The Italian Memorandum

“…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

“So dark when I roam in this wintry world shrouded,
The hope of my spirit turns trembling to Thee”

(Thomas Moore, The Heart’s Prayer)

“Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this son of York”

(Shakespeare, King Richard III)

We begin by asking a personal question—Christian, are you content or discontent? (Joshua 7:7; Judges 19:6; I Timothy 6:8; Hebrews 13:5). Christians are challenged to live lives of personal contentment. The apostle Paul addresses this matter of personal contentment in Philippians 4:10-19.

1. Christians do not deny the reality of trouble; to the contrary, they affirm it (Philippians 4:14).

2. Christians may learn the secret of contentment by learning and living out theological knowledge (Philippians 4:12).

3. Christian contentment is not based upon circumstances; but, rather upon the presence of God in one’s life (Philippians 4:11, 19).

While the winter of discontent threatens all living human beings, the possibility of joy looms large for all “in Christ” (Philippians 4:4, 19). Make the necessary changes for 2006 today. Begin the New Year right–right now.

-Robert M. Housby

“But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and
straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on …”

(Philippians 3:13-14)

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January, 2006 Preaching Schedule

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1-1 Winter in Nicopolis (Tit. 3:12-15)
(Decisions, Desires, and Devotion)

1-8 The Romantic Tradition of Gospel Preaching (1 Pet. 1:12,25; 4:6,17)
(Declaring with Passion)

1-15 The Blinding of Elymas (Acts 13:4-12)
(Dealing with the Diabolical)

1-22 Our Majestic Heritage (1 Tim. 1:17; 6:15-16)
(How to Escape Pessimism)

1-28 Wincing in the Wind (Matt. 14:22-32)
(We’re Often Made to Wonder)

May the Lord bless you in 2006! And, may your commitment to Christ
and His church grow ever deeper (Eph. 3:21; Psalm 1:3).

-Robert M. Housby

(Prologue to 2006)

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”

(Romans 12:21)

A major movie box-office this year is, “The Chronicles of Narnia”, by C. S. Lewis. The story tells of four British children, displaced by the war: Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. In the movie, the children engage in a conflict of good and evil. The white witch sends a winter into the land of Narnia. The snow may appear serene, but in its beauty there is great deception.

It is written in Romans 12:21: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” This simple statement expresses what Christians are to do with their lives. It is always germane to being a Christian to “fight the good fight of the faith”(1 Tim. 6:12). The churches of Christ must be commended for their posture against evil. It will not always gain the plaudits of our peers, or be politically-correct, but righteousness must always be right and can never be wrong. Good must take the fight to Evil.

1. Reject any plan of salvation which is a different gospel (Gal. 1:6-9).

2. Take the fight to evil (Eph. 6:10-20).

3. Don’t stop now! Realize that good is always right (Gal. 6:9; 1 Cor, 15:58).

PLAN NOW TO SERVE THE LORD IN THE NEW YEAR WITH ALL
YOUR MIGHT, AS NEVER BEFORE (Ecclesiatstes 9:10; Matt. 22:37-38).

-Robert M. Housby

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth…”

(John 16:13)

“Lead me gently home Father, lead me gently home /
In life’s darkest hours, Father, When life’s troubles come /
Keep my feet from wandering, Lest from Thee I’ll roam /
Lest I fall upon the wayside, Lead me gently home.”

(Will L. Thompson, Lead Me Gently Home, Father)

“Guide” is one of the terms used to convey and portray a function of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 16:13). The statement, “…he will guide you,” was made only to the apostles (Jn. 16:1,2,7,4,10,12; Acts 1:21-26; 22:14; 1 Cor. 15:8,9). That is to say, the apostles were to be the primary recipients of “all the truth” (see 1 Cor. 12:28,29). This body of truth would eventually be relayed to all the world as a constant and continuous resource of gospel information.

Ephesians 6:17 indicates that “the sword of the Spirit” is “the word of God.” It is precisely this medium of the word which provides continuity of apostolic doctrine into the 21st century. The apostle John wrote: “We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error” (1 Jn. 4:6). The guidance of the Spirit is the guidance of the Lord, because—“ the Lord is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:17).

To be led by the Spirit of God is possible today (Gal. 5:18; Rom. 8:14; Lk. 1:79). And, the Holy Spirit’s presence is always with his truth: gospel guided and gospel given.

-Robert M. Housby

Christianity, from its beginnings, has always prompted thinking people to question whether “these things be so” (Acts 5:24; 7:1, 54; 17:20; 1 Peter 3:15). Now, there is a debate in American society that involves a fundamental Christian doctrine—the origin of the universe (John. 1:1-3; Rev. 4:11). The purpose of the below points are to explain why this debate matters.

Why Does this Debate Matter?

1. The gospel message includes intelligent design (Acts 7:48-50; 14:14- 17; 17:22-29).

2. The gospel provides a model of criticism against the General Theory of Evolution (Romans 1:18-25).
3. Christian worship includes and demands God as Creator/Redeemer (Revelation 4:11).

4. The question of origin is a thoroughly Christian doctrine (Colossians 1:16-17; Rev. 3:14)

5. Christianity is content controversial and formatted for question and answer (Q&A) (1 Peter 3:15; Acts 28:30-31; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

We do not believe that every Christian needs to become a scientist. We do believe, however, that every Christian must confess Christ before men (Matthew 10:32-33; Philippians 2:9-11).

-Robert M. Housby

“And the priest said to them, Go in peace.
The journey on which you go is under the eye of the LORD”

(Judges 18:6)

The New Testament contains a phrase which expresses a profound sentiment from God to man—“Go in peace”(Luke 7:50; 8:48). This concept is elsewhere expressed in such terms as: “Now the God of peace be with you” (Romans 15:33) and, “the Lord of peace himself give you peace” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).

Where does this rich religious thought originate? We understand that the New Testament term “peace” came from the Hebrew concept shalom.

1. Shalom was a greeting of well-wishing (see Gen. 29:6).

2. Shalom meant security; contentment; and, sometimes absence of war (Ps. 4:8; Isa. 26:3; 1 Sam. 7:14).

3. Shalom carried the theological idea—to journey under the eye of the Lord (Judg. 18:6).

Those “in Christ” may go in peace. “Peace be with you all that are in Christ.” (1 Pet. 5:14). Is it well with you today?

-Robert M. Housby

“the purpose of his will”

(Eph. 1:5)

“the mystery of his will”

(Eph. 1:9)

“the counsel of his will”

(Eph. 1:11)

When we reflect upon what makes life worth living, the words of old Mark Twain come to mind: “Now, that will depend on the liver” (London Punch). In addition to Twain’s pithy and pointed remark, it remains to be said that the life worth living is the life lived out in the will of God.

In referring to Ephesians chapter 1 as Paul’s Magnum Opus, we mean his great literary contribution to the inspired word of God. Many biblical prophets were not literary—Elijah and Elisha, for example. Paul was the Lord’s “chosen instrument” (Acts 9:15); and, as such, he wrote most of the New Testament.

“His will” takes on three dimensions in Ephesians 1: Purpose, Mystery, and Counsel (1:5,9,11). Unlike those who neglect their creator/redeemer, and have no meaning for their existence, Christians know meaning. Christians seek to live in the will of God; and in the will of God, they find their meaning, their power, and their affirmation of what is truly worthy.

-Robert M. Housby

“Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently”

(Acts 26:3)

Most people today have little understanding of the Bible. They may be fluent and conversant in The Da Vinci Code, Harry Potter, or, pop psychology, but they definitely lack an accurate knowledge of the gospel. One such area where the gospel is surely misunderstood regards the fact that it makes an appeal: it asks something from those who hear it.

In Acts 26, Paul makes his defense before King Agrippa. It is in 26:3 where we find an appeal; an appeal to listen with patience to the message of the gospel. If 26:2,3 was all the information we had of Paul’s appeal, we might think that he was only interested in vindicating his own name. However, a perusal of the rest of his speech shows the substance of his appeal (see 26:6,8,9,18,23).

1. 26:3 – “I beg you [Agrippa]”
2. 26:20 – “that they [Damascus/Jerusalem/Judea/Gentiles]”
3. 26:29 – “all that hear me this day might become as I am”

The older English has the word “beseech” to convey this appeal. Surely, the gospel has been found amusing by those who reject its appeal. But, the gospel makes an appeal; and this appeal has never been repealed.

-Robert M. Housby

“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