The Bible relates the epic story of
the human race and our relationship with the eternal God. From
the first light of Genesis a Divine scheme of life begins to unfold,
culminating on the sixth day with the crowning achievement of creation
... man. Perfection is soon followed by disappointment as man
chooses self over God, and suddenly paradise draws to a premature end.
As Adam and Eve are forced from the
Garden of Eden and barred from the eternal benefits of the Tree of Life
(Gen. 3:22, 24), even their selfish choice of the serpent over God did
not cut off all hope. One is promised to come, along with the
promise of victory over the Serpent, and the apparent source from which
blessings were to be harvested, the Tree of Life, will therefore emerge
in the book of Proverbs as a metaphor of eternal life.
The Bible concludes with echoes of a
great beginning. The dawn's first light of a final, great eternal
day will reveal ... the eternal God, paradise, the Tree of Life, and
the One who made the victory possible for those blessed to inhabit the
New Jerusalem, Jesus Christ. The Bible ends with those who choose
God over self, gaining the access so long denied as the saints join God
in paradise to enjoy forever the Tree of Life (Rev. 22:14).
This issue of BulletinGold revolves around the grand theme of the
Bible, in the hope of honoring all those who faithfully teach it to
others. No other endeavor could hope to reap the possible rewards
as sharing God's Word with others. Whether by print or word of
mouth, what glorious hope is shared with you share the Bible's message
with others.
The
most compelling need of our day is a love for the truth. Unfortunately
there is a deficiency in this regard that is woefully lacking.
When I was a boy my father, grandfather, brothers, and I would go to
Bentley’s Barber Shop in
Hartselle , Alabama
to get a haircut. My grandfather, J. F. Dean, was an elder in the
church and was recognized as a walking Bible. Occasionally at the
barber shop a question would be raised about some Bible related
subject. My grandfather would reply, “the Bible says so and so,” and
then he would quote the pertinent scripture. As a child my memory was
clear regarding how silent the place of business became when he
finished his answer. The presentation of truth silenced the questioner
and convicted the hearts of those present. Beloved, there was a day
when men and women would shudder at the truth and/or tremble at the
spoken word (Heb, 4:12; Acts 24:25).
How do we show our love for the truth? Initially, we should love
hearing the truth or gospel proclaimed (Eph. 4:15); Acts 2:41). This
writer has noticed over the last ten to fifteen years a lack of
appreciation for the truth and the majesty of God’s written word. One
brother told a gospel preacher that he should watch what he said
because there were sectarian people in the audience. One even remarked
that he should not speak on religious error due to certain people being
present. Wonder how Peter or Paul would preach today? Would they simply
slap people on the back, shake their hands, and then declare some
philosophical jargon? Most Bible students know better. If we truly love
the truth then joy will soar in our hearts as the spoken word is
preached. A love of the truth will cause us to crave and hunger for it
like a fine meal (Matt. 5:6). Solomon said, “Buy the truth and sell it
not...” (Prov. 23:23). A love of the truth will cause us to submit to
it. ( Jam. 4:7-8). Jesus said, “If ye love me,
ye will keep my commandments” (Jhn. 14:15).
A love for the truth will also cause one to live it to the uttermost.
There can be no greater challenge for our love of the truth than living
it daily. Paul said, “For to me to live is Christ, but to die is
gain...” (Phil. 1:21). Jesus was the personification of truth and truly
exemplified how we should conduct our lives. Luke wrote in his second
treatise to Theophilus and said, “concerning all that Jesus began both
to do and to teach” (Acts 1:1). Paul said, “only let your manner of
life be worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil. 1:27 ASV). Friend a love
for the truth is not only the purpose of our being, but everlasting
life will be the result of a faithful life.
-- Bob Spurlin, Hartselle , AL (via the Belvedere Beacon, the weekly
bulletin of the Belvedere church of Christ , Belvedere, SC. Ken Chumbley serves the
congregation as evangelist, and he may be contacted at church@belvederechurchofchrist.org).
Please visit brother Spurlin's website at http://www.bobspurlin.com.
****************************************
“Ten Things Bible Class Teachers
Love In Parents”
By Kyle Moses
This
list (borrowed from the
New Braunfels bulletin, Truth) has a very
important message for us all to understand.
This list is entitled “Some Things Bible Class Teachers Love In
Parents”:
1. Parents who attend Bible classes
regularly.
2. Parents who encourage their children to attend all Bible class
regularly.
3. Parents who encourage their children to be in Bible classes on time.
4. Parents who speak well of the classes.
5. Parents who are fair minded, agreeable, and unselfishly helpful to
the teacher with all classroom problems.
6. Parents who appreciate, and express their appreciation for their
efforts to help their children.
7. Parents who are real partners with class teachers in the greatest
work of the world.
8. Parents who set a time to help their children get their Bible
lessons done.
9. Parents who maintain discipline at home so the teacher will have no
discipline problems in the classroom.
10. Parents who teach their children proper attitudes of worship, in
the classroom and public worship services.
Author Unknown
Bible
classes are very important. We must be sure that we do all we can to be
there. Sometimes, we may not set our
alarm for the right time, we may be ill, or something happens where we
just cannot be there. Otherwise, we should make every effort to be at
Bible class. Attendance for Bible class is just as important for being
at the worship services.
I do not know why, but every place I have ever worshiped, every
bulletin I get that shows attendance records, and every preacher or
elder to whom I have ever spoken about this topic all affirm that there
is a trend in the Lord’s church. Have you ever noticed how the Sunday
morning and the Sunday evening service totals are always a
lot higher than those of Sunday morning Bible class and Wednesday
evening Bible study? Why is that? Is it because some do not see Bible
class as important? Maybe it is because some don’t like the teacher. I
do not know. One thing I do know, though, is that those who attend the
Bible classes without reserve always say that they learn so much and
look forward to it. Some even say that through Bible class, their faith
is very often stronger because they come.
Why is it important to come to Bible class? I want to offer two lists.
The first list is the importance for children to attend Bible class and
the other is to show the reasons for adult attendance.
Children
1. It teaches them how to behave for worship services.
2. They get the basic Bible stories taught to them using resources that
parents many times do not have at home.
3. The children have the opportunity to make life-long Christian
friends with the Bible class mates, often times
meeting future mates.
4. The children learn how to use their Bibles.
5. Children have the opportunity to learn from knowledgeable teachers
that have taken a lot of time to
prepare a lesson especially for them.
Adults
1. Adults can learn lessons more in depth than they can by just
listening to sermons alone.
2. Class participation helps to offer different points of view and
spawn new thoughts than with sermons or personal
study alone.
3. It can prepare the student to better combat against the false
doctrines present in our world.
4. The student is more prepared to teach the lost and dying world the
gospel with a stronger knowledge.
5. The adult has a better opportunity to learn from a wider range of
resources.
I hope that you will consider these important thoughts as you consider
coming to Bible class each Sunday and
Wednesday. With
Vacation Bible School
approaching, we can apply these same principles.
-- Kyle Moses preaches for the church of Christ in Mathis , TX . He may be contacted at
MathisCofC@stx.rr.comwww.mathiscofc.org. or via the
congregation's website:
****************************************
Abraham–Friend of God
By Jimmy W. Cox
Abraham is the only person to have
received this title. “And the Scriptures was fulfilled which says,
‘Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness,’
and he was called the friend of God.” (Jas. 2:23). Also 2 Chron. 20:7;
Isa. 41:8). Let us note some of his qualities.
–He believed God. Jas. 2:23; Heb. 11:8, 9, 17. Faith is required for
salvation, but it is not the only requirement. A person can believe,
and still be lost. “Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in
Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they
should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men
more than the praise of God.” (John 12:42, 43); (Jas. 2:17-26).
–Obeyed God. –When told to go to another country, he went (Heb.
11:8). When commanded to offer Isaac, he did (Heb.
11:17). We must obey to be saved. “Though He was a Son, yet
He learned obedience by the things He suffered. And having been
perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey
Him.” (Heb. 5:8, 9).
–Feared God. “And He said, ‘Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do
anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not
withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” (Gen. 22:12). Man’s whole
duty is to fear God and keep His commandments. (Eccl. 12:13).
–Had a deep concern for the lost. (Gen. 18:16-33). Every Christian
should feel a responsibility to the lost. “For I am not ashamed of the
gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone
who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” ( Rom.
1:16).
We also can be friends of God. “You are My friends if you do whatever I
command you.” (John 15:14). You are either for God, or against
Him. “No man can serve two masters . . . You cannot serve God and
mammon.” (Matt. 6:24).
- Jimmy Cox lives in Sandy Hook, MS and attends the
Columbia church of Christ in Columbia , MS . He may be contacted at coxsandyhook@yahoo.com
****************************************
All For a Bowl of Soup
By Lance Cordle
You remember the story—Esau, the outdoorsman, came in from the field
and was very hungry (“famished” Genesis 26:29, NASB). His brother,
Jacob, had cooked a container of lentil stew (NASB) and had it there as
Esau came in from his outdoor activity. He reacted in a way that is
familiar to most people—he claimed he was starving and about to die
(both not literally true). Jacob, being a shrewd individual, saw his
brother for what he was, a profane, worldly man (See Hebrews 12:16,17).
Jacob demanded the birthright (the right to a double share of their
father’s possessions at his death). This was indeed a ludicrous trade—a
tremendous inheritance in exchange for a bowl of soup—but Esau took it.
This transaction took place a long time ago, but it is not so far
removed from our time. Virtually every day, people make trades similar
to that of Esau—exchanging the important things in life for things that
are far less valuable. Consider the following possibilities:
¨ A high school student trades
his integrity and good reputation for “honor” by cheating on a test
that is just a matter of academic record.
¨ A young lady trades her good name and purity for the opportunity
to belong to the “popular crowd” in high school.
¨ A woman trades her family and future for a temporary affair with
a man who wanted her merely for momentary pleasure.
¨ A man trades his health for a job that will keep him occupied
for thousands of hours and leaves him with no time for his family.
¨ A church trades the stability of God’s word for the great number
of people attracted by loose doctrine and entertainment.
¨ A society trades solid moral principles that insure the
stability of governments for ever-changing, ever-descending values that
have been proven to destroy civilizations.
Esau later regretted his decision.
Years of frustration, anger, and bitterness could have been prevented
if he had not been so foolish in his decision about the soup.
May we take the lesson of Esau and be careful in all our decisions to
choose wisely. Because, ultimately, we stand to lose our eternal
inheritance if we trade for a “bowl of soup” (Matthew 16:26; 1
Peter 1:4)
-- Lance Cordle preaches for the Calvert City church of Christ
in Calvert City
, KY. He may be
contacted at Lance@calvertchurchofchrist.com
****************************************
A Vote Against The Bible
By Steve Higginbotham
This past week, on June 16th, a major religious body in the United States
, at their national convention, voted against two proposals that
expressed opposition to all same-sex unions. My response to such
an action is twofold:
·First, how much
presumption does it take to vote against a biblical
truth? Who does man think he is, voting against
the edicts and pronouncements of God? Do people think
majority rules when it comes to God's revelation? Do people
really think they can "vote God out of office" by reaching a majority
decision against God and his platform as set forth in Scripture?
Apparently so.
·And second, how
much presumption does it take to vote, for or against, any biblical
matter? Why would anyone be "voting" on any biblical or moral
issue? Has not God already spoken? Does not Scripture
already "thoroughly furnish us with answers to doctrinal and moral
matters? (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Is truth determined by a
vote? Let God be true and every man a liar. Friends, no
vote needs to be taken, rather people need to open their Bibles!
Apparently, people need to be reminded
that truth is not what we make it, but what God stated. Morality
is not determined by a vote, but by the revelation of God. Rather
than "voting," wouldn't people be better off just obeying the word of
God. After all, there is the reminder of Moses echoing through
the ages that states, "Do not follow a multitude to do evil." (Exodus
23:2).
The Parable of the Prodigal Son is one of the most widely known of
Jesus' parables. Additionally, it is also Jesus' longest parable,
comprising 22 verses (Luke 15:11-32). In The Parable of the Prodigal
Son, Jesus reaches the apex in His response to the charge against Him,
leveled by the scribes and Pharisees who asserted, "This man receives
sinners and eats with them." And how did Jesus respond to this
murmuring? He responded by delivering three parables in which He
illustrated quite emphatically His Father’s great and undying love for
those who are lost: The Parable of the Lost Sheep, The Parable of the
Lost Coin, and The Parable of the Prodigal Son.
There is much that could be said about this parable, but I will keep my
comments brief. The Parable of the Prodigal Son continues the theme of
rejoicing, and even adds to it. The first half of the parable
illustrates rejoicing over a sinner who returned, while the second half
more directly counters the situation Jesus faced: the criticism of the
religious establishment about His willingness to be with sinners.
Jesus, by telling the parable in the manner in which He did, admonishes
those who do not rejoice in the message of repentance and salvation
extended to sinners, the very sinners the scribes and Pharisees
detested. The message is made abundantly clear: if even God and heaven
rejoice over the repentance of one lost sinner, should we on earth do
anything less?
In the first two parables the lost were found by searching. But in The
Parable of the Prodigal Son the younger son was found by waiting.
During this time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, the spiritually lost were
already coming to Jesus. There was no need for Him to seek them out.
They had been spiritually dead and were now showing interest. They
desired to be taught by Jesus, because as Matthew recorded, "…the
multitudes were astonished at His teaching: for He taught them as one
having authority, and not as their scribes." (Matthew 7:28b-29) Yes,
Jesus received them and yes, He did eat with them. His willingness to
reach out to those despised individuals would have encouraged them to
keep the laws they already knew and to continue to listen to Him for
more instruction in God's way of righteousness.
But the parable is not pertinent simply to those first century Jews
Jesus was teaching. The lessons to be gleaned are timeless messages for
all as they depict so vividly the great love our Father has for His
lost children. He rejoices over and honors every sinner who comes to
repentance through obedience in baptism. He comes toward us. This theme
of joyful acceptance, as similarly illustrated in the first two
parables of this chapter, dominates the beginning of this parable. This
is the lesson illustrated by the Father: He is always ready to welcome
a returning child!
-- David Ferguson preaches for the Lake Land church of Christ in Mattoon , IL . He may be contacted at
davidferguson61@yahoo.com.
=============================================
Nuggets and Quick Riches - misc. goodies this issue
A $2,800 Bible!?!
The shaky conditions of his economy led the Roman Emperor, Diocletian,
to declare an all-out price-fixing in history’s first attempt to
curtail inflation. The edict, proclaimed in A.D. 300, set the
price of beer, soap, food and even the Bible!
To afford a complete Bible at the emperor’s price, the average American
would probably have to mortgage his house. Under the edict you
were charged for a Bible on this basis: A scribe’s work was price-fixed
at $2.80 per 100 stychoi (one stychos equals one line of Homeric 16
syllable verse). For carefully copying 18,302 stychoi - the
complete New Testament - he would receive the fixed figure of $512.45
(in today’s currency) and not a drachma more or less. For copying
the complete Bible he would receive $2,800. You paid, in
addition, the cost of the papyri (a type of paper), which was in short
production and price-fixed under the luxuries category.
Just think, for $3.00 you can now buy a Bible with full color maps - at
a savings of $2,797.00! How many Bibles would you have at
$2,800.00 each? How much would you read the Bible if you paid
$2,800.00 for it? It’s the same Book either way.
- Selected; via the weekly bulletin of the
Harrisburg church of Christ, Harrisburg , IL . Edd Sterchi serves as their minister,
and he may be contacted at sterchi@midwest.net
****************************************
Wisdom from a Lady
By Boynton Merrill
“A few years ago a college girl,
greatly troubled, turned to me in her anxiety. For some months we
talked and wrote, and then one day I knew that she had come onto solid
ground. For this is what she said in a letter to me: ‘I see now that
God does not save me on the outside. It is this way: when you are safe
on the inside, you are safe on every side.’ She has found the only
security that really counts.”
-- Boynton Merrill; via the Lantern,
the weekly bulletin of the Highway church of Christ in Sullivan,
IL. Ron Thomas serves the congregation as preacher. He may
be contacted at He may be contacted at rthomas1@one-eleven.net
****************************************
Lessons Learned
I've learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is
to be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them.
I've learned that no matter how much I care, some people just don't
care back.
I've learned that it's not what you have in your life but who you have
in your life that counts.
I've learned that you can get by on charm for about fifteen
minutes. After that, you'd better know something.
I've learned that you can do something in an instant that will give you
heartache for life.
I've learned that it's taking me a long time to become the person
I want to be.
I've learned you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It
may be the last time you see them.
I've learned that you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I've learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I've learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when
it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I've learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when
you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.
I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be
angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way you
want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
I've learned that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It
could change your life.
I've learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by
people who don't even know you.
-- Lakeland Bulletin, Mattoon , IL
(via The Sower, the weekly bulletin of the Arthur church of Christ
, Arthur , IL . Ron Bartanen is their
preacher. He may be contacted at ron33dor@one-eleven.net or
through the congregation's website: www.aruthurchurchofchrist.com
=============================================
Hearts
of Gold- poetry this issue
Reading the Bible
It is one thing to read the Bible through,
And another to read to learn and do.
Some read it as their "duty" once a week,
But no instruction from the Bible seek.
One reads to "bring himself into repute,"
By showing others how he can "dispute."
Some read because their neighbors do;
Others to boast their reading it through.
Some read it for the wonders there,
Like how David killed the lion and the bear.
While others read it with uncommon care,
Hoping to find a contradiction there.
One reads with father's specs in hand,
And finds the things as father said.
Some read to prove a pre-adopted creed,
Hence understand little of what they read.
For every passage in the book they bend
To make it suit their all-important end.
So many in these latter days,
Have read His Word in different ways.
And few can tell which way is best,
For every party contradicts the rest.
But read it prayerfully and you will see,
Although men dispute, God's Word agrees.
For what the early prophets wrote,
Christ and His church must quote.
So trust no creed that trembles to recall
What was penned by God must be verified by all.
-- Author Unknown; via The Sower, the weekly bulletin of the Arthur church of Christ
, Arthur , IL . Ron Bartanen is their
preacher. He may be contacted at ron33dor@one-eleven.net or
through the congregation's website: www.aruthurchurchofchrist.com
****************************************
We thank Thee, Lord
By Lois Tiffany
We thank Thee, Lord, for waiting years
Though every hope be touched with fears,
Though in the past lie broken dreams,
Yet in the future, now, it seems
As if a Hand will point the way
Our feet should travel day by day --
We thank Thee, Lord, for love today,
For willing hands, for hearts that pray,
And though it be a thorny road
O'er which we trudge with heavy load,
Yet by the roadside we may find
The handshake of a comrade kind --
We thank Thee, Lord, for beating rain
Through which the sun shines clear again.
We thank Thee for the blinding heat
Of desert over which our feet
Must go, and though our eyes be wet,
And though our hearts be burdened, yet --
We thank Thee, Lord, for Jesus Christ
Who, through Thy love, was sacrificed;
Help us to know that He will share
The heavy burdens we may bear;
And as we labor here, to pray
Our lips may swiftly learn to say --
"We thank Thee, Lord."
****************************************
A Holy Hunger for You
Lord, create in me...a holy hunger for
You and fan it each day like a fire, Till
I'm totally dissatisfied with the things
of this earth and Your glory is my
utmost desire.
Let me seek Your face, Your honor and
wisdom till my soul is consumed by
your flame. Let me inhale your Presence,
wanting more every breath so I'll exhale
of the truth of your name.
May I wake every day with a renewing
of passion and not be content with what
You did in the past. For Your glory is
more than a trophy to hold in the
hope that its memory will last.
Lord, fill me with joy...inexpressible
joy from the depths of Your heart's
flowing treasures. For I've found true
happiness isn't held in my hands
but in the spiritual I cannot measure.
Pour yourself out to me...like only You
can and I will grow wanting more of
Your glory, manifested to me through
the Word in my life and written into my
life story.
Let me die to myself and my selfish
desires so that righteousness overflows
from within. Till You're the last thought
I have at the close of each day and the
first thought as each new day begins.
Amen
-- Sheila Gosney, Copyright 2004; via Thought for the
Day, an e-mail devotional presented by Alan Smith, who preaches for the
Helen Street church of Christ in Fayetteville, NC. To subscribe
to "Thought For the Day," send a blank email to join-thought-for-the-day@xc.org
=============================================
Gold
Mines ---- quotes & sayings for bulletins and
signs
"Teachers open
the door, but you must enter by yourself."(a Chinese proverb)
“People occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick
themselves up and hurry off like nothing happened” (Winston Churchill,
via the Main Street Monitor, Main Street church of Christ, Manchester,
TN).
"Some people merely stretch the truth. Others mutilate it" (The
Encourager, the weekly bulletin of the Dongola
church of Christ
, Dongola , IL ).
"The learned man knows that he is ignorant" (Victor Hugo).
Gold - this issue
Start digging!
Editor's
comments
---David Bragg
Panning
for more Gold: -- feature
articles this issue
Nuggets
and Quick Riches ---misc.
goodies this issue
