The Italian Memorandum

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for
those who are called according to his purpose”

(Romans 8:28)

I read recently, “Living on earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun every year.” There can be no doubt about it, we are in motion, as we speak. The only question is—will your travels through this pilgrim place be meaningful? When the apostle Paul described the Christian life in Romans 8, he included a wonderful statement about “his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Notice some observations about this biblical text:

1. Christian conviction stems from absolute Christian knowledge— “And we know…” (8:28).

2. Personal meaning is possible only through His Divine purpose— “according to his purpose” (8:28).

3. Such a meaningful existence, as this, can even influence life’s lowest moments of human weakness and suffering (8:18,23,26; 31,37-39).

4. But, this insight of terrific purpose is qualified—“for those who love God…and are called” (8:28).

Chrysostom reminds us that the “all” of 8:28 means “all” in the context of serving God, not mere arbitrary history. Will you serve in 2006? Won’t you put meaning in motion today!

-Robert M. Housby

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me
together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for
I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

(Psalm 139:13,14)

The Bible emphasizes “you” (both in the singular and plural forms). You are important to God; for you were created by God (Ps. 139:13-16). The English poet, Alexander Pope wrote, “Know then thyself, presume not God to scan / The proper study of mankind is man…” (An Essay on Man, Ep. ii). But, this is precisely where all the humanists of our own day bow at the altar of atheism—by forgetting their Creator (Eccl. 12:1)! This raises a profound question—Who defines what man is, or what he should do? Consider these options:

a. Man is defined by what contemporary psychologists say he is.

b. Man is defined by what the American Supreme Court says he is.

c. Man is defined by what human church creeds say he is.

Will you let Washington D.C. determine who you are? What about a university chemist; or, a medical journal? If the universe has a Lord at all, he is Lord of all. And, if he is not Lord of all, he is not Lord at all. “You”—what an amazing three letter word! The Bible says, “Peace to all of you who are in Christ” (1 Peter 5:14). Yes, “you” are important to God—by virtue of creation, and now by redemption. The fact that he made you is tremendous. But, the fact that he loves you is stupendous! “You” can never be the same again—for “you” were meant for God!

-Robert M. Housby

“…the flaming arrows of the evil one”

(Ephesians 6:16, NEB)

While we compose this article, Leonard Elmore’s novel, Kill Shot, is being made into a major motion picture in the university town of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. As the title imports, death is a major theme of this production. But, apart from the entertainment industry, death occupies a significant place in human history. Turning the pages of the Holy Scriptures but twice, we are immediately confronted with death–death in the garden and death in the field (Romans 5:12; Genesis 4:8). Kill-shots, the Bible declares, have their origin in “evil,” and through “the evil one”(1 John 3:12).

It appears that there is Satanic objective in the universe. And, that objective is to cause man to sin; and, from this sin to bring death (James 1:15; 5:19-20). This matter of Satanic objective is a consistent theme throughout the Bible (Matthew 13:19; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:9). Luther wrote in one of his holy hymns, “For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe; His craft and pow’r are great And armed with cruel hate” (A Mighty Fortress). D. Edmond Hiebert refers to Satan as, “the grand adversary of God and man” (The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary, 755).

Yes, the Devil wants a kill-shot. It is for this reason that one should be concerned with the diabolical objective of the Devil. Satan seeks an opening now. His time is limited, and your time is limited. While arrows fly, take “the shield of faith” (Ephesians 6:16; 1 Peter 1:5), for he seeks a kill-shot today.

-Robert M. Housby

“…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