Scott Perry

On one of the news-station crawlers this morning, a caption read, “Two police officers are kicked off force.” My initial thoughts were, “Good. If they have done wrong and are abusing their power, then, good. They should be disciplined.” Secondly, I thought about the sadness involved in such an occurrence. Here are two men entrusted with authority to enforce the law, yet they are lawbreakers themselves. What a shame. Police officer’s behavior must be law-abiding, because they are representatives of authority. They are not the authority, but many equate authority with them. Therefore, for the sake of influence, they especially, must lead in obedience to the law. Sadly, as was the case here, disciplinary actions must be taken when necessary.
The church can learn a lesson from this tragedy. The church represents the epitome of society and many equate the church with the authority of God. The church is not the authority--God’s new covenant is--but, nevertheless, because of the importance of influence, the church must live in obedience to God’s laws. If the church breaks down and does not hold the line on God’s laws, then not only will the church suffer, but all of society will suffer in the same way corrupt police officers would be a detriment to society if allowed to remain on the force. This begins with church leadership: elders, deacons, preachers, and teachers must not only correctly teach God’s laws, but, when necessary, for the sake of the church and society, enforce the laws of God. May God bless the entire local church when she stands for what is right and is led by her elders in matters of discipline.

TAKING GOD’S NAME--SERIOUSLY
Mike Dugger

Stop and think for a moment. How often do you hear a phrase such as “oh my god,” or “oh my gosh”? Or, how often do you hear just plain “god”? If you are paying attention at all, you hear it a lot. Whether on television, radio, at school, or even in the hallways of the building where the church meets, people seem obsessed with using such language to indicate how they feel in a verbal way.
Deuteronomy 5:11 says, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Any time the name of God is used in a phrase or sentence apart from a prayer or a religious context, we are guilty of using His name in vain. The name of God doesn’t have to be paired with profanity to be used in vain. Nor does using a euphemism for God’s name, such as “gosh” or “golly,” make it any less sinful. Consult the dictionary for the meaning of such words.
Jesus made it clear that what comes out of the mouth is what is in the heart (Matt. 12:34-36). “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father, and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be” (James 3:8-10).
So prevalent is the taking of God’s name in vain in the media, perhaps we have become desensitized to the point that our consciences are seared, making the recognition of that sin difficult to see (1 Tim. 4:2). But whether that is the case or not, the use of God’s name in any other way than a holy and reverent way is sinful. We can be sure that God will hold us accountable for using His name in vain, as He said in Deut. 5:11.
If this habit affects you, I hope you will decide today to cease using God’s name in vain. I hope you will decide to teach your family and children that such language is sinful. We are called by God to be light to a world that is lost in darkness. Let us not forsake our calling by covering our light with the bushel of the world by utilizing in our speech words that would make the devil proud.
EDITORS NOTE: I very much appreciate brother Dugger’s article. I would like to draw the reader’s attention to two important statements he made: “Any time the name of God is used in a phrase or sentence apart from a prayer or a religious context, we are guilty of using His name in vain.” and “...the use of God’s name in any other way than a holy and reverent way is sinful.” We live in the “Holy Spirit Age.” One where many religious people claim the Holy Spirit is guiding them when really it is their own thoughts. Sometimes we as Christians make light of their “Holy Spirit led” behavior while using the name of God (Holy Spirit) vainly. Let us not forget that the Holy Spirit is God, too. And while some people’s religious reasoning is ridiculous and subjective, let us not be guilty ourselves of sinning against God by using the Holy Spirit’s name in vain--Scott Perry

VOLUME 40 NUMBER 40 OCTOBER 6, 2003

OUR SICK

Vivian Brooks fell at home and is in Room 318 of Baptist Hospital.
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SYMPATHY

We extend our sympathy to Tyler Vodenhal on the loss of his grandfather.
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THANK YOU

EVENTS OF INTEREST

October 11……….Mid-Ark Lectures
October 14……….All Comers Class
October 21……….All Comers Class
October 25………………Hobo Stew
October 28…..All Comers Class Trip
October 31…………..Pumpkin Party
To the dear ladies, Jill, Charlie Dee, Judy, Bette, and Emma, thank you for the delicious and nourishing meal you provided for us on Bob’s return from the Heart Hospital. It was certainly a welcome act of kindness and treat for us. Also, thanks to Dennis and Dr. Dale for their visits, and all calls of concern. Our love and thanks and may God bless you. Bob & Eloise Jarrell.
I wanted to thank you so much for the care package. Getting mail is so exciting and getting pieces of my home from you guys was a real treat. Alicia Wallace
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The Ladies Food Team For October is Jill Farris, Dorothy Casey, Phyllis Davis, Betty Easterling, and Sheila Orick.

SERMONS FOR OCTOBER 12

Morning
Repentance
Evening
Church Discipline
Scott Perry will be preaching for both services while Dennis is on vacation.
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MID-ARK LECTURES

The van will leave at 8:00 AM on Saturday, October 11th, to go to The Mid-Ark Lectures in Malvern. Scott will be speaking to the youth at 2:30 PM.
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Leon & Nell Warren celebrated their 63rd Wedding Anniversary on Sunday, October 5th.

OUR RECORD OCTOBER 5, 2003

A.M. WORSHIP 205
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 164
P.M. WORSHIP 175
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 145

CONTRIBUTION 6469
BUDGET 6351
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MEN TO SERVE
October 12, 2003

Eddie Black Richard Butler
Danny Wooldridge Rick Wooldridge
Bill Boyd John Boyd
Ken Bittle Henry Brooks

Evening Johnny Boyd
Ray Bryan
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

October 15 Doug Parker
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USHERS FOR OCTOBER

Morning Tim King & Wally Davis
Evening Greg King & Nicolas Lowe
Wednesday Rick & Danny Wooldridge
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GREETERS FOR OCTOBER

Lou Sullivan
Judy Morris
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

October Roger Horton
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