From: "Collegevue Church of Christ" Subject: The Beacon - Electronic Edition - 5/10/06 Date: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 10:22 AM Please join us for "The Virtual Bible Study" on Thursday evening at 9pm Eastern / 8pm Central time. Go to www.TheVirtualBibleStudy.com and follow the link to hear the live broadcast. You can also check out archives of past programs and information about podcasting. -------------------------------------------------------------- THE BEACON - Electronic Edition - 5/10/06 Concern For Others An often overlooked, yet significant passage, Philippians 2:4 says, "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." This concept is contrary to the popular notion espoused by humanists and others who selfishly care only for themselves. Many people today will only "look out for number one" as the expression goes. They have little concern for anyone but themselves. This statement in Philippians 2:4 certainly contradicts the self-centered attitude that is so prevalent today. The NASB translates it "do not merely look out for your own personal interest, but also for the interest of others." Certainly, this passage is not saying that we are to be just interested in our own affairs, but we are to be interested in the good and welfare of other people. Christians are to care about other people and not just care about themselves. A similar concept is found in Galatians 6. This text tells us that, in addition to bearing our own burdens, we are to bear the burdens of others. Verse two says, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." In the first part of Philippians 2, Paul is trying to emphasize the importance of unity. He states various things which will promote unity. Among them is the attitude of concern expressed in the passage which we are examining. If we have concern for others, as well as ourselves, it will be much easier to be of one accord and of one mind in the church, as Paul implores in verse 2. A proper application of this passage can help us a great deal. Often when we get our minds off our own problems and look at the difficulties and hardships of others, our own problems seem much smaller. - by J. Mike Johnson ______________________________________________ The Sin of Murmuring The word "murmur" is defined as "low, muttered complaints; grumbling." (Webster). It is condemned by God as being sinful. We are commended to "do all things without murmuring and disputings." (Philippians 2:16). The apostle Paul warned Christians against this sin in his letter to the Corinthians: "Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured and were destroyed of the destroyer" (1 Corinthians 10:10). The sinfulness of murmuring is vividly illustrated by God's severity of punishment toward the guilty Jews, as shown in the following account. Korah, Dathan, Ahiram, fifty princes of the congregation and others rebelled and murmured against God's servants Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16:1-11). "The earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up they, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them, and they perished from among the congregation" (verses 32-33). "And there came out a fire from the Lord, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense" (verse 35). When the Jews murmured that Moses and Aaron were responsible for the deaths. God killed fourteen thousand, seven hundred of them by a plague (verses 41-49). This is written for our admonition and should cause all murmurers in the church to repent and reform, lest they suffer a "sorer punishment" (Hebrews 10:28-29). A murmurer can do great harm and irreparable damage in a congregation by creating discontent discouragement and apathy among members, by sowing discord among the brethren (which God hates - Proverbs 6:19), by undermining the work of preacher, teachers, deacons, and the rule of elders. This many times creates a general attitude of dissatisfaction and loss of interest, enthusiasm and zeal, resulting in decreased attendance, contribution and impairment of all work in general. The murmurer may then be the first to criticize the lack of growth, and may use the preacher or someone else us the scapegoat to bear the blame, not realizing or ignoring the fact that his own sin is responsible. The murmurer does not truly love God and is not really interested in the welfare and growth of the church, but in his own selfish desires and opinions. He is either woefully ignorant of or willfully disregards God's word regarding his sin, and is a dangerous threat to the cause of Christ. He can and does destroy or greatly lessen the influence and work of those who happen to be the object of his disgruntled attack. It is difficult to deal with such a situation because often times the murmurer does not have the courage or character to honorably discuss his complaints with the proper ones, but whispers them in secret to others. Christians should not lend receptive ears nor endorsement to murmuring, but exhort the guilty one to cease his sin. Remember, if one will murmur to you, he may murmur about you, because many times he is a pharisaical faultfinder, a chronic complainer with a hypercritical attitude who is usually never satisfied very long with any arrangement. We earnestly exhort all murmurers everywhere in the name of Christ to repent of this sin, to cease and desist in tearing down the work of God, and to get busy in the kingdom to build it up. Those who truly love God and his church have no desire to be hypercritical faultfinders, wandering about murmuring to all who will listen. If anyone should persist in this sin after proper warnings and efforts to restore, then scriptural discipline should be brought about to protect the flock of God and its work. The work of our Lord is too important to allow murmurer to run and ruin the church. - by Earl Fly ___________________________________________ Herod When the name "Herod" is mentioned, the question which must immediately follow is, "Which one?" The story of this notorious family runs throughout the gospel accounts and into the book of Acts. The family tree looks briefly like this: Herod the Great He murdered the children of Bethlehem in an effort to find and kill the young Jesus (Matthew 2:1-16). Herod Archelaus, Herod Antipas, Herod Philip All three were sons of Herod the Great. Archelaus assumed authority upon the death of his father. Joseph was warned by God to avoid him and thus moved with Mary and Jesus to Galilee upon their return from Egypt (Matthew 2:19-23). Archelaus was later banished by the Romans and replaced by their appointed overseers (leading to Pilate). Antipas and Philip received lesser domains (Luke 3:1). It was Antipas who was the "tetrarch" of Galilee. He was the one who had John the Baptist beheaded for having condemned his adulterous marriage to his brother Philip's wife (Mark 6:17,18). He is also the one who had a part in the humiliating 'trial' of Jesus (Luke 23:8-11). Jesus accurately referred to him as "that fox" (Luke 13:32). Herod Agrippa I, Herod Agrippa II They were the grandson and great-grandson of Herod the Great. Agrippa I killed James and imprisoned Peter in some of the early persecutions against the church. He was smitten with worms and died (Acts 12:1-23). Agrippa II heard the apostle Paul make his defense and was "almost persuaded" to become a Christian (Acts 25:13 - 26:32). - by Greg Gwin ____________________________________________ Trends . . . More than two out of every five American adults (42%) believe that when Jesus Christ lived on earth He committed sins. - via Barna Research Hebrews 4:14-15 "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." ______________________________________________ Some quotes worth pondering . . . "To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right." "I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good thing, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow human being let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." "Here is the test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: If you're alive, it isn't." ______________________________________________ News from Collegevue . . . May 7, 2006 We sing: "When the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there." We certainly hope that is true, and you have taken a step in that direction by answering the "roll call" this morning! Thanks for being here. In particular, we extend a special greeting to our visitors. Please come again soon. Continue to pray for those who are sick, including Buddy Hood, Alvin & Shelby Lunn, Tina Overton, Hubert Morrow, Norma Goodman, Jane Collins, Kim Futrell, Kris Johnson's mother, Lucille Vick's brother, and others. Also remember Jennifer Ring's brother in the army in Iraq. Remember "The Virtual Bible Study" on Thursday at 8pm. Please spread the news about this Internet program. Our Thursday morning class has resumed this week. We are studying some important people from the New Testament. Please join us. The class is open for all who can attend. Check the 'religion page' in Friday's Daily Herald for a new series of advertisements we are running. Keep praying for open doors of opportunity to reach the lost in our community. Special thanks to the volunteers who are keeping the grass mowed. This is a big task, and we appreciate your efforts. Dale Lindsey is coordinating this effort. The elders will meet this afternoon at 4:30. They are, of course, always available to meet with you to discuss any needs or issues you may have. Figures for the week of 4/16/06: Sunday, Bstudy, 121; AM, 130; PM, 124; Wed., 121; Contrib., $3214 ______________________________________________ "The Beacon - Electronic Edition" is sent out weekly from Columbia, TN, and contains articles and information taken from the most recent "paper" bulletin of the Collegevue Church of Christ. We hope you will use this material in any way you can that will glorify our Father. Please give proper credit to the respective authors. ______________________________________________ Visit our website at: www.Collegevue.com email us at: collegevuecoc@bellsouth.net contact the editor (Greg Gwin) at: greggwin@bellsouth.net