Category: Subject Index

Billy Norris writes of a tragic event that resulted from “drifting”:

“Two young men were fishing above a low dam on a river near their hometown. As they were concentrating on catching fish, they were unaware that they had drifted until they were not far from the water flowing over the dam. When they realized their situation, the current near the dam had become too powerful for them to keep their boat from going over. Below the dam the water was dashing with strong force over great boulders and through crevices in the rocks. Caught by the swirling waters under the rocks, they never came to the surface. After days of relentless searching, the divers finally found one body, and then, two or three days later, the other.”

(Gospel Guide)

The illustration above is a sad one, but serves to establish our premise that it is dangerous to drift along in life, unaware or uncaring of the consequences.

Continue reading “The Danger of Drifting” →

A recent Google search (News division) of the word church resulted in the find of the following headlines:

Church to Participate in Christmas Open House
Building on the success of last year’s event, Sutter Creek Methodist Church is planning to provide a festive and religious dimension to the festivities. (Sacramento Ledger Dispatch)

Durham Church Plans Fair Trade Bazaar
All sales will assist in improving the quality of life for people half a world away. (Seacoastonline.com)

Church To Hold Holiday Tea
Mark your calendar and call for your reservations for the annual Holiday Victorian Tea and Boutique to be held at the Presbyterian Church in Garden City. (Garden City News)

Yummm! Annual Pie Social and Church Fair set for Dec. 1,2
On the second floor in the Education Wing, a Kid’s Fair is held offering kids the chance to play a game, do a craft or get their nails painted.
Tewksbury Advocate

Church Leaders Plan To Build Family Center
Two long-time city churches have merged and will build a multimillion-dollar family center on U.S. 19 that is expected to draw new parishioners from throughout Pinellas County. (Pinellas Park Beacon)

Ham and Beans on the Menu at Church Supper
The Union Congregational Church of Madbury will sponsor a ham and bean supper on Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Madbury Town Hall. (Seacoastonline.com)

Contrast the preceding activities: Open house, Bazaar, Tea, Pie Social, Family Center and Church Supper, with the actions of the first century church. “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). While the first century Christians enjoyed each others company, it was an individual thing, as Christians broke bread “from house to house.”

In fact, Paul admonished the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 11, “Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in?…” (vs. 20-22a).

The church of the Lord is not a social club. It’s purpose is to save the world through the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. While it is fine and dandy for Christians to participate in Pie Socials and Holiday Teas, such things are not the work of our Lord’s church. No soul was ever saved by a Family Center. Preach the Word! It is the gospel that saves!

Podcast Number 27

A comparison of ancient Babylonian traditions regarding a worldwide flood, and what the scripture teaches in the book of Genesis, gives external evidence regarding the historicity of the actual event.

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(Gospel Meeting: Mark Mayberry) Ninth in a series of nine lessons based on 1 John 2:15-17. “He who does the will of God abides forever.” In this lesson, we have described what the will of God demands of the child of God.

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(Gospel Meeting: Mark Mayberry) Eighth in a series of nine lessons based on 1 John 2:15-17. The third of three tools Satan uses to influence men to sin, the Pride of Life. The Pharisees and Sadducees are used as object lessons regarding the danger of Pride.

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(Gospel Meeting: Mark Mayberry) Seventh in a series of nine lessons based on 1 John 2:15-17. Where the world passes away, those who live according to God’s will have the hope of eternal blessings through their relationship with the Son of God.

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(Gospel Meeting: Mark Mayberry) Sixth in a series of nine lessons based on 1 John 2:15-17. The lust of the eyes is examined, with a special emphasis placed upon the sin of covetousness.

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(Gospel Meeting: Mark Mayberry) Fifth in a series of nine lessons based on 1 John 2:15-17. The lust of the flesh is examined, as gluttony, drunkenness and sexual immorality are cited as common examples of said lust.

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(Gospel Meeting: Mark Mayberry) Fourth in a series of nine lessons based on 1 John 2:15-17. The concept of lust is examined and defined. There are certain things that Christains can and should desire. However, illicit desire is properly referred to as lust.

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(Gospel Meeting: Mark Mayberry) Third in a series of nine lessons based on 1 John 2:15-17. While a love of the world is properly condemned by scripture, there are certain objects that we as Christians are obligated to love.

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(Gospel Meeting: Mark Mayberry) Second in a series of nine lessons based on 1 John 2:15-17. The concept of love is properly defined. Special emphasis is placed on the concept of “agape” love.

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Podcast Number 26

One way to express love for our brethren, as revealed by James in James 5:19-20, is to turn back one who has fallen in sin to a life of righteousness.

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(Gospel Meeting: Mark Mayberry) First in a series of nine lessons based on 1 John 2:15-17. The world is properly defined in the text cited as the “Realm of Sin.”

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The book of Acts contains numerous accounts of the gospel working in the hearts of man. Some responded to the preaching of truth to their salvation, others refused repentance. But, the word of God is a sharp, two-edged sword, and the power of God unto salvation.

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Matthew 16:24 is a record of Jesus’ invitation to His disciples to take up their cross and follow Him. It contains the essence of discipleship and should be carefully studied by all Christians.

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