The Italian Memorandum

Our 2005 Fall Semester Theme …

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”

(Hebrews 12:28)

The French have had a long standing concept in their culture, stemming from the saying, Laissez faire, laissez passer – “No interference, and complete freedom of movement.” Though this is traceable to Francois Quesnay’s 18th century view against governmental interference, it is by no means limited to government or French culture. Mankind, in general, when strayed from the God that made them, have invariably taken on this attitude of non-interference and come what may. The Bible is full of examples which verify this statement, from Cain to Diotrephes (1 John 3:12; 3 John 9).
But, the Hebrew writer does not allow this “leave me alone!” attitude to be applied merely to bad people. Oh no, he is careful to warn the entire church against this uncooperative and independent spirit which virtually banishes the Lord God and his church. Hebrews 12:25 reads: “See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.”
God does not want to leave us alone (compare Hebrews 13:5). Get the fear of God in your life. Begin with fear, and end with fear (Prov. 1:7; Eccl. 12:13). And, then, you will have no fear; by the living word of him who said, “Fear not, for I am with you” (Isa. 41:10; Ps. 23:4; 27:1; 2 Tim. 1;7; 1 Jn. 4:18; Rev. 2:10).

-Robert M. Housby

“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.”

(John 4:23)

There are central concepts to Christian worship, as indicated on the pages of the Bible. But, these central concepts have been marginalized. In other words, marginal notes and human ideas have become more important than the text of the Bible. For example, in John 4:20-26 we learn just how far moderns have actually strayed from the original will of God regarding Christian worship:

A. Note, the text says, “true worshipers” (Jn. 4:23). But, in modern religious thinking there are only “worshipers.” What happened to the word “true”?! Furthermore, John 4:24 says, “in spirit and truth;” not just in spirit.

B. John 4:24 reads, “… and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (emphasis mine, RMH). But, in modern religious thinking there is no “must.” What happened to the word “must”?

Jesus’ remarks in John 4 should not be surprising; for, they reflect the monotheistic principles of Deuteronomy 12:

1. There is a way to worship, and a way not to worship (Deut. 12:4,5).
2. Privatized and pluralistic religion is not the way to worship (Deut. 12:8).
3. Popular opinion is not the way to worship (Deut. 12:29,30).
4. Worship carries with it these warnings: “Take care…” and “Be careful…” (Deut. 12:13,28,32).

The pagan garage sale is an option, but not for “the true worshipers” of God!

-Robert M. Housby

THE LAST WEEK IN THE LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH

with Special Emphasis on the Gospel of John

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[Brother Robert Housby is preparing a Study-Guide to be used in the Sunday Morning Bible
Class. This class will take a look at the last week in the life of Christ. It is entitled, The Last
Call, and will begin in September, 2005]

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more they were called, the more they went away.”

(Hosea 11:1,2)

“Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him. And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod.
This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, Out of Egypt I called my son.”

(Matthew 2:13-15)

Jesus was called by God (Matt. 2:15). That call had purpose (Isaiah 42:6). By John 13:1, Jesus’ call is in its final stages. It is associated theologically with the Passover; and with an appointed Hour; and, with the investment of agape Love. The Last Call will take us to the threshold of Calvary and beyond. You, too, are now called to participate (Romans 1:1,6,7; 8:28,30; 9:24; Phil. 3:14).

-Robert M. Housby