The Italian Memorandum

“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven…”

                                (Matthew 5:12)

Introduction:    It is always a delight to return to the Great Galilean Ministry of Jesus, and his Sermon on the Mount.  Notice that Jesus does not endorse the Gothic, but  he endorses gladness.

I.                   A brief phrase – a dominant ________________ (5:12).

II.                We need to hear this again…

A.    this __________________

B.    this __________________

C.    this __________________

D.    this __________________

Conclusion:    How are you being?  Are you more defined by the brightness of light or the bitterness of darkness; by cheer or by drear?  The Galilean campaign would eventually collapse because Jesus would not conform to popular messianic expectations.  Jesus always evokes commitment or collapse. 

The following outline includes material that brother David Young
Presented May 14, 2008 at the Cape Girardeau Church of Christ.

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”

(Joshua 24:15)

Introduction:    Joshua’s final words to the Lord’s people after the Exodus out of Egypt and Settlement in the Promised Land, were meant to pass on the torch of faith to future generations (Josh. 24:14-15).

I. Choices Do Exist (Joshua 24)

A. “the Lord” (24:14,15)
B. “gods that your fathers served beyond the River” (24:14)
C. “gods that your fathers served in Egypt” (24:14)
D. “gods of the Amorites” (24:15)

II. The Promised Land and the tendency toward Generational Degeneration (Judges 2)

A. Joshua dies (2:6-9)
B. Joshua’s generation dies (2:10a)
C. The next generation (2:10b-15)
D. Examples of Torch Passers:

1. 1st generation – A Strong hard back chair (faith fighters)
2. 2nd generation – A LA-Z-BOY recliner (faith feigners)
3. 3rd generation – A floppy lattice chair (faith-less)

Conclusion:   Have we taken care to pass on the torch of faith? Will Joshua 24:15 reflect your own commitment from this day forward? Are you first chair or second? The choice is yours.

“…I have heard your prayers;
I have seen your tears…”

(2 Kings 20:5)

Introduction:   We will honor mothers today, and speak of the chemistry of a mother’s tear.

I.   Science of a mother’s tear

II. Stories of a mother’s tear

A.   See 1 Samuel 1 –
Hannah’s tears were tears for ______________

B.   See Ruth –
Naomi’s tears were tears for _______________

C.   See John 19:25-27 (Luke 23:26-31; 44-49)–
[Mary, the mother of Jesus, and a mother’s tear]
______________________________________

Conclusion:   “Grace was in all her steps, Heaven in her eye, In every gesture dignity and love” (Milton). Have you given the Lord your tears yet; your fears; and all your years (Ps. 56:8)? “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy” (Ps. 126:5).

“…singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart…”

(Ephesians 5:19)

Notes from a presentation by Robert M. Housby, April 20, 2008 during the P.M. assembly, Cape Girardeau, Missouri church of Christ. This message was delivered from within the context of the Letter to the Hebrews

Introduction: Frequently, someone from one of the denominations asks, “Why don’t you use music?” What they mean is, why doesn’t your church use a piano, organ, or some other form of mechanical music in worship? The following is a scriptural response for those who seriously desire to know.

I. Christ qualifies us to worship; it is a privilege (Hebrews 9:11-14)

A. only in covenant relationship (Hebrews 9:15)
B. and, only according to the covenant (define: covenant and authorization)

1. Hebrews 12:28 – acceptable worship
2. Hebrews 13:21 – that is, according to “his will”
a. pleasing him (Heb. 11:6)
b. not necessarily pleasing us (though certainly possibly; Heb. 10:7)
3. Hebrews 13:15 – singing is endorsed worship (see also 2:12!)

II. If God orders worship (and he does, Heb. 9:1) then, not everything that is offered to God as worship is acceptable worship (Hebrews 12:28= principle; 11:4 = example). Either all worship is acceptable; No worship is acceptable; or, Some worship is acceptable. The latter is most certainly preferred.

III. The Hebrew writer is concerned about reverting back to the Old Testament as religious authority, and earthly forms of worship (Heb. 8:8,9,10; 10:28-39; 10:9!)

Conclusion:   Since mechanical music as worship is first traceable, at large, to the period of Pope Vitelian (about 650 A.D.; see Schaff’s Church History, Vol. 4, p. 439), and singing is authorized Christian worship, let us proceed in faith by pleasing God according to his will (see Hebrews 13:20-21; 15-16; 2:12).

“Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime…He gives showers of rain to men”

(Zechariah 10:1)

Introduction: What about singtime in Palestine?

I. Prophecies of a future/glorious springtime –

A. Song of Solomon 2:10-12
B. Isaiah 35:1-2
C. Zechariah (c. 520 B.C.)-

1. “On that day…”= ____________________
2. 1:7 – Shebat (the 11th month) = FebruaryThis makes _______________________
he Jewish religious New Year.
3. 13:1 – esp. regarding cleansing from _____

II. Springtime and the Life of Christ –

A. John

1. 11:53-12:1
2. 12:12-23 (compare 7:6,8)

B. Take Home Lessons –

1. The ____________was fulfilled in spring.
2. Rain is a ___________, without which there would be little or no harvest (see Acts 2:1)
3. Do you live with a theology of Springtime?

Conclusion: “Hard is the heart that loveth nought / In May” (Chaucer).  Isn’t it time to realize the spring (Eccl. 3:1-8)?