Do You Believe?

Do You Believe?

Several years ago, my uncle, Allen Dixon, relayed some thoughts shared by
Dave Simpson, a pilot and a trainer of pilots for Fed-Ex. Simpson had
shared the thoughts in a devotional on a Wednesday evening with the
Germantown church of Christ in Memphis, TN. Here is my uncle's summary of
Simpson's anecdote along with some additional insights:

In a past year, Dave was flying over Greenland on an especially spectacular
night for Aurora Borealis. The brightness was such as to create an illusion
that one could reach out and almost touch some of the glowing, flickering
lights.

He and his co-pilot on that flight were discussing some spiritual matters.
Dave learned that the co-pilot had grown up "in church," but, as an adult,
had drifted away toward unbelief. At one point Dave exulted over the
Northern Lights display: "How can there not be a God?"

After a moment of silence, the other pilot responded: "You know, I think you
must be right!"

A somewhat similar scene is in a 2008 move: "The Bucket List." The lead
actors are on a flight together. One, a man of faith, sits next to a cabin
window, viewing what appear to be Northern Lights.

The other man's world view does not include God nor life after death. His
friend asks him, in effect, what might result if he should find out he is
wrong about his atheistic viewpoint. The unbeliever thinks for a moment,
then replies: "If I'm wrong, then I win." If eternal life happens to exist,
he seems to assume that it will be a universal gift. His friend follows
with a thought-provoking answer: "I'm not sure that it works that way."

In the movie storyline, such statements by the believer, along with his
integrity/manner of life; in time have a profound, life-changing effect on
the unbelieving friend.

At the close of the article, which Allen had printed on a 4x8.5 inch slip of
paper that could be easily shared with others (his intention), he encouraged
the reader to "read in your Bible: Psalm 19:1-2; Hebrews 11:6; John
12:44-50." Allen also included an invitation to meet with the Germantown
church and information regarding some television productions in which a
viewer can "study and search the Scriptures."

My uncle Allen was keenly interested in pointing others to God. He would
write articles based on current events or historical anecdotes and make
application to the Good News of Jesus. He printed the articles and shared
them with others in different settings: at restaurant tables for his waiter
or waitress, in the hands of grocery store cashiers, and other unique
places.

Allen wanted nothing more than for others to know that Jesus, God's Son,
died on the cross for our sins so that we can be saved and live eternally
with Him in heaven. Allen wanted others to know how to respond to God's
offer of salvation and eternal life by: placing their faith and trust in
Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turning from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31),
confessing Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed)
into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). My uncle encouraged
Christ followers to continue to live faithfully to the Lord (Revelation
2:10).

With his words and with his profound manner of life, my Uncle Allen pointed
others to Jesus. Because of him, many - including me - have seen Jesus more
clearly.

My prayer is that others - including you - may be influenced by his example
and others to examine the evidence, search the Scriptures, discover the
Savior, and follow Him.

-- David A. Sargent

* In loving memory of my uncle, Allen Dixon (January 29, 1932 - December 8,
2021). Until we meet again.

Library book returned after 110 years in Idaho

Overdue

When I first read the title of the article, I thought to myself, "I'd sure
hate to pay that fine." The title of the article is: "Library book returned
after 110 years in Idaho."

110 years overdue. How much was the fine? When the book - the "New
Chronicles of Rebecca" by Kate Douglas Wiggin - was last checked out of the
public library in 1911, in Boise, Idaho, the fine for overdue books was 2
cents per day. "With a fine of two cents per day for 110 years, whoever
checked out this book would owe $803," reported Boise's Carnegie Public
Library in a social media announcement. The report continued: "Thank
goodness the Boise Public Libraries are now fine free!"

The book by Wiggin was a sequel to her first fictional novel "Rebecca of
Sunnybrook Farm." Both books were published in the early 20th century (1903
and 1907) and followed the life of Rebecca Rowena Randall, who grows up in
rural Maine.

The person who returned the book has not yet identified himself or herself.
But the library is overjoyed to have received the old book. *

Our sins put us in debt to God (cf. Matthew 6:12). The "fine" (penalty) for
our sins is overdue: "for the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

Our "fine" cannot just be dismissed. The penalty must be paid; justice
demands it.

God loves us and desires to save us. But the "fine" must be paid. None of
us has the resources to pay the fine for our sins. So, God paid the fine
for us. That is grace - glorious grace.

"For He [God] made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we
[you and me] might become the righteousness of God in Him." - 2 Corinthians
5:21

"He paid a debt He did not owe
I owed a debt I could not pay
I needed someone to wash my sins away;
And now I sing a brand new song, "Amazing Grace"
Christ Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay."

God will pay the debt of 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 sins (Acts 2:38). The blood
that Jesus shed for our sins will continue to cleanse from sin those who
continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

My sin has incurred an incredible debt before God. I can't afford to pay
it. Thank God, I don't have to. Jesus paid the debt for my sin with His
own blood. He will pay yours, too, if you will only submit your life to
Him.

Won't YOU?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Library book returned after 110 years in Idaho"
by Cortney Moore of Fox News, www.foxnews.com.

What is a Moomin?

Dining Alone?

If you don't like to dine alone, some restaurants in Japan are providing an
alternative. At these restaurants, you can dine with a Moomin.

What is a Moomin? They originated in Finland, but they are also popular in
Japan. Mitchell Dillon provides a description: "Moomins are a family of
white, anime, hippo-like characters created by Finnish illustrator and
writer Tove Jansson. They've been around for decades, and have increased in
popularity around the world, especially in anime-obsessed Japan, where
Moomin House Cafes are catering to the solitary diner."

At one of these restaurants, you can sit with a giant, plush toy Moomin so
you don't have to be by yourself. *

Will sitting with a big, cute, plush Moomin really satisfy one's need for
companionship?

The truth is: even dining with real people doesn't satisfy our greatest
needs.

Jesus encountered a Samaritan woman at a well outside of Sychar in the
middle of the day. She was shocked when Jesus, a Jew, asked her for a drink
of water from the well, because Jews did not associate with Samaritans at
that time (John 4). The woman experienced greater shock when Jesus, a
complete stranger, told her about her marital situation: she had been
married five times and was now living with a man (John 4:16-18).
Apparently, this woman had been trying to quench her thirst for
companionship and fulfillment in relationships with men. But she wasn't
fulfilled. Now, perhaps so she can avoid people and their snide comments,
she has come in the heat of the day to draw water. Jesus offers her living
water. If she will accept the living water that He offers, she will never
thirst again (John 4:13-15). What Jesus is offering is a saving
relationship with God that is the only thing that can satisfy the deep
longings of the human heart.

Just as He did to some lukewarm Christians, Jesus offers a wonderful
invitation: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My
voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he
with Me" (Revelation 3:20). He is offering intimate, fulfilling, eternal
communion that satisfies our deepest longings forever.

Our sins separate us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). But God loves us so much
that He gave His one and only Son to die on the cross for our sins (John
3:16; Romans 5:8). Through Jesus, we can have salvation, deep and abiding
fellowship with God, and eternal life (Romans 6:23).

Jesus saves and abides with those who place their faith and trust in Him
(Acts 16:30-31), turn from their 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 sins (Acts 2:38). He will continue to cleanse from sin
and abide with those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John
1:7-9).

Dining with a Moomin can be a unique and even enjoyable experience. The
same can be said for dining with a person. But only Jesus can quench our
deepest longings for salvation, abiding love, and eternal fellowship.
Mitchell Dillon astutely wrote: "A Moomin might fill an empty seat, but only
Jesus can fill an empty heart."

Won't YOU "open the door" to Him through your trusting obedience?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "The Anti-Loneliness Café" by Mitchell Dillon in
www.freesermonillustrations.com and "Moomin, Japan's 'anti-loneliness' cafe,
goes viral" by Francis Cha of CNN, www.cnn.com.

How to be saved from sin

GOD’S SIMPLE WAY OF SALVATION

 

From time to time, at least twice a year, I try to present to my readers God’s amazing, gracious, and simple way of salvation as set forth in the New Testament.  Since it has been several months since I have posted this, I thought that now would be a good time to do so.  Nothing in this will be new to most of my readers, but I hope that they may use it as an evangelistic tool and forward this edition of “Hugh’s News & Views” to friends, neighbors, and family members who are not New Testament Christians.  Think of the joy that would come if just one soul learned the truth, obeyed it, and was saved!  We must all be faithful in sharing the gospel and its saving truth with as many as possible.

 

A number of my readers have never obeyed the gospel and are therefore in a lost state (II Thessalonians 1:6-10).  I have a deep and sincere love for them and their souls and a compelling desire to share God’s wonderful plan of salvation with them.  I want all of them to hear and understand the pure gospel of Christ, as opposed to a perverted gospel (Galatians 1:6-9).  I want all of them to know God’s simple way of salvation as opposed to corruptions of that way by the doctrines, commandments, and traditions of men (Matthew 15:8-9; II Timothy 4:3-5). The so-called “Sinner’s Prayer” is a travesty of what God’s word teaches about salvation.  I urge all to read all the passages cited in this essay. 

 

Salvation begins with the recognition that one is a sinner, and therefore lost and in need of salvation (Romans 3:23; Titus 3:3).  God, in His matchless grace (His graciousness), gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as the atonement for our sins (John 3:16; Titus 3:4-7; Ephesians 2:8-9). Christ died, was buried, and was raised from the dead that we might be saved.  This is the gospel (I Corinthians 15:1-5).  And it is this gospel that is God’s power to save those who will believe and obey it (Romans 1:16-17; Romans 6:16-18).  Now follow these simple Bible steps.

 

HEAR THE GOSPEL.  Christ commissioned the teaching and preaching of the gospel in all nations to every creature until the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16).  Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).  No one can be saved without hearing the gospel.

 

BELIEVE THE GOSPEL.  The gospel is God’s power to save those who will believe it (Romans 1:16).  Without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who comes to God must believe that He is and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).  Christ declared, “For if you do not believe that I am He (the Messiah, the Savior of the world, hf) you will die in your sins” (John 8:24).

 

REPENT OF ALL SIN.  God commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30).  To repent means to change one’s mind, leading to a change of actions and a change of spiritual direction in one’s life.  If one is in Nashville, TN and wants to go to Birmingham, AL but finds himself on I-65 North headed toward Louisville, KY, he must turn around, get on I-65 South, and head in the opposite direction.  Spiritually, one must do this with reference to the direction of his/her life.  That is repentance.  One must turn from following Satan to following Christ.

 

CONFESS FAITH IN CHRIST.  One must acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 8:37 [KJV]).

 

BE BAPTIZED FOR THE REMISSION OF SIN.  Christ made baptism a condition of salvation from sin.  He said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16a).  In the New Testament sinners were told, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin” (Acts 2:38).  Baptism is an immersion in water (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12).  Those who have only been sprinkled or had water poured on them (either as infants, children, or adults) have not been scripturally baptized.  Those submitting to human substitutes for God’s divine ordinance and those being immersed to “unite with the church” but not in order to receive the remission of their sins (or some biblically synonymous reason) need to make their calling and election sure (II Peter 1:10-11).

 

LIVE A FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN LIFE.  Add to your life the Christian graces (II Peter 1:5-9).  Avoid the works of the flesh and manifest the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26).  Continue steadfastly (Acts 2:42).  Do not forsake the assembly of Christians for Bible study and worship (Acts 20:7; Hebrews 10:25).  Abide in the doctrine of Christ (II John 9). Always abound in the work of the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58).  Be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).

 

These are the divine actions that every accountable being must take in order to be saved from sin, enter into a right relationship with God, be added to the one church (body) of Christ, and maintain a right relationship with Him.  Christ is the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). I want all to understand and obey God’s simple way of salvation. “For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man given in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

 

Hugh Fulford

 

Where were you on 9/11?

"Where were you when the world stopped turnin'
That September day?"
-- Alan Jackson

It's been almost 20 years since that horrific day on 9/11/2001 when two
planes hijacked by terrorists struck the Twin Towers in New York City
causing them to collapse. 2,977 lives were lost that day as a result.

Do you remember where you were that day when you received the news? I was
in a waiting room at Providence Hospital. Everyone in the room was watching
the lone television in the room in horror and disbelief.

Stephen Siller, a firefighter for Brooklyn's Squad 1, had just finished a
shift and was on his way to play golf when he received news of a plane
hitting the North Tower of the World Trade Center. He immediately returned
to Squad 1 to get his gear. He drove his truck to Brooklyn Battery Tunnel,
put on his gear, and got out on foot to help others when he lost his life as
the buildings collapsed.

"He died the way he lived, serving others," said Stephen's brother, Frank
Siller. "If given the choice all over again he would run through that
tunnel and give up his life for others, I have no doubt in my head and my
heart. He would do it again."

Frank, 68, recently began a 500-mile walk in memory of his brother. He is
calling it his "Never Forget Walk." He began his six-week journey at
Arlington Fire Station 5 in Washington, D.C. He plans to travel through six
states ending at Ground Zero to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost that day,
including his brother's. "My personal goal is to make sure people never
forget," Siller told FOX News.

Frank founded the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in honor of his brother. The
non-profit foundation builds mortgage free homes for injured veterans and
first responders and for families who lost a loved one in the line of duty.

May we never forget another walk that another Person took that culminated in
Him giving His life for others. The walk took place on the road to Calvary.
The One who walked on that road carrying His own cross was Jesus, the
sinless Son of God. The walk ended at the hill called Golgotha, where Jesus
was crucified for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). That place was Ground
Zero where heaven and hell met. Jesus gave His life as payment for the sins
of the world. Three days later, He arose triumphantly from the grave!
Heaven defeated Satan!

Jesus died the way He lived, serving others. "For even the Son of Man did
not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many"
(Mark 10:45). Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection provided our victory
over sin and death, if we will only accept His offer on His terms.

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).

There are walks made to never forget the sacrifice of others. May we never
forget the walk that Jesus made to Ground Zero where He gave His life for us
so that we might live.

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Brother of FDNY firefighter who died 9/11 walks
more than 500 miles in his honor" by Jeanette Settembre of Fox News,
www.foxnews.com.

.

Paul Harvey. Good day!

Good Day

"Paul Harvey. Good day!"

Do you remember hearing this ending of midday radio broadcasts? I do. This
was the way Paul Harvey would conclude his radio broadcasts such as "The
Rest of the Story" followed by his "News and Comment."

Harvey was once asked by Guideposts Magazine to write about his faith in
Christ, his "testimony." He agreed to do so, and in the article he wrote
about when he was baptized.

Harvey revealed that he had received almost every possible award for
broadcasting yet he still felt empty inside. All of this changed on one
very good day.

One summer while on vacation, Harvey and his wife decided to go to church
services. That wasn't something they always did. They ended up in the
Sunday morning service of a tiny church in Cave Creek, Arizona. Only about
a dozen people were present.

Harvey said there was a good spirit about that place. For some reason he
began thinking about John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave one
and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life." He said, he liked the "everlasting life" part. He
thought he believed in Jesus, but he had never publicly acknowledged it or
been baptized. He felt that there was still something that was missing.

When the preacher got up, he announced that his sermon was going to be about
baptism. Harvey said, "I yawned. But as he started talking about it I
found myself interested. He talked about the symbolism behind it. He said
it symbolized surrender to Jesus Christ. He insisted that there was nothing
magic in the water. But he said a cleansing took place inside when you
yielded yourself to Jesus."

Harvey said that he surprised even himself when he stood up and walked to
the front when the preacher offered an invitation to be baptized. He
describes what happened: "The preacher had said there was nothing magic in
the water. Yet as I descended into the depths and rose again I knew
something life-changing had happened." Harvey went on, "The change this
simple act made in my life is so immense as to be indescribable. Since
totally yielding to Him in baptism, my heart can't stop singing. Also,
perhaps because baptism is such a public act and because one's dignity gets
as drenched as one's body, I discovered a new 'unself-consciousness' in
talking about my beliefs."

Baptism is part of saving faith's response to what Jesus did for us on the
cross. Jesus paid the price for our redemption from sin by dying for our
sins (Ephesians 1:7).

God will save and give everlasting 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). Then, as we
walk in the light of His Word, the blood of Jesus continues to cleanse us
from all sin (1 John 1:7-9).

It is a "really good day" when one surrenders His life to Christ in baptism.
And now you have. the rest of the story.

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Three Baptism Stories" by Roger Thomas,
www.sermoncentral.com.

Who is Theophilus in the Bible?

 

CERTAINTY: THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

 

In reading the divinely inspired historian Luke—both his account of the life of Christ (the Gospel of Luke) and his account of the history of the early church (the Book of Acts)—it is interesting to note how often he uses the words "certain" and "certainty."  One would have to read these great portions of scripture with a blind eye to miss the emphasis that Luke places on the concept conveyed by these two words.  (Luke, incidentally, was second only to the apostle Paul in the written amount of the New Testament). 

 

The word "certainty" is defined as "firm conviction that something is the case."  "Certain" has two meanings: "1) know for sure; established beyond doubt; 2) specific but not explicitly named or stated."  This second definition denotes a definite person, place, event, thing, or time, as opposed to something imprecise, vague, or foggy.  While some may find it boring and repetitious, a tracing of these words in Luke's writings can be a profitable and reassuring venture for those who want to be certain of their faith and of their relationship with God.  Follow along with me this week on this somewhat different kind of journey through the Gospel of Luke.  (Next week, D.V., we will make a similar journey through the Book of Acts).

 

The original recipient and reader of the Gospel of Luke was a man by the name of Theophilus (Luke 1:3).  The name Theophilus means "lover of God.  Luke's gospel account was addressed to Theophilus in order "that you may know the certainty of those things in which you have been instructed" (l:4). In the first chapter Luke references "a certain priest named Zacharias" who would become the father of John the Baptist (1:5).  In "a certain city" Jesus cleansed a leper (5:12), and on "a certain day" He healed many people (5:17).  In 6:2 "certain of the Pharisees" questioned Christ about His treatment of the Sabbath. Reference is made to "a certain centurion's servant" (7:2) and "a certain creditor who had two debtors" (7:41). 

In chapter 8 we read of "certain women" (2), "a certain day" (22), and "a certain man from the city who had demons" (27).  Chapter 9 tells of "a certain man" who said that he would follow the Lord wherever He went and Jesus' follow-up teaching concerning the cost of doing so (57-58).  In chapter 10 "a certain lawyer stood up and tested" Christ (25). Jesus related a parable involving "a certain man," "a certain priest," and "a certain Samaritan" (30-33)—the beautiful parable of "The Good Samaritan."  At the end of the chapter Jesus enters "a certain village" where "a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house" (38).  Marvelous lessons are learned from these people and events.  Great certainty is established by them.

 

In Luke 11:1 Jesus "was praying in a certain place."  "A certain woman from the crowd raised her voice" and blessed the Lord (11:27).  "A certain Pharisee" invited Jesus to dine with him (11:37ff). "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully" (12:16).  "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard" (13:6).  "Certain of the Pharisees" came to Jesus and warned Him of Herod's intention to kill Jesus (13:31).  "A certain man" who had the dropsy was in the presence of Jesus (14:2).  "A certain man gave a great supper and invited many" (14:16).  "A certain man had two sons," leading Christ to relate the tender and touching parable of the prodigal son (15:11ff). 

 

"There was a certain rich man who had a steward" (16:1).  "There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day" (16:19).  Every day there was laid at his gate "a certain beggar named Lazarus" who was in need of help from the rich man (16:20).  In "a certain village" Jesus was met by ten lepers (17:12).  Jesus spoke a parable about "certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others" (18:9).  "A certain ruler" asked Jesus, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (18:18). "A certain blind man sat by the road begging" as Jesus entered Jericho (18:35).  If we fail to take note of these people, places, and events and the lessons that arise out of them, the less certainty we will have of our faith.

 

Christ delivered a parable about "a certain nobleman [who] went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return" (19:12).  "A certain man planted a vineyard, leased it to vinedressers, and went into a far country for a long time" (20:9).  "Certain of the Sadducees who deny that there is any resurrection" came to Christ and presented him with a preposterous scenario in an effort to trap Him and "force" Him to admit that there is no resurrection (20:27ff).  "Certain of the scribes answered and said, 'Teacher, You have spoken well.'" (20:39). In 21:2 Jesus saw "a certain widow putting in two mites." "A certain servant girl" saw the apostle Peter sitting by the fire with the enemies of Jesus (22:56).  Barrabas "had been thrown into prison for a certain insurrection made in the city, and for murder" (23:18-19).  At the crucifixion of Christ, a Roman centurion was moved to proclaim, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!" (23:47). "Certain other women" came to the tomb of Jesus "bringing spices which they had prepared" (24:1).  Two disciples spoke of "certain women of our company, who were at the tomb early" (24:22).  "And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said" (24:24).

 

Far from being mundane and boring, the preceding texts show that from His birth to His death, burial, and resurrection Jesus dealt with real people in real time.  He engaged in real acts, was involved in real situations and real events, and taught real truths and real principles.  Just as Theophilus, the original recipient of the Gospel of Luke could "know the certainty of those things in which [he had] been instructed," so Christians today can have that same certainty.  As Luke records elsewhere (quoting the apostle Paul), "This thing was not done in a corner" (Acts 26:26). 

 

Hugh Fulford