Barnes church of Christ

“Compliment,” as defined by Webster’s is “an expression of esteem, respect, affection, or admiration; esp: a flattering remark.”
The Bible makes clear that the compliments of a flatterer are nothing. In a condemning manner, the Psalmist remarked that the wicked “flatter with their tongue” (Psa. 5:9; Cf. I Thess. 2:5).
However, Jesus never issued a vain compliment for He was perfect (I Jn. 3:5) and He knew what was in man (Jn. 2:25). Thus, we can learn from the compliments which He gave to others (who can be examples to us).
Compliment #1. Jesus complimented Nathaniel for his guilelessness (Jn. 1:47). Although the Jews were God’s chosen people, they had (under the guise of appearing devout) become quite corrupt by “changing” God’s laws to fit how they wanted to serve God (Mt. 15:9). Yet, in the midst of such people, was one who was without deceit, fraud and hypocrisy. Let us dare to be such in our time.
Compliment #2. Jesus complimented the Roman Centurion for his great faith (Matt. 8: 5-10). The stress which the Bible puts upon the role of faith is immense (Heb. 11; Rom. 3:25; etc.). This centurion was not even a Jew, yet, Jesus said that his faith was greater than He had found in Israel. Let it not be said of you that the faith of someone in denominationalism is greater than yours.
Compliment #3. Jesus complimented the poverty stricken widow for her liberality (Mk. 12:41-44). As Jesus “called unto him his disciples” (v.43) to observe her example, so does He call His disciples today to learn about giving of oneself first.
While it is nice to be complimented by others, what a special honor these three had by being complimented by the Lord Himself! However, if you are one without guile, and/or who gives of yourself–would you no less receive the same compliment?

Think on these things.

Gary Henson

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). This was spoken of Him when He was 12, but Jesus kept advancing in those four realms of life, even until we next read of Him at the age of 30. Since Jesus is our perfect example (1 Pet. 2:21), then we need to examine how He increased so that we may grow to the full potential that God would have us to achieve.
Jesus increased in WISDOM. “Wisdom” is putting to use what you know. A person can learn about all the material for building a house (concrete, lumber, etc.), but if he does not know how to use those things then his knowledge does not do him much good. Likewise, a person can know a great deal of what the Bible teaches, but if he does not know how to apply it to everyday situations of life, it is not going to be of much benefit. But Jesus knew the Scriptures and He knew how to apply it to life. Such is exhibited in His duel with Satan (Mat. 4), the woman caught in adultery (John 8), the confrontations with the Sadducees and Pharisees (Mat. 22), and in many other occasions You have learned Bible stories and lessons for years. Now you must be wise in using what you have learned!
Jesus also increased in STATURE. Such implies that He ate and took care of His health. We too need to increase in stature We need to take care of our bodies by eating good nutritional food (Dan. 1:8-16). We are not to harm our bodies (1 Cor. 6:19-20). We need to seek medical help when we become ill (Mat. 9:12). We also ought to do some exercising (1 Tim. 4:8). However, do not over emphasize this! Do not make “being healthy” your major quest in life. Rather, serving both God and man is the purpose of life (Mat. 22:36-40).
Jesus increased in FAVOR WITH GOD. At His baptism (Mat.3) He said He was to be baptized “to fulfill all righteousness” (i.e., God’s Will), and Jesus was so pure, John said, “I need to be baptized of you.” The Father then said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” The point is, Jesus grew in favor with the Father because He followed and obeyed the Father’s will. You, likewise, grow in favor with God by following and obeying Him. Colossians 1:10 states “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Thus, you are pleasing to God by knowing what He says and then doing it.
Jesus kept advancing in FAVOR WITH MEN. To gain favor of men means to gain approval as a good fellow human being. How is this to be accomplished? It is done in the same way you gain favor with God–you live the godly life as is taught in the Bible. This is precisely what is seen in Acts 2:47. On the other hand, the evildoers loose favor with man (Prov. 21:10). Yes, you gain favor with men by living the godly, Christian life.
Jesus is the great example for us. He kept advancing in wisdom, stature, favor with God and with men – – and so can you, if you follow in His footsteps.

Gary Henson

Being Saved
Mark 16:16
Entering The Kingdom
John 3:5
Forgiveness Of Sins
Acts 2:38
Washing Away Sins
Acts 22:16
The New Life
Romans 6:4
Being Raised With Christ
Romans 6:4
Sin Destroyed
Romans 6:6
Being In The Body Of Christ
1 Corinthians 12:13
Being A Child Of God
Galatians 3:26-27
Putting On Christ
Galatians 3:26-27
Sanctification
Ephesians 5:26
Putting Off Sins
Colossians 2:1-12
Salvation
1 Peter 3:21

Gary Henson

There was a time when the kings and their armies of four cities united and rose up against the kings of five other cities. The four were easily victorious over the five (which indicates their power and strength). As spoils of war, the invaders took captive some of the inhabitants of the defeated. One of whom was a man named Lot. Abraham, Lot’s uncle, in spite of the four kings display of might in their preceding victory, pursued with only 318 men. One would think a victory for Abraham to be humanly impossible. Yet, he was not only victorious, it was described as a slaughter. How could this be? From whence came Abraham’s power? One in a most unusual position stated that truth when he spoke to Abraham: “Blessed be God Most High, who hath delivered thine enemy into thy hand.” Yes, Abraham’s impossible victory came by the power of God (Genesis 14).
Today, with God’s Word, we can do the same. Works, efforts and conversions which appear hopeless to our eyes, are possible with God. Without a quiver in his voice, Paul could say: “I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God” (Rom. 1:16). As we do God’s things in God’s ways, the strength in our efforts is of God. He said His Word “shall not return unto me void, but shall accomplish that which I please” (Isa. 55:11). True, hardened hearts may not respond to the Gospel, and good works may be unfulfilled by those who doubt, but this is due to the weakness and wickedness of man who hinder the truth (Gal.5:7).
Yes, our enemies may be great: evolution, humanism, denominationalism, apostasies, etc., but God is greater and with the proper attitude (Jam. 2:8), proper disposition (Col. 4:6) and proper use of The Power (Rom. 1:16) we can “do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13).

Gary Henson

Have you ever wondered how you would re-live your life if you could do it over? If so, then you may have thought about the changes you would make; the different roads you would take; the decisions decided otherwise. I remember my uncle (at the time, a very successful furniture salesman) saying upon one occasion, “I wish I knew then, what I know now” Such is probably the feeling of most of us.
You and I cannot live our life over again. We cannot live over even the past year. But, instead of bemoaning the fact (with our now gained wisdom of experience) that we did not live the year(s) the way we now wish we had, let us rather say, “Although I did not know what I do know now, I will use what I now know and better my life now.” My uncle followed that advice and went on to own his own furniture store.
In the Bible, there were individuals who had that opportunity of a new beginning—the opportunity to use what they now knew to better the rest of their life. Although the actual situation may differ from ours, the principles are the same.
Noah had a new beginning following the flood. The water had washed clean the earth from sin and corruption. Noah now knew what the forefathers had either not known or ignored: worship and obey God (and teach your children to do the same) otherwise man will fall into reprobation resulting in destruction. Today, it is no different. Noah, in his new beginning, worshiped and followed God. We must do the same (Gen. 8:20; Heb 10:25).
The Psalmist had a new beginning after he counted his blessings rather than his blights (Psalm 73). Upon realizing the truly great blessings God had continually been bestowing upon him, he then had a new outlook on life—a new beginning. He took what he now knew and bettered the rest of his life in peace and service to God (v:28). We can do the same.
Later in his life, the great and mighty King Nebuchadnezzar, who was pride-intoxicated, learned humility before the all-powerful God. Now knowing what he had not known before, he put his new knowledge into practice by praising, extolling and honoring the King of heaven– rather than the king of Babylon (Dan. 4:37). If we have lived the past in pride of self, we too can have the same new beginning.
Romans 6:1-12 tells of a new beginning. Actually, it uses the words: “walk in newness of life” (v:4). This new beginning occurs in baptism. Due to repentance, we have become dead to the love of sin. This dead, old self (v:6) is then buried in the watery grave of baptism (v:4). During the burial, one is freed from sin (v:8; 4a, 7-8). As one arises from the water, at that moment (and not before) he is a new man who has a new beginning (v:4). This is the greatest new beginning of all. If you haven’t had it, you need it.
No, we cannot relive the year(s), but we can use what we know now to better the year(s) before us. As Noah, the psalmist and Nebuchadnezzar had a day in which they changed their life, this day can be the day in which you have a new beginning.

Gary Henson

Socrates had a trusted servant who, seeing others giving presents to his master, came to him one day and said, “Because I have nothing else to give you, Master, I here give you myself.” Socrates saw the earnestness of the servant and said, “Do so.” After Socrates bestowed upon him gifts, and advanced him to the head of his servants, he called him one day and said, “I now give you back to yourself better than when I received you.”
That is the way God is with us. We give our life to Him and He immeasurably improves our lives. Peter worded our thoughts for us when he asked Jesus, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?“ So Jesus said to them, …everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.” (Matt 19:27-29.) Jesus revealed that such a follower shall, not only have heaven, but shall have marvelous blessings in this life. By leaving your ways to follow Jesus’ ways, He gives you back a better you—a better person, a better spouse, a better parent, a happier heart, a joyful journey, a sure security.
We may think, in leaving our wants in exchange for living for God, we are giving too much. But no one can out-give God! Never.

Gary Henson

The Bible bursts with passages verifying the truth: When we follow Jesus, He gives us back a better you. Here are few such passages in only the book of Proverbs.
My son, hear the instruction of your father…for they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck. (1:8-9.)
Whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil. (1:33.)
Receive my words, and treasure my commands within you…for the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding…He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints. (2:1, 6-8.)
Let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. (3:1-2.)
The Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught. (3:26.)
Keep my commands, and live. (4:4.)
For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light. (6:23.)
Blessed are those who keep my ways… blessed is the man who listens to me…for whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord; but he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love death. (8:32-36.)

Gary Henson

In the old Testament days, actually up to one-hundred years ago, the existence of God was not questioned. People in general believed in God or in gods, and it was the social outcast who disbelieved. A person may have been disobedient, but he still believed in a deity.
However, the opposite seems to be the case today. With the onslaught of evolution, entire governments reject and forbid worshipping deity. Also, in countries such as our own where there is freedom of belief, (which includes the freedom to believe that there is no God) multitudes reject the notion that there is a God.
This is unfortunate, but even more so is the fact that this is rubbing off on members of the church. Throughout her existence, the church seems to have always absorbed some of the false philosophies, doctrines, and lifestyles of which she lived amongst.
Such is no different today. As afore mentioned, we (the church) exist today within an atmosphere of skepticism of the existence of God. This leads to other doubts. If one disbelieves in God, then one will naturally disbelieve that the Bible is God’s Word. Thus, if they reject the Bible, they will also reject any teachings of the Bible, such as: the Deity of Jesus, the coming judgment, heaven, hell, truth and error, and the Bible as the standard by which to live.
Thus, it can easily be seen that if people live with a lack of conviction of the above truths, then they will live “freely,” worldly and sinfully.
Now, since the church faces a danger of absorbing the philosophies of her surroundings, then the church is in danger of adapting (1) skeptical views toward the Bible and it’s teachings, and (2) adapting some of the sinful ways of life while thinking that such is not wrong at all.
Brethren, we need, we must, avoid this pitfall. And such can be overcome by simply taking inventory of that which we CAN KNOW. If we know something, and we know that we know it, then no outside influence should be able to move us.
First, (where the trouble all started) we can know there is a God and the Bible is from Him. The feat of the fulfillment of the multiplicity of prophecies concerning Jesus simply demands an act of God. Such an accomplishment is beyond the ability of man.
Thus, since God exists, and the Bible is His Word, then whatever the Bible teaches is a truth that we can know. The Bible teaches that we can know: Jesus is the Son of God (Jn. 20:30,31), there is a coming judgment (Mt. 25:31-46), there is a heaven (Jn. 14:1-4) and a hell (Rev. 20:12-15), we will be judged according to our loving obedience to God’s laws (Deut. 8:1,2), etc., etc., etc.
All of which the Bible teaches is that which we can know. Let us not be deceived by the great deceiver (2 Cor. 11:3). Rather, let us constantly examine ourselves (2 Cor. 13:5) to determine whether or not we are absorbing the philosophies and standards of the world.

Gary Henson