Haltom City Church of Christ

Are You Trusting Others to Tell You What the Bible Says?

Art — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:00:51 +0000

Many preachers claim they have been “called” to preach. Paul was called to be an apostle and Christians are called to be saints (1 Cor. 1:1, 2), but where does the Bible speak of the preacher’s “call”? Does God call a man to be a preacher in some special, or even miraculous, way?
One preacher said, “I was out hunting in the field and I saw the letters ‘GPC’ formed in the clouds. It was God saying to me, ‘GO PREACH CHRIST.’” Should we believe a man who tells us something like this and then be confident that he will tell us what the Bible says because God “called” him? He could have been lying and he may have been seeking a profession. Or, maybe he simply misinterpreted the letters. “GPC” could have stood for “GO PICK COTTON.”
Preachers are bearers of glad tidings, and we love them for the time and effort they put forth to learn truth and to teach it (Rom 10:15). But today preachers are not inspired in their teaching (we now have the Bible, 1 Cor. 13:8-12). Therefore, we cannot fully trust these men to tell us the truth on important Bible subjects. The same is true regarding what our church teaches.
The important thing is not what the preacher preaches or what some earthly body teaches, but what the Bible says. But how can we know for sure what the Bible says if we do not do our own studying using good study methods (hermeneutics)? When Paul said, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thes 5:21), we can be sure he meant for us not to accept without question what we hear preachers say.
Jesus said, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life… ” ( John 5:39a).
Paul spoke highly of the people of Berea when he said, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).
The apostle John wrote, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1 ASV).
You who preach, are you truly aware of the huge responsibility placed upon you to tell the truth? James wrote, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more severely” (Jas. 3:1, ISV).
Do you think your preacher is inspired and therefore infallible? How do you know for sure that he is telling you the truth on important Bible subjects? Does he present Scripture and use reason and logic to prove his teachings? Does he allow, or even encourage, you to question him? If not, it is a bad sign.
No matter how intelligent, honest and trustworthy the man standing in the pulpit is, or appears to be, YOU remain responsible for how you hear. Jesus said, “Take heed therefore how ye hear…” (Luke 8:18). Also, you are responsible for your “talents” or abilities, whatever they might be (Luke 16:2), so don’t be a hearer only but strive to be a “doer of the work” (Jas 1:25).

By Robert Waters

Truth

Art — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:18:41 +0000

Is Truth Essential?

Are You Willing to Change Course?

Art — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 04:05:53 +0000

This is a radio transmission between a US naval ship and Canadian
authorities off the coast of Newfoundland.

Americans: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the north to avoid
a collision.

Canadians: Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the south to
avoid a collision.

Americans: This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert
YOUR course.

Canadians: No. I say again, you divert YOUR course.

Americans: THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS LINCOLN, THE SECOND
LARGEST SHIP IN THE UNITED STATES’ ATLANTIC FLEET. WE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THREE DESTROYERS, THREE CRUISERS AND NUMEROUS SUPPORT VESSELS. I DEMAND THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR COURSE 15 DEGREES NORTH, THAT’S ONE FIVE DEGREES NORTH, OR COUNTER-MEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP.

Canadians: This is a lighthouse. Your call.

Surely the spiritual application is apparent. As we approach God’s
Word, we see that change is necessary. But, so very often, we are
unwilling to change. However, God’s Word, like the lighthouse, has
the authority to demand that we change and we have no alternative but
to change course or continue in a path destined for disaster.

“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and
receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your
souls.” (James 1:21).

It is that quality of “meekness” that enables us to look into God’s
Word, see the changes that need to be made, then make those changes.

See a collision course ahead for your life? Hesitant to change
course? Keep in mind that God’s Word is a lighthouse. It’s your
call.

A Salvation Question

Art — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:33:42 +0000

Art here: I have a question for you all.

If When Scripturally Baptized You:

1. Have remission of sins – (Acts 2:38)

2. Wash away sins – (Acts 22:16)

3. Put off sins – (Col. 2:11-12)

4. Have forgiveness – (Col. 2:12-13)

5. Are made free from sin – (Rom. 6:17-18)

6. Are cleansed with water – (Eph. 5:26)

7. Are sanctified with water – (Eph. 5:26)

8. Are saved – (Mark 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21)

9. Are into Christ – (Rom. 6:3; Eph 1:3)

10. Are a new creation – (2 Cor. 5:17)

11. Baptized into death of Christ–(Rom. 6:3 (Heb. 9:22)

12. Put on Christ – Gal. 3:27. (Rom. 13:14)

13. Are into name of Christ – (1 Cor. 1:13 (Col. 3:17)

14. Enter into the body – (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 5:23)

15. Reconciled in one body – (Eph. 2:16)

16. Enter the Kingdom – (John 3:3-5 (Col. 1:13)

17. Have a good conscience – (1 Pet. 3:21)

18. Are Abraham’s seed, heir, child – (Gal. 3:29).

Then~ What is Your Condition if you are not scripturally baptized?

Lifetime Guarantee

Art — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:27:05 +0000

We like guarantees and warranties. It is comforting to know
after making a purchase that you have a certain amount of time
in which, if you have a problem with the product, the manufact-
urer will replace it. Some products even carry a lifetime guaran-
tee. The fact of the matter is however, that the guarantee is only
as good as the company that sells it. If the company goes under, so does
the guarantee!

In a world where we can’t always depend on guarantees, there is one
promise we can trust. Throughout Scripture we find
the Lord’s promise to be with His people. In Deut. 31:8, we read
Moses’ words to Joshua: “And the Lord, He is the One Who goes before you.
He will be with you. He will not leave you nor
forsake you: do not fear nor be dismayed.”

This promise is repeated in the New Testament: “Let your
conduct be without covetousness: be content with such things
as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor
forsake you’. So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper, I
will not fear. What can man do to me?’” (Heb. 13:5,6). The prom-
ise of god’s unfailing love and concern with us is the key to liv-
ing with confidence and happiness.

No matter how many promises are broken by people. God’s
promises will last through all time and eternity. He will not leave
us. However man does not always stay with God. Take a look
at what happened to the Israelites. They left Him and after much
warning and admonition, they were take into captivity. It is sobering to
remember why this happened. They turned from God to sin. After many years
of warning, God finally allowed them to be taken away into captivity (2 Kings
17:7-23).

God has promised His people eternal life (1 Jno. 2:25). He
will follow through with His promise. The question is: will we be
faithful to Him until death?

Salvation

Terry — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 06:57:03 +0000

Are you searching for life beyond the here and now? Is there really a home for the soul after death? If so, what must one do to gain eternal life?
The Bible holds the answer to all of these questions. It tells us that God knew exactly how He would provide a way of salvation–before the foundation of the world! Surprised?
When a person studies the scriptures with a receptive mind, the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ is simple to understand. God didn’t make it complicated. He wants everyone to be saved.
The Lord sacrificed His Son on the cross. Now He’s waiting for you to respond to that sacrifice in faith, repentance, confession, and baptism for remission of sins.