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WE DO NOT LOSE HEART

May 28th, 2006

“So we do not lose heart…”

(2 Corinthians 4:1,16)

In ministry, we see people every week that have either lost heart, or are about to lose heart. In the King James Version of the Bible, this matter of losing heart is expressed in an equally fitting idiom—“we faint not” (2 Corinthians 4:1,16). Paul’s reason for his Christian fortitude lies in answer to the question raised in 2 Corinthians 2:16—“Who is sufficient for these things?” The “these things” of 2:16 refers to the significance of what Christianity is all about even in the face of painful experiences (see 2 Corinthians 2:4; 14-15).

Notice some specific reasons for not losing heart (that is, our belief system/whereby we are established, 2 Corinthians 1:21), as expressed in 2 Corinthians 1:

1. God is aware of and a comfort to our personal struggles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

2. Personal pain serves a larger purpose (2 Corinthians 1:5-7)

3. Our reliance is not in ourselves, but in God (2 Corinthians 1:8-10)

4. Prayer is our privilege (2 Corinthians 1:11)

5. Joy goes beyond personal pain, and taps into faith in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:24)

It certainly is strange that, “In a full heart there is room for everything, and in an empty heart there is room for nothing” (Antonio Porchia, Voces, (1968). “Widen your hearts also” ( 2 Corinthians 6:11-13).

-Robert M. Housby

Categories: 2 Corinthians, Bible, God, heart, New Testament Tags:

“NOW IS THE FAVORABLE TIME”

March 5th, 2006

(A Cape Church of Christ Sunday Morning Series in March)

Sunday Morning March 5       “Now is the Favorable Time”
                             (Introduction to 2 Corinthians 6)
Sunday Morning March 12      “Why Is ‘Now’ the Favorable Time’?”
                             (Motivation of 2 Corinthians 6:1-2)

Sunday Morning March 1       “Now is ‘the Favorable Time’ for What?”
                             (Basis for a Redemptive View of Time- 2 Corinthians Ch. 5)

Sunday Morning March 26      This Now-ness and You
                             (Living with a Strong Sense of Contemporaneity)

Sunday  Morning April 2      Lessons Learnt in the Crucible of Time
                             (Bringing Relevance to Reality)

 

“I’m excited about our evangelistic prospects for the future in the Cape congregation. Now is the favorable time. Does anyone doubt this?

–Robert M. Housby

“Now is the Favorable Time”

February 19th, 2006

(Rethinking 2 Corinthians 6)

“If I only had the time…”

The apostle Paul urges all Christians to live with a redemptive view of time (2 Cor. 6:2; Eph. 5:16). To rethink 2 Corinthians 6 is to be confronted by Paul’s Biblical philosophy of time:

1. Grace (6:2 is connected to 6:1). Often, in the church, we hear—let’s study “grace,” “reconciliation,” or “ministry”. Note: these are all present in the verses leading up to 2 Corinthians 6 (see 5:11-21). There is a place for topical Bible study. But, it mustn’t be forgotten that biblical context is as much a part of inspiration as are isolated Bible words.

2. Now (6:2, twice). Note the strong sense of contemporaneity (now-ness). This stands in contradistinction to procrastination or laissez faire.

3. Favorable time (6:2, twice). There is a complete theology behind this phrase (see Isa. 49:8; Ps. 32:6; 69:13; Heb. 3:13).

4. Salvation (6:2, twice). What is it? (see 5:14,15). Where is it? (see 5:16,17). How is it acquired? (see 5:18-21). Is it worth it? (see 6:3-10).

Although these Christians had been baptized, some were not living the life (5:15). “We implore you…be reconciled to God…Now is the favorable time” (5:20; 6:2).

-Robert M. Housby

The Romantic Tradition of Gospel Preaching

January 8th, 2006

“…so that we may preach the gospel…”

(2 Corinthians 10:16)

 

With so much happening within the local church on any given occasion, the congregation may unconsciously lose sight of the fact that the church is God’s chosen body to proclaim the gospel message (Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 3: 10,11; 1 Timothy 3:15). We are surely grateful for the intense work of all full-time and faithful gospel preachers who labor among “the churches of Christ.” But, we are also aware that the churches of Christ are his body on earth (Ephesians 1:22-23). And, as such, his body is to reach out; not just preachers, per se, but every member in support of gospel preaching (see Acts 8:1-4; 11:19-21).

The romantic tradition of gospel preaching was the message of the early church. Such passionate proclamation entails three essential characteristics:

1. Gospel preaching is Bible-based preaching (Acts 2:16,23,25; 3:21).
2.
Gospel preaching is salvation focused (Acts 2:37-38; Rom. 1:15-16).
3.
Gospel preaching is always relevant (Acts 2:39).

A definition of gospel preaching, which we have used for years, is that from the pen of the late Jesse P. Sewell—“Gospel preaching is a man redeemed by grace, through faith, standing in Christ’s stead, by his authority, and under his command, proclaiming his gospel; illustrating, making plain and strong and urgent, the word of God, in such a manner that responsible people can understand and accept it unto life or reject it unto death” (8th Annual Abilene Christian College Lectures On Preaching, 1958).

-Robert M. Housby

Newness Now!

November 6th, 2005

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

(2 Corinthians 5:17)

Life “in Christ” is about newness (2 Cor. 5:17). When Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “The old has passed away,” he uses a historical tense, pointing back to a definite moment and event (that is, baptism: see Acts 18:8; 1 Cor. 6:11; Gal. 3:26,27). This newness is constantly new (perfect tense—“…the new has come”). Although the Old Testament speaks of newness from the standpoint of God (Lamentations 3:23 and Isaiah 43:18,19), under the new covenant, newness is extended to the believer himself/herself—“if anyone is in Christ.” Newness changes how the believer looks outward upon the universe:

1. Re: Nature –“This is my Father’s world” (contra randomness; Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:15-17; 2 Cor. 10:5).
2. Re: Knowledge—absolute knowledge (contra sensory and limited; 2 Pet. 1:20,21; 2 Cor. 2:14; 11:6).
3. Re: Ethics—according to the will of God (contra humanistic and situational (Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 13:5).
4. Re: History—purpose, meaning, goal (contra chance cycles/ uniformitarianism; Heb. 9:28; 2 Cor. 6:1-3).
5. Re: Death—hope, good courage (contra hopelessness, fatalism, the end; 2 Cor. 5:1-10).

Newness today, newness tomorrow, and newness through eternity! Take time to evaluate where you are on life’s journey. It is never more exciting than being “in Christ”!

-Robert M. Housby

Categories: 2 Corinthians, Bible, New Testament Tags:

Hallowed Halls

August 1st, 2004

“For by it the people of old received their commendation.”

(Hebrews 11:2)

Years ago, while studying on the campus of the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, I was walking down a hallowed hallway. There, on either side of the corridor, I was flanked by large portraits of past students who went on to become accomplished experts in their respective fields. There were hundreds of them. It was about this same time that I had been talking with an individual about what makes a school outstanding. I was expressing that it was the teachers who determined whether an academic institution would be great. To my surprise, my friend began shaking his head to the contrary. He said that it was not the teachers that made the institution great. I said, “Well, what is it then?” He replied, “the students.”

Whether commendation, then, is seen as coming through teachers’ techniques, or through students’ accomplishments, we cannot doubt but that both have a role to play. Jesus said, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is
fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). Competence, biblically, comes from God (2 Corinthians 3:5,6). And, finding our human completeness is a search that will lead us to the Christ (Colossians 2:10; Philippians 3:9).

There is a story of a village beggar reputed to have little mental capacity. Whenever he was offered a choice between a nickel and a dime he always chosethe nickel. After this had gone on for some time, a chap pulled him aside and explained that a dime is worth twice as much as a nickel, and that he should always choose the dime. “Oh, I know the dime is worth more,” the beggar replied. “But if I ever chose the dime, people would stop offering.” (Wood’s Modern Handbook, p. 517). It seems that the beggar had his own hallowed hall of expertise. And what might yours’ be? If it is not a commendation through the
competence which God gives; if it is not a completeness through the life and work which Christ gives— it is not a commendation of faith (Hebrews 11:2,3).

The teacher will teach when the student is ready.

–Robert M. Housby

Categories: 2 Corinthians, Colossians, Hebrews, Luke, Philemon Tags: