A NEWSLETTER FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE GREENWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

VOLUME 2 NO. 17                                            June 12, 2005

BACK TO THE BIBLE

BY TIM ARTHUR

One of the besetting sins of modern society is a lack of knowledge of the greatest book in the world---the Bible!  It is really no surprise that so much ungodliness run rampant in our streets.  A lack of sprirtual emphasis always results in chaos and wickedness.  In Proverbs 14:34 the inspired writer boldly affirmed: “Righteousness exalts a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people.”

Americans desperately need to get back to the Bible in our homes.  Divorce runs rampant in our land because Americans have forgotten the Lord's will in this matter, “What God has joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:9).

We need to get back to Bible teaching regarding proper respect for authority.  This is the only way to stop the disrespect for civil authority, parents, teachers and human's life in general (Romans 13:1-8).

We need to get back to Bible teaching regarding proper respect for authority in religion.  The reason for denominationalism is a lack of respect for the authority of God's Word, for God's Word condemns division (I Cor. 1:10; 14:33).  Men need to do away with their creed books, church manuals, etc., and return to God's Word as the sole authority in religion.  Jesus promised in Matthew 16:18 to build His church.  We must go back to the Bible for that glorious body over which He rules as head (Colossians 1:18).

Americans certainly need to return to God's Word for moral purity and holiness.  In an age of filth, nudity, and all kinds of sexual perversions, we plead with men to return to the wholesome purity taught in the Bible.  Church councils may sanction homosexual preachers, but the Bible clearly and emphatically condemns such (Romans 1:27; I Corinthians 6:9).

There is a genuine need for men to return to the Bible for God's plan of redemption.  The majority of the religious reject baptism as a condition for salvation; however, in Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Galatians 3:28; I Peter 3:21; etc., it is clearly seen that baptism into Christ for the remission of sins is a necessity.

PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT JESUS

BY BOBBY DOCKERY

It seems unspeakably tragic, but many people are eager to be rid of Jesus.  That was true when Christ was here on this earth.  We read, for example, in Luke 8:37:  “And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to depart from them.”  In various ways, there are still plenty of people who want to be rid of Jesus.

1. Some throw Him out.  There are those who make a conscious decision to exclude Jesus from their lives.  They are declared enemies of Christ and all He stands for.  If they had their way, Jesus would be completely banished from home, school, government and society.
2. Some dirve Him out.  By their wickedness, profanity, vulgarity, and depravity, they compel Jesus to leave their hearts and their lives.  Jesus will not remain where He is not honored!
3. Some crowd Him out.  Some are so preoccupied with other things they just don't have time for Jesus.  Their lives are taken up by all kinds of things except the one thing that matters most.  They don't really plan to leave Jesus out of their lives but somehow there are always so many other things to do that they just can't seem to find time for Jesus.
   
   What about you---have you excluded Jesus from your life?