THE TRENTON BULLETIN

THE TRENTON BULLETIN

Trenton Church of Christ, Trenton, Florida

John the Baptist was a fire and brimstone preacher. His appearance alone would strike fear into most hearts. “Now John himself had a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey” (Matthew 3:4). His sermons were direct and not very commending to the religious order of the Jewish nation. “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance’” (Matthew 3:7-8). He would warn them not to trust in their lineage for God did not approve of their hypocrisy.

When John was preaching to the people he would rebuke their pretense but then follow up with great words of encouragement. The historian Luke records such a sermon in Luke 3. After warning the multitudes to “bear fruits worthy of repentance,” John was asked by the people, “What shall we do then?” (Luke 3:10). John outlined five things they needed to do.

First, they needed to give to the needy. “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise” (Luke 3:11). Albert Barnes said of this passage: “In other words, aid the poor according to your ability; be benevolent, and you will thus show that your repentance is genuine.” John did not want to make the people think that repentance required only hardship but the attitude of heart that would reach out to other people. A changed heart toward God is a changed heart toward one another.

“And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, ‘Teacher, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Collect no more than what you have been ordered to’” (Luke 3:12,13). Honesty is a characteristic of the people of God. Tax collectors were hated by the Jews because of their propensity to take more taxes than required by the Romans and pocket the rest for themselves. Zaccheus acknowledged if he had defrauded anyone he would return four times as much (Luke 19:1-10). The author Matthew was a tax collector. John exhorts the people to be honest before all men.

Remarkably, some soldiers came and questioned John the Baptist about what they must do. "’And what about us, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages’" (Luke 3:11-14). The final three admonitions are found in response to questions by soldiers. Soldiers had a powerful role in John’s world; whether as Romans soldiers or those who served Herod or Philip. Regardless of their place of responsibility, John admonishes them to be kind, be truthful and be content. What a powerful example the soldiers would make for the teaching of John the Baptist to fulfill those roles.

These lessons should not be lost on the people of God today. Our lives must be filled with benevolence (Matthew 25:31-46) for we will be judged by such. Honesty is the golden crown of a Christians life (Ephesians 4:15;25-32). Kindness and truth should be our garments of grace to others (Colossians 3:12-17). Being content is the admonition of the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:11 and 1 Timothy 6:8. The Hebrew writer also exhorts the Christians to “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). John the Baptist had a good sermon.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). The first statement in the Book of Genesis affirms that the cosmos was created by God. From that point forward, the Scriptures make it clear that this God was not merely the universe creating itself nor simply a "creative life-force" pervading nature, but rather a personal God who is distinct from the nature that He created. God is presented to us in the Scriptures as a transcendent God; He is radically "other" than His creation. And if that is the truth, then it is a serious mistake to give to the creation the reverence that ought to go to the Creator alone.

Contemporary thinkers and writers tend to be generic rather than specific in their concepts of "God." There is often very little distinction among terms like "spirit," "the universe," and "the creator." God is conceived as simply everything that exists or as a force that animates nature. The way in which "spirituality" has come to be distinguished from "religion" suggests the shift that has taken place with respect to God. Spirituality now encompasses an extremely broad range of philosophies, attitudes, and lifestyles, very few of which have anything to do with a personal God who is distinct from the universe. The adoration of nature, or even political participation in the environmental movement, is now enough to qualify as "spirituality." Indeed, in some circles respect for the "web of life" would be seen as a much more enlightened spirituality than that of the religious person who believes in a transcendent, personal Creator. The creation is now firmly ensconced on the throne that once belonged to the Creator.

The apostle Paul wrote of those who long ago "exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen" (Romans 1:25). But whether in its ancient or modern form, the tendency to confuse God with His creation is an intellectual mistake -- indeed a spiritual mistake -- fraught with the most tragic consequences. When nature is worshiped at God's expense, not only is God dishonored, but nature is dishonored also. As long as we are false to God, we can never be true to nature.

“Nature has perfections in order to show that she is the image of God, and defects to show that she is only his image” (Blaise Pascal).

With no thought for himself - One cannot help but like Epaphroditus. He's one of those seldom noticed, infrequently mentioned, self effacing heroes, who, working together single-mindedly with others like himself, spread the gospel throughout the whole world in 31 years. It is evident that Paul liked him, too. The imprisoned apostle calls Epaphroditus "my brother," describing him with such intense terms of praise as to leave no doubt about Paul's deep respect and affection for him. Paul's characterizations of him as worker and warrior, messenger and minister give insight into his unselfish, considerate nature (Philippians 2:25). This devout man who took no thought for himself and focused only on serving others becomes our model of quiet toil for Christ. He is worthy of admiration and imitation.

Worker - There are few awards for the common laborer. Managers and foremen get production bonuses and honors at the company dinner, while the laborers stand day after day sweating in assembly lines, unknown, and unsung. However, it is the combined efforts of these persistent, loyal workers that form the backbone of the business. In the kingdom, the apostles' names are remembered by everyone, but who talks about Epaphroditus, Tychicus, or Onesiphorus? But how much more difficult would the apostle's task of preaching the gospel to every creature without the quiet, unselfish services of hundreds of seldom noticed people like Epaphroditus.

Warrior - The soldier's life is not an easy one. He gives up a peaceful home life in a quiet neighborhood in exchange for unpleasant accommodations near the battle front. He trades good food and leisure time for uncertain fare and guard duty. He puts himself in harm's way enduring hardship, because a soldier must fight for another. He dies so that others might live. Epaphroditus risked his life to wait on Paul, leaving the comfort of his home in Philippi to hazard his life and health seeing to Paul's needs in prison.

Messenger - A messenger typifies the true servant of the Savior. He is not the author of the message. Another gets the credit for the information it contains. He is not the recipient of the message. Someone else benefits from the contents of the missive. The messenger just carries it from one to the other, braving the trials along the path, fearing the displeasure of the sender if he fails, and risking the anger of the receiver who may despise the message. Epaphroditus cared so much for those who would receive the message that it troubled him to hear they were worried for his health. In his estimation, his own physical state was too unimportant to concern others (Philippians 2:26).

Minister - As Epaphroditus ministered to Paul's needs on behalf of the Philippians, he did so at the expense of his own health (Philippians 2:30). He understood that ministering to another required sacrifice; it meant that the minister must place greater value on the needs of his charge than on his own interests. This attitude reflects the character of Jesus who ministered to the spiritual needs of all men. Humankind's need for salvation was more important to Him than His own desire to remain in heaven with the Father. Man's liberty was a greater matter to Him than His own freedom from suffering and humiliation. To Him, new life for the lost outweighed His own potential loss of life. Epaphroditus walked in the steps of the Savior. Whether one ministers by waiting at another's bedside or exhorts from a pulpit, one can profit by thinking less of what he is due and focusing more on what he can do.

Epaphroditus took no thought for himself. In so doing, he became a living example of the words of the Lord: "But whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: for even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:43, 45). Christians have been born anew, not to be waited on by others, but to wait upon others, not to be honored by men, but to give honor to God.” Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation" (Philippians 2:29).

The word of God, the Bible, is the source of everything that we as Christians hold in matters of faith. Consider what is done by the Word of God. We are born again by the word of God. Peter, the beloved apostle wrote that we are "born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God" (1 Peter 1:23 NASB). Jesus said in John 3:3 that in order to see the kingdom of God we must be "born again" and Peter here gives us the means whereby this occurs.

The word of God saves our souls. James, the brother of our Lord, says in James 1:21, "Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word and not merely hearers who delude themselves" When the word of God is in our hearts in such a way as we obey its commands and let them rule our lives, then, and only then, that word will save us. It does this by pointing us to Jesus Christ whose blood is the only cleansing agent for sin.

The Word of God is the source of faith. Paul wrote in Romans 10:17, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Whatever we know about Jesus and the religion he teaches us is by the word of God. We know nothing apart from the word of God. Human traditions mean nothing and generally get in the way of pleasing God, Matthew 15:1-9. The crux of what Jesus said here is contained in these words. "This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men." Where God has spoken, man's opinions mean nothing and less than nothing!

The Word of God is our guide and roadmap. The Psalmist said, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105). It shows us what is right and what is wrong in life. There is no such thing as a good life without guideposts to show us what is right and wrong. The main reason our society is suffering the trauma it is today is because we have largely abandoned the landmarks of the Word of God and set about to make our own, and we aren't doing a very good job of it. (Of course those of us who believe the Bible knew that would happen, "I know, O Lord, that a man's way is not in himself; Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps (Jeremiah 10:23)."

The Word of God equips us for every good work. Paul told the young preacher Timothy, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16,17)."

Since the Word of God does all of these things for us is it any wonder that we are commanded to "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15)?" Never take another man's word that something is taught by the Bible! Always check him out. Those people of Berea didn't take the apostle Paul's word for anything but searched the scriptures daily whether the things Paul said were so, and the Holy Spirit called them noble for doing so! You can read that in Acts 17:11. Study your Bible daily.

Other books were given for our information; the Bible was given for our transformation. (Anonymous)

A New England clergyman, impressing on his congregation the necessity of practical godliness, and contrasting the early Christians with those of the present generation, very properly remarked, “We have too many resolutions and too little action. The Acts of the Apostles is the title of one of the books of the New Testament; their resolutions have not reached us. [5000 Best Modern Illustrations. GBF Hallock, Geo H. Doran Co., NY 1927, p.12-13]