The Truth In Print Vol. 19 Issue
8, Sept. 2013
A Publication of the Valley church of Christ,
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
Website
Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Selected Newspaper
Articles for 2013
Using “Christendom” to
Cover Religious Error
The word “Christendom” (n.)
references those everywhere who refer to themselves as Christians. Writers and
historians often use the word in a misleading way. As promised the apostles
were guided into “all truth” and taught “all things” necessary for the church
in the first century (cf. Jo. 14:26; 16:13). Members of a local church are to
“stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the
Gospel” (cf. Phil. 1:27). Jude said “the faith…was once for all delivered to
the saints” (cf. Jude 3). Paul warned against using the unauthorized practices
of mere human tradition: “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord,
so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished
in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the
tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Col.
2:6-8).
In seeking to justify churches observing
Easter Sunday some without thinking just repeat that it is “the holiest day in
Christendom.” Just because some
historians or scholars have said that it is doesn’t make it true. It is not
true; He never gave the observance of “Easter Sunday” to His churches. Using
“Christendom” this way shows a lack of diligence to know the truth as well as a
failure to teach it. What Christ did give to His churches is the Lord’s Supper
to “proclaim His death” until He comes (I Cor. 11:23-26). To learn more about
Easter in contrast to the Lord’s Supper observed by local churches go to http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/easter.htm .
The Ways of the Street
Mugger
1. My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent (Pr. 1:10). Criminals allure, deceive and
flatter in a sinister way.
2. If they say,
“Come with us, Let us lie in wait for blood, Let us
ambush the innocent without cause;” (Pr. 1:11). Their common approach is “Come
with us!” They don’t lie about having no justification for doing it – it is
against the innocent!
3. “Let us swallow them alive like Sheol,
Even whole, as those who go down to the pit;” (Pr. 1:12). Might makes right! They do it because they can!
4. “We will find all kinds of precious wealth,
We will fill our houses with spoil;” (Pr. 1:13). The enticement is wealth right
now!
5. “Throw in your lot with us,
We shall all have one purse," (Pr. 1:14). The offer is we’ll all share!
6. My son, do not
walk in the way with them. Keep your feet from their path, For
their feet run to evil And they hasten to shed blood (Pr. 1:15-16). Their heart
devises wickedness and their feet run to do evil.
7. Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited net In the sight of any bird; (Pr. 1:17). They can’t see that
their own death is coming as a result!
8. But they lie in wait for their own blood; They ambush their own lives (Pr. 1:18). They are their own
murderers!
9. So are the ways of everyone who gains by violence; It
takes away the life of its possessors (Pr. 1:19). Their counsel never states
these facts about their final end when they say “Come with us!”
Murders, Murderers,
Victims
Yuma’s numerous murders already
this year are the talk of the town. Read the below points on the first recorded
murder when Cain slew his brother Abel.
1. The future murderer could not hide his hatred and
jealously – his countenance showed it! (Gen. 4:3-5).
2. The future murderer was offered help via a warning
directly from God: “If thou doest well, shalt thou
not be accepted? and if thou doest
not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall
be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him” (cf.
Gen. 4:6-7). God’s “IF” lesson gets right to the point. If you don’t do right
you will serve Sin!
3. The future murderer though warned did not repent and
offer the acceptable worship God prescribed. Thus Sin ready to take control did
so and he murders out of anger, envy and hatred! (Cf. Rom. 6:12; I Jo.
3:12-15).
4. Unlike the victim’s “righteousness” at the time he was
murdered --- so many Murders contain details of the victims’ involvements in
immorality while serving Sin themselves. Lifestyles can hasten one’s premature
death! While their eulogies depict what a loving, giving, joyful and living
life to the fullest person they were – the truth often shows facts of
fornications (heterosexual affairs,adultery,
bi-sexual affairs, gay sex, lesbian affairs), lying, cheating, thefts, abusing
and using others, partying and clubbing
with the evil companions, prostitution, drugs, alcohol, etc.
5. The wages of Sin is eternal death (Rom. 6:23).
6. You need to repent and be baptized for the remission
of your sins and then serve God faithfully! (cf. Acts 2:37-42). Then if someone
should murder you you’ll go to heaven! (cf. Acts 7:59).
Surely not a Hot Head
Often when someone proclaims they
are “not” something that is certainly what they are. They manifest their own
failure in refusing to admit they have not corrected what needs to be. Consider
the below:
1. Pro 10:19 “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” One sin not lacking in
the multitude of words is unjustified anger.
2. “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a
furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to
thy soul” (Pr. 22:24-25). When you continue in his company and bring harm to
yourself you know he surely is a hot head!
3. “A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. A fool's mouth is his destruction, and
his lips are the snare of his soul” (Pr.18:6-7). Such are fools regardless of
financial or social status.
4. Paul said those practicing “outbursts of wrath” will
not inherit the kingdom of heaven (cf. I Cor. 5:20-21). James admonished:
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak,
slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the
righteousness of God” (Ja. 1:19-20).
5. Pro
19:11 “The discretion of a man deferreth his anger;
and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.” Discretion is wisdom that
makes one slow to anger. What is lacking for the hot head is not intelligence,
the number of degrees, whether they’ve worked hard and amassed wealth, etc.,
but God’s wisdom.
Surely not a Greedy
Person
Jesus said “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Lk. 12:15). And
again, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Lk. 12:34). Consider the below examples of where one’s
heart truly is:
1. The “Quality time” with family affection: We don’t
come on Sunday mornings because that’s our quality time. Sleepin’
in, Yea! No, spiritually asleep! (cf.
Heb. 10:23-27).
2. The “Saving work” affliction: You said you had to work
but actually saved work intentionally for worship times when you’re the boss
and don’t have to be there. A real love for Christ! (cf. Jo. 14:15). “So is he
that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich
towards God” (Lk. 12:21).
3. The “Club” disease: Oh, we meet on Wednesday evenings
and often have special events on Sundays – See ya!
4. The “Voluntary Membership” disorder: I have to help
out at the Club’s event, Fair, etc.; I’ll be missing
service for a while.
5. The “Concert”
malady: I bought us tickets ahead of time, you see. And after all it was
expensive and this is just my favorite group.
6. The “School scheduling” provision: Intentional
unnecessary manipulation of scheduling used as an excuse to not be in worship.
7. The “My Lake” aliment: I’m retired and enjoying the
fruits of my labors – we’ll just be taking the Lord’s Supper out at the lake.
Of course these
can’t be exposed and rebuked by the greedy preachers and teachers for they love
position, power and monetary gain above the duty to preach the Word (cf. Isa.
56:11; 2 Tim. 4:1-5).
Valley Church of Christ
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364
(928) 782-5058 ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Sunday Services – Classes ~10:00;
Assembly 10:50 am; Evening: 6:00 pm.
Wednesday evening – 7:00 pm
By Bob Lovelace
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To learn more call, visit or visit our website at:
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com