Family News and Notes
Next Sunday is the first Sunday in a new month. Building Fund Day.
All young people and parents need to meet at 5:15 p.m. this evening in the Multi-Purpose Room to plan the banquet for February 12th.
Don't forget that following the evening service today, the VBS Interest & Planning Meeting will take place. We hope to hold the meeting to 30 minutes or less. All teachers and helps who can possibly participate are encouraged to attend.
There will be a planning session for our upcoming Ladies Day ... on Sunday February 5th at 5:00 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room. Anyone wishing to help with this please attend.
Remember April 01 is our Annual Ladies Day Seminar. Iris Ramsey has agreed to be the speaker. Ladies, please mark your calendar and try to attend. This will be a day of edification and fellowship!
Please take advantage of our Library. We have lots of wonderful books for your use. Just remember to sign the "Out Card" on the inside and place the card on the Secretary's desk so we'll know where the book is.
Helen Roper has been having some difficulties and has been taking treatments.
Thelma Reed is in the local hospital, Room 324, with pneumonia. She will stay for a few days for tests.
Nona Bell had a stroke last Sunday and has been in rehab at the local hospital, Room 512.
Ola Mae Simpson fell again Monday and bumped her head and receiving multiple bruises. She was scheduled to go home Friday.
LaShedra Traylor has been dismissed fro the hospital and is now at home.
James and Marie Butler have moved and wished to furnish their new address for those who are interested:
James & Marie Butler
2900 Morrison Trail
Edmond, OK 73003
Daughter's (Judy) phone:
405-341-7357
Son's (James) phone:
405-285-9210
Please place the name of Terri Coutomanous on your prayer list. This is a niece of Rhodney & Judy's friend, and daughter of Martha & Emmett Riner of Naples, Texas. Terri has a tumor on her brain stem and has been taking Chemo treatments. She has a husband and two small children.
THANK YOU
"Dear Brethren: Thank you very much for your encouraging cards and calls. North Jefferson is an exemplary congregation regarding Christian warmth and care, and I appreciate you very much.
The tests that have been run so far have all come back clear. I believe some additional testing will be done in the near future to try to determine the source of my recent problem. I thank you for, and continue to desire, your prayers in our behalf; having no doubt that "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
We love and miss you all. You are in our prayers regularly. May the Lord continue to bless you richly.
In Christian Love,
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PRAYER LIST:
Justin Barker, Rachel Barker, Louis Bell, Nona Bell, Winell Blackard, Annah Brown, Billye Campbell, Perry Cooper, Irene Duncan, Patsy Duncan, Betty Ferrell, Hollis Lee, Joyce Lee, Georgia Lide, Courtney Marshall, Elna O'Neal, Wayne Pickrel, Marie Plemmons, Thelma Reed, Helen Roper, Dorothy Sargent, Alva Mae Sheets, Edith Shiflet, Ola Mae Simpson, Julia Terrell, Rebecca Tippitt, LaShedra Traylor
ALSO: Melba Boyd, Terri Cautomanous, Cristell Cato, Austin Cody, Juanita DuBose, Letha Fomby, Ruby Jeffery, Chuck Kyle, Wayne Lineberger, Lonita Thompson
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Christianity Is Much More Than Baptism
In the Lord's church we have always put a special emphasis upon the doctrine of baptism. This is certainly right, for unless one completely obeys the Lord's terms of pardon, including baptism, he will forever be condemned (Mk. 16:16). Since most of our denominational neighbors deny the essential nature of baptism in God's plan of salvation, we certainly do well to fervently teach what the Bible clearly proclaims: that no one will be saved who has not been Scripturally baptized (Acts 2:38).
However, having established the Biblical rightness of our stand on baptism, let me hasten to note my fear that perhaps sometimes our constant emphasis on baptism has led some weaker brethren to become in practice what our denominational friends falsely accuse us of being in doctrine; that is: "water-salvationists," By that term I mean we have some brethren whose actions and practice seem to say, "it doesn't matter how a Christian lives, just so long as he at one time in his life was dunked in water."
For example, I've known brethren whose mates were not members of the Lord's body. Without fail the greatest expressed desire of the "Christian" spouse was to see their mate baptized. Several times it has been my good fortune to see that goal accomplished. However, more than once, I have sadly witnessed some brethren's lack of understanding of the doctrine of baptism and their total ignorance of the importance of real spiritual conversion when we obey the Gospel (Mt. 18:3, John 3:5, Acts 3:19). My experience has been that the "new Christian" often has tremendous zeal and enthusiasm for their new-found faith, and for dedicated work in the kingdom; however, they are sometimes held back and discouraged from active involvement in the work by their mate. It's almost as if the "Christian" mate wanted to see their spouse immersed in water, but didn't want to see them really immersed in the Lord, and active in His Word and work.
Sometimes parents are seemingly guilty of the same attitude in regard to their children. Ask a "Christian" parent what spiritual goals they have for their children, and hopefully the answer will be that they want their children to become Christians, so they can go to heaven. However, some parents' practice seems to indicate the "water-salvationist mentality." Great concern and effort are expended to make sure the child is baptized, but then that's the extent of the parental encouragement. After getting the child in the water, the concern evaporates and seemingly no further effort is made to train the child for faithful spiritual service. Most telling is the fact that work, school, extra-curricular activities, and family recreational pursuits are allowed to take precedent over the child's commitment to the Lord by means of faithful attendance at all worship services, and participation in spiritual activities.
Brethren this ought not to be so, but how often is it true? As one of the great preachers of yesteryear said, "Our denominational friends march up to the waters of baptism and there make their camp. But are we any better than they, when we march down through the waters of baptism, only to pitch our tents and make our camp on the other side?" The question is rhetorical, for the answer is an obvious and emphatic NO!
Without a doubt, baptism is an essential element of salvation (I Pet. 3:21). Unless we are immersed in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), there is no hope of an eternal heaven waiting for us after death and Judgment (Heb. 9:27). But brethren, there is much, much more to being a Christian than just being baptized. Unless we understand that our immersion in water was intended to be an immersion into Christ (Gal. 3.27), then we merely "got wet," for in baptism, not only are we to experience the new birth of water, but also of the Spirit (John 3:5). If spiritual repentance, regeneration, and renewal (real spiritual conversion - Acts 3:19, Titus 3:5) were not experienced as a result of your new birth into Christ, then your baptism was a "still birth." The external form of a "Christian" may have been produced, but sadly it is a lifeless form, devoid of any real spiritual power (II Tim. 3:5).
Brethren, we dare not in ignorance, nor lukewarm unfaithfulness, adopt a "water-salvationist mentality" in regard to the practice of true Christianity. Obedience to Christ does not end at baptism. When we clothe ourselves with Christ in baptism (Gal. 3:27), a completely new way of life unfolds for us (Rms. 6:1-23, II Cor. 5:17). Until we understand that there is more to being a Christian than just being "dipped in water," we will forever be doomed to miss the "abundant life" (Jn. 10:10) which can be ours, only by being totally immersed in Christ, and by living a life of humble service and obedience to His will. David McCain
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PURPOSE
Johnny Ramsey
There is no way to answer the riddle of our earthly sojourn apart from Christianity. We have all wondered, at times, as to why we are here and where we are going.
James tells us that our life is but "a vapor that appeareth for a little while and then vanisheth away." (James 4:14). Peter informs us that those who would love life and see good days must "refrain their tongues from evil." Paul clearly stated: "For me to live is Christ" (Philippians 1:21). The real purpose of living is to live for Jesus. Our Savior beautifully expressed this thought in John 10:10. "I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly."
The word purpose suggests dedication, decision, conviction and planning. The religion of our Redeemer provides all of these items; it gives substance to living. Just as Daniel "purposed in his heart not to defile himself": (Daniel 1:8), so does Christianity cause us to cleave to the Lord" with purpose of heart" (Acts 11:23). A statement from Moses is appropriate at this point in our discussion.
"It is your life to set your heart upon all my law and to teach your children to observe all my commandments" (Deuteronomy 32:46).
We shall not take out of this life any of our accumulated wealth or fame but only the influence of a righteous life. When we stand before our Maker in the last great day it will be of the highest import how we lived while upon the earth. If you are not a Christian you lack real incentive for living!"
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HEBREWS
Johnny Ramsey
One section of the Bible that is forever rich, fresh, rewarding and challenging is the superb book of Hebrews. There is never a dull moment as one peruses its sacred pages and meditates upon its depth. The story of two covenants blends into a crescendo of the superiority of that testament sealed in the blood of Christ. Better things of God's better law shine resplendently throughout the thirteen sections that comprise the letter to the Hebrews. We are tempted simply to scan the brilliant topics of major emphasis, chapter by chapter, but the deep treasures of prophetic accuracy and the subtle truths based on Old Testament passages demand closer scrutiny and exquisite moments of medication. Christ figures not in the shadows but stands out vividly in virtually every verse of this eloquent treatise. Those critics of Colossians who complain that its verses "exalt Jesus too much" will certainly frown at the exultation Hebrews lavishes upon the Lord. In fact, if there is one major theme in this epistle it would certainly be the supremacy of Christ! The one who left heaven's glory is the supreme example, the undaunted leader and the only legitimate sacrifice for sin. He towers above angels, Moses, Aaron, Joshua and deserves to be "the Captain of our salvation" (Hebrews 2:10). In perhaps the most sublime statement in the book we learn that He is "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners and made higher than the heavens" (7:26). Such a Redeemer ought to be zealously followed and generously praised.
The richness of Christianity rarely is presented with such constant verve and with such tones of excitement as the Hebrew writer was inspired to pen. Jesus manifested a glory angels never knew as "the apostle and high priest of our confession" as He tasted of death-by the grace of God- for every man (1:5; 2:9; 3:1).
"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Sweetest name I know
Fills my every longing
Keeps me singing as I go."
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