James Wallace Yarbrough Mechanicsville, Virginia

The Veteran

James Wallace Yarbrough was a senior in high school in Mechanicsville, Virginia, when he entered
into military service with the Army during World War II. Because he chose to serve our country in
the military, he never graduated from high school.

On Veteran's Day, November 11, 2019, after WWII interrupted his education over 75 years ago,
Yarbrough received an honorary high school diploma from his alma mater, the former Washington-Henry
High School. In a Veteran's Day program at Washington-Henry Elementary School, Yarbrough, now
93-years-old, was presented the honorary diploma with gratitude for his service and the sacrifices
that he made to serve our country.

"Just being here with the veterans and the kids. It was quite an honor," the 93-year-old veteran
added about receiving his honorary high school diploma. "I never expected such an occasion." *

May I direct your attention to another Veteran who made tremendous sacrifices for the benefit of
every person in the world? He is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

We were not only losing - we were lost in our battle with Satan and with sin. Because of our sins,
we were destined for destruction (Romans 6:23; Matthew 7:13-14).

But God loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son to our rescue. He left heaven to come to
earth. Deity became one of us in order to save us. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and
we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John
1:14). We can only imagine what Jesus gave up in order to accomplish the will of God to save us.

Many believe that Philippians 2:5-11 was an early Christian hymn. It "tells the story" of Jesus'
humiliation:

"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made
Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found
in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!"
(Philippians 2:5-8 NIV).

Why did He do this? He did it for us, to save us. Only Jesus, the sinless Son of God, could pay
the price for our sins. And He did when He died on that cruel cross. It cost Him His life, but
three days later, He rose from the dead and won the decisive victory over Satan, sin, and death!

The hymn in Philippians 2 culminates in the glorification of Jesus: "Therefore God exalted Him to
the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (vs. 9-11 NIV). In other words, the Veteran who
gave His life for us was honored for His sacrifice.

He deserves our highest honor, love, appreciation, and submission.

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts
16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans
10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

The One who gave His life FOR us, is the One that is worth giving our life TO. Won't YOU?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Virginia veteran, 93, who dropped out of high school to fight in WWII,
gets honorary diploma" by Frank Miles of Fox News. www.foxnews.com.

David A. Sargent, Minister

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Jesus Died for You so that You can Live with Him

At the outset, let me encourage you to pick up a Bible as you begin to read this study, and read all the references included. The more you dwell on Christ’s word, the stronger your faith will become.

What does this mean: Jesus died for you?

Well … sin is transgression against God’s will. 1 John 3:4. Death is the ultimate consequence of sin. Genesis 2:7-17; Romans 6:23. Everybody has sinned. Romans 3:23; 5:12. Except Jesus who never ever sinned. John 8:46; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:21-23. So when Jesus died He wasn’t dying for His own sins, but for your sins and my sins; for everyone’s sins. 1 Peter 2:24. In other words, because He was innocent and pure, he should never have died. But His dying for everyone else’s sins was God’s plan to save us from hell. Acts 2:22-23. He took the wrap for the rest of us. Romans 8:1-4; Colossians 1:21-23. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

When I tell a lie, I have sinned. Jesus never told a lie. Romans 3:4; Titus 1:1-2. His dying on the cross was a death He died for my lie.

And this same fact is true in respect of every sin every human being has committed. God forsook Jesus at the moment of His death because of our sins in His body, so that if we believe what Jesus did for us, then God will not forsake us but save us from our sins and the punishment we deserve because of those sins.

The proof that God accepted Jesus’ death on our behalf is in Jesus’ resurrection. Acts 2:24. His resurrection and death were predicted hundreds of years beforehand in Isaiah 53 and Psalm 16:8-11. Read those references.

Unless you put your trust in what Jesus has done for you - in His life, death and resurrection - then when you die, your sins will have not been atoned for, and so you will die in your sins, and face hell and destruction instead of eternal life. Matthew 10:28-33; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10.

Read the following Scriptures to see how it works:

“I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” John 8:24

But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and

honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone … 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:9,14-17

 

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in

return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 2:22-25

That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his

offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. 20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness”. 23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. Romans 4:16-25

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God … 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die — 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:1-2,6-8

 

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

… 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:9-13,1617

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7For one who has died has been set free from sin. Romans 6:3-7

Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” Acts 2:36-39

Believe Jesus is your Lord and Saviour who died to cleanse you from your sin.

Repent of your past life with all its sins, and turn to Jesus to start a new life.

Before witnesses, confess your faith in Jesus as Lord to qualify you for baptism that brings Christ into your life.

Be baptized into Christ to receive God’s forgiveness for your sins and the gift of God’s Holy Spirit, so that Christ can live in you forever.

God’s plan with hardships …

•      To turn us from devotion to the world to dependence on God.

•      Too much pleasure, too much materialism, too much selfishness are not good preparation for eternity.

•      Hardships give opportunities for us to love one another more, and become more like God.

•      God’s people can talk with the world about why disasters happen, and then provide gospel hope.

·         Hardships test us to see what we regard as important. Will you pass the above tests with flying colours?

David Hunter

September 11, 2001

Everybody Out!

9/11. The very mention of that date causes the minds of many to go back to the fateful day of
September 11, 2001 when terrorists attacked several points in the United States, including the World
Trade Towers in Lower Manhattan.

From the ashes of the South Tower, another hero has been memorialized. His name was Rick Rescorla.
Here is part of his story.

Rescorla was a retired Army Colonel and a Vietnam veteran who was working as the director for
security for Morgan Stanley, headquartered in the South Tower of the World Trade Center. After the
bomb attack on the Trade Center in 1993, Rescorla designed and implemented evacuation drills to
prepare employees for another attack. On 9/11/2001, he had to issue the evacuation order.

After the first plane hit the North Tower on 9/11, Rescorla ignored building announcements telling
people to stay at their desks and ordered the Morgan Stanley employees to get out of the South
Tower. He directed the employees to the stairwells to evacuate. As he directed them to safety,
Rescorla sang Cornish and Welsh hymns as he had done in times of crisis during the Vietnam War.

A conference center in Fort Hood, Texas, was dedicated in Rescorla's name in 2015. During the
dedication ceremony that day, Lt. Col. Andrew Watson told of Rescorla's heroic actions on 9/11.
"Everybody said, 'Rick your folks are out. You've done what you need to do,' but he pointed up the
stairwell and said, 'You hear those screams? There's more people up there. I have to help get them
out,'" (as reported by Military.com). Rescorla said he would run to safety only once he had gotten
everyone in the building out.

Rescorla wasn't able to get everyone out. He also perished when the building collapsed. He was
last seen climbing up the stairs on the 10th floor. He is credited with saving nearly 2,700 people
that day. He died at the age of 62.

"On behalf of the entire nation, I pledge we will forever and ever memorialize this American hero,"
said President Trump as he awarded a posthumous Presidential Citizens Medal to Rescorla's family on
Thursday, November 7, 2019. *

As Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was hanging in agony on the cross, some "who passed by hurled
insults at Him, shaking their heads and saying, 'You who are going to destroy the temple and build
it in three days, save Yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!' In the same
way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked Him. 'He's the King of Israel!
Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue
Him now if He wants Him, for He said, 'I am the Son of God'" (Matthew 27:39-43).

Jesus could have ordered twelve legions of angels to come to His rescue (cf. Matthew 26:52-54), but
He didn't. Why not? Because in essence, Jesus heard the cries of those who are lost in sin - past,
present, and future - and He knew that the only way to accomplish their salvation was for Him to die
on the cross for their (and our) sins.

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts
16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans
10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). Those
who continue to walk in the light of His Word will continue to be cleansed by Jesus' atoning blood
(1 John 1:7-9).

Jesus died to get "everybody out" of sin and into heaven. He will save YOU if you will accept His
offer on His terms.

-- David A. Sargent
* Information gleaned from "Trump awards posthumous Presidential Citizens Medal to Sept. 11 hero
Rick Rescorla" by Morgan Phillips of Fox News, www.foxnews.com.

Austin Booth

Touchdown!

 

Austin Booth is a 12-year-old football player in Florida.  And like most football players, he had always wanted to make a touchdown.  During a game last month, his wish came true – but only with the help of his teammates.

 

Austin has congenital heart disease and is in heart failure, meaning he cannot have a transplant.  In that condition, it was nearly impossible for him to be able to run a touchdown like another tailback in good health.

 

But his coach came up with a way for Austin to score a touchdown.  It would require the help of his team and the sympathetic cooperation of the opposing team.

 

A video posted by Austin’s mother onto Facebook shows Austin being sent onto the field for the special play.  The ball is snapped and handed to Austin, who climbs onto the back of a bigger, stronger teammate.  His teammate carried him down the field and crossed the goal line for a touchdown with players on both teams cheering for him.

 

“They were running the touchdown with him and it was just amazing,” said Angela Booth, Austin’s mother.  “This was so much bigger than football,” Angela told ActionNewsJax.com.

 

After the touchdown, Austin was carried off the field on the shoulders of his coach, with his hands held high in the air, with a few “dabs” along the way.

 

Due to the “failures of our hearts” (our sins), we were unable to achieve victory over sin and death.  What we could not do ourselves, Christ accomplished for us.  He paid the price for our sins by dying on the cross (Ephesians 1:7).  He died and was buried, but on the third day, He arose from the grave (1 Corinthians 15:1-3).  Jesus won the ultimate victory over sin and death!  He invites us to “climb onto His back” so that He can carry us to victory.

 

Christ has promised to share His victory with us when we place our faith and trust in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38).  As we continue to walk in the light of His Word, then He will continue to cleanse us from our sins by His redeeming blood (1 John 1:7-9).

 

Recognizing the failures of his own heart (his struggle with sin), the Apostle Paul exclaimed: “What a wretched man I am!  Who will rescue me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24 NIV).  Then he answered his question: “Thanks be to God -- through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25).

 

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

 

YOU can share in Christ’s victory over sin and death if only you will “climb onto His back” in trusting obedience.

 

-- David A. Sargent

 

* Information gleaned from “Florida boy, 12, with failing heart scores touchdown: 'This was so much bigger than football'” by Alexandria Hein of Fox News, www.foxnews.com

Which church is the right church?

I AM A CHRISTIAN

 

(Note: The following article was written by Dr. Cecil May, Jr., dean emeritus of the V. P. Black College of Biblical Studies at Faulkner University in Montgomery, AL.  It appeared as his “Finally, Brethren” column in the October 2019 issue of the Gospel Advocate and is used here by the express permission of the Gospel Advocate company.  I highly commend Dr. May’s provocative article to all).

 

I am a disciple of Christ; I seek to learn from Him and follow Him…but I am not a Disciple of Christ.

 

I am a methodist; I try to follow the biblical method…but I am not a Methodist.

 

I am a baptist; I have been immersed in water for the forgiveness of my sins…but I am not a Baptist.

 

I am catholic; Christ added me to His universal church…but I am not a Catholic.

 

I am part of an assembly of God; we assemble each Lord’s day…but I am not of the Assemblies of God.

 

I am presbyterian; my congregation is shepherded by elders (Greek, presbuteroi)…but I am not a Presbyterian.

 

I am episcopalian; my congregation is overseen by bishops (Greek, episcopoi)…but I am not an Episcopalian.

 

I am a member of a congregation which is Christian and independent…but I am not of the Independent Christian Church.

 

I am a member of the church of Christ; He built it and purchased it with His blood…but I am not Church of Christ.

I am a member of the church of God; He purposed it before the worlds began…but I am not Church of God.

 

By the grace of God, I am a Christian.

 

Hugh Fulford

Romans 16:16 - Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

 

Born Again; New Covenant; Kingdom of Christ

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. John 3:3-14

“Born again” in verse 3 could be translated “reborn from above,” thus enabling the two ideas of the new birth

being a birth from God in heaven. (Leon Morris)

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world

was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not

receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children

of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:11-13

 

Jesus made humanity, but humanity didn’t know their creator. When he came to their world, they didn’t accept Him! He wanted to get them to believe in Him so He could remake them and give them eternal life. A rebirth was necessary, and only possible if they trusted Him.

Not just circumcision to reshape a piece of their flesh, but rebirth to reshape the human spirit. This would be a mark of entry into the New Covenant.

 

“Born of God,” here in John 1, is referring to “born again” and “born of water and the Spirit” in John 3. Jesus

“did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself” (Philippians 2:6-7) so as to enter our world and show us how to be born again to follow Him out of Satan’s world back to God’s world. Philippians 2:5-13; Hebrews 2:1-18.

 

The one who created all men also desired to save all men by offering a rebirth by the Holy Spirit.

“Seeing” the kingdom means “experiencing” the kingdom, and therefore equivalent to “entering” it.

“Born again” is more specifically “born of water and the Spirit.”

Born of water is baptism. Anyone who can’t concede that born again and baptism go together hasn’t read Romans 6:3-11 and Colossians 2:11-14. Isn’t dying and being raised to walk in newness of life a new birth??

Those baptized by John, and therefore forgiven, Mark 1:4-5, were not born again because the Holy Spirit was not then available. When did being born of water and the Spirit begin?   See  John 1:29-34; 7:37-39; Acts 2:1-39. John was preparing Jews to believe in Jesus and enter the New Covenant and the kingdom through being born of the Spirit.

Does “born again” imply being born into the Christ family? See Romans 8:14-17; Hebrews 2:11-18; Colossians

When were the apostles born again? That’s a very good question.

Since the church was begun by the apostles, 1 Corinthians 12:18,28; Ephesians 2:19-22, and being born again was the way to enter the church and kingdom, the apostles had to be born of water and the Spirit. But when?

Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”

9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”

10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely

clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.”  11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” John 13:8-11

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”  22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:21-22

The apostles were washed in water by Jesus and cleansed, and they received the Holy Spirit, in a special

dispensation, before He was “poured out” and made available on the next Pentecost. See Luke 24:49; Acts 2:1

The man, not far from the kingdom, Mark 12:34, and Joseph of Arimathea, who was waiting for the kingdom, Mark 15:42-43, were still not born again and in Christ’s kingdom. They would have to wait for Pentecost after the Passover at which Christ was crucified, then resurrected.

If a person died, after being baptized of John and believing in Jesus, but before he could be born of water and the Spirit, would that person enter the kingdom of God?

What is implied by the following two Scriptures:

Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, Matthew 11:11-13

“The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it. Luke 16:16

Those who were baptized of John and therefore forgiven, were again forgiven when they were baptized into Christ to receive the Holy Spirit and be born again.

Note regeneration (rebirth) in Titus 3:4-7; Romans 6:3-7; Ephesians 4:20-24 and Colossians 3:9-11.

What is the difference between the baptism of John and baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ? Be baptised of John and you believe in Jesus; be baptised into Christ means Christ and the Spirit are now in you, and you are in the kingdom. Acts 19:1-5.

You are a Jewish believer, waiting for the kingdom of God, and you live through the baptism of John, and belief in Jesus, past His death and resurrection to the day of Pentecost when the apostle Peter preached that first gospel sermon of the New Covenant in Acts 2. Upon hearing the sermon, what is your response?

 

·       You can’t be in the kingdom till Jesus is King.

·       Jesus wasn’t king till he ascended into heaven after his resurrection.

·       You have to be born again to enter the kingdom.

·       You can’t be born again till Jesus is King and He’s sent the Spirit into the world.

·       That’s all explained in Peter’s sermon in Acts 2.

·       Those who repented and were baptized, in response to Peter’s sermon in Acts 2, were born again when they were baptized and received forgiveness and the Holy Spirit.

 

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. 12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:9-17

 

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. 26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. 1 John 2:19-27

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to

redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are

sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave,

but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4:4-7

To become a son of God you have to die spiritually, be buried with Christ, and your spirit be reborn of the Spirit as your body is washed clean by water. John 3:5-6; Romans 6:3-7; Hebrews 10:22-23; 1 Peter 3:18-22.

 

Being born again belongs to the New Covenant so that you can receive the circumcision of Christ - made without hands Christ. Colossians 2:11-14.

 

Have you been baptized to be born again for the New Covenant and become a new creation in the Spirit?

 

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

 

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

 

David Hunter

 

Charles Ryals Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services

Messages Received

Imagine not being able hear sound. You cannot hear anything. Obviously, communication with others
is extremely difficult because you can't hear words that are being spoken.

A deaf person can learn to give and receive communication by learning a language: sign language.
This language employs signs made with the hands and other movements, including facial expressions
and postures of the body, to communicate messages.

Charles Ryals, Sr. was proficient in sign language. He worked with the Vocational Rehabilitation
Service, the largest division within the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, to help
Alabamians with disabilities achieve independence through employment. His special focus was
working with the deaf and blind.

As a skillful "signer," Charles was able to communicate with people with which many others could
not. By communicating in sign language with those who were deaf, he was able to assist them in
navigating through the challenges of their lives.

A sign, at its basic definition, simply points to something. Signs in sign language "point" to the
words and ideas that are being communicated. By the way that he lived, Charles Ryals, a proficient
"signer," pointed to things that mattered most to him. His life pointed to:

Love for family. One of his grandsons, David Geary, said of him: "As I think about my grandfather
and who he was, the most memorable thing about him to me was how much he loved and cared for my
grandmother. It seemed that he lived every moment of his life to serve her and care for her - even
well before her illness. It didn't seem that she could do a thing without him saying, "Here, let me
do that for you." His love for her was by far the thing that I will remember the most about him. I
don't know that I have ever seen a man have and show as much love for a woman as my grandfather did
for my grandmother. That means a lot to me. He was a great example." His children, grandchildren,
and great grandchildren all testify of his great love for them. They all loved him in return.

Wise counsel. "His ability to guide us in giving advice as a compassionate and concerned person was
always so gracious and gentle," said grandson David Geary. Family members were not the only
recipients of his wisdom. Many friends and church members benefitted from his compassionate
counsel.

Love for God and people. Above all, Charles Ryals sought to point others to God through his words
and his actions. Many will testify (including me) that he did a marvelous job. He helped many
"see" Jesus more clearly. Celeste Chandler said of him, "When I think of Charles, so many words
describe him: Godly, sweet-spirited, quiet, soft-spoken, gentle, caring, a true gentleman, a friend
to all - a very dear friend to me." These words have been echoed by many.

What is the best thing you and I can do? Follow the signs. Follow Charles Ryals as he followed
Christ.

Place your faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31) who died on the cross for our sins. Turn from
your sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). Then, follow Jesus as a way of
life, walking in the light of His Word. "If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have
fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John
1:7).

Messages received, Charles Ryals, Sr. The signs have been clear. Thank you for communicating these
truths in such profound, unmistakable ways.

-- David A. Sargent

* In loving memory of Charles Edwin Ryals, Sr. (October 28, 1927 - October 10, 2019). Thank you for
communicating what a Christ-honoring life looks like. Until we meet again.

What does it mean to obey the gospel?

 

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ONE OBEYS THE GOSPEL?

 

The expression "obey the gospel" may not be familiar language to many, but to those acquainted with the Scriptures it is recognized as the expression of a great spiritual truth.  Peter wrote, "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God (Christians, the church – I Timothy 3:15, hf).  And if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?" (I Peter 4:17).  As if in anticipation of that question Paul had earlier warned that at the second coming of Christ He would take "vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" (II Thessalonians 1:8).  In his letter to the Romans Paul plainly stated: "But they have not all obeyed the gospel" (10:16).  The American Standard Version says, "But they did not all hearken to (heed, NASB) the glad tidings (another term to refer to the gospel, hf). 

 

Thus, "obey the gospel" is an eminently biblical expression, and refers to hearing, believing, and submitting to the facts and commands of the gospel of Christ in order to enter into a saved state with God, become His child, and be entitled to wear the name Christian.  It stands in contrast to such humanly devised expressions as "accept Christ as your personal savior," "just believe," "say the sinner's prayer," "have a spiritual epiphany" (a religious experience), "join the church," and other non-biblical notions that are the inventions of men rather than expressions of the will of God.  Those acquainted with scriptural terminology should not be embarrassed to use it, and they should not allow those who use unscriptural terminology to dominate the conversations regarding these matters.  Such discussions provide excellent opportunities to instruct others in Bible truth and to point out the terms used in the Bible as opposed to those terms that arise out of the ignorance of those unacquainted with Bible terminology. Those knowledgeable in the Scriptures need to "educate up" rather than permitting a "dumbing down" to continue. Clearly, those who are knowledgeable in the Bible should be kind and patient with those who are not knowledgeable in the Scriptures and should look for the most judicious moment in which to offer Bible teaching, but they should not allow biblical ignorance to trump biblical knowledge, otherwise one has a classic case of "the tail wagging the dog" when it comes to the discussion of biblical matters.  I, for one, grow tired of seeing this happening over and over.

 

The book of Acts sets forth several accounts of people obeying the gospel. (2:1-47; 8:4-13; 8:26-40; 9:1-19; 10:1-48; 16:11-15; 16:16-34;  18:8; 22:1-16).  I would urge all to read these accounts of how people obeyed the gospel and were converted to Christ in New Testament times.  Your soul is too valuable, eternity is too long, heaven is too wonderful, and hell and is too horrible for you to tell yourself that you do not have the time to read them or that you think you are already "right with God." God put those accounts in His word for a purpose and you need to know what He has said about this important matter that will mean the difference between heaven and hell on the day of judgment.  

 

Not only do we have biblical accounts of how people obeyed the gospel in New Testament times, but we also have a divinely inspired description of what is involved in obeying the gospel.  Paul writes: "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  Therefore, we were buried with Him by baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life…. Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves servants to obey, you are that one's servant whom you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?  But God be thanked that though you were servants of sin, yet you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.  And having been set free from sin, you became servants of righteousness" (Romans 6:3-4, 16-18).  Have you obeyed "that form of doctrine" (the gospel) by dying to your sins in genuine repentance, being buried with Christ in baptism, and raised from the waters of baptism to walk in newness of life as a redeemed child of God?

 

What happens when one obeys the gospel?  Consider the following:

 

• One is saved from sin (Mark 16:15-16).

 

• One receives the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).

 

• One's sins are washed away (Acts 22:16).

 

• One becomes a child of God (Galatians 3:26-27; I John 3:2).

 

• One receives the Holy Spirit as a seal of his sonship to God and as an earnest/deposit/guarantee of one's eternal inheritance in heaven (Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; II Corinthians 5:1-5).

 

• One is justified (made right) and has peace with God (Romans 5:1)

 

• One is reconciled to God (Ephesians 2:11-22).

 

• One enters Christ and puts on Christ (Galatians 3:27).

 

• One enters the realm of all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3).

 

• One becomes a new creature/creation (II Corinthians 5:17).

 

• One begins a new life (Romans 6:3-4).

 

·   One is no longer condemned (Romans 8:1).

 

• One is added to the church, the one spiritual body of Christ (Acts 2:47; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:4; Matthew 16:18).

 

• One is delivered from the power of (spiritual) darkness and translated into the kingdom of the Son of His (God's) love (Colossians 1:13).

 

Have you obeyed the gospel?  Those who do not "will be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power" (II Thessalonians 1:6-9).

 

Hugh Fulford

When all Wrongs will be Righted and our Cross-Bearing Worthwhile

After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out,

“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, 2  for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

3 Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.” 4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” 5 And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.”

6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure” — for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Revelation 19:1-9

 

“These are the true words of God.”

 

In the Book of Revelation, at this point, we celebrate God’s judgment of the Roman Empire who has persecuted Christians in the 1^st century. We have come to the marriage supper of the Lamb and His righteous saints where everything they suffered has been put right. When we go back further in Revelation we read of the slain saints crying out for judgment and vengeance:

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. 10 They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been. Revelation 6:9-11

 

So Revelation is giving us an example of the truth that the wicked who oppress the righteous will be judged.

They won’t get away with it.

 

We see another example of this in a letter to the Thessalonians:

Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. 5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— 6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from[b] the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfil every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:4-12

 

“The righteous judgment of God.”

 

And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’

29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:26-31

 

God created us all to seek Him and find Him.

 

God is an intelligent, living being – just a much greater version of ourselves.

 

Because we are made in God’s image it makes sense to want to find out more about God so we can live a life that pleases Him.

 

So God urges us to repent – to change the direction of our lives and to start living His kind of life.

 

The coming judgment may seem scary, but we should look at it as an incentive to live as God wants, knowing that the judge will be righteous, putting every wrong we have ever experienced right, just as He Himself was ultimately judged righteous after his own unjust treatment.   “Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?"

 

David Hunter

 

Man donates kidney to stranger after finding note in eBay package

From a Complete Stranger

Ray Duffy's wife ordered some Topshop shorts off of eBay. She received the order in a unique
package that was decorated with crude but cute drawings of some animals and birds. Inside the
package, there was also something else quite unusual: a thank you note from the seller. Duffy's
wife showed the note to her husband; he was deeply affected by it.

"She had also written a thank you note explaining that her husband was on the [kidney] transplant
waiting list, had lost his job and that now and then they would sell things they didn't need on eBay
so they could buy their kids a treat," Duffy told SWNS. "She said that she drew the pictures [on
the package] to put a smile on people's faces as they had helped her put a smile on her children's
faces."

Duffy said the note left a deep impression on him. He wanted to help, but he didn't know how. "I
felt so helpless," he told SWNS.

Two years later, Duffy was listening to the radio and he heard a segment about a man who had donated
his kidney to someone that needed one. Duffy continued to listen and learned about altruistic organ
donation. Inspired by the note from the woman whose husband was suffering kidney failure, he signed
up to be a donor. In March of 2017, Duffy underwent an operation to donate his kidney to a stranger
who needed one.

In Scotland, where Duffy lives, more than 400 people are on the transplant list waiting for a
kidney, according to Organ Donation Scotland. The average wait for a kidney from a deceased donor
is three years. Duffy became one of over 500 people in the last 10 years who have chosen to become
living donors. Duffy and others have given their kidneys for complete strangers. *

Many may not realize it, but we ALL suffer with something that threatens our lives with death and
destruction. Our fatal condition is due to our failures, our sins.

But, thank God there is a remedy. A complete Stranger came to our rescue. Jesus, the Son of God,
came to this earth, lived as a man, and then died on a cross for our sins (John 3:16; 1 Peter 2:24).
He was the perfect "match" for us: He was like us in His humanity but unlike us, He was sinless;
only a sinless sacrifice could atone for our sins. God "made Him who know no sin to be sin for us,
that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Through Jesus, we may have the forgiveness of our sins and receive the gift of eternal life when we
accept His offer on His terms: placing our faith and trust in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turning from our
sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38). Then, as we continue to walk in
the light of His Word, He continues to cleanse us from all sin (1 John 1:7-9).

This complete Stranger gave His life for YOU so that YOU can live. This complete Stranger can
become your greatest Friend and even more - your Savior and your Lord - if only you will surrender
your life to Him in trusting obedience. Won't YOU?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Man donates kidney to stranger after finding note in eBay package" by
Alexandria Hein of Fox News, www.foxnews.com.

Seek and ye shall find (Bible)

Seek, Search, Find, Believe, Obey, Be Saved, Live Eternally

 

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted  the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. 1 Peter 1:8-12

 

The prophets who, under inspiration, prophesied of God’s saving grace, had also “searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating.” They went beyond mechanical inspiration: they also sought to understand what it was they were predicting! And God honoured their search, for Peter says: “It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.”

 

Jesus said:

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! Matthew 7:7-11

 

Paul said:

And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, Acts 17:26-27

 

Jesus said to the Pharisees:

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. John 5:39-40

 

Many Jews, in their searching of the Scriptures, must have realized, upon seeing Jesus and His works, that He was the Messiah the Old Testament had been talking about. And yet they refused to come to Him to receive eternal life. Why? Because they thought they already had their own righteousness!! Luke 18:9-14; Romans 10:1-4.  In contrast, the Samaritan woman, upon realizing Jesus was the Messiah, started a revolution of belief in Jesus in Samaria! John 4:1-42. A tax-collector climbed a tree to see Jesus and receive His salvation, Luke 19:1-10. A Canaanite woman copped humiliation, so much did she need Jesus. Mark 7:24-30.

 

No matter where we live, not only must we be seekers of Jesus and seekers of truth, but when we find Jesus and His truth we must be willing to believe it and obey it!

 

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit,

nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown

into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. Matthew 7:15-29

 

Not just a searching, seeking heart, but also a heart for God.

 

But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” John 8:45-47

 

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. 4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. 1 John 4:1-6

 

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. Acts 17:10-12

 

“THEY RECEIVED THE WORD WITH ALL EAGERNESS.” Do you love truth enough to seek and search, and then obey it when you find it? How much do you look forward to learning new truth? Matthew 13:51-52.

 

David Hunter