Deliver Me from Temptation

 

By Glen Elliott     Jesus was tempted (Mt. 4:1-11; Heb.4:15). We struggle with temptation. It is simply part of the human condition. Each of us battle inward desires which can bring sin into our lives (Jas. 1:13-15). Satan is the tempter (Mt. 4:3). We must engage him in spiritual warfare by the strength which God supplies (2 Cor. 10-4-6; Eph. 6:10-13). We better get our minds firmly set on the life and death struggle each of us must face or be lost through our own carelessness or neglect!     Satan makes temptation attractive. He sugar-coats sin. He wraps it up in a nice, little package. Sin has pleasures associated with it (Heb. 11:25). These pleasures manifest themselves in many ways. Satan knows that all people are not tempted in the same way. So, like a skillful fisherman, he makes each lure appropriate to the person being tempted. Each person is “tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own desires” (Jas. 1:14). Sin feels good. But, its consequences are heart-breaking (Rm. 6:23).     No one is immune to the evil influence of Satan’s temptation. Deliverance is more than a sentence-prayer (Mt. 6:13). We must not be ignorant of Satan’s schemes against us (2 Cor. 2:11). We must keep watch in prayer (Mt. 26:41). We must treasure up God’s word in our hearts as a safeguard against sin (Ps. 119:11). We must trust God completely rather than lean on our own strength (Prov. 3:5). We cooperate in the process of deliverance by making firm resolutions (e.g. Dan. 1:8); by putting ourselves in the company of those who will encourage right choices (Heb. 10:23-25); and, by fleeing before temptation has opportunity to ensnare us in its web (2 Tim. 2:22). Above all, remember that God is faithful and will provide the way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13).  Deliverance is ours through faith in Christ Jesus (1 Jn. 5:4; Rm. 8:37).

Glen Elliott preaches for the Greenbrier church of Christ in Greenbrier, AR. He may be contacted through the congregation's website - https://www.gbcofc.com/

Honesty, the Only Policy

 

By David Bragg     A professor at Harvard Business School, who specializes in studying ethical behavior, has completed a research project on honesty. She found herself in hot water when she faced allegations of falsifying results. According to a report from NPR, the instructor was accused in June 2023 of changing data in her honesty study. As investigators dug deeper into her work, they reportedly found a disturbing trend reaching back over ten years of her career.     Even in a dishonest world, where people expect to lie and be lied to, they react in shocked amazement when someone in a position of authority is caught up in dishonesty. The driving instructor caught driving under the influence. The marriage councilor getting a divorce. The truancy officer skipping work. Sometimes you wonder, who can you really trust?     Honesty is a basic trait of God (Num. 23:19; Titus 1:2; Titus 1:2). You can trust God. He is ALWAYS truthful. His promises are kept, His word is always found reliable. Christians ought to always be honest, too. Even a cursory reading of the Bible reveals that wants His people to be honest people (Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9; Rev. 21:8). The old saying is true: honesty is the best policy. In fact, it is the only policy that really works. It will keep us true to God and at peace with others. To be holy is to be honest, only then will I be ready for eternity.

- David Bragg is co-editor of BulletinGold. He may be contacted through his blog: http://davidbragg.blogspot.com/

Abiding in Christ

 

By Jeff Arnette     The phrase “abiding in Christ” often emerges as a profound yet enigmatic concept, calling us to a deeper understanding of its essence and implications in the life of a believer. The scriptural foundation for this discussion is found in John 15, where Jesus Christ describes Himself as the true vine, with His followers as the branches—a metaphor that encapsulates the life-sustaining relationship between Christ and believers.     Jesus’ words, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser,” invites us into a divine partnership where God Himself nurtures and prunes us to bear fruit. This imagery speaks to the heart of what it means to abide in Christ: a life intertwined with Jesus, drawing sustenance, strength, and vitality directly from Him. It underscores a dynamic of mutual dependence: just as branches cannot bear fruit by themselves unless they remain part of the vine, so too can we not bear spiritual fruit unless we remain in Christ.     Going a little deeper, Galatians 2:20 offers a personal testament to the transformative power of abiding in Christ, illustrating how one’s old self is crucified with Christ so that what remains is Christ living within us. This passage illuminates the essence of abiding as not merely a passive state but an active, faith-driven surrender to Christ’s presence and work within us.     When we add the lessons of Colossians 1:13-18 and 2:6 it enriches our understanding by positioning Christ as supreme and central in our lives. Our transfer from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of His beloved Son marks the beginning of a new existence, rooted, and built up in Him. This transition is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process of growth, symbolizing a life deeply anchored in Christ’s love and sovereignty.     The concept of abiding in Christ is intricately linked with obedience, as underscored in Ecclesiastes 12:13 and reiterated through the teachings of James. Obedience to the Lord’s commandments and a reverent fear for Him are not just acts of submission but expressions of a life fully immersed in God’s will. Such obedience is the natural outflow of a heart that abides in Christ, manifesting faith through action.     It’s crucial to clarify that this obedience is not a means to earn salvation but a response to the love and grace we have received. Abiding in Christ reflects a stance of faith and love, a daily commitment to live in surrender and alignment with His will. It signifies a life marked by spiritual fruitfulness, security in God’s promises, and the enjoyment of His blessings.     In conclusion, abiding in Christ is more than a theological concept; it’s a call to a vibrant, living relationship with Jesus. It demands our whole-hearted response to His love, a willingness to be molded and used by Him, and a dedication to walking in His ways. As we endeavor to abide in Him, let us be encouraged by the promise of a life enriched with spiritual depth, purpose, and joy.

- Jeff Arnette preaches for the Central Haywood church of Christ, Clyde, NC.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://centralhaywoodcoc.com/

A Shadow of Better Things

 

By David R. Ferguson     The Hebrews writer tells us in Hebrews 10:1-4 [RSV], 1. For since the Law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices which are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near. 2. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered? If the worshipers had once been cleansed, they would no longer have any consciousness of sin. 3. But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin year after year. 4. For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. According to the dictionary, a shadow is a dark figure or image cast on the ground or some surface by a body intercepting light; a hint or faint, indistinct image or idea; a mere semblance of something else. All these very much describe the Old Testament and the Law of Moses with all its types and prophecies, all of which found their fulfillment in Christ. As Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount, 17. “Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18. For truly, I say to you, till Heaven and Earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:17-18 [RSV]) As “the Light of the world” (John 8:12 [RSV], Jesus illuminates our minds as no other. Nowhere is this found as aptly as it did in Luke 24 following His glorious resurrection. Appearing to two downtrodden, gloomy disciples on the road to Emmaus who were grieving and sorrowful over the death of their Master, Jesus said to them, 25. “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26. Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?” 27. And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself (Luke 24:25-27 [RSV]).     Since Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all the Law and the prophets, why would anyone choose to return to the bondage of sin and the requirements of the Law? This was a question which greatly puzzled the Apostle Paul, who wrote to the churches of Galatia, saying, 1. O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3. Are you so foolish? Having begun with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? (Galatians 3:1-3 [RSV]) He went on to tell those who wished to bind circumcision on those who were at liberty in Christ, 3. I testify again to every man who receives circumcision that he is bound to keep the whole Law. 4. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the Law; you have fallen away from grace. (Galatians 5:3-4 [RSV]) Why would Paul make such a harsh statement? He answers this question himself in the next two verses: 5. For through the Spirit, by faith, we wait for the hope of righteousness. 6. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, but faith working through love. (Galatians 5:5-6 [RSV])

- David R. Ferguson preaches for the Mentor Church of Christ in Mentor, OH.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://mentorchurchofchrist.com/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.com

Be All You Can Be.

 

By Clifton Angel
    From 1980 to 2001 (and now brought back in 2023), the popular recruiting slogan has been used to positively encourage that it is only in the United States Army that you can “Be All You Can Be.” While the U.S. Army is pertinent to our nation, it is not the army where one truly can reach his fullest capacity. Rather, the Lord’s Army is the only place where you truly can “Be All You Can Be.”    First, it is only in the Lord’s Army that the Captain of the Host is perfect (cf. Josh 5:14; Heb 2:10). He’s been through the drills; He’s passed every test. He has experienced every temptation that His soldiers can experience, and yet remained without error through it all. He “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb 4:15).    Furthermore, it is only in the Lord’s Army that the Captain of the Host has all power. No doubt, captains in the U.S. Army have great authority and ability, but they do not have complete authority and ability. In the Lord’s Army, the Captain has ALL power. He is on record as saying to some of his soldiers, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matt 28:18). For this reason, Paul wrote, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph 6:10–11).    Finally, it is pertinent that we understand that it is only in the Lord’s Army that the Captain of the Host offers ultimate protection. The U.S. Army is strong, but protection lacks in comparison to the Lord’s Army. Even with the great strength of the U.S. Army, the faithful soldier can lose and the entire nation can lose. Such is not so in the Lord’s Army. For, He is the Captain of our eternal salvation from sin (Heb 2:10), and He has guaranteed victory for the faithful soldier: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne” (Rev 3:21).    Faith, repentance, confession, and baptism for remission of sins grants you an entrance into the Lord’s Army. Are you in His Army? If yes, are you endeavoring to “Be All You Can Be”? “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Col 3:17). As we sing, “I may never march in the infantry, ride in the cavalry, shoot the artillery; I may never fly over the enemy, but I’m in the Lord’s Army.”

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/

The “All”s of 1 Thessalonians 5:15

By Edd Sterchi     In 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22, Paul gives various exhortations and bits of advice for how we are to live the Christian life. Verse 15 in that section states, “See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.” Let’s take a look at the latter part of this verse and use a selected portion of the Oxford English Dictionary’s definition of the main words (the definitions are of the word in bold): always - “on all occasions” pursue - “seek to attain” what - “the things...that” is good - “beneficial to” “that which is morally right” both for yourselves - “you personally” and for all - “everyone” “everywhere”     So putting the English definitions in for the words, we could paraphrase this verse as: “On all occasions seek to attain the things that are beneficial and morally right for you personally and for everyone, everywhere.”      Looking at the above statement, we can easily decipher and infer the “all”s from it and conclude: “Give all effort in doing all good all the time to all people.”     How much good are we to be doing? ALL! How much of our effort should be used in doing good? ALL! How much of our time should we spend in doing good? ALL! How many people should we do good to? ALL! Get the idea? All means all!

- Edd Sterchi preaches for the Broadway Church of Christ in Campbellsville, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.broadwaychurchofchrist.net/

Got to Get (and Keep) You Into My Life

By Edd Sterchi
    You may recognize the title (without the parenthesis) as a song recorded by the Beatles and, later, by Earth, Wind, and Fire. But this thought (with the parenthesis statement added by me) depicts perfectly how we can overcome the world.    In light of this, consider 1 John 4:4, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” This is reminding us that if we get (and keep) Jesus Christ into our lives, then we will overcome Satan and the ways of the world.    In the book of 1 John, this whole process is spelled out. Jesus became the sin offering for us (1 John 2:1-2). We get Jesus into our lives through a proper baptism (1 John 5:8). It is then that we are born of God and become His children (1 John 3:1). We keep Jesus in our lives through loving His word (1 John 2:5) and through faithful living (1 John 1:5-7). In fully doing this, we also keep ourselves from loving the world and the world’s ways which are influenced by Satan (1 John 2:15-17).    In the words of John Lennon and Paul McCartney (who wrote the original song): “Ooh, then I suddenly see you - Ooh, did I tell you that I need you - Every single day of my life?” Do you truly have Jesus fully in your daily life?

- Edd Sterchi preaches for the Broadway Church of Christ in Campbellsville, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.broadwaychurchofchrist.net/

Grace and Peace

By Edd Sterchi     In 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22, Paul gives various exhortations and bits of advice for how we are to live the Christian life. Verse 15 in that section states, “See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.” Let’s take a look at the latter part of this verse and use a selected portion of the Oxford English Dictionary’s definition of the main words (the definitions are of the word in bold): always - “on all occasions” pursue - “seek to attain” what - “the things...that” is good - “beneficial to” “that which is morally right” both for yourselves - “you personally” and for all - “everyone” “everywhere”     So putting the English definitions in for the words, we could paraphrase this verse as: “On all occasions seek to attain the things that are beneficial and morally right for you personally and for everyone, everywhere.”      Looking at the above statement, we can easily decipher and infer the “all”s from it and conclude: “Give all effort in doing all good all the time to all people.”     How much good are we to be doing? ALL! How much of our effort should be used in doing good? ALL! How much of our time should we spend in doing good? ALL! How many people should we do good to? ALL! Get the idea? All means all!

Edd Sterchi preaches for the Broadway Church of Christ in Campbellsville, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.broadwaychurchofchrist.net/

Thank You God for Your Gift

By Edd Sterchi Thank You God... For the One who is Wonderful    Providing wonders to my life For His help as Counselor    Easing my worry and strife He is the Mighty God    Doing great things for me He is Everlasting Father    Granting a blessed eternity As the Prince of Peace    He calms my inner being Praise the given Son!    Given free and ever freeing! “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given...And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6)

- Edd Sterchi preaches for the Broadway Church of Christ in Campbellsville, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.broadwaychurchofchrist.net/

What the Blood of Jesus Christ Gives Us

By Edd Sterchi * It Gives Us Forgiveness (Matt. 26:28; Col. 1:14; Rev. 1:5) * It Gives Us Life (John 6:53) * It Gives Us the Church (Acts 20:28) * It Gives Us Justification (Rom. 5:9) * It Gives Us Redemption (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; Rev. 5:9) * It Gives Us a Relationship with God (Eph 2:13: Heb. 10:19) * It Gives Us Peace (Col. 1:20) * It Gives Us a Clear Conscience (Heb. 9:14) * It Gives Us the New Covenant (Heb. 12:24; Heb. 13:20) * It Gives Us Sanctification (Heb 13:12) * It Gives Us Continual Cleansing (1 John 1:7) * It Gives Us the Victory! (Rev. 12:11)     But the blood of Jesus Christ can only do these things if we properly come into contact with it. And we are told in the Bible that we come into contact with the blood of Christ when we believe in Him, repent of our sins, and are baptized into Him. “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.” (Rom. 6:3-6).     Have you let the blood of Christ do its wonderful gift-giving work for you?

Edd Sterchi preaches for the Broadway Church of Christ in Campbellsville, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.broadwaychurchofchrist.net/