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

Is Vacation Bible School Outdated?    July 28, 2017

7/28/2017

Comments

 
IS VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL OUTDATED?
 
God willing, our Vacation Bible School will begin tomorrow evening. LOT’S of work has been done in preparation, and we are anticipating a great week for all. Yet some people think that VBS is an outdated program whose time has come and gone. I strongly disagree for 5 reasons:
 
1. KIDS STILL LOVE VBS. They look forward to the singing, games, classes, crafts, snacks and friends. They learn many principals from God’s word, and have fun in the process. If for this reason only, VBS is still relevant.
 
2. VBS IS STILL A GREAT OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY. Many of our children will bring at least one friend; some will bring several. A number of these visiting children may have little or no exposure to God’s word outside of our VBS. Many spiritual seeds(and the gospel) will be planted in their hearts during VBS.
 
3. VBS STILL GIVES OUR KIDS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND MORE TIME TOGETHER. As children age, their friends will have a growing influence on their thoughts and actions. It is vital to their spiritual welfare that they develop and maintain strong friendships within the church.
 
4. VBS STILL GIVES VISITING PARENTS A CHANCE TO HEAR THE GOSPEL. Although parents can attend any night, we make a special effort to invite them to attend the final night of VBS. Several usually do, and we strive to share the gospel with them. As with some of the children, this may be their only exposure to the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
5. VBS STILL GIVES ADULTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BOTH INTERACT AND WORK WITH CHILDREN. Children are very important to Jesus (see Mk. 10:13-16), and they should be to us, as well. Moreover, they are VITAL to the future of the church so we should take every opportunity to give them guidance, affection and love.
 
Is VBS outdated? Only if drawing our children closer to God, Jesus, each other and heaven are outdated. On the contrary, VBS isas important as ever, and perhaps more so. This world is doing everything possible to defile and destroy the souls of our children. VBS helps to turn the tide in God’s favor.
 
“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them…” (Mk. 10:14)
 
Jesus, always Jesus!
 
Dennis
Comments

Five Ways to Kill a Church                 July 23, 2017

7/23/2017

Comments

 
FIVE WAYS TO KILL A CHURCH
(Author Unknown, Revised.) 
1. Gossip. Slandering brothers and sisters in Christ is guaranteed to hurt feelings, destroy morale and disrupt unity. In fact, few things choke the life out of a congre­gation as quickly as gossip. It is estimated that hundreds of Christians abandon the church annually due to the devastating effects of gossip. (“Do not speak evil of one another, brethren.” James 4:11)
 
2. Complaining. Even the most dedicated of saints can be disheartened by incessant grumbling, murmuring and whining about new ideas, programs or activities. I know of elders and preachers that resigned because they could no longer put up with ceaseless complaining. (“Do all things without complaining and disputing…” Phil. 2:14)
 
3. The desire for attention. Some in the Lord’s church crave the praise of men. Moreover they are frequently jealous of those that receive more recognition than they do. To compensate, they openly criticize and demean the good that others do. (“Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” Gal. 5:26 )
 
4. Know-it-alls. Some believe that they know more than anyone else when it comes to preaching, organizing programs, teaching classes, leading in worship, planning fellowships, etc. If others fail to act on their “input” they frequently refuse to participate or are quick to criticize less-than-ideal results. (“Let us not become conceited…” Gal. 5:26)
 
5. Pettiness. Instead of focusing on the critical works of the church (glorifying God, saving souls and edifying the brethren), some concentrate on issues like the temperature of the building, crying infants or mediocre singing. By relentlessly harping on such matters, they distract other Christians from authentic priorities such as reaching the lost, visitation and encouraging one another. I was once compelled to criticize an eldership for spending 4 full hours debating whether to replace an aging Joy bus, but less than 4 minutes discussing the welfare of wayward souls. (“…avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.” 2 Tim. 2:23)
 
The aforementioned issues have discouraged thousands of Christians, and done incalculable damage to the Lord’s church. Because the church has her hands full fighting the devil, she needs all the support and cooperation she can get from individual Christians. Are you helping or hindering?
 
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis ​
Comments

Study, Study, Study             Aug 14, 2017

7/14/2017

Comments

 
STUDY, STUDY, STUDY GOD’S WORD!
 
Many of us eat three meals a day (not to mention snacks) to nourish our physical bodies. In a similar way, we must partake of God’s word daily to strengthen our souls (Mt. 4:4). If we neglect doing so, we are in danger of losing our faith and salvation. God says in Hosea 4:6, "My people are destroyed for a LACK OF KNOWLEDGE." Countless people will be eternally lost because they neglected to read and study God’s “manual” on how to please Him and be saved.
 
In 2 Thess. 2:10 Paul says that some will be lost "because they did not receive the LOVE OF THE TRUTH..." Satan attempts to distract us with the things and cares of this world in order to hinder us from reading our Bibles. HE KNOWS that we become vulnerable when we fail to do so.
 
Strong faith is required to defend against Satan’s attacks. Paul wrote, “…above all, taking the SHIELD OF FAITH with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Eph. 6:16). How do we obtain the shield of faith? "…faith comes by HEARING and hearing by the WORD OF GOD" (Rom. 10:17). The more we study God's word, the stronger our faith. Such faith is invaluable in our battle against temptation and doubt.
 
In times past many members of the Lord’s church were regarded as "walking Bibles" because they constantly studied God's word. I can still picture “grandpa Swindle” sitting under his shelter in Jasper, Alabama, reading from his Bible for hours.
 
Failure to study God’s word leads to many spiritual problems, including what Jesus mentioned in Matt. 22:29, “You are MISTAKEN, not knowing the Scriptures…”  A faithful elderly preacher observed, “I have yet to meet a devoted student of the Bible that lost his faith or his way.”
 
Don’t endanger your faith or your soul by a lack of Bible study. Take time to read it daily.
 
Jesus, always Jesus!
 
Dennis 
Comments

100 Minute Bible    July 9, 2017

7/9/2017

Comments

 
100 Minute Bible? 
Several years ago a publishing company in Great Britain released, “The 100-Minute Bible.” Below are some claims made by its author (Michael Hinton of the Church of England) and publisher (100-Minute Press), along with pertinent statements from theACTUAL BIBLE.
 
According to the author and publisher, the 100-minute Bible:
 
Summarizes “EVERY TEACHING from the Creation to the Revelation…”
  • But since “…the entirety of Your word is truth” (Psalm 119:160), isn’t it presumptuous to
summarize the Bible and then claim that it contains “every teaching?”  In reality the 100-Minute Bible contains “every teaching” Mr. Hinton thinks is important, as opposed to what God does – Isa. 55:8-9; II Tim. 3:16-17.
 
“Is…intended for people who want to know more about Christianity but who do NOT HAVE THE TIME to read the original Bible...
  • However, Joshua, was commanded to “meditate in it (Book of the Law) DAY and NIGHT” Josh. 1:8. Timothy was likewise instructed, “…GIVE ATTENTION to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (I Tim 4:14). Those who lack the time (or desire) to read the actual Bible will gain little or nothing from a 100-minute glimpse.
 
“…picks out the PRINCIPLE STORIES of the life and ministry of…Jesus Christ.”
  • Didn’t the Holy Spirit already do that, as reflected by the four gospels? (John 20:30-31; 21:25; Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-3). Can a mere mortal do a better job than the God's Spirit? (John 16:13; II Pet. 1:3; II Tim. 3:16-17; Rev. 22:18-19).
 
“…IDEAL for an upcoming RAIL OR AEROPLANE journey.”
  • Are we to believe that the actual Bible is not ideal for such trips? Describing a blessed man, David wrote, “…his DELIGHT is in the LAW of the LORD, and in His law he meditates DAY and NIGHT” (Psa. 1:2).
 
“…a NEW WAY of looking at the Bible.”
  • Do we really need a NEW WAY of looking at God’s word? It may be that those who feel such a need are dissatisfied with God’s word “as is”. This is dangerous! Jeremiah wrote, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Stand in the ways and see, and ASK FOR THE OLD PATHS, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We WILL NOT walk in it.'” (Jer. 6:16)
 
Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceeds from the mouth of God." (Mat. 4:4)  I'll take Jesus’ word over Mr. Hinton’s.
 
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
Comments

Bakers Needed     July 2, 2017

7/2/2017

Comments

 
BAKERS NEEDED!
 
The Bible is filled with well-known men and women who served God. A few examples include Abraham, Noah, Moses, Elijah, David, John the Baptist, Mary and Paul. How about Mattithiah? Although serious Bible students will recognize the name, many Christians may not. Which is surprising, as his name is mentioned repeatedly in 1 Chronicles, along with other Old Testament books.
 
And just who is Mattithiah? In 1 Chronicles 9:31 we read, "Mattithiah of the Levites, the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the trusted office over the things that were baked in the pans.”  Mattithiah was a skilled baker. That’s it. He never led an army, slew a giant, performed a miracle or preached a sermon. Instead, he was in charge of baking in service to God.
 
Just think of it - of the millions of Jews that lived under the Law of Moses, only a relative few are mentioned by name in the Bible.Mattithiah is one of the select few. Although “baking” may seem trivial, God esteemed his work sufficiently to mention his name repeatedly in the inspired record.
 
****************************************************************************
 
This is an invaluable lesson for us. At times we may feel insignificant or unimportant because we are not serving God in some "exalted" way. But it is not our title or position that gets God’s attention. It is serving Him to the best of our ability with whatever talent(s) we possess.
 
Thus, whether you are an elder or a custodian, a preacher or a pray-er, a deacon or an usher, a teacher or a secretary, give God your best. He WILL notice, and He WILL reward you!
 
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might…” (Eccles. 9:10)
 
Jesus, always Jesus!Dennis

​
Comments

    Preacher's Corner

    Articles & insight provided by Dennis Swindle

    Archives

    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    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