Category Archives: Family of God

Mar 25

What Makes the Church Great?

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Last weekend I spoke at a youth rally where the theme was “Make the Church Great Again.” As I was preparing my lesson, I couldn’t help but think about just a few of the reasons the church is already great.

The People. I have been a part of the Lord’s church for over 20 years now and one thing I have come to appreciate is the wonderful people who make up the church. Christians are some of the kindest and most generous people I know. Whenever a need arises, Christians and Christian organizations are some of the first on the scene to help serve (Gal. 5:13).

The Place. When a person obeys the Gospel the Lord adds them to His church (Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:47). Everyone who has been added to the church is now a part of the family of God (Eph. 2:13-22). What makes being a part of the family of God so unique is that this spiritual family is not bound by ethnicity or location. When a person is added to the church that person becomes family with other brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world.

The Price. As amazing as the church is, it should come as no surprise that the establishment of such a unique blessing didn’t come free of cost. The Bible tells us our beloved Lord and Savior purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). What a huge price to pay. And yet, Jesus gave His blood so you and I could be a part of His glorious church and enjoy all the blessing that come with being a member of His kingdom.

The Period. We have heard the saying, “All good things must come to an end.” When it comes to the church Jesus purchased, this is far from the truth. The church is eternal (Dan. 2:44). When time on earth for all mankind ends, the Lord will deliver up the kingdom to God (I Cor. 15:20-24). For those who are a part of the kingdom (church), they will be received into heaven.

Friends, we don’t have to make the church great again; it’s already great. We just have to open our eyes and see the beauty of the church and help lead others to find that greatness as well.

Now that’s Something to Think About!

 

Apr 27

A Great Homecoming

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This week is an exciting week for our Karns family. All week long our building will be buzzing with activity because it’s Lectureship week. Every morning from about 7:00 until 9:00 each evening, people will be walking the church building halls, looking at book displays from several different vendors, hearing the Gospel presented and eating lots of delicious food together prepared by some of our wonderful Karns members.

This week is always a favorite for many of our Karns members, as well as many men and women throughout the brotherhood. The Lectureships are a week where former students and their families return for a physical and spiritual feast. It presents a great opportunity for many of us to reunite with brothers and sisters who hold special places in our hearts. For many of us, the Southeast Lectureship week is one immense homecoming.

As wonderful a homecoming as this week may be, the reunion this week fails in comparison to the great homecoming that will take place when all the saved are called home to heaven. How splendid it will be to be reunited with all those we loved in this life who have already passed on! After the child David conceived with Bathsheba died, he longed for the day that he could be reunited with him again in heaven (2 Sam. 12:23). I, like most of you, have lost some people I love dearly. Not a day goes by I don’t think about them and miss them. I look forward to heaven so I can be reunited with them once again around the throne of God.

When we think about our Lord preparing a special place for us in the dwelling place of God, a place that is more beautiful than we can fathom, where we will know no sadness and have the opportunity to be reunited with our loved ones who have gone on before, the only thing that could make that homecoming any better is the fact that it will last forever (I Thess. 4:17).

Our enjoyable homecoming this week will come to an end in just a few short days. We will say our goodbyes and look forward, Lord willing, to seeing each other again a year from now. But thanks be to God that the day is coming when a GREAT, never-ending homecoming will take place. How magnificent that homecoming will be!

Now that’s Something to Think About!

Apr 24

It Felt Like Home!

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Miranda, Caden and I just got back last night from Colorado Springs, Colorado. This was the second year Miranda and I have been to Colorado Springs and Caden’s first trip. I was invited back to be the keynote speaker for a youth conference at the Mountain View Church of Christ. As we boarded the plane to fly out there, we left our home, our church family, our friends and many of the things that bring us comfort. Yet, when we arrived, we were greeted by family and friends. You see, although we were some 1,200 miles from Knoxville, in a totally different time zone, it still felt like home.

Pikes Peak

Friends, this is the great blessing of being a part of the family of God. No matter where you go, no matter how far away from home you are, you always have family around. The bond of Christ is so strong it cannot be overcome by distance, time or culture. When one is a part of the family of God, he or she has family all over the world.

Galatians 3:26-28 says, “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Now that’s Something to Think About!

Dear Father, thank you for the bond we share as your children through Jesus Christ your son. It is so comforting to know that no matter where we go, no matter how far we are from our native homeland, we have family who will make us feel as though we are at home. Thank you for your infinite wisdom in giving us such a powerful bond to share. In the name of Jesus I pray, AMEN!