Bulletin Articles

Similarities

In a number of ways, death is identical for both the good and the bad.

First, death is the inevitable fate for all (except that final generation which witnesses the return of Christ – cf. 1 Cor. 15:51). Scripture declares that as a consequence of Adam’s transgression, death comes to all (Rom. 5:12). Indeed: “It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment” (Heb. 9:27).

Second, the uncertainty as to the time of death is common to all classes of humanity. Death can take us at any stage of life – infancy, adolescence, in the prime of life, or in the advanced years. Death may come with a leap, or with a crawl. It comes, though, and comes to all!

Third, for both the prepared and the unprepared, death is the same physical phenomenon. Physical death is that inanimate state of the body that results when the spirit (that part of man that is in the image of God – Gen. 1:26) has departed from its earthly tabernacle. James gives a clear definition of death when he says, “the body apart from the spirit is dead” (2:26).

Paul speaks of death as a departure when he writes of having the “desire to depart and be with Christ” (Phil. 1:23). Again, the apostle recognizes the possibility of human existence “apart from the body” (2 Cor. 12:2,3), which would necessitate the body’s death. And so, physically speaking, the righteous and the wicked die in precisely the same fashion.

Fourth, the Bible teaches that both the godly and the ungodly are conscious after death. In fact, the Scriptures do not suggest that death causes any change in the composition or nature of the human spirit. In the narrative concerning Lazarus and the rich man, both, after death, were quite aware of their condition and environment. The one was comforted and the other was in anguish (cf. Luke 16:25).

“By Faith Noah, being warned of God Concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear…” (Hebrews 11:7)

The expression “by faith” or its equivalent “through faith” or “in faith” is frequently used. A more particular focus on the subject of walking by faith will be seen through Noah ending by listing the meaning of “walking by faith.”

“By faith Noah,” these words introduced the man who built the ark (Gen. 5 through 10). Noah was in the tenth generation from Adam, descending from Seth through his father Lamech. His name means “rest.” The scriptures give a favorable account of his life being witness that he was just and upright, and that he found grace in the eyes of the Lord. God revealed to Noah his purpose of destroying mankind, except for a remnant, and gave detailed instructions for the building of the ark and the preservation of Noah and his family, along with specimens of lower order of life in the animal kingdom. The faith of Noah was truly great in his acceptance of God’s word “concerning things not seen as yet.” It was a new and utterly different thing that God would do in the flood, and no precedent for such a thing ever having been heard. Up to that time, no rain at all, much less a flood, had ever fallen upon the earth, all vegetable life being watered by a mist rising from the ground (Gen. 2:5,6).

“Moved with godly fear” indicates that part of Noah’s motivation was fear. It was called here “godly fear,” the validity of that type of response to God’s word is indicated. All human motivation classified, generally, under three of love, hope of reward, and fear. All three are summoned in the sacred scripture to urge and persuade men to obey the Lord.

Let us turn our attention to walking by faith. Since faith comes by hearing God’s word (Rom 10:17), it follows that walking by faith means walking as directed by God’s word. It means (1) that we should not walk by sight (2 Cor. 5:7), (2) that we should not be guided by our own fallible, human feeling and emotion (Rom. 8:4), (3) that we should not rely merely upon what seems right in our own eyes (Prov. 14:12), (4) that we should not be guided by human traditions (Mark 7:9), (5) that we ought not to be influenced in our religious convictions and practices by the opinions of human majorities (Matt. 7:14) (6) that we must not allow the views and customs of our ancestors to be determinative (1 Peter 1:18), and (7) that we have no business consulting merely our own desires and pleasures where sacred things are involved, “For Christ pleased not himself.” (Rom. 15:3)

As we continue to deal with a global pandemic, let us make sure we stay in good “shape” spiritually. We must engage our minds to worship God (John 4:24, Matthew 22:37). That means we need to listen attentively to the prayers and the sermon (1 Corinthians 14:15). We need to sing with all of our heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16).

We need to give with purpose and thanksgiving in our hearts (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). And we need to remember the death of Jesus as we partake of the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:19). How many times do we catch ourselves thinking about what is for lunch or what we’re going to do later in the day instead of focusing on the worship?

We cheat ourselves out of a relationship with God when we don’t engage our minds in worship.

When we exit worship service, our efforts must continue. If we simply leave what we have learned in worship behind, then we are going to limit our relationship with God. However, if we take what we’ve learned and tell others about it, we will not only help others, but ourselves as well. This may mean doing good to those who are in need (Galatians 6:10); it may mean being a good example to our children (Ephesians 6:4); it may mean teaching someone about the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20); it may mean setting an example of model behavior for our co-workers (Ephesians 6:6).

We can influence others, but we must put forth the effort.

Welcome back family!

As we have discussed from the pulpit, it is important that we maintain our physical and spiritual wellness (spiritual wellness being clearly more important than physical, although both have their benefits-1 Tim. 4:8).

There is an expression among those who exercise regularly, “No Pain, No Gain.” The expression basically means that if you are not willing to work hard and suffer a little for your efforts, then you are not going to accomplish very much. Just doing the easy and simple exercises that don’t challenge one’s body won’t lead to lasting results. The same principle is true in life as well. In order for one to be productive in business, for example, one must be willing to make sacrifices of time and money; one must make an effort in order to do well. In our personal relationships also, we understand this to be true. The more we put into a relationship, the better it is going to be. The parent who makes an effort to spend time with his children is going to have a better relationship with his child than the parent that doesn’t. The husband who spends more time with his wife will have a better relationship than one that is always gone.

Should it cause us to wonder, when we come to the spiritual world, that if we don’t make an effort at serving the Lord that we’re not going to get anything out of our relationship with God? The same principle is true here as well. “No pain, no gain.” Sometimes I think that people expect church to be some kind of spiritual playground where we can just relax and have fun in the glow of God’s goodness. While I certainly believe that coming to church can be rewarding, it doesn’t quite work like a playground. Our worship and service requires of us some effort, both mentally and physically. The more effort we put into our worship and service, the greater our relationship with God will become.

Our efforts must start with our attendance. If we don’t attend services or if our attendance is sporadic, then we’re not going to get very much out of it. Attendance to the worship services is where we get our encouragement to continue to live godly lives and be faithful to the Lord (Hebrews 10:25). It is absolutely critical to our relationship with God. It is as important as families having dinner together on a regular basis. To miss such an appointment is to undermine one’s relationships.

Through the scriptures, it is revealed that Satan and his forces war against the saints of God and are given the power to overcome them with their evil influence in this world (Revelation 12:17; 13:7). Jesus states in John 16:33 “I have overcome the world”. As Christ overcame Satan and his influence through the world, we must also overcome Satan and this world (Revelations 3:21).

The battle is lost when Christians succumb to the evil influence of this world. The apostle Paul encourages saints “Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). The apostle Peter states that saints ARE OVERCOME by Satan when deceived to return to a service of sin. Those who were clean and free from a life of error are allured through the lusts of their flesh to become servants of corruption and brought back into bondage (2 Peter 2:18-19). Through the scriptures, God provides knowledge for us to escape the entanglements and pollutions of this world.

Through Christ, we can have the victory. Satan can be overcome by the blood of the Lamb, the testimony of Christ, and the sacrifice of self in dedication to God (Revelation 12:11). Perseverance and faith in Christ give us the victory.

• Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
• 1 John 5:4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, EVEN OUR FAITH.”
• 1 John 5:5 “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”

The promise of victory through undying faith is constantly reiterated to the churches in Asia Minor. “To him that overcometh I will give to eat of the tree of life” (Revelation 2:7). “He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death” (Revelation 2:11). “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels” (Revelation 3:5). This victory requires perseverance and dedication. “He that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end“ (Revelation 2:26). “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son” (Revelation 21:7).

Study. Flee sin and the corruption of this world. Grow. Pray. Most importantly, KEEP THE FAITH!

Christians are to bear fruit

God has provided the seed in Christ’s word “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is came unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth;” (Colossians 1:5-6).

The person who accepts that word and is convinced of its validity carries that conviction to a point of sharing it. When that conviction is then planted in someone else’s heart, it may or may not produce results in that individual soul (1 Corinthians 3:6), depending upon the condition of the ground, meaning, his heart (Matthew 13:1-9).

The Lord has chosen us to bring forth fruit. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

The apostle Paul prayed that fruit be born (Colossians 1:10).

Jesus said, “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit. Neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down; and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”

Let us be good and fruitful and bring forth good fruit. Regardless of the outcome of the effort to bring Christ into someone’s life, regardless of the sense of gain or loss felt by the one who shares the word (1 Cor. 3:15), it must always be borne in mind that “God gives the increase” (1 Cor. 3:6; 2 Cor. 9:10). Like seed produces like seed, and so the kingdom is spread. The Christian can no more hide his fruit than can the fertile tree, whether good or bad.

Please keep his family in prayer.

(Originally printed September 21, 2003)

It is very evident that Christian growth is a Christian duty. We must always encourage our new converts to attend bible studies.

God has said, “As newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2); again God said, “But grow in grace, and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). So God wants his children to grow.

One of the most rewarding accomplishments anyone can have is the knowledge of Jesus and be able to share it with others. Mature Christians, as well, need to continue to grow in God’s word that we may be able to teach others.

A failure to grow is contrary to both the law of God and the law of nature. For when the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 

We need to attend as many bible studies as we have the opportunity. It is a wonderful thing to be able to share God’s glorious word with confidence. All bible studies are important.

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Bereavement: It is with a heavy heart that I share (on behalf of the eldership at the Miami Gardens church of Christ) that our dear brother Jack Smith died early morning on 8/4/20.

Click here for the complete bereavement notice.