Phil Sanders

We must not allow the world to intimidate us into silence. The worst thing we can do is adopt a strategy of passive neutrality. We cannot afford to sit silently as spectators while the world speaks loud and long of the death of God. John revealed, “many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God” (John 12:42-43). Bold faith puts its trust in God over the objections of men. Like Peter, it cries out, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Churches who compromise to get along with religious neighbors are saying they want the approval of men more than they want the approval of God. In their own way they are contributing to current trends of pluralization and privatization. They are saying each man can have his own faith and each view is as good as another’s. If this be true, where is the Lord’s authority? Bold faith is willing to stand with the Lord and against the tide of popular belief. Bold faith is willing to die for Christ and with Christ.
Paul asked the Ephesians to pray for him at all times “that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Eph. 6:19-20).
(from Adrift: Postmodernism in the Church, pp. 225-26).

Salvation By Grace

Jerry W. Joseph

It is God’s desire according to the apostle Paul that all men be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). God, as it is stated in 2 Peter 3:9, “…is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, by that all should come to repentance.” It is evident therefore that God does not want anyone to be lost.
God by His grace has provided the way by which we can be saved, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11). Paul declared, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). In Ephesians 1:7 we have these words, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” In Ephesians 2:8, these words, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” It is impossible for anyone to be saved apart from the grace of God.
Because the Bible declares that we are saved by the grace of God, does that mean that our salvation is wholly by God’s grace apart from any acts of obedience? NO! NO! Nowhere within the Word of God is it taught that salvation is by grace alone. The idea that we are saved “wholly by grace” is the Calvinistic idea of God’s grace and stands in conflict with what the Bible teaches concerning the grace of God.
If salvation is by grace alone, then it rules our [sic] the necessity of man’s obeying any commands to bring about salvation. Salvation by grace does not exclude man having a part in his salvation. Peter in Acts 2:40 exhorts the people “save yourselves.” Man does have his part in his salvation.
Salvation by grace does not exclude the necessity of obedience upon man’s part. When we obey the commands of God in becoming a Christian, that does not nullify God’s grace. Jesus emphasized the necessity of obedience in Matthew 7:21 when He said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” The New Testament teaches that we cannot be saved without obedience to God’s word. According to Acts 10:35, only those who “…feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” In Hebrews 5:9 we learn that Jesus is “…the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” To obtain salvation offered by God’s grace means that we must believe in Christ (John 8:24); repent of our sins (Luke 13:3); confess Christ (Matthew 10:32-33) and be baptized (Mark 16:16).
Yes, salvation is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). Just because salvation is a gift does not mean there are no conditions that must be met by man. Neither does it mean that it ceases to be a gift when we obey the conditions stated. We must accept God’s grace and not reject it (Acts 13:46).

VOLUME 40 NUMBER 20 MAY 19, 2003

OUR SICK

Jr. Stracener was in the hospital last week but went home on Sunday.
George Blythe, husband of Thelma Blythe, is ill at home and requests our prayers.
Anna Lee Poindexter, sister of James Smith, is seriously ill.
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THANK YOU

Thank you so much for the love and kindness show to us throughout Mama’s illness and since her death. The solid Christian foundation this church family provides is a great source of strength and a true blessing indeed. Your cards, phone calls, flowers and food have all been a tremendous help during the past few months. Michele Smith and family.
Thank you very much to the Mabelvale congregation for all the visits, cards, prayers and concern shown throughout Linda’s illness and all the expressions of sympathy shown at the time of her death. Sue Horton and the family of Linda Henderson.
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ICE CREAM SUPPER

There will be an Ice Cream Supper for our graduating seniors after the evening service on Sunday, May 25th. Please bring a freezer of homemade ice cream or cookies and soft drinks.
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SERMONS FOR MAY 25

Morning
False Views of Death (Mark 12:18-27)
Evening
What It Means To Grow Up (Luke 2:52)
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GOSPEL MEETING

North Main Church of Christ in Malvern, May 25-28, Kent Bailey is the speaker. Monday-Wednesday at 7:00 PM.
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SEARCH

Week of May 25
THE STRUCTURE OF THE CHURCH
It has been said, “Christianity was a good thing until Paul organized it into a church.” Not all the organization seen in what is called Christianity is Biblical. Like everything else about Christ, the structure of His church is amazingly simple, too. Let us see.
EVENTS OF INTEREST

May 24…..Gone Fishin’ for 6th grade and below
May 25…………..Ice Cream Supper
May 25-28..Gospel Meeting at North Main Church in Malvern
May 31…...Walsh/Wallace Wedding
June 7……..Farm Fest trip for Teens
June 15-21………Sardis Lake Camp
July 13-16………………...Our VBS

OUR RECORD MAY 18, 2003

A.M. WORSHIP 227
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 175
P.M. WORSHIP 150
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 157

CONTRIBUTION 6601
BUDGET 6351
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MEN TO SERVE
May 25, 2003

Ray Wehunt John Boyd
Cliff Boyd Bill Boyd
Michael Wilson Wendell Thompson
Wayne Brewer Brian Brewer

Evening Rick Wooldridge
Danny Wooldridge
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

May 28 Worship In Song
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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
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

May Dale Morris
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