Mooroolbark Church of Christ in Mooroolbark, Victoria | Non-profit organisation

Mooroolbark Church of Christ

Locality: Mooroolbark, Victoria

Address: Blackburn Road 3138 Mooroolbark, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.brs.org.au

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24.01.2022 Do This = Don't Do That By Seth Myers Without controversy, one can declare that God does not change (Mal. 3:6). But what many may not realize is that the same is true of God’s spiritual principles. Among these is the exclusive nature of God’s positive commandsthat is, When God says, ‘Do THIS,’ it means, ‘Don’t do THAT.’ Let us briefly consider the clearest possible example of this spiritual truth. Leviticus 10 opens with the account of the divine execution of... two men who were in charge of the incense-burning portion of OT worship (1a), which, naturally, required fire. But the fire they offered on this occasion is said to have been strange (1b | ASV) to God, or unauthorized (ESV) by God. That kind of statement naturally leads the reader to ask this question: Why was this fire ‘unauthorized’? What was it that made this fire ‘strange’ in God’s sight? According to the Holy Spirit, the reason it was unauthorized is because it was fire that [God] had never prescribed for them (ISV)fire which he had not commanded them [to make] (1c). When it comes to the manner in which we worship God: if it is not in His word, it better not be in our worship. This terminology is extremely significantfor it was NOT that God had said, You shall NOT make that kind of fire, and that these two men made that kind of fire anyway; rather, God had simply said, You shall make THIS kind of fire, and, therefore, to make any other kind of fire was sin. Unfortunately for these two men, they did just that: they made Fire B when God had prescribed Fire A, and He repaid their fire with a fire of His own (2). Not one Israelite would have failed to get the pointyou and I had better get it, as well! He didn’t have to specifically condemn or prohibit every single particular thing of which He disapproves. All He has to say is: Do THIS, and everything which the mind of man could possibly imagine besides THIS is direct rebellion against the word of God. The spiritual principle that resulted in the death of Nadab & Abihu has not changed. When it comes to the manner in which we worship God: if it is not in His word, it better not be in our worship. For, if we want our worship to be acceptable to God, we must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). See more

23.01.2022 The longer you carry a grudge, the heavier it becomes.

22.01.2022 EVANGELIZING THE LOST Richie Thetford Evangelism is something that every Christian should be involved with. No matter how much time we devote to studying, talking, and planning about evangelism, we cannot convert anyone if we do not put it into practice. Jesus called His disciples to evangelize the lost as He said, .Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men (Matthew 4:19). He later told His disciples to Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing the...m in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus instructed His very own disciples on how to evangelize and then later told them to GO and put the things that they have learned about salvation to the lost into practice. Christians have a responsibility to learn the word of God and to teach others. We should develop ourselves in learning the Bible (Hebrews 5:12-14) so that we can teach others the wonderful story of Jesus. We should be able to tell others about why He came to earth, what He did for man, what He expects of us (loyalty, obedience), and what every person must do in order to gain salvation. These are the first principles of Christianity. The more we know then the more effective that we will be in our evangelistic efforts. It may be that our nets will come up empty from time to time, but we must be able to say that we have been fishing. Paul wrote, I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6). We must do our part and allow God to do His. Think about it, when was the last time that you have put the talking, planning, and studying to work and actually went fishing for souls?

22.01.2022 When you do not have things you want, learn to appreciate things you do have.

21.01.2022 Why Don’t Some People Wear Masks To Church? By: Don Blackwell The issue of wearing masks at the worship assemblies has caused a great deal of division across our brotherhood. Some have accused those who wear masks as being sheep who... are just blindly following a political hoax. Many of the posts on Facebook against the maskwearers have been unkind and unworthy of a child of God. They have caused division in the brotherhood. People who normally would never believe it right to insult their brethren have resorted to doing it, and in many cases brutally so. The result is that many friendships and congregations have suffered. On the other hand, it has repeatedly been said that those who don’t wear a mask don’t love the elderly and don’t care enough about their brethren who believe in the threat of Covid-19. Some have even accused them of being stubborn or more concerned about their own personal comfort than they are of others’ health. Please consider another possibility. Many of the people who do not wear masks to worship are whole-heartedly convinced that the virus [really exists, but that the risk and manner of its spread, and its potential lethality to all Americans, of all ages, has been grossly exaggerated/ misreported by certain media outlets for apparent political purposes.] They cannot bring themselves to lend support to what they believe to be a lie. Being asked to come to worship and endorse what they believe is false is intolerable to their conscience. Regardless of your view with regard to masks, it is not a doctrinal issue and should not be causing division in the precious body of our Lord. If you believe masks and the virus are a hoax, please do not do harm to the church over this view. If you have already done so, fix it to the best of your ability. If you believe there is a real threat and that masks work, please do not shame your brethren who hold a different opinion. Please do not try to paint them as unloving or stubborn. Certainly, do not shun them or refuse to speak to them. The devil has had a field day with the Corona Virus. Let’s stop him and get back to the Lord’s business. Don Blackwell See more

21.01.2022 Ten Important Lessons Parents Should Teach I’m sure you learned a lot of important lessons from your parents which have lasted a life-time and you have taught the same to your children. My dad was a farmer. He loved God and he loved the land. He was also a mechanic, church elder, and song leader. He was simple, yet brilliant. He and mom lost two children and raised eight to adulthood. I learned many important lessons from him that have shaped my life. Here are a few. 1. Put ...service to God above all other pursuits in life. Love God, His Word, and His church. Where you spend eternity is more important than where you live on earth. 2. Treat every person with dignity, respect, and fairness. Show common courtesies to everyone, speak kindly, and show respect regardless of age, race, gender, or position. 3. Work hard. Do more than is expected or that you are paid to do. When I asked him why we only charged one-third the price of city garages, he replied, Other people have to live too! 4. See problems as opportunities. Don’t quit when the going gets rough. That’s the time to draw deeply from internal resources to find solutions. 5. There are no free rides. Everyone pulls his or her own weight. Responsibility is a personal thing and cannot be avoided because others don’t do their part. 6. Settle conflicts peacefully while preserving each person’s dignity and worth. Disagreements don’t have to be disagreeable. 7. Obey the laws of the land whether you like them or not. Stop at traffic lights even if there is no other traffic around. 8. Practice common sense in everything you do. If it works, don’t fix it. If it doesn’t work, don’t do itand don’t slap anyone who chews tobacco. Always look at the outcomes and learn from them. 10. You are responsible for your own actions. Always evaluate the consequences of your choices before you do the behavior. If the consequences are negative, take them graciously. __ Al Behel

21.01.2022 AS A MAN THINKS "Do not eat the bread of a miser, nor desire his delicacies; for as he thinks in his heart, so is he. 'Eat and drink!' he says to you, but his heart is not with you." Proverbs 23:6-7 What is in our heart will eventually find its way out. We may say all the right things, but our actions will soon prove what is deep within our hearts....Continue reading

20.01.2022 BIRDS DON’T BUILD MANSIONS Kent Heaton There is so much to worry and fret about in life. The pace of day to day pursuits has been likened to a rat race where only the rats are winning. We work hard to gain stuff and the only thing we gain is stuff to worry about. Our barns are never big enough and we tear them down to build bigger ones and after time those are not quite what we need (Luke 12:15-21). Barn building is big business and expends so much of our lives....Continue reading

20.01.2022 To be truly great we must be humble enough to be used as servants

18.01.2022 Powerful Words Unknown The greatest word is God (Psalm 95:3) The deepest word is soul (Matthew 16:26) The longest word is eternity (Matthew 25:46)... The swiftest word is time (Ephesians 5:16) The nearest word is now (2 Corinthians 6:2) The darkest word is sin (Isaiah 59:1, 2) The meanest word is hypocrisy (Matthew 7:5) The narrowest word is truth (John 8:32) The strongest word is right (Psalm 33:4) The most tender word is love (1 Corinthians 13) The homiest word is heaven (Matthew 5:12) The dearest word is Jesus (John 14:6) The most powerful word is Gospel (Romans 1:16) The most comforting word is saved (1 John 5:13) The most relieving word is forgiven (1 John 2:12) See more

18.01.2022 Always put off what you shouldn’t do at all.

17.01.2022 We see more obstacles when we take our eyes off the goal.

16.01.2022 THE ORACLES OF GOD TEXT: 2 Samuel 16:23 Introduction: One of David’s closest friends and his chief counselor was a man named Ahithophel. However, when Absalom rebelled against David, Ahithophel chose to cast his lot with Absalom. Read TEXT.... Our English word oracle comes from a Latin verb to speak which is related to the noun for mouth (cf. orifice, oral, orator). It is defined as the seat of some ancient deity where prophecies were given out by the priests in answer to inquiries. For example, the supposed oracle of the pagan god Apollo in ancient Greece was located at Delphi. A priestess would interpret smoke from a seismic fissure in the ground as a message from Apollo. According to Thayer’s Lexicon, in the Bible this term is used of the words or utterances of God. Let’s turn to the New Testament and see what we learn about TITLE. I. God gave oracles to Israel: Acts 7:37-38 A. God spoke: Exo. 20:1ff, 18-19, 22 B. Moses wrote: Exo. 24:1-4 C. Why did God give these oracles to Israel?: Deut. 6:24-25 II. These oracles had a goal: Romans 3:1-2 A. They were given to Israel to tell them of a coming Messiah: Deut. 18:15-19 B. Jesus said that He fulfilled such predictions: Lk. 24:44, Jn. 5:39 C. Thus these oracles given to the Jews were designed to bring them, and anyone else, to faith in Christ: Gal. 3:23-24 III. God has given oracles for us today: Hebrews 5:12 A. As with the Old Testament, God has spoken, but how?: Heb. 1:1-2 B. The Son sent the Holy Spirit to guide inspired men to write it down: Jn.. 16:13, Eph. 3:3-52 Tim. 3:16-17 C. We refer to this as the New Covenant or New Testament: Heb. 8:6-13, 9:15cf. 2 Cor. 3:6, 14 IV. We must speak as God’s oracles: 1 Peter 4:11 A. How? By speaking all the words of this life: Acts 5:17-20note all (cf. Acts 20:17-21, 26-27) B. By speaking the truth in love: Eph. 4:14-15 (truth: Jn. 17:17; love: 1 Cor. 13:1-2) C. And by speaking the things which are proper for sound doctrine: Tit. 2:1ff, 15 (sound=whole or healthy: 2 Tim. 1:13) Conclusion: God doesn’t speak today by dreams, visions, living prophets, still small voices, experiences better felt than toldor even steam from a crack in the earth. Rather, He speaks by His written word: 1 Cor. 4:6why important?: 14:37 Thus, we must understand and accept that the inspired Scriptures are the oracles of God. Have you obeyed what they teach about salvation?: Rom. 6:17-18

16.01.2022 The Hand By David A. Sargent From the editors of Reader’s Digest comes this true and inspiring story: When Mrs. Klein told her first graders to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful, she thought how little these children, who lived in a deteriorating neighborhood, actually had to be thankful for. She knew that most of the class would draw pictures of turkeys or of bountifully laden Thanksgiving tables. That was what they believed was expected of them.... What took Mrs. Klein aback was Douglas’s picture. Douglas was so forlorn and likely to be found close in her shadow as they went outside for recess. Douglas’s drawing was simply this: a hand. A hand, obviously, but whose hand? The class was captivated by his image. I think it must be the hand of God that brings us food, said one student. A farmer, said another, because they grow the turkeys. It looks more like a policeman, and they protect us. I think, said Lavinia, who was always so serious, that it is supposed to be all the hands that help us, but Douglas could only draw one of them. Mrs. Klein had almost forgotten Douglas in her pleasure at finding the class so responsive. When she had the others at work on another project, she bent over his desk and asked whose hand it was. Douglas mumbled, It’s yours, Teacher. Then Mrs. Klein recalled that she had taken Douglas by the hand from time to time; she often did that with the children. But that it should have meant so much to Douglas Perhaps, she reflected, this was her Thanksgiving, and everybody’s Thanksgiving not the material things given unto us, but the small ways that we give something to others.* From the hand of God comes every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). For the LORD is the great God, And the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; And His hands formed the dry land. -- Psalm 95:3-5 Our salvation and the gift of eternal life is a gift from the hands of God, for Jesus, God’s Son, had nails driven through His hands and His feet onto the cross where He died for your sins and mine. He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed (1 Peter 2:24 NIV). God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). God will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9). How much does God love us? Look at what His hands have done for us. Won’t YOU accept His offer of salvation and eternal life on His terms?

16.01.2022 WHAT THE CHURCH IS NOT Most religious people are aware that the church is not the building but rather it’s the people. Someone asked me not long ago, what else the church is not. I answered with the following, see if you agree.... The church is not made up of people who believe they are better than others but rather of those who believe they ought to be better than they are. The church is not made up of perfect people but of people who follow a perfect Lord and realize they ought to do the best they can. The church is not made up of people who never make mistakes but rather of those who admit their mistakes, forsake them, and try not to make the same ones again. Jesus said, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Mark 2:17. The church is not a body of self-righteous do-gooders, but rather it is the blood-bought body of obedient believers belonging to Christ. Frank

15.01.2022 Giving To Caesar Jesus told his disciples to give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s (Mark 12:17). The response of the disciples was predictable. The text says, they marveled at him. They were dumbfounded that Jesus, a Jew, was supporting taxation by the Roman Government. Surely he didn’t mean that! After all, the Jews hated the occupation of the Romans, and especially the burdensome taxes they were required to pay. People spend a... lot of energy complaining about taxes. I’m afraid I sometimes join their ranks. Still, we are told to do so. Even more than that, we are told to honor those who are in authority over us (1 Peter 2:13-17). Paul instructed the Roman Christians that every person should be subject to the governing authorities, and that he who resists the authorities resists what God has ordained (Romans 13:1,2). The ruling emporer was so evil that he played while Rome burned, then blamed Christians for the disaster. Taxation is compulsory and Christians write their checks. Maybe that is the easy part of Jesus’ instruction. Giving to Caesar is one thing, but giving to God what belongs to Him is quite another. What belongs to God? What does He have a right to that is entrusted to us? If we don’t pay our tax obligation we are subject to arrest, confiscation of property, and in some cases, imprisonment. But, giving to God is voluntary. No one comes and takes His part from us. He leaves that to the response of our hearts. God’s part certainly includes our monetary resources, which we are instructed to give liberally and cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). He doesn’t set an amount or a percentage. The love in our hearts dictates that. The hard part is going beyond the financial gifts to giving ourselves (8:5). When we give ourselves to God we surrender our hearts and everything else to Him. That’s what belongs to Him. When we give self everything else will follow. Heart, soul, body, and mind are His. The apostle Paul said he was a slave of Jesus Christ. Everything a slave owns belongs to his master. Our time, our brains, our energy, our love...all belong to Jesus. Let’s give him our best. See more

14.01.2022 LOOKING FORWARD TO BIBLE STUDY Frank Himmel My eyes anticipate the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word (Psalm 119:148).... Kids like to go to Bible class. They come into the building and head straight for their classrooms. When they come out they can’t wait to show Mom and Dad what they did. I’ve seen considerable disappointment on some little faces, and at times even tears, when on Sunday evenings they march off to class, only to be told this is not class time. How about adults? Do we have the same enthusiasm for Bible study? Some do. They always read the text and answer questions ahead of time. Their questions and comments indicate they have been thinking about the text, either forming an opinion or perhaps wondering what something means. Others show less interest. They rarely bring their lesson books, and when they do the book is likely blank. Some are just as likely to be absent as present. They view the worship hour as mandatory but the Bible study hour as optional. When such little value is placed on public study, it would be surprising indeed if much private study takes place. The psalmist eagerly awaited nightfall, when the daily grind ended and he was free to reflect on God’s word. What do you do with your spare time?

14.01.2022 BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS How does bearing one another’s burdens fit in with our theme, We Care? I’m reasonably sure each person has their own ideas about it. But those ideas are more toward what specific ways in which we think that can be done rather than how do the two fit together.... The context indicates that the person with the burden is caught up in a sin. The text says that that person was enmeshed in sin unexpectedly. The one who goes to restore that brother will help them deal with the sin but he will do so in a spirit of gentleness. When we get tangled up in something sinful but didn’t intend to, one of the thing we need is compassion and help in getting untangled. I know of a man who was a leader in the Lord’s church and he got caught up in sexual immorality. One of the reasons he kept sinking deeper and deeper in his sin was that he had no one to turn to for help him out. He was afraid of how he would be ostracized and ashamed of the nature and consequences of his sin. Keep in mind that those things are not excuses for continuing in sin. Rather than being able to go to anyone he continued until his sin became public. Yes, the consequences were devastating. But what if he had been approached by a close brother, who could have known, or suspected, what was going on, with the idea of, Is there a problem, can I help.? In order to be able to approach one for help or with help we need to know each other, follow the elders in their example of helping others and actually make the effort to be the kind of brother or sister who can really help. How do we show we care? Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2 Frank

09.01.2022 Thanksgiving Thoughts By Johnny Hester From time to time I am reminded of the need to examine my personal prayer life. With Thanksgiving week approaching, this seems to be an opportune time to do so again. In a recent mailing I found a quote from the late G.K. Wallace. Brother Wallace was highly esteemed as a preacher, educator and author. It was my privilege to attend one of his Bible course offerings at Freed-Hardeman College back in the mid-sixties. The following... is a quote from his autobiography: Prayer is misunderstood by many of us who call upon God. We think of prayer simply as a fire escape. Prayer to us is something to be used only in an emergency. Prayer is to be used by us only when sickness and sorrow come into our lives. We should understand that God did not give us the privilege of prayer to be used only in time of trouble. It is not simply a ‘fox-hole’ comfort (G. K. Wallace, Autobiography and Retirement Sermons, Sermon on Prayer, p. 165). Brother Wallce’s observations regarding prayer reminded me of the inspired words of the apostle Paul found in Ephesians 5:15-21, See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God. See more

08.01.2022 Winners and Losers Jimmy Valvano is remembered for running up and down the court after winning the 1983 NCAA basketball championship, after his NC State Wolfpack upset the Houston Cougars (including Clyde the Glide Drexler and Hakeem the Dream Olajuwon). Valvano is also remembered well for some of his speeches. Valvano was diagnosed with bone cancer in June 1992. In July, he found out that it had metastasized. He died less than a year later on April 28, 1993....Continue reading

03.01.2022 DOUBLE A guy was in a cave, looking for treasure. He found an old lamp, rubbed it, and a genie came out. The genie said "I will grant you three wishes, but your ex-wife will get double." The man agreed, and said "I wish I had a mansion." The genie granted it, and his ex-wife got two mansions. The man said "I would like a million dollars." The genie again granted it and his ex-wife got two million dollars. Then the man said, "Scare me half to death." <><><><><><><><><><><...><><><><><><><><><><> God knew what He was doing when He instituted the marriage relationship between a man and a woman and intended for that relationship to last until death. Matthew 19:3-6 The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?" 4 And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' 5 and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." Romans 7:2-3 For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man. Some divorces are more amicable than others, but there is no such thing as a good divorce. People are hurt by divorce, either both or one of two who are divorced or the children. Even if we convince ourselves none of those are hurt, we are hurting God by our sin in disobedience to Him. Even society is damaged by divorce. Legal Zoom has an article on divorce that everyone should read. It is not written from a religious viewpoint but a secular viewpoint showing the problem with divorce. It shows the impact of divorce on finances, children and employment and the resulting effect on society as a secondary impact. May we always recognize that God's way is always best and we will all be better off when we follow it. With love and concern, Larry

02.01.2022 Victory in Jesus By Rob Albright Challenges and struggles affect all Christians during this journey we are on. Once a person becomes in Christ through baptism (Romans 6:1-4) the journey and walk with Jesus is just starting. If we are going to have victory in Jesus, we must be in Jesus and continue to live faithfully to Him by living according to God’s will. Yes, there will be those temptations and cares of the world that challenges us and keep us away from Bible ...study and increasing our faith. We become weak and a target for Satan. So, we must be studious and grow stronger in our faith and be ready to handle those attacks from Satan (Hebrews 5:14; Hebrews 12:1-2). Ultimate victory will come to the steadfast (1 Cor. 15:58). There is a reward. There is the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:7-8). So, we must keep on, keeping on. See more

01.01.2022 All the honey a bee gathers in its lifetime doesn’t sweeten its sting.

01.01.2022 TIME TO PLANT TIME TO PLANT A prisoner in jail receives a letter from his wife:... "I have decided to plant some vegetables in the back garden. When is the best time to plant them?" The prisoner, knowing that the prison guards read all mail, replied in a letter, "Dear wife, whatever you do, do not touch the back garden. That is where I hid all the money." A week or so later, he received another letter from his wife: "You won't believe what happened, some men came with shovels to the house, and dug up all the back garden." The prisoner wrote another letter: "Dear wife, now is the best time to plant the vegetables." <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Did you know the bible says there is a time to plant? Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: 2 A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; 3 A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; 7 A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; 8 A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace. Truly there is a season for everything and a purpose for everything under heaven. I don't know if you can trust the Farmer's Almanac on when to plant different things but I know you can't go wrong in trusting God's Word on how to live your life here on earth to prepare for heaven. May we always follow God's guide for living our lives. Larry