​Jesus Yes, the Church No?
 
There is a tragic trend among many religious people in which they claim to be Christians, yet have no desire to attend or even be affiliated with any church. In 2014, a YouTube video entitled “Why I Hate Religion But I Love Jesus” has received 35 million views and counting!
 
The man in the video actually condemns hypocrisy, false teachings and duplicitousness that are common in many modern-day religions and denominations. However, he asserts that he is NOT against the church.
 
Unfortunately, some people have misunderstood his intended message by assuming that he promotes following Jesus wholly apart from any church. These individuals assume that today’s churches are rife with hypocrites and false doctrines, demand blind obedience and are money hungry. If that is true, why would anyone want to be identified with such corrupt institutions?
 
Especially when they can accept God’s grace, love Jesus, live a decent life and go to heaven apart from the church.
 
Although many religions and denominations HAVE wandered far from the straight and narrow road that leads to life (Matt. 7:14), the idea of “Jesus yes, the church no!” is as displeasing to God as hypocrisy, false doctrines and duplicity. Consider the following:
 
·        Jesus Christ promised to build HIS church – Matt. 16:18.
·        The Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved – Acts 2:47.
·        Jesus Christ purchased the church with His own blood - Acts 20:28.
·        Jesus Christ is the head of the body, the church – Col. 1:18
·        God made Jesus Christ to be head over all things to the church – Eph 1:22.
·        Jesus Christ is the Savior of the body, the church - Eph. 5:23.
·        God will be glorified in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations – Eph. 3:21.
 
In view of these (and many more) scriptures, any attempt to separate Christ from the church is egregiously wrong. Since God adds us to the church when we obey the gospel and are saved (Acts 2:47), we should say, “Jesus, yes! His church, yes!”
 
Live for the Lord in 2024!
 
Dennis

Real Faith Obeys!
 
The New Testament has much to say about faith. Unfortunately, millions of people have a faulty concept of faith. They believe that genuine (saving) faith is simply believing in the existence of God and that Jesus Christ is His Son.
 
But a close examination of the Scriptures reveals that authentic faith is more than merely believing. The 2nd chapter of James makes it clear that faith must be coupled with obedient works, else, it is dead and useless - James 2:14-26. Moreover, James also tells us that the demons believe and tremble, yet their faith is dead because they refuse to obey.
 
Some people argue that it is impossible to earn our way to heaven by good works, and they are right – Eph. 2:8-10; Titus 3:4-5. However, the Bible also indicates that obedient works, while NOT earning anything, are necessary in order to demonstrate genuine faith. Obedient faith IS a requisite for our salvation – Rom. 6:17, Heb. 5:9 & 1 Pet 1:22.
 
Consider the “Heroes of Faith” listed in Hebrews 11:
·        By faith, Abel “offered to God a more excellent sacrifice” (v. 4).
·        By faith, Noah “prepared an ark” (v. 7).
·        By faith, Abraham “obeyed” God’s voice (v. 8).
·        By faith, Abraham “offered up Isaac” (v. 17).
·        By faith, Isaac “blessed Jacob & Esau” (v. 20).
·        By faith, Jacob “blessed each of the sons of Joseph & worshiped” (v. 21).
·        By faith, Moses “forsook Egypt…kept the Passover” & more (v. 24-28).
 
James 2:18 states, “Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” As you might imagine, it is virtually impossible to “show faith” without a corresponding action. Genuine faith always obeys God. And that is the kind of faith by which we are saved.
 
Live for the Lord in 2024!
 
Dennis

Please Help Us!
 
"And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, come over to Macedonia and help us. Now after he had seen the vision, immediately, we sought to go to Macedonia concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them." Acts 16:9-10
 
I've often wondered about the identity of the man from Macedonia that appeared to Paul in that vision. Regardless of his identity, however, his plea was urgent. The gospel message of salvation was desperately needed in that region, so God revealed this to the apostle Paul and his companions. They wasted no time in leaving for Macedonia.
 
There is a similar urgent plea from thousands of hurting, struggling, and displaced souls in the South who were affected by hurricane Helene. Many have died, and more are unaccounted for. Fresh water, gasoline,  generators, food, blankets, clothing and first aid supplies are in short supply. The need is as overwhelming as we have seen in recent years.
 
Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort (based in Nashville, TN) Is currently involved in coordinating deliveries of the above items and much more. However, the staggering need far outweighs the financial resources currently available.
 
Which is why our help is urgently needed in sending a donation to the Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort as soon as possible. If you can assist, please give your most generous donation possible to Jim Romans. We hope to send a check very soon.
 
Thank you, and may God bless you for your help during this extraordinary time of need.
 
Live for the Lord in 2024!
 
Dennis