Our_Bulletin_3_9

Tom's Pen

Enthusiasm

by Tom Wacaster

Ralph Waldo Emerson has been credited with saying, "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." Our English word is more of a transliteration from the Greek than it is a translation of the word. The Greek, "enthousiasmos" (hear the similarity?), means "possessed or inspired of God." While the word "enthusiasm" does not appear in our English Bibles, the word "zeal" does. In 2 Kings 10:16 Jehu was sent on a mission to destroy the influence of Baal, and he invited a friend to "come with me and see my zeal for the Lord." Paul wrote that we are to be diligent, "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord" (Rom. 12:11).

The biblical formula for success is zeal plus knowledge. If either of the two are left out of the formula it can only lead to ruin. Consider, for example, the danger of zeal without knowledge. Israel had a "zeal for God, but not according to knowledge" (Rom. 10:2). When men walk according to how they might "feel in their heart" and ignore plain Bible teaching, they possess misguided zeal. The consequences of this kind of zeal can be catastrophic and do untold harm to the one who is overly zealous, not to mention those with whom he might come in contact. The Psalmist told us that God's word is a "lamp" and a "light" unto our path (Psa. 119:150). When men have zeal, but fail or refuse to abide by God's word, they are likened unto a man running at full speed in a dark room not knowing where he is going or what obstacles lie in his path.

On the other end of the spectrum are those who possess knowledge but are woefully lacking in zeal. They become complacent in their duties, satisfied with the position they hold, with little concern for whether or not others join them in their belief. Someone has said, "You cannot kindle a fire in any other heart until it is burning within your own." Uninspired writers have commented on the power of enthusiasm:

"Enthusiasm is that certain something that makes us great - that pulls us out of the mediocre and commonplace - that builds into us Power."

"Enthusiasm: The maker of friends, the maker of smiles, the producer of confidence."

"Enthusiasm is the inspiration that makes us wake up a live. It puts spring into our step, a twinkle in our eyes, and gives us confidence in ourselves and our fellow man."

"Zeal changes a dead-pan salesman into a producer, a pessimist into an optimist, and a loafer into a go-getter."

Knowledge less zeal spells lukewarmness, and we know how the Lord feels about lukewarmness (Rev. 3:15-16). Unfortunately there are many Christians who have their names on the church roll, but who could care less about growth, visitation, personal work, study, prayer, et al. Good intentions often accompany their knowledge, but little is done to see these intentions come to fruition.

One brother was fond of repeating the following phrase: "Upon the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of countless millions who, on the threshold of victory, sat down to wait, and waiting, died."

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The Positive About the Negative

by Lee Moses

Many a faithful Gospel preacher has been chided for being "too negative" in his preaching. True, a preacher can certainly be overly negative; robbing Christians of the joy which is rightfully theirs by blasting the congregation from the pulpit every Lord's Day, condemning them for sins of which they are not guilty, and omitting the preaching of the encouragement offered in the Bible. Positive preaching is an essential part of preaching. However, it is not the entirety of preaching-it is only part. Negative preaching is also essential, including that which God has commanded man not to do and God's warnings to man. When the Lord gave His commission to Jeremiah as a prophet, He told him, "Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant" (Jer. 1:9-10). Jeremiah had the authority to preach God's word, by which he would strive to accomplish six things: (1) He would root out ("pluck up" - American Standard Version) (2) He would pull down ("break down" - ASV) (3) He would destroy (4) He would throw down ("overthrow" - ASV) (5) He would build (6) He would plant. Notice that the first four objectives of Jeremiah's preaching were negative, while only the last two were positive-the negative was twice the positive. Having a certain balance of positive to negative preaching is a concept extended into the New Testament. Paul commanded the younger evangelist Timothy, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine" (II Timothy 4:2). Again, there is seen twice the negative (reprove, rebuke) to the positive (exhort). It is often said that a car battery needs both a positive and negative post, otherwise the car will never start. If the church has no negative preaching, it will not work as it should, yet "we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). Before we can "build" and "plant"; we must root out, pull down, destroy, and throw down all things contrary to God's will in order to leave the pure foundation of Christ upon which to build (I Corinthians 3:10-11).

The Lord has reasons for demanding negative preaching. Warning is a foremost component of preaching: "I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me" (Ezekiel 3:17). Paul told the elders of the Ephesian church, "I am pure ('innocent' - New King James Version) from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. . . . watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears" (Acts 20:26-27,31). If Paul omitted the negative portions of God's word, he would have been guilty of their blood. He also ceased not to warn (preach negatively to) everyone night and day for well over two years. One may be sinning and not aware of it; yet he is still accountable to God for his sin (Ezek. 3:18). Some may simply need reminders of what sin is, that they can avoid it and help others avoid it. Even the righteous need to be warned (Ezek. 3:21).

Man can only be saved through the Gospel (Romans 1:16); and the Gospel, though a message of "good news," is fraught with negative warnings as well. This is because God desires that all be saved, and, if unwarned, man will run the way of sin and none will be saved. Biblical negative preaching is saving preaching. Christians should appreciate negative preaching-if they hear it and heed it, the results will be positive.

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Family News and Notes

Men remember the Men's Business Meeting following the evening services tonite. Please make plans to attend. Your presence and input is important.

Upcoming events:

Gospel Meeting by Talco church of Christ: Topic-BIBLICAL FLOOD with Professor Marion Fox

March 16th at the church building

In Talco: 9:45 am - 11:45 am

7:30 pm - 9:15 pm

and Monday thru Thursday

at Rivercrest Jr. High

Auditorium

6:30 - 8:00 pm

8:00 - 8:15 pm refreshments

8:15 - 8:45 pm Question &

Answer Session

Gospel Meeting this Spring!!!

Scheduled for Thursday, May 1st thru Sunday, May 4th. The services will be conducted by brother David Coats of Gonzales church of Christ, Gonzales, Louisiana. His wife, Wendy will be with him. Watch for more details later.

Summer Youth Series . Here June 9th with Michael Light as Speaker.

Correction: In last week's bulletin it was noted a wheelchair was donated. This was donated by Winnie Patton and not by Ruby Pipkin. This editor apologizes for the error.

Celebrating Anniversaries last Wednesday were:

Jim and Barbara Duncan --- 37 years

Ralph & Hazel Phillips --- 55 years

Celebrating TODAY are: Gene and Billye Campbell

Congratulations y'all!

Bob Adams has been diagnosed with Prostate cancer. He saw his doctor this past Monday and is scheduled for surgery on the 18th of March at Baylor Hospital in Dallas.

Myrtis Grissom had knee surgery last Monday in Paris. She was to be transferred back to Mount Pleasant for Rehab.

Patsy Embree had more tests last week in an effort to determine her problem (s) and proper treatment.

Several folks have been ill at home or in the hospital, and need to be remembered in our prayers. You are urged to check the PRAYER LIST for those folks.

Gene Rybak (a friend of Lee and Kelley Moses) has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.

THANK YOU "Thank you for the cards, calls, and offers of help. We also appreciated the warm "Welcome back." We missed you.

--Jamie & Betty Duncan"

The following letter was received from Martha Black: "Dear church friends and family ,I would like to ask for your help for a project that I am planning. If you have anyone from your congregation or anyone in their close family who has been deployed to the Middle East I would like to ask you to please send me their names and directions on how to send mail to them. Please send it to:

Martha Black

Rt 1, Box 35A

Scroggins, Texas 75480

903-860-7020 email: blackent@quik.com

Thank you very much, Martha Black, Mt Vernon church of Christ.

Brother Larry Black, Scroggins, Texas, has written three books and the first one has been recently published, entitled: "Vengeance is Mine". A book signing is scheduled in this area as soon as their publisher gets the marketing info to them. If you are interested in a copy you may contact Larry Black at: Rt. 1, Box 35A, Scroggins, Texas 75480.

PRAYER LIST:

Delores Adams, Justin Barker, Billy Carter, Suzanne Charlton, Narci Cooper, Perry Cooper, Patsy Duncan, Patsy Embree, Jerry Freeman, Myrtice Grissom, Howard Horton, Hollis Lee, Wade Miller, Meryl Riley, Murphy Ross,

ALSO: Christelle Cato, R. C. Grissom, Minnie Moore, Eldon Ring, Gene Rybak