Emotions also move us one way or the other to take action. Happiness, sadness, love, hate, anxiety, contentment: these are all emotions that we may experience and there are many more. Emotions are so powerful that many confuse them with God’s acting in their life. God can certainly use our emotions, but feelings come from our own bodies and are the result of the beliefs that we hold in our hearts, the actions we take, and the responses of others.
We need that voice when we are studying for an exam or trying to get a certification for a job. God also appeals to our reason (Isaiah 1:8) when trying to convince us of our need for repentance and salvation. We must use our reason to study God’s word and evaluate our own lives in relationship to it (2 Timothy 2:15).
What can I do to evangelize? What can I do to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ? This week, you can invite your friends and neighbors to our gospel meeting. Brother Jeff Whatley will be preaching on the topic “Living by Faith.” Jeff is a wonderful person and gospel preacher. We will do well to invite our friends and family to come hear him.
We should seek to hear counsel and receive instruction for those that imitate Christ. This is spoken by Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:1 "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." We seek the advice he gives in his epistles, which are inspired by God and delivered to man through the Holy Spirit. We should also apply instructions seen in the proper examples shown by godly people.
Everyone enjoys praise! But the price of praise is preparation and performance. Praise is usually associated with a good reputation. This for most people is important and is attained with proper life choices and a pleasurable attitude. A good reputation also requires effort and discipline. We strive to achieve a good reputation to be accepted by others.
we must also possess the proper attitude and demeanor when speaking to others. Notice the man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Just as we find in the book of James, the New Testament inspired book of practical wisdom. James 1:19 "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."
Our spring gospel meeting on "Living By Faith" with Jeff Whatley is a month away (Habakkuk 2:4). Will you pray, volunteer, give, and invite someone to come?
We need to determine to get out and start evangelizing for Christ. The stakes are too high, and the souls of men hang in the balance. Let’s resolve to make an effort to evangelize our community. “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” (John 4:25).
It is an awesome and daunting responsibility to take the gospel to others. I have been involved in several efforts to get the word out. I have knocked doors and spoken to folks about the gospel. I don’t know everything about personal evangelism, but I have come to learn about several misconceptions.
As 2025 begins, let's commit to daily prayer and Bible study (Acts 17:11), attending all services, and more fellowship. Being a Christian is a commitment to a community.
Does the name of the church you are a member of reflect and honor our one Lord and God Jesus the Christ? I hope so. I also hope that the church of which you are a member reflects the identity of the New Testament church. If your church does not reflect that then I suggest you find a church that does. At the church of Christ, we strive to do just that, and we invite you to come and judge us in this regard. We invite constructive criticism. We want to know if we are not. We want to be transformed into the identity of Christ.
The apostles and writers of the New Testament referred to the church as the “church of God” eight times in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:13, etc.). It is interesting to note that at least one of these references refers not to God the Father, but to God the Son (Acts 20:28). Local congregations are called “the churches of Christ” in Romans 16:16. The Holy Spirit names individual congregations in the scriptures such as the church of the Thessalonians and the church of Ephesus (1 Thessalonians 1:1; Revelation 2:1). Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church.” It is right, therefore, to call the church, the church of Christ!
"Brain rot" is Oxford's word of the year, but its root is old: self at the center of our desires (Matthew 16:26). Our focus must shift from self to Jesus.
Does Christianity involve a recognition and commitment to God’s pattern? Yes. Paul told Timothy, “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13). Paul Himself received this pattern from the Lord Jesus Christ. He said, “But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
When one worships according to the God-given pattern, God will count him as righteous. When one steps outside that pattern and acts on his own, he creates his own righteousness and cannot please God (Romans 10:3). Without revelation, man can never restore God's order. However, if one humbles himself and returns to God’s pattern beautiful restoration occurs.
Abel had a pattern from God and he followed it. Cain did not. Cain offered worship that he invented. It was an offering of his own righteousness. It was not what God wanted. It was not pleasing to God. Mankind needs a pattern to avoid presenting his own righteousness to God. However, when we follow God’s pattern, God counts it as righteousness (Romans 4:3, James 2:23).
The plea of churches of Christ today is to restore New Testament Christianity into the lives of as many as will receive the gospel. It is not sufficient to preach the gospel without expecting those who believe it to change their lives. To this end, the churches of Christ preach, and the Bible teaches, that the gospel contains all the information that we need to do this (2 Peter 1:3; 2 Timothy 3:17).
Where does our heart stand? Are we at absolute zero because we are covetous, stubborn, or selfish? I hope not. Instead, we need to be pliable and plastic so that the Lord may mold and shape us to His will. You can’t bend something that is at absolute zero, only break it.
Jesus is precious because His blood is precious.1 Peter 1:19 says that we were not redeemed with corruptible things "But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." This blood paid the price for my sins and bought me back from perdition (1 Cor.6:20). This blood purchased the church (Acts 20:28). This blood speaks greater things than that of Abel (Heb.12:24). The blood of Jesus is precious.
The Bible says that Jesus is precious to us who are born again to righteousness, edification, and sanctification. In 1 Peter 2:7 we have this statement, "Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious." Is Jesus precious to you? Do you value Him like you would value your most prized possession?