The Italian Memorandum

(As Taken from First John)

“These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you”

(1 John 2:26)

In some theological circles, Satan is denied. But, the New Testament is explicit when it comes to warning Christians of a real threat coming from Satan, “the devil” (1 John 5:19). The fact is, even among God’s people there are those like: “Jezebel” and “Alexander the coppersmith.” These seem to have forgotten the adage, “Do all the good you can, and no harm at all,” if not the Golden Rule itself.

1. This Biblical information is not welcomed by the Devil, for in it, he, “Satan, the devil,” is exposed (Revelation 12:9,17). Not only does the truth of God’s word hurt the devil it also hinders his activity. Such information from the word can counter deception (1 John 2:26).
2. 1 John 3:4-15 indicates that Christians, by sinning, open the threshold for no good–even within the congregation of the Lord’s people. While all men are sinners (Romans 3:23), and that includes the baptized (see 1 John 1:8; 2:1), there is a particular sinfulness which rears its head within the congregation itself.

a. The devil operates through sin (1 John 3:8).
b. Sin sometimes occurs in the church, among brethren (1 John 3:10).
c. Such undesirable brethren are compared to Cain (1 John 3:12).
d. Hateful brethren are murderers, without eternal life (1 John 3:15).
e. Love is the answer (1 John 3:11).

Satan longs for human harbors. Some preaching and teaching is intervention, and some is prevention. May this data serve to identify and isolate the works of darkness within the growing congregation .

-Robert M. Housby

“Now there was in Joppa a disciple named
Tabitha, which translated, means Dorcas.
She was full of good works and acts of charity.”

(Acts 9:36)

Ken Jennings was finally defeated after winning over 70 rounds on the popular television game show, Jeopardy. Jennings won a whopping 2.5 million dollars in 2004. We mention Jenning’s recent celebrity status in conjunction with the life of the early Christian woman Dorcas to express a truth about notoriety.
In a footnote to the biblical text, we are told that “Tabitha” is the Aramaic form of the Greek name “Dorcas”. Tabitha is properly translated, gazelle. The gazelle is a small swift animal found in hot and arid wilderness areas. Arabs have been known to train falcons to swoop down on the gazelle, stunning them, so that hunters may overtake them more easily. There are over sixty different varieties of the gazelle. The Dorcas Gazelle is found in the regions of Syria and Palestine. They may reach speeds of forty-five miles per hour over a distance of six or seven miles (Steven Barabas, The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1967), p. 42).
The Bible says of this Dorcas, “…she became ill and died…” (Acts 9:37). We are still speaking of this woman hundreds of years after her presence. We wonder if the same may be said of Mr. Jennings five-hundred years from now? Often, those whose lives are dedicated to serving Christ and his church do not receive proper recognition. But, they shall one day be more than recompensed (1 Corinthians 15:58). We may never be of celebrity status with earnings exceeding into the millions; nor as endowed intellectually as Ken Jennings. Still,
we may with Tabitha-Gazelle be found on the mountain of eternity, in the service of the Lord our God.

-Robert M. Housby

“And he shall be like a tree planted by the

streams of water, That bringeth forth its
fruit in its season, Whose leaf also doth
not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall
prosper. The wicked are not so…”

(Psalm 1:3,4, ASV)

The Cappadocian biblical scholar, Basil, (c. A.D. 329-379), said the Book of
Psalms “foretells coming events; it recalls history; it frames laws for life; it
suggests what must be done; and, in general, it is the common treasury of good
doctrine” (Basil, Homily 10,1,2). As such, we shall make some brief comments
regarding the “tree” of Psalm 1:3 (quoted above).

1. The “tree” is the “blessed” man (See Psalm 1:1).

2. The “tree” is the man who avoids wicked counsel (See Psalm 1:1,2).

3. The “tree” has a reliable resource from which to grow (Psalm 1:3).

4. The “tree” produces its intended fruit (Psalm 1:3).

5. These traits of the “tree” are not common to the wicked (Psalm 1:4).

Christian growth is very much like the tree of Psalm 1: rooted (Colossians 1:23);
raised (Colossians 3:1,2); ruled (Colossians 3:15,17); and, realized (Colossians
1:10). Often, we put up excuses for our own lack of growth; blame others; shift
responsibility away from ourselves; and find others who are like-minded (hell).
Instead, we should be striving to be the tree of Psalm 1.

– Robert M. Housby

“And we know that the Son of God
has come, and has given us understanding…”

(1 John 5:20)

There is a major difference between the lifestyle and world view of Christians and the way of the world (1 John 2:15-17). This difference may be expressed in terms of the difference between “happy” and “blessed”. The “understanding” spoken of in 1 John 5:20 allows us to do this comparative study.

1. Happy appears to have more in common with circumstances; whereas, blessed is primarily a spiritual matter arising from one’s relationship with God. A relationship with God is never merely circumstantial, or arbitrary. It is the sense of constant communion which enables the worshipper to be able to count on God, as it were, even when the shifting sands of circumstances may dishevel one’s life (1 John 4:13).

2. Happy is essentially about one’s feelings. Blessed, on the other hand, is based on the promise of God, via the word of God (1 John 2:25).

3. Happy seems to be limited to the here and now, while blessed is about forever (1 John 3:2). Blessed involves a process of both now and later, and of both being and becoming.

4. Happiness is usually evaluated in terms of a human perspective. Contrarily, blessedness is derived from God’s point of view (1 John 2:16,17).

Chistians may be both blessed and happy. But, to be blessed is most important. Do you have this kind of life? Circumstances come and go; but choices abide.

– Robert M. Housby

“If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen
the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom
helps one to succeed.”

(Ecclesiastes 10:10)

A proverb is a brief pithy statement meant to convey wisdom. As such, we see that Ecclesiastes 10:10 conveys the wisdom that a dull axe will require considerable more strength than a sharp axe. This information is both simple and sound. But, biblical proverbs often have farther reaching implications than their immediate applications. Such is the case here. An individual may also be sharp or blunt. We tend to associate dullness with I. Q. (Intelligence Quotient). However, while there is a connection between succeeding and natural ability, we have known plenty of smart individuals who live very stupid lives. We have all heard the adage: “He’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer.” Therefore, we are persuaded to think of sharp or dull in terms of Ecclesiastes 7:18: “…for a man who fears God will succeed…”(NEB).

It is important that we stay sharp. Consider three dynamics for staying sharp:

1. God wants his people to succeed (Deuteronomy 29:9; Joshua 1:8;
Ecclesiastes 7:18; 10:10; 3 John 2). See that God is involved in one’s life.
2. God provides wisdom that his people may succeed (Proverbs 1:1-7;
Colossians 1:9, 28; 2:2,3; 3:16). See that God’s plan is a power to succeed.
3. Stay sharp and work smart (Ecclesiastes 10:10). Respond to God.

Perhaps, you have been sharp, but are now going through a dull period. You can feel your strength being taxed to the point of burn-out. God has a way to whet your edge. And, it all begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). Dullards will suffer. So, stay sharp and work smart.

– Robert M. Housby

“We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing:
Sing praises to His name, He forgets not his own!”

(We Gather Together, Valerius’s Collection, 1626)

The term “gospel” is defined in modern English as, “good news.” The gospel derives itself historically from the ancient prophecy of Isaiah 52:7: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation…” The apostle Paul quotes this Isaiah passage in Romans 10:15.

We frequently use the term gospel and its meaning of good news to express what God has rendered to mankind through the preaching of Jesus Christ (Romans 16:25). In this brief expose, we shall consider how Luke’s Gospel shows the gospel to be a resource of blessing:

1. Luke begins and ends with a theme of “blessing” (1:28,42,45,48,68; 2:28, 34; 24:50,51). Although Luke begins his gospel with a historical format, we can see a theological theme of blessing merge and continue through the gospel.
2. Luke shows how “blessing” is a mutual activity (6:20,21,22; 7:23; 9:16;
10:23; 11:27,28; 12:37,38; 23:29).
3. The ending of Luke clarifies that the gospel is especially meant to
“bless” (24:50-53; Genesis 12:3).

He blesses and blesses. Have we understood these things?

–Robert M. Housby

A BIBLE SERIES ABOUT THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION OF THIS ELECTION YEAR!

Speaker: Ted Spencer

Church of Christ
328 S. West End Blvd. Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Sunday October 31

• 9 A.M. … … … Hear the Voice of Our King
• 10 A.M. … … … Jehovah Our Righteous King
• 6 P.M. … … … “Will You Vote to Honor Our King?”

Monday November 1

• 7 P.M. … … … Righteousness Exalts a Nation Before the King

Tuesday November 2

• 7 P.M. … … … Amazing Grace of Our King

Plan to Be Present Each Night of Our Gospel Meeting Bring A Friend. Refreshments following Each Presentation

“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?”

(Proverbs 1:22, ESV)

The local weather forecast is not the only place where dense fog shows up. According to the Proverb writer, the simple the scoffer and the fool all live in the same dense fog (Proverbs 1:22). This fog is the way of darkness in which the simple walk (Proverbs 2:13). In fact, one of the premier purposes of the book of Proverbs is: “…to give prudence to the simple” (Proverbs 1:4).

A. Who are these “simple” ones of the book of Proverbs?

1. They are actually in love with being simpletons (1:22).
2. They are digging their own grave by rejecting biblical counsel (1:32).
3. They are equated with children who never grew up (7:7).
4. They thrive on immediate gratification and are easily duped (7:8,18,21).
5. They fail to prepare for the future and suffer because of it (27:12).

B. How may the “simple” rise above the denseness of this personal fog?

1. They must commit themselves to biblical understanding (Psalm 119:130).
2. They must understand that the LORD can preserve the simple (Ps. 116:6).
3. They must learn prudence (Proverbs 8:5).
4. They must become more thoughtful and less gullible (Proverbs 14:15).
5. They should realize they are virtually folly magnets (Proverbs 14: 18).
6. They must learn some hard lessons (Proverbs 19:25; 21:11).

“There it is fog, atmospheric moisture still uncertain in destination, not quite weather and not altogether mood, yet partaking of both” (Hal Borland, Sundial of the Seasons, 1964). There is a possibility of a dense fog ahead. So, how’s the weather where you live?

–Robert M. Housby

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”

(Galatians 1:6-9, English Standard Version)

The children’s book, “What Makes A Raphael A Raphael?” is an attempt to explain art. We happen to think this is an excellent question. We ask in this article, “What makes a gospel sermon a gospel sermon?”

In Galatians 1:6-9, the apostle Paul presents a scathing criticism against misrepresenting the gospel. Four points arise from within the biblical text:

1. It is possible to distort the gospel message (1:7).
2. Distortions may be detected by a departure from the New Testament (1:6,7).
3. The gospel is not to be changed, by apostles, angels, nor men (1:8,9).
4. Preaching “a different gospel” gets an accursed rating (1:8,9).

We might point out that Raphael was a painter, not a preacher. Attempting to understand Raphael is one thing, and believing the gospel is very much another matter. Psalm 119:89 reads, “Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.” The gospel is a settled matter. It was settled when Paul wrote Galatians; it is settled today, and will abide tomorrow and forever (1 Peter 1:25). Is this your faith?

– Robert M. Housby

( from the Gospel of Luke)

“Those things are dearest to us that have cost us most”

-Montaigne

“For I say unto you, that this which is written must
be fulfilled in me, And he was reckoned with transgressors…”

(Luke 22:37, ASV, emphasis mine, RMH)

It would be an understatement, indeed, to say that Jesus lived an amazing life. Not only did he perform wonders (Acts 2:22), he was, himself, a Wonder (see Isaiah 9:6). By reading the gospel accounts, one gets the sense that Jesus lived his life with a great purpose, compelling him on to some glorious goal. The “I
must”statements of the Gospel of Luke are especially of interest to us. They express a grammatical imperative (mei dei from deo – binding, necessary, obligatory). Let us examine the “I must” statements of our Lord from the Gospel of Luke (Luke 9:22; 17:25; 22:37; 24:7; 24:44):

1. Luke 2:49 – “I must be about my Father’s business”
2. Luke 4:43 – “I must preach the kingdom of God”
3. Luke 13:33 – “Nevertheless I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following … ”
4. Luke 19:5 – “… Zacheus, make haste, and come down; for today I
must abide at thy house”

In a world of “maybe,” “possibly,” and “perhaps,” it is truly refreshing to be exposed to someone who lived with a sense of “I must.” Yes, before he was bound to the cross, he was bound by “I must.”

-Robert M. Housby