Recommendation of Tracts
Scott Perry    For the past couple of months, when schedules and weather have permitted, brother Wayne Brewer and I have canvassed the Mabelvale Pike area north of I-30. We knock on doors hoping to reach some soul with the gospel. After lunch we go to an area on Baseline trying to reach the Hispanic of our community as well. During the stroll from one door to the next (making sure to stay off the grass!), we discuss why we believe so many fail to see the truth. What good this does I don't know, but it makes us feel pretty smart for the time being, I suppose.
   One thing we do place confidence in, though, is tracts that we give or leave hanging on doors. Tracts, as one brother said are something someone may read when he won't talk to you about the gospel. I, personally, know of one brother who was converted because he picked up tracts and read them when he found them. Some that we have used for the English speaking people are by brother Bob Danklefsen. The reason I am recommending these to you is because they get to the heart of the matter immediately. Some titles are:
    The Baptist Church--Is It The Church of the Bible?
    The Methodist Church--Is It The Church of the Bible?
    The Assembly of God--Is It The Church of the Bible?
    The Church of Christ--Is It The Church of the Bible?
   One that I am particularly fond of is entitled, I Need to Ask My Preacher... These tracts have answers to specific responses usually given by those in religious error strategically positioned on the front. If this type of tract may reach someone you know please stop by my office.
A God of Unconditional Love?
Scott Perry      Is the God of the Bible a God of “unconditional” love toward the disobedient? Recently, I read a sobering article that caused me to think again. The article was by brother Owen Olbricht, and it is in the latest issue of the Gospel Gleaner. I may have answered the above question in the affirmative before reading the article, but I must say that I would have done so without a Scripture to back it up! Today, I don't feel so comfortable saying that Jehovah God's love is unconditional. Now, this is not to say that God has not given His all by exhibiting extreme longsuffering with the nation of Israel under the Old Covenant. Or that He did not show the greatest possible concern for mankind's well-being in the sacrifice of His only-begotten Son. But, do these truths teach, and is it wise for us to say, that God has unconditional love toward the disobedient?
     When we examine God's behavior toward Israel, we discover that God's patience and kindness (characteristics of love--1 Cor. 13:4ff) toward the disobedient were only to a point. That point was demonstrated unforgettably by the comings of the Assyrian and Babylonian armies in 722 B.C. and 597 B.C., respectively, to destroy the disobedient. In the New Testament, again, God showed His immense love to the disobedient by sending His Son to teach the way of life and die on a cross, but this, too, was only up to a point. This point was demonstrated equally to be until the Roman armies came upon Jerusalem slaughtering over 1,000,000 Jews and taking scores of thousands into captivity for parade and slavery. Does this sound like God's love is unconditional or does it sound like God shows tremendous mercy up to a point, but when man hardens his heart enough times--God “has enough” and ceases to love his enemies?
     The final abode for the devil and his angels is Gehenna or eternal hellfire (Matt. 25:41). This place was prepared for them, but Jesus also said that Satan's followers would also end up in this horrible place. Does God unconditionally love the devil? Was he not a good angel who fell? Has not God's love for him ceased? 1 John 3:4-10 states:
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he [Jesus] was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother (emphasis mine, s.p.).
     God's love is to a point, and that point is “the point of no return.” Only God can know when this is, but let's not be fooled into thinking that God's love is “unconditional.” This popular doctrine of our day has created false hopes. I hope you will read brother Olbricht's article in this quarter's Gospel Gleaner for motivation to pray for and reach the lost who so long as they continue in disobedience are children of the devil and await the same destruction as their father.
VOLUME 41    NUMBER 7             FEBRUARY 16, 2004 OUR SICK Charlie Dee Morris suffered a stroke on Sunday evening. She is in CCU of St. Vincent.
Continue to remember Richard Lowe and Sam Griffith in your prayers.
Pauline Berry, mother of Brenda Henson, is in the hospital with pneumonia.
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“HOLDING TO THE TRADITIONS” Dennis will drive the van to Judsonia on Saturday, February 28th for the Holding To The Traditions Workshop. We will leave the church building at 8:00 AM. Please let Dennis know if you would like to ride.
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LADIES CLASS The Tuesday Evening Ladies Class will meet at 6:30 PM on February 24th. The meal will be provided. Susan Brewer will be the speaker.
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Members, please check your name, address, phone number and e-mail address on the bulletin board for a new pocket size directory.
SERMONS FOR FEBRUARY 22 Morning
Worship With Singing (Colossians 3:12-16) Evening
What Crucified The Christ? (Matthew 27:34-38)
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SEARCH THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH For people who are concerned about being the kind of Christian and/or church we read about in the Scriptures, it is of interest that one of the qualities of that church is its prayerfulness. Is the church where you worship a praying church?
CALENDAR OF EVENTS February 22………………..Pew Packers
February 24…………...All Comers Class
February 28…Holding To The Traditions      Judsonia Church of Christ OUR RECORD  FEBRUARY 15, 2004 A.M. WORSHIP 169
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 113
P.M. WORSHIP 163
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY  100 CONTRIBUTION 6333
BUDGET 6845
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MEN TO SERVE
February 22, 2004 Robert Overbey Stan Smith
Nathan Moore Mike Moore
Scott Perry Harold Pigue
Gary Poole Blake Poole Evening Dale Morris
  Doug Parker
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR February 25 Worship In Song
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USHERS FOR FEBRUARY Morning John & Jason Griffin
Evening  Richard Butler & Devin Long
Wednesday  Keith Golden & Ken Sullivan
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GREETERS FOR FEBRUARY Gary & Jennifer Poole
Stan & Michele Smith
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ELDER CHAIRMAN February  Bill Boyd
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