Bulletin Articles

Obviously, the ridiculous idea that all religion is detrimental to society because it can be proven that some religions are, should be quickly discarded by any honest, thoughtful observer.

Many can document atrocities performed in the name of religion? Of course they can. Does this prove that all religion is false, and that if a person can spot a flaw or comprehend a fallacy in one religion, then he has effectively disproved the validity of all religions? Absolutely not. Can you imagine what would happen if this type of argument were used in other areas of life? Apply such thinking to food. Many foods are poisonous and kill people, thus all foods should be avoided. Apply it to electricity. It is the case that many people have died while using electricity, thus all electrical use is detrimental to society. Or apply it to activities like swimming. Many have drowned while swimming, thus all swimming leads to drowning and should be avoided.

New Testament Christianity does not stand or fall based on the validity of other competing religions. In fact, many are right to assert that many religions are detrimental to society. But they are wrong to lump true Christianity in with the rest of the unauthorized religious organizations. New Testament Christianity is unique, logically valid, historically documented, and philosophically flawless. It does not crumble with various other religions that are filled with “vain babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge” (1 Timothy 6:20). Instead, New Testament Christianity as personified in the life of Jesus Christ shines as the truth that makes men free (John 8:32).

As we continue to progress through 2022, may we be ready to “give an answer to every man that asketh you…(1 Peter 3:15). The Bible is our authority and not man.

If it is your desire to be saved, you MUST conform to the will of God. Jesus clearly teaches us a valuable lesson in Matthew 7:21: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

King Hezekiah was a good man who made a bad mistake. When the king of Babylon sent messengers to congratulate Hezekiah on his recovery from a near-death illness, Hezekiah treated them like honored guests. He welcomed them into his house and showed them all the treasures which had been accumulated over the centuries by the kings of Judah. Hearing of this, the prophet Isaiah came to Hezekiah with a searching question: “what have they seen in thine house…?” 2 Kings 20:15. Hezekiah was warned that the day would come when the Babylonians’ lust for the treasures they had seen would bring them back. The nation would be overthrown, and all the king’s treasures would be carried away into Babylon. Hezekiah’s own children and grandchildren would become captives in chains. By pride fully showing off his possessions, Hezekiah had sown the seeds which would bring down his house. The question, “what have they seen in your house?” is one many fathers might ponder today. Like Hezekiah, many are allowing things to be seen which will lead to tragedy, and the treasures they are in danger of losing are spiritual ones of eternal value!

Consider…FATHERS:

1. What have other people seen in your house? Our friends and neighbors take note of what goes into our homes. It is vital that they see evidence of Christ’s influence there! The Bible says, “Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them glorify God” 1 Peter 2:12. Christian principles must be given priority in the home.
2. What have your children seen in your house? Even the smallest children have big eyes. They see much and forget little. The things they witness in the home may mark them for all eternity. What do they see? Sexual immorality, Abuse and violence, Pornography, Alcohol and drugs, all too soon our children leave home to make their way in the world. They will either be equipped for life or victimized.
3. What does God see in your house? All of life is lived every day in the presence of God (Hebrews 4:12). We may hide what goes on in our house from the eyes of our neighbors and, to some extent, even from our children. But we cannot hide from God! And some day we will be judged in righteousness on the basis of what God has seen in our homes Hebrews 12:14.

God, others, your children…“What have they seen in your house?” The answer will matter for all eternity.

“They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work”  Titus 1:16

If we profess with our words that we know God, we must also confess Him with our works. Paul wrote of individuals who claimed to know God but denied Him by their deeds.  This is one of the most serious mistakes that anyone can make.  In a sense, it would be better to declare ourselves as opponents of God than to claim friendship and then betray Him by our way of life.  As unfortunate as it would be to live in open defiance of God, at least there is some consistency in such a life.

Speaking of certain Christians who were living licentiously, Peter wrote, “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them” (2 Peter 2:20,21).  There is no worse denial of Christ than deeds of denial.

Of course, our adversary would like us not even to acknowledge the lordship of Christ verbally.  From his perspective, there is always the danger that at some point we might start taking it seriously.  But even though it’s “dangerous,” he knows that all is not lost if we profess Christ.  He is willing for us to do that–as long as we don’t practice our profession.  But if we ever begin seeking God diligently, then there is much less likelihood that he will ever get us back. He certainly doesn’t give up on us even then, but those Christians who confess with their lips are the toughest cases for him to crack.

It is not, however, just to worry our adversary that we ought to practice our principles. The more important reason is that this is how we glorify our Heavenly Father. Our neighbors have a right to look for evidence that “it is God who works in [us] both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2: 12-15).  Whatever we may say, it is our deeds that demonstrate that God really can redeem lost souls like our own and remake them in His image.

The wise man in the book of Proverbs admonishes us to “buy the truth, and do not sell it” (Proverbs 23:23). Truth is to be a valuable commodity in our lives — we are to obtain it at all costs and once obtained, never let it slip from our hands. It is the truth that sets us free from the shackles of sin (John 8:32).

If we think that all people value the truth in the same way (even Christians), we will face a harsh reality. If everyone valued the truth, then we should be able to go out and tell people the truth and see them jump at the chance to go wherever it led. However, some people love darkness more than light, because their deeds are evil (John 3:19).

It is a false assumption that all the people claiming to be Christians were really striving to find out what God required of them — I’m talking about people who occupy the pews in buildings where true gospel preaching is heard. A lot of people want “the truth” as long as it does not disturb them or present any challenges in their lives. What about you? Can you honestly say that you love the truth? When it comes to religious matters, do you want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? In this article, I want to examine how people react to the truth.

Some People React With Anger
King Saul was told to utterly destroy the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:3) Saul did most of what God had commanded, but he spared king Agag and the best of the sheep and oxen (1 Samuel 15:8-9). Later, when Saul saw the prophet Samuel walking towards him he said, “Blessed are you of the Lord! I have performed the commandment of the Lord” (1 Samuel 15:13). The truth of the matter is that Saul had not obeyed the voice of God, and Samuel rebuked him for it (1 Samuel 15:14). Saul protested in anger and Samuel told him to be quiet (1 Samuel 15:20-23). Samuel then departed from the presence of Saul, never to see him again in this life (1 Samuel 15:34-35).

Paul preached to a Jewish mob in the city of Jerusalem (Acts 22:1-21). He taught the truth about Jesus, but when he mentioned his own mission to the Gentiles, they got angry. “And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!’ Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air” (Acts 22:22-23).

• For part 2 of this epistle, check out What Does the Truth Mean to You? (Part 2).

The church of Christ that meets on Miami Gardens Drive is on the move…the question you must ask yourself is: Am I moving forward or backward?

A young man came running to Jesus and said, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16). Jesus said to him, “But if you want to enter life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17). The young man said, “All these things I have kept from my youth up. What lack I yet?” (Matthew 19:20). We need to ask ourselves the same question, “What lack I yet?” so we can be sure of going to Heaven. It would be a tragedy if we missed Heaven because something was lacking in our lives, or we needed to correct something.

We are told to “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5). We need to look at our lives and try to see where we are lacking and need improvement. What can we do to be more pleasing to the Lord? In doing this we are told, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10). Any sin of which we will not repent will cause us to be eternally lost. Jesus says, “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).

We need to beware of the false teaching of “once saved, always saved”. This is only a lie of Satan. Satan wants us to be lost. Satan doesn’t want us to ask ourselves, “What lack I yet?” We are warned, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). Also, we are warned to “beware lest you fall from your own steadfastness” (2 Peter 3:17). Let’s not let Satan lure us into complacency. Jesus has promised, “Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

To be strong, we must regularly feed ourselves on God’s spiritual word in the Bible. We are to “receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:22-23). And “desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). This will help us to have a strong faith to protect ourselves because we know that, “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

We must concentrate on what we must do to inherit eternal life in Heaven. And in doing this, “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience” (Hebrews 4:11). We need to look seriously at our own lives to try to see any mistakes or failures we are making that could keep us out of Heaven, by asking ourselves, “What lack I yet?” “Everything rises or falls based on leadership”. This statement has been quoted in businesses, companies, and churches all over the land.

The sentiment is much deeper than we would give it credit for though. Imagine we make application to the communities we live in, the homes in those communities, and the churches made up from those families. The magnitude of the statement is even more profound when you see its various points of application. A community will rise or fall based on leadership. A home will rise or fall based on leadership.

A church will rise or fall based on its leadership. The question is: are you contributing to the rise or the fall of your world?

Seeing the difference between truth and error can be challenging sometimes, so perhaps a selection of contrasts will help bring the truth to light. Peter commanded the content of the communication God expects concerning his truth: “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (I Peter 4:11).

Since some say it makes no difference what name we wear in religion, then why should it make a difference whether we wear any name in religion? Yet, there is no salvation outside the name of Christ. Acts 4:12 reads, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” And, Philippians 2:9-11 urges everyone to respectfully submit to the name of Christ: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” From antiquity the prophets made clear the importance of being united in this one name: “And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one” (Zechariah 14:9).

Since some say it makes no difference what we believe, then why should it make any difference whether we believe? Yet, unbelief will condemn the soul. The Lord said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). The writer of Hebrews also said, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12).

Since some say it makes no difference what church we are members of, then why should it make a difference whether we are members of any church? Yet, the church of Christ is the fullness of Christ: “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all” (Ephesians 1:22-23).

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” (Isaiah 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” (Ezekiel 37:22).

• For part 2 of this epistle, check out Can You See the Difference? (Part 2).
• For part 3 of this epistle, check out Can You See the Difference? (Part 3).

The fact that we as Christians frequently have occasion to dispute certain doctrines that are taught within the religious community have oftentimes caused some to feel that this is wrong. Their philosophy is “live and let live.” But does the Christian not have a responsibility to truth foremost?

Is it mean-spirited to dispute points of doctrine with different religious groups who identify themselves as “Christians”? Many in society believe that we should be loving and accepting towards all religious groups because God is a just and loving God.

Pay attention saints:

Acceptance of Error
First, it should go without saying that the Christian is to demonstrate love towards all – even those who resist the truth in the most militant fashion. The love of God for rebellious mankind is portrayed repeatedly in the Scriptures. The Father commended his love toward us by giving his Son for our sins, even while we were hostile and sinful toward him (Romans 5:8). That does not mean, however, that he ignores how we live, or what we teach.

In this same context, the lost are described as being “weak” and “ungodly,” as “sinners and enemies” – worthy of divine “wrath.” (Romans 5:8, 8:9-10). Love offers a remedy for humanity’s sinful condition, but it does not close its eyes to reality.

An understanding of Old Testament history would demolish forever the erroneous notion that God is unconcerned with whether men and women entertain “different understandings of Him.” For example, many of the nations of the antique world “understood” God to be identified in various idol forms, which they devoutly worshipped. But the prophets rebuked these base activities, and Jehovah destroyed nation after nation that persisted in this evil ideology and practice.

No informed Bible student will deny that Jesus Christ loved men and women supremely. When they ignorantly languished under the effects of sin, he tenderly sought to reclaim them (cf. Luke 7:36ff; John 8:1-11). He was the compassionate Christ!

On the other hand, the Lord could be (and was) very severe in dealing with corrupt religious leaders who should have known better (and frequently did) than to act and teach contrary to truth. He cast out of the temple those who trafficked in religion for commercial purposes (Matthew 21:12-13; John 2:13-17).

He informed the corrupt Pharisees that they were not legitimate heirs of Abraham; rather, they were devilish in their actions (John 8:33ff). One can scarcely read the 23rd chapter of Matthew without feeling the “heat” of Christ’s rebuke of certain corrupt Hebrew leaders. It is not, therefore, wrong to oppose error.

Further, it is a gross inconsistency to “rebuke” someone for being a “rebuker.” Why is it that folks cannot see the flaw in their argument when they are intolerant of those with whom they charge intolerance?