move on their orbits, the man exclaimed, “My, Newton, what an exquisite thing! Who made it for you?”  

Without looking up, Sir Isaac replied, “Nobody.” “Nobody?” his friend asked. “That’s right! All of these balls and cogs and belts and gears just happened to come together, and wonder of wonders, by chance they began revolving in their set orbits and with perfect timing.” The friend got the message. It was foolish to suppose that the model merely happened (Psalm 14:1) The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. but it was even more senseless to accept the theory that the earth and the vast universe came into being by chance. How much more logical to believe what the Bible says, “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). 

There was a university professor who challenged his students with this question: “Did God create everything that exists?”

A student bravely replied, “Yes, he did!” “God created

everything?” the professor asked. “Yes sir,” the student

replied. The professor answered, “If God created everything, then God created evil since evil exists, and according to the

principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil.” 

Another student raised his hand and said, "Can I ask you a question professor?"  "Of course," replied the professor.

The student stood up and asked, "Professor, does cold exist?“ The professor replied "Of course it exists. Have you never been cold?“ The other students snickered at the young man's question.  

The young man replied, "In fact sir, cold does not exist. According to the laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat.  Everybody or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body, or matter, have or transmit energy.

Absolute zero (- 460 degrees F) is the total absence of heat. Cold does not exist. We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have no heat."  

The student continued. "Professor, does darkness exist?"

The professor responded, "Of course it does." The student replied, "Once again you are wrong sir. Darkness does not

exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light, we can study, but not darkness. In fact we can use Newton's prism to break white light into many colors and study the various wavelengths of each color. You cannot measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Isn't this correct? Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present."  

Finally the young man asked the professor."Sir, does evil exist?"   

Now uncertain, the professor responded, "Of course, as I have already said.  We see it every day. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man.  It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil." 

To this the student replied, “Evil does not exist, sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that describes the absence God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God’s love present in his heart.  It’s like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light.”  

The professor sat down. 

The young man's name:  Albert Einstein.

WHAT CAN I DO?
12 NOVEMBER 06 

Andrew might have been a man one would consider average. He came from a city of little reputation. In fact, if one heard of it in the first century, he would know the industry of the place by the meaning of its name, "house of fish," which may have been all for which it was known. We know it today as Bethsaida, a city that would probably be lost if it were not for its preservation in the Scriptures (John 1:44). This city was probably located around the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, where average Andrew practiced an average trade, fishing.  

The only reason we probably know of Andrew is because he is mentioned about a dozen times in the Bible. Even so, at a glance, Andrew's life seems rather unexciting as compared to others of whom we read. He was a disciple of John the Immerser (John 1:35-40). He even followed Christ and became an apostle (Matthew 10:2). However, in light of the accomplishments of the other apostles, Andrew's seem to fall into the shadows. We do not have any of his preaching recorded like his brother Peter's. He never wrote Scripture. Actually, none of his actions, which are recorded in the Bible, would be considered significant by the world's standards. Nonetheless, because of the One he followed, we would contend that his life has an eternal effect on many souls. 

Today, Andrew provides a great example of action. Often, when we feel there is nothing we can do, we are content to do nothing. Andrew, on the other hand, did something. For instance, John 6:5-9 records Jesus testing Philip, concerning feeding 5,000 men, not to mention women and children. Christ asked Philip, "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" "Philip answered Him, 'Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.'" In contrast, notice how Andrew responded to this seemingly impossible problem. "Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him [Jesus], 'There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?'"  

Andrew did not think he had the means to solve the problem, but he tried. With Jesus' help, the fact that Andrew tried was enough. The next time you come to a situation that seems hopeless, do not settle to do nothing. Offer a kind word, try to help or offer a prayer. What you do may be just enough. If it were not for Andrew's first response to finding the Christ, the face of the Scriptures and the history of the early church could have been drastically different. John 1:41-42 tells of what Andrew did in response to finding Jesus. "He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which is translated the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, 'you are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas' (which is translated, A Stone)."  

From here the apostle of Christ we most often call Peter began to follow the Saviour. What would have happened if Andrew did not share his discovery of Jesus with Peter? We cannot know. However, imagine the dramatic effects Peter's absence would cause. Someone else would have given the sermon we have recorded in Acts Chapter 2. There would be no First or Second Peter, and worse, if Peter had not heard of the Saviour, he would be lost.  

Many may be able to relate to Andrew. Perhaps the place one lives is not world renown. It may only be known for its coal, steel, fishing or farming. The case could be that even you may be a worker in one of these average jobs, an average student in school or living an average retired life. You may say, "There is nothing special about me. What can I do?" It may seem bold to say, but there was nothing special about Andrew, except that he served the Saviour.  

That is what made his life extraordinary. If you can learn a little from this under appreciated man of the Bible, you too can stop living a life of mediocrity and start living a life of service to your Master. Share the precious record of Christ's sacrifice with someone, encourage, thank and pray. You do not have to do what man considers "big things" to have an everlasting affect on souls. Start today. Share Andrew's message: "We have found the Messiah" (John 1:41)! 

By Van Sprague 

Get a tract, send it to someone you know, someone who needs the love of our dear Saviour and invite him to our December Gospel meeting. Who knows, he may be a an excellent tool for the kingdom of God. 

December Gospel Meeting

                                                                                  Date:        1-3 Dec 2006

                                                                                  Venue:     Church Building

                                                                                  Speaker:  Perry B Cotham

                                                                            Theme:    The Glorious Gospel of  Christ.

CONSERVATIVE AND LIBERAL
19 NOVEMBER 06 

A reader inquires about "conservative" and "liberal" members of the churches of Christ. Really, nothing has changed since the first century when the New Testament was penned. The New Testament was penned largely to address problems among Christians in the first century. In the first century, so-called "liberal" Christians were loosing what God had not loosed and making their own church laws. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:8) “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.“ (Colossians 2:18) “Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.” (Col 2:21-23) 

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.” (1 Timothy 4:1-3) 

Virtually, the whole New Testament concerns correcting Christians, many of whom are not content to abide in the God's Word alone (Galatians 1:6-9; 1 John 4:1). "Conservative," depending on how one is using the term can mean either of two things. It may refer to brethren who otherwise practice Christianity correctly, but they essentially elevate their opinions on some matters to doctrinal status, making laws where God did not make laws. The Judaizing teachers of the first century are a good example of this, and they plagued the church for which much of the New Testament addresses their error (Galatians 5:1-4; 6:13-16). “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.” (Acts 15:1) “But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” (Acts 15:5) “Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment.” (Acts 15:24) “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.” (Titus 1:10-11) 

If by "conservative," rather someone means that he accepts and practices the Scriptures as the New Testament was intended by God to be received, then that is a different matter. Though such a child of God stands in distinction from both those who would loose what God has not loosed and bind what God has not bound, the term "conservative" does not appear in the Bible.  We ought to seek a biblical balance between the extremes of loosing and binding, in either case where God has not authorized. We simply desire to be "faithful in the Lord"  (1 Corinthians 4:17), "faithful brethren in Christ" (Colossians 1:2) or Christians (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).

MOVIN' ON UP
23 NOVEMBER 06 

While travelling, an investor stopped off to visit a friend and notable stockbroker with whom he had corresponded through the years. Following the directions given, he arrived at his residence - a small apartment complex in midtown. He rechecked to make sure he had the correct address and then rang the doorbell, where he was greeted with a warm smile and a familiar voice. He entered a small living room area with very modest furnishings and decor. There was hardly even a picture hanging on the wall. After some conversation, the visitor remarked, "You know, Frank, this place has great potential....why not invest some money and remodel? New furniture, carpet and wall coverings would make this place look really nice!"  

The stockbroker softly replied, "Not a very wise investment, Jim. You see, this place is not my home! I'm just living here temporarily while my home is being built. My energy and focus are centered upon that permanent residence. In the meantime, it doesn't make sense to invest a lot of time and resources in this place only to leave it all behind. Why, the title deed has already been transferred into my name - see, here's my new address! Besides, I don't want to get too comfortable here, knowing that I will eventually move out of this temporary apartment and into my permanent home."  

Look around you. EVERYTHING that you see is only temporary! One day it will ALL be gone (2 Peter 3:10).

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up”  

If we have placed all of our energy and focus on those things that are material and temporary, we will have made some bad investments! Fully aware of these things, the Apostle wrote, "So we fix our eyes NOT on what is SEEN, but on what is UNSEEN. For what is SEEN is temporary - but what is UNSEEN is eternal. Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an "eternal house" in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling" (2 Corinthians 4:18 - 5:2).  

God has prepared this "heavenly dwelling" for THOSE who will submit their lives to Him. Our "opportunity" to live in this eternal home was "purchased" by Jesus, when He died on the cross for our sins (1 Peter 1:18-19)  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

A "deed" to this heavenly home awaits THOSE who BY FAITH: (Hebrews 11:6),

repent of their sins (2 Corinthians 7:9-10),  

confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10),  

are baptized (immersed) for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38),  

and CONTINUE to walk in the light of His Word  (1 John 1:7).  

Where is YOUR focus? Are you spending your time and energy "decorating" your TEMPORARY abode? Or, are you planning to spend an eternity in an ETERNAL home prepared by Jesus for His own?  

Listen to His words: "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! - And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:2-3). Heaven is a "prepared place" for a "prepared people".  Are YOU preparing yourself to inhabit this heavenly home?

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This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through.

My treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue.

The angels beckon me from heaven’s golden shore.

And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore. 

Oh Lord! you know, I have no friend like you.

If heaven’s not my home, then Lord what will I do?

The angels beckon me from heaven’s golden shore.

And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.