What The Bible Says

Vol. I - No. 29 / May 5, 2019

"...LET GOD BE TRUE AND EVERY MAN A LIAR" 

    In Romans 1, Paul shows how the Gentiles sinned and were rejected of God. In chapter 2, he shows that the Jews were also guilty of sin and would also be rejected of God. Unbelief on the part of man has never changed the truth which God has revealed.

    When man and God disagree, why is God always right? "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25). Verse 20 also states that God has made foolish the wisdom of this world.

    God is always right because man is always changing; God is not. "For I am the Lord, I change not;" (Malachi 3:6). The textbooks my children used in school 20 plus years ago are not the textbooks I used when I was in school. The textbooks my children used are not the textbooks being used today! Why? Because man is always learning things that are new to him. This is not so with God. God is omniscience (all knowing). "For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things." (1 John 3:20). God's book, the Bible, never changes. The New Testament is in no need of being revised today than when it was written two thousand years ago. Why is that? It is because truth never changes and God's word is truth (John 17:17).

    Our attitude toward God's word should be as the text states: "Let God be true...". "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5). Our attitude toward man should be as the text states: "every man a liar". This involves an absolute rejection of man's wisdom and doctrines. They must be rejected regardless of how attractive they may seem or regardless of how wise they may sound.

    For example: God says, “…baptism doth also now save us" (1 Peter 3:21) but man says, "Baptism does not save and is not essential". God says we are “buried” in baptism (Romans 6:4) but man says, "sprinkling, pouring, etc.". God says we can fall from "grace" (Galatians 5:4) but man says, "You can't fall". God says, "one body/church” (Ephesians 1:22; 4:4) but man says "Many churches". God says, “…not by faith only.” (James 2:24) but man says, “faith only".

    As we can see, Paul's admonition is still very much needed today. May each of us resolve to "let God be true but every man a liar” because our salvation depends upon it!
—E.R. Hall, Jr.

"...HAVE YE NOT HOUSES...?"

    The "Church Social" or "Covered Dish Dinner" has long been a tradition in the South. Among those of faith, there is often great satisfaction in getting together and enjoying one another''s company while enjoying the physical blessings that the Lord has provided in the form of good food. 

    In its place, this can be a wonderful thing. Unfortunately, in many instances, this kind of celebration is not kept in its place. Often these "church dinners" are just that - held at the meeting house of the church. This is seldom questioned; as I've said, it's tradition. But does the Bible, God''s inspired Word, say anything about this at all? The answer is yes, it does.

    Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. ... When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper...What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not." (1 Corinthians 11:17-22).

    The apostle's statements here leaves little to question. First, these Corinthians were not coming together for the better. Second, the purpose for coming together was not to partake of the Lord''s supper (the very statement implies that they should have been coming together to do so). Third, he asks the question, "What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in?" This is a rhetorical question, or one that has its answer implied. The implication is that they did have houses to eat and drink in and the coming together of the church was not the right place for this. If this is not enough, read what he says in 1 Corinthians 11:34, "And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come."

    Does the apostle tell these brethren to eat at home or does he not? If we wish to follow the Word of God, we must recognize this. Where does this leave the tradition of the church social?

    Read what Jesus said in Matthew 15:8-9, “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”

    Does the church where you attend engage in "church dinners" at the meeting house? If so, do you think that the apostle Paul would attend if he were still living and invited?

    Let me encourage you to search the scriptures daily, whether these things are so (Acts 17:11). 
—Mance J. Davis, Jr.

THE KIND OF CHURCH THE WORLD LOVES

    The church and the world have always been, well, worlds apart! They have always been "at odds". The church is not exactly what the world is looking for to satisfy its pleasures. And to attract the world, so many churches have given into the demands placed there by the world it is at odds with! But to clear up any confusion let me give you a number of suggestions at the type of church the world loves.

1. A church with an honorable reputation, but inside is dead. A church that rolls over and plays dead to the worlds demands is dead in the sight of God! Rev. 3:1-6.

2. A church untroubled by heresy or outward opposition. One where compromise in all things reigns. One who is afraid of offending sinners. Mark 16:15-16. Gal. 3:26-27; 2:4-5.

3. A church that is well spoken of by outsiders. Luke 6:26.

4. A church that winks at moral evils in the community. One that accepts gambling, drinking, drugs, homosexuality as normal and good. See Rev. 3:1-6 again.

5. A church that has the preacher hold back on preaching on sin preferring feeling warm and fuzzy when they leave the worship services. And of course the preacher pulls his punches back on preaching the gospel! 2 Tim. 4:1-4.

6. A church whose members live with one foot in the world and the other in the church. 2 Cor. 6:17-18.

7. A church who does not practice discipline and refuses to withdraw from those who walk disorderly. 1 Cor. 5:1-13.

    Of course this is the church the world loves but it is not the church that Christ built (Matt. 16:18).
—James R. Dungeon

"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr. 

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….……………     9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….………  10:30 AM
Evening Worship   …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
 

Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM …………………………..  8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
 

Website: www. eastalbertville.org

What The Bible Says

Vol. I - No. 28 / April 21, 2019

MODESTY & PURITY 

    Modesty and purity of life are very close companions. The society in which we live gives little heed to the need for modesty in dress and behavior. Semi-nudity is so commonplace that a person who is dressed modestly is quite noticeable. People have forgotten or never have learned that God has spoken on this important aspect of human behavior. We do not set the standard for dress and conduct.

    Adam and Eve made themselves aprons of fig leaves to cover their nakedness, but evidently still felt naked (Genesis 3:7-10). God was not satisfied, either, and made them tunics of skin and so clothed them (Genesis 3:21). To uncover the thigh and thus expose the upper leg brought shame (Isaiah 47:2,3). This principle is applied to men as well as women (Exodus 20:26). The principle of physical modesty is so clear that it is used to illustrate the godliness needed to avert spiritual nakedness (Revelation 3:18). The attire of a harlot showed what she was (Proverbs 7:10; Genesis 38:15; Judges 16:1).

    Nowadays, excuses to undress almost completely are multiplied. Hot weather, swimming, sports, and even simply styles of fashion are all used to try to justify immodesty. God’s message is ignored, and conformity to ungodly undress is embraced. Those who wish to please God need to “awake to righteousness” (1 Cor. 15:34). “Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds...” (Romans 12:2).

    Immodesty of dress interferes with purity of mind and with purity of behavior. It is a trial of faith and a challenge to one’s spiritual perspective even to walk the streets and shop in stores. Added to the daily menu are television programming, the Internet, many of the new cell phones and how they are being used and abused, and the language of so many of the contemporary “songs” on radio. How can a Christian maintain purity of mind while filling his ears with the vileness and corruption of this world of darkness? When teen idols debase themselves in lewdness and lasciviousness, what are their worshippers going to do? “Keep yourself pure” is God’s injunction (1 Timothy 5:22). Indecent exposure provokes lust and demonstrates base immodesty (1 Peter 2:11,12).
—Gilbert Alexander

DON'T PREACH TO ME

       In regard to religious and moral matters, a major portion of today's society doesn't want to be preached to. For preachers or anyone to insist upon an agenda where the commands and principles of God's word are to be applied in folk's lives, many have the attitude, "Don't preach to me!". Yet, these same individuals allow other "preachers" to preach to them and they delight in what they hear and are eager to conform their thinking and their lives to the message of these preachers. To what other "preachers" am I referring?

PREACHERS OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. The rock, rap, heavy metal, and country music singers are preachers. When you consider the definition of "preacher" and what it involves, Webster defines it as "to declare in public", "to proclaim", "to deliver a sermon". "Sermon" is defined as "a serious talk on behavior or responsibility." Are not all these ingredients in the songs that singers sing? Are they not advocating and proclaiming their agenda for a certain type of behavior upon their listeners? What about the message of violence, hate, fornication, lying, and lose morals that far too many of these preachers advocate? Let's get our heads out of the sand and realize that preachers aren't just in pulpits but they are on CD's, VH-1, MTV, and CMT preaching their message with the lyrics of the songs they sing. There is more to this than just pure entertainment. A message is being sent.

PREACHERS OF THE TALK SHOWS. Television and radio are filled throughout any twenty-four hour period with talk shows. They all have their agenda which is generally to bring about a point of view intended to affect the way we think on a variety of social, political, and moral matters. Talk show hosts fit every aspect of the definition for preachers but, in far too many instances, their message is anti-Christian and anti-moral. Public opinion is easily swayed by these smooth talking sympathizers of a new morality. A message is being sent and we are the receivers of it.

PREACHERS OF TV AND THE MOVIES. We refer to them as "actors" but in reality they are preachers. With the TV sitcoms and movies in which they act, they "proclaim to the public" a message that can and will affect our attitude toward the family, homosexuality, sexual behavior in general, honesty, vulgarity, and will give new definitions for decency in far too many cases. They are making us to laugh at things that ought to be to our shame (Philippians 3:19). They are preaching an agenda and we are buying into it under the disguise of comedy and entertainment.

    So, let us not be so naive as to think that preachers are only the ones dressed in suits and mount a pulpit with a Bible under their arms. No doubt they proclaim a message and have an agenda but they are not the only ones. In reality, we are being preached to every time we turn on our radios and listen to a singer declaring his message to us. What message is he trying to convey? In what way is he wanting to change our attitude and mold our thinking? Let us realize that whatever our attitudes and thoughts are will determine what we do. ”For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” (Mark 7:21-23). We are being preached to every time we turn on a television or sit down to watch a movie. What message is the actor acting out before us?

    We need to be careful of the preachers that are preaching to us and always examine their message for it will influence and affect us far more than we are willing to admit.
—E.R. Hall, Jr.

JUST A LITTLE CONTAMINATION

    One day a mother was preparing vegetables for a salad as her daughter came in to ask permission to go to an "R" rated movie.

    “But all the kids are going,"  She said,  "And their folks don't think it will hurt them."

    As she talked, she saw her mother pick up a handful of peelings and put them in the salad.  Rather startled, she shouted, "Mother, you are putting the garbage in the salad!"

    "I know," her mother replied, "but I thought if you didn't mind garbage in your heart and in your mind that you wouldn't care about a little in your stomach."

    Thoughtfully, the girl picked the peelings from the salad and then smiled at her mother.  "I guess I'll just tell them I'm staying at home tonight." she said as she went through the kitchen door.
—Author Unknown

           It is wise to direct your anger towards problems – not people;
 to focus your energies on answers – not excuses.

"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr. 

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….……………     9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….………  10:30 AM
Evening Worship   …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
 

Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM …………………………..  8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
 

Website: www. eastalbertville.org

What The Bible Says

Vol. I - No. 23 / April 7, 2019

DON'T STOP THE PLOW TO KILL A MOUSE!  

    This is an adage. I saw a cartoon, showing two heavy turning plows, two big mules hitched to each plow. Both teams were standing idle while one plowman held up a mouse he had killed and the other was looking on with much admiration. 

      This is a good illustration on the subject of first things first. Let the less important things wait for the more important things to be done first. I have seen the time when killing a few score rats seemed of just about top priority.  It was necessary to save what the plows had made. 

      The gospel plow has been slowed by the tendency on the part of churches to spend "gospel money" on entertainment and fancy buildings.  Spending thousands for fellowship halls, camp grounds, etc., wastes money sorely needed for sowing the seed of the kingdom. 

    But a favorite complaint against us who insist upon close adherence to the Scriptures is that we "major in minors." Or, we "make mountains out of molehills." Or, we "stop the plow to kill a mouse."  A man who preached and who sprinkled water for baptism admitted to me that the Bible teaches that baptism is a burial. But he thought we should just preach to save souls and not to take up valuable time arguing about nonessentials. He thought I was stopping the plow to kill a mouse. That’s what brethren said who introduced the missionary society and instrumental music. They thought brethren who opposed them were wasting time on very insignificant issues. 

    Now that institutions of human origin have been built to take the place of the local church, and churches are engaged in recreation and entertainment, many make it a light matter. They do not consider them that important. I hear that some brethren are really opposed to these practices but just do not preach on them. Well, I can see no reason for neglecting preaching on them except that they do not believe they are serious enough to merit their attention and time. 

    In fact, there is a trend now among many, many preachers to neglect "first principles" or opposition to false doctrines. They preach sermons, with very few exceptions, that any denominational preacher would endorse. They preach on moral issues they can become very excited when a vote on alcoholic beverages is coming up. They can preach fine, inspirational sermons.  But denominational people would never see the differences in their errors and the simple New Testament plan. The preacher who gets down to the detailed errors of denominationalism is, to their way of thinking, killing mice. 

    “O, that is such a small insignificant thing. Stop quarreling over non-essentials and join in the fight for the weightier matters of the gospel!"  This is the refuge of all religionists who can not produce Scripture for their practices, whether denominationalists or erring brethren. Even if departures from truth seem small, others will inevitably follow. We should be diligent to follow the New Testament in everything. And if we once assume an attitude that little errors are not worth bothering with, we are simply preparing ourselves to swallow big errors.
 —Gardner S. Hall
via Gospel Power, Vol. 16, No. 15, April 12, 2009

UNITY IN CHRIST

       The seriousness of not abiding in the doctrine of Christ is stated in 2 John 9: "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God." We are commanded to "speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you;" (1 Cor. 1:10). We should be able to do today what the apostle Paul did in his day for he preached the same thing in every church (1 Cor. 4:17). Try that today and see how many churches would permit such.

    While most churches profess to follow the Bible, they also have their creeds both written and unwritten. While the doctrine of Christ teaches there is one church (body) in Ephesians 1:22,23 and 4:4, people today teach all churches are right so just "join the church of your choice". There can be no unity in Christ when the Scriptures teach one thing and folk say another. The organization of the church, found in the New Testament, is made up of bishops (elders), deacons, and saints (Philippians 1:1) but "churches" today have elaborate organizational structures with law-making bodies such as conferences, conventions, associations, and synods. The work of the Lord's church is to minister to needy saints, preach the gospel, and spiritually build up the saints (Ephesians 4:12). "Churches" today have taken on the work of providing recreation and entertainment to cater to the physical part of man and actively involving themselves in political and social reform.

    Unity in Christ teaches the necessity of faith (Hebrews 11:6) but doctrines of men teach faith exclusively in their doctrines of "faith only" and a person is saved the moment they believe. James 2:17,24 teaches that "faith only" results in a "dead" faith. The doctrine of Christ teaches that baptism is "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38) while doctrines of men teach baptism has nothing to do with being saved. Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:12 teaches that baptism is being "buried" with Christ but men teach baptism is sprinkling or pouring. The Bible teaches baptism is for those who “believe" (Mark 16:16) and are able to "repent" (Acts 2:38) while churches today practice baptizing infants who are too young to believe the gospel and too young to have sins to repent of.

    The New Testament teaches we are to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in worship to God (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16) while today's churches play upon mechanical instruments of music and sing rock gospel, country gospel, bluegrass gospel, and contemporary gospel. There never can be unity in Christ until we are willing to "abide in the doctrine of Christ"
—E.R. Hall, Jr.

HE MADE JUST ONE MISTAKE

1.     He brushed his teeth twice a day with a nationally advertised toothpaste.
2.     The doctor examined him twice a year.
3.     He slept with a window open for fresh air.
4.     He stuck to a diet of fresh vegetables.
5.     He golfed - but never more than 18 holes at a time.
6.     He got at least eight hours of sleep each night.
7.     He never smoked nor drank nor lost his temper.
8.     He was all set to live to be a hundred.
 
The funeral was held last Wednesday. He is survived by 18 specialists, 4 health institutes, 2 gymnasiums and numerous manufacturers of antiseptics and health foods.
 
    He just made one mistake! He forgot God. He lived as if this world was all that counted. Now he exists with those who say, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved” (Jeremiah 8:20).
 
    If you should die tonight, where would you spend eternity?
—John Shadowens

"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr. 

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….……………     9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….………  10:30 AM
Evening Worship   …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
 

Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM …………………………..  8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
 

Website: www. eastalbertville.org

What The Bible Says

Vol. I - No. 22 / March 24, 2019

THE BIBLE IS UNDERSTANDABLE   

    The multitude of different church buildings downtown in every city stands as a sad reminder of religious division and confusion. In man's loss of unity, he is tempted to blame God and His word, the Bible. Men conclude that, since we do not understand the Bible, then the Bible cannot be understood. This is a most serious and fundamental error. Furthermore, it is a personal attack on either God's goodness or His ability to communicate to men. The Bible declares plainly that it can be understood.

    The Bible gives a man all the truth that he needs to please God: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correct-ion, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Even though we do not have the record of every thing Jesus did on earth, we have what we need to understand, believe and be saved. “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (John 20:30-31). It is the truth that will make us free as Jesus said, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31,32). Jesus has provided that truth for us today in the pages of the Holy Bible.

    It is clear from the Bible itself that God intended for us to understand and obey it. Paul said, "Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” (Eph. 5:17). He also made it clear that God’s revelation of the Bible through Him could be understood upon reading. "...How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)" (Eph. 3:4).

    Some parts of the Bible are more difficult than others. Peter said, "...Even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction" (2 Pet. 3:15-16). Even though it takes more study to understand some of the Scriptures, you will notice in this passage that God neither condoned nor excused the error that was taught because of Bible misunderstanding. He rather pointed out that the misusers of the Bible brought their own destruction. People will be lost in hell because they misuse the Scriptures to teach error.

    In a time of flooding religious error and misunderstanding of the Bible let us not blame God and His word, but with great determination find the truth revealed within the pages of the Holy Bible and unite on that truth to salvation. May God richly bless our efforts to know and do His will.
—Dwight McGee

SOME BIBLE FOOLS

       Who is a fool? This is not left for us to answer for more times than not we are partial. The Bible plainly tells us who is a fool for God knows man inside and out. “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Hebrews 4:13).

HE WHO SAYS THERE IS NO GOD. (Psalms 14:1). Why would anyone say there is no God? It is certainly not because of a lack of evidence for His existence. All the natural world around us serves as that evidence (Psalms 19:1). He believes there is no God because that is what he wants to believe. A sinner would wish there was no God for then he would have no One with whom to reckon nor give an account. Then, too, there are folks who live so long without God they begin to think there is none. What would be gained by doing away with God? We would be free to do as we will! That’s what some people want, anyway.

HE WHO TRUSTS IN HIS OWN HEART. This is the person who depends on his own judgement and refuses God’s council. “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.” (Proverbs 12:15). Why is this person a fool? Because our hearts are subject to error. Even the wisest people can be wrong. “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 16:25). “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23). The self-confident fool does not glorify God. It is, indeed, folly to believe in God and yet not do what He tells us to do. “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). Our hearts are not to be trusted. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). So, we must never set our hearts above what God has revealed in His word. Just as the sailor is a fool who trusts his judgement rather than the compass, we are a fool to trust our own feelings and judgements over what God’s word teaches.

HE WHO HEARS BUT DOES NOT OBEY. “And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:26,27). He is foolish because he thinks there is virtue in hearing but hearing is vain unless it is followed by obedience. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22). For anyone to be a hearer of God’s word and not a doer, is to show they are not in fear of the Judgement day. Yet in that day whether we have obeyed or not will have serious consequences “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

HE WHO DOES NOT PREPARE HIMSELF. Those whom Jesus refers to in Matthew 25:1-13 were fools because they lived only for the present. They forgot about judgement to come and it was not real to them that “...we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10). They are fools because they do not heed the repeated admonition to be ready and to watch. Instead, they sought to find solace in other things. They may have thought that the fact they were invited was sufficient to assure them a place in the wedding but because of their own neglect they were refused admittance. Claims to being a Christian are all around us but the proof of the claim lies in whether or not we are "the will of the Father” (Matthew 7:21). The life we are living must be in harmony with the will of the Father as expressed in the New Testament or else we will be workers of “iniquity”. (Matthew 7:23). We live in this life to prepare. If we become too busy with things of this world that keeps us from putting the kingdom of God and His righteousness first (Matthew 6:33), we will hear Him say, “Depart”. We will have played the fool. May we not neglect but prepare to appear before Him in judgement.
—E.R. Hall, Jr.

"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr. 

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….……………     9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….………  10:30 AM
Evening Worship   …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
 

Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM …………………………..  8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
 

Website: www. eastalbertville.org

What The Bible Says

Vol. I - No. 21 / March 10, 2019

SETTING OUR SPIRITUAL CLOCKS

    Several years ago it was reported that the telephone operator in a town in Cape Cod received a call every morning asking for the correct time. Finally, overcome with curiosity, she asked the inquirer, "Would you mind telling me why you call about this time every day and ask for the correct time?" "Sure, I'll tell you," the man said. "I want to get the exact time because I'm the man who blows the whistle at twelve o'clock." Well, that's funny, that is," said the operator, "because every day at the stroke of noon I set our clock by your whistle.”

    How often do we set standards for ourselves based on what others are doing -- without even considering what standard they are following? It is good to follow the examples of others ONLY IF those setting the examples are following the CORRECT standard themselves. This seems to be Paul's point in Philippians 3:16b-17 when he states, "let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern." To follow the example of others without being aware of what standard they themselves are following is the height of folly. The Scriptures speak of those who, "measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise" (2 Corinthians 10:12).

SETTING YOUR WATCH

    Every individual has a personal standard which he takes with him everywhere. He may either choose to follow it or ignore it. This inner standard is the conscience. Like a wristwatch that we may check through the day to keep us "on time," the conscience can be used to keep us on the right track if it has been correctly set. But the conscience can be set by a false standard. Saul of Tarsus lived "in all good conscience" when he was a blasphemer and persecutor of Christians (Acts 23:1; 1 Timothy 1:13). The individual who sets his watch by asking a stranger on the street for "the correct time" is a lot like a man who sets his moral standards and religious beliefs by others.

    This careless conscience setting is seen, for example, in a Christian whose conscience allows him or her to wear immodest attire because "it is not as immodest as what others wear" or "other Christians dress like this." It is seen in the person who believes that they can be saved by "faith only," not because they ever read it in the Scriptures (see James 2:24), but because that's what their parents or grandparents believed.

SETTING YOUR “CHURCH CLOCK”

    Groups of people sometimes also set their collective conscience by an uncertain standard. In the days of the judges, Israel pled for a king; they wanted to be "like all the nations" (1 Samuel 8:5). As a group of people, they had set their clock by the surrounding nations. In doing so, they rejected the Lord as their standard of authority (1 Samuel 8:7).

    Even so, many churches today set their programs of work according to what surrounding churches (denominations) are doing. Children's church, Easter observances, and "rallies" to entertain the young people are just a few of the practices adopted by some churches of Christ (so-called) which illustrate this point. Each of these things have been done among denominations for decades, and now some churches of Christ are setting their clocks accordingly. Not one of these practices can be found in Scripture, either by command, statement, apostolic example or necessary conclusion. These practices are of human origin. Jesus said, "in vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9).
  —Steve Klein

THE NARROW MINDEDNESS OF JESUS

    Some think that Jesus accepts anything and everything. Some believe like the song sung by Tom T. Hall a few years ago: "Jesus and I have our own thing going." We must be as broad minded and narrow minded as He is.

JESUS IS NARROW CONCERNING HIMSELF.

    Jesus said, "I am THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE; no man cometh unto the Father but by ME." (John 14:6 - Emphasis mine, ERH). This leaves no room for Mohammed, Buddha, Confucius, nor anyone else. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12). We have no options here; it's Jesus or else! That's very narrow minded, wouldn't you agree? Are we narrow minded as Jesus or are we willing to allow for a little more broad minded view when it comes to world religions and the "multi-cultural" society in which we and our children are growing up in?

JESUS IS NARROW IN HIS AUTHORITY. "

   And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." (Matthew 28:18). Since ALL power has been given unto Him and "He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence." (Colossians 1:18), this again is very narrow. Are we as narrow minded as Jesus when it comes to whose authority that we recognize? Or are we a little more broad minded and allow for the authority assumed by the Pope? What about the authority of man-made creeds? What about the denominational conferences and conventions which have legislative power to impose constitutions and by-laws which churches are duty bound to abide by?

JESUS IS NARROW IN HIS VIEW OF SALVATION.

   Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16). Notice, it is not: BELIEVE, SAVED, THEN BAPTIZED. It is: BELIEVE, BAPTIZED, THEN SAVED. Someone says, "That's being too narrow!" Not so! That is no more narrow than to tell you my phone number is 393-6044. What if you insisted it would be just the same to dial 393-4406, would that number dial my telephone? No! Is it being narrow to have things in the right sequence? Of course not! If we want to go to heaven we must do God's will in the right sequence or we'll never make it. Jesus is just that narrow!

    If we insist upon that which Jesus' word teaches it may cause us to be accused of being narrow minded but so be it. We MUST BE just as narrow as He is!
—E.R. Hall, Jr.

SENTENCE SERMONS

In trying times -- don't quit trying!
***
Every crisis in life makes us bitter or better -- it's our choice.
***
He who angers you controls you.
***
Example is a language that anyone can read.

"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr. 

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….……………     9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….………  10:30 AM
Evening Worship   …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
 

Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM …………………………..  8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
 

Website: www. eastalbertville.org