Bulletin for 5-7-23

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

None this week

Prayer requests:

Emma Reames new doctor, working it out

Chaney Reames is undergoing extensive dental work.

Gladys Ramirez tests on stomach.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome. Also a fractured shin.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, recovering from a fall

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Charlie Burda has another stint coming on 5-10.

Never Man So Spoke

Wayne Jackson
What made Jesus the greatest teacher of all time?

At the conclusion of the feast of the tabernacles, the Lord Jesus had stood and cried, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink” (Jn. 7:37).

What a controversial invitation that was! There is little wonder that it caused such a stir among the people.

In fact, a division arose among the multitude concerning Christ. Some affirmed that Jesus was “the prophet” (cf. Deut. 18:15-19). Others alleged that he was the Christ. And some denied both.

The chief priests and Pharisees sent a group of deputies to arrest the Lord, but they returned empty-handed. When these officials were pressed as to why they failed in their mission, they replied, amazingly, “Never man so spake.” (Jn. 7:46). Their answer deserves careful analysis.

“Never”

First, they acknowledged, Never man so spake.

Never is an awfully long time! These officers were undoubtedly sincere, and they told the truth as they felt it. But the fact is, they revealed far more than they knew.

Neither before Christ nor since, has any man spoken as he did.

Demosthenes is characterized as the greatest speaker of the ancient world, but can anyone quote one line from his famous speech, “On The Crown”?

Cicero was the most famous speaker of ancient Rome, but his orations lie buried in the dust of antiquity.

Daniel Webster has been called “the greatest orator that ever lived in the Western Hemisphere.” But can specifically cite any of his words? Probably not, and he has been dead for less than two centuries.

However, the words of Jesus’ great sermons roll from the tongues of king and commoners alike. And his words change the lives of multitudes. Truly, there was never another like him!

“Man”

Second, the officers stressed that never man spake so.”

There is meaning in that emphasis. These auditors of the Lord were in some way recognized that the words and manner of Jesus’ teaching was particularly unusual.

His words could not be explained in terms of mere human brilliance. His message pointed to a higher source!

The Master himself had repeatedly observed that one who is of the earth speaks like one of the earth, but one “from above” will speak as from above. So, “he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God”(cf. Jn. 3:31-35.)

When the Jews observed that he was not university educated, marveled at his teaching. The Lord replied, “My teaching is not mine, but his that sent me.” (cf. Jn. 7:15, 16).

No man ever spoke as he, for he was more than man. He was deity in the flesh (Jn. 1:1, 14), speaking a message ordained in heaven!

“Spoke”

Third, it is interesting to note that the temple officers acknowledged that the power of the lord’s influence was in his speaking, that is, through his words.

How very different from those vain philosophies, both ancient and modern, that assert truth is found inside a man. This popular philosophy claims that each person discovers his own truth. This way, what may be “truth” for you, may be something entirely different for me.

No, Christ came to reveal the mind of God by means of those vehicles of communication that we call “words.” In the commencement of John’s gospel account, Jesus is called the divine “Word” (logos).

The Greek term suggests that Christ is “the representative and expression of what God has to say to the world, in whom and by whom God’s mind and purposes towards the world find their expression” (Cremer, 396.)

In former ages, the Father spoke to the patriarchs by the prophets in various ways, such as dreams and visions). But now, he has spoken through his Son. (Heb. 1:1, 2).

The Lord declared, “[T]the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life” (Jn. 6:63).

How very urgent it is to know those words which he spake!

“So”

Fourth, there is significance in that the officers announced that, “Never man, spake so.” The adverb hints of a uniqueness that set Christ’s teaching apart. Consider the following.

Jesus spoke with a unique perspective in time. Jesus was the only person to exist before his own conception (Jn. 1:1, 14; 8:58). He knew of the glory he shared with the Father before the world existed. (Jn. 17:5).

Again we are reminded that he claimed to be “from above” and thus his teaching was consistent with what he had both “seen and heard” before his birth (cf. Jn. 3:31, 32).

No one ever spake like that!

Next, his speaking was authoritative. The scribes of Jesus’ day could hardly say “boo” without quoting a dozen rabbis of the past to buttress their assertions. But the Savior employed no rabbinical crutches. In fact, he contradicted their legal interpretations and even dared to assert that his teaching went beyond Moses’ (cf. Mt. 5:21, 22; 27, 28; 31, 32; 33, 34; 38, 39; 43, 44).

So it is no surprise that when Christ had concluded his great “Sermon on the Mount” the multitudes “were astonished at his teaching: for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.” (Mt. 7:28, 29.)

Then consider this. The Lord combined wisdom divine with both tenderness and firmness. Think about his dealings with honest sinners (Jn. 8:1ff) and hardened rebels (Mt. 23:13f). No teacher had ever been so fair in his teaching.

Finally, there is one more aspect to his unusual teaching style. In his discourses, Jesus was able to happily combine the most profound of spiritual truths with the simplest language of expression. His teaching was designed to be accessible to all, easy to understand.

His parables, for example, are masterpieces in conveying truth on a level where all can understand. Many who aspire to be teachers have failed to follow his sterling example in this regard.

Conclusion

Yes, those officers were quite accurate when they exclaimed, “Never man so spoke!”

SOURCES
  • Cremer, Hermann. 1962. Biblico-Theological Lexicon of New Testament Greek. Edinburgh, Scotland: T. & T. Clark.

Bulletin for 4-30-23

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

4-16 Maksim Camacho

Prayer requests:

Emma Reames new doctor, working it out

Chaney Reames is undergoing extensive dental work.

Gladys Ramirez tests on stomach.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Bill Grubbs recovering from back injury.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome. Also a fractured shin.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, recovering from a fall

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Charlie Burda has another stint coming on 5-10.

Article:

A message from God

Paul told Timothy, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The word translated “inspiration” literally means “God breathed.” The idea is that God spoke, since we exhale, or breathe out, through the vocal cords to speak.

Peter described the process of inspiration when he said “holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). The Hebrew writer often said God said a certain thing, when we know man did the actual writing (see Hebrews 1:5, 8; 5:5-6). Old and New Testament writers claimed inspiration (Isaiah 1:1-2, 10, 24; Jeremiah 1:1-2; 2:1; Ezekiel 1:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 3:2).

Jesus considered Old Testament scriptures inspired and used them as authoritative (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). He came to earth to do God’s will by fulfilling Old Testament prophecy (Matthew 5:7-18; John 15:25). New Testament writers considered Old Testament writers inspired (Acts 1:15-16; 4:25; 28:25-27; Galatians 3:16-19). They also claimed inspiration for other New Testament writers (2 Peter 3:15-16). Jesus said the apostles would be guided by the Holy Spirit (John 14:25-26; 16:12-13; Hebrews 2:1-4).

These internal claims are supported by evidence. Scientific foreknowledge proves the Bible is from God. In Genesis 1:11-12, 21, 24-25, we find the expression “after his kind” in reference to the grasses, trees, fish, birds, cattle, and other beasts. Knowledgeable men believed spontaneous generation produced life even centuries later. Recently some doctors think they have found special elements in the blood of a boy baby eight days old which help to heal, yet God set that as the time for circumcision in Moses’ day (Leviticus 12:3).

Long before doctors began putting people with highly contagious diseases in isolation, God instructed Israel to do it (Leviticus 13:45). Doctors in George Washington’s time believed “bleeding” a patient would rid the body of impurities. Everyone now knows life is in the blood, as Moses wrote (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:11, 14).

Specific prophecies about an event hundreds of years in the future could only come true if they were inspired of God. The prophecies about Jesus reveal things stated 400 to 700 years before the event. They contain details that are well beyond guess work. The place of his birth and his mother being a virgin are found in Micah 5:2 and Isaiah 7:14. Matthew tells us he was born of a virgin in Bethlehem (Matthew 1:20-2:1). His triumphant entry into Jerusalem is foretold in Zechariah 9:9 and fulfilled in Matthew 21:1-5.

Miracles worked by God’s spokesmen prove they were delivering God’s message. God gave Moses certain miraculous signs to use in proving to the Israelites that he was from God (Exodus 4:1-5). The miracles worked in bringing the ten plagues upon the land of Egypt were done to prove there was one God in the world and He was with Moses and the people (Exodus 7:5, 17; 8:10, 22; 9:14, 29; 10:2; 11:7; 13:3; 14:14). Christ was raised from the dead to prove he was God’s spokesman (Romans 1:4). That the apostles were speaking by God’s direction is clear because of the signs they were able to work (Mark 16:14-20; Hebrews 2:3-4).

The Bible is geographically correct. Someone going up is always going from a lower to a higher elevation, like the man in Jesus’ parable that was beaten by thieves (Luke 10:30). A simple glance at a topographical map reveals Jerusalem is in a mountainous area, with the Mt. of Olives being 2680 feet. Jericho, near the mouth to the Dead Sea, is below sea level, at approximately -500 feet.

Other areas of proof could be explored, such as the historical accuracy of the Bible; the unity of 66 books written by about 40 writers, in different languages, over 1600 years; geographic accuracy; and the greatness of the message.

However, I believe we can already see that the Bible claims to be “God-breathed” and there are undeniable proofs that it is.

Gary Hampton, link to original article

Bulletin for 4-23-23

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

4-16 Maksim Camacho

Prayer requests:

Emma Reames new doctor, working it out

Chaney Reames is undergoing extensive dental work.

Gladys Ramirez tests on stomach.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Bill Grubbs recovering from back injury.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome. Also a fractured shin.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, mini stroke, but doing ok

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Charlie Burda had several stints put in this week

Article:

Are Biblical Giants Real?

by Jeff Miller, Ph.D,

From Issue: R&R – February 2019

In several places in Scripture, men of giant stature are mentioned1—men like Goliath, who was “six cubits and a span,” or about nine feet, nine inches tall (1 Samuel 17:4). Are such accounts mere tales worth scoffing at, or is there evidence that humans can grow, and have grown, to enormous heights?

According to evolutionists, giants are not a mythical idea. In a science podcast broadcasted by Cambridge University, well-known paleoanthropologist of the University of Witwatersrand, Lee Berger, was interviewed. Berger discovered the australopithecus sediba2 and homo naledi3 fossils. The podcast group had an opportunity to visit the fossil collection at the University where Berger is a professor for a podcast. While there, they discussed the fossils of the museum. In the article following the interview, editor Chris Smith said, “One of the most interesting things that the fossil record reveals is that we went through a period of extreme giantism. These were people routinely over 7ft tall, they were huge.”4 Berger said, “You’ve probably heard the myth that ancient humans were tiny and some of them were tiny. But, as we moved through the period of 0.5 million to 300,000 years ago in Africa…, [t]hey go through a period of giantism.”5 Berger then proceeded to show the group an example of one of the giant femurs from a species dubbed homo heidelbergensis.6 Berger said, “They are huge. That’s so big we can’t even calculate how big this individual was.”7 Berger admitted that he cannot even gage the actual size of the individual and so surmises him to be over seven feet tall. Smith responded to Berger, asking him if the extreme size could just be an abnormality—an exception to the rule. Berger responded, saying, “No, because we found a lot of them. Everywhere we find them we find them enormous. These are what we call archaic homo sapiens. Some people refer to them as homo heidelbergensis. These individuals are extraordinary. They are giants.”8 Notice first that Berger acknowledges that homo heidelbergensis is definitely human (i.e., homo sapiens), just ancient and enormous. Second, notice that, according to Berger, the fossils are not abnormalities. There was a group of these large humans.

In case homo heidelbergensis is not sufficient evidence, Ralph von Koenigswald of the Netherlands Indies Geological Survey discovered enormous jawbones in 1944. Announcing the discovery, Time magazine ran an article titled “Giants in Those Days,” quoting from Genesis 6:4. According to the article,

Koenigswald first found a big jawbone which looked [human]…but was so massive that he thought it could not possibly be a man’s. Then he found a still larger jaw, the biggest ever discovered, which was unmistakably human…. Koenigswald named it Meganthropus paleojavanicus…. Koenigswald’s crowning find dwarfed even Meganthropus…. [H]e found three astounding teeth. They were six times as big as a modern man’s molars…. Weidenreich [of the American Museum of Natural History] is sure, from the pattern of their “biting surfaces, that they are definitely human.” He has named this man monster…Gigantanthropus. The…giants, Weidenreich thinks, were not freaks. Taking a fresh look at the thick-boned fossils of such other primitive human beings as Heidelberg Man, Weidenreich now believes that “gigantism and massiveness may have been a general or at least widespread character of early mankind.”9

So once again, we have evidence of enormous humans, and not merely “freaks,” but potentially a widespread characteristic of humanity. Humans are definitely capable of enormous size.10

Even today, thousands of years beyond the optimal period of human health and life longevity that characterized the pre-Flood world, humans are capable of immense size. According to Guinness World Records, the tallest man alive today is Sultan Kosen who is eight feet three inches tall.11 His immense height seems to have been caused by a pituitary condition which resulted in an over-production of growth hormone, providing scientific evidence of those genetic characteristics that can contribute to great size. Kosen, however, was short compared to the tallest man from the past who was officially measured: Robert Wadlow—eight feet eleven inches tall, just one inch shy of nine feet tall!12 He weighed in at 491 pounds at one point in his life.

Even evolutionists concede that humans are capable of, and have grown to, immense heights. The giants of the Bible were not mythical beings, but real humans—albeit, big ones.

Endnotes

1 E.g., 1 Samuel 17:4-7; 21:19-22; Nephilim: Genesis 6:4; Numbers 13:32-33; Rephaim: Deuteronomy 2:10-11,20; Deuteronomy 3:11,13; Joshua 12:4; 13:12; 17:15; 2 Samuel 21:16,18,20,22.

2 Jeff Miller (2015), “In the News: Sediba: Yet Another Paleo-Blunder,” Reason & Revelation, 35[6]:66.

3 Jeff Miller (2015), “Homo Naledi—Kind of Shady?” Reason & Revelation, 35[11]:129-131.

4 Chris Smith (2007), “Our Story: Human Ancestor Fossils,” The Naked Scientists, University of Cambridge, November 25.

5 Ibid.

6 Jeff Miller (2011), “Heidelberg Man: The Evolutionist’s Jawbone of Life,” Apologetics Press, https://www.apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?article=305.

7 Smith.

8 Ibid.

9 “Giants in Those Days” (1944), Time, Science, July 3.

10 It is possible (even likely) that humans, like plants, reptiles, and insects, were, in fact, larger in the pre-Flood era and for some time afterwards due to the optimized nature of the pre-Flood world. Homo heidelbergensis may be representative of many humans post-Flood. However, when the geologic column and fossil record are telescoped to the biblical timeframe, we realize that most homo species are actually just variety within the human kind, living at roughly the same time with each other. Many of the fossils of larger humans that are being discovered, therefore, are possibly representative of a “race” within the human kind, rather than a species representative of all humans over a long period of time.

11 “Tallest Man Ever” (2018), Guinness World Records On-line, http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/tallest-man-ever.

12 Ibid.

link to original article

Bulletin for 4-16-23

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

4-16 Maksim Camacho

Prayer requests:

Emma Reames new doctor, working it out

Chaney Reames is undergoing extensive dental work.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Bill Grubbs recovering from back injury.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome. Also a fractured shin.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, mini stroke, but doing ok

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Article:

She appealed to her feelings

Although they live in a retirement home, their minds are sharp. So it saddened me to witness one of the participants punt to her feelings when the Bible would not support her viewpoint.

Our weekly Bible study is currently stepping through 1 Corinthians. Last week our focus was the latter part of chapter 15 including that enigmatic statement  “baptized for the dead.” As to what this means, I offered no better than a couple of suggestions others have made and pointed out that for Paul the reality of the resurrection is connected to baptism (1 Corinthians 15:29).

At the mention of baptism, class discussion took off on a rabbit run. In the midst of this, someone’s comment dismissed baptism’s relationship with salvation.  I observed that not everyone would agree. Why the difference?

Some churches assume faith and baptism can be separated. Thus they understand that a person can be saved at one moment of time and baptized later at another.

Other churches, however, following texts like Galatians 3:26-27, Colossians 2:12 and even the oft ignored early Christian teaching of Mark 16:16 understand faith in Christ and baptism to be connected. To rely upon Christ crucified entails relying upon and contacting Christ’s saving blood and death in baptism (Romans 6:3; Hebrews 10:19,22).

While the discussion atmosphere was cordial, one participant then quipped she had heard a well-known writer use the thief on the cross to destroy any connection between baptism and salvation. At this juncture, I chose to point out a few details about the thief on the cross, baptism and faith.

Suffice it to say Christian baptism is a baptism into Christ’s death (Romans 6:3). Hence the thief cannot be an exception to the gospel’s call for us to be baptized. Furthermore, during his earthly ministry Jesus demonstrated his desire and power to forgive! Neither the thief, nor the sinful woman nor the paralytic, none of whom were baptized, represent exceptions to the gospel’s command to trust in Christ crucified by being baptized (Acts 2:38; 22:16).

It was at this point that another participant shared her experience about inviting Jesus into her heart. She said she felt something wonderful.

Did she realize our feelings arise out of our beliefs whether those understandings be right or wrong? Was she aware outside forces or another’s will do not impose feelings within us?

Feelings do not reveal reality. They expose what we assume to be true. Did she realize she was appealing to her feelings to order to nullify the clear teaching of God’s word? While not unexpected, her approach saddened me.

Mike was not at this particular Bible study. However, this senior citizen had listened carefully to a similar discussion months ago at this retirement home. This past Sunday after worship he made a beeline to our preaching minister. His words were direct and simple, “I want to be baptized.”

In the following discussion he explained that he used to think baptism was just symbolic. He said he had been wrestling with this for months. Now he was ready to be baptized. Stepping down into very cool water, Mike was baptized into Christ.

Barry Newton, link to original article

Bulletin for 4-9-23

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

4-16 Maksim Camacho

Prayer requests:

Emma Reames new doctor, working it out

Chaney Reames is undergoing extensive dental work.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Bill Grubbs recovering from back injury.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome. Also a fractured shin.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, mini stroke, but doing ok

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Article:

The resurrection and the life

We human beings vastly misunderstand death. We think death is the cessation of life. It is only cessation of earthly life. There is a life for all of us after death.

This misunderstanding about death has been common to almost all of humanity. Death is the separation of the spirit from its mortal body. It is not the end of life. Even as we read the pages of the New Testament, we find the misunderstanding.

In John chapter 11, Jesus’ friend Lazarus died. After four days, Jesus and his disciples arrived in Bethany, the town where Lazarus had lived with his sisters Martha and Mary.

The Lord’s discussion with Martha is interesting in terms of what she believed about Jesus and what she didn’t understand about life and death. Jesus told Martha her brother would come back to life again (John 11:23) She told Jesus she knew that her brother would be raised from the dead at the resurrection “at the last day,” (John 11:24).

The Lord made himself plain in the next verse and said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even if he dies,” (John 11:25). A few minutes later, Lazarus was raised from the dead by the one who identified himself as the resurrection and the life.

Mourning the passing of a loved one is natural. Separation is painful and it seems as if it will be permanent, but it is not. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. The Jesus who spoke to Martha will one day speak and the dead of all the ages will be raised from their graves. Paul the apostle wrote,

“Listen, I will tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed – in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed,” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

The one who raised Lazarus will raise us all. He is the resurrection and the life! There is life after death! For those who obey the gospel, there will be eternal life with God. But we must choose to obey him and live for him.

John Henson, link to original article

Bulletin for 3-26-23

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

3-29 Luis Camacho

Prayer requests:

Emma Reames has severe intestinal problem and adverse reaction to scan meds.

Stacey Esner has a severely sprained ankle, Joe had a growth removed from his scalp.

Chaney Reames is undergoing extensive dental work.

Gladys Ramirez will have a heart procedure soon.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Bill Grubbs recovering from back injury.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome. Also a fractured shin.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, good report

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Article:

Encouragement and Opportunities

What a tumultuous couple of years Paul had, from being arrested and almost beaten to having assignation plots against him. Finally, to get justice, he had to appeal to have his case heard by Nero himself. Then there was the travel to get to Rome which ended up in his being shipwrecked on Malta. Finally Spring had arrived and travel resumed allowing him to be taken the rest of the way to Rome.

Although Paul knew God was with him, having been encouraged by an angel during the ill-fated voyage, he must have wonder what type of reception he would receive from the Christians – and Jews – in Rome. As they approached Rome he had to have been encouraged by what happened.

“From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they travelled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.” (Acts 28:13-16 NIV)

Puteoli was the nearest port to Rome, although there was still around 150 miles to travel, which would have taken at least a couple of weeks to walk. This would have given the Christians in Rome plenty of time to receive word that Paul was on the way. They travelled to meet him: Appius was about 45 miles from Rome and the Three Taverns (or Inns) was around 33 miles. This means that they travelled for several days to meet up with Paul and be with him as he completed the journey to Rome. That they were willing to do this shows us the love and concern that they had for him. He knew he had their support.

But what reception would he receive from the Jews, his fellow-countrymen? The Jews back in Judea were the reason Paul was a prisoner. When he was settled into his own house in Rome, guarded at all times by Roman soldiers, he sent for the Jewish leaders to explain why he, a Jew, was in Rome to have his case heard against other Jews.

“When they had assembled, Paul said to them: ‘My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.’” (Acts 28:17-20)

Paul assured them that he had nothing against the Jews but had been forced to appeal his case to Caesar to receive justice. This is why he wanted to talk with them and let them know that he was a prisoner because he believed in the hope of Israel.

They had heard nothing from Judea about him or his being a prisoner, but they were interested in learning more about what he believed. This gave Paul an opportunity to tell them about Jesus, using their own scriptures to back up what he said (Acts 28:23-24).

Two lessons stand out in this incident from Paul’s life. The first is our need to give encouragement to those who need it. When Christians go through difficult times we need to be there for them, as the Christians in Rome were for Paul, going out of their way to support him.

We also see the need to take advantage of situations in life where we can tell others about Jesus. Even as a prisoner he was able to let them know what he believed and why he believed it. May we always do the same.

Image by Tip Ro from pixabay.com. Free usage.

Jon Galloway, link to original article

Bulletin for 3-19-23

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

3-23 Rosibel Mendoza, Bobbie Taylor

Prayer requests:

Stacey Esner has a severely sprained ankle, Joe had a growth removed from his scalp.

Chaney Reames is undergoing extensive dental work.

Gladys Ramirez will have a heart procedure soon.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Bill Grubbs recovering from back injury.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome. Also a fractured shin.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, good report

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Article:

Why your identity matters

More than ever, Americans are answering the question, “Who are you” through increasingly diverse ways. We might define ourselves based upon our achievements, careers, relationships, ethnicity, positive or negative personal characteristics, gender, athleticism, academics, activism, hobbies, and the list goes on.

We live in a “you-do-you” age where it is assumed that the highest calling is to discover or create your own identity in whatever way you desire. Equally significant is the assumption that whatever you might choose is neither better nor worse than anyone else’s choice. Not so fast! Where we derive our identity matters.

Our identity might provide drive, focus and even happiness. Yet, if we anchor our identity upon something within this world, it will disappoint us sooner or later.

We know the signs of identity failure. Midlife crises raise the question, “Who am I?” Depression sets in when the current situation does not rise up to or align with who I want to be. Personal characteristics, like being humorous or athleticism wane with time. Once again, the list goes on.

And then there is the greatest identity failure of all, death. If you are the over-achiever, the family loyalist, the ethnic activist, the center of the party, or the female executive, who are you the moment you die? Where we derive our identity matters.

The New Testament describes an identity that endures. Unlike many earthbound identities it cannot be earned. It is simply given. Paul describes this identity as being “in Christ.” It is a significant phrase. Paul will use it and phrases related to it over 150 times in his letters.

In fact, it is usually part of the opening words in his letters to identify his recipients. “To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae” (Colossians 1:2).

If Christ is properly embraced, all other identities become secondary at most. While someone might be a plumber, a black woman, an overachiever, an athletic star, a member of the Jones’ family, each will realize that when they entered Christ they put on a new self and gained a new identity, more fundamental and foundational than anything they previously had.

In Paul’s words, “Since you have been raised with Christ …. and have put on the new self … Here there is no Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all” (Colossians 3:1,10,11).

Death cannot touch this identity. “When Christ, (who is your life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him” (Colossians 34). Where we derive our identity matters.

Barry Newton, link to original article

Bulletin for 3-12-23

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

3-6 Gladys Ramirez

3-8 Dena Weeks

Prayer requests:

Stacey Esner has a severely sprained ankle

Chaney Reames is undergoing extensive dental work.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Bill Grubbs recovering from back injury.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, good report

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Article:

To accept or not to accept

Both scripture and American society promote and value acceptance. Yet they both recognize that certain principles should override acceptance. Acceptance is not always the right response.

So why do scripture and society sometimes collide over when acceptance is appropriate? And when culture prescribes acceptance but Christianity does not, does this make Christianity hateful? Or vice versa?

Since some people might doubt whether Christianity values acceptance, a brief review is in order.  Through Christ crucified God exemplified his concern for inclusion, unity and acceptance.  Through the gospel God reaches out to all people inviting everyone into one unified body where acceptance of one another is to be the order of the day.

Whatever social barriers and divisions that might exist in society are eliminated.  Male and female, Jew and Gentile, slave and free, urbanite and hillbilly all have the same status in Christ (Colossians 3:11). Unity and acceptance flourish in Christ.

In the first century when differences of opinion arose on dietary habits causing a rift in social interactions, Paul insisted Christians welcome one another. He commanded those strong in faith to accept the weaker because “God has accepted him” (Romans 14:1,3; 15:1).

Therefore Paul could conclude, “Accept one another as Christ has accepted you, to God’s glory” (Romans 15:7). Christians bring glory to God if they will accept one another!

In his letter to Philemon, once again Paul promoted the principle of acceptance. Regarding Philemon’s runaway slave, Paul insisted that this master should “accept him as you would accept me” (Philemon 17).

Scripture repeatedly promotes acceptance and the healing of relationships. Inclusion and unity are valued. Christianity does not promote hateful actions either toward those within the body of Christ or outside. Jesus taught the second highest command is to love others as one loves oneself. This even includes one’s enemies! Christianity is not the way of hate.

Yet, this does not mean that acceptance is always the rule. Some principles should be valued higher and thus override tolerance and acceptance. Not everything is to be condoned.

Paul chided the Corinthian church for their pride in embracing an immoral man whose immorality exceeded even what Gentiles permitted (1 Corinthians 5:1-2). Paul’s prescription? Expel the evil influence from among them. It would corrupt others.

Paul counseled the church to avoid associating with any Christian entrenched in unrepentant sinful ways such as immorality, greed or being a swindler (1 Corinthians 5:9-11). Similarly other scriptures prohibit socializing with Christians whose unrepentant behavior reveals a rejection of God’s ways (2 Thessalonians 3:6,14,15; Romans 16:17; Matthew 18:17).

To seek someone’s repentance through withdrawing fellowship does not legitimize malicious activities. Christians are to seek everyone’s wellbeing. For those within Christ, the loving response for those in danger includes withdrawing fellowship to teach them where their path leads.

Switching to our society for a moment, it also values inclusion, tolerance and acceptance. Yet it recognizes some principles trump these values. Acceptance is not the highest value.

Our culture does not accept abusing the weak, nor violence, nor crime, etc. It recognizes it is not loving to condone an abuser – even though he or she might claim, ” this is who I am”. According to our culture, acceptance is not always the right response.

If both scripture and culture promote inclusion and acceptance, why do they sometimes clash? The reason is simple. Scripture and culture are built upon two different standards.

Humanity constructs its short or long lists of what is acceptable. Such lists will vary over time and from culture to culture.

Conversely, Christianity is built upon the standard of God’s final judgment. When God’s word reveals something is destructive and will be condemned, the loving response is to encourage repentance. Otherwise, that person will face the eternal consequences of God’s judgment.

Furthermore, ungodly behaviors are not private. They have a corrosive influence upon the community. Sin matters.

Everyone, whether secularist or Christian, agrees that when a building is on fire the loving response is to try to rescue those inside. The difference between culture and scripture is that sometimes culture does not recognize when God says the house is on fire.

Christianity is not hateful when it refuses to condone what the world might consider acceptable. The question of acceptability is a question about standards and whether those standards are reliable. World history has repeatedly revealed that culture is not a reliable basis for determining what is acceptable. God’s word might not always be popular, but it has endured the test of time.

Barry Newton, link to original article

Bulletin for 2-26-23

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

None this week

Prayer requests:

Stacey Esner has a severely sprained ankle

Chaney Reames is undergoing extensive dental work.

Danny Bannister, nephew of Tommy’s, recovering from double pneumonia with complications

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Bill Grubbs recovering from surgery.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, good report

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Article:

I AM

“I am…” – Ex. 3:14

God, to Moses via the burning bush in Exodus 3:14,

“I am…”

”I am who I am.”

God IS.

And,

God IS WHO HE IS.

We assert who we are, but is that always who we are? God is who he is – no pretense.

We can make ourselves appear other than we are. God is who he is and is incapable of being otherwise.

We can delude ourselves to believe we are something, though we are not. God is who he is and is incapable of self-delusion.

Others may impose on us their view of us, and deceive us. God is who he is and is not capable of being deceived.

Jesus repeatedly says, “I am…” Often this is followed by a description of what he is about:

“I am…”

• the bread of life
• the light of the world
• good
• meek and lowly in heart
• from God
• sent from God
• with you
• Jesus
• Master and Lord
• from above
• not of this world

Other times, he simply says: “I am” (John 8:24,28; John 8:58; John 13:19; John 18:5-8).

Like Father, like Son.

He is.

He is who he says he is.

And he cannot be otherwise.

Rick Kelley, link to original article

Bulletin for 2-19-23

/in /by

Birthdays and Anniversaries

2-20 Eleuterio Oviedo

2-22 Lucas Camacho

Prayer requests:

Stacey Esner has a severely sprained ankle

Chaney Reames is undergoing extensive dental work.

Danny Bannister, nephew of Tommy’s, recovering from double pneumonia with complications

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Bill Grubbs recovering from surgery.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, good report

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Article:

Timeless teaching

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“You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. For all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of the grass; the grass withers and the flower falls off, but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word that was proclaimed to you” (1 Peter 1:23-25 NET)

Last week my boys were talking about missing their Pappaw. I said that I had picked up a book he wrote just that morning, and was thinking how it was nice that I could still sit at his feet. Yesterday was his birthday, and my thoughts again returned to that scene at the table.

These thoughts brought my mind to a book by Rod and Brenda Rutherford,  Of Whom The World Was Not Worthy. This work briefly recounts the efforts of several missionaries over the last 150 years. The lives of men and women like J.M. McCaleb, George Benson, Sarah Andrews, and Otis Gatewood are highlighted. All those honored in the pages of this work have since passed from this life except the subjects of the final chapter, Edwin and Lina Crookshank.

When I was in school at the East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions, it was Rod Rutherford who taught our missions class. On one occasion he invited Ed Crookshank to speak to the students. After a presentation of the work in Malawi, this good brother passionately appealed for more workers to enter the field. The Crookshank’s time was drawing to a close and they hoped to leave their work in the hands of those who shared their passion for — and philosophy of — simple gospel teaching.

Contemplating this brought into stark relief the contrast between what we teach and those who teach. We are bound by time. We have a time of “light” where we can work, but eventually that light grows dim and our time is concluded. It is good to remember those who labored for the Lord. And, as the Rutherford’s say in their introduction, hopefully to once again light “the flame of evangelic fires among the current generation.”

The word taught endures throughout the ages, ever ancient, yet ever new. But the one teaching is like grass which withers in the hot summer heat. Ever is the need for renewal. Each generation must take up the work, understanding that we are but tools to be worn out in the Master’s cause.

Yet there is a way for the work of the past to endure in the present. The wisdom of the Ancient of Days to preserve his mind in the form of written words speaks to us today. These timeless words — collectively known as “the faith” (Jude 3) — produce faith in those who hear or read (Romans 10:17).

Of Abel, the Hebrews writer says, “through his faith he was commended as righteous, because God commended him for his offerings. And through his faith he still speaks, though he is dead” (Hebrews 11:4).

All the faithful work of ages past still speaks to us today. Every time I pick up a book by Wayne Jackson, Thomas Warren, or Guy N. Woods, that man still speaks. Every article faithfully examining scripture, every recording of gospel preaching, and every heart impacted by a faithful mother or Bible class teacher still speaks.

I am thankful for so many who have helped me in my journey to overcome self and embrace the cross. My prayer is that their work will live on in the lives of my children.

While God’s workers come and go, the work endures. But only if it is built upon, and faithful toward, the timeless truths taught in the sacred writings.

Your work, dear Christian, is not in vain.

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV).

Link to original article