The Italian Memorandum

When things in your lives seem almost too much to handle; when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked his students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “yes”.
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. “Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things – – GOD, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions – – and if everything else was lost and only these remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.
The sand is everything else – – the small stuff. “If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.” (Mt. 6:33)
“Pay attention to the things that are critical to your soul: Prayer and serving God, playing with your children, taking time to get medical checkups. Taking your spouse out to dinner or just playing another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first – – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”

-Copied from the Grimsley Tennessee Church of Christ bulletin (8-19-07)

“But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen,
where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies
shall be there…”

(Exodus 8:22)

Introduction: The 4th plague on Egypt is depicted in Exodus 8:20-32. This lesson will emphasize the divinely consistent principle of Romans 11:22.

I. The LORD’S word through Moses (Ex. 8:20-23)

A. Condition (8:20) ________________________

B. Consequences (8:21) ______________________

C. Contrast (8:22-23) _________________

II. The fourth plague (reality) (8:24)III. Pharoah’s commitment and renege (8:25-31; Rom. 9:14-18)

Conclusion: “…that you might know that I am the LORD…” (8:22) Shew fly don’t bother me, for I live in the land of Goshen; and, I worship the Lord God Almighty, the God of the Bible.

What it Means and Why it Matters

“And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house”

(Luke 8:41)

Introduction: A theme may be studied in the Gospel of Luke, showing five instances where individuals take their place at Jesus’ feet (pous).

I. Luke 7:38 –

A. What does it mean? ________________________

B. Why does it matter? ________________________

II. Luke 8:35 –

A. What does it mean? ________________________

B. Why does it matter? ________________________

III. Luke 8:41 –

A. What does it mean? ________________________

B. Why does it matter? _______________________

IV. Luke 10:39 –

A. What does it mean? ________________________

B. Why does it matter? ________________________

V. Luke 17:16 –

A. What does it mean? ________________________

B. Why does it matter? ________________________

Conclusion: The question of the moment is this—Are you at his feet?

“…knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord…”

(Ephesians 6:8)

Pyapp (pronounced rapidly: pee’-yap) and Granny were my grandfather and grandmother, respectively. Their real names were James and Apollonia. We knew them as Pyapp and Granny. When I was about four years old, Granny put coffee grinds and apple peelings in Pyapp’s empty carton of Half & Half cream. Then, we waited for him to come into the kitchen and add it to his coffee. It happened just as planned. Granny and I laughed our heads off when Pyapp got the garbage scraps instead of the cream. But, it didn’t end there. Pyapp would chase me—all the while pulling out his false teeth and making them chatter. Quite the mayhem for a four year old. I remember bringing my friends over to look at Pyapp. I’d say, “Do the teeth thing!” He’d do it, and we’d all scatter. Summers were often times for spraying Pyapp with the water hose. The chase was on. One thing is for sure, Pyapp and Granny invested in people, not things.

Are we taking time enough for people? No doubt about it, our days are filled with so many activities. We can’t do everything, but we can do something; and, what we can do, we should do; and what we should do, by the grace of God, we will do. Evaluate how your time is spent. Are you investing in people or in things? Relationships matter. Relationships should take precedence. Jesus told his disciples, “…I have called you friends…” (John 15:15).

Pyapp and Granny no longer sit under the breezes of the cottonwood tree. But, we remember what it was like when they invested their time, not in things, but in people. Ephesians 6:8 (quoted above) still applies. Let’s re-invest in the work.

-Robert M. Housby

“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD God is an everlasting rock”

(Isaiah 26:4)

Augustus Montague Toplady (1740-1778) wrote that most popular of English hymns, Rock of Ages. It was this great hymn that echoed through Westminster Abbey during the funeral of Prime Minister William E. Gladstone. The history behind it is quite fascinating. The Christian lyrics arose from a theological debate. Especially important, in this regard, is the second stanza:

Could my tears forever flow, could my zeal no languor know,

these for sin could not atone-Thou must save and Thou alone.

It seems that Toplady was involved in a contention with John Wesley. Wesley was urging a seeking of salvation, while Toplady was denying the human role in salvation.
_____________________

The being behind the rock, in the text of Isaiah 26:4 is the LORD God. He is traceable to Deuteronomy 32:4, depicted as his people’s strength; refuge (Ps. 31:2-33); and, salvation Deut. 32:15; Ps. 89:26). In the New Testament, the Rock is identified with Christ (1 Cor. 10:4) from whom the Spirit flows (John 4:13-14); the foundation of the church (Matt. 16:18) and it’s corner-stone (Eph. 2:20).

Next time that you sing, Rock of Age, realize that there is indeed a being behind the belief.

– Robert M. Housby

The Being Behind the Belief

“…and the Rock was Christ”

(1 Corinthians 10:4)

Introduction: Today’s message is about the influence of rock formation in Christian belief.

I. Christian Hymn – “Rock of Ages” (Augustus M. Toplady)

II. “Rock” – A Noun of Renown (When have you last heard of a noun as—person, place, and thing?)

A. Rock as _________________ (Ex. 33:22)

B. Rock as _________________ (Deut. 32:4)

C. Rock as _________________ (Isa. 26:4)

Conclusion: T. B. Larimore once said of the region Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:13,18)—“It was in the presence of this rock-founded, rock-builded, rock-bounded, rock-surrounded, rock-protected, rock-shadowed city that Jesus, the Rock of Ages, the rock for sinners cleft, said to Peter, “Upon this rock I will build my church” (The Man from Mars Hill, 73).

“Jacob loved Rachel”

(Genesis 29:18)

Introduction: Genesis 29:15-30 contains the story of Jacob, Laban, and the winning of Rachel.

1. Everybody wants ________________.
   1. Laban wanted _________________
   2. Jacob wanted _________________
   3. What do you want?
2. Here’s A Love Story –
   1. About _____________ Love
   2. About _____________ and ____________ Love
   3. Anticipates ____________________ (Eph. 5:25-32).

Conclusion: Jacob got his eyes on a girl whom he couldn’t forget. Likewise, Christ takes the church to be his bride. The winning of Rachel may be an ancient love story, but it has relevance for all who are compelled by the love of God through Christ. Everybody wants something. What do you want?5

Two Special Months: Aug. – Sept.

“…and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective…”

(Philemon 6)

Who may participate?
New Testament Christians (Acts 11:26; 19:1-5).

What would I be doing in this “Evangelistic Emphasis” ?
There will be special August and September Tuesday and Thursday night meetings (6:30 p.m. at church bldg.). These meetings will be opportunities to assess where we are with the contacts. It is not necessary that you attend all such meetings to be involved. Depending on your background, some will actually be conducting Bible studies. Others will not be making actual gospel presentations, but will be doing support ministries. Evangelistic Support Ministries (ESM):

E – Enlisting the names of loved ones who need Christ and have yet to make a commitment toward becoming a New Testament Christian.

S – Specific Supplication prayers for this effort.

M – Manage to attend meetings; make recommendations regarding your submitted names; organize our materials; and go with our new-converts into a New Christians Class.

Jesus said, “If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him” (John 12:26).

– Robert M. Housby