Milan Church of Christ
Find us on Facebook or email us today!
  • Home
    • The Church of Christ
  • Bible Class
  • Preacher Corner
    • Dennis' Articles
    • Sermons
  • Missions/Works
  • Photo Gallery
  • Events Calendar
  • Useful Links

Brass Tacks

4/30/2016

Comments

 
BRASS TACKS
A man once owned a general store. The store contained a long wooden counter. Nailed to it were two brass tacks, about 1 yard apart. They were used to measure various goods. The man was an upright, respectable citizen that operated his business as honestly as he knew how. After his death, his son took over the store, carrying on in the honest tradition of his father. One day someone laid a yardstick on the counter. It happened to lie across the invisible line separating the 2 brass tacks. To his amazement, the young man noticed that the distance between the tacks was 35 inches, not 36. Although only 1 inch short, the man realized that his father had unknowingly overcharged his customers for 3 decades.
The son was faced with a dilemma. If he corrected the error by moving a tack 1 inch outward, a visible mark would be left on the counter. Consequently, his father's honest reputation would be in jeopardy. But if he left the tacks in place, he would be guilty of doing something for which his father would have never approved -- selling people short. What should he do?
********************************************************************************************
Many people find themselves in a similar predicament when they consider obeying the gospel. By conceding that baptism by immersion is necessary to salvation, they feel they are betraying parents who were “sprinkled” or were never baptized at all. In an effort to “honor” their parents, some refuse to obey the Lord, a decision for which their parents would have never approved.
We must resist passing judgment upon those who have departed this world. Paul wrote, "Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls" (Romans 14:4). The eternal destination of departed relatives is in the hands of a merciful and righteous judge. For our part, we must not allow the well-intentioned decisions of loved ones to decide our course, particularly in connection with salvation. Our responsibility is to respond to the truth as we learn it, not mimic the beliefs of others.
The aforementioned story purportedly ends with the son moving a tack 1 inch outward. He realized that his father would have wanted it that way. In the same way, good parents want their children to act on the basis of truth, not necessarily on what their parents believed.
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis

Comments

God's Wings 

4/30/2016

Comments

 
Click here toGOD'S WINGSYears ago, National Geographic featured a story about a remarkable discovery in Yellowstone National Park. Following a forest fire, rangers began trekking up a mountain to evaluate the damage. Presently, a ranger noticed an eerie sight - a large bird literally petrified in ashes, perched close to the ground. Somewhat alarmed by the unusual sight, He reached out with a stick to touch the bird. As he did so, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother’s wings. The ranger immediately realized what had occurred. The devoted mother, aware of impending disaster, realized that her chicks could not escape the approaching fire. Although she could have flown away to safety, she knew that her offspring had one chance of survival – to hide under her wings. So she gathered them beneath her wings and stood her ground, even as the fire began engulfing her. Although she was scorched to death in moments, the chicks were protected. She was willing to die so that those under her wings could live.
This poignantly illustrates two significant Bible truths.
1) God’s willingness to shield His own beneath His protective wings.  “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust…  He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.”  [Psa. 91:1-7]
2) Jesus’ willingness to forfeit His life for our eternal survival.  “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. [Rom. 5:6-9]
Praise God for His wings, and Jesus for His love!
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis  
edit.
Comments

Winning  4-23-16

4/23/2016

Comments

 
3 WAYS TO WIN A SOUL


"He that winneth souls is wise" -  Proverbs 11:30

Every Christian should aim to win souls. An effective soul-winner takes seriously his or her responsibility to help others escape the fires of hell. The gravity of this obligation is seen in Jude's charge:  "Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them" (Jude 22-23).

Jesus commanded His followers to go into the world and preach the gospel (Matt. 28:18-20). One way we can do this is by personal teaching, or inviting others to worship, Bible study or a church activity.

There are at least 2 other ways to win souls.

In Matthew 18 Jesus explained how we should treat a brother or sister (in Christ) who has wronged us. Instead of pouting, shouting, ignoring the offender or gossiping about them, the Lord implores us to reach out to them.  If we are successful, Jesus says, "You have won your brother" (verse 15). Remember, when a brother in Christ reconciles with us, he or she may likewise reconcile with the Lord. Hence, a soul "won".

A third way to be a "soul winner" is to lovingly reach out to brethren who were once faithful but have fallen back into the world. James says, "My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner away from his error will save him from death and cover many sins" (James 5:19-20). In other words, a soul "won".

Want to win a soul? (What true Christian does not?) Then keep inviting others to church. Bring a friend to Bible class or VBS. Go to a Christian brother or sister who has offended you, and lovingly point out their mistake. Call or visit a brother or sister that has not attended services in a while.

The majority of souls winners are not ministers, elders or deacons. They are "everyday Christians" who desire to see everyone they know (or encounter) in heaven!

Jesus, always Jesus,

Dennis


here to edit.
Comments

Excuses 04-17-16

4/17/2016

Comments

 
Comments

    Preacher's Corner

    Articles & insight provided by Dennis Swindle

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    August 2014
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly