“He That Winneth Souls is Wise”
Patrick Morrison
    Solomon wrote, “the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that winneth souls is wise” (Prov. 11:30). While I am convinced that Solomon was talking about godly influence rather than personal evangelism, the application of this passage to us today can and should be extended to include personal evangelism. Why is one who would seek to bring souls into a right relationship with Christ a wise person?
    First of all, he who is a soul-winner is wise because he is imitating his Savior. Jesus proclaimed, “For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Jesus' primary mission upon the earth was to rescue souls from sin, and lead them to salvation. He who would do the same today lives up to the name Christian, for he is attempting to be like his Lord.
    Second, one who is a soul-winner is wise because he obeys his Master. Jesus commanded his followers to preach the gospel to every creature (Mk. 16:15-16), and to all nations (Mt. 28:19). Those who take the gospel to the lost are obeying the commandments of the Lord, and thereby are showing their love for him (Jn. 14:15).
    Third, those who seek to win souls to Christ are wise because they show their love for their fellow man. Soul-winning requires that we love our neighbors as ourselves. We do not want to be lost, and, therefore, we should not want those around us to be lost.
    Are you a wise person? Are you seeking to win souls over to Christ? If not, why not? Start today!
Something A Little Different Coming Soon
Jim Wesson  That's what the sign says in front of the church building that is just around the corner from our building. I have no idea what that “something different” is. It may be something that is perfectly legitimate for a “church” to be involved in. What really bothers me, though, is the thinking that this is the way to attract people. You have to offer them something a little different. People today just aren't satisfied with the same old thing. It sounds like what Luke said about the people of Athens when he wrote, “For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing” (Acts 17:21).
  The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein: (Jeremiah 6:16). Many people don't want the old paths. They want something new:  “Something A Little Different.”
  That's pretty much to be expected from those in the world--those who are not true New Testament Christians. What is really troubling, though, is when members of the Lord's church start reasoning the same way. If we just preach the old Jerusalem gospel to people--the same gospel Peter preached on the day of Pentecost--that doesn't appeal to them. If we want to gain numbers, we've got to offer them something “a little different.” When members of the church start reasoning this way, it usually isn't very long before truth takes a back seat to whatever will bring in the most people. Whatever fad or gimmick can be used to attract the masses becomes more important than simply preaching the gospel of Christ, the gospel of which Paul said he was not ashamed (Romans 1:16). Sadly, it seems that more and more members of the church are ashamed of the gospel.
  If we have to offer “something a little different” in order to reach people, we'll have to continue to offer them “something a little different” in order to keep them. Before long, the message we preach and practice will be so different from the truth that we will no longer be a church of Christ.
  While I wish that our building would be filled to overflowing and that we would baptize a dozen or more people a week, to grow in numbers at the expense of truth is not true growth at all. I deny that the way to reach people is to reach them with something other than the Gospel and then just kind of sneak up on them with the Gospel when they're not expecting it. If people aren't attracted to the good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Son of God for their sins, we have nothing else to offer them.
  Let's do everything we can to preach the Gospel at every opportunity that presents itself, but let's never resort to offering people “something a little different” just to swell our numbers. A building full of people who have not truly been converted to Christ is nothing more than a building full of people who are still lost. --215 S. Cumberland Ave., PO Box 328, Jacksboro, TN 37757.

VOLUME 41    NUMBER 19            MAY 10, 2004

OUR SICK Pearlie Baldwin is in Room 4030 of St. Vincent. Plans are to move her to rehab this week.
Sam Griffith will have tests today, Monday, to follow up on his Pancreatic cancer.
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TEEN ACTIVITIES There will be a Teen Devotional and Cookout on Saturday, May 15th. Meet at the building at 3:00 PM. The Teen Sing will be after the evening service on Sunday, May 16th, at the Griffin's. Girls bring chips and boys bring drinks.
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ICE CREAM SUPPER There will be an Ice Cream Supper to honor our graduates following the evening service on Sunday, May 23rd. Please bring either a freezer of homemade ice cream, cookies or soft drinks.
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GOSPEL MEETING David Brown will be preaching in a Gospel Meeting at Malvern, May 16-19. 7:00 PM Monday-Wednesday. Scott will drive the van on Monday, the 17th. We will leave here at 6:15.
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Scott & Laura Perry's new address is #10 Pinedale Circle, Mabelvale, AR 72103, phone 455-8999 SERMONS FOR MAY 16 Morning
Psalm 15, Scott Perry
Evening
Testifying (Acts 8:25), Scott Perry
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KOSOVO SCHOOL & ORPHANAGE A table with information on what is needed and boxes have been set up in the foyer for school supplies and items needed for the School and Orphanage in Kosovo.
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SEARCH
May 16
HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM
A sincere caller called for information about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. From what he has been reading and hearing, one must have the baptism of the Holy Spirit to be saved. He has tried and tried and tried, but cannot get it. Will he be lost? We promised him a program on the subject. CALENDAR OF EVENTS May 15…...Youth Devotional at 3:00 PM
May 16…………...Teen Sing at Griffin's
May 16-19….Gospel Meeting at Malvern
May 23..Ice Cream Supper for Graduates
June 5……...Door Knocking for Meeting
June 10-13 ………...Our Gospel Meeting
July 18-21……….Vacation Bible School
OUR RECORD  MAY 9, 2004 A.M. WORSHIP 249
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 170
P.M. WORSHIP 168
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY  146 CONTRIBUTION 6667
BUDGET 6845
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MEN TO SERVE
May 16, 2004

Eddie Black  Danny Wooldridge
Rick Wooldridge  Bill Boyd
Michael Wilson  Paul Word
Ken Bittle  Barry Williams
Evening
Bob Brown
Ray Bryan
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR May 19 Brad Horton
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USHERS FOR MAY Morning Roger Horton & Phil DePriest
Evening  Ken Bittle & Jim Henson
Wednesday  Jim Mauldin & Waymon Minor
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GREETERS FOR MAY Mike & Joanna Moore
Nathan Moore & Danny Wooldridge
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ELDER CHAIRMAN May  Dale Morris
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