The Italian Memorandum

(In Review of “The Last Templar” Mentality)

“For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel”

(Galatians 1:11)

The Last Templar appeared on national television January 25, 26, 2009.  This program is indicative of the kind of non-critical approach to Christianity that is so often aired in the 21^st century marketplace.   Much of this sentiment is liberal, anti-Christian, and/or so off the wall that it is incredible.  However, we say this having a background in both classical and historical Christian evidences; not all have taken this trek.  We are reminded therefore of the tremendous importance of source.

1.   Galatians 1:11 claims divine origin. The Last Templar intimates with delight-human origination. The idea is further complicated with the notion that God needs help to sustain the scheme of  a noble but far fetched story by a Nazarene called Yeshua.

2.   We are reminded of critics who attempt to expose the book of Job. The matter becomes absurd when they quote from the very sources whom Job says do not speak for God (16:2; 42:7)!  This is  the kind of non-sense that is being lauded as astute today.

3.    See Psalm 18:26 regarding how astutely God outwits the crooked.

Source remains critical (Gal. 1:11-12).

-Robert M. Housby

Aesop, “The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs”

(c. 620-560 B.C.).  Aesop was a freed slave from the Isle of Samos.

Introduction: Note the proximity of Samos to Ephesus.  In Ephesians, Paul gives his most expanded explanation of Christian riches (ploutos).

I. Commerical Ephesus–the Jewel of Asia Minor

A.    Economics 101 –

1.      productivity/distribution/supply/demand

2.      James 4:13 (city = market)

3.      1 Tim. 1:3; 6:17 (market and uncertainty)

B.      The Story – A man and his wife had a goose which produced a golden egg every day.  Lucky as they were, they started to think that they were not getting rich fast enough, so they decided to cut the goose open.  But, what they found inside was not what they had expected.

II. Ephesians –

1:7   – _______________________

1:18 – _______________________

2:7   – _______________________

3:8   – _______________________

3:16 – _______________________

Conclusion:   Looking for the golden goose-a pervasive mentality (Lk. 8:14; 1 Tim. 6:17).  May Paul’s explanation of Christian riches (ploutos) guide you today and tomorrow.

“A precious thing in the Lord’s sight is the death of those who die faithful to him”

(Psalm 116:15, The New English Bible)

Introduction: If what is precious to the Lord is not precious to you, would that bother you?

I.         “Loving Leah” (How unlikely!)

II.        1 Peter references

1.            1:7             _________________

2.            1:19            _________________

3.            2:4            _________________

4.            2:6            _________________

5.            2:7            _________________

III.       2 Peter references

1.            1:1             _________________

2.            1:4            _________________

Conclusion:       Have you made what is precious to the Lord precious to you?    You are precious to Him!

“Happy are those whose strength is in you”

(Psalm 84:5, NRSV)

The concept of “strength” is not only vital in the natural sense; it is vital in the spiritual sense to God’s people. The English Bible often translates “God” from the Hebrew word, “Elohim”. This word carries the idea of strength. It is also a plural (with the “im” ending). This use of the term Elohim is known as a “plural of majesty”, or “honorific plural”. It certainly is not strange why the Psalmist endorses God as the source of strength and blessing of his people (Psalm 84:5).

Psalm 84 expresses four key concepts about such strength:

1. Such strength shows itself in joyful confidence (84: 1-4).

2. Such strength is meant for life’s spiritual journey (84: 5-7).

3. Such strength is connected to prayer (84: 8-9).

4. Such strength is based on trust in God (84: 10-12).

Have you located the source of your strength today (Ephesians 3: 14-21)?

– Robert M. Housby

Great Expectations for 2009)

“Then I said, I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High”

(Psalm 77:10. The ESV has the footnote-“Or This is my grief: that the right hand of the Most High has changed)

Introduction: Who among us could not stand to have more optimism? Then you must learn the paradox of Psalm 77.

I. Outline of Ps. 77 –

A. vv. 1-3 Moaning

B. vv. 4-9 Musing

C. vv.10-20 Meditating

II. Ps. 77:10 – “Where did that come from?” (Ex. 15)

III. What have we learned?

1. ______________________________________

2. ______________________________________

3. ______________________________________

Conclusion: Hebrews 1:3 is a fitting finale to the paradox. But the finale must be embraced-the right hand of the Majesty on high must be recognized.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your  reward.  You are serving the Lord Christ”

(Col. 3:23,24)

The story was recently told over the radio about an American soldier returned from Iraq who suffered the loss of both legs.   As devastating as this must have been for him, and doubtless will continue to be, his attitude seems exemplary.  He is reported to be fond of wearing a shirt when he goes out in public with a printed message.  It reads on the front-Used Marine, Cheap.  On the back of his shirt it reads-40% OFF / SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED.

Like the American soldier above, we also want to find our own niche after loss and disappointment; to continue to get up and try again-under less than ideal circumstances. How well Paul knew this (2 Corinthians 11:21-33).

1. Being useful was a priority with Paul (Philemon 11b).

2. Even being useless is notable to Paul (Philemon 11a)

3. The motivation for usefulness is the Master (Col. 3:22-4:1).

4. Being useful is to produce good works (Eph. 2:10).

5. And, Paul kept in mind the need for constant encouragement to remain useful (1 Cor. 15:58).

The Lord will not forget your usefulness.

-Robert M. Housby

[from the Gospel of Matthew]

“Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived,

and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them”

(Deuteronomy 11:16, NKJV)

Introduction: The “take” statements of Jesus are delivered in the Deuteronomy tradition (Deut. 11:16)-personal commitment and exclusive allegiance to the Lord. Please open your Bibles to the Gospel of Matthew, where we will be considering some of the classic “take” statements of Jesus.

1. (Matt. 11:28-30) Take my ___________

2. (Matt. 16:24-26) Take up _____ _________

3. (Matt. 26:26) Take ______

Conclusion: “‘Twas God the word that spake it / He took the bread and brake it / And what the word did make it / That I believe and take it” (Queen Elizabeth, Life of Queen Elizabeth, ed. 1675). Would you take the name of Jesus with you today?

–Robert Housby

“When I was a child I spoke like a child, I thought like a child,

I reasoned like a child. When I became a man I gave up childish ways”

(1 Corinthians 13:11)

Back in the days, the cousins and I would run across the open field to Foley’s little grocery store. Pyapp, my grandfather, who himself lived just across the street from this store, would see to it that we all had 15 cents. Once inside the store, we could smell everything from fresh fruit, to garlic Polish sausage. Immediately, we were confronted with decisions. A comic book-15 cents. A small brown paper bag full of assorted candies-penny-a-piece. And, then there was the classic box of Cracker Jack-15 cents. The prize inside was often the cause of not a little delight. Of course, one usually got a plastic monkey, or the like. But, on one very special day we received the prize of a small magnifying glass. Wow! Every time, thereafter, when we broke open a box of Cracker Jack we did so with the hope of another magic glass. But, this avid hope was often dashed against the rocks of another plastic monkey.

The Bible is full of stories of people holding on to their plastic monkeys. Always holding out for a Cracker Jack dream; though all too often winding up with another plastic monkey. Look around, consider those near to you. Now, they’ll never admit it-but their hearts are frequently consumed with plastic monkeys (Mark 10:22; James 1:23-24).

“Seek the things that are above” (Colossians 3:1).

-Robert M. Housby