Category: Bulletin Articles

Edd Sterchi

Have you ever had anyone sarcastically say those words to you? Usually you are trying to pass on some information to them or are asking them to respond to a question, and they sharply retort, “I don’t know and I don’t care.”

Sad to say, but this is what many people do concerning their religion. They may be in a religious organization that is not truly or totally following God’s will. By serving and worshiping at such a place, they are proclaiming concerming the truth of God’s Word, “I don’t know it and/or I don’t care what it says.” They are either ignorant of the Bible’s teachings (and don’t care to learn it) or they know what it says, but choose to ignore it or simply explain it away.

Many are like the ones Paul lamented for in Rom. 10:2-3, “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.”. As a result of this type of thinking and practice, they are lost (see Rom. 10:1). Many others know what the Scriptures teach, they simply choose not to follow them. They, as Peter describes in his second epistle, “willingly are ignorant” (2 Pet. 3:5, KJV). Or they twist” the teachings of the Bible to fit their own desires, but it is “to their destruction” (2 Pet. 3:16).

Pertaining to religious matters, how arrogant (and foolish) is the phrase I don’t know and I don’t care!” How tragic it is to see so many who will be destroyed for their lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). How sad it is to see so many thumb their nose at God’s plan of salvation, pattern for worship, purpose of church work, etc. How “excuseless” will those be who knew God’s will and chose to disregard it. (Continued on inside) (Continued from back cover) Let each of us endeavor to be people who want to know and always care about what the Bible says! “This I say, therefore, and testifjy in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles ualle in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them…” (Eph. 4:17-18)

Via Bulletin Gold

Ron Batanen

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. The conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups-porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain-looking, some expensive, and some exquisite telling them to help themselves to the coffee.

After all the former students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: “If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is but normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups and then began eyeing each other’s cups.” Now consider this: Life is the coffee, and the jobs, houses, cars, things, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life, and the type of cup we have does not define nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee. Enjoy your coffee.

Being happy doesn’t mean everything’s perfect. It means you’ve decided to see beyond the imperfections.

Via Bulletin Gold

Rob Albright

The subject of baptism is often misunderstood. We know it is an important subject because Peter tells us baptism saves (1 Peter 3:21). It is not the water that saves, but it is our obedient faith in God’s power that brings the result of salvation (forgiveness of sins). Despite the false theology of today, the Bible teaches us that baptism is essential for one to be saved.

Yes, we must recognize our sinful condition – die to it- and begin the new life in Christ. Paul explains how this new life comes about in Romans 6:3-5. Baptism is at the beginning of our commitment to Christ. What follows after baptism is spiritual growth and development, but salvation comes after one is baptized before.

Baptism is the place God goes to work and remits sin. In baptism we are cleansed of our sin (Colossians 2:12- 13; Acts 22:16) and brought into a spiritual union with Jesus (Rom. 3:5). Think about it: Salvation (2 Tim. 2:10); No condemnation (Rom. 8:1); All spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3) – All found after one is baptized into Christ.

Do we believe God has the power to do what He says? (Mark 16:16).

Via Bulletin Gold

Ron Bartanen

Politicians promise changes. In all of our lives we find constant change. We never know from one day to the next what to expect. James wrote, “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’: whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow….” (James 4:13-14a).

Some changes may be for the good, while others for the worse. Some things, however, never change. The laws of nature, for instance, are constant and unchanging. From creation, a stone dislodged from a cliff would fall 96 feet per second. That has not changed, nor will it. Water boils at 180, that thousands of years ago would degrees at sea level, will do the same today.

Some seem to think that God is changeable. Otherwise they would not think to make His word obsolete. However, the psalmist prayed, “You are the same, and your years will have no end” (Psa. 102:27), Moses declared, “God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19).

Cultures change. Men are not long satisfied with the statutes of God, and set their own standards of morality and religion, but they have not consulted with God. Men may even redefine marriage, but we needn’t expect God to rewrite His own “dictionary.”

It is as true today as it was almost 2000 years ago, that Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life”, the one way to the Father (John 14:6). It is as true today as it was in the early days of the church that a response to the gospel by obedient faith will secure the forgiveness of sins and acceptance into the Lord’s spiritual body, the church (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38, 47). Men change, as do their words. But God does not change, and His word will stand firm forever.

From Bulletin Gold

By Bill Brandstatter

Now that 2022 is here, we are looking at “new” items. The Bible uses the word new'” in a number of very important ways.

A New Name — Isa. 62:2 indicates that God’s people would be called by “a new name which the mouth of the Lord shall name.” This new name obviously is not Jew since that was an old namne. Rather the new name is Christian (Acts 11:26). Isaiah also says God’s servants would be called by “another name.” So no longer is the Old Testament name authorized. Spiritual Israel today is the church (Gal. 6:16).

A New Covenant – God gave us a new covenant. The Hebrews ption writer indicates that in using the word “new” to describe his covenant, the first covenant (Old Testament) was ready to vanish away. (Heb. 8:13). We are, therefore, not subject to the Old Testament and its ordinances since they were nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14).

A New Birth — Jesus spoke in John 3:3, 5 of the “new birth.” This new birth is a spiritual one, not a physical birth. This new birth is required for a person to be identified with Christ. Jesus mentions two elements of the new birth, spirit and water. Many commentators agree the *water here includes the water of baptism.

A New Way — The old way to God included a priest who made sacrifices once a year for the people. (Heb. 9:7) Now individuals can approach the Father directly in prayer. (Matt. 6:9) Christianity, therefore, is a new way of approaching God as compared to the old way of Judaism.

With all the new events that are taking place this year, don’t forget the old ways of God. Remember to read and study the Bible, attend worship services, and obey God as the Bible directs.

Via Bulletin Gold

Bill Brandstatter

Now that 2022 is here, we are looking at “new” items. The Bible uses the word new'” in a number of very important ways.

A New Name — Isa. 62:2 indicates that God’s people would be called by “a new name which the mouth of the Lord shall name.” This new name obviously is not Jew since that was an old namne. Rather the new name is Christian (Acts 11:26). Isaiah also says God’s servants would be called by “another name.” So no longer is the Old Testament name authorized. Spiritual Israel today is the church (Gal. 6:16).

A New Covenant – God gave us a new covenant. The Hebrews ption writer indicates that in using the word “new” to describe his covenant, the first covenant (Old Testament) was ready to vanish away. (Heb. 8:13). We are, therefore, not subject to the Old Testament and its ordinances since they were nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14).

A New Birth — Jesus spoke in John 3:3, 5 of the “new birth.” This new birth is a spiritual one, not a physical birth. This new birth is required for a person to be identified with Christ. Jesus mentions two elements of the new birth, spirit and water. Many commentators agree the *water here includes the water of baptism.

A New Way — The old way to God included a priest who made sacrifices once a year for the people. (Heb. 9:7) Now individuals can approach the Father directly in prayer. (Matt. 6:9) Christianity, therefore, is a new way of approaching God as compared to the old way of Judaism.

With all the new events that are taking place this year, don’t forget the old ways of God. Remember to read and study the Bible, attend worship services, and obey God as the Bible directs.

Via Bulletin Gold

Rob Albright

A few years back, I entered a men’s baking contest. It
was all desserts. I found a recipe that I liked so I started
putting all the ingredients together. I also took into
account how long I was to cook. It was all spelled out
in the recipe. I thought I made a good cake – at least
some people could eat it.

In the matter of salvation there are different
ingredients. The Bible teaches us we are saved “by
grace, through faith” (Eph. 2:8); by “works” (James
2:24; by “calling on the name of the Lord” (Rom. 10:13;
Acts 22:16); by “obedience” (Heb.5:8-9) by “baptism”
(Mk. 16:16) by “belief” (Acts 16:31); and other things
as well.

Here is my point: Just as the ingredients of the recipe
must be combined to make a cake, so must the
ingredients of salvation be combined. You do not have
salvation by faith alone. Just like you cannot take just
one ingredient and claim to make a cake, you cannot
just pick one ingredient and have salvation. The
ingredients must be combined to get the desired results.
You cannot produce a cake on flour alone and you
cannot have salvation by faith alone.

Via Bulletin Gold

By Joe Slater

In the final analysis, “Trust And Obey” has been the
requirement of God from the Garden of Eden until now.
For Adam and Eve, it was “be fruitful and multiply and fill
the earth” (Genesis 1:28). Eat all the vegetables and fruit
you want with the single exception of the fruit of one
particular tree. Trust and obey.

During the Patriarchal Age God expressed His will to
individuals directly. He told Cain and Abel to offer
sacrifice. He directed Noah to build the ark. Abraham was
to leave Ur of the Chaldees and go to the place God showed
him. He commissioned Moses to lead the Hebrew slaves
out of Egypt. Trust and obey.

God gave Moses His law on Mt. Sinai. It contained
numerous statues and ordinances for the His chosen
people, Israel, to obey carefully. “You shall not add to the
word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may
keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I
command you” (Deuteronomy 4:2). Trust and obey.

Neither Adam and Eve nor any of their descendants
trusted and obeyed flawlessly. God knew they wouldn’t. In
His mercy He planned from eternity to send Jesus to offer
His own body and blood to save sinners. “Believe on the
Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). “If
you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and
believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the
dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). “Repent, and let
every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for
the remission of sins” (Acts2:38). Trust and obey.
“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be
happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.”

Via Bulletin Gold

By Joe Slater

By confessing Jesus as Lord, we obligate obey Him. “Lord” isn’t just a respectful title. It refers to a master, one who has the right to decide and control.Jesus asked this piercing question: “Why do you call me Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?”(Luke 6:46). Calling Jesus Lord’ acknowledges that He has the right to decide what we ought to do and to control our behavior. He has done so through his ourselves to inspired word, the Bible.

Do we recognize our own inconsistency when we call Him Lord, yet neglect to do what the Scriptures teach?An old cliché says, “Talk is cheap.” Truly, we can pay lip service to nearly anything. “You shouldn’t litter!” (Then I throw trash out of my car window.) “I love my family!” (Then I speak harshly, sarcastically , and rudely to them.)Confessing Christ as Lord certainly is a good thing!In fact, it’s essential to salvation (Romans 10:9-10). ButJesus demands more than mere lip service. “Noteveryone who says to Me, Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of MyFather in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

Moreover, we don’t get to pick and choose what parts of His will to obey.Those converted to Christ are to “obey all things thatIhave commanded you” (28:20).A servant who refuses to obey his master shouldn’t expect that master to be pleased with him. Do youexpect Jesus to be pleased with you?

Via Bulletin Gold

Bill Brandstatter

Sometimes it seems as those things are rather chaotic in this world. In the days of a Babylonian king, Daniel wrote, “The Most-High rules in the kingdom of men.” (Dan. 4:17) God rules in a spiritual way and with spiritual laws. His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). If people will obey God and live faithfully for Him, change will come to our nation and the world.

In 2 Chron. 7:14, we read, “If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked says, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (NKJV) The first part of this scripture refers to God’s people. God’s people today are Christians. God’s people once was the nation of Israel (Deut. 26:18). Now God’s people are Christians (1 Pet, 2:9).

Next, we must humble ourselves. Too many today are proud and puffed up. Too many times we look for man for all the answers of life. God can do things no one else can. James states, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) That is why we should pray and seek His face. Prayer accomplishes a great deal. (James 5:16)

Then, we need to turn from wicked ways and be forgiven of our sins. All men everywhere are commanded to repent according to Acts 17:30. Forgiveness comes through the blood of Christ (Matt. 26:28). We get into His blood by being baptized (Matt. 26:28; Acts 2:38). Once a person does this, God promises “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) If we are Christians, we have the assurance that God hears our prayers (1 Jn. 5:14). Let us be intercessors for our government and all men (1 Tim. 2:1-4). The world needs saving. Let us be God’s instruments in helping to do that. God is still in charge. He is the final judge. We are His people and ones who should carry the gospel message to the world. (Acts 8:4) The gospel is powerful and it can save (Rom. 1:16). Let us be ones spreading the gospel message. God will provide the increase (1 Cor. 3:6).

Via Bulletin Gold