Dennis Gulledge

Anytime you make the case, from the New Testament, that we today are not legally bound to keep the Ten Commandments there is a typical response. It goes something like this, “Then you are saying that we can worship idols, take God’s name in vain, dishonor parents, murder, commit adultery, steal, lie and covet.”
In response we would ask, “Have Jesus Christ, and the apostles, been silent on morality in the New Covenant?” Jesus taught allegiance to God and God alone (Matt. 4:10). Paul warned against idolatry (Gal. 5:20; Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5). Jesus taught that we should sanctify (keep holy, the opposite of common) the name of God (Matt. 6:9). Neither Jesus nor his apostles ever sanctioned Sabbath keeping in the New Covenant. Both Jesus and Paul enjoined love and respect for parents (Mk. 7:10-13; Eph. 6:1-4). Jesus condemned murder and adultery by identifying their points of origin – a hateful mind and lust-filled heart (Matt. 5:21-28). The Lord likewise legislated against stealing and lying, along with numerous other sins (Matt. 15:19). Jesus condemned covetousness (Matt. 19:16-22). The apostle Paul did likewise (Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5).
Was Moses the only moral power that ever lived? Do we have such little regard for the Lord as to think that only Moses can motivate morality and enforce ethics? This common quibble raises Moses above the Messiah.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS CONTROVERSY

Dennis Gulledge

The Ten Commandments have always been highly charged with interest and controversy. The Law was of such interest that “it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator” [Moses] (Gal. 3:19; Deut. 5:5). The Law was of such controversy that a lawyer in Jesus’ day felt that the question of the greatest commandment would make for a good debate (Matt. 22:36). Controversy still swirls around the Ten Commandments as the cultural war rages in this country. We will long remember the judicial removal of a large marble monument of the Decalogue from public view in the Alabama Judicial Building in Montgomery recently. This controversy of over eight years is not going away anytime soon.
We are told that the presence of the Ten Commandments in a courtroom violates the principle of “separation of church and state.” This wearied metaphor, so revered by the ACLU, is not found in the First Amendment, or anywhere else in the U. S. Constitution. The expression had its origin in a letter written by Thomas Jefferson in 1801. Jefferson was merely agreeing with the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution, which says that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibit the free exercise thereof.” The U. S. Supreme Court wrote – “wall of separation between church and state” into a religion-in-school ruling [Everson v. Board of Education] on February 10, 1947. Jefferson’s phrase has been misinterpreted and misapplied ever since, with the help of the humanistic power base of the ACLU and the Supreme Court, to limit any expression of faith in the public arena.
On the religious side of this issue the supporters of Judge Roy Moore’s defiant stance in Alabama have argued that the law of God supersedes the law of man. In cases of proper application this sentiment is correct. The Jewish Sanhedrin attempted to restrict the preaching of Peter and John, “and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus” (Acts 4:18). Peter and John responded, “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye” (Acts 4:19). Later, “Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). The Christian recognizes the superiority of God’s claims over that of the state. Where the two conflict the Christian subjects himself to God rather than the state.
The events in Alabama, however, are not parallel to the situation in Acts 4. In Alabama there are fundamentalist zealots arguing that the Ten Commandments constitute God’s law. They are defending a law that has been fulfilled (Matt. 5:17), and removed (Rom. 7:4-7; 2 Cor. 3:3-11; Gal. 3:23-26; 5:1-4; Eph. 2:11-18; Col. 2:13-15). The Ten Commandments are not God’s law for men today.

VOLUME 40 NUMBER 35 SEPTEMBER 2, 2003

OUR SICK

Lou Sullivan came home on Saturday.
Cleta Morgan is ill at home with a viral infection.
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RESPONSE

Placing Membership on Sunday, August 31st: Jeff & Valerie Linker and Daulton, 3901 N. Maple, N. Little Rock, AR 72118, phone 758-1367.
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REMINDERS

Men’s breakfast September 6th, at 8:00 AM, for all men of the congregation.
Fifth Sunday Potluck September 7th, following the morning worship service. First Sunday Singing Practice September 7th, at 4:00 PM.
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ALL COMERS CLASS RESUMES

The All Comers Class will resume on Tuesday, September 16th at 10:00 AM in the Adult 4 Classroom. The study will begin in Joshua 11.
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CHILDREN’S HOME

There is a sign-up sheet in the foyer for those who would like to attend the Open House and fish fry in Paragould on September 27th. We will leave about 7:00 AM.
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SERMONS FOR SEPTEMBER 7

Morning
God Gave Them Up (Romans 1:24-28)
Evening
Hypocrisy – Acting A Part
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THANK YOU

I appreciate the food. Thank you and God Bless. Retha Priest.
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SEARCH

Week of September 7
PRAY FOR US
This program marks the beginning of the 24th year for the SEARCH broadcasts. God has blessed it from the beginning. This program is a renewed commitment to our original five-fold purpose and a request for the prayers of all Christians that this year God will open more doors for us to preach His Word, and that we will make it manifest as we ought to speak (Col. 4:2).
EVENTS OF INTEREST

September 6……….Men’s Breakfast
September 7….Fifth Sunday Potluck
September 7…..First Sunday Singing
September 14….Bible Bowl Practice
September 21…………….Teen Sing

OUR RECORD AUGUST 31, 2003

A.M. WORSHIP 209
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 166
P.M. WORSHIP 154
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 131

CONTRIBUTION 6007
BUDGET 6351
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MEN TO SERVE
September 7, 2003

Eddie Black John Boyd
Bill Boyd Wendell Thompson
Rick Wooldridge Danny Wooldridge
Johnny Boyd Henry Brooks

Evening Ray Bryan
Ken Bittle
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

September 10 Bill Boyd
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USHERS FOR SEPTEMBER

Morning Bill & John Boyd
Evening Gary & Blake Poole
Wednesday Brad Horton & Darrell Orick
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GREETERS FOR SEPTEMBER

Richard & Beth Butler
Marvie Smith
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

September Johnny Boyd
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