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Steadfast For
The Lord
Those that were early members of the church were characterized by
steadfastness. "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine
and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts
There may be many great needs in the church but none is greater than the need for steadfastness Paul wrote to the Colossians and said, "though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ." (Colossians 2:5) Peter gave the following warning to brethren concerning the danger of falling from their steadfastness. "You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked." (II Peter 3:17)
Let us observe the importance of steadfastness:
Strong churches have
steadfast members. Jesus said, "You are
the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to
be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city
that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it
under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the
house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:13-16) The influence of the
church can only be strong, as the members are steadfast. From Acts
Strong Christians are steadfast members. Christians who fail to
be steadfast fail to be what God intended them to be. The member who is
faithful a while and then unfaithful; can be counted on for a while and then
cannot be counted on; is dependable for a while and then undependable is a poor
example of Christianity. Instead of being steadfast the Bible calls this man
unstable. "He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
(James 1:8) Strong Christians are steadfast in their service to God.
"Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful." (I
Corinthians 4:2) The challenge for every Christian
is to be steadfast.
Strong Christians understand the principle of being steadfast members. They realize that they are made partakers of Christ only by being "steadfast unto the end." "For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end." (Hebrews 3:14) Christians must be firm in their faith; set and settled in their convictions about Jesus the Christ. They must be planted, fixed, strong, anchored and faithful in their relationship with the Master. Those that are steadfast have "hope" as an anchor for the soul. (Hebrews 6:19) The challenge for every Christian is to be steadfast.
Strong members recognize those things that produce steadfastness. Christians must recognize the contribution made to steadfastness as we learn the truth. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32) Christians must learn, know, perceive and understand God's will. No one will be steadfast for long who does not have an ever-deepening knowledge of God's word. Peter said, "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen." (II Peter 3:18)
Attending "all" the services of the church is another
contributing factor in our steadfastness. In order to seek God and His kingdom
first we must be faithful at every service of the church. "But seek first
the
Associating with strong Christians helps develop personal steadfastness. Those with whom we associate pull us in their direction. "Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits." (I Corinthians 15:33) Basement people pull others down; balcony people pull others up. You can be strengthened by good men or corrupted by evil men. "He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed." (Proverbs 13:20)
Strong faith produces steadfast Christians. The Bible says that Abraham was strong in faith. "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God." (Romans 4:20) Christians must likewise be steadfast, firm, and fixed in the faith of the gospel of Jesus Christ. "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures." (I Corinthians 15:3-4) Circumstances and situations of life must never shake our faith in the glorious gospel of Christ. Our steadfastness stands on Jesus' resurrection. Because He lives we can live also. Let us be unshaken in our hope of being raised incorruptible and immortal. Our steadfastness must lead us to abound in the work of the Lord. The challenge for every Christian is to be steadfast.
Find those things that contribute to steadfastness to the Lord and grow in them. The Hebrew writer said, "For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end." (Hebrews 3:14) The challenge for every Christian is to be steadfast.
Being a Christian is a serious responsibility. Christianity
involves your salvation. Your Christianity may affect hundreds of others. To
become a Christian, you must hear the gospel (Romans
- - -
- Charles Box
News & Notes
1. Prayer
List: Stabler Hospital: William Pierce, Tete Stabler, Chris Stinson,
2. Welcome
Home: Neil and Nancy Faulkenberry place
their membership at
3. Please
Pray For: (a) Alan Jackson
as he serves in
4. Wedding
Announcement: We will walk arm in arm into every day of our lives, we
Dorothy Amanda Hope and Claude Nathaniel Faulkenberry have chosen the first day
of our new life together in Christ as Saturday, the twentieth of May two
thousand and six. You are invited to share in our joy as we exchange marriage
vows at
5. Good
News: Elisha Freeman has been selected to be the preacher for the
Hamilton Cross Roads Church of Christ in
6. Graduation
Banquet: Our high school graduates will be honor on May 28th
after evening services. Everyone is invited to participate. Ladies are asked to
bring finger foods. Our graduates this year are: Holly Arnold, Michelle
Bagents, Terrell Brannon, Samuel Cauthen, and Kayla Thomas.
7. Area
Events: (a) May 5-7 – Gospel
Meeting – Eastern Meadows Church of Christ – Speaker Richard Harp – Time Friday
& Saturday 7:00 p.m., Sunday 9:00 a.m. Bible Class, 10:00 a.m. & 1:00
p.m. Worship (b) May 6th
– Bible Day Camp – Ramer Church of Christ – Time 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (c) May 6th – Ladies Day –
Niceville Church of Christ, Florida – Speaker: Sheila Butt – Time: 9:00 a.m.
(see bulletin board for more information.) (d)
May 7-10 – Gospel Meeting – Capitol Heights Church of Christ – Speaker Alan
Watkins – Time evening services
Into
Our Hands
“Swiftly we’re turning life’s daily pages. Swiftly the hours are changing to years. How
are we using God’s golden moments? Shall we reap glory, or shall we reap
tears?” This old hymn points out an often forgotten truth to which all of us
should take honest heed.
It
doesn’t take a brilliant person, or even a very perceptive person, to realize
that we live in a truly blessed nation.
Even if it does cost $20 to drive to town and back (if you live out in
the country like me), we still enjoy a good level of prosperity. So, with all the blessings we enjoy, what are
we doing for the cause of Christ?
If you are a Christian, do you know someone
who, this very minute, is in need of hearing the gospel of Christ? Have you
been making excuses to yourself as to why you should put off teaching this
person? If so, please realize that time is swiftly turning, and you may never
have another chance.
If you’ve never become a Christian by
obedience to the gospel, why do you wait? The Bible says you simply must obey a
few simple steps. Hear the word (Romans
“Into our hands the gospel is given. Into our
hands is given the light! Haste, let us carry God’s precious message, guiding
the erring back to the right.” If the Lord does not return sooner, today will
be tomorrow in the blink of an eye. Don’t wait!
- - - - Darrell Powell
“If the name of the Savior is precious to you, will you not tell it
today.”
Don’t just own a Bible; read it!
Walnut Street Church of Christ
P.O. Box 551
Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551
(334-382-3001)