Hello. Hope you are having a good week? Our weather has really been up and down recently with the changing of the seasons. I’m glad that God is in control. The church of Christ that meets at 906 E. Harding Street in Morrilton is alive, well, and growing every day. Don’t believe everything you read or hear on social media about the state of the church of Christ. Some say, “We’re losing our young adults.” Are we? At Harding Street and around the world, we have many young adults who are completely committed to Christ. They are living the Christian life every day trying to show and share the love of Christ. Our Young Adult Class on Sunday morning is packed with young adults who love God. We are praying and working for more. People say, “People are just not interested in gospel preaching anymore.” Really? Is this true? And is this new? God speaking through Paul tells us that “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). We will keep preaching it. Some say, “If the church of Christ doesn’t change, we’ll soon have to close our doors.” No way. It is true that some congregations have closed their doors. This is sad but not new. Where are the seven churches of Asia we find mentioned in Revelation 2-3 today? These congregations no longer exist because they moved away from the clear and simple gospel to another. Read what Paul wrote about the perversion of the gospel in Galatians 1. Some want to water down the gospel to make it more “politically correct.” Others want to “modern up” the gospel to make it more entertaining. The gospel will never change. Of course, the gospel certainly does change those who hear it and obey it. Some say “The “old paths” just won’t work anymore.” Really? Walking with God carrying the “Old Rugged Cross” is the only path that leads to heaven. Any other path is the wrong path (John 14:6). Jesus Himself said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). And this is what we will do.
Anyway, since when did social media, polltakers, market researchers, blog reporters, and pessimistic prognosticators determine the progress of the church. God’s measure is rarely if ever the same as man’s measure. Samuel was assigned the task of anointing the next king of Israel after Saul was removed. In I Samuel 16:7 Samuel learned about God’s perspective versus man’s perspective. Read it. “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him (Eliab). For the Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (David).’”
We have one more lesson in our series “Finding the Joy.” Sunday, we focused on our Bible Classes and how we can find the joy to study the Bible. We looked at what God tells us in the Bible about the importance of studying the Bible together. Next week, Lord willing we will look at the 5 Steps we can take to find the joy and excitement to study the Bible together in Bible class. We have classes for all ages. Plan to be in Bible class after our worship hour to study God’s word. MB
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