The Reporter   
 Volume 52 # 1,  --  January 1, 2012

 

Just The Sound Of A Trumpet?

 

   The trumpet is a member of the brass family of instruments. The trumpets were originally confined to military and religious settings. Today trumpets are used in both orchestras and bands, including concert bands and marching bands and jazz groups. The word "trumpet" is found 61 times in our King James Bible. The plural form "trumpets" is found 45 times. Trump is found twice in the King James Version. (1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16) In Bible days trumpets were often used for several different reasons. Trumpets were used to call an assembly of the people; trumpets were used in wars; trumpets were used to tell the people to move; trumpets were used on special feast days; trumpets were even used for vain purposes and the trumpet of the Lord will sound at the end of time on earth. Trumpets were used at the dedication of Solomon's Temple. "Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets." (2 Chronicles 5:12) Most often trumpets were made from ram's horns (Joshua 6:4), but some trumpets were made from metal. According to Numbers 10:2 these two trumpets were  to  be   made  of  silver.   "Make  thee  two

 

trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps." Just the sound of a trumpet? No! It was a trumpet that was used at God's commandments.

 

   Just the sound of a trumpet? No! The trumpet was used to call the children of Israel to Mt. Sinai and to call them to reverence for God. The first use of the “trumpet” recorded in our Bible was when it was used to call the children of Israel unto Mt. Sinai. "There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount." (Exodus 19:13) They were to go up to the mountain only after a signal was given on the trumpet. They were to be ready when they heard the trumpet sound. We must also be ready when we hear the final trump. When the loud trumpet blast was heard to call the children of Israel up to Mt. Sinai everyone in camp trembled with fear. The trumpet blew louder and louder. Moses spoke, and God answered him with thunder. God warned the people that if they touched the mountain they would die. This trumpet called the people to assemble with reverence and fear for God. The time at Mount Sinai helped the people learn of God's power and greatness. It was not just the sound of a trumpet.  The trumpet was used to call the people to Mt. Sinai where they would learn reverence for God. Let us all resolve to show reverence toward God in every way. "He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name." (Psalms 111:9) We know there is no other god except Jehovah God. Has our reverence or awe of the Almighty God been compromised? Just the sound of a trumpet? No! The trumpet was used to call the children of Israel to Mt. Sinai and to call them to reverence for God.

 

   Just the sound of a trumpet? No! The trumpet was used to tell the children of Israel that is was time to move. "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps. And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee. When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward. When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys. But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm. And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations. And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies. Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God. (Numbers 10:1-10) One of the uses of the silver trumpets was to tell the children of Israel that it was time for the journeying of the camps as they moved through the wilderness. As we begin a New Year it is time for us to figuratively blow the trumpet and say it is time for us to move forward from this place in the New Year for the honor of God. Just the sound of a trumpet? No! The trumpet was used to tell the children of Israel that is was time to move.   

 

   Just the sound of a trumpet? No! The trumpet was used by hypocrites to draw attention to their benevolence. In Matthew 6:1-2 we read, "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." Those who hid their real motives about their benevolence were called hypocrites. They did their good deeds for show or to gain applause from men. They would make it appear that they were sounding the trumpet to call the poor together to receive the benevolence. In reality they made a great noise with the trumpet to gain personal attention. Let us do well in our lives without making a great noise about it. Just the sound of a trumpet? No! The trumpet was used by hypocrites to draw attention to themselves and to their benevolence.

 

   There is one final trumpet blast that will be heard. It is called "the last trump." "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." (1 Corinthians 15:52) Are you ready? To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus as the Christ (Mark 16:16), repent of all sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:36) and be baptized for remission of sins. (Acts 2:38) After baptism remain faithful to God. (Revelation 2:10) May God help each of us to remember that "Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first." (1 Thessalonians 4:16) The last trump will indicated that it is time for the entire congregation of humanity to be on the move out of their present location, this earth.

 

- - - - Charles Box

 

News & Notes

 

1. Prayer List: Health South Rehab, Montgomery: Leroy Waller. In Need Of Prayer: Mike Bagents, Rush & Vickie Baker (got robbed), Dee Barker, Jerry Barr, Teresa Boutwell, Alma Box, Andrea Burkett, Brenda Burkett, Mellisa Coggins, Bonnie Croley, Marie Curlee, Nancy Faulkenberry, Ron Fisher, Bryan Harville, Billy Heartsill, Davis Hester (2405 Haycyon Downs Loop, Montgomery, Alabama 36117), David Jones, Leona Jones (sister of Eleanor Stabler address 702 Monroe Avenue, Cantonment, Florida 32533), Larue Kelsoe, Felice Kendrick, Patrica Kennemore, Digger Kimbro (grandson of Reese & Lydia Ann Raybon), Alice Little, Callie Lowe, Larry Lucas, Ricky McGough, Annie McKee, Taylor Merry, Charlotte Miller, Jeff Miller, Dorman Murff, Barbara Parker, Tina Pouncey, Betty Pruitt, Jack Queener (brother of Becky McCreary), Joan Radcliff, John Reynolds, Olivia Reynolds, Lillie K. Rice, Jimmy Riley, Ricky Roberts, Billy Rodger (grandfather of Hunter & Hannah Owens), Katie Sanders, Mary Sasser, Nathan Simmons, Janie Smith, Lily Smith, Eleanor Stabler, Sarah Stidham, Mary Lou Terrell, Frank Thomas, Kayla Thomas, Leisha Till, Charlotte Todd, Jimmy Walker, Jim Watts. Crowne Health Care: Helen Autrey, Dorothy Buck, Jewel Cauthen, Gladys Childs, Betty Findley, Kathy Johnson, Sarah Knight, Glenn Phillips, and Annie Ruth Tetter. 

 

2. Sympathy Expressed: Our love and sympathy is expressed to Pam Till and her family in the death of her father, Joe Smith.

 

3.  Anniversary: Celebrating an anniversary this week is: January 3rd Neil and Nancy Faulkenberry.

 

4. Birthdays: Celebrating a birthday this week are: January 1st Olivia Reynolds and Cindy Thomas and January 4th John Robert Holladay.

 

5. Thanks You Note: (a) Walnut Street Youth, Thank you for thinking of me at Christmas. The fruit basket and card were nice. I appreciate you all. Love, Marie Curlee (b) Dear Walnut Street Family, thank you for your thoughts, prayers, visits, and encouragement during this critical time for Digger. He has made so much progress these past few weeks, and the doctors are amazed at how well he has done despite the extent of his injuries. Please continue to pray both for his physical and emotional healing. Prayers have already been answered, and we thank you all. In Christian Love, Reese and Lydia Raybon (c) Thank you all for the encouraging words, cards, emails and phone calls. We love and miss each and every one of you. Your prayers this past year for our family have been greatly appreciated. Love, Christine Lucas & Family (d) Thank you all so very much for your kind words and prayers for Digger. We appreciate them so much. We know that because of prayful people like you that God has placed His hands on Digger to heal him. I could not ask for a better Christmas gift that the way God has done His work through Digger. May God bless each and everyone of you and your families as He has blessed mine. God Bless, Tiffany Burkett, Digger Kimbro & Family

 

6. Sign-Up Sheets 2012: The sign-up sheets for 2012 are on the bulletin board. Please volunteer to help during 2012. Thanks to so many of you who do things year round! God bless you.

 

7. Area Events: (a) February 3rd – 4th – A Marriage Workshop for Couples of All Ages – Eastern Meadows Church of Christ – Speakers: Eddy & Jeanny Gilpin – Time: Friday 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. – See bulletin board for more information, (b) February 5th – 10th – The 76th Annual Bible Lectureship – Freed-Hardeman University – Theme: “The Behavior of Belief: Faith and Life in James to Jude”, and (c) March 5th – 8th – 68th Annual Bible Lectureship – Faulkner University – Theme: “Studies in the Book of Hebrews”

 

8. Bring a Visitor: Set your goal to make an honest effort to bring a visitor to the services of the church. There is someone that we can all influence to go to heaven. Let us all join together and win souls for Jesus. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30)

 

 

“Go--I Will Teach You What You Shall Say”

 

   I got ready slowly that morning, thinking about the Sunday sermon the night before. I knew better than ever that my dedication to Christ required me to reach out to the lost.  I had the desire and the knowledge, but suddenly the excuses began to flow. “What if no one listens or even cares what I have to say?” “What if I say the wrong thing and offend someone?” For these and some other reasons, to my knowledge, most of my former high school classmates have never heard the simple truth of the gospel. When I really look to the root of my difficulties in spreading God’s word, the most substantial key seems to be my lack of confidence in people. I had a lack of confidence in myself as a teacher, as well as a lack of confidence in those thatI would teach. It is true there is no guarantee that people won’t let you down, but in this case the power is not in men, but in God Almighty.

 

   I am reminded of the conversation between God and Moses in Exodus 4. God had given Moses a message to take to the Israelites and then to Pharaoh in Egypt, but Moses had little confidence in people. He was afraid the Israelites would not believe him, and he feared because he had little belief in his own ability to speak. But listen to God’s reply, “Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”

 

   God quickly reminded Moses of a vital truth. It was God who created mankind. He made our mouths to speak, our ears to hear, and our eyes to see. In all our imperfections God is with us, and He will aid us in fulfilling His wishes. Therefore, it is up to us simply to go and do what He has commanded. God was with Moses in delivering his message, and He is most assuredly with us today as we go forth to preach Jesus to the world. Remember, it is not you or I, but the gospel message that is God’s power unto salvation (Romans 1:16).

 

- - - - Darrell Powell

 

Be ready and prepared for the last trump! Live in anticipation!

 

Service Time:

Sunday

Morning:                                           Evening:

    Bible Study 9:30                              Worship 6:00

    Worship 10:30                               

Wednesday:

Bible Study 7:00 pm

 

Here To Serve:

Elders:                                               Deacons:

    Mike Bagents                                  Tony Bozeman

    Jerry Barr                                        Bruce Cauthen   

    Bobby Terrell                                   Jason Holladay    

    Thomas Till                                      Dennis Lowery    

Minister:                                               Stuart Taylor      

    Charles Box                                     Jim Till

Youth Minister

    Darrell Powell

 

 Don’t just own a Bible; read it!

 

Walnut Street Church of Christ

P.O. Box 551

Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551

(334-382-3001)