The Italian Memorandum

“…do not throw your pearls before pigs”

                (Matthew 7:6)

We recently heard about a parrot named George who was missing a leg.  Accordingly, London, Feb 24 (ANI) reports: “A one-legged parrot is perching on a scientific breakthrough, for it is about to be fitted with a wooden leg.  George the parrot, a ten-year-old African Grey, lost a claw after being attacked by a wild animal, which broke into his cage…The birdie’s owner was concerned for him, and so advice was sought from experts at the University of Salford.”  The prosthetic leg procedure went off well.  Unfortunately, as of February 25, we heard on the radio that George had chewed off his new prosthetic leg.

This seemingly anti-cooperative action on George’s part raises questions.  But, for our purpose, we must not allow George’s parrot behavior to coincide with our own human response to the unfortunate incident.  After all, we are not bird brains (for the most part; see Matt. 7:6).  Still, there is a sense of ungratefulness when we as the Lord’s people fail to appreciate what has been done on our behalf.

1.    Ungratefulness surfaces when we fail to return thanks and praise God (see the Cleansing of the Ten Lepers, Luke 17:11-19).

2.    Ungratefulness surfaces when we separate ourselves from the body of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 12:21-25).

3.  Ungratefulness occurs when the Lord’s Supper is treated as a common meal (1 Corinthians 10:14-22; 11:27).

George would not know how to appreciate the experts at the University of Salford.  But you and I may know.   Will you not give thanks properly to the Lord today?                                                                            -Robert M. Housby

When things in your lives seem almost too much to handle; when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked his students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “yes”.
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. “Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things – – GOD, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions – – and if everything else was lost and only these remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.
The sand is everything else – – the small stuff. “If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.” (Mt. 6:33)
“Pay attention to the things that are critical to your soul: Prayer and serving God, playing with your children, taking time to get medical checkups. Taking your spouse out to dinner or just playing another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first – – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”

-Copied from the Grimsley Tennessee Church of Christ bulletin (8-19-07)

“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”

(Matthew 7:19, 20)

New Testament Christians have definite characteristics. One such characteristic is that of doing the will of God the Father (Matthew 7:21). This important arrangement of wanting to please our heavenly Father raises a question about expectations. Are we being challenged enough, or possibly too much (Acts 15:24, 28)? Too much emphasis on expectations (works righteousness) becomes a legalistic perversion of the gospel of grace (Galatians 5:4). And, too little an emphasis on personal challenge tends to degenerate into a license to evade the will of God (see Revelation 2:19, etc.).

Do a personal inventory (1 Corinthians 13:5). Check up on yourself. Are you being challenged enough? Are you growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18)? Are you bearing fruit? Jesus said, “By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love” (John 15:8-9). Realize that our response to God is “…faith working through love” (Galatians 5:6).

If, after testing yourself, you decide that you are not being challenged enough—talk to one of our ministers. Let them know that you need to be challenged more toward personal development. Get involved in the service of God. Listen; Learn; Lend; Lead; and Love—for today is your chance.

– Robert M. Housby

“Come see the place where the Lord lay”

(Matt.28: 6)

The term, “tomb” (mnemeion, Matt. 27:60) can be appreciated by the Christian on several levels. Although the concepts of the Lord’s death and resurrection are not new to us, when these two fundamental themes of the gospel are viewed in relation to the tomb of Christ, we find that both are represented. In other words, the tomb goes both ways, as Paul’s speech at Antioch of Pisidia indicates – “…they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead” (Acts 13: 29, 30). The tomb (mnemion) embraces Christ’s death and resurrection—it is a virtual sanctuary for the great themes of the Gospel.

But, is a return to the tomb really necessary? We think that it is a warranted action on the part of all Christians, novices and veterans alike. We say this in lieu of the sporadic hijacking of many Judeo-Christian concepts today: success through the Proverbs of Solomon; stable family values; money-matters; and relationships in general. But, to take all of these valuable Biblical concepts and sell them without regard to the power of the Gospel is certainly a terrible blunder of omission.

So, why should you return to the tomb?

1. It is the central sanctuary of Christian faith (2Cor. 5:15; 1Thess. 4:14; etc.).
2. It points out the futility of trying to achieve the good-life, without the good news (1Cor. 15: 1-4).
3. It asserts the historical-factual nature of the Gospel (Acts 13: 29-31).
4. It reaffirms how baptism is the watery-grave—and, such it is (Rom. 6:3-5).

– Robert M. Housby

How much should a Christian do to help another person? This would appear to be a simple question at first glance. However, Matthew 5:40-42 and Matthew 7:6 appear to strike a balance regarding social interaction in the kingdom of God. On the one hand, “going the extra mile” seems normative. But, then, the Lord turns around and labels some as “dogs,” who are unworthy of our efforts.

“And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you”

(Matthew 5:40-42)

“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you”

(Matthew 7:6)

Paul made an interesting comment to the Galatians—“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10). Paul grounds his approval in God, not man. Still, Paul served his God by serving men (2 Cor. 6:3-113). Then, in the next breath, he qualifies: “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers…Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? …Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them says the Lord…” (see 2 Cor. 6:14-18). The bottom line in serving men is to do it for God. Yet, in this service, one is to be prudent and not to reward or indulge the insolent or lazy indigent (see 2 Thess. 3:6-15).

-Robert M. Housby

THE LAST WEEK IN THE LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH

with Special Emphasis on the Gospel of John

__________________________________________________

[Brother Robert Housby is preparing a Study-Guide to be used in the Sunday Morning Bible
Class. This class will take a look at the last week in the life of Christ. It is entitled, The Last
Call, and will begin in September, 2005]

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more they were called, the more they went away.”

(Hosea 11:1,2)

“Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him. And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod.
This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, Out of Egypt I called my son.”

(Matthew 2:13-15)

Jesus was called by God (Matt. 2:15). That call had purpose (Isaiah 42:6). By John 13:1, Jesus’ call is in its final stages. It is associated theologically with the Passover; and with an appointed Hour; and, with the investment of agape Love. The Last Call will take us to the threshold of Calvary and beyond. You, too, are now called to participate (Romans 1:1,6,7; 8:28,30; 9:24; Phil. 3:14).

-Robert M. Housby

” Have Thine own way Lord! Have Thine own way! Search me and try me, Master today…”

-Adelaide A. Pollard, Have Thine Own Way, Lord

And so, another Sunday rolled around. The church was all gathered as usual, singing the old songs, and praying for the standard blessings from heaven. The preacher began his sermon that morning with a question, ” Suppose that God wanted to use you today, could he?” He then paused. But, this pause was no ordinary pause. This pause was a silence of some thirty-seconds! Now, the church at this particular place was not at all accustomed to very good preaching. But, here was a question that was more about the individual in the pew than it was about the preacher in the pulpit. So, after some personal introspection, and not a little shifting about, the preacher had the audacity to ask the very same question again. Suppose that God did want to use you, and he wanted to use you today, could he? He proceeded with the sermon:

1. First, God cannot use someone who is too busy accomplishing their own agenda; if he can’t gain you on the first day of the week, it’s not likely that he’ll have you on a Wednesday or a Thursday either (Matt. 6:24)..
2. Secondly, if God cannot use you today, he cannot use you at all; for today is all we have to give (Col. 4:5).

Soon the sermon was over. They sang a closing song, “Let Him Have His Way
with Thee,” and broke for lunch. But, before they left the church building that
day, they would all get a church bulletin. Strangely, the bulletin was entitled,
“Suppose God Wanted to Use You Today!”

-Robert M. Housby

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like this. A merchant looking out for fine pearls found one of very special value; so he went and sold everything he had and bought it.”

(Matthew 13:45,46 REB)

The parable of The Pearl of Great Price raises a profound question, “How important is the pearl to you?” Since the entire context of Matthew 13 is about the kingdom, not to mention the preface to 13:45,46 being “kingdom” content, we are to understand, therefore, that this pearl is also about the kingdom.
Now, we know that the kingdom has specific content:

1. The kingdom is about people (Matt. 13:2)……………………………. Church
2. The kingdom is about the word of God (Matt. 13:23)……………… Bible
3. The kingdom is about the harvest (Matt. 13:39)…………………….. Service

Now, regarding Matthew 13:45,46 – the pearls are concretions formed within the bodies of certain mollusks, especially, Avicula margaritifera, found in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. But, we must keep in mind that we are in parabolic territory, where the point is not about what’s being pointed out, but, rather, about what the Master meant. And, what did Jesus mean here? If the merchant is Christ, the pearl is the church (see Tenney, ZPBD, 632). If, however, the merchant is a disciple (as we tend to think), then what is meant here is nothing short of the disciples’ commitment to obtain what is truly valuable in this world, and in the next.
Two lessons appear significant in this parable: (1) There is a cost to be made to
acquire the pearl, and (2) According to Jesus, the pearl is worth every cost involved.
So, with Jesus, we say: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful
pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and
bought it” (NKJV).
How important is the pearl to you– Church, Bible, Serving?

-Robert M. Housby

“And whenever you are fasting, do not look gloomy and sour and dreary like the hypocrites, for they put on a dismal countenance that their fasting may be apparent and seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward in full already”

(Matthew 6:16, The Amplified New Testament)

What happens when Christian commitment turns into discontentment? Consider the man of Matthew 6:16. Here is an individual practicing “fasting” as a religious commitment. But, Jesus cautions this person not to become like the hypocrites of his day, who tend to turn such an expression of faith into a sick form of personal pain. It is written, elsewhere, “Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart…therefore you shall serve your enemies” (Deuteronomy 28:47,48). There is a tendency among God’s people to show discontent: “In the morning you shall say, If only it were evening! and at evening you shall say, If only it were morning!” To these, the Lord says, I will send you back to Egypt in ships! (see Deuteronomy 28:67,68).
So, how do we feel about church, scripture, giving, serving, singing, and praying? Do you serve the Lord with gladness? Do you enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise? Part of being a Christian is doing a personal inventory. The apostle Paul, in speaking of the Lord’s Supper, said: “Let a person examine himself” (1Corinthians 11:28). He would again encourage the Corinthians: “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?” (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Dismal cannot be your demeanor, because it is not your destiny. Now, while the sands of the hourglass are falling, lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh (Rom. 13:11; Lk. 21:28).

-Robert M. Housby

(Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15,16; Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:3-9)

“Does the Great Commission, as found at the end of the gospels, have legitimate application to members of the Lord’s church today? We were asked this question most recently. What follows is an attempt to demonstrate why we think the Great Commission does have legitimate application to the church today, beyond “the eleven” of Matthew 28:16.

1. The Great Commission is different from the Limited Commission. The Limited Commission is not to “all nations” (Matthew 28:19), but only to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:5). So, to begin with, any legitimate application of the Great Commission must concede this essential point of difference.

2. Second, biblical context and biblical content should harmonize. Does Matthew 28:16, with its reference to “the eleven,” negate any other applications beyond the eleven? While careful exegesis cannot allow all specifics to apply indiscriminately (for example, the miraculous element of the Great Commission, Mark 16:17-20, does not have continuity with the church in all ages), nevertheless, when the content of the message exceeds the immediate recipients of the message, there is then a warrant for a broader application [antecedent and application should agree]. Even the Limited Commission had extended applications beyond “the twelve” of Matthew 10:5 (See Luke 10:1 regarding the “seventy”). On harmonizing context and content, take the example of Genesis 12:1-3. Here, Abraham is the only proper grammatical recipient of the message. Nevertheless, it would be improper to suggest that Genesis 12 had no legitimate application to Israel. Why? Simply because the context and content of Genesis 12 extends beyond Abraham.
3. Third, Matthew 28:20 is a mandate to perpetuate apostolic doctrine; and, the most immediate application of 28:20 is 28:19. To say that 28:20 refers to most everything except 28:19 appears problematic. Matthias, for example, was not one of “the eleven” of Matthew 28:16; still, the Great Commission, as stated in Matthew
28:18-20 would compose the very substance of Matthias’ apostolic ministry. And, if we admit a twelfth, what of those whom Matthias taught (see 2 Tim. 2:2; 2 Thess. 2:15)?

We conclude that the Great Commission applies to the church today.

– Robert M. Housby