Enter by the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction

                                   
Many of you have told me on occasion that you like the editorial lessons that I present for you to consider and I appreciate those words of encouragement. But, I have to confess to you something that I believe is shared by all Bible teachers and especially those who also produce written lessons. And that is that we enjoy and learn more from producing them than do the readers of them. 

I love the research and scripture study that has to be done in order to produce the lesson. Which is why I and my fellow writers can safely say that we learn more than our readers. Today’s effort is of a particular pleasure for me to present to you as it combines three things in it that I have a particular fondness for and like to use them in creating a lesson from God’s Word.
The three things I like to use are lessons based on "parables," lessons using historical events and lessons based on some of our Gospel hymns. Rarely do I get to combine all three into one lesson, but today is one of those rare occasions. I hope that you find it interesting, informative and most of all, helpful to your spiritual walk.

Jesus, in His parabolic teachings, used common, everyday things of life with which He then laid a spiritual application alongside of them. I happen to be of the opinion that this is probably one of the best ways of making the objective of a lesson understandable. That is what I intend to do with my efforts today.
In our parable today my common thing of life is "roads." We’re all familiar with roads, aren’t we? You don’t have to do much traveling to realize that there are nice, wide roads such as freeways and turnpikes available to us but, on the other hand, there are some roads that truly aren’t a pleasure on which to drive. Some of those roads are the ones you take instead of paying the toll for the turnpike and opt for the alternate road. Been there, done that, which is why I just "bite the bullet" and pay the toll charge. 

In a few days I will be engaged in an elk hunt in the mountainous areas of Utah and trust me when I tell you that there are some roads there that barely fit the description of being called a road. Narrow, rutty, rock-filled and overgrown with brush, but if you want to get where the elk are, to reach your objective, you have to take them. 

That is what I picture when I read what Christ said in His sermon on the mount. In Matt. 7:13-14 is found that oft-used passage: "Enter by the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (ESV)

He speaks there of the two available roads that can be taken but what I’d like you to notice is that both of them have a "gate." So, instead of the usual way that passage is used, IE: talking about the two roads, I’d like to use the "gates" for consideration here today.

We know and understand that Christ’s point there in using "roads" is talking about the way we "travel" through our earthly lives. The "way" we "walk," if you will. And, the "way" which we choose will determine the destination we arrive at when we get to the end of our respective "road." Either eternal "destruction" ("wide and easy") or eternal "life" in heaven ("narrow and hard").

And, at the end of both "roads" is a "gate." That "gate" has a name and the name inscribed over each "gate" is the same. It’s name is "DEATH." Here’s the interesting part about those two "gates." They only swing inward. Once you’ve passed through either one of them, there’s no going back out.
That’s my "scriptural" thing for our lesson, now let me bring you the "historical event" and it’s one that occurred back in the first portion of the 20^th century and is now known as World War 1. It was known as The Great War until World War 2 came along. In getting to the war, our soldiers traveled to Europe via ocean liners and troop ships. One of those soldiers, embarking on one of those ships, provides us with the story behind one of our old, familiar hymns, my third favorite thing to use.

The soldier was at the dock where the ship was preparing to sail and the troops were being loaded and his father was there to say goodbye and see his son off to war. In order to board the ship, the soldier had to pass through a gate and walk up the ramp onto the ship. He knew that when he passed through that gate, he might never see his father again. As they stood there, just outside the gate, the soldier/son said these words to his father. "Dad, if I never see you again here, I’ll meet you where the gates never swing outward."
The son boarded the ship and his father took the train back home. As he rode home he pondered the parting words of his son and by the time he arrived at his destination, he had written the words to that song that we so often sing: "Where The Gates Swing Outward Never." If it’s in your hymn book, you’ll see that the father/writer is Charles H. Gabriel.

Now, let me see if I can wrap this all up in a closing thought and arrive at the spiritual aspect of our lesson. I want to tell you about one more "gate" and it too has a name. We know from many scriptures (Romans the 6^th chapter and 1John 5:17-18 to name a few) that sin separates us from God.
Here’s another little "parable" of mine. Think of "sin" as being a wall between you and God. On God’s side of the wall is paradise. Outside of the wall is "destruction." There is a "gate" in the wall through which we can pass from "destruction" into "paradise." The name inscribed on that "gate" is JESUS CHRIST. Contrary to some "religious" beliefs, there is only ONE "gate." (Hebrews the 1^st chapter). And, if you think that there might be another one open up, you’d better read what God says in Heb. 10:26.
There’s just one major difference between the "gates" we mentioned at the outset of the lesson and the "gate" in the "wall of sin." One can exit that "gate" and find themselves right back in the world of sin. There’s no one posted at the "gate" to keep you from going back out.
The "gate" is available to all but, it’s a voluntary entry. We choose our "road" to travel and we choose to enter Christ’s Gate. And my last thought about "gates" is the one’s at the end of our "road." When I pass through that "gate" I want to hear these words: "Well done, good and faithful servant.....enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." (Matt. 25:23)

Respectfully submitted,

Ron Covey

2 Corinthians 13:5

"What's It Really Made Of?"

 Today millions of folks across the United States of America will sit down to enjoy a nice slice of pumpkin pie (with a generous dollop of whipped cream, of course!). What could be more "Thanksgiving" than that, except perhaps the turkey and dressing?

But is that really pumpkin in the pie you're about to enjoy? If the pie was made with canned pumpkin (which we suspect the vast majority of pies utilize), you're not actually eating pumpkin. You're eating squash.

I just came across this bit of information, so (being the skeptical person I am) I had to check it out. It turns out that multiple web sites confirm this little-known detail. The vegetable that has been cooked, pureed and canned is actually some form of winter squash. Pumpkin just doesn't have the same naturally sweet flavor.

Pumpkins are part of the Cucurbita family, I've learned, a family which also includes - you guessed it - squashes and gourds. As one web site put it, "The difference between pumpkins, gourds and squash is that a gourd is generally something you look at, you cook squash and you carve a pumpkin." (http://voices.yahoo.com/the-difference-between-pumpkins-gourds-squash-6691116.html)

I don't think I've spoiled anyone's appetite for pumpkin pie by relating these facts. But it does remind us that things are not always as they seem. Sometimes we do well to examine what we have long accepted.

The apostle Paul wrote long ago to urge Christians to examine themselves. We may think we are pleasing God in what we are doing, but maybe He's not pleased at all. Who would know that better than the former Saul of Tarsus (see 1 Timothy 1:12-16)?!

One thing Christians in earliest times practiced each week (and some of us still do) was to partake of the Lord's supper. What's the point? "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (1 Corinthians 11:28). A prime reason to engage in this act is to reflect on the genuineness of our discipleship.

In another letter Paul wrote this: "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you are disqualified?" (2 Corinthians 13:5). "Disqualified" as a follower of Jesus? Now there's a sobering thought!

If God has told me to use pumpkin in making my pies, I shouldn't substitute squash. Of course, God has said nothing about making pies. But He has given us lots of other details to follow as we live for Him. It's time to ask, "What's my faith really made of?"
Timothy D. Hall

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving
November 27, 2013

Two months ago today, my dad unexpectedly passed away and tomorrow, I'm supposed to celebrate Thanksgiving Day.  In spite of the sorrow I've experienced over the past two months, and the sadness we'll experience when Dad will not be sitting around the table with us tomorrow, I still have so many reasons for which to give thanks.

• I'm thankful that I had my dad for 51 years.  I know many who would give anything to have their father's as long as I had mine.
• I'm thankful for the kind of relationship I had with my dad throughout those 51 years.  He was my friend, my mentor, and my confidant.  He and my mother taught me about Jesus.  It was his preaching that shaped my life.  It was he who baptized me into Christ.  And it was his integrity, attitude, priorities, and influence that caused me to want to preach as well.
• I'm thankful that I've never had reason to be ashamed of my dad.  I've sometimes seen people fight to become their "own person," and fight the shadow of their father.  However, I've always been content, not to be known as Steve Higginbotham, but as Frank Higginbotham's son.
• And I'm thankful that I can say my dad is my hero.  I'm proud and thankful for a friend and fellow Christian where I preach for being a Silver Star recipient for his gallantry in service to our country.  But I'm every bit as proud and thankful for my dad's service in a different army.  Dad never received a medal, nor did he ever even pick up a rifle, but he sure could wield a sword effectively until the day he laid it down.

Tomorrow's Thanksgiving.  Although the pain of our loss is still fresh, you can count on our family being among those who have reason to give thanks.  What about you?  If you're in Christ, you too have reason to give thanks, regardless of life's circumstances.

Steve Higginbotham.

From Grumbling to Grateful

Ben had fallen into the habit of grumbling about this and that. He complained about the weather; he found fault with his friends and with the members of his family. He wanted to stop it, but somehow, as soon as anything would not go his way, he found himself grumbling again. Then he came across this verse:

"When you have truly thanked God
For every blessing sent,
But little time will then remain
For murmur or lament."

"I see now what the trouble has been," he told himself. "I've been grumbling so much that I've almost forgotten to be thankful for the things I have. Every time I find myself starting to complain about something I don't have, I'm going to say 'Thank You' to God for something that He has given me."

Ben found that the idea worked. It was much easier to keep out the grouchy, grumbling thoughts when he filled his mind with thankful ones. There simply was no room for the trouble makers, and after a bit they disappeared.

Ben was surprised, too, to see how many things a plain, everyday boy had for which to be thankful. There are many things like the sunshine, the flowers, his friends, his home, which he had been taking for granted. As he began thanking God for these things, he had a better appreciation of them (from Junior Life).

Let's all try his plan, for God is very displeased with a complaining spirit. He says, "Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may be blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding firmly to the word of life" (Philippians 2:14-16a).

The greatest Blessing for which to be thankful is the GIFT of God's Son!  For when we were lost because of our sins and doomed to destruction, God sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-10).  Through Jesus, we can be saved from our sins and receive the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 1:7).

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable GIFT!" - 2 Corinthians 9:15

God will save those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7).

Won't YOU express thanksgiving to God for His wonderful blessings, especially for the gift of His Son? 

Won't YOU express that gratitude by accepting the GIFT of salvation and eternal life on His terms?

David Sargent

Where did all the different denominations come from?

Poliferation Of Religion
by Tom Wacaster

When I was growing up I was blessed to sit at the feet of good and godly men who taught our Sunday morning high school class, Wednesday evening class, and an occasional but regular men's training class. It was during those six or seven years that I developed a desire to preach, a burning within my soul that would come to fruition immediately following my discharge from military service in 1970. There were a half dozen young men who attended those classes at the Urbandale church of Christ in Dallas, and each of us were blessed beyond measure from the training we received that would eventually lead to many of us being active teachers, preachers, and leaders in the Lord's church. While this is not the thrust of this week's article I must pause and remind all of us that the classes at the local congregational level have a great influence upon those who sit at our feet. I doubt that those men who taught our classes at Urbandale had any idea what influence they would have on us young boys who barely had a handle on life itself. But I digress, and must get back to the intent of this article.

I guess it was during those teen years that I began to grasp the magnitude of religious division, both in number and in the degrees of error embraced by the various denominations. The number of religious divisions within so-called "Christendom" was astonishing. The common number selected as a total of religious divisions was 250; but even then I suspected there may have been more. Little did I imagine that within my life time that number would grow; in fact it would multiply many times over. Investigation by the inquiring individual will reveal that the number of denominations in America now numbers into the thousands, and one figure being bandied about is in excess of 10,000. How has this come about? Why is it that people living in a country that has such deep roots in the Bible seem to care less about such division? The division in "Christendom" is bad enough. Lets add to that the infiltration of eastern religions, pantheism, humanism, agnosticism, and dozens of other "isms," and the religious landscape in our country is more like the idolatrous situation that existed in Athens when Paul arrived into that city than what we might think characterizes a nation that has its roots in Christianity. Bobbly Liddell made this astute observation:

One reason that current religions are where they are today is because many of their participants are the product of an educational system that has produced a generation (or two) of graduates who have been heavily influenced by atheistic Humanism and the false ideas of organic evolution, into thinking that there is no God and that truth is only relative, situational, and subjective...Bibles are looked upon as out of date oddities and are dusty and hidden from view, even in the homes of religious people. Knowledge of the Bible, that should have been learned at home, is woefully deficient, or entirely absent, and wolves in sheep's clothing prey upon the biblically ignorant, spiritually weak, and defenseless. We have jumped off the cultural cliff and are falling headlong into the abyss of immorality. Yet every day the media assures us that there is a 'new normal,' far removed from the antiquated beliefs upon which our country was founded. Modern America boasts of its tolerance and progressive enlightenment, yet silences God, forbidding mention of His name and His Word and public prayer to Him, and vilifies those who cry out against the sins of a country our President proclaimed is "no longer a Christian nation" (Spiritual Sword, In Times Like These, page 168).

Some years ago I gave thought to keeping a tablet in my automobile and every time I passed one of those new independent churches that has put some attention getting name on their building, that I would add that to the list. I never started that list and have on many occasions regretted not having done so. A quick search on the internet lists an amazing array of churches in our city. Just to name a few of the denominations: Anglican churches (2); Apostolic churches (7); Bible churches (18); Evangelical churches (11); Pentecostals (20); and Other churches (63). Other names include, but are not limited to "Calvary Cathedral," "Morningside Episcopal," "Celebration Fellowship," "Gospel Kingdom Church," "Beautiful Feet Church," "Victory Outreach," "Harvest Assembly," "Journey Church," "Seeking God First Church," "Greater Progressive Church," "Great Prayer Tower Holiness Church," "Love Sanctuary," "Pilgrim Rest Church," "John 316 Temple," and "Denny's Friends." It is enough to discourage even the most stout hearted in a search for some kind of stability and standard in matters of religion.

Most, if not all of the mainline Protestant denominations grew out of a background of deep seated belief in a particular theological system. Though wrong in doctrine, those who came to the New World to seek freedom to practice their religious beliefs maintained a strong belief in the Bible and a sincere reverence for things spiritual in general and worship in particular. But somewhere in the mid to late 1800's reverence for God and a desire to pay homage to the Almighty began to give way to a self centered religion. In the mid nineteenth century the frontier "revival" form of worship started to take on a "circus atmosphere," and the main function of the public assembly shifted from an occasion for worshipping God to a focus on brining in the "converts" and increasing the numbers. John McArthur noted that these churches "were not trying to hit at the core of biblical faith; they were simply trying to make Christianity more palatable to a cynical world." Even the late and illustrious Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon sounded the warning of a shift away from a Biblical foundation to a "feel good" approach to religion. His cries went unheeded. What we are witnessing today in this mass proliferation of religions is the result of that trend which began in the late 1800's and accelerated toward the end of the 20th century. Today identification with any particular religious body is not based so much on doctrine as it is on what that church can do for the individual. If a church does not meet the self-centered demands of any particular member, that member simply starts another church, with a different name, and some kind of unique, catchy title, or some bizarre practice (moral or spiritual) that satisfies their immoral penchant or twisted way of thinking. A good case in point came to my attention last week when I was directed to a web page featuring yet another church called "Beer And Hymns." It is a spin off of the First Christian Church in Portland, Oregon. The author of this little tidbit of information described this new "church" thus: "With mainline religious congregations dwindling across America, a scattering of churches is trying to attract new members by creating a different sort of Christian community. They are gathering around craft beer. Some church groups are brewing it themselves, while others bring the Holy Mysteries to a taproom. The result is not sloshed congregants; rather, it's an exploratory approach to do church differently." The "pastor" of this church, Amy Piatt, believes that church is going to be "something different" and what it is to be "we are still finding out...But it's lovely, God is still there, and that's what's most important."

Sensible, Bible loving seekers of truth recognize immediately that the above approach to "do church" is so far removed from the teachings of the Bible that we scratch our heads in utter astonishment. But the "Beer and Hymns" church is a good example of how pragmatism, humanism, postmodernism, and will worship have contributed to a trend in which every man becomes a law unto himself, and the final outcome can be more proliferation of religion; all in the name of religion. How sad!

Sermon on Joshua 24:15

Joshua 24:15  ”……………….choose you this day whom ye will serve………but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

These words spoken by Joshua a long time ago, address what I truly believe is one of the greatest needs of our age. I know not how you feel about this but I am convinced that the strength of our nation, the strength of the community in which we live, the strength of the church is found in the commitment to make our homes, homes that truly fear the Lord and  serve him in sincerity (Joshua 24:14; Eph. 6:24).

We live today in a fast paced society in which so much pressure is being exerted upon us to say, think and do things that are not in harmony with the will of God. We cannot just assume that because we believe in God or because we go to church services, that our homes are going to be homes that serve the Lord. Every member of the family unit needs to examine and re-examine their place in the home—husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters need to take a close look at their individual responsibilities (Eph. 5:22-31; Eph. 6:1-4; Prov. 22:6; 2 Tim. 1:5).

Insofar as the home is concerned, I truly believe that a lot of pain, heartache and misery have been brought into all of our lives because God’s will concerning marriage has not been respected and followed (Matt. 19:3-9). Just because the government allows divorce for any reason does not mean that God condones it. We need to go back to the biblical principle of marriage: male and female, cleaving together as one flesh,  until death does them part.

 If our homes are going to be homes that serve the Lord in sincerity, homes in which our children and grandchildren are reared in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, we are going to have to teach them not only in word but also by example what it means to have that kind of home. It will be a home in which children are being taught some great basic values of life: RESPECT—WORK—PRAYER—TRUST. If these values are not seen in abundance in our lives as husbands, wives, mothers and fathers, then in all likelihood they will not be found in the lives of our children. As parents or just as husbands and wives, we need to work overtime to make sure our homes are serving the Lord (2 Tim. 1:5).

Much more can be said on his particular subject but for now suffice it to say that America does have a lot of problems—crime, disrespect for authority, loose morality, greed, perversions of all kinds, homosexuality and the list can go on and on. Answers are constantly being sought for our problems but I fear that most people are seeking those answers in the wrong place. Simply put, God is the answer and I truly believe that most of our ills would be cured with homes truly serving the Lord. “AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE _______”  (You fill in the blank).

Charles Hicks

How to have a memorable thanksgiving

Someday There Will Be A Better Thanksgiving

By Tom Wacaster

It has been more than three decades since the late Adair Chapman shared the following story with his readers:

As most families in the community were gathering around dining tables for Thanksgiving dinner, I stood with another family and a few friends who had quietly assembled in the small country cemetery to bid an earthly farewell to a young man who had  died in defense of his country.  Down the road, sounds of laughter and exchanged greetings between those who had come home for a holiday reunion seemed in cruel contrast with the suppressed sobs of the bereaved.   The simple graveside service over, we returned to the house where friends and neighbors had prepared dinner for the family. Sympathetic neighbors could provide food and speak words of comfort, but there was on thing they could not do.  They could not fill the empty chair that remained unoccupied during the meal.  As the little family ate in silence, the father turned his face and looked through the window toward the hillside where the beautiful floral arrangements would soon wilt, and slowly remarked, "Someday, there'll be a better Thanksgiving."

One week from tomorrow our nation will celebrate Thanksgiving Day.   It has been recorded in the pages of history, and the annals of Congress, that this nation of ours should set aside and recognize one day a year as "Thanksgiving Day."  I cannot remember a single year that has ever  passed wherein I was denied the opportunity to observe this national holiday, and most of the time those days of celebration were spent with family.  This Thursday will be my 66th such occasion, even though the  first dozen years are not as vivid in my memory as the past dozen. 

"Thanksgiving Day"!  What do those words mean to you?  What thoughts and memories do they conjure up in your mind?  To some, Thanksgiving Day is one of back-to-back football games, early morning Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on television, the smell of turkey cooking in the oven, and left overs at days end.  To others it is nothing more than an  extended weekend, an extra day at the office, or an opportunity to spend some time in a lease waiting for  that deer to drop by your way so you can "bag" a six pointer, or tell about the one that got away.  And, sadly, to some it will be a day of ill health, loss of a loved one, or some tragedy that might strike at some unexpected moment in our life.   

Thanksgiving Day should cause us to pause and reflect on our good fortune and "every good gift and every perfect gift" that has come down to us "from the Father of lights, with whom there can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning" (James 1:17). But it should also cause those who are God's children to reflect upon that day when the "better Thanksgiving" will be bestowed upon us.   

The words spoken by that bereaved father in brother Chapman's story are the expression of those who hope in heaven, and look forward to that time when we shall be forever reunited with our spiritual family.   In that day God shall wipe away every tear from our eyes.  There will be no more death, sorrow, pain or suffering.  "Someday" we will sit down at a table so unlike the Thanksgiving Day table at which we will sit next week and join hands and give thanks to the Father in heaven.  "Someday" our thanksgiving will be expressed not just on one day, but throughout eternity as we bow at the feet of our Father.   Turkey and dressing will not fill our stomachs, but the fruit from the tree of life.  

After the celebration of Thanksgiving Day, many of us will bid farewell to our children, grandchildren, parents and in-laws who have come to enjoy the food and fellowship.  For some that farewell will be for only a few days; for others the time between visits will be months, if not years.  For some it will be the last farewell this side of eternity.  But "someday," when the Lord comes again, "we that are alive, who are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thess. 4:17).