A NEWSLETTER FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE GREENWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

VOLUME 4 NO. 45                                         January 6, 2008

Responsible & Accountable

BY STEVE NIEMEIER

The teachings of Jesus contain instructions of how we are responsible to obey God and that we will be accountable for our actions.  How could any of us study through the Sermon on the Mount and not come to the conclusion that Jesus is teaching us about our responsibilities and that we are accountable for those responsibilities.

In Matthew the 25th chapter Jesus is teaching His disciples about the responsibility of being prepared, utilizing our talents and fulfilling our responsibilities to others and our accountability for such.

When John records the letters to the seven churches we read of where the main issue in 5 of them was the refusal of fulfilling individual and congregational responsibilities of obedience to God.  Thus they were going to be held accountable.  Because of this Jesus tells them to repent or else.  To the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia He wrote that He would be with them because they were fulfilling their responsibilities.  Thus their accountability was favorable and He would not forget them in their troubled time.

Today we find many who do not fulfill their responsibilities in the Lord’s church.  As a result they are appalled when approached concerning their accountability to these responsibilities.  This results in congregations having 20% of their members doing 80% of the work to be done.  Many times those in the 80% think they are really faithful and strong.  Yet, they refuse to fulfill their responsibilities and they are offended when asked to be accountable.

In 2008 every member of this congregation needs to be made aware of their responsibilities and be held accountable for them.  That starts with each one of us examining ourselves and ends with our brothers and sisters loving us enough to help us be accountable to our responsibilities.

The Measuring Stick

BY PAUL SAIN

A small dry goods store in a small rule town was visited by a man from the state’s weight and measures department.  He found the yardstick being used to sell fabric was one inch short.  “That’s impossible!” said the owner.  “That yardstick was used by my dad and grandfather.  They would not have cheated anyone!  They were honest, Christian men.”

The inspector paused for a second and then said, “Sir, I’m sure your father and grandfather were honest.  In fact, since they were so honest what do you think they would have done if they had made this discovery?”  Without hesitation, the owner said, “They would have made it right…and that’s what I’m going to do.”

Often people will not accept plain Bible teaching because it is NOT what their parents or close relative or one very influential in their life believed.  What do you think those honest parents, family members or close influential friends would have done if they had learned the truth?  Will you do any less?

“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.  And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”
Matthew 10:37