The Italian Memorandum

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil”

(2 Corinthians 5:10)

Paul’s universal statement of judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10)follows upon a former statement made to the Corinthians in an earlier epistle: “Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God” (1 Corinthians 4:5). Here it is declared that judgment will be a disclosure of personal motives.

We are aware of the fact that even some Christians are scared to death about dying. We are also cognizant that not a few ungodly and atheistic have no fear of death (irony of ironies). If your emphasis of preaching through the years has been about the human response to the gospel—What have you done?—and, has had imbalance regarding What God has done (grace), it should not be strange that a Christian might therefore have a fear of dying. As for those who refuse to name the name of Christ, they may not have a fear of dying—but neither do they have a hope of living. See, a cow will stand in the field chewing and not have a care in the world; but, that same cow has no comprehension of hope beyond the grave either. The atheistic confidence is only confidence when he/she lowers the bar to the animal kingdom. Puny ploy it is then to take this kind of reasoning and call it academic and brilliant.

It is a solemn thing to die and appear before God (2 Corinthians 5:11-15).

Robert M. Housby

“Do not be surprised brothers, that the world hates you”

(1 John 3:13)

1 John is a relatively small letter, with an uncompromising platform. One of the planks of John’s platform is to remain (Greek, meno) true to the Lord. This concept of remaining true is sometimes translated “abide” (as in the English Standard Version). 1 John 2:27,28 shows that John uses the term abide with the preposition “in” (Greek, en)—“abide in the Son and in the Father,” and “abide in him.” In other words, the action called for here is in relationship to God through Christ.

Remaining true is not only affirming the positive things of the Christian faith, it is reacting against the negatives:

1. “darkness” (1:6)
2. “the evil one” ( 2:13,14; 5:19)
3. “the devil” (3:7-10)
4. “the spirit of the antichrist” (4:3)

To remain true is to have understanding of the Lord’s ways; and to be in relationship with the Lord ; and, it is to be weary of idols (divided allegiance) – See 1 John 5:20-21.

– Robert M. Housby

“…to all those who in every place call upon

the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

(1 Corinthians 1:2)

Introduction: Why is the set phrase, “to call upon the name of the Lord” so full of meaning for Christians today?

1. It conveys _____________ (see Gen. 4:26)

2. It conveys _____________ (see Gen. 12:8)

3. It conveys _____________ (see Deut. 4:7)

4. It conveys _____________ (Acts 2:21)

5. It conveys _____________ to Christ (1 Cor. 1:2)

Conclusion: Saul of Tarsus was told, “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16). Most will refuse to be told anything. How about you? Will you call upon the name of the Lord today?

Three reasons may be assigned as to why man occupies a special status in the universe:

1. Creation –

“So God created man in his own image,

In the image of God he created him;

Male and female he created them”

(Genesis 1:27)

2. Chosen people (through whom would come Messiah) –

“Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem…”

(Genesis 9:26; see also 1:22,28 and 14:19;Deuteronomy 7:6)

3. The Cross –

“In him we have redemption through his blood…making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth”

(Ephesians 1:7-10; John 3:16; Col. 1:20)

-Robert M. Housby

“A Time for Us”

“A time for us, at last to see
A life worthwhile for you and me”

(Theme from Romeo and Juliet,
by Larry Kusik and Eddie Snyder)

“In all this, remember how critical the moment is. It
is time for you to wake out of sleep, for deliverance
is nearer to us now than it was when first we believed”

(Romans 13:11, New English Bible)

Introduction: The church is the bride of Christ (Eph. 5:23,32). As seen in prophecy, they were meant to share theirs souls with each other (Song of Solomon 2:10,16).

Romans 13:11-12

A. A time for us is a time for ____________________.

B. A time for us is a time for ____________________.

C. A time for us is a time for ____________________.

Conclusion: “A time for us someday there’ll be…A time for us at last to see / A life worthwhile for you and me”. If ever you meant to be involved in the work of the Lord’s church, the time is now. The church of 2008 awaits you. “The night is far gone; the day is at hand” (Rom. 13:12; Lk. 12:20; John 9:4).

Nancy Twigg is the author of From Clutter to Clarity: Simplifying Life from the Inside Out (Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Publishing , 2007. ISBN 978-0-7847-2110-0; 190 pages; $12.99. Synopsis provided by Billie Silvey, The Christian Chronicle (Vol. 65, No. 1/January 2008) p. 36.

Clutter is a heap or assemblage of things lying in confusion (Webster’s New Universal Dictionary, 344). Clarity is clearness (ibid, 333). But, in the ten pages from clutter to clarity in the dictionary one encounters clay. The Bible teaches that the Lord’s people in order to be workable and useful must be like clay. Jeremiah said in the long ago, “Behold, like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand…” (Jeremiah 18:6). There will be no transition from clutter to clarity until man becomes like clay in the master’s hand.

Twigg sees several important phases in the move from clutter to clarity:

1. Expand your definition of clutter to include any possession, habit, thought, attitude or activity that you do not need or use anymore; doesn’t fit or work for you like it used to; or, doesn’t add value or meaning to your life like it once did.

2. Then, to accept the Scriptural recommendation to look for contentment in the eternal God rather than in fluctuating life conditions.

3. And, to see ourselves as God sees us.

The clay of God will make the changes necessary to move from clutter to clarity in all categories of reality. May your personal program for 2008 reflect a deep faith in the Lord to see you through both today and tomorrow!

-Robert M. Housby

“Full of Gladness”

“You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence”

(Acts 2:28)

Introduction: Will you make gladness a priority in 2008? Then, get a Psalm 16 Personal Program going for yourself today:

1. It’s the way of Messiah’s people (Ps. 16:11 and Acts 2:28)

2. It’s prayerful personal grounding ____ _______ (16:1-4)

3. It’s a ____________ portion (16:5-8)

4. It’s a preference for _______________ (16:9-11)

Conclusion: A personal program for a New Year (Ps. 118:24). To begin with God or to begin without God—That is the question. But, if you choose to begin without God, you will not end with God. To begin with God is to journey with gladness. Yes!