September 19, 1999 Humble Messenger

Influence   - Ben Vick
Someone has said, "Influence has a universal significance. willingly or unwillingly, consciously or unconsciously, every man imparts something to his fellowman. Man is a part of God's great unit. He cannot move without moving his fellows; he cannot act without causing reaction. 'No man liveth unto himself and none dieth unto himself.' Wherever we go in life, we send forth parts of ourselves. What we do is enacted on a stage of which all men are spectators, and what we say (and do) is heard by a listening world. We are forever driving or drawing our fellows. We either help or hinder every man we meet."

The same author wrote, "Influence may be good or bad, wholesome or unwholesome. The kind we radiate depends on what we are. We can only send forth that which we have. If light is within, we enlighten; we illuminate; if darkness is within, we cast a shadow' if puffed up with pride, we repel; if the heart is aglow with affection, we radiate warmth; if hatred is enthroned, we chill; if impure in heart, we poison; if pure in heart, we purify, we renovate. If thought are high and holy, we elevate; if low and mean and vulgar, we degrade."

The important question is: What kind of influence do I wield? Jesus said, "Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 5:13-16).
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Fellowship‹Contribution  (srf)
The reason for a contribution is the desire to have fellowship in the work being done: "And you yourselves also know, ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in the matter of giving and receiving but ye only" (Phi. 4:15, ASV); "beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints" (2 Cor. 8:4, ASV). When the proceeds are put into a "common" fund (Acts 4:32), it then "belongs to all" (definition of "common"), and each person who contributed has fellowship in whatever is done with that fund. Accordingly, Paul wrote that the "church had fellowship with him" and that the members had fellowship with him ("ye had fellowship with my affliction") at the same time (Phi. 4:14-15, ASV). That is, the Philippian Christians had fellowship with Paul in the preaching of the gospel when they sent support to him from the common fund of the church.

Now, if it be true that when that fund is used in a scriptural way every contributor has fellowship in what is done, would it not also be true that when that money is used in an UNscriptural way each contributor has fellowship in it? If not, why not? One might justify himself by reasoning that it was not his personal decision to misuse the money, but in neither case did he personally decide how to use the money‹it was contributed to be distributed under a common oversight, Acts 4:35, 11:30, 20:28. When he contributed it into the common fund he lost his personal control over it in both cases, Acts 5:4. This did not negate the fact that he was having fellowship when the work was scriptural; why would it do so when the fund was used UNscripturally?

Churches of Christ are using their funds for everything from entertainment to politics. Do you believe this is right? Do you believe such practices are from heaven or from men? Can scripture be found authorizing churches to provide parties, meals, secular education, and social work? If you do not believe these things are authorized, but contribute to a fund that is so used, are you having fellowship in these things? If not, why not?

An occasional questionable practice may be one thing, but to have fellowship with continued and significant misuse is quite another. Would this affect your decision about which church you chose to have fellowship with if you move? Should it affect your decision...?

If you should find yourself in a town where the only church there is involved in these things, what can you do about it? You can oppose it. You can expose it. You can discuss it with the leadership. You can encourage them to use the Lord's funds only for those things for which there is divine authority. The best thing that could happen would be to turn brethren back to the New Testament pattern. If that isn't successful in correcting it, you can terminate your fellowship‹at least that aspect of it. This should never be done lightly and without effort to teach and arrive at a situation where all can work and worship together without violating one another's conscience. But after all efforts have been exhausted, do you know of any other alternative to one who confesses Christ as Lord?
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News of Interest
Evelyn Lowrance's knee surgery that was originally scheduled for week before last took place last Tuesday. Though she must use support when she walks, her recovery seems to going okay . . . Evelyn Lowrance's brother-in-law, Lee McDonald, suffered a blood clot and heart attack. He has been in a hospital in Dallas . . . Dorothy Ottersbach has experienced some especially difficult times in the last week or two . . . Derek Huddleston, who is recovering from esophagus surgery, was still having difficulty eating solid food as of end of last week . . . Bill Faulkner, seems to be recovering well from surgery on his sinus passages, but he yet has two splints to be removed . . . Gina Palermo's father was in a coma in the hospital in Bryan-College Station. It is not known at this time whether he will return home . . . Carole Knudsen's aunt was involved in an auto accident and had to be taken to a Dallas hospital . . . Rocky Rodriguez is in Alaska this week . . . Pam Guerra and Evelyn's new address: 8125 Willows Road, Apt. F 66, Redmond, WA, 98052. Phone: (425) 497-1006 . . . Gospel Meetings: Sep. 19-24, White Park, Jim McDonald, Mon.-Fri., 7:30 p.m. . . . Sep. 19-24, College Park, Harold Comer, Mon.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.
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SCHEDULED TO SERVE
Wednesday, Sep. 22
Song Leader: Boyd Hurst

Sunday AM, Sep. 26
Announcements:  Tod Aldridge
Song Leader: Boyd Hurst
First Prayer: Mike Head
Lord's Table:
Bread: Wallace Ottersbach
Fruit of  the Vine: David Osteen
Contribution: John Lowrance
Assistant: Ed Schindler
Closing Prayer: John Knudsen

Sunday PM, Sep. 26
Song Leader: Charles Tu
First Prayer: Larry Legg
Lord's Table:
Bread: Gary Tuttle
Fruit of the Vine: Billy Lovell
Contribution:
Closing Prayer: Boyd Hurst