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SEEKING THINGS ABOVE
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1)
Volume III Number 1
April 2022
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Needed, Hearers Who Will Listen
Glen Young
Back when the telegraph was the fastest method of long-distance communication, a young man applied for a job as a Morse Code operator. Answering an ad in the newspaper, he went to the office address that was listed. When he arrived, he entered a large, busy office filled with noise and clatter, including the sound of the telegraph in the background. A sign on the receptionist’s counter instructed job applicants to fill out a form and wait until they were summoned to enter the inner office.
The young man filled out his form and sat down with the seven other applicants in the waiting area. After a few minutes, the young man stood up, crossed the room to the door of the inner office, and walked right in. Naturally, the other applicants perked up, wondering what was going on. They muttered among themselves that they hadn’t heard any summons yet. They assumed that the young man who went into the office made a mistake and would be disqualified.
Within a few minutes, however, the employer escorted the young man out of the office and said to the other applicants, “Gentlemen, thank you very much for coming, but the job has just been filled.”
The other applicants began grumbling to each other, and one spoke up, saying, “Wait a minute, I don’t understand. He was the last to come in, and we never even got a chance to be interviewed. Yet he got the job. That’s not fair!”
The employer said, “I’m sorry, but all the time you’ve been sitting here, the telegraph has been ticking out the following message in Morse Code: ‘If you understand this message, then come right in. The job is yours.’ None of you heard it or understood it. This young man did. The job is his.”
The importance of hearing God cannot be over-emphasized. It is extremely important. The Psalmist says, “I will hear what God Jehovah will speak; ..” Psalms 85:8. And yet, we live in a world where many folks do not hear God as He speaks.
There can be several reasons for this problem. I am persuaded that some people make no attempt to listen. These are like the wayside soil in Jesus’ parable of the Seed and The Sower (Luke 8:5, 12). They allow Satan (the birds of the air) to take away the Seed (word) before it can take root. Other people are addicted to the things of the world. They seek the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the vainglory of life (1 John 2:16). They will listen, but when it comes to choosing, they choose the world (Luke 8:6, 13). Still, others are distracted by the noise and commotion of the world. There is so much going on in their lives that competes for their attention, the voice of God is choked from their minds (Luke 8:7, 14). In all of these cases, it is not the absence of God’s word but the absence of listening.
How can people overcome the flaw of hearing without listening? The answer is focus! Focus on being a good listener. Many people think if they sit quietly while another speaks, they will have heard the message. That is not always true. Hearing the message implies doing (James 1:22-25). To truly hear God amidst all the clutter, one must seek (Matthew 6:33).
Some Christians, in pondering the lack of response to the preaching of the gospel, have concluded that the problem is an over saturation of preaching. People are too familiar with the Bible, therefore, they are immune to its teaching.
I disagree! We don’t need less exposure to the Bible, just hearers who listen! Do you listen?
Related Article: How Well Do You Listen?
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A Blessed Rest
Mike Johnson
Revelation 14:13 says, “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.’”
The word “blessed” means “happy.” There is an undeniable sense in which death brings sorrow. However, for those who “die in the Lord,” death, in a sense, can be regarded as a happy occasion. Heaven is a place of joy, rest, and peace, and we will experience this for eternity.
How do our “works” follow us? Consider two senses. First, if an individual lives a faithful Christian life, the positive impact of this person’s life continues after death. In Hebrews 11:4, we learn that Able, although dead, continues to speak. Also, Peter spoke of his approaching death in the first chapter of 2 Peter. After pointing out he would soon die, he said, “Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.” Our life on earth impacts others after we die, and our works do follow us. Another way to look at this passage is that the consequences of our deeds follow us into the next life, as judgment will be based on what we have done upon this earth. II Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” Also, in Romans 2:6, we are told God will render to every man “according to his deeds.”
In conclusion, it is essential to consider that this blessed rest spoken of in Revelation 14:13 is only for those “who die in the Lord.” As the text indicates, it is for those who have “labored” for Him. Salvation only awaits those who “die in the Lord.” What is your situation? Are you “in the Lord?” Are you laboring for the Lord? If so, your death can be a joyous occasion!
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The Possibility of Apostasy (6)
Simon the Sorcerer
(Acts 8:5-25)
Mike Johnson
Many passages teach that a child of God can fall from grace. Among them is Acts 8:5-25, which describes the conversion of the people of Samaria and a sorcerer named Simon. Many responded to Philip’s preaching and became Christians. Verse 12 says they believed, and Philip baptized them. Mark 16:16 says, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved….” Thus, belief and baptism are two conditions for salvation. Verse 13 points out that Simon also believed and was baptized, and then he “. . . continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.” Eventually, Peter and John came to Samaria from Jerusalem to bestow the gifts of the Holy Spirit upon the people (vs. 14-17). Upon seeing them do this, Simon offered money and said, “…Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter then rebuked Simon very sharply and told him his heart was not right in the sight of God. He said, “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you” (22).
Most agree Simon was in a lost state based on what Peter told him (20-22). Therefore, we have a man becoming a Christian, committing sin, and then becoming lost. The “once saved, always saved” supporter will generally object at this point by saying Simon was not really a Christian at all — he just pretended to be.
Indeed, a person sometimes may say he believes but not be a believer. We cannot read a person’s heart. However, Simon was not such a person. In verse 13, Luke is not just expressing an opinion about Simon. Instead, we have “INSPIRATION” (the inspired Scripture), saying Simon believed, so we know he did. Please note further how Simon did what the Samaritans did: Simon believed and was baptized. Consequently, he was a saved person who became lost.
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Sure Signs of Backsliding
- When the way to the meeting house seems too far.When the sermon seems too long.
- When the singing comes hard and seems dreary.When you see so much to dislike in your brethren.
- When the preacher makes you mad.
- When the members frequently say things that offend you.
- When your reading of the Bible is dull and puts you to sleep.
- When it frets you to be called on to give.
- When you feel that there is no use of working with the sinners around you.
- When you are impatient with the shortcomings of your brethren and feel you have few or none of your own.
- When you make excuses for your sins and try to persuade yourself
that God will not punish or judge.
THEN YOU ARE NOT RIGHT WITH GOD. YOU ARE DRIFTING, BACKSLIDING, SINNING.
(From: The Old Paths, Owensboro, KY, 1/16/05)
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______ A Tree or a PostFrank Jamerson |
“A tree and a post stood side by side. At first, the tree was small and slender, and could have been easily broken off. The post was large and solid and supported a fence. The forces of nature began their work and the post rotted and fell to the earth. The tree grew a little each year until it became sturdy and useful.
What was the difference? One was dead, and the other was alive! Are you like the tree or the post?”
The above illustration shows clearly two kinds of lives. Paul taught that one who was dead in sin becomes alive in Christ when he is “buried in baptism and raised to walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4). The Christian is expected to grow, for the same reason a tree grows, he is alive! Those who do not continue to assimilate food and grow will die. Are you like a tree, or a post?
Via Words of Life
Pleasant Grove, AL
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Audio Messages
Short Bible Message
(Psalm 27:14)
Sermon
(Preached 9-18-07)
Dave Bradford
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Editor: Mike Johnson