The Italian Memorandum

(This article appeared in the Shady Acres Church of Christ Bulletin,
September 2, 2007, and was composed by D. Slingluff.  It has been condensed and adapted)

Someone has said, “God must really love ordinary people—He made so many of them.” In this day of superstars and specialists, experts and authorities, it is reassuring to know that there is one place where the ordinary man (or woman) will always be loved and needed–in the church!

General Eisenhower once rebuked one of his officers for referring to a soldier as “just a private.” He reminded him that the army could function far better without generals than it could without its foot-soldiers. “If this war is won,” he said, “it will be won by privates.” In the same way, the common, ordinary, one talent, Christians are the very backbone of the church…If the work of the Lord is to be done, it will be ordinary Christians who do it.

In thinking back over the years, we can think of some tremendous examples of ordinary Christians serving God in extraordinary ways. The work that has been done by these brothers and sisters is known by few. Their names do not typically appear in church bulletins, though their works are precious and priceless. There is no shame in having limited talents. But there is shame in not using the talents that God has given.

Thank God for ordinary Christians!

“And looking up to heaven, he sighed…”

(Mark 7:34)

“And he sighed deeply in his spirit…”

(Mark 8:12)

Introducton: Mark’s Gospel is sensitive to convey that Jesus sighed on several occasions (Mark 7:34 and 8:12).

I. Significant because _______________________________

II. Significant because _______________________________

III. Significant because _______________________________

Conclusion: Jesus’ emotional involvement in salvation-history is a real problem to those today who want to assign their unbelief to a capricious God; an aloof God; or a vindictive God. Jesus is none of these. Aren’t you glad!

(The original article, “Americans Are Being Lied To,” by Tom Moore (Bulletin Briefs,
Crossville, TN Church of Christ: Vol. 10, No. 11, Nov. 2007) has been adapted and
revised herein, Robert M. Housby)

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people”

(Proverbs 14:34)

The dismantling of America’s Christian Heritage is taking place before our very eyes. American culture had for 185 years been friendly toward Christianity—but no longer…For the past 50 years, the forces of humanism, atheism, evolution, liberalism, pluralism, and political correctness have been aggressive in their assault on all forms of the Christian religion.

This conspiracy parades itself under the guise that our Founding Fathers and the Constitution advocated the “separation between church and state.” Adolph Hitler said, “By means of shrewd lies unremittingly repeated, it is possible to make people believe that heaven is hell and hell is heaven.” Even George Washington’s Farewell Address reads: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars…” (See Exodus 18:21; 2 Chron. 19:2; Prov. 29:2,4; Eph. 6:10-12; 1 Tim. 2:1-2).

Instead of being Turkeys in Wonderland—uninformed and unengaged—let us live what we profess and walk what we talk.

– Robert M. Housby

“And so we came to Rome”

(Acts 28:14)

Introduction: Our sermon is taken from the book of Acts 28:11-16. This text relates Paul’s arrival in Rome and specifies a certain place along the way, “the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns” (v. 15).

I. This message is about Christian __________________

II. Even Christians will encounter ___________________

III. What happened at the Forum and Three Taverns?

A. __________________

B. __________________

C. __________________

Conclusion: Your Forum of Appius and Three Taverns awaits you (Psalm 23:3,4). “And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places” (Isaiah 58:11; Matthew 28:20).

“Thus says the Lord: Heaven is my throne”

(Isaiah 66:1)

Introduction: Take a trip to the local mall, and you will find that we continue to speak of heaven. But, not all trips speak of the same heaven. Read Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians and you will encounter heaven words for the heavenward.

I. Paul’s world included…

II. Paul’s usage of heaven words in Ephesians

A. Re: “us” (1:3) ___________________________

B. Re: “all things” (1:10) ______________________

C. Re: “Christ” (1:20; 4:10; 6:9) _________________

D. Re: “principalities and powers” (3:10; 6:12) ________________________________________

E. Re: “every family” (3:15) ____________________

Conclusion: Heaven holds all to Paul. Does heaven hold all to you? In other words, are you heavenward?