Everyone That Is of the Truth, Hears My Voice
Scott Perry      Various methods for reaching people with the gospel is something about which all Christians should take joy. Specific methods we use to carry out the generic commands like, “Go” in Matthew 28:19 should be as exciting to us as sports or other activities. The Lord, however, added a specific command to our going and that is to “preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15-16). He did not say, “Survey the community of  to see what will please them,” and problems arise when we take emphasis away from the gospel and place “the power” (Rom. 1:16) of attraction of people to Christ with the methods of men.
     Methods like The Purpose Driven Series by false teacher Rick Warren really teach that Christians ought to be “men-pleasers” and not pleasers of God. This human philosophy says that the truth is not good enough to draw people to God. Surveying the community and asking sinners what they want in church is men-pleasing. It is certainly not God-pleasing because what men hold in high esteem God abhors. Jesus said to those who sought to serve two masters, “Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knows your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God”(Lu 16:15).
     The Apostle Paul wrote: “... do I persuade men or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10). The principle involved here holds true for us if we take our focus off the power of the gospel truth and hold in higher esteem the methods of men.

Role of the Holy Spirit
Scott Perry      The Bible reveals that all three members of the Godhead perform roles. For instance, Jesus assumed the role of Mediator for our prayers upon His return to Heaven (1 Tim. 2:5), but He is also the Creator of all things (John 1:3). The Holy Spirit, likewise, performs various roles. One of His roles, the Bible tells us, was as a Comforter to the apostles to guide them into all truth (John 16:13). He was also a “Reprover” of the world's wickedness through the message of truth they preached given them by Him (John 16:8; Acts 2-3). The role of the Holy Spirit was not to glorify Himself. His role was to glorify the Christ:
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you [apostles, sp] into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear; that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you (John 16:14-15, emphasis mine, sp).
     In Acts 20:29-30, Paul pleaded with elders in the church at Ephesus to guard the flock because false teachers (wolves) would enter the church not sparing the flock and, also, men of their own group, elders would speak perverse things leading disciples away from Christ after themselves. Paul commended them to God and the word of His grace which was able to build them up and give them an inheritance among the sanctified. I have recently read an article by an elder in the church today who is doing this very thing. I've never read a more Calvinistic display from an elder in the Lord's church. The claims made by this elder are that “the role of the Holy Spirit is character formation in the Christian,” but this is not accompanied by any of the commands of Christ which the Holy Spirit brought to the apostles (John 16) to use for reproof. Also, he says, Paul spoke of a “new way of the Spirit, where the key is not doing but being.” He goes on to say,
God gives us  his Spirit  for  the specific  purpose  of making us what  we know we need  to be  and what we really  want to be,  because  we  have  experienced cleansing  by the blood of Jesus. The  power  to bring it all  about is the power of God rather than our own strength.
If this brother meant through the gospel commands of Christ (Rom. 1:16), then I say a hearty amen! But I don't know what he meant because there are no commandments to illustrate this. It is just his assertion. No medium of operation for the Spirit is even hinted toward. He con-tinues with an allusion to Galatians 5 referring to our “sinful nature.” Now, Galatians 5 does tell me the works (where the key is doing and not just being) of the flesh are contrary to the works of the Spirit, but I don't have a sinful nature (Eccl. 12:7). He closes by saying that,
  [I]f  you  are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. We must be a loving Church and not bite, devour and destroy one another. We should be a SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH. In His Spirit, signed (all capitals in original, sp).
     What he is saying, evidently, is that “law keepers” bite and devour and destroy one another, but Romans 8:1-2 tells me of the Spirit's law. Is it not sin that devours and destroys, and sin is “transgression of law” (1 John 3:4)? I agree we should not bite and devour and destroy one another, but that will never be accomplished by forsaking the Lord's commands. We can't love the Lord or remain in His love unless we keep His commands (John 15:10, 14; 14:15). To do otherwise is pure lawlessness even if you call it love. Keeping the law of Christ (1 Cor. 9:21) is not biting, devouring, or destroying anybody. VOLUME 41    NUMBER 9                      MARCH 1, 2004 OUR SICK Charlie Dee Morris is in Room 1121 of St. Vincent. The family requests that visitors be limited to immediate family at this time.
Lynn Chambers is home.
Robert Overbey had a heart attack and is in Coronary Care of the VA Hospital.
Barbara Watson, mother of Becky Carr and Dawn Sullivan is home and doing better.
Frances Crow, mother of Betty Tollett, is in Saline Memorial Hospital.
Olive Dove will be moved to the Saline Nursing Center in Benton today (Monday). Please continue to send mail to the address listed in the directory.
Butch & Nora Harris request prayers for their son Ronnie.
Also, continue to remember Richard Lowe and Sam Griffith in your prayers.
*********************************
RESPONSE Placing Membership on February 22nd: Angela Freeman, 2601 Henson Place, Bryant, AR 72022, phone 831-3696.
********************************* SERMONS FOR MARCH 7 Morning
Changes Of Heart On Crucifixion Day (John 12:32) Evening
An Analysis Of The New Testament
*********************************
“HOLDING TO THE TRADITIONS” REVIEW About 25 brethren from Mabelvale attended the “Holding To The Traditions” meeting in Judsonia on February 28th. People attended from 9 states and 93 congregations. There were 55+ elders and over 500 total in attendance. This meeting was very well done. It will be a positive force for truth which is sorely needed at the present time. The next meeting is to be in Branson, MO.
*********************************
CALENDAR OF EVENTS March 10…..………….All Comers Class
March 17……………...All Comers Class
March 23……………...All Comers Class
March 23..Tuesday Evening Ladies Class OUR RECORD  FEBRUARY 29, 2004 A.M. WORSHIP 242
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 185
P.M. WORSHIP 152
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY  92 CONTRIBUTION 6699
BUDGET 6845
***********************************
MEN TO SERVE
March 7, 2004

Eddie Black Richard Butler
Ray Bryan Bill Boyd
Johnny Boyd Ken Bittle
John Boyd Danny Wooldridge Evening Rick Wooldridge
  Paul Word
***********************************
WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR March 10 Johnny Boyd
***********************************
USHERS FOR MARCH Morning Bill Boyd & John Boyd
Evening  Gary Poole & Blake Poole
Wednesday  Brad Horton & Darrell Orick
***********************************
GREETERS FOR MARCH Roger & Sue Horton
Regina & Troy Threet
***********************************
ELDER CHAIRMAN March  Johnny Boyd
***********************************