Mabelvale¹s Hispanic Work
Wayne Brewer
Jesus said, ³Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature² (Mark 16:15), and the Lord¹s church in Mabelvale is keeping that
charge by taking the gospel to the Hispanic community. We continue to
rejoice that Celeste was baptized and that she continues to grow stronger in
the faith. You have demonstrated true brotherly love with your
encouragement and assistance towards Celeste and her son, Christian.
The Hispanic work continues with about ten people attending classes and
worship services. Four to six regularly attend Sunday classes, two come on
Thursdays, and then two are attending the English services. In addition,
Bible studies are held on other days by appointment.
Plans for this year have not been completely finalized, but will
probably include a door-to-door campaign, Spanish Gospel Meetings, and
possibly a Lectureship for Hispanic Christians. These good works will
present opportunities for members of the Mabelvale congregation to be
involved in the overall work.
Financial support for the work has come along well, but if you know of a
congregation, or individual who might like to have a part in supporting this
work, let one of the elders, or me, know.
Each member can have a part in the work by keeping an invitation card
with you and giving to any Hispanic person that you meet. Your kindness,
along with the invitation card, may just be the thing that leads one to the
find the truth. The cards are by the tract rack. Thanks again to every
member of the Mabelvale congregation for your prayers and continued support.

Does Honesty Make Error Truth?
Garland Elkins

Since early childhood I have heard people say that it does not make any
difference what we believe, that if we are honest and sincere about it, God
will save us anyway. Have you ever made such a statement? Most likely you
have heard your preacher say the same thing. If he has, ask him for the
verse in the Bible. You may have made this kind of statement because you
have heard preachers make it, and naturally you thought it must be so. But
if your preacher has been making it, he must have some reason for it since
he claims to be following and teaching the Bible. He should make such
statements providing the Bible says so. And if the Bible does say so, he
will know where to find it. So ask him to give you the book, chapter, and
verse.
Notice this Scripture from 2 Thess. 2:11-12: ³And for this cause God
shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they
all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in
unrighteousness.² This indeed is a very plain statement. It positively says
that some would ³believe a lie.² Certainly there is a vast difference
between believing a lie and believing the truth. The truth is recorded in
the word of God. If it is not taught in the word of God, it must be a lie.
Does it make any difference which of these one believes? The general
idea is that it does not matter, provided one is sincere. Of course, he
could not believe anything unless he is sincere. A person might pretend to
believe a thing and be insincere about it. But if he actually believes it,
he must be sincere. So the Bible speaks of men who are sincere, for it
actually says they will ³believe a lie.² But what of their sincerity? Will
that atone for their mistake? Will God save them anyway, just because they
are honest about it? Is that what the Bible said? No, that is not the way it
reads at all.
Observe verse 12 again: ³That they all might be damned who believed not
the truth.² Notice the word ³damned.² This means the very opposite of
³saved.² Yet we are told that certain men would be damned. But who were to
be damned? All those who believed a lie or believed not the truth. It does
make quite a difference what a person believes! For if one is to be saved,
he must believe the truth. To believe something else will result in
damnation In 2 Timothy 2:5 we read this: ³And if a man also strive for masteries,
yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.² When people say it makes
no difference what we believe, they often add: ³We are all striving for the
same place anyway.² And evidently this is true. We are striving to reach
heaven at last. But is striving the only thing that is necessary in order to
reach that glorious reward? This is all that would be necessary if it makes
no difference what we believe.
The Bible continues to tell us that striving alone is not
sufficient lawfully.


VOLUME 40 NUMBER 2 JANUARY 13, 2003

OUR SICK

Peggy Bokony is in room 1015 of Baptist Hospital.
Mildred Eakin, Michele Smith¹s step-mother has been diagnosed with lung
cancer. The prognosis is not good.
Linda Lou Henderson, Sue Horton¹s sister-in-law, has been diagnosed with
pancreatic cancer and will have weekly chemotherapy.
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LADIES CLASS

The Tuesday night ladies Bible Class will meet every 3rd Tuesday night at
6:30 PM. Beginning Tuesday, January 21st. We will study the book of James.
Please invite someone to come with you. Meals will be provided.
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50th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

The children of Herman and Patsy Johnson request the pleasure of your
company at a reception to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary.
Saturday, January 18, 2003; 2:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon; Southside Church
of Christ; 21 Glenwood Street Cabot, AR
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VISITATION REORGANIZATION

There will be a Visitation Reorganization Meeting on Sunday, January 19th,
following the evening service. Please bring finger foods. Everyone on teams
August - November and anyone else who is interested in being on a team for
February - May are encouraged to attend.
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SERMONS FOR JANUARY 19

Morning
Love Not the World (1 John 2:15-17)
Evening
Prayer to Jesus (Scott Perry)
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THANK YOU

Thank you for the calls, cards, visits and food and the love and concern
shown to me during my recent illness. Cleta Morgan
*********************************SEARCH
Week of January 19
WHAT MAKES YOU AND ME HUMAN?
Your small child might describe a giraffe as the animal with a long neck;
the elephant as the one with a tail in front too, and the peacock as the
bird with the many-colored feathers. But, how would he describe a human
being? Would he say, ³He¹s the animal with only two legs and wears cloths
(most of the time) and talks. What differentiates between people and the
animals? Or are people just another species of animal?

EVENTS OF INTEREST
January 19......Visitation Reorganization Meeting
January 19......Teen Sing at Griffin¹s
January 21......Tuesday Night Ladies Class
February 1......Bible Bowl


OUR RECORD JANUARY 12, 2003

A.M. WORSHIP 196
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 170
P.M. WORSHIP 122
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 131

CONTRIBUTION 4909
BUDGET 6351
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MEN TO SERVE
January 19, 2003

Nicolas Lowe Waymon Minor
Jim Mauldin Dale Morris
Tim King Greg King
Devin Long Darrell Orick

Evening Roger Horton
Brad Horton
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

January 22 Michael Wilson
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USHERS FOR JANUARY

Morning Mike & Nathan Moore
Evening Ray Wehunt & David Gulledge
Wednesday Jim & Shawn Wallace
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GREETERS FOR JANUARY

Jim & Charlene Mauldin
Anita & Jason Griffin
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

January Gene Sullivan
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