Bulletin Articles

According to our Lord, the vast majority of people are not ready for the Judgment and will be lost forever in eternity, but only a few are ready to go to Heaven (Matthew 7:13-14). We are told in Amos 4:12 to “Prepare to meet your God”. We have two appointments that have already been made for each of us and which we will definitely keep. Hebrews 9:27 says, “It is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the Judgment.” These appointments cannot be canceled.

We don’t know when that day will come, so we must always be ready. 2 Peter 3:10-11 says, “The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up…Since all these things will be dissolved what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness.”

The Judgment will happen when the Lord comes again. No one will be exempt. “For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” (Romans 14:10). If we are not ready, it will be too late to try to get ready when we are standing before the Lord in Judgment. Our eternal fate is sealed either when we draw our last breath or if the Lord comes before we die, and we don’t know when this is going to happen. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 says, “When the Lord Jesus is revealed from Heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.”

Sadly the vast majority of people will be horrified when they hear “Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). Those who are lost in Hell will only have themselves to blame. Is your name in God’s Book of Life? If it is not then, “Anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15). How do we make sure our name is in the Book of Life? Jesus says “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven” (Matthew 7:21). But then Jesus says that we must “Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). We must do God’s will and continue to do His will if we expect to go to Heaven. Are you ready for the Judgment?

Many labor under the illusion that life is a personal possession that one may do with as he wishes. Clearly, that is not the case. Jehovah declared that, ultimately, all souls belong to him (Ezekiel 18:4). The Lord has the sovereign right to dictate how human lives should be regulated.

The Bible indicates that we were created for the purpose of glorifying our Maker (Isaiah 43:7). The whole purpose of man’s existence is to have reverence for God and obey his commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13). We ought to want to honor our Creator and lovingly serve him.

Any person who does not acknowledge this truth lives as a rebel and flaunts the very reason for his existence. How tragic it is, though, that many use their lives in a vain, egotistical fashion. A wise person once said: “For we must needs die, and are as water spilt upon the ground, which cannot be gathered up again” (2 Samuel 14:14). Life is a period of preparation for eternity.

Abraham recognized that life is but a sojourn that eventually leads to the eternal beyond, and so he cast his eyes toward the city that hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:9-10). We would be wise ourselves to “walk in the steps of that faith” which characterized Abraham (Romans 4:12).

In the Lord’s parable of the wise and foolish virgins, the key element that separated the two groups was that of preparation. Those prepared were received into the wedding feast; those unprepared were not (Matthew 25:1-13). There is no reincarnation whereby one can return to this planet to “get it right.” There is no purgatory in which one can expiate his sins. There is no baptism-for-the-dead by which the reward of obedience can be transferred.

Now – in this life – is the time for preparation. What is your life?

Are you a faithful steward?

A term often used religiously, mostly among Catholics, is trinity. A term not found in the Holy scriptures. “Tri” means three, so does the number three have any significance in the scriptures? This is worthy of our attention because some claim to want to honor God, but reject the Son. Some do not believe in the Holy Spirit. The Bible states in I John 5:7 “For there are three that bear record (testify) in heaven, the Father, the Word (see John 1:14), and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. In other words, these three are one. The Biblical term is Godhead, not trinity.

In the New Testament, the word “Godhead” appears three times. Each time it draws attention to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The fact that these three persons are meant by the term “Godhead” is seen in Matthew 28:19 where the Great Commission as stated there is to baptize believers into the names of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit thereby making obedient believers members of the family of God, which is the church of the living God (Ephesians 3:15; 1 Timothy 3:15; cf. also Acts 2:38,47). The three are found mentioned collectively in other passages such as II Corinthians 13:14, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” The Greek words “theion” and “theotetos” are translated “Godhead” in the KJV and ASV where once “theotetos” is translated “divinity” (Romans 1:20).

At Mars’ Hill, Paul reasoned, “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device” (Acts 17:29). The nature and power of the Godhead has been made manifest to the world so that there stands no excuse for not submitting to the authority of God, so argued Paul to the Romans, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead [divinity, ASV]; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). The last reference to the Godhead as such is also from the pen of Paul, “For in him [Jesus Christ] dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians  2:9).

The Bible is the word of the living God (II Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible is the unique source of authoritative information on the one true God of the universe. The apostle John wrote, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (I John 4:1).

The only way to be pleasing to the Father is to abide by the teaching or doctrine of Jesus Christ (2 John 9) which is revealed to us through the word of God which is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). There is no getting around these truths of the Godhead if you want to be saved.

We love our sisters here at the Miami Gardens church of Christ. Your zeal for The Lord is commendable. As we continue to teach and baptize, may we all remember what the Bible has to say about how business is conducted in HIS church.

The Bible speaks of how women are to conduct themselves in worship. In 1 Timothy 2:11-13 we read, “Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve.” God’s word says it is not permitted which means it is forbidden. When we do things that are forbidden by God it is sin. It is sin, which separates man from God and sin will cause people to be eternally lost. In Genesis 3 we see what happened when Eve took the spiritual leadership over her husband and what happened when Adam failed to exercise spiritual leadership over his wife. Because of this, Satan was able to introduce sin into the world.

During the worship of the church, women are not permitted by the Lord to preach, lead prayer, lead singing, or take a leading role over man. First Corinthians 14:34 says, “Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak, but they are to be submissive.” Women are not to teach Bible classes where men are present, because they are not “to teach or to have authority over man”. This does not preclude women from singing in the worship service or teaching children or ladies Bible classes. Many people do not approve of what God has said, but this is still God’s business. Who are we to question God?

God intends for women to be subordinate to men in worship. When a woman gets up before the church with men present to teach, preach, lead prayer or singing, or wait on the Lord’s table, she is in violation of what God has commanded. She is perverting the worship of God. As a result of this rebellion, God is not worshipped in spirit and in truth. Worship becomes vain or useless when we follow the desires of men instead of what God has specified (Mark 7:7). For us to ignore what God has said, on this matter or any other, is spiritual anarchy and will result in horrible consequences. Let’s always follow what God says in the Bible. Going to Heaven must be our number one priority in this life.

Examples to the Flock
Elders are to serve as “examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3). Christians are to “remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct” (Hebrews 13:7). Disciples of Christ are to imitate the behavior of “those who rule over” them. Elders are to be good examples as husbands, fathers, neighbors and teachers. They are to set a good example in the recreation they choose, the company they keep and the words they speak.

Elders and Preachers
Elders and preachers both have responsibilities in the local church (Ephesians 4:11-16). In preaching the gospel, a preacher is amenable only to God. “The word of God is not chained” (2 Timothy 2:9). Paul told Titus to “speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority” (Titus 2:15). In speaking, exhorting and rebuking an evangelist might even have to rebuke an elder. Timothy was admonished to “not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear” (1 Timothy 5:19-20). To confirm this message, Paul said, “Let no one despise you” (Titus 2:15). The word “despise” means “Let no man think around thee” (A. T. Robertson). Preachers must not allow anyone to circumvent the truth with which they were entrusted, either by seeking to “chain” the truth or exercising authority over them to restrain preachers from declaring the whole counsel of God.

Conclusion
Not all men desire to become elders. Not every man can or should become an elder, for like all teachers they “shall receive a stricter judgment” (James 3:1). Those who have prepared for the eldership and then serve well have a promise from God that “when the Chief Shepherd appears,” they “will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” (1 Peter 5:4). We all need to encourage young men to work on the qualities of life that will enable them to serve as elders. “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine” (1 Timothy 5:17).

May we continue to pray for our leadership at Miami Gardens!

For part 1 of this epistle, check out Leadership in the Lord’s church (Part 1 of 2)

Elders are also to “shepherd the church of God” (Acts 20:28). The King James Version translates this as “feed the church of God.” As shepherds of the flock,
they are to keep the flock from straying, “they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account” (Hebrews 13:7).

Shepherds will also keep the flock from danger. Paul told the Ephesian elders that after his “departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves” (Acts 20:29-30).

It might come as a shock to some, but the primary duty of an elder is not to count the money and adjust the thermostats, but to “watch out for your souls” (Hebrews 13:17).

A Steward Of God

The word “steward” in Titus 1:7 means “the management of a household or of household affairs; specifically, the management, oversight, administration, of others’ property; the office of a manager or overseer, stewardship” (Thayer). This same word is used in Luke 16:1-4 concerning “a certain rich man who had a steward.” Elders are not to be dictators over the flock — they “manage” the property of another, i.e, the church of our Lord.

Elders are to “watch out” for your soul (Hebrews 13:17). The word “watch” means “to be sleepless, keep awake, watch” (Thayer). Part of this duty would involve “watching” what is taught in a local congregation, both in the Bible classes and from the pulpit. I have known elders who could sleep through just about any sermon-these “sleeping shepherds” are a disgrace in the eyes of the Lord and his people.

While elders are to “take care of” the house of God (1 Timothy 3:5), they are not to be “lords over those entrusted” to them (1 Peter 5:3). This is the idea of a loving shepherd leading the flock. Shepherds cannot drive a flock like a cowboy might drive a herd of cattle — sheep must be led. The shepherd’s voice will never direct them to a path that he would not walk himself. There is a real difference between a shepherd leading the flock and a “lord” barking orders.

May we continue to pray for our leadership at Miami Gardens.

A relationship with God is personal. We all have our vantage points and perspectives. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). Whoever you may be, wherever you may be, you can have a personal relationship with Jesus.

• Hebrews 11:6 lets us know that without FAITH it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God. The benefits of being IN CHRIST are wonderful:
• 2 Corinthians 5:17…you are a new creature IN CHRIST!
• Ephesians 1:3,7…all spiritual blessings are IN CHRIST!
• Romans 8:1 …there is no condemnation for those who live faithfully IN CHRIST!
• Acts 4:12 …Salvation is ONLY IN CHRIST!
• Revelation 14:13 …It is a blessing to die IN THE LORD!

The ONLY way to get INTO CHRIST is to be baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27).

What is Christ to you?

• To the ARTIST He is the One Altogether Lovely.
• To the ARCHITECT He is the Chief Corner Stone.
• To the BAKER He is the Living Bread.
• To the BANKER He is the Hidden Treasure.
• To the BIOLOGIST He is the Life.
• To the BUILDER He is the Sure Foundation.
• To the CARPENTER He is the Door.
• To the DOCTOR He is the Great Physician.
• To the EDUCATOR He is the Great Teacher.
• To the ENGINEER He is the New and Living Way.
• To the FLORIST He is the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley.
• To the GEOLOGIST He is the Rock of Ages.
• To the HORTICULTURIST He is the True Vine.
• To the JUDGE He is the Righteous Judge, Judge of All Men.
• To the JEWELER He is the Pearl of Great Price.
• To the LAWYER He is the Counselor, the Lawgiver, the Advocate.
• To the NEWSPAPER He is the Good Tidings of Great Joy.
• To the OPTOMETRIST He is the Light of the Eyes.
• To the PHILANTHROPIST He is the Unspeakable Gift.
• To the PHILOSOPHER He is the Wisdom of God.
• To the PREACHER He is the Word of God.
• To the SCULPTOR He is the Living Stone.
• To the SERVANT He is the Good Master.
• To the STATESMAN He is the Desire of All Nations.
• To the STUDENT He is the Incarnate Truth.
• To the THEOLOGIAN He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith.
• To the TOILER He is the Giver of Rest.
• To the SINNER He is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the World.
• To the CHRISTIAN He is the Son of the Living God, the Savior, the Redeemer and the Lord.

Are you in Christ?