What The Bible Says

Vol. VII - No. 22   March 30, 2025

CAN A MAN SAVE HIMSELF?

    There is a great deal of emphasis being put on a man-made doctrine which teaches it is impossible for a person to do anything towards salvation from sin. This doctrine sets forth the idea that any action, on the part of a person, nullifies the grace of God.

    The Bible teaches that salvation is dependent upon both DIVINE and HUMAN action. It shows very clearly what God does to save the sinner and what the sinner must do to save himself. God's part in our salvation is comprehended in the word "GRACE". Our part in our salvation is comprehended in the word "FAITH". Our faith is shown by our obedience to the will of God. "For by grace are ye saved through faith..."(Ephesians 2:8).

THE DIVINE SIDE. God conceived the plan of salvation, Christ made it possible by His death, and the Holy Spirit revealed it through inspired men. Thus God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit play a most vital part in our salvation. We are saved by grace (Eph. 2:8) as we are cleansed by the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7). We have no righteousness or merit with which to boast ourselves to God and He is under no obligation to save us. We must depend upon God's mercy and upon Christ's atoning blood.  

THE HUMAN SIDE. When the gospel is preached, we must hear it with an open mind and receptive heart (Romans 10:17; Ephesians 1:13). We must repent of all sins, for this God has commanded us to do (Acts 17:30). We must confess Jesus as the Son of God (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9-10). Then we must be baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:37-39). Baptism is always "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38), to "wash away sins" (Acts 22:16), to put us "into Christ“ (Galatians 3:27), and to "save us“ (1 Peter 3:21). These are actions which WE, you and I, must take. God cannot believe for us nor repent for us nor confess for us nor be baptized for us. We are commanded to do these things in obedience to HIS requirements. When we do that which God has commanded we have not earned nor have we merited salvation. This is how we benefit from the grace of God or else everybody will be saved and no one will be lost.

    If it is true that we cannot do anything to save ourselves, then it follows that our salvation is wholly dependent upon God and it will be the fault of God if anybody is lost! If not, why not? However, God is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). If a person is lost, it will be because THEY CHOSE to be lost. The same is true if we are to be saved; WE MUST CHOOSE to do what God commands. The Bible says, "...save yourselves from this untoward generation" (Acts 2:40). Again, "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12). Christ is the "author of eternal salvation unto all that obey Him" (Hebrews 5:9). —E.R. Hall, Jr.

KINDS OF WORKS

    The Scriptures have a good deal to say about works. Since they have both positive and negative things to say about works, it is necessary to identify the particular kinds of works of which the Scriptures speak. It is obvious that the works of Christ are very different from Satan's works. It should also be obvious that works of human wisdom originating with men are very different from works of God's righteousness performed by people for the purposes that God has for them.

    The works of God are the things that God has done (Psa. 111:2-6; Heb. 4:4). The works of God are also works that God has instructed people to do (Jn. 6:28,29; 9:4; Rom. 14:20). These are not works of lawlessness, and those who do them are not workers of iniquity (Mt. 7:21-23). People will be rewarded with eternal life in the Day of Judgment through their works (that is, through doing the works of God) (Rom. 2:5-11; 2 Cor. 11:15; Rev. 20:12-13).

    Works of righteousness are deeds of goodness and kindness in obedience to God. Under the Law of Moses, they consisted of doing what was right according to the commandment of the law (Ezek. 18; Rom. 10:5; Gal. 3:12). These works do not atone for one's sins of omission and commission. Sacrifices of atonement were the means by which the Jews were to deal with their sins (Heb. 9:7; Lev. 4-6). Yet it was not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins (Heb. 10:4). These things were a shadow of the true sacrifice, the Lamb of God who died for us and for them by the grace of God (Heb. 10:1-18).

    Works of faith are the doing (obedience) which faith requires of us and for the purposes that faith reveals. Listening receptively (Mt. 11:15; 13:9,43), believing through the persuasion of the evidence (Jn. 14:10,11; Heb. 11:1), repenting of one's sins at the command of the faith (Acts 17:30), confessing Christ (Rom. 10:9-10), and being baptized for salvation through the blood of Christ (Mk. 16:16; Col. 2:12) are works of faith for the purpose of obtaining remission of sins. Living as children of God by the instruction in righteousness given by the Holy Spirit in the New Testament is also doing the works of faith by which we remain in fellowship with God and have our sins which we have committed (as children of God) cleansed by the blood of Christ (1 Jn. 1:6-10). Do works of faith save? Yes, they save because they are an essential part of saving faith (Jas. 2:14-26). "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?" How would you answer these questions?

    The works of the flesh are the sinful deeds done to gratify the appetites of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-26). We must exercise self-control, bringing our bodies into subjection to righteousness if we expect to be accepted with God (2 Pet. 1:5-11; 1 Cor. 9:27; 2 Tim. 3:16,17; Acts 10:34,35; Jas. 3:13). We must crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts (Gal. 2:20; 5:24), having died to sin and risen to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:1-23). —Gilbert Alexander

TRENDS...

    Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong by religious group:  Catholic, 30%; Mainline Protestant, 32%; Evangelical Protestant, 50%; Jehovah’s Witness, 57%; Mormon, 57%           

SENTENCE SERMONS

A poor listener seldom hears a good sermon.
 ***
Attitudes are nothing more than habits of thought – and habits can be acquired.
***
Don’t confuse God’s patience with His final response.
*** 
Many people ignore God and then blame Him for the chaos that results.
 ***
You can fool yourself and others, but you can never fool God.]

"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr. 

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….……………     9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….………  10:30 AM
Evening Worship   …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
 

Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM …………………………..  8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
 

Website: www. EastAlbertville.org

What The Bible Says

Vol. VII - No. 21   March 16, 2025

THE SINNER'S PRAYER

    Quite often in reading religious material or engaging in religious conversation with others, the reference is made to "the sinner's prayer". What is being referred to is the parable Jesus taught in Luke 18:9-14. By referring to this parable, many people would have you believe this is what a person must do to be saved. However, what was Jesus attempting to teach by means of this parable? Was it, what to do to be saved or was there another lesson He was teaching?

    Verse 9 says, "And he spake this parable UNTO CERTAIN WHICH TRUSTED IN THEMSELVES THAT THEY WERE RIGHTEOUS, AND DESPISED OTHERS:". Jesus concluded the parable in verse 14 by making the statement: "...for everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." We, therefore, learn that Jesus is using this parable to teach humility. Humbleness will avail far more in God's sight than a high and haughty attitude.

    All of us stand before God having sinned. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23). "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”; "If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8,10). Realizing we have sinned, we must never approach God in any manner other than that of humility. Also, realizing that sin is the common lot of us all, we must not despise others.

    Jesus said that both the Pharisee and publican had went up to the temple to pray. What is to make us believe that the Pharisee was a child of God and the publican was not? Nothing in the parable states this to be the case. In fact, from the parable it would be no injustice to conclude that both these men were children of God. Though publicans had the reputation of being greedy because of their profession of being tax collectors, this is not to conclude that all publicans were ruthless and covetous. One of Jesus' apostles was a publican: Matthew (Matthew 9:9). Neither let us forget Zaccheus who was chief among the publicans (Luke 19:1-10).

    There is nothing in the parable to teach us that the Pharisee was saved and the publican was lost. Both men were obviously children of God for both had went to the temple and both were praying. The point of the parable was that the Pharisee's prayer was unacceptable to God because he exalted himself, he trusted in himself that he was righteous, and he despised others. The publican, on the other hand, was justified in his prayer for he had not exalted himself but rather realized he had sinned and always stood in need of God's mercy.

    Friends, this is not a prayer that alien sinners must/should pray in order to have their sins forgiven. Saul of Tarsus was praying when Ananias came to him to tell him what to do to be saved. However, the record does not reveal that Ananias told Saul to continue to pray until he had "prayed through" to salvation as some religious groups teach. Instead, Ananias said, "And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16).

    In addition to people being told today to pray the sinner's prayer, they are being told to pray their sins away. Friends, we do not find, in the Scriptures, where an alien sinner was ever told to pray their sins away but we do read where they were told to "wash away thy sins" by the act of baptism. Baptism is the final step which one must take in order to have their sins washed away and to be "in Christ" (Galatians 3:27).

    Many teach sins are already taken away before baptism and a person is in Christ without ever being baptized. However, to find the basis of such teaching we have to turn to the doctrines of men for these are not things we can find taught in the Bible.

    There is no "sinner's prayer" that an alien sinner can pray and have their sins forgiven. As sure as "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God", God has one plan of salvation for all. "He that BELIEVETH and is BAPTIZED shall be saved; but HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT SHALL BE DAMNED." (Mark 16:16). "...REPENT, and be BAPTIZED every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,..." (Acts 2:38).  —E.R. Hall, Jr.

FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE

    More and more we hear folks deciding to attend a certain ‘church’ because “there are lots of good activities for the young people”. Often it is the sole basis for making this important determination. ‘Pro­grams’, ‘activities’, and ‘groups’ for the young people – that’s the drawing card.

    And, what activities are these folks searching for? Are we talking here about carefully arranged Bible classes that seek to instill an understanding of God’s word in the hearts of our young people? Is it sound teaching from the pulpit and scrip­tural practice in the way the church does its business so that the young folks can learn respect for Bible authority? Is it love between brethren that manifests it­self by each individual demonstrating “hospitality one to another” (1 Pet. 4:9)?

    Sadly, the answer is no. Instead, the activities that are desired “for the young people” are fun and games – ‘youth groups’ that sponsor parties, retreats, outings, camps, softball and basketball leagues, etc. ‘’The bigger the better’ and ‘the more the merrier’ seem to be the rule.

    Lest anyone misunderstand, let it be known that we love basketball, baseball, camping, parties . . . and fun and food in general! We strongly favor such things being provided as an avenue of ‘good, clean fun’ for our young folks. But we insist that there is no authority in the Bible for the church to provide such. Let parents who really care see to it that the kids have these needed diversions, and let the church keep to its important authorized work. There’s nothing better for our young people than this.
—Greg Gwin  Via The Beacon, 5/4/21

EXALTING CHRIST

    How do we exalt Christ?  We exalt Christ when we preach His word, when we follow His teaching, when we do only that which He authorizes, when we wear only His name, when we make Him the center of our affection and adoration, when we recognize Him as our only Head, Lord, and King. To do otherwise is to fail to exalt Him.  —Bill Hall

SENTENCE SERMONS

God speaks to all who take time to listen. Have you read His word lately?
***
Following Christ is not an escape from life — it is life!
***
Even folks on the level will have their ups and downs.
***
The easiest road to travel is the one that goes down.
***
The strongest evidence of love is sacrifice.
***
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.

"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr. 

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….……………     9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….………  10:30 AM
Evening Worship   …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
 

Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM …………………………..  8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
 

Website: www. EastAlbertville.org

What The Bible Says

Vol. VII - No. 20   March 2, 2025

WILL THERE BE A JUDGEMENT DAY?

    Let's answer this question by asking another question: Do you believe in death? I'm sure you do for it is all around us. Every day the newspapers give an obituary column. You don't drive many times past the funeral homes but what people are not gathered to show respect to someone who has died. The Bible teaches just as certain as there is death, there is the judgement. Hebrews 9:27 says, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement." Yes, there will be a judgement day!

    When will the judgement day occur? "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;"(2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Matthew also describes the Lord's return as a time when "before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats." (25:31-46).

    The Scriptures have revealed to us some things about the judgement day. In Romans 2:2 we read, "But we are sure that the judgement of God is according to truth against them which commit such things." Thus we see the STANDARD or 'measuring stick' by which we will be judged is not what I think or what you think but rather "truth". God determines truth for His Word is truth (John 17:17). Therefore, we will be judged by the Word. "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." (John 12:48). The BASIS on what we will be judged are our "deeds". "Who will render every man according to his deeds:" (Romans 2:6). "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works." (Matthew 16:27).  —E.R. Hall, Jr.

HIDDEN THINGS

    I think it true that the more we read and study the things pertaining to God, the more we realize how little we really know. We can't know anything apart from what He reveals. God by His very nature is hidden from us. John 4:24 records “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth”.

    How is it that we, being mortal, can peer into and gain an understanding of the spiritual realm? It is only through the hidden things that God chooses to reveal. For instance, consider what is revealed in Eph. 3: 8-10. Verse 8 points to the unsearchable riches of Christ. Verse 9 talks about the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God. In verse 10 God makes His eternal intentions known to man “to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places”. This is a glimpse at our purpose. How else would we know that there are principalities and powers in heaven if God doesn’t tell us. Consider also in Isa. 40:21-22 “Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is He who sits above the circle of the earth and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in?”

    It is through His words that God can tell us what He did from the foundations of the world. He tells us why He did it. He also tells us about His intentions for the future and what the end of us will be.

    It is through our language and intellect, that God created, that He draws these amazing word pictures that we can read and understand. We can act upon the warnings and rest our hope upon the promises. In Psa. 34:8 David when he was sent away from an opposing king says “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” In this passage God uses our senses of taste and sight and uses them in application like read and understand or listen and comprehend.

    There are many other images of the hidden things of God revealed in the language of the scriptures and understood as mental images. Consider a reading from Job 9:4-10 “God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against Him and prospered? He removes the mountains, and they do not know when He overturns them in His anger; He shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble; He commands the sun, and it does not rise; He seals off the stars; He alone spreads out the heavens, and treads on the waves of the sea; He made the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, and the chambers of the South; He does great things past finding out, yes, wonders without number. If He goes by me, I do not see Him; if He moves past, I do not perceive Him”. Psa. 18:9-10 records “He bowed the heavens also and came down with darkness under His feet. And He rode upon a cherub and flew; He flew upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness His secret place; His canopy around Him was dark waters and thick clouds of the skies”.

    In a previous writing, we discussed Cherubim and discovered that these are the fierce angelic beings that were used to guard the way to the tree of life, but now are pictured as being ridden by deity. Wow, what an awe-inspiring picture and certainly we are blessed to serve the one true awesome God. Psa. 47:2 “For the Lord Most High is awesome”.

    Yes, it is true what the author of Deut. 29:29 stated ”The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and our children forever, that we may do all the words of the law”. The Hebrew writer in chapter 6:4-5 records “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them to repentance…”

    Are you partaking in the heavenly gift and enjoying the good word of God? Are you a partaker of the Holy Spirit? Good! If you’re not, don’t delay. Rev 22:17 “And the Spirit and the Bride say, come! And let him who hears say, come! And let him who thirsts come! Whoever desires, let him take off the water of life freely”. Let us not be wise in our own eyes like the one depicted in Job 11:12 “For an empty-headed man will be wise, when a wild donkeys colt is born a man”.

    You may recall the passage in Acts 10:4 where Cornelius was informed that his alms (good deeds) and prayers had come up before God as a memorial. A remembrance of us can be made in the presence of God by our good deeds and prayers. What a picture and what a blessing. Obey God while you have opportunity. Stop resisting…  —Blind Bartimaeus 23

SENTENCE SERMONS

Repentance is never too soon, but it may be too late.
 ***
When it seems hardest to pray, we should pray the hardest.
 
The Golden Rule never tarnishes.
***
Satan is a fisherman, too. Deceit is his bait. Suckers get caught.”
*** 
It doesn’t pay to worry.  If you went through last year’s files marked “important,” chances are the only things you’d keep are the paper clips.

"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr. 

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….……………     9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….………  10:30 AM
Evening Worship   …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
 

Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM …………………………..  8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
 

Website: www. EastAlbertville.org

What The Bible Says

Vol. VII - No. 19   January 19, 2025

CONTENTMENT

    In 1 Timothy 6:6 Paul states that "godliness with contentment is great gain". I think that this statement may be more important to our perception of contentment than we sometimes realize. Contentment, that is, being satisfied with your life, is prized in the Bible. Hebrews 13:5 tells us to be content with what we have, and not to love money. In 2 Corinthians 12:10 Paul speaks about being content with suffering and persecution if it is for Christ's sake and in Philippians 4:11-13 Paul speaks about learning to be content no matter the situation, that he (and we) can do "all things through him who strengthens me”.

    The important thing I want to pull out from 1 Timothy 6:6 is the fact that contentment alone is not sufficient. Godliness must be present with our contentment for it to be "great gain". If you live in contentment but that contentment leaves out God or God's instructions, that is laziness, unrighteousness, or a similar sin. 1 Thessalonians 3:10-12 warns against the danger of being a busybody instead of working. Hebrews 13:16 tells us not to neglect in doing good. Romans 12:11 says "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord". In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul talks about the Christian's life as an athlete training and performing in their sport. A lazy athlete may be content, but they will not be successful; they will receive no reward. Likewise, those who wish to receive God’s reward must train, must "run", must "climb", must do whatever work God requires of us. The contentment of a Christian should not be that of laziness but that of an athlete, content with the results of their pain, perseverance, and persistent efforts. —Jake Pack

THE GIFT OF OUR SALVATION

    When I consider my early years, say when I was between the ages of 4 and 8, I still get a chuckle. Why might you ask? Well, like most kids my age, I was fooled by the magic of television. There was no cable or any of the modern gadgetry back then. We had a black and white TV with three channels on a good day. We would crack the window to talk to the one who volunteered to go outside and turn the antenna. On Saturday mornings we would certainly try and catch some cartoons. After this, the TV would normally be turned off. If the weather outside was suitable for children to play, we were off and running.

    I always looked forward to Saturday or Sunday matinee times when Shirley Temple or The Little Rascals would be on. I could see myself in their adventures whether they were at school or on the playground. It might be they’re in class or after school activities. I could imagine myself doing the things they were doing. They were just like me. In my mind they were just one town over from me. I had no knowledge of syndications or re-runs. I thought it was real. I did know that Laurel and Hardy and The Three Stooges were acts, but they seemed to me like older versions of myself.

    Contemporary means living or occurring at the same time. As a noun, it means a person or thing living or existing at the same time as another. So now you understand the chuckle. These visions I had been seeing on television were not real. Most were prior recordings that were being replayed for my entertainment. I had been fooled by this modern trickery. 

    As we look ahead, there's a day coming when all of mankind will for the first time be contemporary. I do mean all of mankind. In 2 Cor. 5:10 the writer describes this as an appearance, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad”. Everyone will be there. Every man, woman and child ever conceived will be present on that day. We will at last be contemporaries and will remain contemporaries for eternity. Abraham, Moses, and Elijah will be there. Pharaoh and Goliath, David and Bathsheba, Uriah the Hittite, yes, he will be there. Samson and all he slew; they will be in attendance. Your grandparents will be there, your mom, your dad, your siblings and your children also. All the loved ones past and present on this day will be required to stand. Jephthah and his daughter will be there. Caleb has always been of interest to me, his attendance will be required, just like yours and mine. The list you might think goes on and on but that's not true. The list ends when all are accounted for. Lists will no longer be needed because there is a book, “The Lamb’s book of life” Rev. 21:27.

    We will all be standing before the first born from the dead, Jesus Col. 1:18. He will separate all as sheep and goats Matt. 25:32. He will execute righteous judgment Acts 17:31. His decision will be final. This separation will determine which of our contemporaries we will live with through eternity. The ones separated for condemnation; the goats, will be cast into eternal punishment. The ones separated for rest; the sheep, will be granted entrance into “The kingdom prepared from the foundations of the world” Matt. 25:34. With these considerations in the forefront of our minds, let us not go about our lives as little children, being fooled by the trickery of the devil and men. Syndications will be no more. There will be no re-runs of life Eccl. 9:10. Eternity begins with your contemporaries having been selected and eternal dwelling places having been assigned. Who will your contemporaries be? Obey God while you have opportunity. Stop resisting... —Blind Bartimaeus 23

SENTENCE SERMONS

Speaking the truth often requires more courage than some possess.
***
“Criticism is easy; achievement is more difficult.” - Winston Churchill
***
Hell will be a truth that many will realize too late.
***
Proper use of today is the best preparation for tomorrow.
***
There is a tendency for people to credit themselves with their successes, but to blame God for their failures.

"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr. 

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….……………     9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….………  10:30 AM
Evening Worship   …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
 

Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM …………………………..  8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
 

Website: www. EastAlbertville.org

What The Bible Says

Vol. VII - No. 17   January 19, 2025

ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION

    No, this is not an article on mathematics although the subject is that of addition and subtraction. The subject is about the word of God, the Bible. It must be rightly divided or handled aright as the American Standard Version states (2 Timothy 2:15). We live in a time that the word of God is not handled as it ought to be. Even Paul spoke of those in his time that "corrupt the word of God" (2 Corinthians 2:17) and were "handling the word of God deceitfully" (2 Corinthians 4:2). The conclusion that has to be reached is not everybody is making the right use of the Scriptures. That is the point of this article.

    Numerous additions and subtractions have taken place with God's word. No one is at liberty to do this. "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2). "What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add there to, nor diminish from it.”  (Deuteronomy 12:32). "Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." (Proverbs 30:6). “And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another." (1 Corinthians 4:6). “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." (2 John 9). "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." (Revelation 22: 18-19). Thus, we see a principle that has always been true of God's word. When God has spoken, we must not add anything to what He has said, neither are we to take or leave anything out.

    When it comes to such important subjects like salvation, the church, worship, and the work and organization of the church, much has been added and a lot has been subtracted from what God has said about these subjects. This is why book, chapter, and verse is so essential to authorize all we believe and practice (Colossians 3:17). Any changes made to God’s word will pervert it (Galatians 1 :6-10). One quart of dirty oil plus three quarts of clean oil equals four quarts of dirty oil. Sweet milk plus sour milk equals sour milk. Who can deny the logic? Everything we do must be done "according to the pattern" of God's word (Hebrews 8:5). Is there a pattern found in the Scriptures for what you believe and practice religiously? Or must we do some addition or subtraction to God's word to justify it?  —E.R. Hall, Jr.

MY CONTEMPORARIES

    When I consider my early years, say when I was between the ages of 4 and 8, I still get a chuckle. Why might you ask? Well, like most kids my age, I was fooled by the magic of television. There was no cable or any of the modern gadgetry back then. We had a black and white TV with three channels on a good day. We would crack the window to talk to the one who volunteered to go outside and turn the antenna. On Saturday mornings we would certainly try and catch some cartoons. After this, the TV would normally be turned off. If the weather outside was suitable for children to play, we were off and running.

    I always looked forward to Saturday or Sunday matinee times when Shirley Temple or The Little Rascals would be on. I could see myself in their adventures whether they were at school or on the playground. It might be they’re in class or after school activities. I could imagine myself doing the things they were doing. They were just like me. In my mind they were just one town over from me. I had no knowledge of syndications or re-runs. I thought it was real. I did know that Laurel and Hardy and The Three Stooges were acts, but they seemed to me like older versions of myself.

    Contemporary means living or occurring at the same time. As a noun, it means a person or thing living or existing at the same time as another. So now you understand the chuckle. These visions I had been seeing on television were not real. Most were prior recordings that were being replayed for my entertainment. I had been fooled by this modern trickery. 

    As we look ahead, there's a day coming when all of mankind will for the first time be contemporary. I do mean all of mankind. In 2 Cor. 5:10 the writer describes this as an appearance, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad”. Everyone will be there. Every man, woman and child ever conceived will be present on that day. We will at last be contemporaries and will remain contemporaries for eternity. Abraham, Moses, and Elijah will be there. Pharaoh and Goliath, David and Bathsheba, Uriah the Hittite, yes, he will be there. Samson and all he slew; they will be in attendance. Your grandparents will be there, your mom, your dad, your siblings and your children also. All the loved ones past and present on this day will be required to stand. Jephthah and his daughter will be there. Caleb has always been of interest to me, his attendance will be required, just like yours and mine. The list you might think goes on and on but that's not true. The list ends when all are accounted for. Lists will no longer be needed because there is a book, “The Lamb’s book of life” Rev. 21:27.

    We will all be standing before the first born from the dead, Jesus Col. 1:18. He will separate all as sheep and goats Matt. 25:32. He will execute righteous judgment Acts 17:31. His decision will be final. This separation will determine which of our contemporaries we will live with through eternity. The ones separated for condemnation; the goats, will be cast into eternal punishment. The ones separated for rest; the sheep, will be granted entrance into “The kingdom prepared from the foundations of the world” Matt. 25:34. With these considerations in the forefront of our minds, let us not go about our lives as little children, being fooled by the trickery of the devil and men. Syndications will be no more. There will be no re-runs of life Eccl. 9:10. Eternity begins with your contemporaries having been selected and eternal dwelling places having been assigned. Who will your contemporaries be? Obey God while you have opportunity. Stop resisting... —Blind Bartimaeus 23

SENTENCE SERMONS

The storm also beats on the house that is built on the rock.
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It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.
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When it comes to giving, some people stop at nothing.
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The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.
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You are not the first to have happen to you whatever it is that is happening to you.

"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr. 

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….……………     9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….………  10:30 AM
Evening Worship   …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
 

Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM …………………………..  8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
 

Website: www. EastAlbertville.org