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

What To Do About Christmas

12/18/2021

Comments

 
CHRISTIANS & CHRISTMAS
   
For centuries there has been an ongoing debate about whether Christians should celebrate Christmas, especially since the holiday has Catholic roots. Although many Christians decorate trees and lawns, send cards and exchange gifts, others have nothing to do with the holiday and even refuse to say, “Merry Christmas”. The following article (condensed) by the late defender of the faith - Gus Nichols, may shed light on the question.
   
**********************************************************************************  
   
FACTS ABOUT CHRISTMAS  
   
There is no proof that Christ was born on December 25th. But He was born. He came down from Heaven to seek and save the lost. (Luke 2:8-12).  
   
We can rejoice in Christ on December 25th just as on the other 364 days of the year. We (should not) cease to be happy in Jesus at Christmas. Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4). This (means) Christmas (and) all other days.  
   
Instead of revealing the date of Christ’s (birth), God has revealed the day on which He was raised from the dead — the first day of the week (Mark 16:8-9, Luke 24:1-47).  God…wants us to celebrate this day. It is…called the “Lord’s Day”. (Rev. 1:10; I Cor. 16:2; Acts 20:7)  
   
(Yet)…there is nothing to prevent our enjoying the holiday called Christmas. We may give and receive gifts on December 25th or any other day of the year. In fact, we should “rejoice with them that…rejoice” (Rom. 12:15) at Christmas or any other time.  There is not enough happiness in the world anyway.  
   
Finally, it is proof of the divinity of Christ to find 2000 years (later) that the world wants to celebrate His birth.  
   
Thank God for our Lord and His coming into the world, regardless of the exact date of His arrival by virgin birth.  We shall, therefore, go on teaching His truth (daily, including) Christmas.
   
**********************************************************************************  
   
Personally, I am thankful that billions of people around the world turn their thoughts to Jesus on the 25th of December. Moreover, I enjoy the lights, songs, and snacks – especially cookies! Regardless of your feelings about Christmas, avoid judging others for their feelings, unless they are promoting error.  
   
Jesus, always Jesus!  
   
Dennis  
Comments

Have You Seen Him?

12/11/2021

Comments

 
WHAT DOES JESUS LOOK LIKE?  
   
Have you seen Jesus? Some folks are convinced that they have at least caught a glimpse. For example:  
  • A woman in Clermont, FL claimed that an image of Jesus appeared on her electric meter.  
  • A Tampa Bay area man insisted that he saw Jesus on a bathroom door.  
  • In Port St. Lucie, FL, a woman believed that Jesus appeared on her TV screen.  
  • In Sullivan’s Island, SC, a woman stated that Jesus’ face materialized on a stingray.  
  • A family in McLean, VA allegedly saw Jesus in a tree in their yard.  
  • A couple in Anderson County, SC noticed Jesus’ exact likeness on a Wal-Mart receipt.  
  • A woman near Houston, TX spotted Jesus’ face on the mold above her bathtub.  
   
When I hear of such claims, my first question is, “Do these folks honestly know what Jesus looks like?” Most of us have seen famous paintings depicting the face of Jesus Christ. He is typically portrayed as singularly handsome, with deep blue eyes and long, auburn hair. The Scriptures, however, paint a different picture.  
   
 “He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him” (ISA 53:2).  
   
The wording suggests that there was no physical attractiveness about Jesus. At best, He likely appeared no different than the average person. If we saw Him today (as he looked when He walked the earth) we would probably NOT recognize Him.  
   
Although we do not know what Jesus looked like during His earthly stay, He at least indicated what we should look for if we are determined to see Him today. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me…Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for ME’ " (MT 25:35-41).  
   
That said, it should not be hard to spot Jesus today – just look in the faces of those in need. Remember, however, that recognizing Jesus is not as important as serving Him.  
   
Jesus, always Jesus!  
   
Dennis
Comments

Please, God.......

12/2/2021

Comments

 
Letter To God  
   
“Dear God,  
   
This is Billy again. I know that you are busy, but I have an important favor to ask. Would you make Sunday come on a different day?  If you do, I think my mom and dad will come back to church.  
   
You see, they always tell me that they are too tired to get up for church on Sunday.  
   
Dad works hard during the week, and on Saturday he plays golf or goes bowling, fishing or hunting. He says that Sunday is the only day left to mow the lawn, wash the car, shovel the driveway or get a long nap.  
   
Mom is no different.  She likes to go to the stores and shop on Saturday. On Sunday she vacuums the floors, washes the dishes and dusts everything. Then she takes a long nap.  
   
Even though they are tired, they usually stay up late on Saturday nights to watch TV and eat popcorn.
   
I really want them to go to church on Sundays so that I can go, too.  Whenever I ask them, they promise to start back to church soon, but ‘soon’ never seems to come.  I am worried because we do not pray together like we used to, and I think my dad lost his Bible.  
   
So can you make Sunday come on a different day?  Then maybe we can go to church like we did before. I really miss church.  
   
Love,  
   
Billy  
   
“And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).  
   
Jesus, always Jesus!  
   
Dennis
Comments

    Preacher's Corner

    Articles & insight provided by Dennis Swindle

    Archives

    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