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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
Growing: It's a Natural Process
I have seen many young men and women grow up in my years here in Dripping Springs. Some are still here as adults with their children. It is a pleasant but expected process, for if that physical growth does not take place we know some illness is preventing their growth.
We have seen this community grow, and that is also natural. When we first began our work here, nineteen years ago, there was not even one traffic light. The main intersection was controlled by a stop sign! But if Dripping Springs had not grown, people would have wanted to know why.
Looking at the numbers on the board, this congregation is growing also, and this is a natural thing. The same elements that bring about community growth have motivated some of our growth. Geographical growth takes place because people need a suitable home for their family, and many believe Dripping Springs can provide that home.
A church grows for some—though not all—of the same reasons. Few people want to be part of a lethargic, dying church any more than they want to live in a community that refuses to provide the needs of the people. If there were no roads, electricity or other utilities in our area, even being near Austin would not be enough to generate growth.
What will it take for us to grow? It takes more than magic, nor does it happen by new residents moving in. It will take all of the following for this church to grow as it should:
Every Member Growing
Just as a human body includes many organs, the body of Christ consists of many individuals who take on the tasks that produce a growing and active church. This growth takes place when each member becomes more proficient in his/her knowledge of the “sincere milk of the word,” 1 Peter 2:1-2.
Are you growing? Are you more knowledgeable of God’s word? Is your commitment deeper? When an organ in our physical body ceases to function, we are “sick.” The “doctor” of church problems is God’s Word, and when each Christian begins to “take root downward” the overall body of the congregation will begin to “bear fruit upward,” Isaiah 37:31.
Leaders Who Lead
Pointing the way and giving directions are important, but leaders in a local congregation hoping to grow will have to lead in the activities of the congregation. Making sure the bills are paid, the grass mowed, the curriculum is sound and the air conditioner is set properly will not be enough. Leaders must lead in the work in which the church is involved …evangelism, Bible study, edifying the saints, converting the lost and visiting the sick. When all is said and done, a church leader (elders, deacons, teachers, preachers…) must be a faithful and devoted Christian, doing the same tasks every faithful, and devoted Christian must do, leading in the way of righteousness. Only then will anyone follow them.
Christians Caring About Lost
Our task is much the same as that of Jesus, seeking and saving the lost, Luke 19:10. He gave His life for the lost, Matthew 20:28, and gave us the formula for their salvation.
It is not true growth merely to have Christians “place membership.”
We are glad to have new members, but for the church to grow, we must also be reaching out to those who have never “obeyed the gospel,” Romans 10:16. It is only then that we snatch men and women from the hand of Satan himself.
Bible Preaching and Teaching
Note: Bible preaching helps us all to know and understand God’s Word and live by it. We are blessed to have a fine young Gospel preacher who does just that: preach the Gospel. That kind of preaching makes people want to study, want to know God’s will for them, want to do God’s will and to save others.
We are in an ideal situation and time for growing here in Dripping Springs, and we now need to take the next step in genuine growth.
Members who give as prospered
While money is not the answer to all problems, it does take money to accomplish great things. We are now able to do things we could not do ten years ago because our members have dedicated themselves to a generosity that reflects their love for the Lord and for the lost. Much good is being done in many places because you are making it possible.
Christians Who Love Each Other
Jesus told His early disciples, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another,” John 13:34-35.
When Christians love one another, they help each other bear their burdens, strengthen and provoke one another to be more like Jesus.
We are on the rrink of real growth. Opportunities are there, but if we are to grow as we should it will take the best effort of all of us.
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“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.”
“Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.”
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Two Reasons Why Women Are Not to be
in Roles of Public Leadership in the Church
I have never wanted anyone to be mistreated. It is not fair for women to be paid less than men are paid for doing the same job. The rights of women are kept constantly before us. But to say that women should be treated fairly is not equal to saying that men and women should always be permitted to do the same things. It is quite obvious that men and women literally cannot do the same things; a man cannot bear children, and a woman cannot beget children. Men and women are different.
In recent years, certain religious groups have tried to remove the distinction that exists between men and women by putting women in various leadership roles formerly reserved for men only. Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 2:9-14:
“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.”
This prohibition by the inspired writer has been explained away(?) by saying the reason for this prohibition was cultural. Since our culture is different, then the prohibition does not apply to our time and our culture.
But you will observe that Paul himself, by inspiration, gave two reasons for this prohibition, and neither of those reasons has anything to do with culture. Reason number one is in verse 13: “For Adam was first formed, then Eve,” then it will be true that women are to “learn in silence with all subjection.” When the time comes that it is no longer true that “Adam was first formed, then Eve,” then, and only then, will it be permitted by God for women to have roles of public leadership in the assemblies of the saints.
The second reason given by the inspired writer for this prohibition is in verse 14: “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression” Is it still true in modern times and in our modern culture that “Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression”? So long as that is true, it will be true that women are to “learn in silence with all subjection.” When the time comes that it is no longer true that “Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression,” then, and only then, will God permit women to have roles of public leadership in the assemblies of the saints.
One may say, “What do these two facts have to do with the matter?” Whether we know the answer to that question or not does not change the Word of the Lord. It is not ours to understand why; it is ours to obey.
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