By Jack Harwell

Among the last words written by the apostle Paul in his second letter to Timothy are a warning about the future. "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come," says Paul, and he then describes the kind of people who will make those last days so perilous for believers (3:1-9). Then, in chapter four, comes another cautionary note. "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine . . . they will turn their ears away from the truth . . ." (4:3-4)

Paul's concern about the path taken by the church was more than warranted. In the century which followed his death, the church would experience its first great apostasy, brought on by the corruption of congregational government. Men would alter the plan laid out in scriptures and create a system of priests and bishops which would eventually bear no resemblance to God's plan. This would all come about because, as Paul said, men became unable to come to a knowledge of the truth (II Timothy 3:7).

James said no one knows what will happen tomorrow, comparing human life to a vapor which quickly vanishes (4:14). In the same vein, Jesus said not to worry about tomorrow. "Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:34). It would be a mistake, however, to take this to mean that we should give no thought at all to the future. The five foolish virgins were left out of the wedding because they had not planned ahead. Jesus concluded the parable by saying, "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming" (Matthew 25:13).

All our plans for the future are guided by the only two things we know about it:

1. There is no way to avoid it.

2. We have not the first clue what it will bring. This applies to whatever form our planning takes, whether it is buying insurance, reserving hotel rooms, or locking our cars. We want to be ready for whatever may come our way.

In planning for the future, it would be wise to give serious and careful consideration to the future of the church, and of our places in it. Christ's church has existed for a long time, in part because men and women with high principles and godly motives have worked diligently in His service. While the church itself has not changed (Hebrews 13:8), its influence has been only as strong as its members make it. The church's influence has become stronger in some parts of the world, and weaker in others. Of course, part of this is due to the willingness of those outside the church to hear its message, but that was a problem even in Paul's day.

Each of us should be working to make the Lord's church stronger when we leave this world than when we entered it. We do that by carrying out the command of Jesus to "go therefore and make disciples of [teach, KJV] all nations" (Matthew 28:19). The apostles certainly did this. After Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost, three thousand souls were added to the number of the saved (Acts 2:41). Paul traveled all over the known world and converted many, even in idolatrous Athens (Acts 17:34) and licentious Corinth (Acts 18:8). In addition, there were those like Apollos (Acts 18:24-28) who carried out the command to teach. The only way that people will be saved is by coming to a knowledge of the truth (I Timothy 2:3-4), and the only way that will happen is if we teach them (Romans 10:14).

None of us, of course, can do this work forever, so it is just as important that we teach our children the importance of serving the Lord. The proverb writer says, "Train up a child in the way he should go . . ." (Proverbs 22:6). In Ephesians 6:4, Paul instructs fathers to bring their children up "in the training and admonition of the Lord." Many of us have been heartened by the increasingly active role that our younger men have been taking in the services. Both they and their parents deserve our encouragement. Our children will be the strength of the congregations in years to come, but only if we are doing our job as parents. Teaching them about God and His word is the most important duty we will ever perform--and the greatest insurance for the church's health we could ever own.

There is one other way we can ensure the church's continued success, and that is to work for the "mature" government of the congregations of which we are members: the appointment of elders and deacons. I know a great deal has been said on this subject, and it is not my intention to repeat it all here, but we should at least be thinking along those lines. If the reason we have no elders and deacons is because none of the men are scripturally qualified, then let us begin right now to change that. Every man should aspire, as much as is in his power, to possess the qualifications of elders and deacons as spelled out in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1. It is not necessarily the older men we should be looking at, either. While it is true that many of our members would be disqualified now by their age and lack of experience, this will not always be the case. The men who will be elders ten or twenty years on are the young family men of today. For these men to begin planning now for this great responsibility is perhaps more forward thinking than anything else we could think of.

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Clarence Johnson

In Matt. 12:33-35, Jesus said, "Either make the tree good and its fruit good or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things and an evil man out of the evil treasure bring forth evil things."

The proverbial statement that a tree is known by its fruit is a recurring theme throughout the New Testament. John the Baptist had preached that "Every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire" (Matt. 3:10). In the sermon on the mount, Jesus had said of false prophets, "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them" (Matt. 7:16-20). James, the brother of Jesus, wrote, "Can a fig tree, my brethren bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?" (James 2:12).

In none of these settings were the inspired speakers really teaching the subject of horticulture. John was showing that unless the Jewish nation repented of its sins against God, a severe judgment loomed on their horizon. It was to be their deeds, not their ancestry that would determine whether they were truly God's people. "By their fruits you will know them."

In James 2:12, James was showing the inconsistency of claiming to be devoted to God while at the same time abusing our brethren. Our deeds sometimes tell more about what is in our hearts than we want folks to know. "By their fruits you will know them."

In Matt. 12:33-35, we need to keep the context in mind. The scribes and Pharisees had accused Jesus of being in league with the devil. They could not deny His power in casting out demons, but they were not willing to admit He came from God. As Jesus cast out demons, healed the sick, raised the dead, etc., the Pharisees were making long pretentious prayers, but beating poor widows out of house and home, Matt. 23:14. Who were the true servants of God? Jesus was willing to have His deeds compared with those of the Pharisees. "By their fruits you will know them."

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Richie Thetford

Someday we must all face death. The Hebrew writer said: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" (Heb 9:27). When we die we will either die "in the Lord" or "outside of Christ". The choice of whom we serve and the state in which we die is ours and ours alone. Jesus said: "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matt 6:24). Let's look for a moment at why dying in the Lord is so blessed.

Before we can die "in the Lord" there is something that we must first do. In Galatians 3:26- 27 the apostle Paul explains how one can get "INTO" Christ. "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." We must be baptized into Christ to get "into Him". Therefore, before you can die "in the Lord" you must be buried with Him in baptism while you yet live (Rom 6:3-4). We can also see from John 15:4 and 1 John 2:24 that we MUST abide "in Christ" before we can die "in the Lord". Let's look at what both of these passages say to us: "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me" (John 15:4), "Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father" (1 John 2:24). We need to understand from these passages that we must continue to abide in the teaching of Jesus as long as we live here on this earth (Rev 2:10). If we do, then we will have the blessings which come from "dying in the Lord"!

There are so many wonderful blessings that can be mentioned on why it is so good to die "in the Lord"! First of all, there is no condemnation for those that do. Paul says in Romans 8:1: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." That is a blessing and a promise from God our Father. That right there should give us the zeal we need to want to follow after Christ, living for Him everyday so that in so doing, we will not be condemned, but will have a life eternal with Him and the Father!

Those that are "in the Lord" are saved individuals (2 Tim 2:10). We also have the light as is stated in Ephesians 5:8: "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:" Most of us can understand where we were before we became Christians. Our world was dark and filled with despair. But now, after believing in Jesus and being buried with Him in baptism, we are filled with the light, and as a result, we now walk in the light of God's Word.

We that "die in the Lord" are the one's that have the blessed promises of our Father (Eph 3:6). It is we that have the hope of eternal salvation (1 Cor 15:19; 1 Thes 1:3). In addition those of us that "die in the Lord" have peace (1 Pet 5:14), rest (Matt 11:28-29; Rev 14:13), joy (Phil 3:1), eternal life (1 John 5:11), and glory (2 Tim 2:11).

There is a mansion in heaven waiting ONLY for those that "die in the Lord". Each and every Christian should pause and think of all the blessings that God gives to those that CHOOSE to follow Him. Have you chosen the blessings of Christ so that you will have the blessedness of dying "in the Lord"?

via Clarksville Beacon

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By Larry C. Clarke

At 49 a certain "PROBLEM" arose in my life, I contracted the disease diabetes. The facts that were presented to me by my examining physician concerning my future were really frightening to say the least! The real "NEED" in my life now was to obey the doctors orders about the types of treatments he would recommended, and the medications he would prescribe. They could make all the difference in my life and health in the future.

The first treatment recommended was plenty of exercise, the second was better eating habits, the third was, always remember to check your blood sugar readings and last but not least, number four, take your medicine every day, on time! The "RESULTS" of following the above orders were full of benefits and compensation to me; in short, it would mean longer life and health. Because of a close friend and brother in Christ, J. Morgan, I received even an extra financial reward from the VA because of a special compensation offered to veterans who served in the Viet Nam War and worked near, on or in the dreaded defoliant "Agent Orange!"

In life we all will be confronted with different types of problems. And because of those problems we then will need specific things that will make them go away, or at least diminish them to some degree. Therefore, we began to reap the benefits of following the right advice given. This is true also in our spiritual lives. When we know right from wrong and we understand what sin is, and what it will do to us, we then understand we have a "PROBLEM." This problem is the disease of sin, and in 1 John 5:17 we read, "all unrighteousness is sin…" also in Romans 6:23 we read, "For the wages of sin is death," therefore, the "NEED" for a cure from this sickness of sin is required so we will not to die (see Mark 2:17 and read 2 Thessalonians 2:14) the cure is the calling of the gospel, so that we may, "…gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." And finally there comes the "RESULT" or the benefits we gain by obeying the truth of the gospel, in Ps. 116:12 "What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?" In 1 Timothy 4:8 "…godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." And in Romans 10:12, "…the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;"

Like my diabetes, sin is a spiritual "health issue" and its either you do what the great physician prescribes by following the proper diet, exercise, and medication of His holy and divine Words of Life, or you will simply die in your sins. I had a choice with my diabetes, and I, as well as you have a choice with your spiritual sickness, what will you do?

"He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." John 3:36

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Olen Holderby

Several times I have read about this fellow and the antics of which he was guilty; and, I thought I would share them with you. Below is a partial list of things which he is said to have done.

1. Called some in his audience liars.

2. He referred to well-known and well-liked brethren as hypocrites.

3. In anger he damaged the property of some who had gathered at a place of worship.

4. He made offensive statements, which he knew would run off many from the congregation.

5. Told some, who well-educated in the Bible, that they did not know what they were talking about.

6. He made one congregation so mad, by his words, that they ran him out of town; some even trying to kill him.

7. He said that some certain Christians made him want to puke.

How long do you think a church should put up with such a fellow? Would you be willing to hire such a man for the local church?

What kind of effect do you think he would have on the crowd which gathers with you for worship?

In any case we are talking about JESUS, the Son of God. These are some of the things which He did; and the passages given below will give at least one instance in which He did so:

l. John 8:44

2. Matthew 23:13,33

3. John 2:13-17

4. Matthew 15:7-14; John 6:53-55, 60, 66

5. Matthew 22:23-3 3

6. Luke 4:16-30

7. Revelation 3:15-17

Do not you think it sad that most brethren would not tolerate such from any preacher today? A public, scathing rebuke of sin, identifying the one(s) in error is said to humiliate the church and embarrass the ones involved. But, these are the ones who look for a preacher who will speak "smooth things" (Isaiah 30:10). Just about every one will say that they want the TRUTH preached, but most seem to want it exclusively positive or generically negative.

Would you want Jesus as your preacher? Would you want those who follow His example?

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Brian K. Price

The above title is probably not an uncommon phrase to very many of us. It is used quite frequently to establish the author of a statement, whether it be written or oral. Often, our response to a statement is based strictly on "who said it." Therefore the person making the statement becomes our barometer, to whether or not we believe what was said.

In the tenth chapter of the book of John, Jesus compares his followers to sheep. The true followers of Christ hear and respond to only one voice. He states in verse 5, "a stranger will they not follow." The Hebrew writer tells us in Hebrews 1:2, that God chose to speak to us "in these last days...by his Son." In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus commissioned his apostles to go and teach all nations, but what they were to teach was limited by the statement, "whatsoever I have commanded you." Even the apostles themselves were restricted to preaching and teaching only the things of Christ. Jesus further explains that anything he teaches is consistent with the teachings of the Father. His statement in John 10:30 "I and the Father are one," is evidence of that fact.

Considering this information, it is fair for us to ask, "Who said that?" when trying to determine the answers to religious questions. The answers are not found within man. Paul states in 2 Timothy 3:16 that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God." The scriptures are the method in which God has revealed his will through his Son. Recognizing that fact, it is understandable that Peter said in 1 Peter 4:11, "if any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God." Friends, the simple truth is that God is the only source by which we can seek the answers to our religious questions. When what man says, and what God has said through his Word, disagree, who will you trust? God is the only pure source, let us trust in him, not man!

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