Articles
Can You Imagine?
Can You Imagine?
By Craig Thomas
Einstein once said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” There’s some truth in that statement since often we can more easily understand things by using a little of our imagination. By doing so we can see more easily the ridiculous positions and practices many men take. Please read the following, use your imagination; but be sure to read and study the scripture references!
1) Can you imagine Jesus saying: “Search the Scriptures along with the The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Book of Mormon, and your denomination’s Confession of Faith (and don’t forget the Methodist Discipline and Baptist Manual!) for in them ye think you have eternal life?” (John 5:39)
2) Can you imagine Ananias telling Saul to arise and wash away his sins, and then be baptized later if he wanted to? (Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21)
3) Can you imagine Paul saying we are buried with Christ in baptism by sprinkling? (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12)
4) Can you imagine Peter allowing Cornelius to bow before him and kiss his ring? (Acts 10:25-26)
5) Can you imagine the apostle John writing: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world” as he advised Christians that it’s “ok” to drink a little at the office party in order to be sociable? (1John 2:15-16)
6) Can you imagine Paul and Silas taking funds from the church at Corinth to build a gymnasium and playground for the church at Thessalonica? (1Cor. 16:1-2)
7) Can you imagine the apostle Paul, as “Youth Director” for the church at Jerusalem, posting a notice that on the next Lord’s day there would be a sack race and wiener roast, followed by an outing to the Mount of Olives theme park in an effort “to draw others to Christ”? (Rom. 1:16-17; 10:17; 2Thes. 2:13-14)
8) Can you imagine Paul puffing on a cigarette as he thoughtfully writes, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's”? (1Cor. 6:19-20)
9) Can you imagine Jesus saying what church you belong to doesn’t matter; after all, one is as good as the other? (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4)
10) Can you imagine the Hebrew writer saying, “Let brotherly love continue so long as no one despitefully uses you”? (Heb. 13:1; Matt. 5:43-48)
11) Can you imagine Paul telling the brethren at Ephesus that he had not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God, except for those things he feared might offend some of the rich members or town folk? (Acts 20:27)
12) Can you imagine Paul who said, “Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain” (Gal. 4:10-11), giving the churches instructions for the observance of Christmas, Easter, and the Assumption of Mary which are not even found in the Bible?
13) Can you imagine the writer of Hebrews missing services because he was too tired, or the fish were biting at the lake, or relatives had dropped by for a visit? (Heb. 10:19-39)
“I Know I’m Going to Heaven”
There's an old phrase that speaks of "excusing the sins we're most inclined to, while condemning those we've no mind to." I was reminded of it recently when I read a survey in which people were asked to indicate who they thought was "very likely" or "somewhat likely" to go to heaven. An athlete known for his outrageous behavior rated a 28% chance. Four national politicians hovered around the 50% mark. A popular TV talk-show host received a 66% vote. But in the highest rating of all, 87% of the people surveyed believed they themselves would go to heaven!
The standards we have for ourselves are rarely as strict as those we hold for others. They allow us to denounce a drug addict while we remain gossips. In reality, without Christ no one is good enough to go to heaven. After praying that God would judge His enemies, the psalmist turned the spotlight on himself: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24). It's not wrong to stand against sin wherever it occurs. But it's a tragic mockery of God's grace to judge others harshly while being lenient on ourselves.
A Sincere Apology
Lloyd Ogilvie, the chaplain of the US Senate, tells about a time when he was having lunch with a prominent businessman. A woman, who recognized the executive, walked over to their table and greeted him with a hefty slap on his back, causing him to spill coffee on his suit. Then with a flamboyant gesture, she tossed her fur stole over her shoulder, brushing Dr. Ogilvie full in the face. "Oh, I'm so sorry," she apologized. The executive looked her straight in the eye and said, "Ma'am, don't be sorry, be different!"
When we sin, the Lord isn't interested in just a quick apology. He looks for a different attitude and a change of behavior. Scripture calls this godly sorrow that leads to repentance (2Cor. 7:9-10).
The Seven Beatitudes of Revelation
1. Blessed is he that reads this prophecy - Rev. 1:3.
2. Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord - Rev. 14:13
3. Blessed is he that watches for the Lord’s coming - Rev. 16:15
4. Blessed are those bidden to the Lamb’s marriage supper - Rev.19:9
5. Blessed is he that has part in the first resurrection - Rev.20:6
6. Blessed is he that keeps the Words of this Book - Rev. 22:7
7. Blessed are they that do His commandments - Rev. 22:14
A Moments Wisdom
--A wrongdoer is often a man who has left something undone, not always one who has done something.
--Small kindnesses, small courtesies, small considerations, habitually practiced in our social conversations, give greater charm to the character than the display of great talents and accomplishments.
--It does not spoil your happiness to confess your sins. The unhappiness is in not making the confession.
--Look at that beautiful butterfly and learn from it to trust in God. One might wonder where it could live in tempestuous nights, in the whirlwind, or in the stormy day; but I have noticed it is safe and dry under the broad leaf while rivers have been flooded and the mountain oaks torn up from their roots.
--A bad conscience embitters the sweetest comforts; a good one sweetens the bitterest crosses.
--Conscience warns us as a friend before it punishes us as a judge.
--There is a difference between him who does no misdeeds because of his own conscience and him who is kept from wrongdoing because of the presence of others.
Upcoming Sermons
11/10/24 AM - Spending the Night with Lions; PM - Harvesting the Fruit of Ignorance
11/17/24 AM & PM - Gospel Meeting with Brent Lewis
11/24/24 AM - Questions that Lead Us to Conquer; PM - Act in Haste; Repent in Leisure
