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 The Cornerstone 

This is the Stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the Chief Conerstone." Acts 4:11

Pulbished to Support the Work of the West End Church of Christ, Richmond, Virginia

Volume 6 *   Number 41*  October 8,  2006

The Power of God

When you think of the power of God do you think of a storm with strong winds, lightening, hail or damaging rain? Do you think of an earthquake which shifts the earth’s crusts beneath your feet. Do you think of the power of fire as it devours all consumable object in it’s way? All of these forces demonstrate God’s amazing creation and the power that surround us on any given day.

Consider what Habakkuk says about things moving at the very presence of God. Habakkuk 3:9-12, "The bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers. The mountains saw Thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high. The sun and moon stood still in the habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shinning of Thy glittering spear. Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger."

When you think of the power of God do you think about a resurrected body? Yes, a body that no longer has the breath of life in it which is raised up to live again. This is a marvelous manifestation of God’s Awesome power. Consider Romans 1:4, "And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:"

Finally, consider the power of God in the Gospel. The Gospel’s power to change people’s lives. "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." I Corinthians 6:9-11 A message to transform lives. That is the power of God.

Stacy Crim

 

True Giving

Jeff Smith

In Mk. 12:41-44, we read the familiar account of the widow casting her two mites into the treasury, as observed by the Lord. We get the idea that as Jesus sat down to observe the multitude in their giving, He did so discreetly. This is reinforced by v. 43, where He calls His disciples over to Him for this private teaching session on true values.

Before we comment on this actual event, let's set the stage. It is Tuesday during "Passion Week" (what Bible students have come to call the last week of the Lord's life on earth). Jesus had just finished His public discourse about the scribes and their religious pretense, their proud posturing at banquets, and their unscrupulous devouring of widows' livelihoods (vv. 38-40). These were but a few of the many warnings Jesus issued about the Jewish leadership during that week. However, what occurred at the treasury afforded Jesus an opportunity to teach on what is true giving.

Many have always interpreted the widow's gift as "more" because she gave a larger percentage than did the rich. I doubt that is the point the Lord was making in His observation to His disciples. Rather, it seems best to say He was discussing one's attitude in giving to God. Since He is God, He knew the hearts of all men (Jn. 2:25). How else would He have known the amounts of what was being given? He says the others "put in out of their surplus" (v. 44). What this means is they were giving to God out of what they didn't need; it was excess, savings. The poor widow, by contrast, gave out of "her poverty...out of all she had to live on" (v. 44). She gave what was needed for her to live. This was true sacrifice!!

Surely we can see the glaring contrast. It wasn't about the money - all she gave was 1/64 of a day's wage. It was about giving one's self to God, wholly and completely. This was the same attitude possessed by the saints in Macedonia. In their poverty they contributed to the poor saints in Jerusalem. How? Because "they first gave themselves to God" (2 Cor. 8:1-5).

As the old saying goes, God doesn't want the leftovers. He doesn't even need our money. What He wants is you to give yourself to Him, to submit your will to His will. That is the essence of true giving.

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Church Member Hitchhikers

Bob Dickey

With his thumb, a hitchhiker says, "You furnish the car, gas, attend to the repairs and upkeep, supply the insurance, and I'll ride with you. But you must be going my way, and if you have an accident, I'll sue for the damages." Sounds pretty one-sided, doesn't it?

There are hitchhikers in other places than just along the roadways. Unfortunately, there are sometimes hitchhikers in local churches. These members seem to say "You go to the Bible classes, attend all of the various assemblies, do the visitation and personal work, shoulder the responsibilities, take care of the meeting house and grounds and all of the things that need doing, and I'll go along for the ride. But if things aren't done to suit me, I will complain, criticize, and probably get out and hitchhike to another group."

You've seen them too, haven't you? You've seen professing Christians that seem to just be along for the ride. They frustrate the growth and progress of the local church. Because of indifference or lack of total commitment, they add nothing to the furtherance of the Lord's cause. The only thing they add is more work for the faithful. Preachers and elders are usually at a loss to know how to awaken them to a sense of their personal responsibility. Many times they become so accustomed to riding the coat tails of others that they seem to know of no other way to travel.

What do we say to hitchhiking church members? Shall we let them keep on depending on others without learning to pull their own weight? Shall we stand quietly by while they slip closer to eternity, unprepared to meet the Lord's judgment? No, someone needs to remind these 'thumbing' members that they will never be able to hitch a ride to Heaven. And going along just for the ride hinders and holds back the congregation's work. If you know of a church member hitchhiker like these we have described, why not lovingly talk to him or her about their soul and the need for their help and cooperation.

Hitchhikers are not permitted on the interstate expressways today. Let's remember that they are not allowed on the Lord's highway either. Hitchhikers, please read Matthew 25:1-46!

 

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