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/

Living Hope

By Jared Green     Hope is a word we use often in our daily vocabulary. We hope that the wait is not too long at the restaurant. We hope the weather does not cancel our plans. We hope our favorite sports team wins this weekend. Hope, when used that way, is simply wishful thinking. While I may hope that the above things happen the way I want them, I have no way of ensuring short wait times, good weather, or a Kentucky Basketball win.     Biblical hope, on the other hand, goes a step beyond wishful thinking. Hope is a word used often in the Bible to talk about our salvation and eternal home. No passage makes that clearer than 1 Peter 1:3-5. Paul teaches that those of us who are in Christ have been “born again to a living hope” (v. 3). This hope is more than wishful thinking. As a matter of fact, to view biblical hope as simply wishful thinking is to discredit the power of our salvation in Christ Jesus. Biblical hope carries the idea of confident assurance that is rooted in the promises of God. According to Paul, we are hoping in “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (v. 4). True hope is the confident assurance that heaven is my ultimate inheritance. As John writes, through Jesus, we can know that we have eternal life (1 John 5:13).     In what, then, is our hope rooted? How are we able to move from wishful thinking to confident assurance? The answer is found in the whole of Paul’s teaching: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:3-5).     Through God’s mercy and our faith in Jesus, we have been born again to a living hope. A hope that is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In his resurrection, Jesus defeated the power of sin and death. In his resurrection, Jesus made possible freedom from the bondage of sin for all those who, through faith, receive God's rich mercy. Those of us who have been born again—that is, through baptism (John 3:5; Romans 6:3-4)—should be confident that Jesus has secured our heavenly home through the power of his resurrection from the dead. May we never hope for our salvation the same way we hope for warm weather. For our hope is confident assurance, rooted in God’s promises, and secured by the power of the resurrection. God loves you, and so do I.

- Jared Green preaches the Calvert City Church of Christ in Calvert City, KY.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com

There is One Hope

By Brian Mitchell     Paul’s seven ones that equal unity is a fascinating study. God wants His people to be unified and the 7 ones are the things that unite us. So far in our series we have discussed the one body and the one Spirit. Consider the one hope we have in Christ. Let’s begin with an illustration from the Peanuts.     Lucy asked Linus, “You know what we’re going to do tomorrow?” Lucy continued, “Patty and Violet and I are going on a picnic!” Lucy concluded, “I just hope to goodness that it doesn’t rain.” Linus, the resident theologian, replied, “‘Hoping to goodness’ is not theologically sound!” This “one hope” is not an uncertain “hope so” type of hope, like the way we often use the word hope.     Like Lucy, we often say, “I hope it to doesn’t rain tomorrow on our picnic,” but we don’t really know one way or the other until it is time to go. We use the “hope so” kind of hope when we talk about hoping to get promoted at work, or hoping that our sports team will win. I hope that Alabama will win the national football championship–I hope the Titans will win the Super Bowl–that’s “hope so” hope. Our Christian faith gives us a “know so” hope, not a “hope so” hope. In biblical hope, we hope for things that are absolutely certain, but have just not yet been realized.     How can we be so certain about the biblical things we hope for? They are a certainty because God has promised them and God always keeps His promises. God had promised that Abraham would have a son with Sarah and many descendants to follow. He made the promise when Abraham was already 75 years old, but then Abraham and Sarah had to wait 25 years for the promise to be fulfilled—BUT IT WAS FULFILLED! (Heb.6:13-19).     I think that one of the reasons why God made Abraham wait so long was to prove how God is able to keep His promises and can even do so in a man and a woman who are way past child-bearing age. When God makes us a promise, He has no one greater than Himself to swear by. But when He makes a promise, we can know that He will keep it – because it is impossible for God to lie. God’s promise of our salvation through Jesus is the hope of our calling and it is an anchor for our souls, firm and secure.     In the end, our hope is so secure, because our hope is in Jesus Christ and His righteousness; our hope is not in our righteousness. Like the great hymn proclaims: My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness, I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. In Rom.3, Paul explains: 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. (Rom. 3:23-24).     Our God is full of love and grace, and so, He has provided salvation through Christ Jesus. We are saved by grace through our faith in Christ. We are not saved by our own meritorious works, otherwise we might boast, and we would certainly fall short, rather we are saved by Christ’s work in His death, burial and resurrection. How’s that for good news? Great news!

- Brian Mitchell served as a minister with the Jackson Church of Christ in Jackson, MO. Visit the congregation's website at https://www.jacksonchurchofchrist.net

One Hope

By Clifton Angel     When you strip away all of life's desires, all of life's distractions, and all of life's demands, there is only one thing that matters most: our preparation for life after death. "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Heb 9:27). For this reason, Solomon concluded: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil" (Eccl 12:13–14). Paul wrote, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2 Cor 5:10). This life is temporal, but after the Judgment Day is eternity. And we only have "one hope" (Eph 4:4) for spending eternity in the bliss of heaven. Without hope, eternity will be spent in the place called hell (1 Th 1:7–9).     "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling" (Eph 4:4). Simply put, our one and only hope is Jesus Christ. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Pet 1:3). The Muhammad of Islam cannot provide hope. Joseph Smith of Mormonism cannot provide hope. The Pope of the Catholic church cannot provide hope. These and other false teachers like them may get your "hopes up," but they cannot provide the one true hope of Ephesians 4:4. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).     But what is this calling? "Even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling" (Eph 4:4). Often, I hear individuals speak of "their calling." Many times it is used in reference to someone who devotes their life to preaching. Many times it is used to reference an occupation they love and enjoy and so it must be "their calling." God's providence is real, but He’s not moving us around like board game pieces. The “calling” of Ephesians 4:4 is something God has already provided and it is the SAME for every person who is called—the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote, "He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Th 2:14).     Jesus provides the "one hope." The good news of His loving sacrifice and gift of eternal life is also the saving message which "calls" us to this "one hope." And it is our obedience to the call which gains us access to this blessed hope. "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:11–13). Have you obeyed "your calling" to the "one hope?"

- 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 Hope Within You

 

The Hope Within You By Jared Green     “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:14-15).     When those around Peter’s audience could not understand why they would remain faithful to Jesus while being persecuted, Peter called them to be prepared to defend their hope. Why remain faithful to the Lord, even amid life’s difficulties? That is a question we all must be ready to answer.     The Israelites’ hope was found in God’s faithfulness to them. Just before Joshua’s death, he and the Israelites renewed their covenant with God. In Joshua 24:2-13, Joshua reminded the people of God’s unwavering faithfulness. God led Abraham through all the land of Canaan and gave him Isaac (v. 3). God then gave Jacob and Esau to Isaac, and Jacob’s family ended up in Egypt (v. 4). Years later, God sent Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh and plagued Egypt until the people were delivered (v. 5). When the Egyptians gave chase, God parted the Red Sea to provide Israel safe passage, while the Egyptians were swallowed up (vv. 6-7). God then brought Israel into the promised land, giving them victory over all who would stand in their way, so that the people could live in a land perfectly laid out by God for his people (vv. 8-13).     After Joshua recounted God’s faithful works, he called the people to put away their fathers’ false gods and serve the Lord alone. No matter what others chose to do, however, Joshua said, “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (v. 15). Having been reminded of God’s faithfulness, the people could not agree more. They answered Joshua, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods, for it is the LORD our God who brought us up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight and preserved us in all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed” (vv. 16-17).     The Israelites’ hope and motivation to obedience was rooted in what God had done for them. The same should be true of us. We have experienced an even greater deliverance! “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:4-5). What is the reason for our hope-filled obedience, even amid life’s difficulties? That God, in his mercy, sent Jesus to save us from our sins and reconcile us to himself. May we all echo Joshua’s great words: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15). God loves you, and so do I.

- Jared Green preaches the Calvert City Church of Christ in Calvert City, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com

Sharing in the Suffering and Glory of Jesus

By David R. Ferguson     It’s interesting when you study the Old Testament and, while doing so, you recognize its fulfillment coming alive in the New Testament. When Joshua and the Israelites crossed over the Jordan River into the Promised Land, they entered their inheritance. When we come to the Lord in obedient, saving faith, we receive many great blessings on top of having our sins removed. One of the greatest gifts we receive is we are adopted by God as His child legally, which is why from that point onward we become heirs to all that God has. The Apostle Paul writes about this process in Romans 8:16-17 [MEV], saying, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirits that we are the children of God, and if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified with Him.”     This point Paul makes here is key and essential for us to know. The Holy Spirit of God, which Peter declared on the Day of Pentecost was given to obedient believers at baptism (Acts 2:38), bears witness to our spirit that we are, indeed, part of God’s family! But that’s not all the Spirit of God bears witness to. He also says we are now heirs of God and joint heirs with His Son Jesus! The entire inheritance of God becomes ours as we share it with His Son because we are also God’s child. And that’s very exciting to ponder.     But there’s also an “if” attached to this promise, and it’s important. We are children of God and co-heirs with Christ, if we share in His sufferings. By doing so, Paul says we then will share in His glory.     It’s difficult to suffer, but suffering for the sake of Christ is part of our inheritance we have in Him. Paul writes about this in 2 Timothy 3:12 [MEV], saying, “Yes, and all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” Since Christ suffered, then so will we, but for Christians this suffering becomes a great blessing. Jesus spoke of this Himself in His Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. “Blessed are you when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be very glad, because great is your reward in Heaven, for in this manner they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12 [MEV]).     Great, indeed, is our reward in Heaven where our Father and Elder Brother await us!

- 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

Hope Avenue

By Lance Cordle

 

    Not too long ago, I was traveling through Paducah with my brother-in-law, who is a retired school teacher. I knew that he taught history and would be interested in the subject I was going to bring up. So I asked “Did you know that John T. Scopes is buried right here, in Paducah?” He said he did not know that. Since we were only a few blocks away from the grave, I turned the car in that direction and took him to see it.

    For those not familiar with John Scopes, he was the science teacher (twenty-four years old at the time) who was charged with violating Tennessee state law by teaching evolution in a high school biology class. The whole arrest was actually a publicity stunt put on by the American Civil Liberties Union to test the law and to shame people out of their opposition to the teaching of evolution in public schools. In the course of the “Scopes Monkey Trial,” he was found guilty and was fined $100 for the offense.

    Scopes did not stay in the public spotlight very long, but worked in the oil industry and died in 1970. Having been born in Paducah, his body was brought back to Oak Grove Cemetery for burial. From what I can tell, John Scopes did not seem to be deeply involved in the belief or the teaching of evolution. However, from that time forward, his name was associated with the subject.

    Evolution, as seen in its general theory, is based on the assumption that life began from non-life. In its essence, it is opposed to the reality of and existence of a Creator (God). As a Christian I do not believe it, nor can I conceive of a world without a Creator. Not only would such belief cancel my religion, it would demolish the possibility of one major teaching which not only fascinates me, but compels me on in life: the hope of eternal life.

    Christians believe that life on earth “is not all there is to it.” When a loved who is a Christian dies, we cling to the words of 1 Thessalonians 4:13, which admonish us not to “grieve as others do, who have no hope.” If evolution is true, there is no God, no Christ, no resurrection—therefore, no hope. What an utterly sad state of existence! (See 1 Corinthians 15:17, 19)

    Oak Grove Cemetery has a series of named roads within it. The grave of John T. Scopes lies at the end of the main street, Myrtle Avenue, providing easy access for those who want to see it. During our visit, I saw another road, beside the grave. Since then I have pondered a deep irony. For, within just a few feet of the body of a man whose name is forever linked to a theory— that if true, dissolves all our hope—is a road named... Hope Avenue. 

- Lance Cordle preaches the Calvert City Church of Christ in Calvert City, KY.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com

1951

By Ron Thomas

    Through the years I have purchased books written by brethren; one such book is “Old Truths in New Robes” by Franklin Camp (1972). This is a collection of bulletin articles he wrote through the years, hoping those who read them can find them to be of some benefit in their walk with Christ.

    One article that he wrote was about the death of his daughter, Vivian, their second child. She was severely burned (the reason not given) at seven years old, died five days later (1951). As I was reading this, I reflected on the tragedy of a parent (parents) losing a precious child at any age,

but especially such an innocent age of seven. Many people have much difficulty recovering from things like this, some never do. In brother Camp’s circumstance, he resolved to learn lessons, so he wrote on lessons he learned in the years 1951.

    He learned that in life there is much uncertainty. We have been around long enough to know that with life, comes death. The uncertainty of life is not something we miss, but when it happens so close to home, the thunder of it is felt in a special way. We are saddened a great deal when we read of some young life now gone. Life is certain (you’re reading this), but life is fragile and is a gift from God; the gift of life God gave you, is it precious to you?

    When you reflect on such a loss, to whom do you turn? Your family members are great, but since the loss is great, the comfort extended, helpful as it is, seems too not be enough. Questions are asked like “Why?”, and the only answer that can be given, in due time, is from the Lord. In such a loss, brother Camp turned, or strengthened his turn to the Lord, loving the Bible more; it’s a great lesson to learn (have reaffirmed), but how many people learn it? It was Peter who said to the Lord, in John 6, “Lord, to whom shall we go...?

    Learning to read Him more, learning to love the Bible more (making it your daily companion), it’s only natural that one will love the church more. This makes perfect sense because the church is His body and only the body of Christ will be saved (Eph. 5:23, 25). In the body of Christ, in the church of Christ, there exists people of like mind. Perchance some are not of like mind, surely, they are moving in the direction to be Christ-like. These are the kind of people to be around, the kind of people who pray for and with you, encourage you in spiritual matters. Sadly, look around and notice who is not here, and how frequently you see they are not here. Do they love the Lord? They will tell you they do, but in truth they do not, and this is shown by their priorities. Attendance is not fool-proof evidence of loving the Lord, but it is an indication of something positive (or not).

    Another lesson brother Camp learned was that Faith is more precious than gold. This is not, however, a lesson valued by many, not even those who are frequent in their attendance. There is something about material wealth that changes the mind of people unlike anything else. Evidently, with wealth, some think, they can do more with it that it good, or do more with it for themselves they have never been able to see accomplished, believing this to be a blessing from God. In the end, after having done the good and satisfying all one’s desire in a positive way, what then? One’s faith, one’s trust and conviction the Lord is above all never lessens in value because it is more valuable than gold.

    This, naturally, helped brother Camp to think less of the earth, more of heaven. It was Paul who wrote, Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ (Phil. 3:8, ASV). 

- Ron Thomas preacher for the Sunrush Church of Christ, Chillicothe, OH. He may be contacted through the congregation's website. http://sunrushchurchofchrist.com/

Grasping Hope

By David Bragg

   Charles Spurgeon, a well-known denominational preacher of 19th century, related in one of his sermons the story of a sailor who fell overboard amid a great storm and the thrilling rescue that followed. As soon as the cry, “Man overboard!” was sounded the crew flew into action determined to save their shipmate from drowning. The poor sailor was quickly found, and a rope was tossed to him. That rope was that sailor’s lifeline, and he knew it. When the men finally got the man onto the ship after his harrowing experience, he was unable to loosen his grip on that rope. It was hours before he could relax his grip as the strands of rope became embedded in the flesh of his hands.

    Jesus is our lifeline, rescuing us from churning ocean of sin. Wave after wave threatens to pull us down into the dark depths with no hope of escape. Then He who could calm the seas comes to our rescue. In Him we find refuge (Hebrews 6:18) and salvation.

    In Christ we find hope. The writer of Hebrew described our hope with these words: “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Hebrews 6:19). Our hope in Christ sustains us when life is going well. But its true beauty becomes evident during times of difficulty and trial. Don’t let go of that hope! It is “both sure and steadfast.” Sailors drop an anchor, one end firmly attached to its deck while the other is planted deep in the ocean floor, confident that their ship will remain secure. They have “faith” in that anchor. It will hold fast (i.e., “sure”) regardless of what may be going on around it (“steadfast;” cf. Acts 27:29, 40). Spiritually, the Christian holding the promises of God in Christ has in their grasp a great spiritual “anchor,” both “sure and steadfast” (Hebrews 6:19).

    In times of trouble and testing, don’t let go of your hope. You have Jesus’ word that He will not forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

- David Bragg serves as one of the ministers at the Northwest Church of Christ in Greensboro, NC and is co-editor of BulletinGold. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.nwchurchofchrist.com/ or his blog: http://davidbragg.blogspot.com/

Others Who Have No Hope

By Jim Faughn

    Please read the following words found in the English Standard Version of 1 Thessalonians 4:13 very carefully: 
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others who do not have hope.
    I believe that most of us readily understand that the “sleep” being referred to here is the “sleep” of death. I believe it is also fairly obvious that the use of the word “brothers” means that these words are addressed to Christians.  

• Does this verse teach us that Christians are not to grieve (mourn, sorrow, etc.) at all when a loved one passes from this life? 
• Are Christians supposed to just act as though nothing had ever happened and go on with their lives? 
• Does a Christian’s confidence in an eternal home make him or her immune to feelings of loss?

If you did, in fact, read that verse carefully, you should realize that the answer to those questions is, “NO.” The sorrow of a Christian is not to be “…as others who have no hope.” (In reality, it did not take a very careful reading to notice that, did it?)
    More often than I really care to remember, I’ve been in more homes, hospital rooms, nursing home rooms, etc. when death has taken a loved one from family members and friends. Sometimes death has occurred after a long and serious illness. Sometimes the death is sudden and unexpected. In all reality, no two deaths and no two families are ever exactly the same.
    However, I’ve noticed that many of the situations in which I’ve found myself can broadly fit into one of two categories. Both of these categories are linked to the fact that I’m a preacher (and an elder) and that I often get called on during trying times like this.
    I’ve been in situations when people just want a preacher around. Any “brand” will do. Often, these people are confused. In fact, “panic” might not be too strong a word. These people want somebody --- anybody --- that has some sort of religious credentials to calm them and assure them in some way. They may not even be aware of what way they have in mind. They just want a preacher around. His presence seems to have some sort of calming effect on them (sometimes).
    The other people I’ve been with are just as sad and feel their loss just as much as the first group. Depending on the circumstances, they may even be as confused as the people in the first group. Through tears they express words that convey their grief to the preacher and to one another.

    While, they also appreciate a preacher being with them, their actions and words convey a quiet confidence that the other group does not have. Their confidence is not dependent upon the presence of a preacher. Their confidence is in God and His promises.  
    It is my prayer that all of us could be a part of this second group of people. It is also my prayer that each of us will live our lives in such a way that those who are left behind can have that quiet confidence that is needed so much during very trying times.

- Jim Faughn serves as an elder and preacher for the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website.

We Have an Anchor

By Ron Bartanen

    As a ship would need an anchor to prevent it from being driven by the wind and waves onto a rugged, rock-infested shore and destroyed, without exception we all need an anchor for our lives to keep us from the storms of life that would destroy us. Our faith in Christ is just such an anchor—and especially we would view the resurrection of Christ in this regard. While all religions have their revered founders and gurus, all are powerless against the winds of time that would drive us onto the shores of God’s judgment. Only Christianity has a founder who died for our sins and been raised from the dead. Death is not the ultimate conqueror. Though even Jesus, in death, willingly gave up His spirit into the Father’s hands, yet, as a verse in one of our hymns declares, “Death could not keep his prey.” He arose in triumph over death, and holds within His hands “the keys of hell (hades) and of death” (Rev. 1:18). Ours is not a dead savior, but the Living One. Without the assurance of a living Savior, we would be at the mercy of all that is spiritually destructive to our souls. We would not even be assured of who Jesus is—the Son of God. After all, anyone could make the claim. Of Jesus alone can it be said that He was “declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead” (Romans 1:4). We know who He is because of His resurrection.
    Without His resurrection we would have no assurance of our own. Death would be the great ultimate destroyer. But because He was raised, we, too, will be raised. In 1 Corinthians 15, the apostle Paul linked our resurrection to His, saying, “If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain: ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man (Adam) came death, by man (Christ) came also the resurrection of the dead” (15:17-20). Hebrews 6:19-20a compares His resurrection to the believer’s anchor, declaring, “which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil, whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus.” This hope is secure—“within the veil,” that is, beyond the veil of death into heaven itself, where the risen Christ has entered as the “forerunner”, preparing the way for our resurrection. Our eternal welfare is established only in the crucified, risen and glorified Son of God. For the believer, it is as one hymn declares: “We have an anchor that keeps the soul, Steadfast and sure while the ages roll….”
    The greatest question we could ask is: Is your faith anchored and made secure in Christ. Have you accepted Him, who, by the grace of God, “tasted death for every man?” (Hebrews 2:9) Have you identified yourself with Him in being “buried with Him in baptism” and raised with Him to walk “in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4). Is it your hope to continue that walk till you share in “the likeness of His resurrection” (6:5)?—to share His glory?                              

- Ronald Bartanen preaches for Arthur Church of Christ, Arthur, IL.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://arthurcoc.com/

A Warm Welcome

By David A. Sargent

    When John Todd, a nineteenth-century clergyman, was six years old, both of his parents died. A kind-hearted aunt raised him until he left home to study for the ministry. Later, this aunt became seriously ill, and in distress she wrote Todd a letter. “Would death mean the end of everything, or could she hope for something beyond?” Here, condensed from The Autobiography of John Todd, is the letter he sent in reply:

   It is now thirty-five years since I, as a boy of six, was left quite alone in the world. You sent me word you would give me a home and be a kind mother to me. I have never forgotten the day I made the long journey to your house. I can still recall my disappointment when, instead of coming for me yourself, you sent your servant, Caesar, to fetch me.
   I remember my tears and anxiety as, perched high on your horse and clinging tight to Caesar, I rode off to my new home. Night fell before we finished the journey, and I became lonely and afraid. “Do you think she’ll go to bed before we get there?” I asked Caesar.
   “Oh no!” he said reassuringly, “She’ll stay up for you. When we get out o’ these here woods, you’ll see her candle shinin’ in the window.”
   Presently we did ride out into the clearing, and there, sure enough, was your candle. I remember you were waiting at the door, that you put your arms close about me — a tired and bewildered little boy. You had a fire burning on the hearth, a hot supper waiting on the stove. After supper you took me to my new room, heard me say my prayers, and then sat beside me till I fell asleep.
   Some day soon God will send for you, to take you to a new home. Don’t fear the summons, the strange journey, or the messenger of death. God can be trusted to do as much for you as you were kind enough to do for me so many years ago. At the end of the road you will find love and a welcome awaiting, and you will be safe in God’s care. *

The words of John Todd reflect the hope that one has in Christ.
    The Apostle Paul was a Roman prisoner not knowing the outcome of his impending trial. He considered the possibilities (please read Philippians 1:21-24). If he were acquitted, then he could continue to serve God. If he were to be given the death penalty, then he would look forward to going to heaven to be with Christ, “which is far better.”
    Eternal life beyond the grave with God in heaven – this is the eternal hope of a Christian.
    That hope is a living hope, because Jesus died for our sins on the cross, was buried, and He rose again.
    “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade -- kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5 NIV).
    God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will continue to cleanse from sin and prepare for heaven those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).
    A warm welcome awaits the child of God in the resurrection.
    Won’t YOU accept God’s offer of salvation, sonship, and eternal life?

- David A. Sargent, minister for the Church of Christ at Creekwood in Mobile, Alabama, is also the editor of an electronic devotional entitled "Living Water." To learn more about this excellent resource contact David via their website: http://www.creekwoodcc.org

* As quoted by Vernon Grounds, www.bible.org

The Anchor of Our Souls

By Ron Bartanen

     As a ship would need an anchor to prevent it from being driven by the wind and waves onto a rugged, rock-infested shore and destroyed, without exception we all need an anchor for our lives to keep us from the storms of life that would destroy us.  Our faith in Christ is just such an anchor—and especially we would view the resurrection of Christ in this regard.  While all religions have their revered founders and gurus, all are powerless against the winds of time that would drive us onto the shores of God’s judgment.  Only Christianity has a founder who died for our sins and been raised from the dead.  Death is not the ultimate conqueror.  Though even Jesus, in death, willingly gave up His spirit into the Father’s hands, yet, as a verse in one of our hymns declares, “Death could not keep his prey.”  He arose in triumph over death, and holds within His hands “the keys of hell (hades) and of death” (Rev. 1:18).  Ours is not a dead savior, but the Living One.  Without the assurance of a living Savior, we would be at the mercy of all that is spiritually destructive to our souls.  We would not even be assured of who Jesus is—the Son of God.  After all, anyone could make the claim.  Of Jesus alone can it be said that He was “declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead” (Romans 1:4).  We know who He is because of His resurrection.
     Without His resurrection we would have no assurance of our own.  Death would be the great ultimate destroyer.  But because He was raised, we, too, will be raised.  In 1 Corinthians 15, the apostle Paul linked our resurrection to His, saying, “If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain: ye are yet in your sins.  Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.  But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.  For since by man (Adam) came death, by man (Christ) came also the resurrection of the dead” (15:17-20).  Hebrews 6:19-20a compares His resurrection to the believer’s anchor, declaring, “which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil, whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus.”  This hope is secure—“within the veil,” that is, beyond the veil of death into heaven itself, where the risen Christ has entered as the “forerunner”, preparing the way for our resurrection.  Our eternal welfare is established only in the crucified, risen and glorified Son of God.
     The greatest question we could ask is: Is your faith anchored and made secure in Christ.  Have you accepted Him, who, by the grace of God, “tasted death for every man?” (Hebrews 2:9)  Have you identified yourself with Him in being “buried with Him in baptism” and raised with Him to walk “in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4).  Is it your hope to continue that walk till you share in “the likeness of His resurrection” (6:5)?—to share His glory?

- via THE SOWER, a weekly publication of the Arthur Church of Christ, Arthur, IL. Ron Bartanen, who serves as minister and editor, may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.arthurchurchofchrist.com

I Will See Him

By H. L. Gradowith

I may not see the top of holy Sinai,
Or the land that once with milk and honey flowed;
I may not, like a bird, soar up through the sky,
Or have on me the honors of men bestowed...
But I will see Jesus! O! Yes! I’ll see Him,
And when He comes for me I will go to Him!
And then I’ll see Heaven – where I’ll live with Him!
O! Yes! I’ll see Jesus! I’ll surely see Him!

I may not find the cure for some dread disease,
And thereby astound the experts of the world;
I may not end war and bring to all men peace
And see one flag over all unfurled...
But I will see Jesus! O! Yes! I’ll see Him,
And when He comes for me I will go to Him!
And then I’ll see Heaven – where I’ll live with Him!
O! Yes! I’ll see Jesus! I’ll surely see Him!

I may not have a friend to stand by my side,
Or even one to help as His work I do;
I may not see bad men here success denied,
Or good men exalted when the day is through...
But I will see Jesus! O! Yes! I’ll see Him,
And when He comes for me I will go to Him!
And then I’ll see Heaven – where I’ll live with Him!
O! Yes! I’ll see Jesus! I’ll surely see Him!

I may not, in this world, know the precious rest
That the Lord has promised those who would be true;
I may not have the things others count as best,
With precious little I may have to make do...
But I will see Jesus! O! Yes! I’ll see Him,
And when He comes for me I will go to Him!
And then I’ll see Heaven – where I’ll live with Him!
O! Yes! I’ll see Jesus! I’ll surely see Him!

I may not overcome all the foes I face,
Or see the weaknesses that hindered me gone;
I may not ever find for myself a place...
Or see the works He gave me at long last done...
But I will see Jesus! O! Yes! I’ll see Him,
And when He comes for me I will go to Him!
And then I’ll see Heaven – where I’ll live with Him!
O! Yes! I’ll see Jesus! I’ll surely see Him!

- H. L. Gradowith  For more information on H. L. Gradowith and GRADOWITH POEMS e-mail group visit http://www.geocities.com/fp5699/ - the website of Tim Smith, minister of the Enon church of Christ in Webb, AL.

A Matter Of Time

By Steve Higginbotham

I don't mean to be a wet-blanket, but the streak will end. It's inevitable. For those who may not know what I'm talking about, on Tuesday of last week, the University of Connecticut Women's Basketball program won their 89th consecutive game. That's the longest winning streak in history. The legendary John Wooden, coach of the UCLA Bruins held the former record with 88 wins, spanning from 1971-1974. The UConn ladies began their streak on November 16, 2008, and there's really no end in sight.

However, the streak will end. It doesn't matter how good this basketball program is, the night is coming when they will have an "off" night, or when they will match up against a better team, or a luckier team, and their streak will come to an end.

Now, I don't want to take anything away from their monumental winning streak. I just want to make a point of comparison. Their winning streak reminds me of our Christian life. No matter how good we are or have been, we're going to have a bad day; we're going to meet a stronger opponent, and we're going to lose a contest.

If we had to keep a "streak" going in order to make it to Heaven, how hopeless we would all be. But thanks be to God for making provision for our inevitable imperfection! We can still be crowned as victors over sin and death without a flawless record!

- Steve Higginbotham preaches for the Karns Church of Christ in Knoxville, TN. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at http://www.karnschurch.org. Copyright 2010, Steve Higginbotham. Permission is granted to copy these articles.

Help From Above

By David A. Sargent

The incredible news came last Sunday in a note from 2,300 feet underground: 33 Chilean miners trapped for 17 days are still alive! The miners wrote the note and attached it to a drill being used to reach them. “All 33 of us are well inside the shelter,” said the note. The news brought celebration throughout Chile and the rest of the world.

The San Jose gold and copper mine collapsed on August 5, and until rescuers made contact on August 22, the trapped workers struggled to get by on meager supplies, stretching a food supply meant to last two days into rations for two weeks. “They had two little spoonfuls of tuna, a sip of milk and biscuit every 48 hours,” said Dr. Sergio Aguilar, a rescue team physician.

Meanwhile rescue efforts continue…

Rescuers have been able to get food, water, and air to the miners through a narrow hole. Two smaller boreholes are also being drilled to bring in much-needed air to the sweltering men. Although the men have survived almost three weeks since the collapse, rescuers say it will take months to safely dig them out due to instability within the mine. *

The plight – and hope! – of the 33 Chilean miners pictures ANOTHER great rescue effort…

Due to our wrong choices, WE are “trapped” in sin and doomed for destruction. And just as the Chilean miners are doomed without help from above, we are also powerless without “HELP FROM ABOVE” to save ourselves from sin!

But God, because of His great love and mercy (Ephesians 2:4), sent Jesus to our rescue. Jesus gave His life to save us from sin (Ephesians 1:7). Through Him we can be saved.

“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” – Romans 5:6,8-9

Jesus will save those who: place their faith and trust in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will bring to eternal safety those who continue to follow Him faithfully (1 John 1:7).

“Knowing that someone is coming for you makes it easier, “said John Urosek, head of emergency operations for the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration, concerning the hope of the trapped Chilean miners.

The Good News (the Gospel) is that Jesus has ALREADY come to the rescue of those trapped in sin! He is ready to save those who will trust and obey Him.

Won’t YOU accept His salvation on His terms?

- David A. Sargent, minister for the church of Christ at Creekwood in Mobile, Alabama, is also the editor of an electronic devotional entitled Living Water. To learn more about this excellent resource contact David via their website: http://www.creekwoodcc.org

Where No One Stands Alone

By Patrick Hogan

While thinking about an article for this space in the bulletin, one of those strange thought chains descended upon me. Through several twists and turns it led me to think about the song "Where No One Stands Alone."

"Once I stood in the night with my head bowed low,
in the darkness as black as could be.
And my heart was afraid and I cried,
'Oh Lord, don't hid your face from me.'"

"Like a king, I may live in a palace so tall
with great riches to call my own.
But I don't know a thing in this whole wide world
that's worse than being alone.

"Hold my hand all the way, every hour,
every day from here to the great unknown.
Take my hand, let me stand
where no one stands alone."

While finding ourselves all alone may be a frightening experience, there is great assurance in the realization that regardless of where we may be, Jesus Christ will never abandon us. (Hebrews 13:5) He will accompany us through this life and even through the valley of the shadow of death! Furthermore, the apostle John reassures us with these words, "My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." (1 John 2:1) Not only does Jesus go with us, He stands up for us, as our Advocate before the Father. What blessings we have in Him!

- Patrick Hogan serves as a minister and elder of the Shady Acres church of Christ, in Sikeston, MO. He may be contacted through the church's website at http://www.shadyacreschurch.com

Full of Joy

By Jeff Johnson

The world can be depressing at times, but God wants His people to be happy. Over 20,000 Americans commit suicide each year. To some, life is simply not worth living. Often as we watch the daily news, the only thing we see is bad news. None of us want to hear or see bad news; we want to see and hear the things that make us happy. A former president of Harvard University said: "The world is looking for a creed to believe, and a song to sing."

Joy is the emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good; it is gladness or delight. Christians in the early church rejoiced.

When we read Acts 2:46, we notice that the saints had glad hearts. They had daily teaching programs (5:42); they had consistent lives (2:42); but, most of all, they loved coming together for they had glad hearts.

Numerous examples fill the New Testament. Phillip, when preaching Christ in Samaria, caused great joy in the city (Acts 8:5-8). The eunuch went on his way rejoicing after his conversion into Christ (Acts 8:39). The disciples were filled with joy in Antioch (Acts 13:52), and the jailor rejoiced (Acts 16:34). The brethren had their trials, temptations, burdens, persecutions, and pressures of life but still found time to rejoice. They did not have wonder drugs and hospitals. They did not have the modern conveniences, but they did have the one thing that kept them going: God. God's people are urged to rejoice. Further examples are the saints at Philippi, who were told to rejoice (Phil. 4:4). The church was born in the midst of persecution. If they were in the Lord, they were fit for heaven (Col. 1:12). If they were in the Lord, they were redeemed from sin (Col. 1:14). They were then delivered from Satan's power (Col. 1:13), and they were chosen in Christ (Eph. 1:4), for they now had an inheritance in heaven (1 Peter 1:3-5).

The Thessalonian Christians were instructed to rejoice evermore (1 Thess. 5:16). The church in Thessalonica was born in the midst of persecution, but they could rejoice in spite of their problems, trials, and persecutions. Similarly, God's people at Rome could also rejoice in hope while they were patient in tribulation.

One thing to remember is that the angel brought "good tidings of great joy" when he told the shepherds that Jesus was born. During the last twenty-four hours of His life on earth, Jesus spoke often of joy and peace. Anyone who doubts that God wanted His creation to be happy should read the Genesis account of Eden before sin came. God did not mean for us to be miserable even though the bad news we see depicts the world at its worst. God simply wants His children to be happy. "Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord." (Ps. 144:15).

- Jeff Johnson; via the Lake Hills Letter, weekly bulletin of the Lake Hills church of Christ in Chattanooga, TN. Shane Robinson preaches for the congregation, and he may be contacted through their website at http://www.lakehillschurchofchrist.org/

“Proper Perspectives”

By Kyle Moses

One day, a wealthy father took his son from the city out to the country to see how the poor people live. The father and the son spent several days and nights spending the night with what the father would have considered to be a very poor farming family.

After returning home, the father and the son gathered around one of the fireplaces in the multi-million dollar mansion. The father asked his son, “ What did you learn from our experience with this poor, unfortunate family?”

The son, looking around the room filled with thousands of dollars worth of art, furniture, and other fine things, said, “It was great, Dad.”

The father asked his son, “What did you learn about how the poor people around us live?”

“Well,” the son replied, “I saw that we have only one dog and they have four dogs, cows, cats, and horses. We have a pool that reaches out into the middle of our garden while they have a creek that stretches out into eternity. We have expensive imported lanterns in our garden while they have the bright moon and millions of stars to light the night. We have a small patio that reaches out into the front yard while they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to call ours while they have fields that go on beyond the eye’s reach. We have servants that serve us, but they serve others. We spend a lot of money on food that is full of extra stuff while they eat natural food grown in their own fields and picked with love. We have a tall privacy fence around our property to protect us from the world while they have a tall fence of friends to protect them.”

After the boy finished answering his father’s inquiry, the father was speechless. He had failed to show his son how blessed they actually are and that their life is better. To beat it all, the son added, “Thanks, Dad, for showing me just how poor we really are.”

Isn’t perspective great?! As Christians, we must be sure that our perspective is in the right focus. Examining the sermon that Jesus taught while on top of the mountain, we see that Jesus said several things about our perspective: “Blesses are the poor in spirit: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:3-12).

The things that Jesus said here are very astounding to the rich of our world. Those who consider their material possessions before they consider the Creator of their material possessions read this and think that Jesus was a nut and a man in need of mental help. It seems to them that, as the father of the son thought, that to be rich, you must have material things. However, as the son of the father showed by humbling his father, material things get in the way of seeing the real things that matter.

I truly hope that we can set aside our bills that mount up, the repairs on our cars, and the sales in the store and look clearly at the things that really matter. I suggest that sometime, you leave the cordless phone in the house, take a chair into your backyard, and sit there looking up into the sky. Spend time in nature praying and thinking about the things that truly matter.

One day, after we have lived the life according to the Bible and followed all of its commands, we will be able to truly see what it means to have the riches found only in Heaven.

Are you living as a poor person, or are you blinded by your riches? Please, dear reader, understand the truth behind this story and strive to be more perfect according to the Scriptures.

- Kyle Moses; via The Mathis Messenger, the weekly bulletin of the Mathis church of Christ, Mathis, Texas. www.mathiscofc.org

An Inheritance Awaits!

By David A. Sargent

An old legend tells of an old lonely man who, one cold dark night, wandered along the Rhine River. Thinly dressed and half-starved, he noticed a huge mansion brightly lit. As he came nearer, he could see the warm fire burning in the fireplace, the table laden with food, and he could hear the music as it floated out on the breezes of the night. Driven by hunger and cold, he knocked upon the door to beg for shelter for the night. An old servant answered the door and through the weathered face recognized the long lost heir to the mansion and estate. Here was a man wandering without any idea that he would be warmed, filled with food, and comfortable because he suddenly became quite wealthy. *

Similarly, many wander through life not realizing that each of us can become an heir to an ETERNAL inheritance that is more valuable than anything on earth!

Unfortunately, due to our sin we are unfit and unqualified to receive the inheritance. In fact, our sin condemns us to eternal destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).

But God loves us so much that He gave His only Son to die on the cross for our sins so that we might have forgiveness of our sins (Colossians 1:14) and be made “heirs having the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:7).

The Apostle Peter wrote about this inheritance that awaits Christians:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” 1 Peter 1:3-4

YOU can become a child of God and a co-heir with Christ (Romans 8:16-17), if you will place your faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be born again in baptism (immersion) for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; cf. John 3:3-5). Then, if you will follow Him faithfully (Revelation 2:10), one day you will receive the inheritance that He longs to give to you.

Because of Jesus, YOU can become a heir to an ETERNAL inheritance “that can never perish, spoil or fade.” God has something wonderful FOR YOU –IF- you will only accept it on His terms.

Won’t YOU?

- David A. Sargent, minister for the church of Christ at Creekwood in Mobile, Alabama, is also the editor of an electronic devotional entitled Living Water." To learn more about this excellent resource contact David via their website: http://www.creekwoodcc.org

* Gene Cloer, BibleCourses.com