Dennis Gulledge

“Proper equipment in life demands a good memory, likewise the ability to forget.” These were the words of N. B. Hardeman in volume three of his famed Tabernacle Sermons for 1928 (p. 15). We do not always exercise our memories in ways that are best suited to our proper spiritual development. We tend to forget those things we need to remember, and remember what needs to be forgotten. Someone has well written:

Forget each kindness that you do as soon as you have done it; Forget the praise that falls to you the moment you have won it; Forget the slander that you hear before you repeat it; Forget each slight, each spite, each sneer wherever you may meet it.

Remember every kindness done to you, what’er the measure; Remember praise by others won, and pass it on with pleasure; Remember every promise made and keep it to the letter; Remember those who lend you aid and be a grateful debtor; Remember all the happiness that comes your way in living; Forget each worry and distress, be hopeful and forgiving; Remember good, remember truth, remember heaven’s above you, And you will find, through age and youth that many hearts will love you.

TRUTH IS EXCLUSIVE

Dennis Gulledge

In our Wednesday night topical Bible studies class we just finished a five-month study of the excellent book, The Spirit of Liberalism, by Frank Chesser. The final chapter in this book is titled, “Liberalism and Exclusiveness.” It seemed appropriate that our study should conclude on such a note, since this topic strikes at the heart and soul of liberalism. Wherever liberalism goes there is a corresponding loss of distinction among churches of Christ. Liberalism has infiltrated our ranks so that congregations everywhere are functioning, not as the Lord’s church, but merely as a denomination with the Lord’s name falsely attached to it.
Such well-known change agents as Rubel Shelly and Randy Harris are busy expounding the message that “traditional” churches of Christ are on the road to extinction unless they adopt sweeping doctrinal changes. These false teachers are certainly not the first to make such dire predictions. At the turn of the 20th century liberals predicted the demise of churches of Christ that did not go along with the “progressive” tide of adopting instrumental music in the worship, missionary societies and women in leadership roles. The Disciples of Christ denomination embraced the liberal agenda, and saw their numbers decline in succeeding decades, while churches of Christ enjoyed phenomenal growth in the decades of the 1940s through the 1960s.
These days it is almost the “kiss of death” to be exclusive in any way. Exclusiveness is that which limits or restricts in some way. Some people think there should be no restrictions in any area of life. We have laws in this country that prosecute discrimination (or, exclusion) on the basis of race, gender or national origin. Exclusion is interpreted, by some, as being motivated by bigotry and intolerance. In many cases it may be. Yet, even God-given distinctions, which call for proper exclusions, are under attack. Part of the aggressive homosexual agenda in this country is to demand tolerance while challenging laws and norms of exclusivity against a perverted and sinful lifestyle.
While liberals love to paint faithful Christians as those who have a factional mindset, for which they, who boast of their “tolerance,” have zero tolerance, it is interesting to note just how exclusive truth really is. Jesus was exclusive. He taught, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (Jn. 14:6). The apostles, and other inspired writers, were exclusive. They taught an exclusive church – the one body (Col. 1:18, 24); an exclusive baptism – one baptism, for the remission of sins (Eph. 4:5; Acts 2:38), an exclusive gospel – the gospel of Christ (Gal. 1:6-9); an exclusive salvation – in Christ (Acts 4:12); an exclusive faith – one faith (Eph. 4:5; Jude 3); and, an exclusive doctrine – the doctrine of Christ (2 Jn. 9-11). Whether change agents choose to admit it or not there is an exclusive body of truth that has been “once for all delivered unto the saints” (Jd. 3).

VOLUME 40 NUMBER 33 AUGUST 18, 2003

RESPONSE

Placing Membership on August 17th, David, Vicki, Brian & Cindy Campbell, 1810 Briarwood Cove, Bryant, AR 72022, phone 847-6840.
Requesting Prayers to be Restored: August 17th, Ken Bittle.
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THANK YOU

We want to thank the congregation for the food, drinks, and supplies you donated for our trip to Kinlichee. We got everything we asked for. It made our trip a pleasure knowing we had people such as you behind us. The Children’s Home was excited to get all the school supplies, and wanted us to express their gratitude to you. Thanks again for every thing you’ve done and for all your prayers. The Kinlichee Group.
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GOSPEL MEETING

August 24-27 at Church of Christ, 201 N. E. 3rd St., England, AR. Monday – Wednesday at 7:30 PM. Larry Culbreath is the speaker.
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BIBLE CLASS PROMOTION

On Sunday, August 31st, students in classes 6th grade and below will be promoted to their new classes. When the first bell rings at the end of class students will go to their new class.
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SERMONS FOR AUGUST 24

Morning
Establishing Bible Authority (Colossians 3:17)
Evening
Gospel – The Good News!
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PEW PACKERS

Pew packers will meet only on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 4:25 PM. If you are willing to conduct a pew packer class please let Scott know.
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SEARCH

Week of August 24
THE KINGDOM IS NOW
From Old Testament prophecies, the preaching of John the Baptist and our Lord Himself, it is clear that Christ came into the world, not only to save the individual lost sinner, but to establish His Kingdom and reign over it as King. To say He failed, would be to refute His claims to the Messiahship and to deny His deity.
EVENTS OF INTEREST

August 23………..Youth Devotional
August 31…….Young Men Conduct
Evening Service
September 8….Fifth Sunday Potluck

OUR RECORD AUGUST 17, 2003

A.M. WORSHIP 266
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 198
P.M. WORSHIP 196
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 156

CONTRIBUTION 6694
BUDGET 6351
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MEN TO SERVE
August 24, 2003

Darrell Orick Robert Overbey
Doug Parker Waymon Minor
Dale Morris Harold Pigue
Mike Moore Nathan Moore

Evening Scott Perry
Tim King
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

August 27 Worship In Song
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USHERS FOR AUGUST

Morning John & Jason Griffin
Evening Richard Butler & Devin Long
Wednesday Keith Golden & Ken Sullivan
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GREETERS FOR AUGUST

Bette Hendricks & Emma Brown
Thelma Blythe & Marie Rogers
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

August Bill Boyd
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