Bulletin Articles

Apostasy means “falling away.” Apostasy is caused by those who “want to pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:7). The church in the first century was warned “there will be false teachers among you who secretly bring in destructive heresies” (2 Peter 2:1). This apostasy is happening in the Lord’s church even today. It was predicted in 1 Timothy 4:1-2, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.” The end result of apostasy is that many people will lose their souls.

Many departures have occurred during the past 2000 years, which have resulted in hundreds of different kinds of denominational churches. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 says, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”

What should be our religious relationship with someone from a denominational church? 2 John 10-11 says, “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that bids him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” We must never give a person encouragement in their false doctrine but if we do, we also become guilty and we will lose our own souls. We must be hospitable, seeking to teach the lost the way of salvation, but we cannot compromise God’s Word by accepting false doctrines.

We read in 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, “because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion; that they should believe a lie that they all might be damned who believe not the truth.” It is such a shame that millions of good people have chosen to believe a lie of Satan, they will have to spend eternity separated from God.

This does not have to happen if people will only study, believe and obey the truth of God’s word and be faithful to it all the days of our life.

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, “Who would like this $20 bill?” Hands started going up. He said, “I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this.” He proceeded to crumple the bill up. He then asked, “Who still wants it?” Still the hands were up in the air. Well,” he replied, “what if I do this?” And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. “Now who still wants it?” Still the hands went into the air. “My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value in God’s eyes. To Him, physically dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless. God has given us the gift of His only begotten Son (John 3:16).

The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know but by WHO WE ARE! As members of the church of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27), we are stewards of God (I Cor. 4:1-2). It is required in us to be faithful.

We commit to mortgage companies for 30 years and auto finance companies for 5 years, but whom will you commit to for eternity? The work of the church at Miami Gardens is the responsibility of the Christians at Miami Gardens (I Cor. 16:1-2). The church must not count on the world to deal with the Lord’s business. The Miami Gardens church of Christ MUST be a beacon in this community through ongoing community programs and never-ending evangelism (James 2:14-16; Luke 19:10)

As you give today, commit to God as you have prospered. Do not be lukewarm in your giving. Your commitment to God and His work will last for eternity. Do not let life’s “problems” prevent you from giving to the Lord.

If you are here today for our Friends and Family Day and have not committed to God, TODAY is the day… You MUST 1) Hear and Believe the gospel (Acts 15:7), 2) Repent of your sins (Luke 13:3,5), 3) Confess Christ as the Son of God (Acts 8:37), and 4) Be Baptized (buried) in water (Col. 2:12, Acts 22:16, I Cor. 12:13, Gal. 3:27). 5) Live Faithful until death (Rev 2:10) When one obeys the gospel, you become a child of God-Don’t ever forget it! Count Your Blessings Not Your Problems!!!

Commit to God today!

Mankind has always been accustomed to the various titles available in the employment sector and even in religion. We go to college to earn our degree in order to gain a job with a nice salary and an important title. People have even gone as far as to request a bigger title rather than accepting a little more money on their paycheck.

Prestige, status, power, or in other words, feeling important, is something that many seek in this life. Some even go so far as to elevate man to the level of God. This should not be so. Regardless of a person’s educational level, we are human beings created by God in order to serve God (Gen. 2:7, Eph. 2:10).

So where does the term reverend come from? The word reverence is translated in the Hebrew as follows: Shachah: to bow down (as to royalty). (2 Sam. 9:6, I Kings 1:31) Bathsheba and Mephibosheth showed reverence to King David, but Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:6, I Tim. 6:14-15).

And in the Greek: Phobos: to fear (Eph. 5:21-33). A wife shows reverence to her husband. A husband and wife must first submit to God and should fear what God will do to them if they fail to uphold their commitment, trust, and respect for one another. Entrepo: to respect (Heb. 12: 9, 28). Our parents correct us and we give them reverence respect. How much more shall we respect and be in subjection to our Heavenly Father?

Just like in the business world, in the name of religion, men and women wear the title Reverend with man following who do not realize that this title was never meant for man.

The word reverend is used only ONE time in the King James Version of the Bible in Psalm 111:9 “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant forever: holy and reverend is his name.” In other translations, the word awesome is used in place of reverend. The designation is still the same-it is in reference to God and not man.

So who is your “Reverend”?

Since some say it makes no difference how we worship God, then why should it make any difference whether we worship God? Yet, Jesus said, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24). Further, Jesus spoke out against man satisfying himself in worship and not God: “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:9).

The apostle Paul warned men that give little regard to what the word of God teaches concerning the worship that they had better be careful or else they could actually be worshipping the devils instead of God! He said, “But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils” (I Cor. 10:20).

Since some say it makes no difference how we are organized, then why should it make any difference whether we are organized? Yet, the New Testament church was organized by duly appointed representatives of Christ called apostles: “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed” (Acts 14:22-23). The writer of Hebrews pointed out the reason for elders to have a position of supervision or oversight within a local congregation: “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Heb. 13:17).

Seeing the difference in the name we wear in religion, what we believe, the church of which we are a member, how we are baptized, our giving, our attendance, how we worship, and how we are organized are vital to our acceptance before God and our spiritual maturity. Whether we are saved or lost eternally and whether those we love are saved or lost hinges on whether or not we truly can see the difference.

What about you? “Can you see the difference?”

• For part 1 of this epistle, check out Can You See the Difference? (Part 1).

The prophets said God would place salvation in Zion: “I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory” (Isa. 46:13). Ezekiel wrote, “And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all” (Ezek. 37:22).

Significant proof that they were talking about the church of Christ emerges in Hebrews: “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect…Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Heb. 12:22-23, 28).

Since some say it makes no difference how we are baptized, then why should it make any difference whether we are baptized? Yet, the voice of inspiration insisted, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4). In addition to that passage Colossians 2:12-13 says, “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.”

Since some say it makes no difference what we give, then why should it make any difference whether we give? Yet, faithful giving is the proof of the sincerity of our love for Christ. Paul made this plain when he wrote, “Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God…I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love” (II Cor. 8:4-5, 8).

Since some say it makes no difference if we forsake some of the assemblies of the saints, then why should it make any difference if we forsake all the assemblies of the saints? Yet, forsaking the assembly of the saints is a willful sin against God: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins” (Heb. 10:25-26).

• For part 1 of this epistle, check out Can You See the Difference? (Part 1).
• For part 3 of this epistle, check out Can You See the Difference? (Part 3).

Today, specifically, there is a lot of discussion about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I want to help you understand the significance of this blessed event. Here are Five important points to remember about the significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead:

Each spring, millions of people around the world acknowledge, in some fashion or another, that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead some twenty centuries ago. Modern society calls it “Easter.”

The origin of this term is commonly thought to derive from Easter, the name of a Teutonic spring goddess. The term “Easter,” is found once in the King James Version of the Bible (Acts 12:4). The Greek word is pascha, correctly rendered “Passover” in later translations. In fact, though pascha is found twenty-nine times in the Greek New Testament, it is only rendered “Easter” once, even in the KJV.

Christians are not authorized to celebrate “Easter” as a special annual event acknowledging the resurrection of Christ. Faithful children of God reflect upon the Savior’s resurrection every Sunday (the resurrection day – cf. Jn. 20:1ff) as they gather to worship God in the regular assembly of the church (cf. Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2).

We ought to be glad, however, that multitudes – usually caught up in pursuits wholly materialistic – will take at least some time for reflection upon the event of the Savior’s resurrection. It is entirely appropriate that Christians seize this opportunity to teach; we should be both willing and able to explain to our friends and family the significance of the Lord’s resurrection.

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the foundation of the Christian system (cf. 1 Cor. 15:14ff). If there was no resurrection, Christianity is a hoax, and we are wasting our time. But the truth is, the event of Jesus’ resurrection is incontrovertible. This being the case, just what is the significance of Jesus’ resurrection? Think about these matters:

First, the resurrection is one of the major evidences that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Paul affirmed that Christ is “declared to be the Son of God with power … by the resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:4).

Second, Jesus’ resurrection represents an assurance that we can have forgiveness from our sins. Paul contended: “… if Christ hath not been raised, our faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins” (1 Cor. 15:17). The reverse of the apostle’s affirmation would be this: If Jesus was raised, sins will be forgiven when we obey the gospel – Acts 2:38; 22:16.

Third, the resurrection tells the world that the kingdom of God is ruled by a living sovereign. The founder of Islam is dead and his bones lie dormant in the earth. But the founder of Christianity – sixty years after His death – appeared to John on the island of Patmos and said: “I am the first and the last, and the Living one … I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore …” (Rev. 1:17-18).

Fourth, Jesus’ resurrection proves that physical death is not the termination of human existence. God is the giver of life (Gen. 2:7; 1 Tim. 6:13). Christ’s triumph over the grave is Heaven’s pledge to us that we too shall be raised. This is why Jesus is referred to as the “firstfruits of them that are asleep” (1 Cor. 15:20, 23).

Fifth, the Lord’s resurrection previewed the ultimate victory of Christianity over all its enemies. In the book of Revelation, Jesus is depicted as a lamb that had been slain, but was standing again (Rev. 5:6). This same Lord was “the lion of the tribe of Judah” that had overcome His foes (Rev. 5:5). Christians too will overcome as a result of the Lamb’s sacrifice and victory over death (cf. Rev. 12:11).

The resurrection of the Son of God should be a constant reminder to us of these wonderful biblical truths. We honor our Master’s victory over death – not once-a-year, but every week!

Why not obey HIM through the gospel today?

The “praise team” is one of the sinful innovations that some of the congregations of the Lord’s church have copied from the denominations. Whenever the denominations come up with new innovations, some congregations of the churches of Christ are only one step behind them and are anxious to try anything they do. It does not matter if it is not scriptural. Just as the children of Israel in Samuel’s day wanted to be “like all the nations” around them (1 Samuel 8:5) with their sinful practices, today many congregations of the Lord’s church also want to be like all the denominations around them with their sinful practices.

Praise teams usually start in a congregation by “miking” certain people, including women, in the audience who have “great voices”. After the congregation has become accustomed to this, then the praise team is moved to the stage in front of the audience where they perform. The congregation ceases to worship God and is now being entertained by a choir. The worship service has now been changed to a performance and God is no longer being worshipped.

The whole congregation is to worship God with their singing. Every Christian is commanded, “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). Also we read in Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Here we see that all Christians are to speak, teach, and admonish one another as we worship God in our singing.

With praise teams, women with the aid of microphones are taking part in leading the singing. Here we have women taking a leading role over man. This is forbidden in God’s word, “And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve” (1 Timothy 2:12-13). Does it really matter if God’s word does “not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man” in the worship service? Apparently not, because some have chosen to ignore what God says and do things their way. This is sinful and blatant disobedience of God. This disrespect will have eternal consequences. Concerning our worship, Jesus says, “God is a Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). The word “must” is an imperative, which expresses compelling authority and absolute necessity. The only way that our worship will be acceptable to God is if it is “in spirit and in truth.” How do we worship God in truth? Jesus says to God in His prayer in John 17:17, “Your word is truth.” So to worship God in truth, we “must” worship Him according to His word.

One cannot worship God with a “praise team” and worship Him in truth. The Bible says, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). Everything we do in worship to God is to be done “in the name of the Lord,” which means by His authority. But where in the New Testament can you find the authority that a congregation is to be entertained by the performance of a praise team choir and with women taking a leading role over man. There is no authority for this since it came from man and not from God. Jesus says, “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrine the commandments of men” (Mark 7:7). When our worship becomes vain, it becomes useless and we will lose our souls as a result. The Lord’s church does not need to follow the denominations in their sinful practices.