Bulletin Articles

“Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.” 1 Corinthians 5:9

We should be willing to do what is right because it’s right, but we should also do it because it brings pleasure to our God. If we perceive God to be nothing more than a tyrant who has the power to make us miserable when we get out of line; yet who remains displeased no matter how hard we try, then we have an unfortunate misconception of Him. We should rather see Him as a benevolent Father who is eager to be pleased by His sons and daughters. And we should be enthusiastically motivated by this very prospect, the prospect of pleasing Him.

The text which speaks most clearly to this point is the one in Hebrews where the faith of Enoch is mentioned: “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5). Here is the record of an individual who actually did what many believe it is impossible to do: he pleased God. A mortal being no more infallible than we are, Enoch still pleased God. The point of the text, of course, is that it was “by faith” that he did this, and if we intend to please God, then we shall have to go about it in the same way. For sinful creatures, no other door is open to God’s pleasure. “Without faith”, the text continues, “it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

Doing the things that please God will obviously give us the sense of having done our duty, and that is no slight benefit. As someone has said, there is no pillow as soft as a clean conscience. But doing what pleases God will also fill us with pleasure. Our hearts are happiest when we want the same things that God wants and when those things are granted to us by His grace. To know that our deeds have been harmonized with our Father’s will is a wonderfully refreshing feeling. It is a pity that we look for pleasure in so many of the wrong places when real pleasure is right before us. The very best kind of pleasure is available to us at every moment of every day, and that is the pleasure of pleasing God.

If you have not been baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27), why not obey Him today; this is the FIRST step toward pleasing God.

If we as children of God are to ever grow, we need to understand that our lifestyles must reflect our conviction to God. The following article written by brother Steve Higginbotham really puts this concept in perspective.

Not long ago I overheard a man talking about some rather shady business practices in which he had participated. That a man would be dishonest in business shouldn’t be all that shocking to me, but what was shocking to me was that this man was a Christian. When asked about how he could conscientiously engage in such activities, he said, “Business is business, and religion is religion.”

In a similar vein, I once listened as a presidential candidate stated that he believes life begins at conception, but in spite of that belief, he supported the right of women to abort their babies. He made it clear that his stance was due to the fact that his religious convictions were religious convictions, and had nothing to do with politics and the laws of the land.

The above are examples of “compartmentalized religion.” For many people religion is only a part of their being. It only impacts what they do on Sunday. It has no impact on their business ethics, their relationship with their neighbors, or their politics. Imagine trying to sustain any other relationship in the same manner. Imagine a married businessman who, while on business trips, frequented “houses of ill-repute.” What would his wife, or anyone else think, if he offered the following as an explanation, “I do love my wife, and I am totally committed to her when I am with her, but I’m on the road now, and what happens on the road is a totally different matter.”

Surely, we all see how foolish this is, and no self-respecting person, male or female would put up with such a spurious standard of conduct. This being true, what makes us think that God would tolerate this same invalid standard? As convenient as compartmentalized religion may be for some, it just doesn’t pass the test of Scripture. Jesus said that if you wanted to be his disciple you had to give all your heart to him, not just a small compartment (Matthew 22:37).

Don’t try to shortchange God with this compartmentalized view of religion. If you are a Christian, you’ve sold out to God completely…body, soul, and spirit…it all belongs to him. Don’t try and cheat God of what is rightfully his.

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Spiritual health is to be treasured above all treasures found in this world. Sadly, many preachers and Christian educators no longer believe and teach the healthy and true doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today many in the church have forgotten what it means to a New Testament Christian.

A healthy doctrine may be maintained in the brotherhood only if preachers and teachers stress the fundamental principles of the gospel. The old sermons on the proper division of the Word, the establishment and identity of the church, the Holy Spirit, what one must do to be saved, etc., must be preached over and over again. The errors of sectarianism must be pointed out and answered. There seems to be a strong tendency away from this type of preaching today.

The inspired apostle admonished the church to stand united upon the doctrine of Christ (1 Cor. 1:10). The first doctrinal departure Paul treated at Corinth was the splintering of the body of Christ: “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Cor. 1:13). The crucifixion of the sinless lamb entitles men to be baptized in His name, and to wear His name only. The proper concept of biblical baptism is essential to man’s salvation.

People become citizen in God’s kingdom through the exercise of faith in Christ Jesus as Lord, through a devout and genuine repentance of all their sins, through the acknowledgement of the Christ as God’s Son, and through their baptism by immersion for the remission of their sins. There is no other way revealed of God by which they can become naturalized into God’s kingdom. No amount of assumed authority upon the part of religious hierarchies, no amount of combined wisdom among men, and no amount of well-intended charity by sincere individuals can change these laws. They are the laws of Him whose kingdom was to dissolve and consume all the wisdom of men. The world’s religious creeds but add to the long list of ignorance and confusion, and increase the high presumptions of men.

Obviously, there is another famine among God’s people (Hos. 4:6). Like in the days of old, some of God’s people have rejected His infallible Word. Men are needed today to stand in the gap and preach those old gospel sermons, even if some of our brethren are embarrassed by them. God’s Word is needed out of season just as much as it is needed in season (2 Tim. 3:16-4:4). Men will be eternally lost if they fail to believe, love and obey the truth (Mark 16:16; 2 Thes. 2:9-11). Therefore, brethren, preach and teach the word! If men, love the truth they will obey it (Acts 2:41). Yes, some brethren are on a mission to take the church of our Lord into denominational error.

Miami Gardens, just remember that the treasure found in that Old Jerusalem Gospel is worth more than anything this life has to offer.

“I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord. Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel” (Amos 4:11-12).

The fourth chapter of the book of Amos paints a sad picture concerning the nation of Israel. They had turned from God and became a wicked and sinful nation. Despite the repeated efforts by God, they refused to repent. They faced famine, drought, and destruction of crops, pestilence, and disasters upon their cities. Yet in each case, they ignored the God of heaven who had brought these judgments. Their cup of iniquity was full, and with their failure to repent, they now would face the judgment and punishment of God. Therefore, they were admonished, “Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.”

The prophets record for us how this once powerful nation had been taken into captivity and oppressed. Led off in shame, they suffered for their hardened hearts and refusal to repent.

Today there are so many who refuse the plead and warnings of God to repent (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30-31). Despite the countless warnings of judgment and punishment, they have chosen to ignore Almighty God, and will face the consequences of their sins (Matt. 25:46; 2 Thess. 1:7-9).

Have you chosen to ignore the warnings of God? Have you placed your soul in jeopardy by refusing to repent? While you yet have time, I plead with you, I implore you, I beg you, please return to God and do what He says you must do to be forgiven of your sins. Believe that Jesus is the Christ (John 8:24), repent of your sins (Luke 13:3,5), confess the Christ as the Son of the Living God (Rom. 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed in water) for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38).

It is not a question of if we will ever have to face God; the question is when? My admonition to you is, “Prepare to meet thy God!”

Jesus says we are to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). Our number one priority in this life must be to go to Heaven. We do this by seeking first the righteousness of God. But what is God’s righteousness? Psalm 119:172 says, “For all your commandments are righteousness.” To do the righteousness of God is to do all His commandments.

We are to be fully devoted to God. Jesus says, “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30).  We are to love God with our total being if we are to be pleasing to Him so we can go to Heaven when this life is over. How do we show our love to God and Christ? Jesus says, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word…He who does not love Me does not keep My words” (John 14:23-24). We also read, “He who says, I know Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word; truly the love of God is perfected in him” (1 John 2:4-5).

Half-hearted allegiance and obedience to the Lord is vain and does one no good. Jesus tells those in Laodicea, “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” (Revelation 3:15-16). Jesus also says, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor…It is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men” (Matthew 5:13). If Christians become half-hearted or unfaithful, they will be vomited out of the Lord’s mouth or thrown out as salt that is no good and will be eternally lost. Jesus tells us, “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).

“Servants be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart as unto Christ” (Ephesians 6:5); Singleness is: simple, focused, and uncomplicated.

Our goal in this life must be to go to Heaven. In order to do this we must, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). We should be looking forward “for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10). Let’s faithfully serve God with all our heart, mind, soul, and spirit so we don’t miss Heaven.

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

Basic to the establishment of a relationship with Deity is an understanding and appreciation for the church of Christ. Jesus in Matthew 16:18 promised to build the church. In Acts 2, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit upon His chosen apostles and through the preaching of the gospel, the church was established. Obedient believers were added to it (Acts 2:47). It was in reference to the church of Christ that the apostle Paul said, “There is one body” (Ephesians 4:5) and “there is but one body” (1 Corinthians 12:20). Anyone who does not understand the nature of the church of Christ need to be grounded in this important fundamental of the faith.

THE PLAN OF SALVATION

The gospel plan of salvation is another vital element of saving faith. This plan was devised by God, The Father from eternity past (Ephesians 3:11). The Holy Spirit of God revealed the plan to a lost humanity (1 Corinthians 2:9-13). And, Jesus Christ, the Son, carried out the plan. Elements crucial to the plan were the virgin birth of Jesus (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:21-23), the incarnation of Christ (Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 2:14-18), the sinless life and atoning death (1 Peter 2:22-25, John 3:16, Colossians 1:14), the bereaved burial (Matthew 27:55-61), the triumphant resurrection (Romans 1:1-4), the ascension (Acts 1:9-11), the coronation (Acts 2:14-36), and the officiation of Christ as the head of the church (Ephesians 4:7-16).

Obedience to the gospel include: Hearing the gospel (Ephesians 1:13), believing (Acts 15:7-9), repenting of sins (Luke 13:3), confessing Christ (Romans 10:9, 10), and baptism into Christ (Romans 6:3-5).

God made HIS choice as to how, where, and when mankind is saved. Now, the choice is yours…“Believest thou this?” (John 11:26).

For part 1 of this epistle, check out The Fundamentals of the Faith (Part 1 of 3)
For part 2 of this epistle, check out The Fundamentals of the Faith (Part 2 of 3)

THE COMPLETENESS OF THE BIBLE

Since the Bible contains “all things necessary to life and godliness” and prohibits additions, alterations, or subtractions, it contains the complete will of God as he has chosen to reveal Himself to man (2 Pet. 1:3; Deut. 4:2; Prov. 30:5, 6; Rev. 22:18, 19). A passage cited earlier, 2 Timothy 3:17, declares that the person of faith is “thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Modern attempts like the Book of Mormon, Catechisms, Manuals, and Disciplines which are supposed to supplement the Bible constitute accursed error, for the Bible says, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:6-9).

THE INFALLIBILITY OF THE BIBLE

Since God is the author of the Bible, it manifests His infallibility. God cannot lie (Titus 1:2). The truthfulness of God is unchanging (Hebrews 6:18). One of the “good and perfect gifts” that has come down from above is the Bible. James wrote, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures” (James 1:17, 18). It is interesting that immediately following James reference to “good and perfect gifts” he next discusses the Will of God, the Word of Truth.

The Word of God is specifically designed to accomplish God’s purpose in the world. Isaiah the prophet wrote, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:8-11).

For part 1 of this epistle, check out The Fundamentals of the Faith (Part 1 of 3)
For part 3 of this epistle, check out The Fundamentals of the Faith (Part 3 of 3)