Compassion

I love you mom

Posted on by Jesse Walker

If you’re listening to this short video, you have a mother.  I pray she’s as great as mine.   My mom is a quiet and gentle spirit. Many of you can say the same thing about your mother. My mother never complains. Unless it’s when her computer fails. Don’t tell her I said that. I never recall my mother being mad because she couldn’t buy herself a new dress, or fancy shoes. She was content being a mom.  In Ephesians 6:1-4 it says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” – which is the first commandment with a promise – “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

When God wanted to show his children how much he cares for them he chooses a mother’s compassion. For in Isaiah 66:13 it says, “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.” Out of all of the objects, all of the imagery God could summon up, he chose a mother’s compassion to show how He himself is compassionate. Let that sink in a minute. Your mother’s compassion is like that of God’s.

In Luke 2:19, Mary treasured all these things in her heart.  Mary quietly stood back, and watch Jesus grow from an infant to a young man.  She didn’t need to have the spotlight on her. She was meek and gentle. She wanted the best for Jesus.  Mary, like most moms, stood off in the background, quietly influencing her son to be all he could be. Watching to make sure he wasn’t hurt.  And if he was, running to his defense.

Mothers, thank you for all the endless hours you’ve sacrificed ensuring your children have what they need. Thank you for waking up in the middle of the night to calm them down when their scared from a scary movie, or a bad dream. Thank you for listening when our hearts were broken by puppy love. Lord, please shine forth your glory today on all mothers near and far.  I love you mom.  And this is Jesse Walker with the Glenwood Church of Christ.

Divine Jealousy

Posted on by Jesse Walker

What do you think about when you hear the word jealousy? In our culture this normally indicates bad behavior. Behavior we’ve all seen when someone flies off the handle. Have you ever gotten jealous over your friends who live in a bigger house or drive a nicer car?

But did you know that jealousy doesn’t always have to be bad. If it motivates us to do better. For example, to study harder so we can get a better job. Or to work harder so we can get promoted, that isn’t always bad.

Did you know that God is a jealous God? In fact, in Exodus 20:3-5, God tells his people they shall have no other God’s before him because he is a jealous God. Again, in Deuteronomy 24:4 it says, For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.  How can God be a loving God and a jealous God? The simplest answer is, God does not get jealous like man does. His jealousy is not driven by emotions.  He doesn’t change because of how he feels that day. God is the same today, tomorrow, and forever. God is a jealous God because of his commitment to love you and me. God will not allow you or me to cheapen our relationship with him. In 2 Cor 11:2 the apostle Paul wrote, “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.” God expects his people to be committed to him like a husband and wife are to be committed to each other. You might say for richer or poorer, through sickness and health, through good or bad.

God’s jealousy is a divine jealousy.  A commitment to his people.  And it’s this commitment that led him to offer his greatest gift himself. Yes, God is a jealous God because he paid a great price for you and me.  But God’s jealousy doesn’t end there, his commitment to you and me, never ends.   It is God who gives us every good and perfect gift.  His jealousy for us is why he gives us all things that pertain to life and Godliness. God is committed to no one else, like he is committed to his bride the church.   And one day his Son, Jesus is coming back for his bride.  Will you join me today in praising God for loving us like no other one else has ever done.  I pray you will.

Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself

Posted on by Bob Mathews

In our society today it is common for one to not want to get involved in other people’s problems, perhaps prompted by the misguided idea that we have no responsibility unto others in their time of need. The story of the good Samaritan, whether a parable or an account of actual events, illustrates otherwise (Luke 10:25-37).

Probably, most Christians today will not ask, “Who is my neighbor?,” in an effort to justify indifference to the needs of others. Yet, if we are inattentive to those needs when we have the opportunity and ability to address them (ref. Mt. 25:14-30), then we place ourselves in a similar context as that of the lawyer who sought to justify himself.

As illustrated in the story, everyone does not exercise a spirit of unselfish love and compassion for strangers. The very ones that would be expected to do so, in view of their religious standing, may deliberately avoid the responsibility. Such is a tragedy for the Lord’s church and an embarrassment and sin for those who exercise an uncaring heart.

The Samaritan’s context is compelling. He was of pagan stock who was cursed publicly in the synagogue. The Jews prayed that Samaritans would have no part in the resurrection of life and rejected them as proselytes. To eat their food was regarded by the Jew as eating the flesh of swine. The Jews thought it better to suffer than to accept the help of a Samaritan. They avoided them if at all possible. Yet, when the stranger was in need, the Samaritan assisted beyond measure. He extended a caring heart to the very ones who seemed to despise him greatly. He truly is our example of being a neighbor to those about us. May we direct our lives in a way that gives us the courage and aptitude to love the unlovely and to make a lasting impact in our community.

Burden of Loneliness

Posted on by Bob Mathews

When we are sad from being alone or when we long for home and family while absent from them, we thus experience first hand the burden of loneliness. The painful experience of loneliness may be the result of our continuing need to have social interaction with other human beings.  It may also be the consequence of our strong desire to be reunited with another whom we love so dearly, which may not be possible in the near future or in this life.  Though loneliness may be experienced as we have no one else with us, we may also be lonely in the midst of a large crowd because the emotional needs which have been addressed in specifically nurtured relationships may not be fulfilled in any other context.

In one sense, Jesus was alone in this world: “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not” (John 1:10).  Most certainly, Jesus was absent from His heavenly home and family (John 1:1-2, 14).  Question:  What does the biblical record affirm that Jesus did during the time when He was away from His heavenly home? What things did He do which would in some measure minimize or neutralize the burden of loneliness which He no doubt experienced during His earthly ministry?  Though we may not be able to fully address this question, we may observe several traits of Jesus which, if applied in our individual lives today as needed in connection with our personal hardships, may provide some means by which we may alleviate or lessen the burden of loneliness which we alone face in our everyday struggle to find peace and rest in the midst of pain and despair.  This article will hopefully present at least a partial answer to the above question and will provide some means by which the burdens of life may be eased.

We may observe that Jesus freely left home when responsibilities took Him away (Matt. 4:12-13, 17).  He was not compelled under personal duress to place Himself in a context which may produce loneliness as He was absent from the Father. Notably, Jesus demonstrated the course to follow while facing the prospect of loneliness.

  1. He busied Himself with His work rather than idling time away (Matt. 4:23; John 4:34-35).
  2. He drew close to new friends instead of allowing the absence of former associates to overcome Him (Matt. 4:18-22).
  3. He became emotionally bonded to those about Him rather than maintaining distant friendships (Matt. 9:36; John 11:33-36).
  4. He communed with righteous men while enduring a more distant fellowship with the Father (Matt. 17:1-3).
  5. He valued private time alone, providing for timely personal reflection, instead of being cut off from both past and future (Matt. 14:22-23).
  6. He maintained communication with His heavenly Father rather than totally breaking off old ties that bound Him closely to the Father (Matt. 11:25-26).
  7. He spoke openly of His relationship with His Father, thus sharing the joys of the relationship, instead of being excessively private (John 5:17-24).
  8. He looked joyfully to the future rather than dwelling excessively upon His separation from the Father (Matt. 19:27-29).
  9. He never lost sight of His point of origin instead of failing to draw upon His spiritual heritage (John 6:33-35,38; 8:42).
  10. He was ever aware that He would be reunited with His Father (Matt. 10:32; John 7:33), being separated from His Father but not alone (John 8:15-16; 8:28-29; 10:30).  May we possess the courage and the ability to follow the course of Jesus and thereby alleviate the anguish of spirit that engulfs us as we endure loneliness in this life.

The Ideal Congregation (Pt. 7)

Posted on by Bob Mathews

The ideal congregation maintains faithfulness in doctrine, worship, and life.  John, generally regarded as the apostle of love, commented forcefully upon each of these.

Regarding doctrine, he said, “Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God” (2 John 1:9a).  The one who progresses beyond the authoritative and scriptural boundary line of the inspired Word of God and thereby no longer resides in the teaching whose origin is Christ — this is the very one whose fellowship and unity with God, the Father, has been broken.

Regarding worship, John said, “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).  Accordingly, our worship of God, the Father, must be in the proper attitude (in spirit) and in harmony with revealed truth (in truth).  Worship in truth but not in spirit degrades into mere ceremonialism and formalism while worship in spirit but not in truth degrades into mere emotionalism.

Regarding life, John said, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10b).  If we truly expect everlasting spiritual life as a crown, then may our faithfulness in life be unto death, that is, until we die and be that which, if necessary, brings about our untimely death.

Yes, the people of God maintain faithfulness in doctrine, worship, and life.  To do otherwise constitutes a course which robs us of our present spiritual security and our future spiritual inheritance.  May we always have the courage to seek out the Lord’s will in all matters wherein he has spoken and the fortitude to live and teach accordingly.

The ideal congregation concerns itself with the physical and spiritual needs of others.  The apostle Paul said, “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10).  We are thus commended to extend acts of moral excellence to the mass of society, with a special obligation unto members of the Lord‘s church (ref. 1 Tim. 3:15).  In so doing, let us be wise to avoid the extreme of failing to be good stewards of our possessions (1 Cor. 4:2) as we actively employ a benevolent spirit both individually and congregationally.  May the people in our community know us as a giving, caring people, and may they witness this in our daily life.

Someone once said, “People do not care how much we know until they know how much we care.”  This old proverb has been confirmed in church growth studies and in everyday life.  Genuine church growth is rooted in great sacrificial love for others.  The heavenly Father has set the example for us (John 3:16; Eph. 5:1).  Therefore, as we evidence our concern for the physical well-being of our friends, neighbors, and brethren, let us also “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15) and “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness;” (Gal. 6:1).  May we not only be spiritually-minded as a child of God (ref. Rom. 8:6) but may we also so employ this righteous disposition so that others who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be truly filled (ref. Matt. 5:6) because we dared to exercise this spirit in our personal relationship with them.  May the Lord bless each of us this week as we serve our Risen Savior.

Lessons on Service from the Life of Paul

Posted on by Bob Mathews

While countless lessons could be pulled from aspects of Paul’s life, today we will focus on a somewhat short moment shared between Paul and the elders from the Ephesus church (Acts 20:17-38). Paul has been traveling around from one place to the next teaching the message of Christ. While in Miletus, he sent for the elders, before starting his journey towards Jerusalem. In this short visit, Paul had a touching and powerful moment with those leaders that conveys some amazing lessons on what it means serve the Lord and how we ought to do so. Again, there are more lessons that could likely be pulled even from this section, but I would like to share with you six lessons that should hold meaning if you have an earnest desire to serve the Lord.

First, working for God needs a daily routine (v. 18). From the moment Paul got to the mission field he began to work. Serving God by preaching and teaching the Christ was something he made a prominent part of his day-to-day. We all typically have routines that we follow. Have you made service for Christ part of your routine? Is it something that is even important enough to make the list of things to do? Paul definitely thought it was! Hopefully we will follow that lesson from him.

Second, we are to serve with humility (v. 19).  While Paul had probably the most that he could boast about above anyone else, he constantly tries to remind us that our service is to God. It is about Him, not us. As Jesus taught in the Gospel of Matthew, those who wish to be seen by men (for the praises of men) will have there reward in full and will receive nothing from God. If we make it about ourselves or toot our own horn when we do something, we are not properly serving in a way that will bring glory to or shine a light on God who is the one that all people actually need.

Third, service to God must be with compassion (v. 19, 31). A phrase you may notice in both those verses is, “with tears.” It doesn’t mean they were just walking around blubbering all the time about the difficulties of life. It means that they had true love and  real compassion for the work they were doing and the people they were working with. Paul cared about the lost souls and desired for them to find Christ. He also cared for those who already found Christ. The truth is difficult times came and Paul showed compassion for those that struggled and because of it better built them up in Christ by showing them the love of Christ. Have we been doing a great job of showing that love and compassion to those inside and outside of Christ today? If you say or think not, then be the changing force that you can be. Start following in the footsteps of Christ and Paul and show the love and compassion that we all need and be example for people to follow today.

Fourth, service to God must be done in spite of trials (v. 19). As mentioned before we all go through difficulties in life. That does not mean that your struggles are invalid, but means that even with the struggles we press on in our service to God. Paul dealt with many difficulties often times brought on by plots against him from the Jews as mentioned in this verse. However, Paul never let those hard times distract from his purpose or define his character. He forged ahead serving every day and in every city he went through, even while, each city brought more strife on him (v. 23). But also know this, Paul was not alone in his work and neither are you. There are many brothers and sisters in Christ that are forging along serving next to you, whether in the flesh or in the spirit. Let them or us be a helping hand to lift you up when needed. We are here to be of service for the Lord together!

Fifth, service to God must be without compromise (v. 20, 26-27). This may be a very unpopular view among many, but regardless, it is the lesson conveyed to us by Paul. We live in a world full of compromise, but when it comes to God’s Word Paul says that he spoke it all. Twice he conveys in those verses that he did not shrink back from teaching or declaring the whole purpose of God. Because of this, he claims that he is innocent of the blood of all men. The significance in that is great. If we compromise God’s Word and don’t teach it fully and accurately, then we are in danger of being guilty of their blood. This doesn’t mean that we are not to be compassionate, loving, and understanding when we teach. However, it does mean that we cannot decide to say something God calls a sin is okay now. Paul understands that he is dealing with God’s Word not his own. We need to learn the same lesson in our own lives regardless of how culture may change or pull on us.

Sixth, service to God must be done with optimism and a positive attitude (v. 20, 32). Now, before you go saying, “that’s a bit of a stretch,” hear me out. Paul talks about declaring things that are profitable, meaning anything that brings good to your life…that being Christ. You have probably heard the old saying, “you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.” That old saying is part of the lesson here. If we carry ourselves  with a look of woe-is-me or depressed in countenance and outlook, how is that going to entice or attract someone to Christ. If we don’t live our lives every day like we actually have the best thing we could ever ask for, then people will find it hard to believe that Jesus is actually important or desirable to their lives. As Christians, we believe in the grace and mercy of God to the point that we can have an eternal life with Him in heaven. That is an extremely positive thing and we should always do our best to convey our Christian life  that way.

I pray that these lessons on service will be helpful to you in your own Christian walk. Paul has always been a great example of service because he focuses on being like Christ. Let’s follow in his footsteps and serve our God each and every day with humility, compassion, in spite of struggles, without compromise, and with an optimistic and positive attitude. May the Lord bless you all!

A Broken Spirit

Posted on by Bob Mathews

  Words are often powerful (ref. Rom. 1:16). They bring to mind scenes which may lift the soul to wonderful heights or cast one down to depths of despair. “A Broken Spirit,” mere words, does both for me. These words remind me of the spirit joyfully broken as one penitently responds to the grace of our Lord. They also bring to mind the spirit wounded and sorrowful because of the weight of life’s burdens and challenges.

The Psalmist said, “The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Ps. 34:18, NASB). Yes, the Lord establishes and strengthens His fellowship with those allowing the Word of His grace to break, ever so painfully, the bands and bonds holding us apart from Him as sin’s power dictatorially governs us. Similarly, the Psalmist added, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise” (Ps. 51:17). I trust and pray that our spirits are mutually lifted and encouraged in contemplation of the positive divine response to penitent and fully obedient hearts.

The above cited passages speak of “A Broken Spirit” in a positive manner. They lead us to seek out such a spirit, ultimately producing spiritual healing and security in Christ. They demand that we be broken in order to be whole. Yet, “A Broken Spirit” may describe the spirit shattered by forces and circumstances beyond personal power to control and withstand. They may describe a besieged child of God whose strength of faith has failed him in his hour of crisis. These words may describe you or me as we face personal spiritual challenges.

The Psalmist, speaking of the Lord, said, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Ps. 147:3). The wise man said, “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken” (Pr. 15:13). The Lord is ever aware of our condition of heart and tenderly cares for us as we endure wounds which potentially may break our spirit of faith.

Children of God throughout the Lord’s church face the real possibility and danger of experiencing a broken spirit as one wrestles with personal spiritual challenges. A lifetime of observations suggest such danger is ever present, potentially impacting the strongest personal faith. The spirits of godly elders and the newest babes in Christ may be so impacted. None of us are exempt from the forces bringing about such dire results. A number of brethren no doubt know of specific cases illustrating well the point at hand.

A broken spirit may be the result of external evil forces outside the body of Christ. On other occasions, it may result from internal forces within the fold of God. The latter may be more dangerous, if only because we are ill-prepared to be so impacted by those esteemed so highly as brethren. Yes, we are sometimes hurt more by those we love.

How may this happen? Without assuming a full understanding of such issues, the following scenario may be suggested. Members of the church are not always on the same spiritual page. Sometimes, our doctrinal and judgmental differences are pronounced. We may be growing at variant rates. Our level of tolerance and patience with those of lesser spiritual knowledge may be lacking substance. We may be reactive and fearful. Tradition may hold us in its grip. Our dream and vision for the work of God may vary significantly from that of others.  Personality conflicts may be significant.  Conflict resolution may not be our forte. Power struggles may surface openly. We may fail to work through our challenges. Instead of speaking softly, we may be carrying a big stick. We fail to consider the delicate spiritual state of other children of God. Things are said and done.  And it happens: We inadvertently break another’s spirit. Their dedication and faith is seriously damaged. They will likely, never be the same again. The marks left behind are indelible.

Brethren, each of us, from the least to the greatest, have a godly responsibility to nurture one another (Eph. 4:11-16). There will be times when either positive or negative discipline should be administered through proper channels. May we be blessed with a measure of wisdom which allows each of us to pursue the good and right while protecting rather than breaking the spirit of brethren of like precious faith. Our Lord will surely hold us accountable for the destruction of those left in our charge and care. May we protect their spirits as we protect our own. Surely this will glorify the Lord and His church and influence the world to reevaluate the body of Christ.

The Compassion of Christ

Posted on by Bob Mathews

      The compassion of Christ is evident in the story of the woman taken in adultery.  Even though the enemies of Jesus, the scribes and the Pharisees, attempted to use this opportunity to entrap Him, the Lord used this occasion to teach us valuable lessons.  Consider:

  1. Jesus did not allow the scribes and the Pharisees to divert Him from His course. – John 8:2, 6, 8, 12
  2. Jesus did not give them a platform from which to reap havoc. – John 8:6, 8
  3. Jesus was wise in His silence. – John 8:6, 8
  4. Jesus emphasized both the moral and the judicial. – John 8:7, 11
  5. Jesus was compassionate toward this sinful woman.
  6. He did not seek out a witness who was willing to stone her to death. – Deut. 17:7
  7. He was not personally inclined to throw stones at her. – John 8:11
  8. He did not seek to overturn Roman law which forbad the stoning in such cases.
  9. He did not seek out priests to stone her to death.
  10.   He gave her an opportunity to correct her life. – John 8:11

In contrast to the disposition of Jesus, the scribes and the Pharisees feigned allegiance to the law (John 8:5) while living contrary to it (8:7).  Their motivation was evil, seeking to entrap Jesus (John 8:6).  They were persistent to the point of self-condemnation (John 8:7-9) & they were dispelled by the wisdom of Christ (John 8:7-9).  Question:  As we deal with sinners about us, who are we most like: the arrogant Pharisees who used sin as a means to further their own agenda, or, are we like Jesus, who responded to sin with a compassionate spirit?

FACT of the Gospel

Posted on by Bob Mathews

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John present the one true gospel (see Gal. 1-6-9) from four different perspectives. Each writer has a particular audience in mind as he portrays the life of Jesus. Major themes within each account compose the acrostic “FACT.”

Fulfillment. It is believed that the Gospel of Matthew was sent primarily to Jewish Christians. Matthew uses the genealogy of Jesus to prove he is the fulfillment of prophesy the Messiah. Matthew includes the greatest number of quotations from the Old Testament in any New Testament book. Matthew also discusses divine intervention in the world of men and establishes Jesus’ sinless nature and position as master teacher. He does this to prove that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the fulfillment of the Old Testament because that is the goal of the book.

Action. It is believed that the Gospel of Mark was sent primarily to Gentile Christians, possibly in Rome. Mark’s account is the most concise as he portrays Jesus as a “man of action,” a powerful miracle worker. The episodes of Jesus’ life are woven together by the Greek word eutheos which is translated “straightway,” “immediately,” “at once,” and “without delay.” It is used 42 times throughout the short 16-chapter book.

Compassion. The Gospel of Luke was addressed to “most excellent Theophilus” (Luke 1:3), but it was certainly intended for a wider audience among the Gentiles. This book was the first of two volumes, the second being Acts. Luke demonstrates the compassion of Jesus for the disenfranchised of Jewish society: women, the poor, Samaritans, tax collectors, and sinners. Luke also helps comfort all those who read his writing of the gospel by providing a sense of assurance in the accuracy of the message. He lays out facts in an orderly fashion, but not merely just trying to present history. He presents historical facts that point to something greater/significant – the fact that God has entered into human history offering His Son as the payment for the sin of mankind. No greater compassion can be shown.

Truth. It is believed that the Gospel of John was written for Christians and non-Christians alike, possibly in Ephesus. John emphasizes the evidence or testimony for faith in Jesus. “Truth” is a key word, occurring over 50 times in the account. Jesus’ miracles are signs that testify to the truth: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. (John 20:30-31 – “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”)

The FACT of the matter is that Jesus is the Fulfillment of everything that was told and promised, the perfect man of Action to carry out God’s will, Compassionate in a way that proved God’s love was shown for all mankind, and the Truth that we need to believe in and bear witness of in our own lives.