"For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him. . ." Numbers 23:9

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THE MOUNTAIN MESSENGER

November 2004
Volume 1..........................Number 10
Crum, West Virginia

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"It Is Enough Because God Says It Is Enough"

By James E. Farley

Jesus once said, "But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." (Luke 17:7-10).

The word for servant here is "doulos" and it means one who is in bondage, a bond servant, a slave. Jesus speaks first of all to the proper relationship between a slave and a master. The master eats first and then the slave can eat. The master is not obligated to thank the slave for doing what he is commanded to do.

In this context, we are the servants and Jesus is the Master. We have been set free from the bondage of sin (Acts 8:23; Romans 6:16-18) to become "servants of righteousness." We, of our own free-will, "yield" ourselves as "servants to righteousness unto holiness." We are now free from sin’s hold, and are "become servants to God." (Romans 6:19-22). This is why words like "humble", "meek", and "submit" are so very important in our religion. (James 4:1-10; I Peter 5:6; James 1:21-25; Romans 10:1-3). We are to lose our lives if we expect to find them! (Matthew 16:24-26).

Many like the concept of Jesus as the little babe in the manger, or Jesus as the Lamb of God, or Jesus as the Good Shepherd, or Jesus as our older brother, but the picture of Jesus as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, or as the King, or as the Master is somewhat distasteful to them. He is our King; He is our Master. We are His servants.

In the Luke 17 passage, Jesus says, "So likewise ye. . ." indicating that we are like the servant (slave) in that record. He says that we must do what we are commanded to do, but even then we are to say, "We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do."

God wants us to understand that even when we obey "all" that is commanded, it is really still not enough. We are still unprofitable. However, at the same time we need to understand that it is enough, because God, through His Son Jesus and His sacrifice upon Calvary’s cross, says it is enough! We can know that we know Him if we keep His commandments. (I John 2:3-5). We can understand that we are disciples indeed if we continue in His Word. (John 8:31-32). We have a wonderful confidence that we are in fellowship with God and with all who are in fellowship with Him when we walk in the light as He is in that light. (I John 1:7).

It is enough simply because the Great God of Heaven says it is enough. We can "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16). That is grace! We are saved by grace through faith, and it is not anything that we merit. (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, this does not mean that we are saved by "grace only", for the Word clearly teaches that is by grace through faith. Man does indeed have to obey. (Hebrews 5:8-9; James 1:21-25; 2:14-26). God, through His wonderful grace, has given us the verbally inspired Word to teach and instruct us in His right ways; in His righteousness. (Titus 2:11-12; Romans 1:16-17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

In order for us to be well-pleasing to Him we must submit to His revealed righteousness. (Romans 10:1-3). Even then, we must still maintain the attitude that it is not enough, but that it is indeed enough simply because God says so! (Luke 17:10; I John 5:11-13).

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WORSHIP

by Albert E. Farley

Today, in a time when it is "politically correct" to embrace diversity, we are being encouraged - yes, strongly pressured, socially - to practice a broad toleration for the many faiths and worships of the world. Those in leadership positions take great pride in the diverse nature of our nation, and the popular belief is that all faiths and worships are of equal value. Is this true?

In John 4:20-24, Jesus said to the woman at Jacob’s well, "Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."

The churches of Christ plead for a return to the New Testament fundamentals of worship. When we speak of fundamentals, we speak of God’s Word. Like the Samaritans of Jesus’ day, many today have departed from God’s Holy Word and, consequently, do not know what they worship. Do you know what you worship? Jesus said that true worship is fundamentally connected with our salvation.

Our worship must be rendered unto Jehovah, the Lord God of all. "Get thee hence Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (Matthew 4:10). All of our worship must be offered to God in the name of Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Colossians 3:17). "There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (I Timothy 2:5).

What is worship? Today, in so many places, houses of worship have been converted into theaters, and worship has degenerated into "show business"! The words which are translated "worship" in the Bible mean, "to depress, prostrate in homage, bow, fall down, do obeisance, do reverence; to kiss; to revere, adore; render religious homage, to minister - serve; give glory, esteem; venerate." Please note these definitions closely. They have nothing to do with entertainment; they have nothing to do with "filling felt needs;" they have nothing to do with "getting something out of worship." Worship is giving not getting.

What are we to give to God in worship? We are to offer him praise and thanksgiving in prayer and in song. (Luke 11:1-12; I Corinthians 14:15; I Thessalonians 5:17-18; Hebrews 4:16). Our songs are to be psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). We plead for all to return to the fundamental, vocal, congregational singing practiced by the church of the first century. We are to partake of the Lord’s Supper - the communion service - on the first day of every week. (Matthew 26-26-29; Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:23-34). We do this in remembrance of him who died for us. We are to cheerfully give on the first day of the week as God has prospered us. (I Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8:7; 9:7). We are also to teach and preach the Word of God in worship (Acts 2:42; 20:7).

Dear friends, may all of us determine to be true worshippers of God. God is seeking such to worship him. Let’s ensure that our worship is based upon the fundamentals - the basic, foundation truths revealed in God’s Holy Word. True worship is a "must". All other worship is vain. (Matthew 15:9). Our salvation is a stake.

The above article first appeared in WEST VIRGINIA CHRISTIAN, Vol. 8, No. 10, October, 2001. Albert E. Farley serves well as the editor of that paper and as the preacher for the Salem church of Christ, in Salem, WV. You may contact him at: WEST VIRGINIA CHRISTIAN, Rt. 5, Box 1468, Salem, West Virginia 26426. The WVC is an 8 page, monthly paper with an individual subscription rate of $10 per year. It is well worth that cost. Subscribe today.

James E. Farley -To Contact Jim by email, click here