The Italian Memorandum

“If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the fear of Isaac,
had not been on my side…”

(Genesis 31:42)

E. Stanley Jones sees in Genesis 31:42 a generational progression away from God. “The thing that has happened to this generation has happened to the three generations of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jacob could say, “my father’s God, the God of Abraham, the Awe of Isaac” (Genesis 31:42, Moffatt). God was God to Abraham; he had ventured forth with him, his “Friend”; He was intimate firsthand and real. But in the next generation God was not “the God of Isaac,” but only the Awe of Isaac.” He had faded and become secondhand. Still Isaac stood in “Awe” of his father’s God. In the third generation—in Jacob—the result of this gradual fading of God began to shown in the decaying morals of Jacob; moral rottenness appeared. He stole his brother’s birthright. He was ready to take the main chance without regard to God.

Jones goes on to say that we also, like Jacob, often involve ourselves in a secondhand type of faith. “We have lost God…[but] Jacob met God on Jabbok’s banks in his midnight wrestle and emerged a new man. Unless we, like Jacob, find a moral renewal in finding God [afresh, RMH], we are done for” (“God Fading Out,” Abundant Living (New York: Abingdon Press, 1952), p. 3).

Still, God was on Jacob’s side. But, things were scary for a time. Will you yourself find God afresh in your own life? Can you say this is “the Lord my God”?

– Robert M. Housby

“Will you not tell it today?”

(Jesse Browns Pounds, Will You Not Tell It Today?, 1887)

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord”

(2 Timothy 1:8)

Milton wrote “Lycidas” in 1637. The poem contains an event that would forever change him. Edward King, for whom the poem is about, was Milton’s learned friend who had drowned in his passage from Chester on the Irish Seas. “Lycidas” has been called the high-water mark of English poetry in the form of elegy—the lament and praise for the dead. In. the first portion of the poem, Milton memorializes his dead schoolfellow. Then, in each of the three movements thereafter we find a pagan lament beginning each section, and a Christian triumph. ending these sections. Line 10 reads: “Who would not sing for Lycidas?” John Milton had a Christian heart; a Christian friend; and, now, a Christian sadness coupled with hope.

This English poem calls to mind our own allegiance to the Lord Jesus. The gospel, itself, is both a lament and a triumph. The apostle Paul reminds us regarding the communion—“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). This theme of lament and triumph is also contained in an early Christian hymn of 1 Timothy 3:16: “He was manifested in the flesh, / vindicated by the Spirit, / seen by angels, / proclaimed among the nations, / believed on in the world, / taken up in glory.”

Who would not sing for Jesus? Will you not tell it today?

-Robert M. Housby

Years ago, brother Walter Scott, wrote in his periodical, The Evangelist (1840) [reprinted by College Press, Joplin, Missouri] a series entitled, Cleansing of the Sanctuary. In this series, Scott enumerates the great points of the Plea for Restoration:

1. The Bible Alone.
2. The True Gospel.
3. The Name Christian.
4. The Apostolic Order of the Church
5. The Perfection of Individual Character.

Walter Scott would eventually qualify these main points of restoration (Vol. VIII. Cincinnati, Ohio, December 1, 1840. No. 12) by saying: “It is important in all our attempts at reformation that ends and means be carefully distinguished from each other. In the following schedule of reform the first four elements are means; the last is an end.

1. The Bible
2. The Gospel
3. The Name
4. The Order, and
5. The Perfection of Character

The Bible is our sole authority—neither human creed; church catechism; nor, extra-biblical revelation is above it. The gospel, as revealed in the Bible, is our only plan of salvation. The name, Christian, is the desirable name of all followers of Christ. The New Testament order of worship and procedure in faith and practice (sometimes called the ancient order) is, in fact, the only authorized and approved method of pleasing God today. And, one’s personal and spiritual devotion is required holiness (Matthew 5:48; Hebrews 12:14). -Robert M. Housby

“And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation. So those who received his word were baptized…”

(Acts 2:40,41)

The Book of Acts documents that the early gospel preachers, including the original apostles, consistently offered the gospel invitation—an opportunity to respond to the gospel message (2:40-41; 11:19-21; 17:30-34; 18:8). There were other types of responses to the gospel as well:

1. Restoration (see Acts 8:14-24). Here we see that Simon needed restoration due to his heart not being right before God (8:21). Simon was directed to repent (8:22a) and pray (8:22b) for forgiveness (8:22c).
2. Placed Membership (9:26).
3. Edification (16:5; 20:32-38).
4. Rejection (17:5-6), and,
5. Conversion, of course (18:8).

The Gospel Invitation is based upon the old Jewish heritage where the Man of God calls upon the people to decide in favor of the true and living God (see Jeremiah 10:10): Moses before the Israelites (Ex. 32:26); Joshua before the Promised Land (Josh 24:15); and Ezra before the exiles (Ezra 10:10-11); and, of course, Jesus (Matt. 23:27-39; 11:28-30).

-Robert M. Housby

“…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

“For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines
of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen…”

(Acts 19:24)

We have been told by some that they are not ready to make a commitment to the Lord and his church (see Ephesians 3:21 on Christ and church). Strangely, however, one such individual with whom we have been working for years now, whom we love, continues to hold diametrically opposite beliefs. How disappointing it is when such a one voices how they faithfully pray to the Lord for daily strength and security, while simultaneously verbalizing that they are not yet ready to give their life to Christ as their Lord.

This packaging of Jesus as a “good luck charm Jesus,” rather than the Lord of the universe who is the Christ of Scripture, reminds us of the superstitious Artemis (Diana) worship that existed in ancient Asia (see Acts 19:23-41). One could even purchase a little silver shrine to aid and support one’s journey through life. Is it possible that Jesus could become so reduced as to become such a little shrine in one’s heart for protection without any commitment? Those with this mindset are either deceived, naive, or both.

One thing is for certain, Jesus Christ is not a bell-hop; not an amulet; not a lucky charm. He is the one who demands repentance and faith (Acts 20:21); who commands repentance and judgment (Acts 17:30,31). What shall it be, then, Leprechaun or Lord?

-Robert M. Housby

A Consideration of James 4:5

“Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that that the Scripture says,

He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us?”

(James 4:5)

The theologian Augustine said: “Thou hast made us for Thyself and we shall

ever restless be until we find our rest in Thee.” The Bible indicates that there

is a part of the humanness of man that has a spiritual dimension. Genesis 1:28

refers to this dimension as “the image and likeness of God.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

posits—“he has put eternity into man’s heart…” And, James 4:5 reads—“He

yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us…”In consider-

ation of James 4:5, we are immediately taken by the strong emotional sentiment

that God voices regarding the spirit of man. The text says that God “yearns

jealously” over it. Note the small “s” (in “spirit”) to express the human spirit.

1. Man’s “spirit,” therefore, legitimizes human needs beyond the

physical dimension. The spirit is an inner issue (see 2 Cor. 4:16; Eph.

3:16). But, the spirit of James 4:5, while having universal content, cannot be exclusively assigned to all mankind, because James is writing to Christ-

ians who have received the gift of the Holy Spirit (see Romans 8:9,11,16).

2. Jealousy is relevant when it comes to meeting one’s deepest needs

(Ex. 20:5; 34:14; note the term “pity” in Judges 2:18 [ESV] for God’s

people). The context of James 4:1-4, leading up to 4:5, expresses unacceptable behaviors for personal fulfillment; or acting out to get

needs met. Note, also, that the spirit is a given reality (see Eccl. 3:14).

It rightfully belongs to the Creator.

3. The spirit of James 4:5 is practically and ultimately about receiving grace for meeting our deepest needs (James 4:6).

-Robert M. Housby

“Hold the pattern of sound words”

(2 Timothy 1:13, ASV)

When it comes to religion, many operate along the lines of truth as: (1) what works, pragmatism (2) one’s individual opinion, existentialism (3) what is culturally normative, relativism (4) what is scientifically verifiable, positivism (5) any combination of the above four options, eclecticism. A sixth option (despite its being invalid by reason of its self-refuting claim) is, that there are no absolutely true claims available to finite minds, agnosticism. No wonder Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” (John 18:38).

Into this world, then, of religious options, is the gospel; not any gospel being touted on the boulevard, but the original gospel, as written in Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). This gospel is not strictly pragmatic; existential; relativistic; positivistic; eclectic; nor pluralistic—but, rather, absolute and exclusive (Jude 3).

Walter Scott wrote in The Gospel Restored (1836, reprinted by College Press Publishing Co.: Joplin, MO, 1986, vi): regarding the restoration of the gospel “(1) The Bible was adopted as our sole authority (2) The apostolic order contained in that Bible was proposed as the method of restoration, and (3) The true gospel arising from these, then, became the message.” Wherever men may find themselves today, a return to the original gospel is always desirable. Have you made it your message?

-Robert M. Housby

“to equip the saints for the work of ministry”

(Ephesians 4:12)

Elder, Bill Meyer is an accomplished Toastmaster. He has agreed, at our request, to conduct a modified training class for our men. This class will begin when brother Taylor finishes the current auditorium Hebrews class.

Those interested in this great opportunity to develop in the area of public speaking for the Master will meet in the New Fellowship Hall in approximately three weeks.

Target Date: Wednesday February 27
Instructor: Elder, Bill Meyer

This class will meet on Wednesday Nights. More details will follow. Challenge–Response! Be looking for updates!

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil”

(2 Corinthians 5:10)

Paul’s universal statement of judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10)follows upon a former statement made to the Corinthians in an earlier epistle: “Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God” (1 Corinthians 4:5). Here it is declared that judgment will be a disclosure of personal motives.

We are aware of the fact that even some Christians are scared to death about dying. We are also cognizant that not a few ungodly and atheistic have no fear of death (irony of ironies). If your emphasis of preaching through the years has been about the human response to the gospel—What have you done?—and, has had imbalance regarding What God has done (grace), it should not be strange that a Christian might therefore have a fear of dying. As for those who refuse to name the name of Christ, they may not have a fear of dying—but neither do they have a hope of living. See, a cow will stand in the field chewing and not have a care in the world; but, that same cow has no comprehension of hope beyond the grave either. The atheistic confidence is only confidence when he/she lowers the bar to the animal kingdom. Puny ploy it is then to take this kind of reasoning and call it academic and brilliant.

It is a solemn thing to die and appear before God (2 Corinthians 5:11-15).

Robert M. Housby