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A bit of preaching Archives - B. Thomas Free Bulletin Articles https://beethomas.com/tag/a-bit-of-preaching/ Simple Solutions, Free Bulletin Articles and Free Website Content Wed, 17 May 2017 00:49:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 Christianity is Offensive! https://beethomas.com/christianity-is-offensive/ Sat, 13 May 2017 02:19:11 +0000 http://beethomas.com/?p=1279 Christianity, to some, has come to be thought of as a religion of comfort. Christianity makes us feel good and should. The assurance of God’s love should overwhelm us with joy! However, Christianity is offensive. Becoming a Christian is making a change in one’s life. Being creatures of habit, change is naturally offensive. “How dare you tell me I need to change my lifestyle!” is an often heard lament.

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free Bulletin articles Bible Passage: Matthew 15:12-14

Christianity, to some, has come to be thought of as a religion of comfort. Christianity makes us feel good and should. The assurance of God’s love should overwhelm us with joy! However, Christianity is offensive. Becoming a Christian is making a change in one’s life. Being creatures of habit, change is naturally offensive. “How dare you tell me I need to change my lifestyle!” is an often heard lament from pre-Christian people.

A quick study of the Apostles and you’ll notice they offended lots of people. Jesus even offended the traditionalists and legalists of his day, the religious leaders. We too have traditionalists and legalists in our own time. There are folks who declare today, “How dare you tell me we need to change how we do church and evangelism!”

Many folks overlook or misinterpret the calls for unity and evangelism found throughout God’s word. God has one desire. He wants all people to be made right with Him. It is around this rallying point that the church should be united. The color of carpet, the style of songs, the delivery method of sermons, small group gatherings, and the ways in which we engage culture among other things, should not matter. Winning people to Christ is what matters!

The focus of any body of believers should be to win others to Christ. If we are not doing that, something is wrong! The Apostle Paul understood that desire to win others. In one passage, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, he mentions six times his desire to “win some” to Christ. Surrounding those words is his principle of accommodation. He stated that he became all things to all people so to win some. He didn’t do that literally, but he did become “like” all people to win them to Christ. He understood their culture and entered it. He may not have been comfortable doing so. Rarely is a person comfortable at all with change. Sometimes, we find it downright offensive.

Jesus changed the world. He offended the traditionalists of his day. When told by his disciples that he had offended those leaders, Jesus didn’t cower and say, “Ooops! I don’t want to offend anybody.” Read his words and you’ll find Jesus simply added insult upon injury. Jesus didn’t go out of his way to offend people. In our verses today, Jesus offended those that could keep people from becoming his followers. God’s desire is that all will be saved.

I wonder if I am personally holding on to some point of view or tradition that will keep others from following Christ? Are you? Have we made our opinions equal with those Holy Spirit breathed words of God we find in the Bible? Technically speaking, that is what many call legalism. We may just need to forsake our comfort for the sake of those pre-Christians or unchurched, among us. We have to put our love for those who don’t intimately know Jesus Christ ahead of our love of being comfortable. That may mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. I encourage congregations everywhere to begin this discussion with their members and start winning more people to Christ!

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]]> Are We a Disconnected People? https://beethomas.com/are-we-a-disconnected-people/ Sat, 13 May 2017 01:58:13 +0000 http://beethomas.com/?p=1271 I often ride an exercise bike. While I do so, I spend time talking to God, reading the Bible, or I drift back to the Wild West by reading a western from Louis L’Amour. Well, today I had a very simple thought cross my mind while I rode my bike to nowhere. I figured out that if I don’t eat right, all the exercise in the world is useless as I strive to lose weight.

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free Bulletin articles Bible Passage: James 2:19

I often ride an exercise bike. While I do so, I spend time talking to God, reading the Bible, or I drift back to the Wild West by reading a western from Louis L’Amour. Well, today I had a very simple thought cross my mind while I rode my bike to nowhere. I figured out that if I don’t eat right, all the exercise in the world is useless as I strive to lose weight.

Has anyone else figured that out? That thought reminded me of Jesus’ empty tomb. If the body of Jesus was still in that tomb, the entire Christian religion would be useless. It is all based on a risen savior. I also thought about a couple other situations that need vital connections, one is religious in nature, and the other one isn’t. The idea of saying “I love you” to a spouse is meaningless unless there are loving actions accompanying those words. And finally, I thought of the demons spoken of in the book of James. It is said that the demons believe that there is one God. James is stressing that belief without actions is meaningless.

We cannot take our lives out of context. We cannot look at one little part and say, “Wow! I’m doing good.” Our lives are connected parts of a greater plan. If our words are nice but our actions are inconsiderate, there is a disconnection. If we exercise every day but eat hot fudge sundaes for breakfast or greasy foods at every meal, there is a disconnection in our desire to be healthy.

Onto more religious matters, if Jesus died but wasn’t raised from his tomb, there is a gigantic disconnection. And if we say we love Jesus and never try to improve ourselves spiritually, there is big problem of disconnection in our life that needs fixed. Do you have this disconnection in your life? How will you become better connected? Do you need help? Just let me know and I’ll help in any way I can. Let us all try to be a more connected people.

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]]> Can’t We All Just Get Along? https://beethomas.com/cant-just-get-along/ Sat, 13 May 2017 01:29:04 +0000 http://beethomas.com/?p=1263 There are different types of people in every collective group. These groups may consist of school students, church members, or employees. Everyone within these groups won’t think alike. How do those differences affect the objectives for each group, learning, worshiping God, or completing the mission of the employer? Such differences can cause trouble.

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free Bulletin articles Bible Passage: Romans 14

There are different types of people in every collective group. These groups may consist of school students, church members, or employees. Everyone within these groups won’t think alike. How do those differences affect the objectives for each group, learning, worshiping God, or completing the mission of the employer? Such differences can cause trouble. One type of people may believe themselves to be better than others; this was the case in the Roman church in the mid-first century.

There were two types of people in the Roman church, the weak and the strong. The “weak” were those Christians from a Jewish background who thought it was sinful to eat certain foods. These Jewish Christians also held some days to be more important than others. The “strong” were mostly Christians from a non-Jewish background and some of the more progressive minded Jewish Christians. These Christians thought all foods were clean and that all days were equal. The idea is that one type of Christian thought there was more freedom found through Christ and the other group thought that there was less freedom and felt bound by some traditions. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

Paul spends Romans 14 talking to both these types of people. Paul specifically states in Romans 14:3 that both types of people should treat the other with respect. He goes on to say in Romans 14:7 that none of us live for ourselves but for God. Paul is saying that each Christian, whether “weak” or “strong” should put God and his desire first. The people of God should do all they can to accomplish God’s desires above their own. What is God’s desire? He wants people to come back to him. Look at Luke 15 and those wonderful stories. Look at 2 Peter 3:9 and God’s desire that everyone go to Heaven. We should do all we can to help God’s will happen. Sometimes, helping God’s will to happen in regards to unchurched people means becoming a bit uncomfortable with our methods. If I step outside my comfort zone to win some for Christ, then let God be praised. Paul said the same in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. Six times in that passage he says he changed his ways in order that he may win some to Christ. That’s what it’s all about folks, winning people for Christ.

The non-technical term for insanity is: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. If doing church like the 1950s doesn’t exactly have our never churched friends and relatives banging down the doors to our congregations, then maybe something has to change. Maybe we need to offer what the people want in regards to closer personal relationships through small groups. Maybe we need to worship in the heart language of the people we are trying to reach. Maybe we just need to be led by God’s desire and Paul’s desire to reach out to people who don’t intimately know our savior Jesus Christ. Maybe we just need to get back to the Bible and do God’s will.

Romans 14:13-15 has often been misinterpreted in order to keep anything from changing in our churches. In the original language, the words “stumbling block” and “obstacle” refer to something that keeps people from the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. An “obstacle” or “stumbling block” is something that trips someone up and causes them to stay away from or fall away totally from Christianity. The idea in Romans 14:15 which states that we shouldn’t cause our brother “pain, offense, or distress” is speaking to the “strong” which were looking down on the “weak” to the point of forcing them to do something against their conscience. Then later in that verse, Paul says not to do anything to “destroy” your brothers and sisters. Here again is a reinforcement of the idea that Paul’s concern is the spiritual destruction of our fellow Christians. This passage should never be taken out of its context. It should not be used to keep any change from ever taking place. This passage should be used to keep people from treating others with disrespect and with actions that can endanger one’s soul. Let us always look at the correct context of passages.

My plea is that we open our minds and hearts, maybe even just a few millimeters, in order to accomplish the will of God. The “weak” and “strong” together, can help rid our communities of hopelessness! And remember, God loves both the “strong” and the “weak.” Now excuse me as I step down from my soapbox.

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]]> Mistaken Identity https://beethomas.com/mistaken-identity/ Sat, 13 May 2017 00:57:04 +0000 http://beethomas.com/?p=1258 At a Noah’s Ark themed Vacation Bible School my son attended a couple years ago, I heard a very interesting conversation. A parent came in the door and saw her teenage daughter dressed in a costume. The first words out of her mouth were, “What are you?” Her daughter answered, “A towns person.” The mother retorted, “I thought you were going to be a pig.” I believe that was a big case of mistaken identity.

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free Bulletin articles Bible Passage: 2 Peter 1:3-9

At a Noah’s Ark themed Vacation Bible School my son attended a couple years ago, I heard a very interesting conversation. A parent came in the door and saw her teenage daughter dressed in a costume. The first words out of her mouth were, “What are you?” Her daughter answered, “A towns person.” The mother retorted, “I thought you were going to be a pig.” I believe that was a big case of mistaken identity.

Has there ever been a case of mistaken identity in your life? If you are a Christian, someone should be able to watch an hour of your life and say, “Hey, you’re a Christian.” There should be no doubt about it. I don’t know if anyone would be able to say that about me. I guess it all depends on what hour of my life they decide to watch. If someone decided to watch me while I sleep, they may look around my room and see some books on Christianity, a couple of Bibles, and some ties which have a Christian message on them. But, what about when I’m awake? That may be a different story.

There is a key to being the everyday Christian God wants us to be. I think a lot of it is found in 2 Peter 1:3-9. But before we can do the things mentioned by Peter, we have to be willing to lose control . . . of our lives that is. We have to be willing to make Jesus our Lord. That involves submitting our lives to him, all parts of our lives. We need to be an “out of control” people, which means letting someone else have control. That someone else is Jesus. I admit I’m not as out of control as I should be. Can the same be said of you?

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]]> Keep Pressing on – Church Bulletin Articles https://beethomas.com/keep-pressing-church-bulletin-articles/ Fri, 12 May 2017 20:44:56 +0000 http://beethomas.com/?p=1237 Time flies doesn’t it? It has been almost 20 years since I began reading THE UNDERGROUND EMPIRE by James Mills. This book looks with great detail, into the world of illegal drug trafficking. As a youth, I had a fascination with big level drug dealers and how their organizations were structured. Don’t ask me why. The basic point of this tidbit is to celebrate my achieving a milestone. I have finally made it to page 800.

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free Bulletin articles Bible Passage: Philippians 3:12-14

Time flies doesn’t it? It has been almost 20 years since I began reading THE UNDERGROUND EMPIRE by James Mills. This book looks with great detail, into the world of illegal drug trafficking. As a youth, I had a fascination with big level drug dealers and how their organizations were structured. Don’t ask me why.

The basic point of this tidbit is to celebrate my achieving a milestone. I have finally made it to page 800. For those of you who think I’m almost finished reading this book, you be the judge. It has taken me almost 20 years to read 800 pages. Mathematically, that means I’ve read on average, 40 pages a year. I only have 365 pages to go. Judging by my past, I should be done reading this book in nine years. I will keep on reading. One day, I will finish this book.

I will, as the Apostle Paul writes, “keep pressing on.” Whether it is finishing a 1,165 page book, completing a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle, working on a successful marriage, or living a life worthy to be called a “Christian” life, perseverance is the key. We must keep going. We must be more energetic than the Energizer bunny. Despite setbacks, we must go forward with our desire no matter what obstacles are placed in our path. Let us help one another back up when life knocks us down. Does that sound like a good plan to you?

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]]> What We Say Really Matters https://beethomas.com/what-we-say-really-matters/ Mon, 24 Apr 2017 02:00:45 +0000 http://beethomas.com/?p=1164 God gave us good hearts. If we understand that truth, the logical conclusion is that we should speak good words, encouraging words, helpful words and words that demonstrate Christ’s love in our life. How often do we do this?

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free Bulletin articles Bible Passage: Matthew 12:33-37

I may have mentioned before that our congregation has been encouraged to read through the first four books of the New Testament each month. We’re on our way to reading through Matthew, Mark, Luke and John for the third time this year. I am guilty of not reading these accounts of Jesus and his life as much as I have read other parts of the Bible. During my readings, one verse that has really hit home (not somebody else’s home, but my home) is the latter half of Matthew 12:34.

“For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.”

What has been in your heart lately? Think about what Matthew wrote. His words can pierce even the coldest of souls. If we tend to speak more unkind words than kind, what does that say about our heart condition? If we speak more about the negative than the positive, that too says a lot about our heart; it may demonstrate our need for a heart transplant or a need for a lot more time in prayer with our Father.

God gave us good hearts. If we understand that truth, the logical conclusion is that we should speak good words, encouraging words, helpful words and words that demonstrate Christ’s love in our life.

Let us pray together that our mouths will prove that are hearts are indeed full of goodness and love.

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]]> No, I Don’t Know – Free Bulletin Articles https://beethomas.com/no-dont-know-free-bulletin-articles/ Mon, 24 Apr 2017 01:34:07 +0000 http://beethomas.com/?p=1147 Gossip is a killer. I know I partake in it in some way because, like most people, I don’t know where the fine line between fact and gossip exists. Over the years, people have come up to me and said, “You know about so and so, don’t you?” More often than not, my reply has been, “No, I don’t know.”

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free bulletin articles Bible Passage: Proverbs 11:13; 16:28; 18:8; 20:19; 26:20; 26:22

Gossip is a killer. I know I partake in it in some way because, like most people, I don’t know where the fine line between fact and gossip exists. Over the years, people have come up to me and said, “You know about so and so, don’t you?” More often than not, my reply has been, “No, I don’t know.” Now let me make one point clear. The people who have wondered if I’ve heard about so and so aren’t necessarily those who are gossiping. Many of these individuals just assume we’ve heard what they’ve heard.

There’s no telling how many times this has happened to me over the years. These occurrences were not at the workplace or at school; they were at church and concerned church members. Unbelievable huh? You’re shocked aren’t you? You’re not? I didn’t think you would be.

My wife and I have both told people that we don’t know about “so and so” or about a particular situation. We either run with the wrong crowd or we just aren’t overly interested in gossip which also constitutes slander at times.

There are times when church members can’t help themselves. When a negative story floats around about Little Miss Perfect or about the son of Mr. High and Mighty, the temptation to tell someone is often times too great to resist, especially if we don’t like that person.

Well, I declare today that we must resist that temptation. If Christians are going to exhibit real love, then we better start going to the object of every piece of juicy gossip and confront that person instead of talking about them. This gossip could be in the form of personal or theological matters and all points in between. We need to stop murmuring and mumbling and just go directly to the source.

Unless you yourself are living a mighty exalted Christian life right now, you probably have someone you should confront. I know I do. Let’s do it together this coming week. We can get on our knees this weekend and pray that we have the guts to stop the rumors, gossiping, murmuring, and mumbling, and clothe ourselves with the love God wants us to exhibit to others.

Amen?

Finally, listening is part of the problem. Even if I declare I won’t tell another soul about a piece of juicy gossip, my listening is half the problem. Gossip doesn’t happen unless there is someone to talk and another to listen. Forgive me God for those rare times I listen to gossip and thank you for the strength I’ve had to change the subject when I’ve needed to do so. By the way, some of you receiving this email have seen me listen to gossip and I ask God for forgiveness for those times I’ve been interested in gossip.

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