The Reporter     Volume 46 # 31,  --  August 4, 2006

 

The Undenominational
Church Of Christ

 

   The church of the New Testament is not denominational.  In the beginning there was only one church -- no denominations. In the first century denominations did not exist, but the church of Christ did exist. The undenominational church of Christ is produced when the gospel of Christ is obeyed. (Rom. 6:17-18) The New Testament church and denominational churches are far different from one another in origin, purpose, mission, and destiny.

 

   Denominations were planned by men; the church of Christ was planned by God. God planned the church in such a way as to have unity. (Eph. 3:10-11) Unity is possible when, "all speak the same thing." (I Cor. 1:10) Denominations promote division, while the church of Christ promotes unity!

 

   Denominations exist without blood; the church of Christ was purchased with Christ's blood. "...shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:28) Christ and His church cannot be separated because the church was purchased by His blood. His church is as valuable as His blood. Those who reject the church of Christ do not  recognize  the connection  between the church of Christ and the blood of Christ. "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her." (Eph. 5:25)

 

   Denominations do not teach God's plan of salvation, the church of Christ teaches the gospel plan of salvation. Denominations teach people to go to an altar and pray for salvation, pray the sinner’s prayer, or to just accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. They do not tell sinners to hear the gospel (Rom. 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Jesus as Lord (Rom.10:9-10), and be baptized into Christ. (Rom 6:3-5) Denominations never tell people what Peter told the peo­ple on Pentecost. "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38) The church of Christ encourages gospel obedience. (Acts 2:36-41)

 

   God has blessed us with the great privilege of being a part of the blood bought, God planned, Heaven promised church.  Jesus gave the world His church before and without denominationalism.  Let's go back to the Bible, back to New Testament Christianity, back to the Bible church.  You can be just a Christian!  It is a great blessing to be a member of the undenominational church of Christ.

- - - - Charles Box

Learning To Overcome

 

      There is much to overcome in this life.  The major battle is fought in our heart. Self and the world pulls against our heart. In another direction is the pull of God, the sacrifice of Jesus and an eternity in Heaven.  Christ was able to overcome and through His strength Christians can overcome.  "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." (Revelation 3:21.)

 

      Let us learn to overcome:

 

      Overcome evil with good: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21.) This scripture reminds us that (1) evil may overcome us, or (2) we may overcome evil.  Overcoming evil with good promotes peace on earth!  The les­son is simple -- overcome or be overcome.  "Good for evil is God-like; good for good is man-like; evil for good is devil-like and evil for evil is beast-like."  The devil will help you return evil for evil.  God will help you return good for evil. Good for evil is the very spirit of the gospel of Christ.

 

      Overcome the world with faith: "For whatever is born of God over­comes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world -- our faith." (1 John 5:4.)  Faith conquers the world.  There is a world in which Christians live, enjoy and are blessed by.  There is another world which must be overcome. There is a world with which Christians can have nothing to do.  This is that which is alienated and separated from God; that which is opposed to God's kingdom and things eternal.  This world is overcome by our faith. "The world" finds its way into our homes, business, conversation, entertainment and heart. "The world" must be overcome by a living faith. Worldliness is at­tractive, but faith is the overcoming power.

 

      Overcome self with self denial: "Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." (Matthew 16:24.)  The main thing which competes with the love and service of God is self.  The person who denies self will "count all loss for Christ."  Self denial says one will be:  (1) true to the word of God, (2) faithful in serving others, (3) humble in spirit, and (4) submissive in will.  "Then He said to them all, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." (Luke 9:23.)  Those who think the thoughts of Christ, feel the feelings of Christ, and work the work of Christ are overcoming by practicing self denial.

 

      Overcome bad thoughts with pure thoughts: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy -- meditate on these things." (Philippian 4:8.) The God of peace will be with Christians who faithfully think and do right things. "The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you." (Philippian 4:9.)  Honor, integrity and purity in life can only come from right thinking.  Only by thinking right can evil be overcome in our lives. Darkness is expelled by light.  Wrong actions are expelled from the life of a Christian by right thinking.  Christian character is the outgrowth of pure thoughts.

 

      To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Luke 13:3), confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:26-27). You must then stay faithful as an overcomer in order to go to heaven.

- - - - Charles Box

News & Notes

 

1. Prayer List: Children’s Hospital: Clay Newton. In Need Of Prayers: Nikki Bennett, Doug Boswell, Dannie Box, Gene Buck, Emily Cain, Gladys Cassidy, Gene Davis, Emma Fell, Ethel Gafford, Roy Goodwin, Ramona Gravely, Ron Green, Montine Hardin (sister of Terry, Tommy & Tim Gafford), Evan Hartsell, Jimmy Hobbie, Frank Johnson, Mary Lawrence, Joyce Massey, Janice Mullins, Hunter Owens (broken arm), Mary Powell, Shirley Roberson, Lori Roberts (niece of Neomia Collins & Jerri Davis), Linda Sexton (mother of Marty Sexton), Doris Taylor Corrine Till and Gladys Warren. Crowne Health Care: Laura Ellis, Kathy Johnson, Myrtle Perdue, Bertha Phelps, Floyd Smith, 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. Address: SPC Nathan A. Jackson, B-BTRY 1/117^th FA, APO AE09378, 3^rd PLT – e-mail: armydad_2006@yahoo.com. (b) Sam Sanders, son of Jerry Sanders is serving in the Iraq area. (c) Jason Godwin will go to Iraq soon. 

 

3. Special Need For Prayer: Brenda & Willie Herring are expecting triplets. Brenda is facing several weeks of bed rest. Please pray for her and the babies.

 

4. Sympathy Expressed: Our sympathy and love is expressed to Jessie Mae Powell and her family in the death of her son-in-law, Freddie West.

 

5. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays this week are: August 6^th Randy Bagents, August 8^th Doyle Bender, Roy Bender, and Birdie Lee Godwin, August 9^th Dawn Fullington, August 10^th Marlasia Lett, August 11^th Margaret Munro, and August 12^th Ethel Gafford.

 

6. Class Promotion: Class promotion will be Sunday, August 13^th. Everyone is to meet in the auditorium for promotion for classes.

 

7. Bible Award: In a recent session at Camp Wiregrass Lacey Barr received the highest achievement Bible Award. We are proud of you Lacey!

 

8. Thank You: Dear Church Family, Thank you for the party you had honoring me and the other graduates. I had a wonderful time seeing the many faces that I truly consider as my family. You all mean so much to me in many different ways. I miss everyone so much. You each have a very special place in my heart and always will. Thank you again for making me feel so special and so loved during this exciting time in my life. In Christian Love, Terrell Brannon

 

9. Area Events: (a) August 13-16 – Gospel Meeting – Georgia Road Church of Christ – Sam Long – Bible Class 9:00 a.m., Worship 10:00 a.m., Singing 1:00 p.m., Worship 2:00 p.m., and weeknights 7:30. (b) July 30-August 2 Flatwoods Church of Christ – Paul Tarence – 10:00 a.m. Bible Study, 11:00 a.m. Worship, 2:00 p.m. Worship and weeknights 7:30. (c) September 15-17 – Annual Bremen Lectureship – Bremen Church of Christ – Theme: Unity (Ephesians 4:1-6) – Speakers: See bulletin board – Time Friday 7:00 & 8:00 p.m., Saturday 9:30 & 10:30 a.m., 1:30 & 2:30 p.m., 6:30-9:00 p.m., and Sunday 9:00 & 10:00 a.m., 1:30-4:00 p.m.(d) September 25-27 – Spiritual Enrichment Forum at Embassy Suites Hotel – Southern Christian University

 

10. Many Commit To Evangelism: Many families in the Walnut Street Church of Christ have committed to view the 6 lesson video “Searching for Truth” and share it with someone else. This will do us good and it will also provide an opportunity for others to know the Lord.

 

11. Show Your Love: Find some way to show your love to others today. “God is Love.”

 

"...And The Fire Will Test Each One's Work"

 

   Our great commission is to go and preach the gospel to every person. (Mk 16:15) It is a great and grave responsibility to be entrusted with the gospel (death, burial and resurrection) of Christ. Many great men have spent their lives delivering the message of hope to the lost world. But it is not the preacher, nor the dutiful Chris­tian who saves the sinner. Rather, it is God who gives the increase. (I Cor 3:7)

 

   All men are God's "building;" we are His creation (I Cor 3:9) and it is God's will that all men be saved. (I Tim 2:3-4) The Apostle Paul shared in this desire and counted it as a gift from God that he was able to help build up Christ's church. But he warned us to take heed how we build. (I Cor 3:10)

 

   We must be very careful that we lay the correct foundation when teaching the gospel, for through no other than Christ can salvation be found. (I Cor 3:11) There is no gospel but the gospel of which Christ is the foundation. (Gal1:8)

 

   Now, when we build on this foundation, those converts will fall into two major categories: (1) gold, silver, and precious stones, or (2) wood, hay and straw. (I Cor 3:12) The first category being the diligent, pure, and strong ones, and the second being the weak, shallow, and easily uprooted ones. I Corinthians 3:13 tells us that the nature of the one who is converted will be revealed because it will be tested by fire. Whether that fire be some form of persecution, or simply one of life's burdens, it will prove the nature of the convert. You see, when fire comes in contact with gold, silver, or precious stones it simply purifies and strengthens them. But when fire comes to wood, hay, or straw if consumes them leaving ashes. We must be proclaimers of the word and if those we convert endure, we will be rewarded. If not, we will suffer loss, but will ourselves be saved. That same fire which consume the weak will strengthen us. (I Cor. 3:15.)

 

- - - - 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)