The Reporter   
 Volume 48 # 29,  --  July 18, 2008

 

Are You In The Faith?

– Second Corinthians Thirteen –

 

   It was Paul's plan that he would soon make a third visit to Corinth. His intention was that when he came to Corinth he would confront his critics face to face. Paul intended to prove that Christ was speaking through him. What the Corinthians thought about Paul meant nothing. Their view of the Christ meant everything. If the people properly understood the Lord they would not talk and behave as they did. These people reasoned that if Jesus was God it would reveal weakness that He was killed by humans. But they forgot that it is the resurrection that proves Jesus' power. 

 

   God power is not seen in our physical strength but in the spiritual life that we receive through Christ. We are raised from baptism to a new and very powerful life in Christ. Christ living in you is what makes you a godly person. It was Paul's desire to constantly lift up the Christ in his life. He wanted to do what was right in his own life and to encourage these brethren to not do wrong. Our life must be focused on "truth." What a wonderful thing if all in the church would simply conform to "the truth." Let us think, talk and live like Jesus would have us do.

 

   We must put ourselves to the test to make sure that Christ is in us. Paul said, "Be perfect." Our goal must be to be complete in Christ. As God's people we must focus on the things we have in common and live in peace. If we do these things "the God of love and peace shall be with us." There must be love, respect and a brotherhood among fellow Christians. Paul closed the book with three great foundation principles: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, The love of God, and The communion of the Holy Ghost.

 

   Living by the power of God – 2 Corinthians 13:1-4: Paul warned these brethren that he was coming to Corinth for a third time. He was concerned that he might come and find the spiritual condition unfavorable at Corinth. If Paul came to Corinth and things were not as they should be he would still treat them fairly. He cited Deuteronomy 19:15 as the fair and right way to deal with such matters. "One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established." During his second visit when he was with them Paul warned them that anyone that did not stop sinning would be punished. Even though he was now a far distance from them he gave them that same warning concerning what would happen on this third visit.

 

            Paul said that if he came and had to do so with discipline that it should prove that it was Christ speaking in him. Christ is not weak in dealing with His children, but is powerful among us. Christ was never weak when it came to dealing with wrong. It is true that Christ was crucified in weakness. This has reference to the physical body that Jesus took upon Himself. However He now lives by the power of God. Paul said, "We are weak, just as Christ was. But you will see that we will live by the power of God, just as Christ does."

 

   Are you true to your faith – 2 Corinthians 13:5-7: Each Christian should test himself to make sure that he is really true to the faith. We need to know whether we can pass this test. As you examine your faith will you find Christ living in you? If Christ is not living in you then you have failed the test spiritually. The purpose of this examination by the Corinthians was to see if they were still in the faith or if they could still be regarded as faithful Christians. Sadly, some Christians will not stand the test!

 

   Paul said, "I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test." Paul was concerned over the attitudes and actions of many of the Corinthian brethren. His concerned was justified because some at Corinth looked upon him as "an enemy." The main desire of Paul was that these brethren stop doing evil things. Paul could come and corrected their evils with the authority of an apostle. This would prove that he had been true. He had rather that they do right even if he still appeared to be a weak failure.

 

   Do nothing against the truth – 2 Corinthians 13:8-10: Paul's one desire was to follow the truth and not fight against it. Let us develop that same attitude that says, "We cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth." If the brethren corrected their spiritual path and Paul did not have the opportunity to prove that he was a true apostle he would still be happy. He would be happy for them to be strong spiritually and to do even better in their relationship with the Lord Jesus. Christian maturity was the thing that Paul desired for these brethren. Christian maturity is also the tremendous need for our lives today.

 

   Paul wrote these things before he reached Corinth. He was praying that he would not have to be hard on them when he got there. He did not want to use the authority for corrective discipline that the Lord had given him. Sometimes Christian duty is unpleasant. But it was Paul's desire to help these brethren, not destroy them. We remember the events that took place with Ananias and Sapphira his wife. (Acts 5) If these brethren would make the necessary changes a similar event could be avoided at Corinth. 

 

   Final greetings for the Corinthians – 2 Corinthians 13:11-14: Second Corinthians closes with some very tender words of encouragement. "Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you." Paul wanted them to do better spiritually and to pay attention to the message that came from God. "A man can be at peace with God only by living in peace with his brethren according to the in­structions of inspiration."

 

   "Greet one another with a holy kiss." This means that they should give each other a warm greeting. They were to use every means by which a good understanding among brethren could be brought about. Friendship and love was to be promoted by every friendly action. All the saints or brethren that were associated with Paul at that time joined the apostle in the salutation to the brethren at Corinth. He closed the book by focusing on the three members of the Godhead and on three bed rock truths of Christianity. He spoke of (1) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, (2) The love of God, and (3) The communion of the Holy Ghost. Let these be with us also!

 

            Will you appreciate Jesus enough that you will receive Him as your Lord and Savior NOW? To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized to be saved. (1 Peter 3:21) After your bap­tism will you follow Jesus faithfully so that He can lead you home to heaven? (Revelation 2:10)

 

- - - - Charles Box

News & Notes

 

1. Prayer List: Georgiana Hospital: Emma Lee Gafford, Children’s Hospital Birmingham: Austin Shows, Baptist South Hospital: Juanita Turner. In Need Of Prayers: Becky Bell, Dannie Box, Emily Cain, Wayne & Viola Corley, Nelson Daughtry, Bobby Fullington, Jean Gafford, Roy Goodwin, Mary Goodwin, Judy Green, Billy Heartsill, Dianne Hoffman, Linda Johnson, Mary Lawrence, Abigail Matthews, Robert McCann, Jo Ann Moorer, Margaret Munro, Pat Newton, Candy Parker, Mary Powell, Olivia Reynolds, John Stephens, Sarah Stidham, Leroy Waller, Richard Watts, and Mary Williams. Crowne Health Care: Mary Alexander, James Alford, Gladys Childs, Kathy Johnson, Wallace Murry, and Myrtle Perdue. Pine Needle: Mary Lou Phelps. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Helen Autrey, and Doris Pierce. Shut-Ins: Jean Hayes, and Doris Taylor.

 

2. Prayer Requested: Prayers are requested for the family of Gray White, a 10 year old boy who was run over and killed.

 

3. Please Pray For: Pray for Paul Findley, Ben Newton and Jason Godwin as they serve in Iraq. Also pray for Dennis Phillips Jr. as he will be going to Iraq soon.

 

4. Pray For Permission To Build: Pray that we can obtain permission to build a building in Annai, Guyana, South America. A congregation is needed there.

 

5. Birthday: Celebrating birthdays this week are: July 21st Kathy Johnson and July 25th Tricia Lett.

 

6. Youth Minister: Jeff Stacy will visit on July 27th. He will teach the youth class and preach. He is being considered for our Youth Minister.

 

7. Backwoods Christian Camp: Thanks to all that helped us have another record breaking session at Backwoods Christian Camp. A special thank-you to all that contribute to the Carl Sessions Camp Fund. This makes it possible to send all of our children to Bible Camp.

 

8. Thank You: Dear Christians, Thank you so much for the opportunity to go to Belize, Central America. We went door to door handing our VBS invitations, offering Bible studies, and telling them of our meeting. I appreciated the chance to go on my first foreign mission trip. I definitely want to go again! Matthew 28:19 “Go into all the world and teach them…” Your prayers and money are helping to tell others about God’s word. To God Be The Glory! Drew Helms

 

9. Church Directory Update: Leroy Waller’s phone number is 382-0092.

 

10. Web-Site:  Check out our website: http:\\ww

w.walnutstreetchurchofchrist.org. New material is added each week and you can also access many teaching articles and past issues of The Reporter.

 

11. Put These Dates On Your Calendar: (a) July 20th – 23rd – Vacation Bible School – Fort Deposit Church of Christ – Time 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (b) July 20th – 23rd – Gospel Meeting – Brewton Church of Christ – Speaker Philip Goad – Time Sunday evening 7:30 and weeknights 7:00 p.m. (c) July 20th – 24th – Gospel Meeting – Cedar Grove Church of Christ – Speaker Ken Tyler – Time: Sunday – Bible Class 9:30 a.m., Worship 10:30 a.m., Singing 1:00 p.m. and Worship 1:30 p.m. and Weekdays Devotions 7 a.m. and Worship 7 p.m. (d) July 25th – Semi-Annual Singing – Elba Church of Christ – Time 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. (e) July 27th – August 1st – Gospel Meeting – Grady Church of Christ – Speaker Dr. G. Scott Gleaves – Time Bible Class 9 a.m., Worship 10 a.m., Singing 2:30 p.m. and Worship each night 7:30 p.m. (f)  August 10th – 13th – Gospel Meeting – Georgia Road Church of Christ – Speaker Alan Watkins – Time Sunday Singing 1:00 p.m., Worship 2:00 p.m. and weeknights 7:30 (g) September 13th – Ladies Day – Walnut Street Church of Christ – Speaker Sheila Butt – Theme Seeking Spiritual Beauty. (h) October 6th-9th – Gospel Meeting – Walnut Street Church of Christ – Speaker Ron Bryant – Sunday 6:00 p.m. and weeknights at 7:00.

 

Will You Deny Him?

 

   Peter looked boldly into the eyes of the Lord and said without hesitation, “though all men shall be offended because of you, yet will I never be offended.” To which Jesus replied, “assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” But unwaveringly, Peter clove to his self-confidence and said, “…though I should die with you, yet will I not deny you.” (Matthew 26:33-35) 

 

   Soon after this conversation, Judas came with the multitude to betray Jesus. They took Him away to be placed on trial for the crimes, which He had not committed. He was found guilty and was sentenced to death. And as they began to mock and spit upon Jesus, Peter was following at a distance when he sat to warm himself by a fire. First, a servant girl saw him and said, “this man was also with Him,” to which he replied, “woman, I do not know Him." (Luke 22:56-57)  “And after a little while another saw him and said, ‘You also are of them.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I am not!”  (Luke 22:58) Finally, another said, “surely this fellow was also with Him,” but Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying! And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.” (Luke 22:60)  “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.  So Peter went out and wept bitterly.”  (Luke 22:61-62) 

 

   No doubt any faithful Christian would hope they could look into Jesus’ eyes and say, “I would never deny you.” The truth is, while He is not physically here on earth, we have chances every day to stand with Him or to deny Him.  When given an opportunity to share the gospel, do you declare as did Paul, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,” (Romans 1:16,) or do you sound more like Peter and say, “I do not know Him?” Do not be fooled into complacency. With this denial, you crucify Christ again. (Hebrews 6:6) 

 

- - - - Darrell Powell

 

Man must find the truth, not because it is lost, but because he is.

 

Don’t just own a Bible; read it!

 

Walnut Street Church of Christ

P.O. Box 551

Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551

(334-382-3001)