The Italian Memorandum

world view – How one characteristically looks outward upon the universe.

“taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ”

(2 Corinthians 10:5,NASB)

All people have a world view. Some have world views that are skimpy, while others have developed their world view to reflect the creator-redeemer God. It is hoped that the following seven-fold structure will be helpful in the development of your Christian World View.

1. The Lord is God (Deuteronomy 4:35)

2. Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 4:15)

3. The Bible is the word of God (Psalm 119:160)

4. The church is the people of God (Acts 11:24,26)

5. The gospel is the plan of God (Romans 1:16)

6. Heaven is the calling of God (Hebrews 3:1)

7. Faith is the expectation of God [in all particulars](Hebrews 11:6)

We stand on the verge of a New Year. Will you stand with the Lord your God—regarding Jesus, Bible, Church, Gospel, Heaven, and Faith?

– Robert M. Housby

(Bring Someone with You to Heaven)

“He [Andrew] first found his own brother Simon and said to
him, We have found the Messiah (which means Christ). He
brought him to Jesus”

(John 1:41,42)

“The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found
Philip and said to him, Follow me… Philip found Nathanael
and said to him, We have found him of whom Moses wrote in
the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Galilee, the
son of Joseph”

(John 1:43-45)

The Greek word for find/found in the New Testament is from the eureka family of words. This eureka experience often involves strong human emotions (see Lk. 15:8-10; 32!). Notice in John chapter 1 how Christianity functions at its evangelistic core— several essential features emerge:

1. People find Christ in their own lives.
2. Then, those people find other people, and bring them to Jesus.

This model is basic and contains certain assumptions: (1) Disciples care enough to tell others (2) These others, in turn, are open enough to be teachable. Jesus certainly had heaven on his mind (John 1:51; 3:13,31; 6:50; 18:36; 20:16-17). Won’t you make heaven your goal too?

– Robert M. Housby

(Hebrews Chapter 1: Regarding Jesus Christ)

“…let us hold fast our confession”

(Hebrews 3:6, 14; 4:14; 10:23)

A number of years ago, I was in a public library when I overheard a gentleman going on and on about the first chapter of Herman Melville’s, Moby Dick. He bestowed on this particular chapter the ranking of— “best chapter in all of literature.” As I listened, I determined to go read this chapter from Melville. Although, we need not prefer one chapter in the Bible over any other, the first chapter of Hebrews does call our attention to Jesus in a classical style that is absolutely riveting. The Hebrew writer urges his readers to hold on to their faith in the face of difficulties (3:1;4:14). Then, he tells with certain and superior pride in his Lord just exactly who it is that occupies the substance of the Christian confession—

1. God’s prophet son (1:1,2)
2. the heir of all things (1:2)
3. the co-creator of the world (1:2)
4. the radiance of the glory of God (1:3)
5. the exact imprint of his nature (1:3)
6. [who] upholds the universe by the word of his power (1:3)
7. [who] making purification for sins, sat down (1:3)
8. [who] is greater than angels

What a dynamic foundation for Christians! The Hebrew writer opens in he most powerful way possible— clarification of Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

– Robert M. Housby

“Greet all your leaders and all the saints.
Those who come from Italy send you greetings.
Grace be with all of you”

(Hebrews 13:24,25)

A large portion of the New Testament is composed of personal letters. These letters are known as epistles (from the Greek, epistole). This epistolary form includes a greeting, which may come at the beginning of a letter or at the end.
Greetings were generally very important to the Jews (Matt. 23:6f.; Lk. 20:46; 11:43). The greeting was also customary among both non-Jews and non-Christians—“And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” There is a reference by Jesus which suggests that the disciples were not to greet
anyone while on the mission of Luke 10:4—“…greet no one on the road.” But, this exception was not the norm, as Matthew 10:5-6 would indicate; and so it is called the limited commission, in contrast to the great commission of Matthew 28:18-20.
Notice the principle laid down in Matthew 10:12-16 about greetings—“As you enter the house greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you… ” In Christian ministry we encounter those who are friendly and those who are antagonistic. But, note that Jesus’ followers are to initiate the greeting.
(Matt. 10:12). Only then, will you be able to discern who will listen and who will not listen. We need not force ourselves upon those who are already unprepared soil for the gospel. But, in closing, do be kind and greet those about you this winter.

– Robert M. Housby

(Traits of Nominal Discipleship)

“You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?”

(John 18:17, ESV)

Nominal – 1. being such in name only (see Rom. 2:17-29; 1 Pet. 4:16; compare—
“I’m Church of Christ”)

The story of Peter denying Christ has been told often and taught much. The purpose of this article is to analyze what makes faith nominal—that is, what a denial of Christian discipleship looks like.

1. Instead of closeness to Jesus—maintenance of a distance.

2. Instead of unquestionable commitment—commitment in question.

3. Instead of personally focused faith—distracted personal faith.

4. Instead of affirmations of faith—denials of faith.

5. Instead of religious participation—religious spectator orientation.

6. Instead of decisions for Christ—decisions against Christ.

7. Instead of conflict resolution—flight during conflict.

Nominal Christian discipleship will always be around. But, when the majority of members succumb to this kind of malaise—the local church is in jeopardy. Make every effort to hold high the name of Christ (1 Peter 4:16). Peter had a come-back, as we read in 1 and 2 Peter. May our lives, too, repudiate nominal behavior. Are you one of his disciples?

– Robert M. Housby