I appreciate the numerous remarks about the sermon Sunday morning and the Questions and Answers session on Sunday evening. We addressed the question Sunday about ÒWhat must I believe?Ó It was pointed out that belief is absolutely essential for salvation. Jesus stated in Mark 16:15,16, ÒAnd he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; he that believeth not shall be damned.Ó Some have concluded from this that baptism is not essential because it was not listed in the last part of the verse. What Jesus is stating to us is the fact that if you do not believe, there is no purpose in progressing on; i.e. in being baptized. If you do not believe, there is no need to do anything else; it will be of no value to you. You must believe before you can proceed toward salvation.
Most people can quote John 3:16 which again points out the importance of believing in Jesus. Later in that same chapter these words were written, ÒHe that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.Ó The American Standard Version of 1901 translates that last believeth not as Òobeyeth not.Ó It should be clear to people that believe involves more than just mental assent. John 12:42,43 tells us of men who believed on Jesus, but they refused to confess him because they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. James 2:19 also reveals to us that the demons believe and tremble. Numerous others verses that point out the importance of believing in Christ (John 8:24, 21; 20:30-31). Paul would tell us in Romans 10:9,10, ÒThat if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.Ó Compare that with the statement made in Acts 8:36b, 37, ÒSee, 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.Ó Philip then baptized him into Christ. Belief involves obedience. Do you believe?
IS YOUR SOUL PROSPERING?
The beloved John wrote, ÒBeloved, I wish above all
things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prosperethÓ
(III Jn. 2). His prayer should be
our prayer for the souls of our fellowmen!
Our Saviour asked a question almost 2,000 years ago that still rings in
the ears of every sober thinking individual: ÒFor what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole
world, and lose his own soul?Ó (Mk.
8:36).
The Bible makes it clear that we should consider our soul of greater
worth than our family, occupation, education, wealth, or pleasure! Further, it is to be understood that it
is a bad exchange if any of these things pertaining to this world are chosen
above the safety of our soul (Mk. 8:37). Since our soul is given to us by our
Maker (Gen. 2:7; Heb. 12:9), for meaningful purposes both now and eternally,
all should wisely nourish, cherish, and protect from evil this immortal and
eternal nature!
But, if we give all of our time, energy, allegiance, and money to the
things of this world and leave God out, we shall be the greatest of
failures. If we do not think about
our relationship with God enough to care for our soul, we will suffer eternal
and irreparable loss
(Rom. 6:23; Lk. 16:19-31)! When all of the things of this world have passed away, as
surely they must (II
Pet. 3:10), there will still be God and our soul! When we stand before the judgment bar,
we shall stand there naked and alone if the world has been our only goal (I
Tim. 6:6-10).
We
should be reminded that in that day there is but One who can insure the
salvation of our soul, the perfect Lamb of God (Jn. 1:29). He is now able, ready, and willing to
save all who will hear and learn from the Father about Him and obey His will
(Jn. 6:44-45; Heb. 5:8-9). Since
His sacrifice on Calvary for the sins of the world and His ascension back to
Heaven to reign at the right hand of God, all have the means by which they can
be acceptable in the sight of God (Acts 10:34-
35). But,
it is the responsibility of every individual to accept the cleansing (Acts
2:38) and remain attentive to the needs of the soul (Rev. 2:10).
With the help given in the Gospel (Rom. 1:16), where we are commanded to
hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized, it is our solemn duty to fit
our soul for the high destiny prepared for us in Heaven
(Jn. 14:1-6). Though there may be
many losses suffered in this life, such as dear parents, children, or the loss
of good health, there are none to be compared with the loss of the soul! Hence, with an unknown author we ask
again,
HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT YOUR SOUL?
Have you ever stopped to wonder
What this life is all aboutÑ
Why youÕre here and where youÕre going
When your lease on time runs out?
Maybe youÕve been far too busy,
Trying
hard to reach your goal;
Would you let me ask you kindly,
Have you thought about your soul?
You may reach the highest portals,
And your dreams may all come true:
Wealth and fame may be your portion,
And success may shine on you.
All your friends may sing your praises,
Not a care on you may roll.
What about the great tomorrow?
Have you thought about your soul?
DonÕt forget your days are numbered,
Though you may be riding high;
But like all of us poor mortals,
Someday youÕll just up and die.
Your success and fame and glory
WonÕt be worth the bell they toll.
Let me ask you just one question:
Have you thought about your soul?
If youÕve never thought it over,
Spend a little time today.
There is nothing more important
That will ever come your way.
Than the joy of sins forgiven,
And to know youÕve been made whole
In the name of Christ the Savior,
Have you thought about your soul?
Our brother Paul writes, ÒWe then, as workers together
with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a
time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Is your soul prospering?
--Gary
Colley, Good News from Getwell
NOTES FROM THE MARGIN
OF MY BIBLE
ÒAnd you know that he was manifested to take away sins; and in him is no sinÓ (I Jn.3:5) This simple sentence is packed with rich spiritual information containing four verbs worthy of exploration.
Know
This letter is likely addressed to Christians in provincial Asia. John affirms there is a truth that they Òknow.Ó The Greek verb reflects a well-known fact that is generally accepted. This is in direct conflict with the common modern idea that one cannot really know that he knows anything with absolute certainty.
Manifested
Next, the text affirms that ÒheÓ (a demonstrative pronoun, literally Òthat oneÓÑa unique, well-known one) was Òmanifested.Ó This verb signifies Òto appearÓ or Òto become visible.Ó It indicates that Jesus was a person of the first century who was actually seen; he was physically documented. More than that, however, it embodies implication that he existed before he appeared in a physical form (cf. Jn. 1:17). He existed eternally before the incarnation (Jn. 1:1). Note this.
Take away
The verb Òtake awayÓ conveys the idea of ÒremovingÓ or Òblotting out.Ó Here John speaks of ÒsinsÓ being borne away by Christ; in the gospel record the singular ÒsinÓ is employed. The earlier account may view sin as an abstract human problem, while the later record may bundle up all sinsÑof whatever filthy kind they are. How thrilling. Cross-reference these texts.
Is no sin
ChristÕs atoning mission was dependent upon his sinlessness. The apostle does not say in him Òwas no sin,Ó but in him Òis no sin.Ó F.F. Bruce once commented that this goes deeper than the past tense form. It not only affirms that he never committed an act of sin, it suggests he never had any element of sin in his soulÑno consciousness of sin even to a fractional degree. From our current jaundiced vantage point, how can we ever appreciate the purity and sweetness of that blessed Savior who gave his life for us?
-Wayne
Jackson, Christian Courier Publications 02/10
MONTROSE FAMILY NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Feb 28, 2010
WORSHIP----SUNDAY---9:00
AM
Co-Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mitchell Brooks
Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Anderson
Scriptures Reading....I Cor 15:.1-5.. .. . Kaleb Bush
Song Leader . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . Glen
Reece
Opening Prayer. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .Jacky Carver, Sr.
LordÕs Supper-Preside: Robert
Hackett
Serve: Jacky Carver Jr., Harold Smith
Ted
Russell, Addison Halliburton
Closing Prayer................................ Brian
Smith
GreeterÑ Harold & Patty
Smith
GreeterÑ Ted & Vicki
Russell
Count Offering. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . Jacky Carver, Sr.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
Kaleb Bush
AM SermonÑ Jesus, the Master
Teacher
PM SermonÑ 4th. Sunday Singing
Announcements . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . Steve Anderson
Song Leader. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Jimmy
Smith
Scripture Reading.. I Cor. 15:6-11É Kaleb Bush
Opening Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . Harold
Smith
LordÕs Supper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
..Billy Halliburton
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ethan Leonard.
Closing Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . Roger Draper
BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAY---7:00 PM
Song Leader . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
Jacky Carver Sr
First Prayer. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Glen Reece
Opening Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .Jimmy Smith
Closing Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
Billy Halliburton
Prepare Communion for
February
Patsy Reece
Note: If you are not able to fulfill your assignment listed
above, please notify the coordinator so that he can find a replacement.
We are asking each family to
bring items for the pantry to be used for needs in the community as they arise:
Items for week: Canned Corn.
NURSING HOME: Lucille Smith,
Those on the sick list:
Donald Chaffin (Zion) Lou
GehrigÕs disease
Hoss West
Vaughn
Allen
Barry Wayne Kemp
Ruby SuttonÑNHC, Franklin TN.
Wednesday. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
47
Worship Sunday AM . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .
92
Bible Study Sunday AM .. . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .
74
Daily Bible Readers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 45
Worship Sunday PM . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Offering . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 2,686.00
Cody AndersonÕs address is:
RCT Anderson, Cody Hix
3rd BN, Lima Co, PLT 3026
P. O. Box 13005
MCRD Parris Island, SC 29905
Please send letters only.
We sent a total of $12,500.00 to the Estes church of Christ for the relief work in Haiti. Thank you for being so generous.
Skating party at Happy J Skating Rink on Feb 25th. from 6-8 PM.
01
Joshua 7-9
02
Joshua 10-12
03
Joshua 13-15
04
Joshua 16-20
05
Joshua 21-24
06
Judges 1-2
07
Judges 3-5
08
Judges 6-8
09
Judges 9-11
10 Judges 12-14
11 Judges 15-19
12 Judges 20-21
13 Ruth 1-4
14 I Sam. 1-3
15 I Sam. 4-6
16 I Sam. 7-9
17 I Sam. 10-12
18 I Sam. 13-17
19 I Sam. 18-20
20 I Sam. 21-23
21 I Sam. 24-26
22 I Sam. 27-29
23 I Sam. 30-31
24 II Sam. 1-4
25 II Sam. 5-9
26 II Sam. 10-12
27 II Sam. 13-15
28 II Sam. 16-18
29 II Sam. 19-21
30 II Sam. 22-24
31 I Kings 1-3