The Italian Memorandum

(Psalm 42)

“Why are you cast down, O my soul?”

Introduction: Psalm 42 is valuable to Christians, the people of God today, in at least four major ways.  These valuable lessons serve to resolve the dominant questions of the Psalm (42:5,9,11).

1. The value of self- _______ and God-________

(vv.5,9,8,11).

2.   The value of complete ____________ (v. 4)

3. The value of choosing what we will allow to

______________ us (vv. 3,9,10).

4. The value of desiring, seeking, and praising

_________________ (vv. 1,2,5,11).

Conclusion: “The universe is the same for all of us and different for each of us” (Proust, Remembrance of Things Past).  Burdens are lifted at Calvary.

“…a man after my heart…”

(Acts 13:22)

During Paul’s address at Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:13-41), he states God’s assessment of David-“…I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart.  Who will do all my will.  Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised” (Acts 13:22,23).  The King James Version translates 13:22, “…a man after mine own heart…” It is the persuasion of this brief article that the primary meaning  of 13:22 is based upon David’s consistent theological interpretation of all reality. As proof of this proposition, we offer 1 Chronicles 29:10-20; David’s final recorded public prayer.

1. The LORD is supreme over all (1 Chron. 29:10-13).

2. A correct assessment of the human condition (1 Chron. 29:14-15).

3. All material possessions are rightfully the LORDS’ (1 Chron. 29:16-17). 

4. There is divine continuity to history, which links the past to the future (1 Chron. 29:18-19).

5. Religious relationships merge challenge and response (1 Chron. 29:20-22).

Think theologically!

-Robert M. Housby

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the lord will not count his sin”

(Romans 4:7-8)

Introduction: Katherine M. Piderman, Ph.D. of the Mayo Clinic staff reports the benefits of forgiveness as:  lower blood pressure; lower heart rate; reduced anxiety and depression; and, decreased chronic pain symptoms.

Of course, these are physical symptoms.  What about Romans 4:7-8?

1.       Forgiveness is meant to be ____________________.

2.       Forgiveness pertains to ________ and __________.

3.       Three reasons why forgiveness matters:

a.             __________________________________

b.             __________________________________

c.             __________________________________

Conclusion: John Donne raises the question, “Wilt thou forgive that sin, where I begun…Wilt thou forgive those sins through which I run / And do them still, though still I deplore?” Romans 4:7-8 (Abide with me…Help of the helpless O abide with me”).

“Nelly, I am Heathcliffe!  He’s always in my mind…

as my own being”

(Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights)

“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me”

(Galatians 2:20)

In Emily Bronte’s nineteenth century English novel, Wuthering Heights, we encounter the expressed feelings of Cathy about Heathcliffe. An English literature professor once remarked about this Bronte piece that it was too melodramatic and thick to be real.    Perhaps, the scene where Heathcliffe begins to dig up his Cathy’s grave with his bare hands is over the top.  But, love does strange things.  What are we going to do with Paul’s Galatians 2:20 statement?  Is that also mere hyperbole?  Or, does love actually compel us to do strange things when we are passionate about what matters?  Before we dismiss this  loving sync in a relationship, consider the following adapted chart of John 17 (The Reformation Study Bible, ESV, ed. R.C. Sproul (Ligonier Ministries: Orlando, 2005), 1546-about Jesus’ desire for a deep and devoted relationship with his disciples.

Subject Father to Son Son to Believer

Unity                                      vv. 21, 23                                vv. 21, 23, 26

Glory                                      vv. 22, 24                                v. 22

Love                                        vv.23, 24, 26                           vv. 23, 26; 13:1

Purpose                                   vv. 18, 23, 25                          v. 18

Knowledge                              v. 25                                        vv. 3, 8, 25, 26

In the words of the song, Poured Out Like Wine, we have the question—

“Would you be so one with Me that you would do just as I will?”

-Robert M. Housby

2 Weeks, 2 Months, The Future

Phase One – ( 2 weeks )

Cultural training; psychological testing; and rapport building in Searcy, Arkansas (August 10-21).

Phase Two – ( 2 months )

Passports; airfare; and departure from Des Moine to Italy.  Survey of multiple churches for decision where to work. This takes place under the direction of the Avanti Italia Committee at the College Church of Christ in Searcy, Arkansas.

Phase Three – ( The Future )

After the exploratory work, the Housbys will settle on a location in which to work.  They will relocate and be sponsored by the Grandview Church of Christ in Des Moines, IA.

An Approach to Psalm 139

“O LORD, you have searched me and known me!”

(Psalm 139:1)

“Believe that I love you for I do.

Believe that I’m yours forever, for I am”

(The Lion in Winter)

Introduction: According to Psalm 139, God knows all about you (v. 3)!

A. 3  “O Lord My God” statements-

1.         vv. 1, 23 ______________________

2.         v. 4       _______________________

3.         v.17      _______________________

B.        The wonder and the challenge of 139:18b

C.        Yet some prefer to be fugitives (vv. 19-22)

Conclusion: Knowing You Know Me…”Lead me in the way everlasting!”

“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed”

(Mark 1:35, KJV)

We sometimes look upon the whole monastic movement of historic Christianity as an aberrant form of the faith, and in many respects this is accurate (see 1 Tim. 4:1-8).  However, there is something spiritually profound about spending personal time alone with God with disciplined regularity (see Matt. 6:6).   The Lord gives spiritual strength to the spiritually seeking.  David said, “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (1 Chron. 16:11).

It is this strength through solitude that Jesus models for us:

1.                   Matt. 4:1-11      When preparing for public ministry

2.                   Matt. 14:13       Upon news of the death of John

3.                   Matt. 14:23       When pressed by the crowds

4.                   Lk. 6:12-13       Before choosing the twelve

5.                   Jn. 6:14-15        When confronted with others’ agenda

Psalm 46:10 still remains significant:

“Be still and know that I am God”

Be still and know

Be still

Be

-Robert M. Housby

[Taken from the Gospel According to Matthew]

“This is why I speak to them in parables…”

(Matthew 13:13)

Inrtroduction: In today’s lesson, we shall give seven reasons why Jesus spoke in parables.  See Matthew 13:1-17 (especially note v. 3).

1.      13:10 To create _________________.

2.     13:11 To disclose content ______________about the Kingdom of God.

3.     13:13 To _____________ with a stylistic Hebrew unit known as the

________________.

4.      13:14-16 To distinguish his _______________.

5.      13:19 To place moral responsibility on the __________________, not the nation.

6.      13:34-35 To fulfill ______________________.

7.      13:53-54 To be _________________________.

Conclusion: These parables of Jesus continue to be baffling and enigmatic to the casual and complacent.  They have been coded for a purpose.  Do you see?

“If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.”

(Isaiah 7:9)

When my wife and I were married, the music by Kusic and Snyder was played.  It is the Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet. One of the phrases of this piece articulates-“A Time for Us, Someday Will Be…” This music was beyond my 21 years.  It was beautiful as haunting, but I could not fathom the emotional depths of this piece.  Now, 29 years later, I know that it was well chosen, and its depth has been felt as lived.

Today, there is a deep need among the Lord’s people in the churches of Christ to rededicate their lives.  Faith is not a mobile made in a Bible class, nor a Mobius Strip made at the university.

1.       Faith is an unseen reality of God with his people (2 Cor. 5:7).

2.       This faith has a primary focus in the Christ who always leads in triumphal procession (2 Cor. 2:14)

3.       This Christian faith results in good courage (2 Cor. 5:6,8; 1:24).

This is truly a time for faith, and a time for us! The present is indeed directed by the future.  The Lord is there (Ezek. 48:35)!

-Robert M. Housby