HAMILTON, AL

Religion Page

Bro. Preston Headrick
Pastor of
Christ Community Fellowship
Hamilton, AL
"Preston Headrick" <pastor@ccfhamilton.org>

 OIL EM DON'T SPOIL EM

1Sa 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

We have just concluded one month of grand parenting. It has been very exciting in making this time of transition. It has brought back a lot of good memories of when our two children were infants. On the other hand I thought about how our priorities have changed since our children were born...

#270 Continued...

PART ONE

It’s not hard to look at the world around us and become discouraged. But time and again God’s children are told to be happy. The apostle Paul was one who had many opportunities to be discouraged, but instead worked through his problems while encouraging others more fortunate than himself.

Such is seen in the book of Philippians. From the opening chapter we see Paul is a prisoner in chains (vv 12-17). However, Paul is not concerned with how many brethren come to visit him or send him letters of encouragement. Rather, despite his circumstances, he writes to encourage the brethren at Philippi (vv 12-14). In fact, the entire epistle is one of warmth and exhortation. As Paul concludes this marvelous letter, he gives a number of admonitions to the brethren on how that can be joyful in every circumstance. In each of the first nine verses of Phillipians 4 can be found an imperative or a truth by which the Philippian brethren could find and maintain genuine biblical joy. Consider . . .

Verse 1 – Stand fast in the Lord, knowing you are loved. Love is the greatest of all virtues (1 Corinthians 13:13). It is the final fruit of "the Christian graces" (2 Peter 1:5-11). Few people are more miserable than those who continually ride an emotional roller coaster without any semblance of an even keel. While we understand that life can have highs and lows, a lack of balance is just not emotionally healthy. Note how Paul uses the word "beloved" as bookends to his admonition to be steadfast in the Lord. Understanding that we are loved helps us to avoid being led too high or too low by relatively insignificant matters.

Verse 2 – Be of one mind with the brethren. In accordance with prophecy (Isaiah 2:2-3; Joel 2:28-32; Daniel 2:44), the church of Christ was established in Acts 2. Five times in the first five chapters of Acts we read of the brethren as being "of one accord." I remember as a youngster having the privilege of seeing and hearing the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. The word so translated "accord" has a musical nuance. A symphony contains many different families of instruments: brass, string, woodwinds, percussion (and different types even within those categories). Yet when properly tuned and played, the music of each blends with the whole to make a pleasant sound. The same can be said of the church. The local body is made up of a variety of individuals: rich, poor, educated, street smart, etc. But when everyone is dedicated to living like Christ and reflecting him in their lives, it creates a beautiful picture for all to see, both in and out of the church. Paul really drove home this point as he mentioned it in 1:27 and 3:16. Consider also the great importance that Paul placed on unity. He was willing to single out two women, sisters in the local congregation, as being in a state of discord. Their names are forever recorded in the pages of holy writ as Paul encouraged them to be of the same mind in the Lord. Note finally that being of the same mind is not the goal, but to be of the same mind in the Lord. People can agree or be in agreement on error of all kinds, including religious, but agreement does not trump truth (John 17:17-23).

Verse 3 – Knowing my name is in the book of life. The imperative here is to help those fellow laborers who had assisted Paul in his work. But when one considers the importance of having the assurance of salvation, everything else pales in comparison. But we must issue a word of caution. One can only know he’s saved by comparing his life to the commands given in the Bible. In his first epistle John said his audience could know they were saved by the things that are written (1 John 5:13). Not by their feelings (Proverbs 14:12; 28:26; Jeremiah 17:9). Not by the words of some so-called man of God (Jeremiah 6:13-14). Only by a careful comparison of one’s life and deeds as such measures up to the will of God (Matt 7:21-23).

More next time.
Todd Clippard

PART TWO

Paul’s keys to joy are seen in the book of Philippians. The words "joy" and "rejoice" appear 18 times in this marvelous little book. In our last article, we noted how the first nine verses of chapter 4 contain several imperatives by which the Philippian brethren could find and maintain genuine biblical joy. Specifically, verse 1 Paul shows that steadfastness of faith produces joy. Verse 2 identifies unity of mind with our brethren as a source of joy. And verse 3 reveals the joy that comes through a knowledge that our name is in the book of Life. In this installment we continue our study of Philippians 4:1-9 and "Paul’s Keys to Joy."

Verse 4 admonishes Christians to be joyful in every circumstance. Such is the very essence of true Christianity. Paul suffered many things for his faith in Jesus and labor in the kingdom. He lists just a few of these in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 and 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. In Philippians 1:12-18 Paul expressed his ability to rejoice even when Christ was preached with devilish intentions, even when such meant greater discomfort for himself!

Verse 5 says we should be joyful knowing the proximity of the Lord. There is (at least) a two-fold blessing in the nearness of the Lord. In the great shepherd Psalm, David said "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me" (Psalm 23:4 KJV). The Hebrew writer quoting Moses (Deut 31:8) and David (Ps 27:1) penned, "For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’" (Heb 13:5-6). What a blessing it is to know the Lord is with us at all times!

Yet there is another side to this blessing of the Lord’s presence. When we understand the Lord is near us, we also believe He sees all things and will repay accordingly. He will repay good to those who do well. Paul assured the Thessalonians that the Lord would give rest to the troubled (2 Thes 1:7). "For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister" (Heb 6:10-11 NKJV). On the other hand, the Lord will also repay those who trouble His people, "seeing it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you (2 Thes 1:6). The martyred saints understood this as well, crying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" (Rev 6:10). This is the very reason Christians need not worry themselves with vengeance (Rom 12:17-19).

Verse 6 gives the assurance of joy knowing the Lord hears our prayers. This allows us to live above the devastating consequences of worry. The etymology of the English word "worry" means "to strangle," literally as a wolf would take a sheep by the throat. In like fashion, worry will squeeze the very life from our bodies. Knowing that I can take every care to my Lord with the full assurance he will hear my pleas is a most liberating blessing. I can take every care to my Lord, no matter how large or small, "Casting all your cares upon him, for he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).

More next time. TC

Part 3 (the conclusion)

We live in difficult times. As noted in our last two articles, it can be difficult to look at the world around us without becoming discouraged. But time and again God’s children are told to be happy. Though the apostle Paul had many opportunities to be discouraged, he worked through his problems while maintaining a genuine joy and encouraging others to do the same.

Paul’s keys to joy are seen in the book of Philippians. The words "joy" and "rejoice" appear 18 times in this marvelous little book. We have focused on the first nine verses of chapter 4 and the imperatives by which the Philippian brethren could find and maintain genuine biblical joy. Specifically, verse 1 Paul shows that steadfastness of faith produces joy. Verse 2 identifies unity of mind with our brethren as a source of joy. And verse 3 reveals the joy that comes through a knowledge that our name is in the book of Life. Verse 4 admonishes Christians to be joyful in every circumstance. Such is the very essence of true Christianity. Verse 5 says we should be joyful knowing the proximity of the Lord. Verse 6 gives the assurance of joy knowing the Lord hears our prayers.

In verse 7 we are admonished to find joy as we live in peace. Not only are we commanded to live at peace, we are also told to pursue peace. The Hebrews writer put it thusly, "Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see God" (Heb 12:14). Note how peace is to be pursued among all men. This includes our brethren (1 Thes 5:13); and even with our enemies (Romans 12:17-19). Moreover, we are to live at peace with God (Eph 2:13-15). This is only accomplished when we walk according to the Spirit as those who are spiritually minded (Rom 8:5-6).

Verse 8 teaches us to find peace as we set our minds on worthy things. So many in the world are looking for peace in places where there is none. There is no peace in the bottom of a bottle of alcohol (Prov 23:22-23). There is no peace in pursuing immoral relationships: "The lips of a strange woman drop as a honeycomb and her mouth is smoother than oil: but . . . her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell . . . . Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death" (Prov 5:3-5; 7:27). Rather, "let your fountain be blessed and rejoice with the wife of your youth. . . . always be enraptured with her love" (Provs 5:18-19). When set our minds on good things we will think good thoughts. And as Jesus taught us, "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things" (Matt 12:35).

Finally, in verse 9 Paul teaches us of the joy that comes from finding a good example and following it. This marked the second time Paul admonished the Philippian brethren to follow his example (cf 3:17) This is similar to his statement to the Corinthians to "follow me even as I also follow Christ" (1 Cor 11:1). Ultimately, our example is Christ (John 13:15; 1 Peter 2:21-22). We must follow Him in all things: "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be" (John 12:26). Johnny Ramsey used to provide his own explanation and commentary on this text saying, "If we’ll follow Jesus wherever he goes, we’ll end up where he is." What a wonderful thought to think that as Jesus was once where we are (Heb 4:15), we can one day be where he is (John 14:3).

May we always exhibit the real joy of genuine Christianity! TC

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Mentoring Moments

An Online Magazine For Christian Women

Mentoring Moments for Christian Women is an online magazine published with the sole purpose of encouraging women. Founded in 2005 by friends Kellie Renfroe, Loi Palmer, and Rhonda Ellis.

Some of you may know that one of the Founders of the online magazine, Kellie Kitchens Renfroe, is a native of Hamilton, AL.

Mentoring Moments Mission Statement

Mentoring Moments for Christian Women is a non-denominational online magazine and e-zine to provide encouragement, training, and practical tips for women in their everyday walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. It is our belief that God has a plan and purpose for every woman. By dropping the masks, becoming real, tearing down the walls around our hearts, and allowing the Lord to refresh and renew us, we'll experience personal revival as we depend on Him and His Word. With tips to stay sane no matter what the season of life, Mentoring Moments for Christian Women purposes to be a breath of fresh air: bringing ideas on creating a peaceful home, transparent heartfelt testimonies, and biblical insight for women.
 

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