"A  Year of Remembrance"

Jeremy Northrop

            It is hard to believe that another year has come and gone but here we are beginning the year 2010. With another year comes another theme for the Ashland church of Christ. We have had some good studies over the years and this one promises to be a good one. In Hebrews 5:12, the writer rebuked the original recipients of the letter for not growing as they should. He wrote, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.” He goes on to explain his plan to leave the elementary principles and grow with them in their knowledge of Christ (see 1Peter 2:2). The passage teaches it is wrong to sit still, spiritually speaking. In fact, it is detrimental to the Christian’s soul. We need to be growing spiritually.

            The church today, however, is in serious turmoil. There are Christians leaving the principles of Christ and introducing man’s innovations into worship, service, and other aspects of the work of the church. Part of this is due to cultural influence. More than that, there are preachers who are not preaching “the word” (2Timothy 4:2) and resorting to the “tickling of ears” (2Timothy 4:3). Because of this, many today might very well deserve the same rebuke the Hebrews received in Hebrews 5:12. Many are unable to answer the most basic questions regarding their spiritual beliefs and practices. Could you answer the following questions?

Why do you engage in a cappella singing?

Why do you take the Lord’s Supper every Sunday?

Why do you practice male spiritual leadership?

How many churches are there and why?

What must one do to be saved?

            These and many other questions people may ask are really fundamental to New Testament Christianity. Christians everywhere should be able to answer these questions. If the answers were adhered to and heeded, some of the turmoil in which the church is currently dealing with might be alleviated. The words of the apostle ring loudly here: “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:6). We need to know how to answer the questions asked of us. We need to show people what the Bible says and why we do what we do.

            There is another passage which will bear significance to this study. It is found in 2Timothy 2:14: “Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.” You may have noticed this is the theme verse for the year as it is on the bulletin header. You will see it come up in other places as well! Paul was specific in what he told Titus to remind the people of: “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work…” (Titus 3:1). Both passages give important insight to the work of the preacher. Part of his work is to remind the brethren of their beliefs and why they believe what they believe. Peter said it this way: “For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth” (2Peter 1:12).

            The error of the Hebrews was not that they were spending time on the ‘elementary doctrines of Christ’ but that they were not moving on (growing) past them. From time to time, even in spiritual maturity, we need to be reminded of the elementary doctrines of Christ. This was the focus of Paul and Peter. This will be our focus at the Ashland church of Christ in 2010. It may very well be true that we are worshipping correctly, have the biblical views of the church and other biblical topics, but from time to time, we need to be reminded of things we already know and our biblical beliefs need to be reinforced. Throughout this year, we are going to spend our time reminding ourselves of our fundamental beliefs. This will reinforce our beliefs and further help to establish why we believe what we believe.

            I promise to do my very best this year, as with every year, to keep the sermons biblically based. I continue to understand my responsibility to ‘preach the word.’ That being said, I also know that when I do such I will not be preaching any new doctrines. In fact, I do not expect to be preaching anything different or even new to the mature Christian this year. However, as Paul exhorted Timothy and Titus, I will do my best to remind you of things you already know and believe. My hope and prayer is that each one of you is able to give the biblical answer to the questions mentioned above and perhaps other fundamental questions which may be asked of us. If you are one that is not able to answer these and other questions, then I hope you will be able to do so before the year is out. Together, let’s spend a year remembering what we believe and why. Let’s have “A Year of Remembrance.”

            As 2010 begins, let me gently encourage you to commit or perhaps rededicate your life to things that are genuinely important. Determine now to read your Bible more throughout the year. There are Bible reading schedules available for anyone that might like one. Also, please try to be more active than ever before in the work of the church. For those who have not regularly attended the Bible class on Sunday or Wednesday or all of the worship services of the church, this would be a good time to start a new habit in your life (see Hebrews 10:25). If there is something with which you would like to be involved, then now might be a good time to make those changes in your life.