July 2, 2000 Humble Messenger

Humble Messenger
Volume 8, Week 27 July 2, 2000

Elders' Corner

Accepting Responsibility ­ Larry Legg

We all have a tendency, when faced with our own shortcomings, to blame someone else in an attempt to rid ourselves of responsibility for our own actions. This is not something new with our generation. In fact, it has always been a problem for man.

In the very beginning Adam and Eve blamed others for their sin. Eve responded to Godıs inquiry by saying, "The serpent deceived me and I ate." Adam then answered God by saying, "The woman whom Thou gavest me to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate" (Gen. 3:12- 13). At Mount Sinai Aaron instructed the children of Israel to bring him the gold rings from their ears, then he fashioned the gold into an idol, a golden calf (Exo. 32:1-5). When Moses asked Aaron about it, he tried to excuse himself by putting all the blame on the people, saying, "you know the people yourself, that they are prone to evil." He then lied to Moses by saying that he threw the gold into the fire and the idol mysteriously appeared from the fire (Exod. 32:22-24). King Saul was instructed by God through the prophet Samuel to utterly destroy the Amalekites, including every man, woman and child, and, all their livestock. Saul disobeyed God by sparing Agag, their king, and the best of their livestock. When confronted by Samuel about his disobedience, Saul blamed the people, saying the people held back the best livestock to sacrifice to God. The prophet responded by saying, "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams" (1st Sam. 15:3,7,8,13-22).

Who do we blame when we fail to do Godıs will? Regarding assembling with the saints, itıs not unusual to hear weak or unfaithful brethren express their feelings something like this; " I donıt attend much any more because last year when I was sick, no one called me. They donıt care about me down there." Or, "Those people down there are unfriendly. They never talk to me. If they were friendly, Iıd go to services" (Itıs the brethrenıs fault). Sometimes a Christian will blame those in the world for his/her failure to do Godıs will. Regarding social drinking, a "Christian" businessman might say, "I donıt want to do it, but social drinking is just part of the job - itıs expected. Itıs just the way business is done. I donıt really have a choice" (Itıs the bossı fault). Another area of concern is the "Christian" who puts his/her job ahead of assembling with the saints. They might say, "I canıt come to services much any more because I have to work on Sundays. God expects me to support my family, so itıs not my fault" (Itıs Godıs fault).

One of the most difficult lessons for any of us to learn is that when I fail in my service to the Lord, itıs my fault. We must not blame anyone but ourselves when we fail to assemble and be of service to our brethren, or, fail in our obligation to live righteously before those in the world. Everyone of us has the same 24 hours of every day. And, everyone of us has the ability to prioritize our life. Jesus said "But seek first His kingdom" (Matt. 6:33). It is necessarily implied that everyone of us has the ability to do that. For various reasons, we will not always be able to attend every service, and we may have to occasionally miss a worship service due to our job, but regardless of our job, family situation, or other circumstances of life, we can put God and our brethren first. The scriptures do not teach that it will always be easy. In fact, sometimes it may be very hard. But, if we put spiritual things first, the relationship we have with our brethren, including their love, support and help (both spiritual and physical), will make the hardships and trials of life easier to bear. Instead of blaming others for our failings, we should be willing to accept responsibility for our own actions (or lack of action), repent, and have the attitude described by Isaiah when he wrote "My hand made all these things, thus all these things came into being," declares the Lord. "But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word" (Isa. 66:2).

NEWS
Jason Swann was taken to Hermann Hospital where he had surgery Friday night due to a serious condition with pneumothorax. Jason also has been found to have numerous kidney stones. They expect him to be in Hermann for a few days. Fuller information can be obtained by  reading the updates posted on the bulletin board (A later update was sent via email about 8 pm Saturday. Jason is in ICU in Hermann. He had high fever and seizures throughout the night last night.). . . Luther Bolenbarker will be preaching in a gospel meeting July 6­8, Thursday­Saturday,  at Greenwood Village. Topics are on the announcement on the bulletin board . . . A new report from Danny Wilson is available in the foyer . . . Does Hebrews 6:4-6 ("impossible to renew them again to repentance") teach that a person may reach a point he cannot repent or cannot be forgiven? Does it teach that those once saved can be lost? If so, what do Calvinists say about it? What important lesson does this text contain for you and me? Lord willing, we will study this text in our lesson in the evening assembly today . . . July 4 celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence for our country. But today Christians celebrate the means of their independence from the tyranny and oppression of sin‹the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Let us never forget the cost to set us free and always be true to our pledge to the King that we made when we entered into His rule. "If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed!" (John 8:36)

The Robinsons have graciously volunteered to provide transportation to Zelma Bobbitt for the month of July.

Wednesday Evening Close
July 5 - Robert Rice
July 12 - Ralph Robinson
July 19 - Kris Emerson
July 26 - Randy Smith

SCHEDULED TO SERVE

July 5 - Wednesday
Song Leader: David Dickey
Close: Robert Rice
July 9 - Sunday
AM
Announcements: Jeff Bogs
Song Leader: David Osteen
First Prayer: Kris Emerson
Preaching: Steve Fontenot
Closing Prayer: Bill Faulkner
PM
Song Leader: Jeff Bogs
First Prayer: Mike Head
Preaching: Steve Fontenot
Closing Prayer: Matthew Hodges
Lordıs Table, AM & PM
Bread: Tod Aldridge
Fruit of the Vine: Fred Ferguson
Contribution: Michael Gove
Assistant: Mark Hargrove