____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ September 19, 1993 ____________________________________________________ A Time For Everything... Beautiful In Its Own Time by David A. Padfield The Old Testament is a collection of 39 books given to man by our God. These books vary in style from the impassioned preaching of the prophets to the reflective wisdom of Solomon. The book of Ecclesiastes starts off with the elusive phrase, ``Vanity of vanities.'' The phrase means ``absurdity, frustration, futility or nonsense.'' I believe the point the writer makes throughout the book is that life is utterly futile without God. In the first two chapters of the book we take a tour with Solomon in his quest for happiness, but we return empty handed. In the third chapter we read: ``To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace'' (Ecc. 3:1-8). We have no control over most of the events listed in these verses. The time for planting and harvesting depends upon the changing of the seasons. Our ``time to weep'' is usually associated with another's ``time to die.'' If it were up to most of us, there would never be a ``time of war.'' Immediately after showing there is ``a time for every purpose under heaven,'' he informs us God has ``made everything beautiful in its time'' (Ecc. 3:11). But how could death, war or weeping ever be beautiful? One of our problems is we are often desperately nearsighted; we look at the events of the moment and forget their relation to the greater scheme of things. We can never stand back far enough to view things as our Creator does. Our God declares ``the end from the beginning'' (Isa. 46:10). God sees the beauty of the changing scenes of life. Let us notice a few of the beautiful times which often escape our attention. The Beauty of Parenting It is amazing how fast our children grow up! We need to enjoy our children while we can. We will never regret the time we spent with our children; it is an investment in their future and ours. Are you too busy to enjoy your children? One of the most haunting secular songs I have ever heard is Cats In The Cradle, recorded by Harry Chapin. The song tells the story of a little boy who keeps asking his father to spend time with him. The father keeps putting him off. The boy keeps telling his father that he wants to be like him when he grows up. Finally the little boy is a full grown man who has no time for his father. Like father like son. The values that will guide our children throughout life will be learned in our homes. What values are your children learning? Some parents are so busy trying to ``make a living'' they forget to ``make a life.'' What good is the money we earn if we cannot enjoy it? Solomon reminds us ``that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor; it is the gift of God'' (Ecc. 3:13). Husbands and Wives Sociologists claim that one reason for the increasing divorce rate among middle age couples is they have built their entire lives around their children--then the children leave home. Each spouse is then left in an empty house with a stranger. Husbands and wives must learn to enjoy time together. In the first seven chapters of Proverbs, Solomon admonishes the young man about the dangers of fornication. As a way of avoiding sexual sin, the young man is told to ``drink water from your own cistern, and running water from your own well'' (Prov. 5:15). These words simply mean the sexual desires were to be fulfilled in the marital relationship. Solomon also said, ``Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth. As a loving deer and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and always be enraptured with her love. For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman, and be embraced in the arms of a seductress?'' (Prov. 5:18-20). Children need good parents, but they also need to see a good example of a husband and wife. The children need to know that their parents are madly in love with each other. Where else will they find a proper example to pattern their marriage after? Christians Must Grow When one obeys the gospel, he is considered a ``babe'' in Christ (1 Pet. 2:1). God expects his children to grow up! There is a time to be a babe in Christ, and a time to be a mature Christian. One of the qualifications of elders is that they not be a ``novice'' (1 Tim. 3:6). A man can be 65 years old and still considered a ``novice.'' While studying with a ``babe in Christ,'' I can exercise all of the patience in the world. However, when I find those who have been Christians for 30 years and still behaving like children, my patience wears a bit thin. Conclusion Brethren, let us use the time our Lord has given us wisely. Though our lives are constantly changing, let us learn to see the beauty in each stage. Like Moses of old, let us pray that God will ``teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom'' (Psa. 90:12). ___________________________________________ Why ``Liberal'' And ``Conservative'' Churches of Christ? by Robert Harkrider During the past two decades many have asked this question. Some sincere brethren who have been caught up in one stream or the other never fully understood, and many who were too young before have now grown into adulthood wondering why. It is therefore a good question worthy of repeated investigation. Labels of ``liberal'' and ``conservative'' have been used by some as a prejudicial tool to halt further investigation. Labels used as prejudicial clubs are to be condemned; yet the terms ``liberal'' and ``conservative'' are proper when used as adjectives to describe a difference in attitude toward authority, and consequently, a difference in practices. As the years go by the attitude underlying the division becomes more apparent. We are not separated because one group believes in benevolence and the other does not, nor because of jealousy and envy. We have divided over a basic attitude toward the Bible: (1) A ``liberal'' attitude justifies any activity that seems to be a ``good work'' under the concept, ``We do a lot of things for which we have no authority.'' (2) A ``conservative'' attitude makes a plea to have Bible authority (either generic or specific) for all we do--therefore we refrain from involving the church in activities alien to that of the church in the New Testament. Briefly, the walls of innovations which have divided us are built in three areas: WHO? Who is to do the work of the church? The church or a human institution? The church has a God-given work to do, and the Lord made the church sufficient to do its own work. Within the framework of elders and deacons, a local church is the only organization necessary to fulfill its mission of evangelism, edification and benevolence (Eph. 3:10,11; 4:11-16; 1 Tim. 3:15). However, a wedge was driven when some brethren began to reason that the church may build and maintain a separate institution--a different WHO--to do the work of the church. This separate institution is human in origin and control. It is not a church nor governed by the church; yet it receives financial maintenance from the church. Human institutions so arranged (such as benevolent homes, hospitals, colleges or missionary societies) may be doing a good work; but when they become leeches on the church, they deny its independence and all-sufficiency and make a ``fund raising house'' of this God planned institution. HOW? How is the work of the church to be overseen? On a local basis with separate, autonomous congregations? Or may several local churches work as a unit through a ``sponsoring eldership?'' The organization of the New Testament church is local in nature, with elders limited to oversight of the work of the flock among them (Acts 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:2). We are divided by those who promote ``brotherhood'' works through a plan of intercongregational effort with centralized oversight, which is an unscriptural HOW. WHAT? What is the mission of the church? Spiritual or also social? It is in this area that the loose attitude toward the scriptures is becoming more apparent. Though wholesome activities are needed for all, the Lord died for a higher and holier mission than fun, food and frolic. Let the church be kept free to spend its energy and resources in spiritual purposes (Rom. 14:17; 1 Pet. 2:5), and let the home be busy in providing social needs (1 Cor. 11:22,34). ___________________________________________ Selected Sentence Sermons People who look down on their neighbors are usually living upon a bluff. One danger of overeating -- it may cause you to live beyond your seams. Some people grin and bear it. Others smile and change it. Some people are like blotters: they soak up everything but get it backwards. It is better to make a good life than a good living. Charity (love) begins at home -- but it does not stay there. Faults are thick where love is thin. ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 1314 Montgomery Avenue, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@zoomnet.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.zoomnet.net/~tedwards/go ________________________________________