Unconditional Love

    In the Greek, it is the word agape, which has nearly be-come an English word in the world of Biblical studies. The best definition from my finite mind for "unconditional love" is: doing or saying something beneficial for another, expecting nothing in return. It is sacrificial. A better definition is seen by its use in the New Testament. Let’s consider also a passage from the Old Testament where the word is absent, but its meaning is exemplified.

    First, unconditional love is the essence of God. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son" (John 3:16). "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). "God is love" (1 John 4:8, 16).

    Second, it is expressed by true disciples of Jesus. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35). "If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments" (John 14:15). "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matt 5:44).

    Third, it is expected of Christian husbands. "Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them" (Col 3:19). "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it" (Eph 5:25).

    Fourth, unconditional love was exemplified in the days of Daniel. Three Hebrew youths, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (more commonly known by their Babylonian names: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) were put in roles of leadership in Babylon following Daniel's interpretation of the king's dream (Daniel 2–3). King Nebuchadnezzar erected a statue of gold and made a decree for all to worship the statue (Daniel 3). The three Hebrew youths refused to do so, and so Nebuchadnezzar threatened them with death in a fiery furnace if they continued. Listen to their response to the king: "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up" (Daniel 3:17–18). What a tremendous love and faith these three men had for God. They had faith that he could and would save them from the fiery furnace; however, they loved God so much that they would still be faithful to Him, even if He did not save them from the fiery furnace. Do we love God that much?

    He loves us that much, and more. So much more that He sent His only Son to save the world, knowing most of the world would reject Him. The sacrifice has been made. Will we love Him? Certainly, “He first loved us” (1 John 4:19)! -Clifton Angel 

 

- 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/

 

Subtle Jabs

    In teaching the book of Job in a Bible class on Sunday mornings, one thing that we have pointed out a number of times is the verbal "jabs" thrown by the friends, as well as Job, in their exchanges of speeches. Several of these are direct, and some--especially by the friends--are downright cruel.

    However, sprinkled throughout the narrative are also a large number of more subtle jabs. For example, in Job 18:2, Bildad begins his second speech to Job with this question: "How long will you hunt for words?"

    On the face of it, that is already fairly mean. After all, Job is going through horrific suffering, and he has still managed to keep speaking and to be clear in expressing what is going on in his mind. However, this question is an even more subtle jab than it appears at face value. In ancient cultures, those who were considered wise were those who spoke with very precise language and who were very controlled in their language.

    So, while Bildad's question is somewhat mean on the surface, just consider the subtle undertone of it. He is basically saying that Job is unwise, uncontrolled, and foolish!

    As our Bible class has noticed these more subtle jabs, it has caused me to do a lot of self-reflection. How do I talk both to and about other people? Sometimes, it can be tempting to take jabs that are more subtle so that I can claim innocence in a situation. As we hear it said, sometimes, we can "say something without saying something."

    But is that the way Christians should treat people? Think of three basic Biblical principles that need to guide our words. This is certainly not meant to be an exhaustive list, but maybe it will cause us to think about those times when we are in a moment of conflict or when we have to deal with someone in a tense situation.

    1. Matthew 5:37: "But let what you say be simply 'yes' or 'no'; anything more than this comes from evil." While this statement by Jesus is made in the context of making oaths, the principle is invaluable to all our communication. Followers of Jesus should be known for language that reflects exactly what needs to be said.

    2. Colossians 4:6: "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." Take note of the word "always." Taking subtle jabs at people certainly is not gracious speech, and it is very difficult to see how this type of language is a proper "answer" to anyone.

    3. Matthew 18:15: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother." While this has a specific context (believer sinning against believer), notice that Jesus says the conversation is to be both private and clear. The fault is to be told. We are not to beat around the bush. However, we are also not to take any type of verbal jab at the other person in order to try to put ourselves in some type of "stronger" position. Instead, go to them and say what you believe they have done that is sinful toward you.

    It is easy to excuse subtle jabs, but we simply cannot be the type of people who speak this way. For one thing, it violates the Golden Rule. None of us would want people taking these types of shots--no matter how subtle--at us, so we simply cannot excuse that type of behavior in ourselves.

    But further, to do this is to treat another person as "less than." These types of shots are meant to put the other person on a lower plane than we are, but we should always remember that all people are created in the image of God. As such, there is not a greater or lesser. There are just people, and we need to treat every other person as one made in His image and who has infinite value to Him.

    So, no matter the situation--even if it is tense or heated--let's remember to be direct but also to remember the soul of the other person. Or, to use the words of Paul, let's always remember to be "speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15). - Adam Faughn 

 

- Adam Faughn preaches for the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org Visit the Faughn Family blog, A Legacy of Faith

 

A Plan for Unity

In 1941, the 14-year project begun by Danish-American sculptor Gutzon Borglum—his “Shrine of Democracy Sculpture,” better known as Mount Rushmore—was completed by his son. This monumental work, depicting George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, draws visitors from around the world each year.     Few people realize there is a hidden chamber behind Lincoln’s eyebrow. Its 18-foot-tall doorway leads to a room about 75 feet long with a 35-foot ceiling. Called the “Hall of Records,” it was originally intended to preserve artifacts about our nation’s founding and principles for future generations—and even, as some have suggested, for visitors from beyond this world (history.com).     Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had a place to preserve the secret of Christ’s church and its success?     We do—it is the New Testament. If the Lord’s church were ever to disappear from the earth, and some distant civilization later discovered a copy of the New Testament, they could fully reproduce what we enjoy today. This divinely inspired blueprint never loses its relevance. It reveals the truths through which God’s people can always find unity—not through personal opinions or preferences, but through faithful acceptance of God’s given basis for unity (Ephesians 4:3–5).     Whenever division threatens to separate two Christians, one thing is certain: one or both are failing to follow the clear teaching of Scripture. The Bible teaches and produces unity. If the church is to truly bless the world, it must value and practice genuine biblical unity (John 17:21). - David Bragg is co-editor of BulletinGold and former minister with the Northwest Church of Christ in Greensboro, NC.. He may be contacted through his blog: http://davidbragg.blogspot.com/

The Astonishing Servant of Jehovah

By David R. Ferguson     In the final portion of the Book of Isaiah, a dramatic shift occurs. No longer is it the book about condemnation for Judah’s and Israel’s rebellion, chapters 40 through 66 of Isaiah are all about grace and salvation, and grace and salvation. Now, who’s going to bring this grace and salvation to the world? Who’s going to be the one to provide this deliverance? The answer is the Servant of the Lord, the Servant of the Lord. I say it twice because that’s how Isaiah says it. That’s how Jesus is designated here. The Hebrew word used is ebed, and it means slave or servant. It’s used many hundreds of times in the Old Testament. So what we have here from Isaiah is a prophetic Messianic reference to Jesus as the Slave of Jehovah, the Servant of Jehovah. He’s the One Who will bring salvation. He’s the One Who will bring us comfort. He’s the One Who will bring us the forgiveness of sins. He’s the One Who becomes the theme of this final section of the Book of Isaiah.     Now let’s go to chapter 53 for a moment, with just that kind of broad picture. And you will find in verses 13 of 52, “Behold My Servant, Behold My Servant,” My ebed, My Slave. This is the same designation that has been indicated much earlier in this section of the Book of Isaiah. This is the fourth of specific prophecies regarding this Servant to come. Chapter 42 is one, chapter 49 is another, and chapter 50 verses 4 to 11 is the third. This here is the fourth of what we would call Isaiah’s Servant songs, or Servant prophecies.     Now in this presentation of the Servant before us, the Prophet calls on us to look at this Servant and be astonished. This is the most complete, most powerful, and most important revelation of the Messiah in the entire Old Testament, right here in front of us in Isaiah.     In Isaiah 53, we read of the Suffering Servant to come. “All of us like sheep have gone astray; each of us has turned to his own way. But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He didn’t open His mouth. Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth. By oppression and judgment He was taken away, and as for His generation, who consider that He was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of My people to whom the stroke was due. His grave was assigned with wicked men, yet He was with a rich man in His death because He had done no violence, nor was there any deceit in His mouth. But the Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief.”     May God bless you in the knowledge that His Servant died for you! May this knowledge grant you further peace in knowing that Jesus is the way of life to life eternally in Heaven!

- 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

The Remarkable Book of Isaiah

By David R. Ferguson     Isaiah 43:1 tells us that we are redeemed, for God has redeemed us. Literally, this means I want to continue our series of looking at the Gospel of Isaiah this morning. As was mentioned the last two Sundays, the Book of Isaiah was written some 700 - 750 years before Jesus Christ came into this world as a Baby born of the Virgin Mary.     The final 27 chapters of the Book of Isaiah are simply amazing. Chapters 40 through 66 are practically a mirrored foretelling of the last 27 books of the Bible, what is commonly referred to as the New Testament. The theme of this second half of Isaiah is grace and salvation.     These 27 chapters, starting in chapter 40, are the most sublime and richest portion of Old Testament prophecy. In a sense it really is a single prophecy, one glorious vision, and one majestic revelation of salvation which will arrive through the coming Messiah. The last half of Isaiah is supreme. It’s sweeping. It’s comprehensive. It encompasses not only the deliverance of Israel from Babylon, not only the deliverance of sinners from sin, but the deliverance of the nations from the curse of sin and death and then being brought into the Kingdom of the Messiah. So, it has those same elements. The first part if Isaiah talks about judgment upon Israel, it talks about judgment upon sinners, and it talks about final judgment. The second half of the Book of Isaiah talks about deliverance for Israel, deliverance for sinners, and a final deliverance of the redeemed into the Eternal Messianic Kingdom.     Most interestingly the second half of Isaiah, chapters 40 to 66, begins where the New Testament begins. If you look briefly at chapter 40 for just a moment, the parallel is quite interesting. In chapter 40 we read, “Comfort, O comfort My people, says your God.” And that’s the turn that occurs in the Book of Isaiah. It goes from the pronouncing of judgment in the first 39 chapters, to offering comfort in the back half because of grace and salvation coming from God. “Speak kindly to Jerusalem,” we now read. And then comes the prophecy in verse 3 regarding the coming of John the Baptist. “A voice is calling, clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness, make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.”     And, of course, it was John the Baptist who came, who was the fulfillment of that prophecy. He was the forerunner of Messiah, he was the voice crying in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make in the desert a highway for our God.” Just as John is featured in the gospels as Jesus begins His ministry, so, too, does the New Testament end in Revelation speaking of the same new heavens and new Earth, just as Isaiah does in the end of his book!     May the Lord bless you in knowing that Jesus is the way of life to life!

- 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

Redeemed

By David R. Ferguson

    Isaiah 43:1 tells us that we are redeemed, for God has redeemed us. Literally, this means God has purchased us and set us free. That’s what it means to be redeemed in this case, to be set free.

    Just as God rescued His people from slavery in Egypt, and set them free, God has rescued us. Our baptisms teach us that in a very powerful way. The water overwhelming us in baptism reminds us of God’s people journeying to freedom through the Red Sea as a cloud of water overhead completely enveloped them in water, and years later they entered the Promised Land by crossing the River Jordan, the very same river in which Jesus Himself centuries later was baptized.

    Our baptism sets us free, but free from what? Well, what do we need to set free from? We’re set free from sin, death, and the Devil. But what would you say? How might you answer this today? What do you need to be set free from personally?

    Let me ask it a little differently: What keeps you up at night? What do you worry about, and just can’t seem to stop? Maybe that’s what God wants to set you free from – free from those things that keep you up at night. Just remind yourself that God’s got this. Turn your worries into prayers and be at peace.

    Or, let me ask it another way: Where in your life do you feel stuck, or maybe even trapped? Where in your life are you coming up short in how you want to live? God also wants to free you from whatever is causing you pain and anxiety. He won’t force you, but He wants to help you.

    God wants to set us free, and He has sent His Son into this world to bear our sins and to show us how to live. And our baptism into Jesus Christ set us free from our sin and from whatever is separating us from God’s love.

    Do not fear. In other words, cast away your fear and realize that God has redeemed you, God has purchased you, God has adopted you, God has made you a joint heir with His one and only begotten Son, and that God has set you free. Live in the truth and the promise of that freedom, and live free from fear and worry and anxiety that plague your heart. Trust God. And trust in God’s promise to you. There is nothing more freeing than letting go and letting God be the Source of all true joy and happiness in your life, not only now, but throughout eternity as well!

    May the Lord bless you in knowing that Jesus is the way of life to life!

- 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

Yesterday, Today, and Forever

By David R. Ferguson

     In Hebrews 13:8, the writer says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever." What’s significant about these three time periods the Holy Spirit instructed to be written: Yesterday, today and forever? Why does it matter that the Jesus Christ of today remains the same as the Jesus Christ of yesterday and the time to come?

    Yesterday is significant because it’s crucial that Jesus Christ be the same yesterday as He is today, because yesterday was when Jesus Christ showed us historically what He’s really like. The significance of Today is that it’s crucial that Jesus Christ is the same today as He was yesterday, because today is when those of us who are His can have fellowship with Him. It’s how we relate to Him as the person we know by reading about His life and work He accomplished yesterday. Forever’s significance stems from it being absolutely crucial that Jesus Christ remains the same tomorrow and forever as He was yesterday and today, because all our hope for everlasting life and joy with Him hangs ultimately on us being able to relate to Him unceasingly.

    Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. What once was true about Christ always will be true about Christ, so we don’t need or want new doctrine. And what was once satisfying about Christ will always be satisfying about Christ, so we don’t need or want money as the means to lasting happiness. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever – the same truth and the same treasure. He’s also promised to save us. This promise is clear, and it’s also part of what makes Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever. Paul wrote in Romans 10:13, "for, whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." When a lost sinner comes to Jesus through obedient, saving faith, he’s saved by grace and prepared for Heaven. This, too, is a promise that will never change! Therefore, don’t let the Devil play mind games with you. If you’ve trusted Jesus Christ for salvation, as the Bible teaches, then you’re saved and going to Heaven. If not, then you need to be saved by doing what the word of God tells us. Receive Him on His terms and be free by having your sins washed away in the watery grave of baptism today. Then you, as did the Apostle Paul, can have the same assurance to say, "For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved His appearing" (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Since He’s the same, He’ll never lose His saving power! As the Hebrews writer states in Hebrews 7:25, "Wherefore also He is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them."

    May the Lord bless you in knowing that Jesus is the way of life to life!

- 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

The Gospel of Isaiah

By David R. Ferguson     I’m sure every one of you have heard of the four gospels, The Gospel of Matthew, The Gospel of Mark, The Gospel of Luke, and The Gospel of John. But believe it or not, it really is true that there was another gospel account of the life and death of our Lord and our Savior Jesus Christ. As amazing and as wonderful as Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are, this additional gospel of Jesus Christ is arguably even more amazing, for it was written 750 years before Jesus was born! You heard me correctly. There’s a prophetical book in the Old Testament that’s so declarative, so prescient, and so detailed regarding the coming life, mission and death of Jesus that it rightfully can be called The Gospel of Isaiah.     Many people are familiar with Isaiah Chapter 53 and its graphic description of a suffering Messiah, and we’ll be spending much of our time in it this morning, but that’s not the only place in Isaiah Jesus’ life is so vividly portrayed. Isaiah is chockfull of messages regarding our Savior, and Jesus had to fulfil every single one of these. And that’s absolutely what He did.     As was mentioned earlier, this book was written some 750 years before Christ came into this world as a Baby born of the Virgin Mary. Think about that for as moment. Just how difficult was this going to be for Jesus to fulfill a prophecy that demanded He be born of a virgin! You can search everywhere but you won’t find predictions about anyone else who was to bring us to God who was going to be born of a virgin. In fact, there are many religions around the world, but not a single one of them had anything written about their leaders before they were born. Not a single one. All other religions were manmade. Mohammad, Confucius, Buddha or any other man or being were self-proclaimed by man. They have nothing written about their coming as God with man. Only Jesus fits this bill, and only Jesus was spoken of even before He was born.     The elements of the gospel of Jesus Christ were foretold by Old Testament Prophets. It was prophesied that there would be the coming of the Messiah. Concerning the establishment of His coming Kingdom, much was written. It was this fact of the establishment of a coming Kingdom that the Jews at the time of Christ grasped onto the most, and pictured in their minds that the much anticipated and longed for Messiah would be a great warrior King like David of old who would overthrow militarily the yokes of the Roman Empire that had enslaved them, and this warrior King would establish a new Israel who would rule the world from Jerusalem. But what God had in mind, and what the expectations are of what man desires, rarely, if ever, are the same thing.

- 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

Our Sure and Steadfast Hope

By Glen Elliott      A ship securely anchored does not drift from its harbor. A life firmly fastened to the will of God is not easily shaken from its moorings. In spite of life’s uncertainties, there is a God upon whom we can depend. He inspires hope in the human heart, saying, “I will never leave you, nor will I ever forsake you…” (Heb. 13:5). Such hope is the Christian’s spiritual anchor. The inspired author offers the following description: “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Heb. 6:19-20).     This hope is sure because it is grounded in the word of God. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away” (Mt. 24:35). Because the word of Christ will be our standard of judgment on the last day (Jn. 12:48), it is imperative that we closely and carefully study and practice its teachings.     This hope is sure because it is inseparably connected to the nature and presence of God. The nature of God provides strong encouragement in as much as it is impossible for God to lie (Heb. 6:18). We can trust His promises completely. Our hope is anchored in heaven, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us and always lives to make intercession on our behalf (Heb. 6:20; 7:25).     As Christians, we do not need to despair in the storms of life. We have an anchor to keep the soul, one that is sure and steadfast. Our God, who cannot lie, has promised that, if we remain faithful, we will receive the crown of life (Rev. 2:10). This is our calm assurance, our peace that passes understanding (Ph. 4:7).

- 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/

Make the Lord Your Trust

By Glen Elliott     In the midst of so much uncertainty and fear -- when winds of change blow strongly in our faces -- it is good for us to pause for a moment and reflect on the importance of trust. Our struggles do not have to do so much with a lack of trust as a failure to make God our trust. We all trust in something, but “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man” (Ps. 118:8). We must make the Lord our primary trust (Ps. 40:4). It doesn’t take a 9/11 experience to remind us of just how quickly things can change around us. We cannot know the future, but we can know and trust the God who holds the future in His hands.     In the dark and tumultuous days leading up to Babylonian Captivity, Jeremiah begged the people of Judah to place their trust in the Lord rather than foreign alliances. His comparison between trust in God and trust in man is quite remarkable. The prophet writes, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind And makes flesh his strength, And whose heart turns away from the Lord. For he will be like a bush in the desert And will not see when prosperity comes, But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, A land of salt without inhabitant. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord And whose trust is the Lord. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit’” (Jer. 17:5–8).     Trust makes all the difference! The person who places his trust in man is like a scraggly bush in a barren desert. But the one who trusts in God is compared to a beautiful tree growing beside a lovely stream. Truly, the path to God’s blessing lies in our ability to make Him our trust.

- 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/

Feeling Good About Yourself

By Glen Elliott     There is nothing inherently sinful about having a good self-image. Self-centeredness is wrong; but there is a great difference between selfishness and good self-esteem. God wants us to feel good about ourselves. In fact, He sent His Son so that we might enjoy a “full and abundant life” (Jn. 10:10). God does not rejoice when our feet get kicked out from under us and we find ourselves flat on our faces, bruised and battered by life’s setbacks. To the contrary, God hurts when we hurt. Jesus is a high priest who can “sympathize with our weaknesses” because He “has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15).     Because God wants us to be happy and feel good about ourselves, He has given us His word as a guide to joyous living. The “dos and don’ts” of the Bible are not given to inflict pain, but joy. Even the Law of Moses was given for the good of the people. Moses asked this very telling question: “Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the Lord’s commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?” (Dt. 10:12–13). Every parent knows what “for Your good” means. As children, we tried to bend the rules a little only to discover later that the rules had been given “for our good.” Likewise, we can be sure that every command of God is for our good and for our ultimate happiness. God’s word provides us with a sense of security and well-being because our Father cares enough to set boundaries. When we follow His teaching, we feel good. We were created in His image and He loves us so much that He gave His only Son so that we might live forever in His presence. This sense of His abiding love frees us from self-hate and stirs within us a love for God and others (1 Jn. 4:19).

- 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/

By the Grace of God

By Glen Elliott     Some reject the grace of God in preference to earning salvation. In the April 2026 issue of the Spiritual Sword, Steve Higginbotham cites a New York Times interview with the former mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, who said, “I am telling you if there is a God, when I get to heaven I’m not stopping to be interviewed, I am heading straight in. I have earned my place in heaven. It’s not even close.” No doubt there are many who feel the same in regard to procuring their own salvation. But, if such were the case, grace would be unnecessary and the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross was a serious blunder in the redemptive plan of God.     We must not overlook the underlying belief expressed by the phrase, “if there is a God….” But, if there is a God, He surely would have revealed the nature of our salvation; whether is it something we earn or something given to us on the condition of biblical faith. The matter is settled in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians where he writes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). Of one thing, we can be certain: we will not walk into heaven because we have earned it. All have sinned and stand in need of a Savior (Romans 3:23). Denying our need for a Savior suggests sinless perfection -- something that flies in the face of both Scripture and practical experience (1 John 1:10). Ultimately, those who enter into heaven will be those who have been saved by grace through faith.     Grace is a strong motivation to demonstrate our faith through active obedience to God’s will. After acknowledging the fact that we are saved by grace through faith, Paul goes on to say, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). We cannot be saved by works of merit nor can we be saved without an active, working faith (James 2:14-26). Just as faith has a role in grace, so also grace has a role in faith. Paul speaks of the empowering nature of God’s grace when he says, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me” (1 Cor. 15:10). God’s grace, then, is our motivation and strength to produce good works to the glory of God.

- 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/

A Big Blue Marble

By Glen Elliott     Lord willing, by the time you read this Artemis II will have made her way back to Earth. What a perspective to see the Earth from space! Yet, when compared to the vastness of the universe or even our own solar system, we have hardly made it past our own front porch. This big blue marble we call home is, by comparison, infinitesimally small. When seen from over 200,000 miles away, it appears as large as a basketball held at arm’s length.     As a shepherd and, then later, as a fugitive fleeing from King Saul, David must have spent many nights pondering the glories of the celestial luminaries which dot the evening sky. This is evident in the book of Psalms where he writes, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1). The perceptive heart can hear creation’s message detailing the glory of God. All of this, He created out of nothing. “For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast” (Psalm 33:9). We are humbled by the awesome greatness of God as expressed through creation. David spoke to this in His praise to God, saying, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?” (Psalm 8:3-4). We are but a speck on that big blue marble we call Earth. Yet, we are comforted in knowing that we are His special creation and that all this He has designed for us.     Our God is not far away, but near (Jeremiah 23:23). Paul told the Athenians that He is “not far from each one of us…” (Acts 17:27). God knows everything about us. He understands our “thoughts from afar” and is “intimately acquainted with all [our] ways” (Psalm 139:2-3). We are not an afterthought in the mind of God. His interest in us predates even creation itself. Our value, then, is not measured by a big blue marble; but by a big brown cross stained with the blood of Jesus. At times, we may feel small -- just a speck on a big blue marble -- but, “He surrounds [us] with favor as with a shield” (Psalm 5:12).

- 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/

Does the Bible Offer Hope for Depression?

By Bob Prichard     Depression is perhaps the most common emotional problem that we face today. Experts suggest as many as one out of five Americans experience severe depression some time during their lives, and depression may be the most common health problem for women. Symptoms of depression include apathy, insomnia, difficulty in concentrating, and a general loss of interest in life. Severely depressed people may become suicidal, violent, or completely withdrawn. Depression has always been a problem for mankind. Bible characters such as King Saul, Elijah the prophet, Job, and others experienced depression.       Sources of depression may be physical, psychological, or spiritual. Fatigue, chemical imbalances, and other physical problems may cause depression. After his defeat of the prophets of Baal and Asherah on Mount Carmel, Elijah was physically exhausted. When Jezebel threatened his life, he fled into the wilderness and was ready to die. The angel of the Lord comforted him and strengthened him with food, telling him, “Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee” (1 Kings 19:7). He still felt overwhelmed and alone, however. He said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” (1 Kings 19:10). He repeated,  “I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” (1 Kings 19:14). The Lord encouraged him by letting him know that there were still seven thousand faithful, and by sending Elisha to help him.     Loss is a common psychological cause of depression. Job lost his possessions, his family, his health, and even his reputation. He cried, “the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came” (Job 3:25-26). Later he learned that God continued to control the universe, saying “I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee” (Job 42:2). Unfulfilled hopes and dreams, and feelings of worthlessness or helplessness brought on by stress also cause depression. These feelings often come because a person has lost the proper perspective. Disappointments may be opportunities in disguise, however. They may be times to rearrange priorities, making our life priorities more in line with God’s will. It is helpful to remember when overwhelmed by feelings of helplessness and worthlessness to remember that God is still in control. He demonstrated His love in the cross. “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).     Sin must have its spiritual consequences, which very often includes depression. Obedience to the Lord is the key. “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love” (John 15:10). God does not intend for us to be depressed, and is eager to forgive and comfort. His love demonstrates this. A wise counselor points the depressed person to God.

- Bob Prichard serves as an elder and evangelist for the Hillview Church of Christ in Birmingham, Alabama, since 2016. In his forty-five years of preaching he has served churches in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Alabama.

How are the Church and the Kingdom Related?

By Bob Prichard     The burning question in the hearts of the early Jews was the question of when the Messiah would establish His kingdom on earth and reign upon David’s throne. Most misunderstood the issue, and even the disciples were caught up in misconceptions of the nature of the Lord’s kingdom. Just before His ascension, they asked Jesus, “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). They just did not understand the true nature or identity of the kingdom of God.     The word “kingdom,” as used in the New Testament, means “royal power, kingship, the territory subject to a king, the reign of the Messiah,” with primary reference to the rule, reign, and authority of God. New Testament writers used it in several senses. Paul spoke of the eternity of the kingdom: “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:18). Jesus used kingdom in another sense when He told the Pharisees, “behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21), meaning that the kingdom, or rule of God was in their midst through His ministry as the Son of God. The primary use of the term “kingdom,” however, is in reference to the church.     After Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, Jesus blessed Peter, saying, “upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 16:18-19). Jesus here used the phrases “my church” and “kingdom of heaven” interchangeably. Writing later, Paul rejoiced with the Colossian Christians that God “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). Just a few verses later he identified the kingdom as “the body, the church” (Colossians 1:18).     John the Baptizer, Jesus, and the apostles all preached that the kingdom was “at hand,” or near. “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). “Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).      The New Testament church surely fulfills the Old Testament prophecies of the kingdom. Daniel declared that “in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44). The “kings” referred to the Roman Empire, the fourth kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream image, the kings who controlled first century Judaea when the church was established.      Jesus Himself predicted that the kingdom would be established within the lifetime of the apostles. “Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power” (Mark 9:1). The kingdom surely came with power on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2).     People become citizens of the kingdom of God, the church, by the new birth, being born of the water and the spirit. “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

- Bob Prichard serves as an elder and evangelist for the Hillview Church of Christ in Birmingham, Alabama, since 2016. In his forty-five years of preaching he has served churches in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Alabama.

I Will Build My Church

By Bob Prichard     “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:13-19).     When Jesus asked, “Who do men say that I am?” the answers of men were wrong! Only Peter had the right answer, and it makes a difference Who we believe Jesus is. Can anyone be saved by believing He was John? Of course not!     Jesus said, “Upon this rock” not to emphasize the rock, but the One upon whom the belief is placed. Jesus was not promising to build his church on Peter, but on faith that He is the Messiah. But what did Jesus have in mind when He made this promise? WHEN WOULD HE BUILD HIS CHURCH?     We know clearly that it was not built by John. “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Matthew 11:11). John was never in His kingdom, the church.     Daniel prophesied the beginning of the church: “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (Daniel 2:44).  A church built any other time would not be His church.     Jesus told the apostles, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).     This was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel” (Acts 2:14-16). At the conclusion of his sermon, as he invited all to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38), “they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Act 2:41). “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47b). HOW MANY CHURCHES DID HE SAY HE WOULD HE BUILD?     Did Jesus envision thousands of denominational divisions? Did He envision a time when men would say “Join the church of your choice”?     John 17 records the prayer of Jesus as he prepared for the cross, praying first for his disciples, and then He added, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me” (John 17:20-23).     He did not say “I will build my churches.” He envisioned one church, not many denominations. Among the great unities of Ephesians 4:4-6, Paul said “There is one body,” meaning there is one church. WHAT WOULD HE CALL HIS CHURCH?     Names are important, and He would want His church associated with Him. The church at Corinth was divided, and Paul asked them to be united, speaking the same thing, and wearing the name of Christ. “For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:11-13).     There are no exclusive names, but descriptive names given for the church in scripture, It is called “the church of God” (1 Corinthians 1:2), “the church of the firstborn” (Hebrews 12:23), “churches of Christ” (Romans 16:16), “body of Christ” (Colossians 1:24), “bride” (Revelation 21:2), and “the house of God” (1 Timothy 3:15). These are not different churches, but the one church He established. WHAT WOULD GUIDE HIS CHURCH?     God has always given His people a pattern (Exodus 25:40 Hebrews 8:5). In the parable of the soils, Jesus explained, “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:11). If the seed, the word of God is properly planted and cultivated, the seed will produce the church. Church history is marked by men deviating from the Bible pattern to make the denominations what they desire. You could never find the churches or their doctrines in the Bible alone. But if you have the seed, you can produce the church of the New Testament. If you wanted Georgia watermelons in Texas, you wouldn’t need to run a vine from Georgia to Texas. You would just need the seed. HOW WOULD PEOPLE ENTER HIS CHURCH?     The pattern established on Pentecost. “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:36-38).     The same pattern was followed as Phillip taught the Ethiopian eunuch. “And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him” (Acts 8:34-38).     You can be a member of the same church as those on Pentecost, the eunuch, Peter and Paul, if you will obey the gospel as they did.

- Bob Prichard serves as an elder and evangelist for the Hillview Church of Christ in Birmingham, Alabama, since 2016. In his forty-five years of preaching he has served churches in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Alabama.

Does Matthew 24-25 Tell Us of the Signs to Watch for Concerning the Second Coming of Christ?

By Bob Prichard     One of the most popular areas of speculation in our religious world today is in the area of setting the date for the second coming of Christ. Many point to the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, the arrival of the computer age, or even the introduction of the social security number, to say that the “signs” show Jesus is coming “soon.” The scriptures are very clear, however, that there will be no special signs of His second coming. Time after time men and women have set dates for the Lord’s second coming, only to be proved wrong. No particular date can be set!     At the beginning of Matthew 24, Jesus showed the temple to the disciples, and said, “There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down”  (Matthew 24:2). In response, they asked, “When shall these things be?” and “What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (vs. 3). Notice that the disciples asked about two separate events: the destruction of the temple, and the Lord’s second coming. Jesus first answered concerning the signs before the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple, and then He spoke of His second coming at the end of the world.    Beginning in verse four, Jesus described a number of signs to the disciples, including the coming of false Christs, wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes, apostles being killed, and the preaching of the gospel to the whole world. He warned them that men would have to flee to the mountains (vs. 16). He warned the disciples, “When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors” (vs. 33). These signs were fulfilled in the events leading up to and including the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in the year a.d. 70 by the Roman army. Verses 29-31 describe the upheaval of the Jewish world with the end of Jewish worship in the Jerusalem temple. History records that many Christians understood the signs, and fled Jerusalem. They could flee the Roman armies, but no one will be able to flee when the Lord returns.     Jesus said in verse 34, the key verse, “This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” In other words, Jesus said that the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple would occur before the generation hearing His words passed away. (A generation is thirty to forty years.) Then, speaking of His second coming, Jesus said, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (vs. 36). No man knows the day or hour!  Jesus emphasized the contrast between the destruction of Jerusalem in 70, and His second coming.     The signs before the destruction of Jerusalem were evident, but as for His second coming, “be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (vs. 44). The disciples asked for a sign of his coming, but the Lord gave none. If people could know the exact date of His coming, they would wait until the last minute to be prepared. We should be ready always. Be prepared today, because there will be no signs!

- Bob Prichard serves as an elder and evangelist for the Hillview Church of Christ in Birmingham, Alabama, since 2016. In his forty-five years of preaching he has served churches in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Alabama.

Good Soil in America

By Bob Prichard     The world out of which the American Restoration movement grew was truly a world of “good soil” (Luke 8:8). The new nation was a nation that did not have allegiance to any particular religious denomination. Many were searching for truth in the early decades of the nineteenth century. It was fertile soil for people to question what they had always believed.     The result was a variety of religious movements. Joseph Smith offered his mythical Book of Mormon, as he suggested that all of the churches of the day were corrupt, and it was necessary to restore the church in those “latter days.” The “United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing,” better known as the Shakers, spread west to Kentucky and Indiana from their base at New Lebanon, NY, attracting thousands to communal living.     And then there was the Restoration Movement. From diverse beginnings, many began to question the religious division and denominational loyalties of their world. A trickle of searchers departing from those loyalties became a roaring river of people seeking to restore the ancient order of things. James O’Kelly left the Methodists. Elias Smith and Abner Jones left the Baptists. Barton W. Stone, Thomas Campbell and Alexander Campbell left the Presbyterians. Although these had some differences in doctrine, they united in understanding that the need was a return to the church of the New Testament, following only the Bible as a guide. As heirs of the Restoration Movement, we can be thankful that the religious climate of the nineteenth century provided the fertile soil of truth seekers.     We must seek good soil in our nation today. The moral climate of our world can’t help but convince truth seekers that there is a better way. “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16a).

- Bob Prichard serves as an elder and evangelist for the Hillview Church of Christ in Birmingham, Alabama, since 2016. In his forty-five years of preaching he has served churches in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Alabama.

The Hidden Gospel (Part 1)

By Clifton Angel   "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent" (Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21). These are the words of Jesus, uttered in public prayer, on at least two occasions. At the heart of the contexts of both occasions was the good news that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God—the world's only Savior. Luke says He "rejoiced in spirit" (Luke 10:21) as He praised God in prayer. Why would Jesus be joyful and thankful that the Father restricted the gospel from some?    The Father's hiding of the gospel should not be understood as He kept some from the opportunity to hear it. I submit that the "wise and prudent" of Jesus' day not only audibly heard the gospel, but they visually saw it. Yes, the scribes, Pharisees, and scholars in the Mosaic law audibly heard the good news of Jesus, but the majority of them did not receive what was said. They visually saw Jesus in the flesh, they saw the miracles He performed, and the miracles of His disciples, but they did not recognize what was right in front of their eyes. Sellers S. Crain, Jr. wrote, "The contrast between the wise and intelligent and infants is not really that of intelligence, but of attitude; it is the difference between those who rely on themselves and those who rely on God" (Truth For Today Commentary: Matthew 1–13, pp. 385–386). They were deafened and blinded by their own pride. In another place, Jesus said of these types of people, "They seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand" (Matthew 13:13).    The scribes, Pharisees, and Mosaic law scholars were very intelligent. Many of them had tremendous knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures, but when it came to applica-tion and teaching, pride intervened. What many call "The Sermon on the Mount"—Matthew 5:1–7:29—was not some new teaching in contrast to the Old Testament. Rather, it was the correct teachings and applications of principles in the old law (which principles are now a part of the New Testament because of Jesus' teaching of them) because religious leaders in Jesus' day had misused and misapplied them (see Matthew 5:17–20).    If space would allow, we could consider the "wise and prudent" of Paul's day, such as those he encountered in Athens (Acts 17:16–33), or those he had to deal with in Corinth (see 1 & 2 Corinthians), or those he had to refute in the region of Colossae (see Colossians). Who are the "wise and prudent" of our day? We could spend time naming prominent faiths which misuse and misapply the gospel. We could spend time naming popular false teachers who misuse and misapply the gospel. But for the sake of space, let's each ask ourselves, "Have I allowed my 'wisdom' and 'intelligence' to get in the way of truly hearing the gospel?"

- 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/

Hidden Gospel (Part 2)

By Clifton Angel     "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes" (Matt 11:25; Luke 10:21). Again, this is a public prayer of Jesus on at least two occasions. At the heart of these contexts was the good news that Jesus was the Messiah—the world's only Savior. Last week, we noted how God’s message was hidden from some who were blinded by their own pride. Now, let us consider those to whom it was revealed.     “Thou...hast revealed them unto babes.” Those who received God's revelation were not literal infants. Rather, they were lower on the "totem pole" of society in Jesus' day. Who were these "babes" who were recipients of the revelation of the gospel?     Peter, Andrew, James, and John were commercial fishermen. Such a tasking position made them "infants" in the eyes of the Jewish elite. Example: Peter and John were "perceived" to be "unlearned and ignorant men" by the Jewish rulers, elders, scribes, and priests (Acts 4:1–13).     Matthew, also bearing the name Levi, was a tax collector. In the United States, we know tax collectors as the IRS. While tax collection has always caused animosity from many of those being taxed, Matthew's position brought far greater hostility. In the eyes of the Jews, he was a traitor and a sinner. He was taking money from God’s people and giving it to an ungodly tyranny. Tax collectors were often grouped with prostitutes, indicating their moral destitution in the eyes of the Jews. Luke tells us that when Matthew began to follow Jesus, he made a great feast for Jesus, his disciples, and other tax collectors. The scribes and Pharisees "murmured" at Jesus' disciples, asking, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" (Luke 5:27–30).     As we previously cited, "The contrast between the wise and intelligent and infants is not really that of intelligence, but of attitude; it is the difference between those who rely on themselves and those who rely on God" (Truth For Today Commentary: Matthew 1–13, pp. 385–386). Disciples like Luke and Paul are testimonies to this fact. They were highly educated and intelligent. Luke was a physician (Col 4:14). Paul’s education has been likened to multiple doctorates in theology (Acts 22:3; Phil 3:4–7). However, their humility led to their reception of God's glorious gospel message.     Maybe you are thinking you could never be good enough to be a recipient of the saving gospel. Maybe you are thinking you have committed too many sins to be saved. Maybe you are thinking you are not smart enough to teach others God's saving message. You are precisely the person Jesus wants to save and to whom He has revealed the gospel. Will you allow us to help you follow Jesus?

- 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/

Hidden Gospel (Part 3)

By Clifton Angel   From Matthew 11:25–30 and Luke 10:21–24, we've noted how that God’s good news is hidden from those who are not willing to hear and receive it, and it is revealed to those are humble enough to hear and received it. Continuing a little further into the same text of Scripture, let us consider some fundamental principles of God’s good news revealed to man. Jesus said, "All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him" (Matt 11:27; Luke 10:22).   First, God's revelation can only originate with God. Jesus said, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father” (Matt 11:27; Luke 10:22). The revelation that Jesus was the Christ—the Savior of the world—and that His disciples' teachings were confirmed by miracles all originated from God. Yet, many claim to have revelation and power that God has not given them.   Second, Jesus is Deity. "And no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son." Jesus was reiterating the fact that He is the Son of God—God in the flesh (see also-John 1:1–3, 14). This is absolutely fundamental to the gospel, as it is the foundation of the gospel being good news.   Third, we can only know God if we know Jesus. "Neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him” (Matt 11:27; Luke 10:22).   Fourth, we can only know Jesus if we know His Word. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matt 11:28–30). The "yoke" mentioned here is teaching. Therefore, we must look to Jesus' teachings so that we may "learn of" Him and know Him.   What a blessing to have God's revelation written down for us to read! As we consider these fundamental principles of the good news of Jesus Christ, let us answer the questions of the refrain of a hymn co-authored by Vep Ellis and W.F. Lakey: "Do you know my Jesus? Do you know my friend? Have you heard, He loves you, and that He will abide 'til the end?” What is your response to these questions?

- 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 Rapture

By Clifton Angel     If you are reading this, you missed the rapturing that Joshua Mhlakela predicted to happen last week. “Rapture” comes from the Latin rapio meaning “to be carried away.” The word can have the meaning of “a feeling of intense pleasure or joy,” indicating an extremely heightened emotion. This is still connected to the original meaning, as one who is “singing the rapturous chorus” may be “carried away” in emotion. Is there a rapture found in Scripture? If so, does it agree with the modern world’s teaching called “the rapture”?     Paul wrote, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thess 4:17). For “caught up,” the Latin Bible has the root rapio, from which we get our English word “rapture.” In this sense, there will be a rapturing of the Lord’s people.     However, the context of 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17 (cf. 1 Cor 15:51–54) connected with the sum of Scripture concerning Jesus’ Kingdom and His Coming, directly contradicts “the rapture” of denominational doctrine. Many teach this rapturing is a secret—yet predicted—event, in which Jesus will invisibly and quietly carry away His faithful, and leave behind the lost. To them, this is not the end. Rather, there will be a period of tribulation, then Jesus will return to the earth with His raptured saints to set up His earthy kingdom in Jerusalem, save Israel, and grant another opportunity for the lost to be saved (Note: there is variation in the content and timeline of the events they teach).     First, the Bible teaches Jesus’ kingdom has already been established and it is not an earthly kingdom (cf. Isa 2:2–3; Dan 2:31–45; Joel 2:28–32; Acts 2:1–47; Dan 7:13–14; Matt 4:17; Matt 16:18–19; Mark 9:1; Acts 1:6–10; John 18:36; Col 1:13; Rev 1:9; 1 Cor 15:24). Jesus’ kingdom is His church, and if we are not in His kingdom before He returns, we will never be in it. Second, the Bible teaches that Jesus’ final return cannot be predicted (cf. Matt 24:35–36; 1 Thess 5:1–11; 2 Pet 3:9–10). Also, there is no indication that Jesus will ever set foot on earth again. Finally, the Bible teaches that the Lord’s rapturing is not a secret, nor silent event. Rather, “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thess 4:16–17).     The truth is that no one on earth, and not even the angels in heaven, knows the time of the Lord’s return. He may return tonight; He may not return for another 2,000 years. The importance is that we be ready at all times. Are you ready?

- 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/

Eternity

By Clifton Angel   If he were still on earth, last Sunday would have been my dad’s 45th anniversary married to my mom. While the physical event of his death almost 12 years ago was and is a nightmare that I try not to think about, I believe spiritually it was a dream come true. My father died a Christian.!    Everyday, there's something that reminds me of him when he was here. My son is his namesake. His favorite truck was given me by my mom and sisters. Genetically, he passed his rheumatoid arthritis down to me. On and on I could go, but the fact is, he's not here. He's in eternity. Therefore, I've tried to spend some time thinking about him there and not just his time here. It has me wondering: What would this world be like if everyone's heart was set on eternity?    First, hearts set on eternity would solve our problems of unity. I plead with you, do not fall into the media's trap of divisiveness. Perhaps, more than ever, in a world where social media exists, we need to: "Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (James 1:19). True unity can only be had by those who truly follow the Spirit's teachings (Ephesians 4:1ff).! Paul said, "I … beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:1–3). If our hearts were set on eternity, this would be more readily accomplished.    Furthermore, hearts set on eternity would solve our problems of immunity. We would still get sick. We would still have disease. We would still suffer death. However, none of these things would hinder us because of our immunity from sin and its condemnation. Paul wrote, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Romans 8:1). This does not mean we will never sin as a Christian. This does not mean we are "once saved, always saved." However, if we truly keep our hearts set on eternity as Jesus has prescribed, we will always be saved.    Finally, hearts set on eternity would solve ALL the problems of humanity. If no one else needed saving, the Lord could return now. "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). The fact that Jesus has not returned should remind us of His long-suffering and His desire to save as many as possible.! We do not know when He will return (2 Peter 3:10), but may He find our hearts set on eternity when He does!

- 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/

Christ in Genesis—The Creation of Man

By Ron Bartanen        The creation of man originated in the mind of God.  It would begin with the creation of “the heavens and the earth, and the preparation of a paradise for man’s habitation, a bountiful garden, the garden of Eden, to be available for man’s food supply.  It would not be accomplished through thousands of years of  unimaginable evolution, but through six evenings and mornings, each, followed by a “day of rest”, thus establishing a period of time we know of as a week, as described in Gen. 1:1 to 2:25.   The pre-flood diet for humanity was vegetarian, consisting of the fruit of the garden (1;29-30).  Everything was in readiness then for humanity.      With the garden in readiness for human occupation, Adam was physically formed from the “dust of the earth” (2:7)”.  However, man was unique from the animals. And said to be “in the image of God” (1:26).  God “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.”  Unlike the life of the animal-creation, man’s life is sacred in origin—the breath of the Creator.  It is thus described to Noah following the great flood: “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made He man” (9:6).  The penalty established by God for murder is rightly the murderer’s surrender of his own life.       The sacredness of human life should also be recognized in the taking of a human infant’s life in the process of abortion, and be perceived as willful murder.  From the moment of conception in a mother’s womb, a human baby is a human baby, made “in the image of God.”     The account of the creation of man requires the recognition of Adam’s wife, Eve, the “mother of all living.”  “Male and female created He them” (1:27b; 2:18-24).  As is often noted, Adam’s wife was a part of himself—not of his head that she would rule over him, nor of his feet that he should walk over her, but from his side, nearest to his heart, that he might love her—a covenant of marital unity and loyalty.  The apostle Paul compared the love and unity of husband and wife to the love and unity designed in our relationship with Christ in Ephesians 5:22-35.       The attachment of Eve to Adam is seen in the fact that she was not taken from the “dust of the ground” as was Adam, but from what the King James version calls his rib (1:21),  I read that the word translated rib is “tzela”, which in Exodus 25:12-14 and 26:20 is translated as “side,” not “rib”.  Adam’s side was opened in the process of providing for him a wife.  It is interesting that this would fit this as a prophetic picture of the opening of the side of Jesus, whose side was pierced (John 19:24) to purchase His church “with His own blood” (Acts 20:28).       As Adam in Genesis is seen as the head of the human race, Jesus is portrayed by Paul as the head of the church—the “body of Christ” (Ephesians 5:23).  In 1st Corinthians 15 he goes into more detail, likening Christ to Adam in the context of describing our resurrection.  He refers to Christ as the second Adam, declaring, “The first man, Adam, was made a living soul: the last Adam was made a quickening spirit…. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven” (vs. 15, 17),  He expresses our hope in Christ to be raised from the dead, wherein our corruptible bodies will “put on incorruption and this mortal shall put on immortality” (v. 23).  In verse 22 he adds, “As in Adam all die, even so, in Christ shall all be made alive.”      We can see Gen. 2:23-25 as the first marriage as so-defined by God as the marriage of one man (male) and one woman (female—the “one flesh” in the bond of marriage.  That’s God’s definition.       Man is the crown of God’s creation, but this is especially seen in Christ, the “Son of man” as well as the “Son of God.”   I’d suggest the reading of Hebrews 2, but especially verses 6 to 9, where Christ is portrayed as being made at His first coming “a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, (yet) crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (v. 9).

- Ronald Bartanen is a retired minister who for many years served the Lord's church in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. After the passing of his beloved wife, Doris, Ron has relocated from Illinois to Florida where he is near family. He may be contacted at: ron33dor@yahoo.com