Caelie Wilkes

Pointless

Caelie Wilkes recently shared her story on Facebook about a plant she had
been nurturing for two years: "I've had this beautiful succulent for about
two years now. I was so proud of this plant. It was full: beautiful
coloring, just an overall perfect plant. I had it up in my kitchen window.
I had a watering plan for it. If someone else tried to water my succulent, I
would get so defensive because I just wanted to keep good care of it. I
absolutely loved my succulent."

If this plant was so beautiful, why is she speaking of this plant in the
past tense?

When she decided to transplant the plant to a new pot, she made a shocking
discovery: the plant was made of plastic!

"I put so much love into this plant!" Wilkes wrote in frustration. "I
washed its leaves. [I] tried my hardest to keep it looking its best, and
it's completely plastic! How did I not know this? I pull it from the
container [to find that] it's sitting on Styrofoam with sand glued to the
top!"

"I feel like these last two years have been a lie," Wilkes concluded.*

Wilkes' experience reminds us that we can often give ourselves to pursuits
that often prove to be pointless and unfulfilling.

Consider a case study. Read the book of Ecclesiastes about a "preacher's"
search for meaning and fulfillment in the things that this world has to
offer. He tried relationships with many different women. He tried
purchasing the best things that money could buy and he, King Solomon, had
LOTS of money. He tried "living it up" with lots of wine, women, and song.
What did he discover in each of these pursuits? "Meaningless! Meaningless!"
says the Preacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless"
(Ecclesiastes 1:2). Solomon discovered that trying to find meaning and
fulfillment in the things of the world is like spending two years watering
and nurturing a plastic plant!

At the end of his search, Solomon came to this conclusion: "Let us hear the
conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this
is man's all" (12:13).

Solomon's conclusion points to the truly meaningful, fulfilling, and eternal
life that is found in Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "I have come that they may
have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). This
"abundant life" does not refer to the abundance of things that this world
has to offer (cf. Luke 12:15), but to the greater, spiritual, and eternal
blessings that only Christ can give - things like peace that passes all
understanding (Philippians 4:6-7), forgiveness of our sins (Ephesians 1:7),
and eternal life in heaven (John 14:1-3). Jesus died on the cross for our
sins so that we could enjoy these greater and eternal blessings.

God will save from sin 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 our 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).

Trying to find meaning and fulfillment in worldly pursuits is like watering
a plastic plant; it's pointless, meaningless. Focus your life on that which
is life indeed: the abundant, eternal life that is found in Jesus.

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Woman discovers plant she's been watering for
two years is actually plastic" by Michael Hollan, www.foxnews.com.

Why do people speak different languages?

From Babel to Pentecost

 

Through tongues God confused and scattered, but using tongues He began to unite His church.

Babel

Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. 2 And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3 And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” 5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. 6 And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech.” 8 So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. 9 Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth. Genesis 11:1-9

 

Pentecost

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20 the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ Acts 2:1-21

 

In Genesis 11 we read that God confused the language of those who arrogantly built the tower with its top in the heavens, and “dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth,” after they had said: “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” 

“Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth.

And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth.”

         One language became many languages as those people who had tried to make a name for themselves, instead of calling on the name of the Lord, were dispersed in confusion over the face of all the earth.

But in Acts 2 we read that God poured out His Spirit enabling the apostles to speak in multiple languages heard by Jews from many different countries. Instead of making a name for themselves as in the case of Babel, those Galilean apostles on Pentecost in Jerusalem were “telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God,” and 3000 souls “called on the name of the Lord” in baptism, and were saved.

          Apostles of one language spoke in many languages as Jews from all over the face of the earth heard of the mighty works of God, called on the name of the Lord, and were united in salvation in the church.

 

So we see from Babel and Pentecost that God can use languages to bring about very different outcomes – confusion and scattering on the one hand, but salvation and unity on the other.

 

Why seek to make a name for yourself when the one with the name that is above every name (Philippians 2:9) will give you who overcome a white stone with a name written on the stone that only the overcomer can know? Revelation 2:17.

 

As Jesus said on another occasion: “Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20

 

True Christians do not attempt to make a name for themselves, but Jesus in his grace has written in heaven the names of those who trust in His Name.

 

Truth about the Mormon Church

Mormonism Got off to the Worst Start, Joseph Smith Claiming to have Restored the Aaronic Priesthood and the Apostate Church

 

In 1829, Mormon founder, Joseph Smith, claimed that when John the Baptist appeared in a vision to confer the priesthood on him and Oliver Cowdrey, the by-then-apostate church was being restored. John the Baptist, they said, was a priest through the lineage of his father Zacharias.  Six years later Smith said was the Aaronic priesthood. In 1838 Smith claimed another vision resulted in him receiving the new church name: the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The title “Mormons” derives from one of the prophets in the Book of Mormon. This priesthood is passed on in a number of ways in the Mormon church. “Mormon men with the office of deacon or higher claim to hold the priesthood of Aaron” (Henry Brigman), and Mormons claim that only those with this true priesthood conferred on them can baptize people into the church.

        This priesthood claim is so incorrect, and destroys Mormon foundations, for at least three reasons:

 

1.     The Aaronic priesthood could only be conferred on those of the Jewish tribe of Levi.

        Joseph Smith was not a Jew or a Levite. He was a Gentile. The following Scriptures tell us who can be priests. Numbers 16:8-10; 18:20-24; 2 Chronicles 26:17-18; Hebrews7:5. Though Mormons claim some are ordained as priests because they have direct descent from Aaron, the fact is that the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in AD 70 destroyed all family records, meaning that nobody could know what tribe they belonged to, even if of Jewish descent.

2.     John the Baptist was not a priest. Yes, he was a Levite. His father, Zacharias, was a priest. Luke 1:8-9,21-23. Not all Levites were priests. Only descendants of Aaron could be priests. Levites had a variety of duties. Numbers 1:50-53; 3:6-9; 4:1-33; Deuteronomy 17:8-9; 24:8; 33:10; I Chronicles 23; 2 Chronicles 34:13. An angel tells Zacharias what his son, John, will be ordained to do, Luke 1:5-17, and serving as a priest is not part of that! John was in the wilderness until his public ministry. Luke 3:1-2. There is no indication John was ever trained for priestly duties. The Levites and the priests sent messengers out to John asking him who he was. If John were a priest, other priests would know this, and questioning would not be necessary. Also the ruling elders asked him by what authority he did what he did. See John 1:19-31. Again, same problem as before. Finally, John certainly didn’t wear priestly attire. Matthew 3:1-4. John was a Nazarite and a prophet, and not a priest who could confer the priesthood on Joseph Smith.

 

3.     The Old Covenant with its tribal privileges passed away at the cross. Ephesians 2:14-16;  Hebrews 7:12; 10:5-9. Anyone connected with the Law of Moses must die to that Law in order to be joined to Christ. Romans 7:4-6. Resurrecting the Aaronic priesthood makes no sense.

Every claim Joseph Smith made stems from a so-called angelic vision he personally received. This includes the origin of the Book of Mormon. However, the New Testament tells Christians not to take their stand on angels and visions. Galatians 1:6-9; Colossians 2:18-19. Basing your argument for the true church on such subjectivism as angels supposedly appearing in visions, bringing revelations that contradict Jesus’ New Testament revelation, should surely raise huge suspicions that this stuff might have existed in Smith’s mind, but not in God’s inspired revelations.

 

Yes, there are heretics – those who choose to leave the church to go their own way. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; 2 Timothy 4:10; Titus 3:10-11; 1 John 2:19. There are false churches, and we should by all proper means try to restore the church to its original purity. 2 Corinthians 11:2-6; Revelation 2-3. But at every turn, Joseph Smith’s attempts to restore the original church were doomed to failure because they were based on his own dreams and not on God’s true revelations in the Bible. 1 Timothy 3:15; 2 Timothy 3:14-17.

 

From the start, this issue of the priesthood is the only point you need to argue with Mormons, and if they cannot successfully refute it, then there is no need to advance further arguments. If the Aaronic priesthood could not possibly have been conferred on Joseph Smith, then Mormonism is a lie.

 

     Sources for some material in this article:

• Henry Brigman, Joseph Smith: Prophet or Pretender, Star Bible and Tract Corp., 1978
• Wikipedia.
• La Vista Church of Christ web pages on biblical priests and levites.

 

David Carr

Dublin crowd erupts as Premier League dart player throws first perfect 9-dart leg in 3 years

A Nine-Darter

The headline read: "Dublin crowd erupts as Premier League dart player throws
first perfect 9-dart leg in 3 years." Last Thursday in a darts competition
in Dublin, Ireland, Michael Smith became the first Premier League player in
three years to throw a nine-dart leg.

What is a nine-dart leg?

According to an entry in Wikipedia, "A nine-dart finish, also known as a
nine-darter, is a perfect leg in the sport of darts, using only nine darts,
the fewest possible, to check out from 501. It is difficult to achieve, even
for the game's top professionals, and is considered the highest single-game
achievement in the sport, similar to .a 300-point game in bowling."

Nick Schwartz explains: "If you're not familiar with darts, a nine-darter is
the peak of perfection. In each 'leg' of the match, players try to reduce
their total from 501 to zero in as few turns as possible. A perfect leg
requires nine darts in total - but it's incredibly rare to see a nine-darter
occur in a televised major tournament.

Smith made it look easy. After ripping off a pair of 180s, Smith hit his
triple-20, triple-19, double-12 combination so quickly that it took the
crowd a moment to realize what had just happened."

There has only been one person who has ever achieved a nine-darter when it
comes to living a perfectly righteous life: Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

No one else has ever hit a "nine-darter" spiritual speaking, and no one ever
will. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans
3:23). We have all "missed the mark" - the literal meaning of the word
"sinned" in Romans 3:23.

Because we have sinned, we are disqualified. We can't go to heaven. We're
destined for hell.

But Jesus entered the scene. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His
only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal
life" (John 3:16 ESV).

In terms of darts, Jesus hit the "nine-darter." He's the only one that
could. Then He went to the cross and died for OUR sins so that we can be
saved and receive the gift of eternal life.

The Apostle Paul put it this way: "God made Him (Jesus) who had no sin to be
sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God" (2
Corinthians 5:21 NIV).

To be found "in Him," we must place our faith and trust in Jesus (Acts
16:30-31), turn from sin 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, as we continue to walk in the light
of His Word, His atoning blood continues to wash us from our sins (1 John
1:7-9).

Christ hit the only "nine-darter" spiritually speaking and then He died for
all who could never win, so that we can share in His victory.

Won't YOU accept His offer?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Dublin crowd erupts as Premier League dart
player throws first perfect 9-dart leg in 3 years" by Brie Stimson,
www.foxnews.com, "Darts crowd, announcers explode over first Premier League
9-darter since 2017" by Nick Schwartz, www.usatoday.com, and entry for
"Nine-dart Finish" in www.wikipedia.org.

Bob Benson's book See You at the House

The Family Motto

In Bob Benson's book See You at the House he recounts the story of a friend
who had a heart attack. At first it didn't seem like the man would live,
but eventually he would recover. Months later, Bob asked him:

"Well, how did you like your heart attack?"
"It scared me to death, almost."
"Would you do it again?"
"No!"
"Would you recommend it?"
"Definitely Not."
"Does your life mean more to you now than it did before?"
"Well, yes."
"You and Nell have always had a beautiful marriage, but are you closer now
than ever?"
"Yes."
"How about that new granddaughter?"
"Yes. Did I show you her picture?"
"Do you have a new compassion for people - a deeper understanding and
sympathy?"
"Yes."
"Do you know the Lord in a deeper, richer fellowship than you had ever
realized could be possible?"
"Yes."
".how'd you like your heart attack?"

I suspect that those of you who have actually suffered a heart attack or
have faced a life-altering challenge can identify with this conversation.

Am I saying that I want to have a heart attack or want you to have one?
Certainly not.

But I would like for all of our hearts to be "cut." How so? The same way
the Jews on Pentecost were "cut to the heart" (Acts 2:37).

Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Peter and the Apostles preached about Jesus to
thousands of Jews in Jerusalem where Jesus had been crucified only 50 days
earlier. Peter concluded his sermon with these words: ""Therefore let all
the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you
crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36).

"Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and
the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?'" (Acts
2:37). They recognized their grave sin in crucifying the Messiah. They
wanted to know, "Is there any hope for us?"

Peter gave them wonderful news: "Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let
every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness
of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).

"So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day
about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41 ESV).

The knowledge that our sins put Jesus on the cross should cause our hearts
to be "cut." The Good News is that Jesus died on the cross so that we can
have forgiveness of our sins and receive the gift of eternal life (Romans
6:23).

So, what about your heart? It is cut? Won't you accept Jesus offer on His
terms?

-- David A. Sargent

* As quoted in "The Impact of a Heart Attack" in www.thepastorsworkshop.com.

Alien Sinners Praying for Salvation

Prayer is not in the Great Commission, the law of pardon as announced by the risen Christ, and no example of prayer for pardon was recorded in Acts of the Apostles. We then conclude that prayer is not a command given for salvation from sins. It is an addition by man and many souls are being led astray by this doctrine. Many are also being kept from learning and obeying the truth by a prayer system of salvation.

 

For What Should An Alien Pray?

 

1. For God to  love him? No, for God loves him now and has shown His love (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8; 1 John 4:9-10). 2. For light or understanding? No, for the word of God gives light, and the sinner has God's word (Psa. 119:105, 130). Hence, read and understand. 3. For the Holy Spirit? No. The Holy Spirit came upon the apostles to guide them into all truth. Christ never promised the Holy Spirit to anyone save the apostles (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7-13). 4. For Christ to come to him? No, because the sinner is invited to come to Christ (Matt. 11:28-30). If the sinner fails to come he will not be saved (John 5:40). 5. For mercy? No, for God has already extended his mercy to man (Ex. 34:6-7). 6. For God to be willing to save him? No, for God is willing to save him now (1 Tim. 2:3-4; 2 Pet. 3:9; Ezek. 18:23, 32). Yes, God is now anxious to save! 7. For converting or saving power? No. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16; Psa. 19:7). 8. For God to be reconciled to him? No. The sinner must be reconciled unto God (2 Cor. 5:18-20). This is done by obeying the truth. 9. To get religion? No. Religion is something to do not get (Jas. 1:27). 10. For saving grace? No. God's grace that saves has already come (Tit. 2:11- 12). 11. For pardon? No. The sinner must turn to God in order to be pardoned (Isa. 55:6-7). God is “ready to pardon” (Neh. 9:17). Is the sinner ready to turn to God? 12. For salvation? No. The sinner must comply with the terms of pardon before he can enjoy salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 11:14; 22:16). 13. For faith? No, for faith comes by hearing God's word (Rom. 10:17). 14. For repentance? No, for repentance is a command of God for man to obey (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3; Rev. 22:14). 15. For a pure heart? No, for the heart is made pure by obedience to the truth (1 Pet. 1:22). 16. For freedom from sin? No, for this comes by obedience (Rom. 6:17-18). 17. For God to accept him? No, for man must work righteousness (obey) to be accepted (Acts 10:34). When he does this he is accepted. 18. For remission of sins? No, for man must obey the Lord for remission of sins (Acts 2:38). 19. For the Lord to make known his will to him? No. The Lord has already made known His will to all sinners (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16). 20. For  the baptism of fire? No, No!! That will come later—too soon for some, I fear—upon the wicked and disobedient at the end of the world (2 Thess. 1:7-9; Rev. 19:20; 20:14-15; 21:8). Then why should an alien sinner pray at all? Where does the Bible teach a sinner to “pray it out with the Lord,” or “stay on your knees in prayer until God saves you”? The sinner must hear the gospel, believe, repent and, upon confession of his faith in Christ, be baptized in order to be saved. This is the Lord's way. Why change it?

 

Perry B. Cotham