How would your faith change if NASA discovered another planet with human or humanoid inhabitants?

Sincerely,
Crop Circler

Dear Crop Circler,

It wouldn’t change our faith at all because the Bible tells us about our responsibility to God, not some aliens responsibility to Him.  If humanoid aliens were ever found (which we deem quite unlikely) then they would have to figure out what they must do to be right with God.  As for those of us on planet Earth… we must be in Christ to be saved (Jhn 14:6).  We've got enough problems without trying to figure out what happens to Martians when they die.

5 minutes a day
5 days a week
1 New Testament in a year

There are 261 weekdays in a year, and there are 260 chapters in the New Testament. By reading one chapter, Monday through Friday, you will read the whole New Testament by the end of the year. The Daily Cup series is to help with that goal.

Happy Studying!

"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup." -- Psalm 16:5

Click here for a pdf of the study schedule - CLICK HERE

5 minutes a day
5 days a week
1 New Testament in a year

There are 261 weekdays in a year, and there are 260 chapters in the New Testament. By reading one chapter, Monday through Friday, you will read the whole New Testament by the end of the year. The Daily Cup series is to help with that goal.

Happy Studying!

"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup." -- Psalm 16:5

Click here for a pdf of the study schedule - CLICK HERE

According to the history of the "Church of Christ," God used certain men to "restore" the New Testament church in the early 1800's.  Where was the true New Testament church before then?  Jesus said that the gates of hell would not prevail against His church (Matthew 16:18).  What happened to the church, and where was the truth it was responsible for preaching before God restored it?

 

Sincerely,
History Buff

Dear History Buff,

Your question brings up a common misconception.  Most churches of Christ in America can trace their roots back to a movement in early American history commonly known as ‘the Restoration Movement’.  It is called the Restoration Movement because those spearheading the movement wanted to restore worship back to the ways of the New Testament.  They wanted to go back to the Bible for all of their answers and practices.  This is exactly what the Lord calls us to do (1 Cor 4:6, Josh 1:7, Jhn 14:6, Rev 22:18-19).

The misconception is that these were the first men to do this.  That is a myth.  America is not the first country to contain people who wanted to go back to God’s Word for all that they said and did.  Even within the Bible, we see people seeking to restore Bible-based worship.  King Josiah found a copy of the Law and told the people to return to God (2 Kgs 22:10-13).  Jesus told the Jews to go back to the Scriptures and understand what God was telling them (Mk 12:24).  Jesus warned against making traditions that usurped the authority of the Scriptures (Mk 7:10-13).

The church has never been destroyed, and throughout many, many ages (including the darkest ages of Catholicism), there have been people who have sought to honestly and humbly serve God.  The Restoration Movement in America is merely one story of people that have sought to put God’s Word back into its rightful place.  The Bible is the seed of the church (Lk 8:11).  When a group of people commits itself to do what the Bible says – no more and no less – a church is formed.  Many of these congregations in America use the name ‘church of Christ’ because it is a Biblical name (Rom 16:16), and it is a recognizable name to other christians who are looking for faithful churches… but make no mistake, the Restoration Movement in America wasn’t the first (and it won’t be the last) group of people that wanted simple Christianity.

I was beginning to preach, and I started preaching on the usual "God loves you" sermons, but gradually I began to gear toward what you may call "sinful nature" sermons, and I began to preach sermons on gambling, smoking, pornography, sex before marriage, etc.  At first, the brethren were glad to see me preaching on these things, but eventually, they all pulled me aside and told me that I was upsetting the church.  Even though they agreed that I was preaching the truth, they didn't want to hear me preaching on these things... especially smoking.  Not one time did I ever say that "_____ is sin" – but rather, using Christ's way to let people study and think for themselves about how God views us doing certain things.  Was I wrong for preaching on this, and are "God loves you" sermons all the church wants to hear now?

Sincerely,
Beginning Minister

Dear Beginning Minister,

Preaching is an honorable and difficult profession.  Paul warned Timothy that it would take patience, gentleness, (2 Tim 2:24) and boldness to preach (2 Tim 1:7).  All preaching involves hardship (2 Tim 1:8).  We are sorry to hear of the frustrations you are facing – it is a noble thing to preach… there is also a learning curve.  Your problem may be caused by a number of different factors:

1. Preaching requires balance.  It is important that we preach the whole gospel (Acts 20:27).  Balance in preaching is one of the most difficult challenges for preachers.  Even the most seasoned veteran finds himself leaning too far toward one type of sermon or another.  The congregation may be trying to tell you that it is time to move toward other topics.  That doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t like hard preaching… but moderation is necessary.  The sum of God’s Word is truth (Ps 119:160).
2. It hurts when a sermon steps on our toes.  It may be that some people in the congregation don’t like the harder preaching because it is hitting too close to home.  It might be appropriate to continue to show boldness (Eph 6:19)… it might also be appropriate to show gentleness and back off from these issues for a while (Pr 15:4).
3. Your age and experience may be influencing your ability to preach on these topics.  It is unfortunate, but youth does make it harder for people to listen (1 Tim 4:12).  It takes time to show yourself as an example of faith, love, and purity.  In our youth, we bear burdens that bear fruit later on in our preaching careers (Lam 3:27).

Your problem is probably caused by a combination of all of these factors.  The answer is to surround yourself with wisdom.  In a multitude of counselors, there is safety (Pr 15:22).  Since you are just starting in your preaching, ask advice from other older and wiser preachers that you trust.  Get counsel from those in the congregation that you respect… preferably the eldership.  If they all feel that you need to continue to pointedly address these sin issues, you can feel confident when you get in the pulpit and do so.  If they have a different perspective, then you will be able to (with a clear conscience) change topics and know that you are doing the right thing.  Surround yourself with wise counselors, and Lord willing, you will have years of good service ahead of you.