SEARCHING FOR A NEW PREACHER

A congregation was looking for a new preacher, and at a meeting they went over their candidates to see who would be the right man for the job. Here were their reasons for the selection they made:  

1. Enoch was considered but dismissed because he just didn’t seem to die like the rest of us, and we think he couldn’t relate as well.
2. Noah was selected but dismissed because he preached 120 years with no converts.
3. Moses was considered but dismissed because he kept having problems with his congregation. They didn’t like him and neither did his preacher’s committee.
4. Samuel was considered but rejected be-cause he was not progressive enough and wanted to remain behind the times, not listening to the voice of the people.  
5. Daniel will not be picked because he rebelliously opened his window to pray to God against popular opinion. He might be too rambunctious and hotheaded.
6. Micaiah is unacceptable because he always preaches negative things about people.
7. John, the Baptizer, is too narrow minded.
8. Peter is too zealous and made some mistakes in the past.
9. Paul is a woman hater and is not married.
10. But Judas Iscariot is just right. He always talks about how he cares for the poor, is good with money and responsible. Also, he respects tradition and keeps up with the changing times. Too, he knows how to make contacts with men in the community.

By unanimous decision Judas Iscariot will be selected as our new preacher!

Author Unknown  

IF GOD BE FOR US WHO CAN BE AGAINST US - Romans 8:31

Notice the evidence that God, the Father, is for us.

1. God “loved us” (Romans 8:37).
2. This “love of God...is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).
3. God sent His own Son (Romans 8:3), not sparing Him, but delivering Him up for us (Romans 8:32).
4. God also uses sufferings and hurtings to help us on the way to glorification (Romans 8:17-18).
5. Then, God uses hope to help us on the way to salvation (Romans 8:24-25).
6. God uses His Holy Spirit to help us in our prayers (Romans 8:26-27).
7. God purposes our good, if we love Him and are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
8. God uses His foreknowledge for our good (Romans 8:29).
9. God uses predestination for our good (Romans 8:29-30).
10. God calls us for our good (Romans 8:30).
11. God justifies us for our good (Romans 8:30).
12. God will glorify us for our good (Romans 8:30).

In view of these dozen things evidencing that God is for us, when Paul asks “who can be against us?” the answer is “not God the Father.”

Could or would Jesus Christ be against us, if God the Father is for us? No!           

1. Jesus Christ also loves us as does God the Father (Romans 8:35, 37, 39).
2. Christ died for us (Romans 8:34).
3. Christ was raised for us (Romans 8:34).
4. Christ is now at God’s right hand for us (Romans 8:34).
5. Christ is now making intercession for us (Romans 8:34).
6. To those who are in Christ Jesus there is therefore now no condemnation (Romans 8:1)

Could or would God’s Holy Spirit be against us? No!

1. God’s Holy Spirit has given us His governing factor, which is the law of the Spirit, and which can make us free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).
2. God’s Holy Spirit leads us as sons of God by that law (Romans 8:14).
3. God’s Holy Spirit, through that law, can make us spiritual minded (Romans 8:5-6).
4. God’s Holy Spirit can also cause us to walk, not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Romans 8:4).
5. God’s Holy Spirit dwells in us as children of God giving life (Romans 8:9-11).
6. God’s Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God and heirs of God (Romans 8:16-17).
7. God’s Holy Spirit helps us in our prayers (Romans 8:26-27).

God the Father will not be against us. God the Son will not be against us. God the Holy Spirit will not be against us.

Could or would God’s holy angels be against us? Not according Jesus, who said, “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15: 10).

It is emphatically encouraging to know that God the Father is for us, that Jesus Christ is for us, that the Holy Spirit is for us, that God’s holy angels are for us, and that none of these can or will be against us if and as long as we love God by keeping His commandments.

“We love him because he first loved us” (I John 4:19). Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15), and “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21). John said:

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous (I John 5:2-3).

David B. Watson

“Nothing Separates Us From The Love Of God; Romans 8:31-39.” Encouraging Statements Of The Bible. Michael Hatcher, Editor. Bellview Church of Christ : Pensacola, FL. 2001. Pages 219-220.

Free Will

One of the areas often hotly disputed in religion and philosophy is the question of human free will. Are human beings free moral agents? Do they have the inherent ability to choose to do certain things or not do those things? Do they have the power to obey or disobey God on their own volition? Many philosophies are deterministic in nature. By “deterministic” we refer to the idea that human beings have no real free will and that their actions are completely predetermined by forces outside of their control. Even in many religions, determinism is a central part of the belief system.

However, the doctrine of determinism is counter-intuitive, meaning that from the outset it runs contrary to what common sense itself would seem to dictate. If every action by a human being is completely predetermined by outside forces acting independently from one’s own will, then no one could rightly be held accountable for any action. No one would be responsible for what they do. The very concept of justice runs counter to this conclusion. It is clearly false that people are not at all responsible for their actions. They most certainly are responsible and are held so by our own legal systems, which operate on the premise of personal responsibility to abide by the legal norms and statutes of society for the sake of stability, peace, and safety. This is fundamental to any orderly society. To hold people responsible is implicit in any legal system. This presupposes the ability of people to comply of their own free will with the laws of that society.

Also, the idea of determinism is self-defeating in that it implies that one cannot change one’s mind of his own accord. This contradicts the practice of teaching deterministic systems in religion or philosophy. Teaching implies the capacity for the one taught to learn, which implies some measure of control of will on his or her part. It is patently absurd to maintain that people ought to come to believe in the specific deterministic system while maintaining that it is impossible for them to do so of their own accord. When one holds to determinism, he implicitly admits the falsity of his position when he seeks to rationally convince others of its truth. If the system were true, then people would have to believe in it anyway. They would be compelled to do so by the predetermining power outside themselves to do so. So why spend time arguing for its truth? Why try to convince someone that he really cannot be convinced of anything of himself? That would be an exercise in futility, if the system were really true.

The Bible teaches that man is a free moral agent. We have the innate ability to choose to obey God. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve…,” proclaimed Joshua to the Hebrews in his farewell address (Josuha 24:15). Christianity is premised on the ability of “whosoever will” to come and drink of the waters of life (Revelation 22:17). The invitation of Christ is open to all (Matthew 11:28–30).

Daniel Denham

Victory in Christ

God's Word clearly teaches that each one of us can triumph over Satan and his snares. However, even those who understand and believe this sometimes err greatly in their conception of the means by which the victory will be accomplished.

Let us notice some ways in which it will not be accomplished. We will not overcome Satan and evil by carnal, fleshly, or material means. We are indeed engaged in a war, but not one with physical/material weapons (II Corinthians 10:3–4). Our struggle is a spiritual one, originating with invisible, yet very real, forces (Ephesians 6:12). As Christian “soldiers” we are commanded to “be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might” (6:10). Be strong is in the passive voice (literally, “be made strong”), implying submission to the avenues of spiritual strength the Lord has provided. Our strength does not come through some direct profusion of Holy Spirit power enabling us to resist temptation, understand His written Word, and be victorious in our personal spiritual struggles. Rather, the Lord provides us with all of the “weapons” and resources we need through His inspired Word (Ephesians 6:13–17; II Tim. 3:16–17).

Selfishness causes casualties among rank and file Christian soldiers, resulting in simple neglect of spiritual duty on the one hand and/or rebellion toward His authority on the other. This self-will often manifests itself by opposing those who faithfully preach God's Word. Many saints are not as wise or as spiritually mature as were those sinners in Thessalonica who became saints. When they heard the Gospel, they “…accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God…” (I Thessalonians 2:13). Tragically, many who would like to be known as “soldiers of the cross” accept the Word of God as if it were the words of men, despising its authority if it in any way reproves them. Often such seek to silence the messengers who faithfully deliver that message of Truth.

Note that spiritual strength is “in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:10), as opposed to “outside” the Lord. In the Lord or its equivalent appears several times in the New Testament. This phrase indicates fellowship with Christ, attained by coming into the spiritual sphere where the Lord and salvation are. It is equal to being in the church/kingdom/body of Christ and to being saved, redeemed by the blood of Christ. Outside of Christ and His church, men deprive themselves of spiritual strength sufficient for their struggles with Satan. Regardless of how sincere, pious, or morally good one outside of Christ may be, salvation and spiritual strength are found only in Christ. Our labor avails “in the Lord” (I Corinthians 15:58). Two passages tell us plainly that baptism in water is the point at which the sinner enters into Christ (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27).

Further, our hope of victory is not in the devices and inventions of men, but “in the Lord.” “…The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh… (II Corinthians 10:4), either in the sense of physical military weapons or the philosophies, reasonings, and gimmicks of men, “…for our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, …but against the spiritual hosts of wickedness… (Ephesians 6:12). If we overcome Satan, it will be through reliance upon the Lord's way, not the ways of men.

Dub McClish

Prayer

Jesus told us what to say when we pray.  When you pray, you should address God and not  man.   Prayer to God is sacred, “Hallowed pray to “Our Father who art in heaven.” (Matthew 6:7-9).  Our prayers are to be be thy name.”  Jesus, our example, showed us when to pray.  He prayed before He made a decision (Luke 6:12-13).   Before selecting His apostles He spent all night in prayer (Luke 6:12).  He prayed for the sorrowing souls of Mary and Martha at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:32-43).   

He prayed for Peter when Satan had asked for him.  Jesus said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has desired to have you. But I have prayed that thy faith fail not” (Luke 22:31-32).    Jesus prayed in His own sorrow.  He cried out in prayer, “Father the hour is come, glorify thy Son, that thy Son may glorify thee” (John 17:1).  In the garden He prayed, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me” (Matthew. 26:39).    Jesus prayed for those who abused Him.    He said, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).  As we often sing. “pray when in sorrow, pray when in trouble, pray all the time.”

 G.K. Wallace

I AM THE TRUE VINE

Isaiah used the vine as a type of Israel, planted and tended by the Almighty as the husbandman.(Isaiah 5:1). Israel was not the true vine. Christ is the true vine (John 15:1). In John 14 the Lord had just said to the disciples, “Arise, let us go hence.” He had just eaten the last supper with the apos-tles. He said that he would not drink of the fruit of the vine again on this earth. Likely on the table from which they had just risen was the fruit of the vine. And now he says, “I am the true vine.”

In the first eight verses of John 15 we find the following outstanding lessons about the vine and the branches.

1. That morality alone cannot save.
2. That there is but one true church.
3. That we should get in Christ, stay in Christ, and stay out of everything else or be lost.

Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” Morality alone cannot save. Men can be morally good apart from Christ. Yet apart from Christ they can do nothing. There is no spiritual life apart from Christ. Cornelius was a moral man apart from Christ but he was unsaved (Acts 11:14). If morality alone can save then Jesus died in vain. There were just as good men morally to be found in the Mosaic age as there are now. If a man can be saved by his own goodness then Jesus died for no purpose at all. Why did he die if they could be saved by their own goodness? Let the moral man remember these words, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” There is no spiritual life apart from Jesus Christ, the true vine.

Thus we see that one must get into Christ to be saved. Paul says that we are baptized into Christ. That makes baptism necessary to salvation in Christ Jesus. You cannot do anything apart from Christ but you can’t get into Christ unless you are baptized (Galatians 3:27).

This “true vine” is the true church. The vine is the spiritual body of Christ. The church is His body (Colossians 1:18). There is one body (Ephesians 4:4). There is but one body (I Corinthians 12:20). Paul does not say “churches” but “the church.” If one desires to be united with Christ let him obey the gospel and thus be added to the “one body,” the church, the “true vine.”

The objector says that Christ is the true vine and all the denominations are branches. Christ said, “I” am the vine and “ye” are the branches. “He” that abideth in me. Note the use of the per-sonal pronoun. Do men refer to churches as “he” and “ye”? Is that the way they talk where you live? Is that the way your preacher talks? Would you say about the Baptist Church—he is a large church? The use of the personal pronoun shows that Christ was talking to his disciples and not to “churches.” Individuals are the branches and not organizations. But just suppose for a minute that the branches are churches. In what branch are you? You say that I am in the Baptist branch. Yes, but wait, Christ said abide in “me.” You should not abide in a branch but in the vine. If you are in a branch you ought to get out of it and get in the vine. Get out of the branch and get in the vine. “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” Abide in the vine or be burned. Do not abide in a branch. You cannot abide in a branch. A branch is a disciple or a Christian. Individuals are the branches and not denominations.

Did God set denominations in the vine? If so, which ones did He put in? If God set denominations in the vine it is strange that He never said anything about it. If He did mention them will someone please tell where?

For one to claim that denominations are the branches is an apology for something they know that is not mentioned in the Bible and a rank per-version of the fifteenth chapter of John. Denominations came into existence hundreds of years after Christ. They are of human origin and no one has a Bible right to belong to any of them.

The “true vine,” the church, was established by Christ and all Christians are members of it (John 3:5). The church is God’s house. God’s house is His family (I Timothy 3:15). God has no children out-side of His family.

From this chapter we learn that we must bear fruit to please God. “Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit; and so shall ye be my disciples.” You cannot bear fruit apart from the vine. To bear fruit you must be in the vine. How does one get in the vine? He must believe (Mark 16:15-16.) He must repent. (Acts 2:38.) He must be baptized (Galatians 3:27.) These steps put one into Christ. Yet it is not enough to get into Christ. In Christ the branch must bear good fruit. The fruitless branch (disciple) will be lost. He will be cast forth and be burned (John 15:6.) Our duty in regard to this is clear. We must get in Christ, stay in Christ, and stay out of everything else.

Someone may ask, “Can a man be saved and go to heaven and stay out of the vine?” No, for Christ says, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” It is Christ or nothing. It is the true vine or no vine. It is the true church or no church. Christ here teaches that you cannot be saved out of the church and you cannot be saved unless you stay in the church.

G. K. Wallace

The Christian Life

The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch (Acts 11:26). “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, ‘Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian’” (Acts 26:28). “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed: but let him glorify God on this behalf” (I Peter 4:16).

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CHRISTIAN

1. It means remission of past sins (Acts 2:38).
2. Membership in the church, the Body of Christ (Acts 2:47).
3. He can call God, Father (Romans 8:15).
4. He can worship and serve God acceptably (John 9:31).
5. He has the hope of eternal life in Christ (Revelation 2:10).

HOW DOES ONE BECOME A CHRISTIAN?

1. He believes unto righteousness (Romans 10:10).
2. He repents unto life (Acts 11:18).
3. He confesses unto salvation (Romans 10:10).
4. He is baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27; Romans. 6:3). He is born again (John 3:5). See also I Peter 1:23.
5. A Christian must live like Christ; must follow Him.

WHY WEAR THE NAME CHRISTIAN?

1. It honors Christ who died for us (Hebrews 2:9).
2. We were baptized in the name of Christ (Acts 19:5).
3. Paul condemned human names (I Corinthians 1:10).
4. We are married to Christ (Romans 7:4). Therefore, we should wear His name.
5. There is salvation in no other name (Acts 4:12).
6. We are His children (Galatians 3:26). Hence, we are in His family, and should wear His name and no other.

BECOME AND REMAIN A TRUE CHRISTIAN!

WHAT MUST ONE DO TO KEEP SAVED?

A. This great question implies:

1. Man was once lost in sin.
2. That he has been saved.
3. There is a danger of falling.
4. Something must be done to remain saved.

B. There is a danger of falling.

1. Demas hath forsaken me . . .” (II Timothy 4:10).
2. Simon was commanded to repent and pray (Acts 8:22).
3. The last state was worse than the first (II Peter 2:20).

C. Christians have the power to stand.

1. Give all diligence and add the Christian graces (II Peter 1:5-10).
2. Make your calling and election sure (II Peter 1:10).
3. Then, “Ye shall never fall” (II Peter 1:10).

D. Four safe rules to follow:

1. Read the Bible daily. The Bereans were more noble than those in Thessalonica because they searched the scriptures daily (Acts 17:11). Newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word that they may grow thereby (I Peter 2:2). The engrafted word will save (James 1:21). We will be judged by it (John 12:48).
2. Pray to God every day. Pray Without ceasing – have a regular time for prayer (Ephesians 6:18).
3. Attend all the services of the church. Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together (Hebrews 10:25). The disciples met upon the first day of the week.(Acts 20:7). Christians need this spiritual food.
4. Give liberally of time, talents and means. See I Corinthians 16:2 and 2 Cor. 9:7. “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.”

MAKE IT AS SURE AS YOU CAN!

OUR RELATIONS ONE TO ANOTHER

A. Love one another.

1. “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
2. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).
3. One cannot love God whom he hath not seen and hate his brother whom he hath seen (I John 4:20).

B. Bear one another’s burdens.

1. “Bear ye one another’s burdens [the crushing burden beyond one’s ability to carry, John Rose] and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
2. “For every man shall bear his own burden [any load one can carry, himself; John Rose]” (Galatians 6:5).
3. Each individual must bear his own responsibility to God.

One cannot obey God for another person. However, we can help one another bear the infirmities of the flesh.

C. Forgive one another.

1. "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:15).
2. How often shall we forgive? Jesus said to Peter: “Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22).
3. “And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him” (Luke 17:4).

D. Pray for one another.

1. Paul said: “Brethren pray for us” (I Thessalonian 5:25).
2. “Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).
3. Samuel said: “God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you” (I Samuel 12:23).

LET US HELP ONE ANOTHER

(above adapted by John Rose from a tract)