Family News and Notes
JULY 4th ... Everyone is reminded to be safe but enjoy the holiday.
SYBSNET resumes Tuesday, July 5, at 7:00 PM, at Pittsburg Church of Christ. The Topic will be "God's Word The Choicest Rules Imparts" and will be presented by Bro. Brian Gochenour.
Summer Christian Camp at Camp Cisco, for 8th grade thru 12th Grade, July 24July 29. See Bob Hedges for applications. If you have already Sent in an application please advise Bob so we can obtain an exact number attending, for transportation arrangements.
The McCain family will be on vacation next week and are scheduled to be here again on July 17th.
Geneva Cooksey spoke with Ruby Lawhon this past week and Ruby says she is doing fine. She says she misses us all and hopes to come visit with us soon. She has been visiting in Dallas this week.
Please correct your church Directory to show the prefix for the phone number for Gene and Billye Campbell should be 572 instead of 527.
Perry Cooper continues to struggle with his health and asks that we remember him in our prayers.
The following card has been read but some may have missed it:
"To the Brothers and Sisters at North Jefferson: We want to say thanks for all the cards and phone calls received during my illness.
We say a special thanks for the visits at home and while I was in the hospital. We offer a heartfelt thanks for all the prayers offered in our behalf. With all your help and the Lord's will I am doing good.
In Christian Love
Vernon and Ruth Garrett"
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PRAYER LIST:
Justin Barker, Rachel Barker, Louis Bell, Annah Brown, Billye Campbell,
Perry Cooper, Vernon Garrett, Zenith Hargrove, Hollis Lee, Winnie Patton,
Dorothy Sargent, Alva Mae Sheets,
ALSO: Melba Boyd, Denise Dering, Wesley & Juanita DuBose, Ruby Jeffery, Lonita Thompson
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HAVE YOU BROKEN THE CHAIN?
Every Link in a chain is important. Each link is as necessary as the other ones on the chain. It takes all of them together to get the job done. If one link is broken or missing the chain is without value.
This principle is clearly followed in the Bible. It takes several things to save us. Some people say that "Christ saves us" and that is all there is to it! But, friends, salvation is attributed to many factors, according to the scriptures. For instance we read in Romans 8:24 that we are "saved by hope." In 1 Timothy 2:4 we find that God is our Savior. In Ephesians 2:8 we read the familiar statement, "for by grace are ye saved through faith." In Romans 5:10 Paul informs us that salvation comes by the life of Christ. In Ephesians 1:7 we find that redemption is through the blood of Christ. The beloved sixteenth verse of John 3 tells us believing is another link in the chain of salvation. In II Corinthians 7:10 we read that "Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation." The great apostle further states that confession of Jesus as the Christ is part of the redemptive process (Romans 10:9-10).
Nearly every religious group agrees up to this point. How could we believe otherwise, when the Bible is so clear? But now we come to two other necessary parts of the chain of salvation. In I Peter 3:21 we read, "The like figure whereunto baptism doth also now save us; not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
Just the other day I heard a man say, "Baptism never saved anyone." Even though his doctrine agrees with millions, it disagrees with Peter's inspired words in I Peter 3:21. Jesus said:
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." (Mark 16:16)
Another link in this chain of salvation is found in Matthew 24:13 where our Lord states: "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
Yes, the child of God must have endurance or he will be lost.
Remember that salvation is a divine drama. There are two actors on stage. God has a part to play; man has the other part. Have we fulfilled our role? Not unless we have been obedient to His commands. Let us see that no link in the chain of salvation is missing.
Johnny Ramsey
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When Jesus Comes Again
The doctrine called "the gospel of the second chance" is not taught in the Scriptures. It is contrary to the plan of God. The purpose of this life is to prepare for eternity. Today is the day of salvation; therefore we are taught to be obedient now (II Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 3:15). When Christ returns He will not come "to deal with sin" (Hebrews 9:28). The only way we can be blessed eternally is to "die in the Lord" (Revelation 14:13). When the Savior comes suddenly we shall be rewarded according to our conduct (Revelation 22:11-12). The gospel is being preached now; we dare not delay obedience to it!
The tragedy of waiting for tomorrow to obey Jesus is seen when we realize that Christ may come today! How sad it would be to die thinking about becoming a Christian.
"For it is appointed unto man once to die, and after this cometh judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).
Johnny Ramsey
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WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Scholars of ancient Rome admit that a lack of morals ruined a once strong civilization. America could well be on the brink of spiritual suicide right now unless we turn things around for God! In the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 5:8, Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart."
Let us strive for that depth and purpose in our conduct.
Each one of us is vitally concerned with that which pertains to self. We are deeply interested in our own personal advancement, comfort and blessings. I sincerely believe that Christianity contains more benefits than any other way of life. It there were no eternal bliss reserved for the righteous it would still be wise to live as a Christian while upon the earth. There are more abundant joys within the pure religion of the Son of God than can be found in any other avenue of existence.
Our Lord emphasized the need of being "rich toward God" and not in laying up treasure for one's self. The treasures of earth all fade away into corruption while eternal verities last forevermore.
In the piercing language of Joshua 24:15 we come to the final scene in this lesson:
"Chose ye this day whom you will serve."
*Read Acts 8:26-39 for a clear Bible example of how to become a Christian and then II Peter 1:4-11 on how to maintain this relationship.
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