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    The Reporter   
 Volume 46 # 18,  --  May 5, 2006

  

Truths Believed Among Us

 

   It is not unusual, during home Bible studies, for someone to ask, "What does the church of Christ believe about _________?" Obviously, the question should be "What does the Bible teach about ________?" There are, however, some truths that should be believed among us.

 

   It is truth that God is. "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:19) God is the ever present, all-powerful Creator of the universe. God knows everything about us and He cares deeply about our eternal destiny.

 

   It is truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Peter said, "We have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Jn 6:69) Jesus died, was buried and rose again to make our salvation possible. (I Cor 15:1-4) Jesus lived a perfect life and therefore serves as our example. His teaching was with authority. (Mt 7:29)

 

   It is truth that the Bible is the word of God. In John 17:17 it is declared that God's word is truth, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." Scripture must be studied with a desire both to learn and to obey. No book can ever have such an impact on your life as the Bible. It is the inspired word of God!

 

   It is truth that sin is man's problem. The Bible teaches that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Rom 3:23) The miseries of this life are caused by sin. Sin brings a terrible payday. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom 6:23) Christians must be on constant guard against sin!

 

   It is truth that life passes quickly. In James 4:14 life is said to be like a vapor. "Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." Think of the funerals you have attended. Read the death notices in the newspaper. Think of those that have gone on. As they are today we all shall soon be. Life passes by quickly and we all know this to be true.

 

   It is truth that all should obey the gospel. Christ saves all that obey and only those that obey. "And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him." (Heb 5:9) Only those willing to obey Jesus will be saved. "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?" (Lk 6:46)

 

   Gospel obedience includes hearing God's word, believing in Jesus as the Christ, repenting of sins, confessing Christ as Lord, and being baptized. (Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-16; Lk 24:46-47.) Disobedience is a tragic thing. Those that fail to obey are condemned.

 

   It is truth that not everyone will be saved. The Bible teaches that few will be saved and many lost. "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Mt 7:13-14) Only those that have learned truth and been obedient to it will be saved. Let's face the fact that the majority will be lost. You cannot expect to enter that narrow gate without living the Christian life.

 

   It is truth that how you live is important. The way you live your life will determine your eternal destiny at the judgment. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." (II Cor 5:10) How people think, talk, hear and do will determine where they will spend eternity. How are you living? "Are you living right, should you die tonight, is it well with your soul?"

 

   It is truth that God desires our worship. "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (Jn 4:23-24) God desires, God deserves and God expects our worship. Singing, praying, preaching, giving and the Lord's Supper are the items of worship ordained by our Father in Heaven. (Eph 5:19; Acts 2:42; I Cor 16:1-2; Mt 26:26-30) Faithful Christians wor-ship faithfully!

 

   It is truth that there will be no second chance after death. The rich man of Luke 16 proves this fact. There was no second chance for him. It was too late. "Then he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he many dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us." (Lk 16:24-26)

 

   It is truth that Christ has only one church. The church is Christ's body. God "put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." (Eph 1:22-23) "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Eph. 4:4-6) It is not enough just to be in a Church. You must be in the church that is in the Bible. If you are not a member of the church mentioned in the Bible you certain­ly should be!

 

   It is truth that Satan tries to cause us to be indifferent. Complacency or indifference is a terrible spiritual state. "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." (Rev 3:15-16) There is no such thing as pleasing God while being just a casual Christian.

 

   It is truth that there will be a judgment after this life is over. The Bible teaches that we have appointments with both death and judgment. "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." (Heb 9:27) Each person is accountable to God for his life. (Rom 14:12) Can you even imagine what that great day will be like -- that great Day of Judgment and accountability?

 

   Do not put off doing what you know you should. Opportunities pass quickly. Are you doing that which meets with God's approval? Is your life built on truth? "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (Jn. 8:32)

- - - - Charles Box

News & Notes

 

1. Prayer List: Stabler Hospital: Chris Stinson, Fayetteville, Georgia Hospital: Jessie Kennemore (father of Trina Croley), University of South Alabama Medical Center, Mobile: Teresa Boutwell (mother of Tonya Harrell), Baptist East Medical Center: LeAnn Durden.  In Need Of Prayers: Mitch Bozeman, Malachi Beauchamp, Charles Box Sr. (9062 Rocky Ford Road, Gadsden, Alabama 35903), Carolyn Duncan, Ethel Gafford, Jean Gafford, Roy Goodwin, Ramona Gravely, Ron Green, Evan Hartsell, Betty Hobbie, Frank Johnson, Mary Lawrence, Evelyn Lewis, April Page, Chris Paulk (mother of Ronnie Paulk), William Pierce Mary Powell, Nettie Quintey, Anna Salter, Tete Stabler, Lee Streeter, Mary Lou Terrell, and Mary Tindal. Crowne Health Care: Laura Ellis, Kathy Johnson, Myrtle Perdue, Bertha Phelps, and Iva Lou Wright. Homewood Greenville: Marie Walton. Pine Needle: Mildred Johnson. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Wilmer Howell. Shut-Ins: Jean Hayes, and Mary Lou Phelps.

 

2. Please Pray For: (a) Alan Jackson as he serves in Iraq. (SPC Nathan A. Jackson, B-BTRY 1/117th FA, APO AE09378, 3rd PLT –  armydad_2006@yahoo.com) (b) Jason Godwin will go to Iraq in a few months. (c) Thomas Phillips as he is on a two month trip to South America. (d) Jerry & Joan Barr as they are in China for four weeks. (e) Lomax Owens, Bobby Terrell, and Charles Box as they are on a mission trip to Guyana.

 

3. 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 half past two in the afternoon at Historic Donnelly House and Gardens in Birmingham, Alabama. Reception will immediately following. Mrs. Amanda MeGahee Hope, Mr. Lucien Wellborn Hope III and Mr. and Mrs. Claude Neil Faulkenberry

 

4. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays this week are: May 11th Bill Hammonds and Walter Johnson, and May 12th Ann Smith.

 

5. 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.

 

6. Area Events: (a) May 7-10 – Gospel Meeting – Capitol Heights Church of Christ – Speaker Alan Watkins – Time evening services 7:30 (b) May 13th – Ladies Enrichment Day – Fairhope Church of Christ – Speaker:  Sheila Butt – Theme: A Woman For All Seasons – Time: 9:00 – lunch – RSVP by May 5th. (c) May 19-20 – Panama Mission Forum – Faulkner University – Theme: “Tools for the Mission Field” (see bulletin board for speakers, times and other information.) (d) June 4-8 – Gospel Meeting – Sasser Church of Christ – Speaker Curtis Cates – Time Sunday 10:00 & 11:00 a.m. worship, 12:00 lunch, 1:30 p.m. singing, 2:00 p.m. worship and week nights 7:30. (e) June 18-23 – “National Worship for the Deaf” – Niceville Church of Christ – call 850-678-2911 for details. (f) July 9-14 – Backwoods Christian Camp. (g) September 25-27 – Spiritual Enrichment Forum at Embassy Suites Hotel – Southern Christian University – (see bulletin board for speakers, topics, and time.)

 

7. Wowetta Gifts: Are you ready to do another shoe box project? We will prepare another shipment for Wowetta for school age children in about six weeks. There are sheets in the foyer that have the information needed for each child. Everyone may participate and prepare as many boxes as you like. Be sure and put a Bible in every box because we want to share God’s word with the children and their families. These will be due by May 14th. If you need any help preparing a box please see Lisa Bagents. **Also, we would like to prepare a box of sporting equipment for the school. Things like volley balls and nets, soccer balls and nets, basket balls and goals, pumps and needles for balls, baseballs, gloves, and bats, footballs, ping-pong paddles, balls and nets. These will be placed in a large box in the foyer.

 

Are Denominations Authorized

 

   The word “denomination” literally means “division.” Religious denominations are different bodies of “believers” who might differ from one another in doctrine, practice, or even the object of their worship. But what does the Bible say about religious denominations? Does it have anything to say at all? Isn’t everyone ok spiritually as long as they believe something? 

 

   Jesus said, “…upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Mt 16:18). Paul wrote, “And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all” (Eph 1:22-23). Jesus promised that He would establish His church (one church, not many churches), and He was to be the head of that church, which is His body. Paul further explained in I Corinthians 12:12-13: “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

 

   Take a look at what was occurring in the church in Corinth. Paul pleaded with them: “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment (I Cor 1:10). The nature of their “divisions” was that some of them were saying, “‘I follow Paul,’ or ‘I follow Apollos,’ or ‘I follow Cephas,’ or ‘I follow Christ.’” To which Paul rebuked them, saying, “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (I Cor 1:12-13).

 

   What is Jesus’ desire regarding religious division? He prayed that “those who believe…all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (Jn 17:21). Do Christ and the father disagree on what is necessary for people to be saved? Do they disagree on how they want to be worshiped? God’s desire is that His people become “perfectly one.” This can only happen when all believers go back to the Bible for all religious authority.                          

   - - - - Darrell Powell

 

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

(Colossians 3:1-2)

 

Don’t just own a Bible; read it!