I was looking through a bunch of the stuff I have saved in different ways and just happened to run across a bulletin article written by our son, Johnie, when he was working with the S.W. congregation in Ada with their college ministry. When I re-read it, it dawned on me that it is just as relevant right now today as it was when he wrote it, so, I wanted to share it with all of you.
THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE
I recently read about an old church building in New England. Inside the building there was a beautiful pulpit Bible. Above this beautiful Bible was a sign that read, “Not to be taken from the building.” The Bible was there to be looked at and to be admired for its beauty. One could appreciate the Bible’s decorative appeal and, could even read it, but you were not allowed to take it out of the building.
It seems, all too often, members of the church have the same opinion of the Bible. They come into the assembly and admire their Bibles. They carry them around, hold them, look at them and may even read them however, they don’t take them out of the building. Some don’t even bring their Bibles into the building, but rely on the ones in the pews, if they use one at all. When Willie Franklin was speaking at the Moore Youth Rally last month, he asked everyone who brought their Bibles to hold them up. He then explained he wanted to see who had come to study and who had come to be entertained.
Regardless of how much we read and study our Bibles inside the building, it is not God’s plan for them to stay there. According to our Lord, we are to “Go...and teach…” (Matt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15). The church building is not a lighthouse. We are all individual lighthouses. Jesus was talking about us, as individuals, shining His light into a dark world. We can’t do that if we leave our lights in the building.
We have the bread of life for which a hungry world is looking. Unfortunately it seems we often want to serve it cafeteria style. We have it here in our building, all laid out and ready for anyone who wants to come to us and eat of it. I think it is clear that God did not ask us to run a cafeteria, but a catering service. We are to take the Word out of the building and share it with everyone we come into contact with.
Most of us sang it as a child. Brethren, let us all live it as adults.
“This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine, let it shine all the time, let it shine!”
Johnie Fredman
Some really good, serious thoughts here for us all to consider.
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE
I recently read about an old church building in New England. Inside the building there was a beautiful pulpit Bible. Above this beautiful Bible was a sign that read, “Not to be taken from the building.” The Bible was there to be looked at and to be admired for its beauty. One could appreciate the Bible’s decorative appeal and, could even read it, but you were not allowed to take it out of the building.
It seems, all too often, members of the church have the same opinion of the Bible. They come into the assembly and admire their Bibles. They carry them around, hold them, look at them and may even read them however, they don’t take them out of the building. Some don’t even bring their Bibles into the building, but rely on the ones in the pews, if they use one at all. When Willie Franklin was speaking at the Moore Youth Rally last month, he asked everyone who brought their Bibles to hold them up. He then explained he wanted to see who had come to study and who had come to be entertained.
Regardless of how much we read and study our Bibles inside the building, it is not God’s plan for them to stay there. According to our Lord, we are to “Go...and teach…” (Matt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15). The church building is not a lighthouse. We are all individual lighthouses. Jesus was talking about us, as individuals, shining His light into a dark world. We can’t do that if we leave our lights in the building.
We have the bread of life for which a hungry world is looking. Unfortunately it seems we often want to serve it cafeteria style. We have it here in our building, all laid out and ready for anyone who wants to come to us and eat of it. I think it is clear that God did not ask us to run a cafeteria, but a catering service. We are to take the Word out of the building and share it with everyone we come into contact with.
Most of us sang it as a child. Brethren, let us all live it as adults.
“This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine, let it shine all the time, let it shine!”
Johnie Fredman
Some really good, serious thoughts here for us all to consider.
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
RSS Feed