Viewpoint Brief Bible Study #81 |
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The Christian religion is the worship and service of Jesus Christ. It’s not Mary we worship, but her Son. We worship neither saints, angels, a law code, nor even God’s Spirit. It’s JESUS who is to be honored. The Bible is our guide. |
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Viewing
The Christian Standard
A Sample Page
from the CHRISTIAN STANDARD for November
23, 1997. Material below is copyrighted by Standard Publishing
Company, a division of Standex International Corporation.
REFLECTIONS of Phil Ling
Discussion
or Solution?
I have been pondering why talk radio as a format has been sweeping the country in recent years, and why I personally find it so intriguing. Over the past decade, it seems talk radio is the new profit monster for broadcast companies. Shows like the one hosted by Rush Limbaugh command millions of listeners from coast to coast as people tune in to hear what others have to say about recent events. President Clinton, Whitewater, Paula Jones, O.J. Simpson, the death of Princess Di -- such topics of discussion all evoke emotions that translate into jammed call-in lines and soaring arbitron ratings.
Now whole stations are converting their time slots to program one talk show after another. From your early-morning commute to the drive back home again, you can listen as we in the U.S. discuss everything from sports (the Seattle Mariners just blew another save opportunity in the ninth inning) to horticulture (What is that red bug with the little wings on my rose bush, and will it eat much?).
Part of my personal fascination is fueled by the fact that I host just such a program every Saturday afternoon from the studios of KGNW in downtown Seattle (Washington). From the time I was first approached with the idea of facilitating a two-hour call-in show, I have spent countless hours investigating why the world needed another opinionated voice, droning on into the unsuspecting radios of the Northwest. My motivation, I discovered, is not necessarily the same force behind the overall format's popularity. I fear that one of the reasons people tune in and, more importantly, call in to these invisible chat rooms is to hear themselves talk. They feel as though they have accomplished something by pointing out a fault they have recently noticed about someone or something.
Many of us in the U.S. have become proficient in the art of whining. We have taken the age-old pastime of backyard gossip to new heights with the help of 50,000-watt megastations. When we kicked off our program (America Today), we coined the catchy phrase, "America's disease has been diagnosed. Tune in for the cure." Beyond being a hook to pique the listener's interest, I really felt compelled to present the cure, not just moan about the symptoms of our nation. Before I become too critical of our society for feeling somehow fulfilled, or at least temporarily entertained, by simply calling up their favorite radio talk show and getting something off their chest, I am compelled to notice a similarity to American churches.
In Church Also -- It seems too tempting to become satisfied as U.S. Christians to attend church meetings and join in a joint exercise of railing against sin and its effects in our world, without actually taking any corrective steps toward solutions. I'm afraid the world's impression of the church is at times a little too accurate--namely that we set ourselves apart in private "club meetings" where in the comfort of our formal club house we discuss our neighbors' sins and shortcomings.
Make no mistake, I know we are to be "the called out." And I believe we are to live in a way that may seem out of step with society. But I am also convinced our walk, and not just our talk, should be an indictment of sin in our world.
The church is to be a caring clinic, dispensing solutions to the disease of our culture. Abortion is wrong--no argument from me. I'll even go along with the pulpit's being used as a watchtower declaring dangers to a mind-numbed population stumbling toward destruction. But if we stop there, we have done little more than our radio talk-show militia, dispensing observations rather than restoration.
For each abortion sermon, there should be a well-designed program orchestrated by our fellowship to aid the confused women struggling with a problem that seems to present no suitable solution. You think that "gay" political activities are threatening the very fabric of our society with their liberal propaganda. I agree. But in addition to a well-constructed sermon series, what are we offering the struggling and confused men and women caught up in this destructive life-style?
God's plan for the church includes both the watchman on the tower and the oasis in the desert. Radio programs like Focus on the Family with Dr. James Dobson are having a tremendous effect on our population, both the saved and the searching. Why? Because in addition to observing or even identifying the disease, they are attempting to share the cure.
My point is that if a radio can be transformed into a powerful weapon in our conflict with the prince of this world, just think what a well-intentioned, focused congregation could accomplish! Remember--Jesus said, "I came to seek and to save that which was lost," not just to seek and to discuss.
-- Phil Ling ministers with Northshore Christian Church, Everett, Washington.On the same double page is the following
The Footwashing by Janet Allison
Janet Allison is a missionary serving in Kimili, Kenya, AfricaIt was the most unusual baby shower I'd ever been to, but it was a graphic portrayal of Kipsamii's servant heart. Kipsamii and Fanis had invited the church to come celebrate their youngest child's first birthday. (Africans never have baby showers before a child's birth. It's considered bad luck to make preparations beforehand. And they often take place up to a year after the birth.) There was a big turnout, from Kapkirwork and surrounding churches, as Kipsamii is well-known and well-loved, not to mention his wife, who is one of our nursery-school teachers at Kapkirwork, as well as a women's leader in the church. The group had gathered on the hillside outside their house, because his hut was too small to accommodate us all, even with their bed and table moved outside.
I noticed Kipsamii walk out of his hut with a towel wrapped around his shoulders. I thought maybe he was cold and that was the handiest thing he found to wrap up with. However, when I saw him pick up a basin and a plastic container of water, I had an idea of what was coming next, though I'm sure none of the local Christians had any inkling.
Kipsamii stood before the group and began to speak. "Nearly three years ago now, the churches in this area sent me to Nairobi to the Great Commission School. It's been nearly a year since I returned. Now I want to ask you--what did you expect of me when I returned?" Different ones answered, "To preach the gospel." "To strengthen the church." "To do the Lord's work."
Then he said to them, "I've heard different answers. Now, I want to tell you what I want to do now that I'm back with you. Anyone who has socks and shoes on, please take them off." Then he proceeded to wash the feet of every person at the meeting, and to rub them with an aromatic jelly. Keep in mind that most of these people had walked from a considerable distance with no shoes. The ceremony took up most of an hour.
When he had finished, he stood before them again with these words, "While I was in school, we took an evangelistic trip to Uganda for a week. A missionary there told us that when we finished our course, we would have to make a choice between two T's--title and testimony. I've chosen TESTIMONY. I want you to know that now that I've returned home, my job is to wash your feet."
What a tremendous testimony, especially in a place where anyone who gets higher education is expected to have not only a title, but a large salary as well. Kipsamii is not paid a regular salary. However, he is now in teacher-training college so he can take over the job of headmaster of Kapkirwork Primary School.
We think that with a spirit like that, he has grasped what such a position of authority is all about. We covet your prayers as we continue to counsel him and work with him in the church and the school.
Should your comment follow? Have you washed any feet lately? U.S. subscriptions to the Christian Standard cost $22.50 now. Address is 8121 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45231. Above material is copyrighted by Standard Publishing Company, a division of Standex International Corporation.