tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1366276954382117072024-03-13T21:51:41.947-07:00Holding on to rainbows.Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-25574997476508439902016-11-27T10:07:00.001-08:002016-11-27T10:07:53.755-08:00announcment<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 9;"> </span>Nov.
27<sup>th</sup>, 2016<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It is with
mixed emotions of great joy, anxiety, sadness, and thankfulness that I make the
announcement that coming January, the Bowling family will be moving back to the
place we call home, East Tennessee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Joy due to
the fact that I will be able to help and assist my aging mother in her
declining health, which is the main purpose of our move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joy also that we will be closer to family and
loved ones on both sides, spiritual family and earthly kin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Anxiety due
to the many unknowns as it pertains to housing, my children and the effect that
another move will have on them, and an ongoing effort to trust in God and His
promises to see our family through the transition.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sadness due
to the leaving of a loving congregation that has treated us very well, and
loves us very much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a good preacher
friend of mine once said, I’ve birthed them, buried them, and married them, and
in our fourth year here at Caverns Road our relationships are deep, and the
brethren will be dearly missed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leaving
is one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Thankfulness
due to the Lord blessing us once again with another opportunity to labor in His
Kingdom with the Lawnville Road congregation in Kingston, TN as their pulpit minister
. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lawnvillle Road is a faithful and
sound congregation of the Lord’s church, and we Bowling’s look forward to
laboring and growing with them and adding their love to our long list of church
family and friends. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Friends and
Brethren, Summer and I have prayed diligently about this for many months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord has shown us in very clear ways that
the decision we have made is His Will. Please continue to pray for our efforts
in His Kingdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And please, pray for my
sons, Tyler and Bradley by name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being
in High School with girlfriends has made this no easy decision on them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will pick my nursing home one day, and I
fear that right now.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">No one
promised me that laboring for the Lord’s church would be an easy task.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was promised that it would be an absolute
blessing, and that has worked out to be absolutely True.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In His Love
and Good Service,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tom and
Summer Bowling, Bradley and Tyler too<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Love--<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-30505426510615090432016-06-15T09:52:00.003-07:002016-06-15T09:52:38.189-07:00
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<span style="font-size: 26.0pt;">As We
Prepare for VBS…. </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And
they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the
disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to
them, ‘Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom
of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive
the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.’ And He took them in
His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.”</i> (Mark
10:13-16).</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
like these passages because of what they teach. It occurred to me that these
passages fit right in to what we will be doing later this month, and what many congregations do every summer with the kids.
Whether young or old, this is an encouraging passage for all involved in any
sort of Children's ministry, whether it be Bible camp, Bible classes, or VBS. This
passage tells us that we need to be accepting of several things.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We need
to accept child-likeness.</span></u></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus told them they need to accept the
kingdom like a child. The kingdom of heaven belongs to child-like people. This
means doing away with any self-centered ego. We are not to be worried about our
greatness, or be puffed up with knowledge. We are to be humble, as a child is
humble. It means even though we are all different, we are just glad to be in the family of God. They way into
Heaven is very low to the ground. The only way to get in is to be like Jesus, on our knees,
praying for others.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We need
to accept the children.</span></u></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The disciples did not have time for children.
The text says that Jesus was “indignant” with them. Can you imagine the stern
look and firm voice he gave them as he lowered his voice and told them in no
uncertain terms to let the children come? Jesus loves the little children, all
the children of the world. He tells us and gives us an example of opening our
arms to the children.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">An
application</span></u></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
is why we do things such as Bible camp, Sunday school and VBS. We do not do this for
us, for our egos, or any other reason that focuses on ourselves. We do this for
the children. We minister to them, mentor them, and help them to grow in the
Lord. We get down on their level, sing with them, and yes, even shamelessly get
goofy. Besides, all of life is not worship (that's another article for another day). </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We are happy to be together. We are joyful as God's children to be in
his family! So, let’s loosen up, and let’s not be afraid to show our joy, sing
and be happy, splat the foolish man’s house, and tell that old devil to sit on
a tack!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Love to all</span>-preachertombowling@gmail.com</span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-53712927538277462652015-04-14T07:21:00.000-07:002015-04-14T07:21:40.145-07:00Are you "Spirit-Filled"?
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
"Spirit-Filled" Christian </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ephesians
5:18</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but
be filled with the Spirit."</span></i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There is a scriptural way of
determining whether or not a person is "filled with the Spirit" and
it is not by observing how much emotions are openly displayed. Being
"filled with the Spirit" is not a "high" that one reaches
that puts him above others who are not so emotional. Nor is it an 'event' or a 'show', or something uncontrollable.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The result of being "filled with the
Spirit" is related in Ephesians 5:17-21. Paul describes the person
"filled with the Spirit" as one who "understands what the will
of the Lord is," (vs. 17). He is not drunk with wine, (vs. 18); he sings
and makes melody in his heart, (vs. 19); he gives thanks always to God, (vs.
20); and he submits to others, (vs. 21).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The parallel epistle, Colossians,
expresses the command to be filled with the Spirit as "Let the word of
Christ dwell in your richly," (3:16). How much one is filled with the
Spirit is directly proportional to how richly God's Word dwells in him - the
Word is the means by which the Holy Spirit reaches, directs and fills our
hearts (Jn. 17:17; 1 Jn. 5:6; 2 Jn. 1-2).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There is also a direct correlation
between "being filled with the Spirit" and having the "fruit of
the Spirit". By looking at the Christian who bears the fruit of the
Spirit, one can observe to what degree the Spirit dwells in him, (Gal. 5:22-25):<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(1) How much does he love? God-like love
always actively seeks the well-being of others; (2) How happy is he?; (3) How
much peace with himself and others is evidenced in his manner of life?; (4)
Does he suffer long with his brethren?; (5) Is he willing to hold his temper
and restrain his tongue In the face of provocation?; (6) Is he a gentle, kind
person?; (7) Is he characterized by things that are good?; (8) Is there in him
a strong, unyielding trust in God?; (9) Is he the kind of person who is
submissive, or is he rebellious?; (10) And is he a person who is in control of
himself?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To the degree that a Christian bears
the "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal. 5:22), he is "filled with the
Spirit". And if he will "Walk in the Spirit," he will "not
fulfill the lust of the flesh" (vs. 16). (Note vs's 17-21 in context).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The admonition by Paul is, "If
we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit," (vs. 25). As a
Christian allows the word of Christ to dwell in and control him, he is letting
the Spirit dwell in him and is walking in the Spirit. There are those who claim
to be filled with the Spirit and to have experienced Holy Spirit baptism, who
walk after the flesh. Though they offer as proof of a Spirit-filled life their
uncontrolled emotional high, the scriptural evidence of Spirit controlled
behavior is lacking. The Bible teaches that true spirituality is evidenced in a
person's life, walk, actions, and behavior, not whether or not one can ‘get
excited’ or whether or not God ‘showed up, and showed out’.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Said in Love-preachertombowling@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-88596855747534219952014-08-12T11:12:00.000-07:002014-08-12T11:12:16.059-07:00'Possum's, 'Coon's and Sin <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr valign="top"><td rowspan="3" width="450"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"> My mom lives in the country in East Tennessee. She has a garden, chickens, etc. and occasionally has a visitor or two. She uses a trap to catch opossums and raccoons that steal her veggies and eggs, but she don't kill them, she takes them a few miles away and releases them safely. Once they go into the trap and the door closes, they are stuck. Their only hope is for someone to free them. We usually take them across the river away from town and free them there. Mom always wants to make sure it was at a place where they can live comfortably. Sometimes when the trap door opens, the critter races away. Yet, I have always found it interesting that sometimes when you open the door of the trap, the critter doesn't leave, it just stays put out of fear. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"></span> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"> This is how it is with sin. Once we sin, there is no way humanly possible to escape it. It is like a trap. Once it has you, you are trapped. Notice what Jesus said:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"> "<em>Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin'</em> " (Jn 8:34).</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"> Sin is like a trap. Once it has you, you become a sinner and there is nothing you can do about it. You cannot "un-sin." You become tainted, trapped, enslaved. It simply is not humanly possible to free yourself from slavery to sin. However, it is divinely possible for you to be freed from sin. Notice what Jesus also says:</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"> "<em>So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed"</em> (Jn 8:36).</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"> The only way to be free indeed, or truly free, is for Jesus himself to free you. Jesus died on the cross for your sins offering forgiveness (Eph 1:7). In dying on the cross, he opened the door so that you can escape and be free from sin.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"> How do you go through the open door to be free? Keeping in mind that Jesus is the door (Jn 10:9), here is what we do. We accept and confess our faith in Jesus as our risen Lord (Rom 10:9), and we repent and are baptized for forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). When we are baptized into the water, we are baptized into the death of Christ and have been raised with him to walk in newness of life (Rom 6:3-5). The Bible says that when this happens, "our old self was crucified with Him in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin" (Rom 6:6).</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"> So, when we submit ourselves to Christ as our Lord and master, we go through the door he opened for us at the cross. We become free from sin and now belong to him. Don't be like the timid, scared opossum or raccoon that never leaves the trap. Go through the door that Jesus is, and has opened for you to freedom! </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"> "<em>But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life</em>" (Rom 6:22). </span></td><td width="41"> </td><td width="120"><img align="left" height="269" src="http://www.theseeker.org/bulletin/fray.gif" width="10" /><br /><!--
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Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-19209399479886224052014-03-05T08:11:00.000-08:002014-03-05T08:11:08.339-08:00Seventh Day Adventism: Defined and DefeatedThe following is a paper that I wrote while in school. It contains zero opinion, and is Scripturally referenced.<br />
<br />
<br />
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Thomas Bowling/Seventh Day Adventism Defined and Defeated<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Cults Class/Bill Bryant-Instructor<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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ETSPM/Winter 2011<o:p></o:p></div>
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Origin and History<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Seventh-day Adventist Church had its roots in the Millerite movement of the
1830s and 1840s, during the period of the Second Great Awakening, and was
officially founded in 1863. Prominent figures in the early church included
Hiram Edson, James Springer White and his wife Ellen G. White, Joseph Bates,
and J. N. Andrews. Over the ensuing decades the church expanded from its
original base in New England to become an international organization.
Significant developments in the 20th century led to its recognition as a
Christian denomination. The Seventh-day Adventist Church formed out of the
movement known today as the Millerites. In 1831, a Baptist convert, William
Miller (until then a Deist), was asked by a Baptist to preach in their church
and began to preach that the Second Advent of Jesus would occur somewhere between
March of 1843 and March of 1844, based on his interpretation of Daniel 8:14. A
following gathered around Miller that included many from the Baptist,
Methodist, Presbyterian and Christian Connection churches. In the summer of
1844, some of Miller's followers promoted the date of October 22. They linked
the cleansing of the sanctuary of Daniel 8:14 with the Jewish Day of Atonement,
believed to be October 22 that year. By 1844, over 100,000 people were
anticipating what Miller had called the "Blessed Hope". On October 22
many of the believers were up late into the night watching, waiting for Christ
to return and found themselves bitterly disappointed when both sunset and
midnight passed with their expectations unfulfilled. This event later became
known as the Great Disappointment. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
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Pretribulation
Premillennialism <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Beginning
with William Miller's teachings, Adventists have played a key role in
introducing the Bible doctrine of premillennialism in the United States. In the
appendix to his book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kingdom of the Cults</i>
where Walter Martin explains why Seventh-day Adventists are accepted as
Orthodox Christians (see pg. 423) Martin also summarizes the key role that
Adventists played in the advancement of premillennialism in the 19th century.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
"From the beginning, the Adventists
were regarded with grave suspicion by the great majority of evangelical
Christians, principally because Seventh-day Adventists were premillennial in
their teaching. That is they believed that Christ would come before the
millennium...Certain authors of the time considered premillennarians to be
peculiar... and dubbed as 'Adventist' all who held that view of
eschatology"<sup>1</sup> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>However the
unique contribution of Seventh-day Adventists to this doctrine does not stop
there. Seventh-day Adventists are pre-tribulation pre-millennialists who accept
the Bible teaching on a literal 1000 years in Revelation 20 that immediately
follows the literal second coming of Christ described in Revelation 19. In
contrast to almost all pre-millennialist groups they do not believe in a 1000
year kingdom on earth during the millennium. In Adventist eschatology Christ's
promise to take the saints to His Father's house in John 14:1-3 is fulfilled at
the 2nd coming where both the living and the dead saints are taken up in the air
to meet the Lord (see 1Thess 4:13-18 ). John, the author of Revelation, calls
this moment the "first resurrection" in Revelation 20:5-6. Instead of
a Millennial Kingdom on earth, Adventists teach that there is only a desolated
earth for 1000 years and during that time the saints are in heaven with Christ
(See Jeremiah 4:23-29). <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
Adventist publishing
work begins with The Present Truth<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On November
18, 1848, Ellen White supposedly had a vision in which God told her that her
husband should start a paper. In 1849, James, determined to publish this paper,
went to find work as a farm-hand to raise sufficient funds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They sent the publication, which was on the
topic of Sabbath, to friends and colleagues they believe would find it of
interest. Eleven issues were published in 1849 and 1850.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
Choosing a Name and a
Constitution <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In 1860,
the fledgling movement finally settled on the name, Seventh-day Adventist,
representative of the church's distinguishing beliefs. Three years later, on
May 21, 1863, the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was formed and
the movement became an official organization.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
Annual Regional Ramp Meetings
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The first
annual regional camp meeting took place September, 1868. Since then, the annual
regional camp meeting has become a pattern among Seventh-day Adventists and is
still practiced today.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
The Influence of
Ellen G. White <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ellen G.
White (1827–1915), while holding no official role, was a dominant personality.
She, along with her husband, James White, and Joseph Bates, moved the denomination
to a concentration on missionary and medical work. Mission and medical work
continues to play a central role in the 21st century. Under White's guidance
the denomination in the 1870s turned to missionary work and revivals, tripling
its membership to 16,000 by 1880; rapid growth continued with 75,000 members in
1901. By this time operated two colleges, a medical school, a dozen academies,
27 hospitals, and 13 publishing houses. By 1945, the church reported 226,000
members in the US and Canada, and 380,000 elsewhere; the budget was $29 million
and enrollment in church schools was 40,000. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1960 there were 1,245,125 members worldwide
with an annual budget of over $99,900,000. Enrollment in church schools from
elementary to college was 290,000 students. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As of the year 2000 there were 11,687,229
members worldwide. The global budget was $28,610,881,313. And the enrollment in
schools was 1, 065,092 students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2008 the global membership was 15,921,408
with a budget of $45,789,067,340. The number of students in SDA ran
universities, secondary and primary schools was 1,538,607.<sup>2</sup> <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Seventh-day"
means the observance of the original Sabbath, Saturday, and to SDA’s is still a
sacred obligation. Adventists argued that just as the rest of the Ten
Commandments had not been revised, so also the injunction to "remember the
Sabbath day to keep it holy" remained in full force. This theological
point is defeated by verses such as Colossians 2:14: “Blotting out the
handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and
took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross”-KJV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adventists opposed Sunday laws on every side.
Many were arrested for working on Sunday. In fighting against the real threat
of a legally established National Day of worship, these Sabbatarians had to
fight for their liberty on a daily basis. Soon, they were fighting for
religious liberty on a broader, less parochial basis. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
1888 General
Conference <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In 1888, a
General Conference Session occurred in Minneapolis. This session involved a
discussion between the then General Conference president, G. I. Butler; editor
of the review, Uriah Smith; and a group led by E. J. Waggoner and A. T. Jones
about the meaning of "Righteousness by Faith" and the meaning of the
law in Romans and Galatians. Ellen G. White also addressed the conference.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
Organizational
Developments<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>From the
early 1860s the church had three levels of government: the local church, the
conference, and the General Conference. As ideas developed, organizations came
into existence to move forward the ideas; i.e. Sabbath Schools, health reform
and medical work, printing, distribution of literature, religious liberty,
missions, etc. All moved forward under the societies formed to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the work progressed, the managing of all
these societies became quite cumbersome. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As
conferences developed in far off lands, it became obvious that the General
Conference could not oversee the day to day needs of the conferences. This led
to the development of Union conferences in Australia and Europe in the late
1890s and to the development of districts in the United States. The 1901 and
1903 General Conference sessions reorganized the church's structure to include
union conferences which managed a group of local conferences in their domain.
By the end of 1904, the various society interests became incorporated as
departments in each conference's structure.<sup>4</sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
Fundamentalism and
Progress <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The early
20th-century brought with it new challenges to Adventist faith and practice.
The death of Adventist prophetess Ellen G. White in 1915 brought new questions
about how the church would continue without a living prophet. Adventist leaders
participated in a variety of Fundamentalist prophetic conferences during and
soon after World War I. The 1919 Bible Conference was a pivotal theological
event that looked at how Adventists interpreted Bible prophecy and the legacy
of Ellen White's writings for the church. The 1919 Bible Conference also had a
polarizing influence on Adventist theology with progressives such as A. G.
Daniells and W. W. Prescott pitted against traditionalists like Benjamin G.
Wilkinson, J. S. Washburn, and Claude Holmes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fundamentalism was dominant in the church in the early 20th century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The edited transcripts of the 1952 Bible
Conference were published as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Our Firm
Foundation.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
Overview<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Shared
Protestant doctrines which Seventh-day Adventists have are the central
doctrines of Protestant Christianity: the Trinity, the incarnation, the virgin
birth, the substitutionary atonement, justification by faith, creation, the
second coming, the resurrection of the dead, and last judgment. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions
on Doctrine (1957)</i>, four authors outlined the core doctrines that they
share with Protestant Christianity; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"In Common With Conservative
Christians and the Historic Protestant Creeds, We Believe— 1. That God is the
Sovereign Creator, upholder, and ruler of the universe, and that He is eternal,
omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. 2. That the Godhead, the Trinity,
comprises God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 3. That the
Scriptures are the inspired revelation of God to men; and that the Bible is the
sole rule of faith and practice. 4. That Jesus Christ is very God, and that He
has existed with the Father from all eternity. 5. That the Holy Spirit is a
personal being, sharing the attributes of deity with the Father and the Son. 6.
That Christ, the Word of God, became incarnate through the miraculous
conception and the virgin birth; and that He lived an absolutely sinless life
here on earth. 7. That the vicarious, atoning death of Jesus Christ, once for
all, is all-sufficient for the redemption of a lost race. 8. That Jesus Christ
arose literally and bodily from the grave. 9. That He ascended literally and
bodily into heaven. 10. That He now serves as our advocate in priestly ministry
and mediation before the Father. 11. That He will return in a premillennial,
personal, imminent second advent. 12. That man was created sinless, but by his
subsequent fall entered a state of alienation and depravity. 13. That salvation
through Christ is by grace alone, through faith in His blood. 14. That entrance
upon the new life in Christ is by regeneration, or the new birth. 15. That man
is justified by faith. 16. That man is sanctified by the indwelling Christ
through the Holy Spirit. 17. That man will be glorified at the resurrection or
translation of the saints, when the Lord returns. 18. That there will be a
judgment of all men. 19. That the gospel is to be preached as a witness to all
the world.<sup>2</sup> <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All of
these doctrines, with the exception of item 11 (regarding the premillennial
return of Christ), are widely held amongst conservative or evangelical
Protestants. (Different Protestant groups hold varying views on the
millennium.) <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
ANSWERS TO SDA
QUESTIONS<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A. Was the Sabbath instituted at Creation? <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Not only
the Seventh-Day Adventists and the Armstrong cultists, but also some
Evangelical Christians answer “yes,” because of Genesis 2:3, “...God blessed
the seventh day and made it holy because of it he rested from all the work of
creating that he had done.” According to this interpretation, the Sabbath is
therefore an eternal moral law of God which has always been in effect for all
men, and not merely part of the Old Covenant made with Israel. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">But Nehemiah said that the Sabbath was
revealed by God to Israel after the Exodus from Egypt. “You came down on Mount
Sinai... You made known to them your holy Sabbath and gave them commands...
through your servant Moses” (Nehemiah 9:13, 14).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If God made
the Sabbath known to them at that time, then obviously it had not been binding
on them before. Thus we conclude it had not been instituted as a law
previously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Then why is the seventh day given special mention in Genesis
2? No doubt in anticipation. That is, when Moses wrote about the creation he
explained the reason (God’s rest) why the seventh day was selected afterwards
to be Israel’s day of rest. In the same way of anticipation or looking ahead,
Eve was called “the mother of all living” before she had any children
(Gen.3:20), and Judas was mentioned as Christ betrayer long before the betrayal
(Mark 3:19)-because the readers already knew about those events. Similarly,
Moses’ readers already knew about the institution of the Sabbath. Thus the
mention of the seventh day in Genesis does not show the Sabbath was instituted
then, but merely shows why it was instituted later. The first command in the
Bible to keep the Sabbath is in Exodus 16:22-26, given to Israel at Mt. Sinai
and repeated shortly afterwards in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8ff).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
B. Christians must obey the Ten Commandments, mustn’t we?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We should
do all that God commands us, of course. But the Ten Commandments are part of
the Old Covenant made between God and Israel. Notice the introduction to them: <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
“And God spoke all these words: ‘I am the Lord your God, who
brought you out of Egypt...’” (Exodus 20:1, 2). “Moses summoned all <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Israel </b>and said: Hear, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">O Israel</b>, the decrees and laws I
declare in your hearing today” (Deuteronomy 5:1). (The Ten Commandments begin
at verse 6).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It is misleading to quote the Ten Commandments but leave off
the introduction which tells for whom they were intended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they are read in their context (Exodus
19-24), the Ten Commandments are seen to inseparably connected with the Old
Covenant, while we are now under the New Covenant of Grace. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">On the other hand, we must recognize that
the Ten Commandments and the Old Testament do contain many principles of
behavior pleasing or not pleasing to God</i>. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">These unchanging standards are repeated in the New Testament</b>.
Examples of these “moral laws” are found in Matthew 5, where Jesus quotes from
the Ten Commandments, and then applies them to Christian behavior. Such laws
are always in effect. But the Old Covenant itself, as a code or agreement, has
passed away (Hebrews 8:13). <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
C. But the Sabbath is called “perpetual” (KJV, RSV) and said
to last “forever,” why?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God said,
“God said, the Israelites are to observe the Sabbath... for the generations to
come as a lasting covenant. It will be a sign between me and the Israelites
forever...” (Exodus 31:16-17).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Therefore, how could it ever cease? It could cease in the same way that
several other practices related to Old Covenant worship ceased though they were
called perpetual and said to be forever: e.g. the burnt offerings (Exodus
29:42); incense (20:8); ceremonial washings (30:21); and the Passover feast
(12:14). These verses seem to mean that the practices were to be observed
forever as long as the covenant endured, for they were part of the covenant.
But now, the entire covenant has been replaced by something better, as the book
of Hebrews makes plain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
D. But Christ Himself kept the Sabbath as His regular custom
(Lk. 4:16).<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shouldn’t we follow His example? He was born
and lived “under the law,” the Old Covenant (Galatians 4:4). The Old Covenant
did not end until His death and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. So during
His life it was still in effect, and he observed all its requirements, not just
the Sabbath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
E. But why did Paul regularly go to the synagogue on the
Sabbath, after the New Covenant began?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went there in order to preach to the Jews
who gathered there every Sabbath. That was a natural opportunity to have an
audience to evangelize. Also, in the early decades of the church either
Saturday or Sunday (or both) were observed as times of worship. That was
because there was a period of overlapping of the two covenants, since it took
time for the earliest Christians, most of whom were Jews, to realize the
significance of God’s plan. Thus the Jerusalem church continued provided they
did not trust in circumcision and law observance for salvation (Galatians
5:2-4). There were many Jews in Jerusalem who had received Jesus as Messiah but
still were “zealous for the law” and Jewish customs (Acts 21:17-25). Years
after the church began, the writer to the Hebrews said that the Old Covenant
was “obsolete and aging” and would “soon disappear” (8:13). So, although the
New Covenant began with the events at Calvary and Pentecost, God allowed the
ceremonial practices of the Law to continue for a period on a voluntary basis
(Romans 14:1-3, 13). The disciples were warned, however, not to rely on them
for eternal life (Acts 15:10, 11 and many other passages). Paul himself not
only kept the Sabbath often, but also made a Jewish vow, sought to arrive at
Jerusalem in time for the feast of Pentecost, and also ceremonially purified
himself and assisted some men who were under a vow (Acts 18:18; 20-26;
21:23-26). Why did he observe these Mosaic ordinances? He explains reason in I Corinthians
9:20-22: “To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the
law, I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so
as to win those under the law... I have become all things to all men so that by
all possible means I might save some.” Thus his keeping the Sabbath is not
necessarily an example or precedent for us. In fact, he wrote in Colossians
2:14, 16, 17 that Christ,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“canceled the
written code, with its regulations, that was against us...; he took it away,
nailing it to the cross... Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you
eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or
a Sabbath Day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come...” Paul
clearly states here that because the Old Covenant with its legal demands has
ended (at the cross), we are not obligated to keep the Sabbath. The seventh day
cults insist that “Sabbath” in this passage does not mean weekly Sabbath but
only the monthly and annual feasts which were also rest-days or Sabbaths. But
it is obvious that “festival” refers to the yearly feasts, “new moon” to
monthly observances, and “Sabbath” to the weekly rest day. Compare Numbers 28,
which mentions various offerings: daily, weekly, monthly and annual. There is
not one bit of evidence to indicate that “Sabbath” in Colossians 2:16 means
anything different from what it means everywhere else in the New Testament: the
rest day, kept on the seventh day. And Paul says here that it has been set
aside as a legal obligation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
F. But didn’t Emperor Constantine or a pope begin the
practice?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No.
Sometimes Seventh-Day Adventists say a pope changed the Sabbath from Saturday
to Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which pope? When? Why? There
is no evidence. It is true that Constantine in AD 321 passed laws restricting
work on Sundays. But his official proclamations were merely recognition of the
practice of the church up to that time. His “Sunday laws” do not prove that
till then Sunday had not been observed, any more than the Council of Nicea’s
declaring the deity of Christ (AD 325) proves that till then the church did not
believe that doctrine! Constantine did not originate Sunday keeping, but merely
acknowledge the fact that Sunday was the day Christians had observed all along.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
G. Why do Christians observe the Lord’s Day?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The SDA ask
us, “Please give chapter and verse where the Christian Church is commanded to
keep the first day of the week, or the Lord’s Day.” We quickly answer, “there
is none.” In turn we ask them, “Please cite chapter and verse where the
Christian church is commanded to observe the seventh day of the week as the
Sabbath.” In honesty they must acknowledge, “There is none.” We further ask,
“Where in the New Testament is the Christian church associated with the Sabbath?”
The simple answer is, “Nowhere.” And finally, “Where in the New Testament is
the Christian Church associated with the first day, or the Lord’s Day? In many
places as follows: The main distinction of the first day is that on this day
the Lord Jesus rose from the dead (Matthew 28:1). The word Sabbath implies a
“cessation of.” God ceased His work of creation and rested on the Sabbath.
Christ finished His work of redemption (“It is finished”) and rested on the
Sabbath. Christ truly perfected the law in His perfect sacrifice, His finished
work of redemption, and His Sabbath rest. For the Christian, Saturday or the
Sabbath is the day of the dead Christ resting in the tomb; Sunday is the day of
the living Christ, alive forever more. The Sabbath commemorates the end of the
old creation; the Lord’s Day, the beginning of the new creation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
1. It was the day when Jesus first appeared to His disciples
with a commission to evangelize (John 20:19-23). <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
2. On Sunday the first gospel sermon was preached about
Christ’s death and resurrection (Acts 2:1; Pentecost was always on Sunday) <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
3. On that day the first converts were baptized and gathered
into a Christian church (Acts 2:41).<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
4. On Sunday the disciples at Troas gathered together to
break bread (take the Lord’s Supper), and Paul preached to them (Acts 20:7). <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
5. On the first day of the week the Corinthian believers
were to lay aside their gifts for the Lord’s work (I Cor. 16:2).<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
For SDA’s to claim that Sunday is a pagan day because pagan
worshiped the sun on that day is as illogical as for us to claim that Saturday
is a pagan day because pagans worshiped Saturn on that day!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
PROPHECY UNFULFILLED<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One of the
duties of a Christian is to test the prophets. It is commanded in the Bible,
and failure to do so is disobedience to God's Word:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try
the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets are gone out
into the world” (1 John 4:1). The reason given that we are to test the prophets
is because there are "many" false ones out there. Jesus recognized
this problem would face His people in the future. "Beware of false
prophets", he warned, "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall
deceive many." (Matt. 7:15, 24:11) He went on to warn that even good Christians,
intelligent people--"the very elect"--could be deceived:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“For there shall arise...false
prophets...insomuch that if were possible, they shall deceive the very elect”
(Matt. 24:24). These warnings by Jesus should be enough to emphasize the
importance of validating the claims put forth by a prophet or by the followers
of a prophet. Jesus would not have bothered to make such strong statements
unless He believed His followers would face a significant threat from
"false prophets" in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With so many prophets out there in the world today, how can we determine
which ones are true and which ones are false prophets? Have you ever asked
someone why they believe a prophet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>TEST #1:
Prophecies must be fulfilled <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“When a
prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to
pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath
spoken it presumptuously; thou shalt not be afraid of him” (Deut. 18:22).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A prophet does not have to make predictions
in order to be a prophet. A prophet is defined as "somebody who interprets
or passes on the will of a deity." (Encarta Dictionary) Typically,
however, Biblical prophets do make predictions about future events. These
predictions help to establish the claims and validity of a prophet because
knowledge of future events surpasses human ability and resides in the domain of
omnipotent power. Jeremiah writes that…”when the word of the prophet shall come
to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him”
(Jer. 28:9). <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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When a prophet first arises, he may not be believed by the
people at first, but when his predictions start coming to pass, then people
begin to have faith and confidence in that prophet. However, any
"prophet" can get lucky and make a guess about the future which, by
chance, comes to pass. Therefore, the Bible places a much more stringent test
upon the prophet. Moses told the people to keep a score card. If the prophet's
predictions come to pass, then keep on eye on him. If the prophet ever fails,
even once, then ignore him. He is not a true prophet. Why? Because anyone can
make a lucky guess, but only God can get the future right every single time.
This is what differentiates God's prophets from all the other false prophets in
the world. This is what sets them apart. This is how we can identify a true
prophet of God. God's prophets are correct about the future 100 percent of the
time. It is that simple. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now, let us
examine some of the predictions made by Ellen White. As soon as you begin
analyzing Mrs. White's predictions, something becomes immediately evident. Most
of Mrs. White's specific predictions were made early in her career, and
virtually every single one of them failed to come to pass. The further she
progressed in life, the less predictions she made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If she did make a prediction, it was usually
something vague and ambiguous, such as "crime will worsen",
"cities will be more polluted", or "the earth will become more
and more corrupt." It appears that Mrs. White learned from her early
failures, and was more careful in later predictions to make them obscure and
ambiguous enough so that she could not be accused by her detractors of making
false predictions. With that in mind, let us now examine some of the
predictions she made. Remember to keep score because a true prophet of God will
never make a false prediction, not even one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Prediction #1: Jesus will return in June, 1845<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Pass or Fail? FAILURE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ellen Harmon said "God revealed to her" that Jesus would come
in June of 1845. This is a failed prophecy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Prediction #2: Jesus will return in September, 1845<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Pass or Fail? FAILURE. Did Christ return in September of
1845?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously not. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Prediction #3: Whites to be thrown in Prison in 1846<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Pass or Fail? FAILURE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is obvious that the very people she told her vision to thought she
was describing an imminent imprisonment that would occur on their trip to the
east. This failed prophecy was enough to convince the people in the Maine
churches she was a false prophet, and it should be enough to convince us today!
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could stop right
here and know that, according to Deut. 18:22, we have nothing to fear from this
prophet. She has proven to be wrong, thus indicating she does not speak for
God. But let us be careful. The Bible warns us not to accept anything on the voice
of just one eyewitness. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Prediction #4: The Great Pestilence that Never Came<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In 1849, Mrs. White penned these memorable words: "What
we have seen and heard of the pestilence [of 1849], is but the beginning of
what we shall see and hear. Soon the dead and dying will be all around
us." (Present Truth, Sept. 1849). <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Pass or Fail? FAILURE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The "pestilence" she was describing turned out to be a local
phenomenon, not a sign of the imminent end of the world. Another prophetic
failure. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Prediction #5: Jesus to come in "months"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Pass or Fail? FAILURE. The context of this statement is
undeniable. New converts will have to learn the doctrines in a "few
months" because "now time is almost finished." The reduction in
learning time is not because new converts are smarter than the older ones, nor
is it because the Adventists developed an accelerated learning course. No, the
context clearly states the reason they will have to learn quickly: "time
is almost finished." Well, as of the end of 2011 it has been about one
thousand eight hundred and seventy-two months since Mrs. White said only a
"few months" remained! She was certainly saying there were not
"years" or "decades" left, because she said that what
earlier converts had learned in "years", recent converts would have
to learn in "months."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can
this failure be explained? <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Prediction #6: Some at 1856 Conference to see Jesus return.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Finally, Mrs. White concluded a 10-year string of failures
predicting the return of Christ with a notorious statement that, unlike the
previous failures, got widespread attention. She made this statement at a
church conference in 1856 and it received notoriety because it was published in
her "Testimonies to the Church" and many church members read it. Mrs.
White describes her "vision": "I was shown the company present
at the Conference. Said the angel: 'Some food for worms, some subjects of the
seven last plagues, some will be alive and remain upon the earth to be
translated at the coming of Jesus.'" Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 131. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Pass or Fail? FAILURE.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Everyone at this conference passed away generations ago. Not
a single one was "alive" and "upon the earth to be translated at
the coming of Jesus." After this prophecy utterly failed the church was in
quandary as to what to do with this statement. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>#7: Earth to be
depopulated soon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Pass or Fail? FAILURE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Again we find the word "soon". In 1864 she said the earth
would "soon" be depopulated. Did that happen soon after 1864? Well,
by 1900 the earth's population had soared to 1.6 billion people. Today there
are over 6 billion. By 2050 there may be 25 billion people on the planet.
Because of better nutrition, advances in medicine, and improved living
conditions, each generation is living longer, healthier, stronger, and taller.
Diseases which once ravaged mankind have been eliminated or rendered harmless
by powerful medications. Sadly, all that Mrs. White could foresee in the future
was darkness, disease, and death. Had she truly had divine foresight she would
never have made this statement. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Prediction #8: Slavery to Revive in the South <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Here is another infamous prediction made by Mrs. White:
"Slavery will again be revived in the Southern States; for the spirit of
slavery still lives. Therefore it will not do for those who labor among the
colored people to preach the truth as boldly and openly as they would be free
to do in other places. Even Christ clothed His lessons in figures and parables
to avoid the opposition of the Pharisees." (Spalding & Magan
Collection, page 21 and 2 MR #153, page 300) <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Pass or Fail? FAILURE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Was slavery ever revived "in the Southern United States"? Of
course not! Since the Civil War ended it has been a federal crime to engage in
slavery. Since the end of the Civil War there have been a few criminal
operations that engaged in slave-labor, but when they are discovered by
authorities, they are shut down and the owners are jailed. Slavery was
permanently abolished and it will never be revived again in the United States.
Any person can choose to live and work any place they want to. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Prediction #9: Slave Masters to Suffer Seven Last
Plagues<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Here Mrs. White predicts that slave masters will experience
the seven last plagues described in the book of Revelation: "I saw that
the slave master will have to answer for the soul of his slave whom he has kept
in ignorance...the master must endure the seven last plagues and then come up
in the second resurrection and suffer the second, most awful death."
(Early Writings, p. 276) <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Pass or Fail? FAILURE.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This "prophecy" was given in the context of the
slavery then existing in the United States. We have calculated that the oldest
slave masters in the United States died in the early 1900s, nearly 100 years
ago! <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Prediction #10: Sick man to recover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In 1873, the editor of the Swedish edition of Advent Herald,
Mr. C. Carlstedt, had become seriously ill with Typhoid fever. Mrs. White and
others were called to his bedside to pray for Carlstedt. On their way home from
the prayer meeting, Mrs. White remarked that the Lord was... <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
"present with his restoring power, to raise Carlstedt,
whose sickness was not unto death, but to the glory of the Son of God."
(Charles Lee, Three Important Questions for Seventh-Day Adventists to Consider)
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Pass or Fail? FAILURE.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Charles Lee, who at that time was a Seventh-day Adventist
minister, was at the prayer meeting and was a witness to Mrs. White's
prediction. Sadly, Mrs. White was dead wrong. Carlstedt was dead within one
week of her statement. A horrific failed prediction. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>You
Decide: Pass or Fail? <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We have
cited several instances when her predictions failed. Remember, it only takes
one failure to disqualify a prophet. Even if we were generous and gave Mrs.
White credit for predicting the San Francisco earthquake--although she never
specifically said it would be an "earthquake" and the warning was
only penned in a manuscript and not published until after the event--she still
would have only made one out of twelve predictions correct. That is less than
10%. That would put her about equal with the psychics of today, who happen to
get lucky about so often. However, she is far from matching the Biblical
prophets, who were correct 100% of the time. In Bible times, you had to be
correct 100% of the time, or else you risked losing your life. Given that, it
is unlikely Mrs. White would have dared to proclaim herself the "spirit of
prophecy" back in Bible times. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Seventh Day
Adventism (SDA) is a very deceitful false religion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SDAs, more than any other false religion,
APPEAR as born again Christians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From
looking at their website, you'd never know they were unsaved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They believe in Christ's deity, the Virgin
Birth, the Godhead, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They teach on
their webpage that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, just as the
Word of God teaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But don't be
fooled. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This deception has led MANY
people, even Christians, to accept SDAs as "Christian."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What they're NOT telling you about is their
HIDDEN heresies which they would never put forth to the public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>False doctrine.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
Works Cited<sup><o:p></o:p></sup></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<sup>1</sup>Martin, Walter., Ravi K. Zacharias. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Kingdom of the Cults,</i> Minneapolis,
MN: Bethany <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>House, 2003, 419-20
(Print)<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<sup>2</sup>Adventist.org: The Official Site of the
Seventh-day Adventist World Church. Web., 12 Jan. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>2012. <http://adventist.org>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<sup>3</sup>Seventh-Day Adventists Answer Questions on
Doctrine; an Explanation of Certain Major <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aspects
of Seventh-Day Adventist Belief,. Washington: Review and Herald Pub. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Association, 1957. Print.<o:p></o:p></div>
Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-34304987450266075252014-02-26T12:33:00.003-08:002014-02-26T12:33:27.940-08:00"Have You Been Deleted"?
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 0in 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Rejected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deleted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Erased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shut down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shut out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Turned away from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forsaken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ignored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thrown out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Burned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, my guess is that you are wondering why I
feel this way?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, this may surprise
you,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but I am not talking about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my</i> feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The feelings that I mentioned belong to
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me expound..</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 0in 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Recently I viewed a
post on social media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It caught my
attention for two reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, it had
my family name (Bowling) on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Secondly, a good preacher-friend of mine had commented on it using only
a passage of Scripture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a quick
view of the video, I became aware that it was that of a lady preaching in a
denominational assembly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her rhetoric was
familiar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having attended Pentecostal
assemblies at a young age, I recognized the dynamic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This essay is less about the content of her
message than it is about my feeble attempt to share Truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Truth that was rejected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deleted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Erased.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 0in 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You see, instead of
offering my opinion on the matter, I simply posted God's opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My preacher friend had done the same
thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In an attempt to help others
understand the role of women as it pertains to worship, we posted 1 Cor. 14:34
and 1 Tim. 2:11-12.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The response was
that the comments (God's Word) were deleted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rejected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Erased.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 0in 4.5pt 9.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
was reminded of the story found in Jer. 36.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Lord told Jeremiah to write down His Word in a scroll (v. 2).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The purpose was so that they would know the
Truth of impending judgment and "<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">so
that everyone may turn from his evil way, and that I may forgive their iniquity
and their sin</i>" (v.3). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the
Word of God was eventually read to Jehoiakim king of Judah, he was not pleased
with the content.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, as is told in
verse 23-26, he proceeded to cut it out, and throw it in the fire, even when
cautioned by his advisors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jehoiakim, and
even his offspirng, were punished for what he had done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rejected God's Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deleted it. Erased it. Burned it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeremiah
eventually re-wrote the scroll (vs. 32), and God's Word prevailed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Friends,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>please do not be like Jehoiakim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When someone shares the Truth of God's
Inspired Word with you in love, take caution to learn from the mistakes of
those in the past who have ignored it. John tells us in 1 John 2:4-5: "<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Whoever says "I know him" but does
not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the
love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him." </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 0in 4.5pt 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jehoiakim was not rejecting Jeremiah's
'opinion'.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither was Jeremiah 'passing
judgment' on Jehoiakim. Jeremiah was simply the messenger. A messenger whose comment
was from God, and it was deleted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rejected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Erased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Shut down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turned away from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forsaken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ignored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thrown out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Burned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>--preachertombowling@gmail.com<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-45678638000165035922013-12-17T07:15:00.001-08:002013-12-17T07:15:34.207-08:00Here's Your Sign....?
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 28pt; line-height: 115%;">Here’s
Your Sign?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Thamsanqa Jantjie did not describe his
qualifications for being a sign language interpreter to those that hired him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A South African deputy cabinet minister said
"a mistake happened" when Jantjie was hired for the event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ingrid Parkin, principal of the St. Vincent
School for the Deaf in Johannesburg, said: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Bogus sign language interpreters are a
problem in South Africa, because people who <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>know
a few signs</u></i> try to pass themselves off as interpreters. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And those hiring them usually don't sign, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>so they have no idea</u></i> that the
people they are hiring cannot do the job.” (Emphasis TLB)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sound familiar? If it doesn’t, it should.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friends, the same thing is happening in
churches throughout the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Preachers
of all sorts stand before masses of vulnerable listeners and proclaim false
doctrine to those that will hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
instance, “you do not have to be baptized to be saved” (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-6;
1 Pet. 3:21; Gal. 3:26-27; Mk. 16:15-16). Or, “once you are saved, you can
never be lost” (Acts 8:9-24; 1 Cor. 10:12; 2 Pet. 3:17). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And because “they have no idea”, church
goers nod their heads in approval.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
mean, the preacher is trained, right? He knows what he is talking about, right?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jantjie told the Associated Press that he received
one year of sign language interpretation at a school in Cape Town. He said he
has previously interpreted at many events without anyone complaining, and
insisted he was doing proper sign-language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, according to Delphin Hlungwane, an official South African sign
language interpreter, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>"He didn't
follow any of the grammatical rules and structure of the language. He just
invented his signs as he went along".</u></i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Emphasis TLB)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Paul warned Timothy (and therefore, us) of this (1
Tim. 4).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter also gave warnings not to
heed those who gave false information (2 Peter 2:1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To say that it does not exist is to call the
apostles liars, and to lie to yourself as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, what are we to do?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Consider the Christians at Berea, who “<em>received the
word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things
were so</em>” (Acts 17:11 KJV).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learn also
in the following verse that this searching produced belief, and therefore
salvation! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Compare what is being taught by your preacher
to what the Bible <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i> says...or as Ronald Reagan once said, "trust, but verify".</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Friends, let us never be guilty of “inventing as we
go along”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Gospel Message is too
important not to teach truthfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-
preachertombowling@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</span>Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-3259225377895867062013-12-11T07:06:00.000-08:002013-12-11T07:06:34.025-08:00A Letter to my Son, on His Birthday
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A letter to my son, on your birthday<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy
Birthday, Son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know it’s been a
while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you are doing ok. I miss
you every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>22 years ago today I
watched you come in to this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
were a happy baby, and we laughed a lot when you were young.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our laughter didn’t last long enough,
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I know we
have both struggled through life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
seems the hand that we have been dealt is a tough one at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the things I learned from my dad
about relationships, well, they stink quite frankly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I admit, many times I have failed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My dad left
when I was 8. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was my hero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He babied me a lot, and my brothers and
sisters hated me for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cried for 2
years looking out the window for him to come back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He never did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I swore that I would never do that to a child, so even though your
mother and I divorced when you were 4, I fought to stay a part of your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To this date, it was the hardest thing I have ever tried to do, and ultimately,
I failed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your
brothers miss you, and so does Summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
talk about you often, and laugh about things you used to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the time when you were in
kiddie-college, and were afraid that bats were attacking you; or the time when
you took a picture of the preacher on a youth trip when he was asleep in the
van and drooling…that was funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bradley is
tall, like you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His voice is deep. He is
in 8<sup>th</sup> grade now, and he has his first girlfriend, Emily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s a 10<sup>th</sup> grade girl from
church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kinda wish you were around to
help with that, because I sure as heck don’t know what to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tyler is, well, he’s just Tyler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is just like me when I was 12, except he
has his dad around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remind them a lot how
lucky they are to have their mom and dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although I know you have had a family unit, I think you understand what
I mean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just not the same.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I hear you
are a rock star now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lead singer in a
band.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Funny thing is that’s what I
always secretly wanted to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone who
has known me for long knows I like Hard Rock music, so I guess there’s
something you got from your old man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Good luck with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>George
Thorogood’s “Get a haircut, and get a real job” comes to mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His parents tried to discourage him, but he
stuck with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you “hit the big
time”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m a
preacher now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know, many of my “friends”
laughed too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But my family never
did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And my Christian brothers and
sisters never have, and they encourage me every single day to be my best. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, if it’s one thing I have needed most
in my life, it has been forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have messed up so many times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one
point, I thought I was beyond forgiveness, but I learned better than that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s never too late, until you die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Bible says
that once you enjoy the forgiveness that God gives, your desire is to tell
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why they call the Gospel the “Good
News”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all of the mistakes I’ve
made in life, including the one’s I made with you, I can still “call on the
name of the Lord” and be saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
in the Bible, but I am not preaching to you, son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just pray that for you, every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am asking forgiveness from you though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know exactly how, or for what, other
than failing you at times and being a crummy dad. I tried. I know I failed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe we can
talk soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope your birthday is awesome,
because you are an awesome guy and you deserve it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love you,
have never stopped loving you, and always will love you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy
Birthday,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your Dad<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">423-421-2851..my
number hasn’t changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-64728246905828572492013-11-22T11:27:00.008-08:002013-11-22T11:27:53.505-08:00If You Like Your Salvation, You Can Keep It!
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“If You Like Your Salvation, You Can Keep
It!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I admit it. I am a Fox news
junkie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watch most every evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watch other news too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My wife and kids think I have a problem, but
I attest that I just like to stay up on current events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Staying “current” is important in life, and also
in ministry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Lately most of the airtime on the news
networks has been dedicated to coverage of the failures of the Affordable Care
Act, or “Obama Care” as it has been called by many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me say this, this article is not a
political rant against or for Obama Care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A wise elder once cautioned me that it would be wise for me to abstain
from political dialog as much as possible, and for the most part I have taken
his advice! For the record I do find a few details of the law very beneficial
for some, especially poor people, but consider the law as a whole to be bad for
the country. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What prompted me to write
this article was the “If you like your current plan, you can keep it” promise
that seems to have been (notice I said seems) a fabrication by the President,
someone we are supposed to be able to trust. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My family had Farm Bureau health insurance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the lady sold it to me, she said, “This plan
will not meet the specifications of the ACA when it goes into effect”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said “that is alright, the President said I
could keep my plan if I like it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
said, “No you won’t.” and it turns out, she was right. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some health plans have been labeled as “bad”
or “insufficient” therefore they have been cancelled under the law.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I, along with many that I have seen
on television and that I have spoken with personally are perplexed, even
saddened by this reality. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I trusted the
president. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Personally, I contribute the
perils that are befalling the good ole’ USA to the lack of will to abide by the
Biblical principles on which our great country was founded (Ps. 33:12), but
that is another article.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I say all of this to make one
point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our God, Our Creator, Our Sustainer
has created <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in Jesus Christ</i> a plan
for mankind, who fell away from His Glory through sin (Gen. 3; Romans 3:23) to
be reconciled to Him. And the Truth is that God’s plan will never be taken away
from us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As long as the earth shall be,
there is hope for mankind to be saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
you can <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">keep </i>you salvation, too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If man obeys the Gospel (Romans 6:17; Mark
16:15-16) and remains faithful (Rev. 2:10) we can never be “canceled” from
salvation (John 10:28-29).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>By the way, some plans for salvation
that have been created by man, not God, are ‘bad’ or ‘insufficient’ plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That too is another article.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Have you obeyed the Gospel of
Christ? If so, keep your plan!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay
faithful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If not, log on to His Word
today and trust in Him with your spiritual health, which, in the long run, is
way more important than your physical health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">preachertombowling@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-89758955662278134262013-04-16T08:26:00.000-07:002013-04-16T08:26:26.203-07:00A New York Minute..in Boston
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A New York Minute…in Boston<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have to make a confession:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am not a writer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the
many lessons that I learned at the East Tennessee School of Preaching was the
need for preachers to be writers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
was emphasis placed on taking advantage of ‘current events’ and making them
applicable to biblical teaching through observations. The idea is appealing and
usually effective if done properly, but even so, I have never been that good at
it as some of my colleagues (which is why I should probably do more of
it!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that being said, the events
of Monday, April 15<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> have left me with a feeling that I rarely have;
a need to express great concern for my friends and family, as well as my
brothers and sisters in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, you
might think that this article will focus on world events, terrorism, politics, ‘big
brother’ or some other topic that could be related to what happened at Boston
Marathon this past week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, instead
allow me to view the event and the reaction to said event through the eyes of
Scripture, and bring to light any possible lesson that can be learned. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">First and foremost, what I am reminded of by what happened
is that things can and do change in an instant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The victims of the bombings were taken totally by surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People
were happy, celebrating with friends and family as they accomplished a well-deserved
goal in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reports to date have led
to conclude that there was little or no indication that there was anything
planned. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friends, that is exactly how the Bible describes
the second-coming of the Lord (1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s Holy Word is very clear that watching,
preparedness, and looking for the Christ to return should be a characteristic
of faithful Christians (Matt. 24:42; Mk. 13:33).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, are we?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In general it seems that the preparation for the return of Christ is not
in the forefront of our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most
people hardly consider it at all. And that scares me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Secondly, when that time does come, there will be much
destruction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been reported that
the bombs used were built to inflict the most damage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many people refuse to acknowledge the clear
teaching of Scripture that characterizes the Day of the Lord as being one of
great destruction (2 Peter 3:10).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
will be no second chances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will be
no mercy on those who “do not obey the gospel of Christ” (2 Thess. 1:8; 1 Peter
4:17). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And finally, much like the bombings at the Boston Marathon,
which quickly, almost instantaneously, the news spread throughout the entire
world, likewise the second coming of Christ will be heard and seen by every
living creature on earth (Rom 14:11; Philippians 2:10).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will be a sound of a great trumpet (1
Cor. 15:52) and every knee show bow down, and give an account for their life
here on earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Friends, are you ready? Are you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really </i>ready? Are you ready for the judgment day?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In light of many of the daily events in the
recent past, we are reminded that things can certainly change in ‘a New York
minute’, whether it be in Boston, or your own home town. If you are not a faithful
member of the body of Christ, the Bible is clear in its teaching that you are
unprepared. Obey the gospel today, and prepare yourself for eternity (Acts 2:38,
22:16; Gal. 3:26-26; Romans 6:3-6).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
the meantime, pray for those affected by this terrible incident, for the family
members who have lost loved ones, and for our nation as we heal from this act
of terror.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">preachertombowling@gmail.com <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-18414091149054533892013-03-13T08:10:00.000-07:002013-03-13T08:52:14.975-07:00"AM I BECOME YOUR ENEMY BY TELLING YOU THE TRUTH?" (Gal. 4:16)<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"AM I BECOME YOUR ENEMY BY TELLING YOU THE TRUTH?"</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(Gal. 4:16)</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For me, the
decision to become a preacher was not an easy one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did receive much encouragement from
Christian friends and family, and that was very helpful. But, one of the more
pressing mental barriers that I had to overcome was that I had a complex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt that the sins or actions of my past
would hinder the Message of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often
I may refer to my younger years in a way that sounds regretful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, mind you, I did make mistakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for the record, I would like to do
something that I have yet to do since I made the choice to be a full time
servant of God. I would like to clear the air as it pertains to “the sins of my
youth”, and state the following: I was a decent kid, respected my parents, and
was a responsible young person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For years
now, many (mostly high school friends, my apologies guys) have derided me for
“the way I used to be”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has become
more prevalent since becoming a preacher and ‘speaking the truth in love’ if
you will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems the patterned
response for many when I choose to lovingly exercise 2<sup>nd</sup> Timothy 4:2
is to say, “how dare you, don’t judge me! Don’t you remember how you once
were!?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well friends, let me tell you
how I ‘once was’:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I obeyed the
gospel plan of salvation at age 12, due to the evangelistic efforts of
neighbors and people who love me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
very active in my youth group, and those people are still my friends
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been gainfully and
productively employed in a full time job (many times 2, and sometimes 3) since
the age of 15.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bought and paid for in
full my own car at age 16 with money I worked for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also paid for my own gas and
insurance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a successful secular
career in retail sales and management for 23 years, and am convinced that it
prepared me well for my current service to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I made good grades in school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have always tried to be a leader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
taught good things by my parents and never have disrespected them in any way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I treat my wife in all ways as I should in
light of Scripture, and constantly lift her up and encourage her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been a good father to my children, including
my oldest, who has continually forsaken my instruction for the ways of this
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have endured a failed marriage
that included unfaithfulness, and marital misconduct resulting in a scriptural
divorce (Matthew 19:9). I have never been fired, written up, or even
categorized as an unruly employee. As a matter of fact, I have received
multiple awards for my performance and work ethic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People have generally loved working with
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a team player and all- around
friendly and funny guy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, last but
certainly not least, I encourage young people to live for God and be able to
defend their faith!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contrary to what I and some may say, I wasn’t
the heathen I sometimes tell myself I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And the things that I did do wrong I can assure anyone who is
interested, I have been forgiven and it has been forgotten by God (Hebrews
8:12).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish others could forget also. I
could go on, but I perceive that my point has been made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know how this all sounds, but I say all of
the above to say this:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The apostle
Paul knew what it was like to have people detest and despise him. Five times
Paul received thirty-nine stripes from the Jews, three times he was beaten with
rods, and once he was stoned and left for dead (II Cor. 11:24-25; Acts 14:19).
All these things happened to this faithful servant of the Lord because he loved
the souls of men, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">as do I.</i> That’s
right. Paul loved folks with a fervent, genuine and Biblical love, and I do too.
He knew that people would lose their souls if they lived and died in sin, and I
know that too.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The best
thing the devil has going today is the attitude that desires to please folks
instead of save folks. Godly standards are lowered to lure and draw folks in,
all in the name of love. The apostle Paul described quite well the attitude of
most toward truth in saying, “For the time will come when they will not endure
sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the
truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (II Tim. 4:3-4). Nonetheless, young
Timothy was told to “preach the word” -- the Truth (II Tim. 4:2).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is also my charge! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The words of
Paul again ring loud and clear, “For do I now persuade men, or God? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or do I seek to please men? For, if I yet
pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10). Paul
proclaimed the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">one and only</i> Gospel
regardless of who it offended, and I do too. Both he and John the Baptizer
would rather go to Heaven than be “politically correct”, and I feel the same
way.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I choose not
to be politically correct, but to teach, admonish, exhort and rebuke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always pray for balance, and that I keep an
attitude of love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fail at this at
times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But friends, it is a mistake to
look upon my past, whatever it may be, as an influence on whether or not sound
Biblical Truth should be obeyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of
course this is all said in Love, with a kind and gentle heart.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">preachertombowling@gmail.com
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-21947373365862034532013-02-27T07:48:00.001-08:002013-02-27T07:48:57.386-08:00CYC 2013 “Jesus, The Man, The Friend, and The Door”
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">CYC 2013 “Jesus, The
Man, The Friend, and The Door”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Train up a
child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it”
(Proverbs 22:6). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">These days, young people have many role models to look
up to. Children are being constantly bombarded with the idea that sports
figures such as Lebron James, Tim Tebow, etc. are “the man”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our kids are taught that unless we conform to
and agree with what is socially acceptable, like homosexuality, we cannot be a
“true friend”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, modern day teaching
in schools and television are attempting to convince youth that there are many
avenues (doors) to heaven, including denominationalism, Islam, and Oprah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last weekend, Summer and I were privileged to accompany 12 of our youth
and 6 adults to Challenge Youth Conference in Gatlinburg, TN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>CYC is in its 13<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> year, and is
growing each year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year’s
conference had over 9000 attendees!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
children were introduced to six challenging lessons from three of the
brotherhoods most dynamic and doctrinally sound preachers, Kyle Butt, Lonnie
Jones, and David Shannon. We were also edified by wonderful singing, and some
very effective (and sometimes hilarious) skits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They even got to see their new preacher demonstrate his bible quiz
knowledge on stage!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This year’s theme at CYC was “Jesus”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our teens heard very clear and timely lessons
about our Lord and Savior, such as “Jesus, The Man”, “Jesus, Our Friend”, and
“Jesus, The Door”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kyle Butt presented Jesus as “The Man”, teaching our kids that Jesus
was not only human, suffered and was tempted just as we are, but also that when
those things happened to Him, He was triumphant over temptation, and we can be
too! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brother Lonnie Jones related to our
young people that Jesus is “our Friend”, and no matter what we do, He will
never forsake us and will always be on our side through whatever problem we may
have. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And David Shannon effectively
demonstrated that Jesus Christ is, and has always been, the ONLY door to heaven
(I may have to get me one of those big red doors he used!).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">These lessons were greatly encouraging to our young
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they weren’t the only good
thing about our weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All 20 of us
were able to have time to grow, learn about each other, share personal thoughts
about the lessons in our “devo-time” after the lessons back at the cabin, and
have fun and fellowship together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
conveyed to them that it was times like these that build friendships that last
for a lifetime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Training our children, like the Proverb says, is the
task of every parent and Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
thrilled that our time together this past weekend gave us opportunity to plant
seeds in the hearts of our kids that will, Lord willing, help them to grow into
strong and healthy Christian young adults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I would like to thank the elders for allowing the trip, and the parents
for allowing their children to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Young
people, if you didn’t have the opportunity to go (it was short notice this
year), please consider going with us next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’re guaranteed to have a great time! Just ask anyone who went. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am convinced,
and I am sure you agree, that the strength, health and growth of any
congregation is directly related to the strength, health and growth of its
youth group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am committed to doing my
part in ensuring that the Charlotte Avenue youth group grows spiritually and in
numbers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are a great group of kids,
and I am so glad that my boys have them to grow with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would like to encourage each of you to
pitch in, and grow with us!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">preachertombowling@gmail.com<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-45494420614298606922013-02-19T17:45:00.000-08:002013-02-19T17:45:12.981-08:00"It's a Miracle!!"..Really? #book/chapter/verse <div style="text-align: left;">
Not my original material, but truth, nonetheless..</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Have Miracles Ceased?</strong><u></u><u></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
There are men and women who claim to perform miracles today. Preachers on T.V. supposedly demonstrate the power of miraculous works on the sick and afflicted. Many people are confused as to whether these things are true or false. So, in our study we ask the question, "Have Miracles Ceased?" <u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First let us define our terms. What is a miracle? A miracle is "an act of God superseding or suspending a natural law." Many use the term "miracle" in a very loose way, contrary to the biblical concept of the word. To some, almost everything is a miracle; from the trees budding in the spring, to the birth of a child. But these things are not actually miracles. A miracle is not a work of nature or an effect resulting from natural law. Neither should we confuse a miracle with God's providence. Providence is God working, but through a natural means. <u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The birth of a child is a working of natural law, not a miracle. Though it is a marvelous thing, child birth is simply the working of God's natural order set forth in the beginning-seed bearing fruit after its kind (Gen. 1-2). An example of a work of providence would be the birth of Samuel in answer to barren Hannah's prayer (1Sam. 1). God's hand is seen in Hannah being able to conceive, yet she conceived through a natural means. The virgin birth of Jesus was a miracle. This went beyond the working of nature or providence, it was super-natural. <u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We learn from the Scriptures that the purpose of miracles were two fold; to cause men to believe in the Lord (Jn. 14:11; 3:32), and to confirm His word (Jn. 20:30-31). Jesus promised His disciples the ability to perform miracles in order to confirm the word they would preach (Mk. 16:15-20). We learn from the New Testament that these miracles were performed and did indeed confirm the gospel that was proclaimed (Heb. 2:2-4). <u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The apostle Paul, however, spoke of a time when these miraculous gifts would pass away. In 1Cor. 12:8-10 nine spiritual gifts are mentioned, including prophecy, tongues, and knowledge. In the next chapter Paul states, "Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away" (1Cor. 13:8-10). <u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Note the apostle speaks of the partial being done away when the perfect comes. Some, who try to say miracles still exist, say that the reference to "that which is perfect" speaks of Jesus. But here Paul isn't speaking of Jesus. If so why speak of Him as a thing instead of a person-- "that which is perfect"? The word "perfect" refers to that which is brought to completion, wanting nothing (James 1:25). The thing in the context that would eventually come to be perfect or complete, in contrast to that which was then only partial, is God's revelation. At that time God's revelation was only partially known through prophecy, tongue speaking, etc. It however, would eventually be completed, written down, and preserved. <u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today we have God's complete and perfect revelation-- the Bible. Thus, miracles have ceased just as the Lord's apostle foretold. More on Miracles next week. <u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paul Smithson via Dave Hart</div>
Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-51160477406031313282013-02-19T08:59:00.000-08:002013-02-19T08:59:35.550-08:00Weekly Communion: What does the Bible teach?
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
A BIBLICAL DEFENSE OF THE
WEEKLY OBSERVANCE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The memorial meal instituted by Jesus in the context of the
Passover meal (Matthew 26:17-29) is the only thing that Jesus asked His
disciples to do “in remembrance” of Him (Luke 22:14-20; 1Corinthians
11:23-26).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is clear that the early
church continued in this practice (Acts 2:42) and both Scripture (Acts 20:7;
1Corinthians 16:2) and early history and tradition indicate that the Lord’s
Supper was the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">central focus </b>of
their weekly meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christians should
not only want to maintain Apostolic tradition (2Thessalonians 2:15), but also
see the importance of keeping the focus on the central and saving events of the
Gospel: Jesus’ death for our sin, burial, and resurrection (1Corinthians
15:1-4) in a regular manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Congregations
offer, but do not “police” (examine people and restrict it to “Christian
Church” members only), the meal to all believers every week as an important
means of obeying and remembering Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While some claim that weekly observation can render it a “commonplace”
experience, this same reasoning never seems to be applied to any other activity
that could equally become “routine” - such as church attendance, hymn-singing, prayer,
preaching, paying the preacher, telling your mate that you love them, etc.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It should be
noted that there may be a deep spiritual reason why the frequency of the Lord’s
Supper and mode/meaning of baptism, etc. have become so varied and
controversial amongst believers over the centuries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I were the Devil, I would make it a
priority to remove the impact of the Christ-centered symbolism - make communion
a rare occurrence so that people are less-frequently reminded of His death and
shed blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With this in mind, let us
examine some additional Biblical facts concerning the Lord’s Supper. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A. IT IS TO BE DONE
WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1. There is
ample indication the Supper is designed to be a communal meal</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a. The
disciples "came together" to break bread - Acts 20:7</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>b. When they
came together, they were to "wait for one another"- 1Cor. 11:33</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Partaking together of "one bread",
they demonstrate they are "one bread and one body" - <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1Cor. 10:17-- We commune not just with
the Lord, but with one another<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>B. TO BE DONE
OFTEN...<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1. The Biblical
evidence is that it was done weekly<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a. Christians came together on the first
day of the week to "break bread" - Acts 20:7<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>b. Other
indications of a weekly observance:<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1) The
church at Corinth was coming together to eat the Lord's Supper, though they
were <span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>abusing it
- cf. 1Cor. 11:17-22<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2)
Instructions concerning the collection suggest their coming together was on the
first <span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>day
of the week - cf. 1Cor. 16:1-2<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>c. Following
the divinely approved example of Christians in the Bible, we know God <span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>approves of
a weekly observance on the first day of the week<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2. The earliest
historical evidence outside the Bible confirms the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>day and frequency.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a. The
Didache (ca. 95 A.D.) indicates Christians were to come together on the first
day of <span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>the
week to break bread- Didache 14:1<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>b. Justin
Martyr (ca. 150 A.D.) records how Christians assembled on Sunday and partook <span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>of the Supper
- Apology I, 67<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>c.
"...the early church writers from Barnabas, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, to
Clement of <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>Alexandria, Origen and Cyprian,
all with one consent, declare that the church <span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>observed
the first day of the week. They are equally agreed that the Lord's</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Supper was observed weekly, on the
first day of the week." - B. W. Johnson, <span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>People's
New Testament<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3. Religious
scholars confirm this was the practice<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a. "As
we have already remarked, the celebration of the Lord's Supper was still held
to <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>constitute an essential
part of divine worship every Sunday, as appears from Justin Martyr (A.D. 150)..." -
Augustus Neander (Lutheran), History Of Christian Religion And Church, Vol. I, p. 332<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>b. "This
ordinance (the Lord's Supper) seems to have been administered every Lord's day;
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>and probably no professed Christian
absented themselves..." - Thomas Scott<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>(Presbyterian),
Commentary On Acts 20:7<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>c. This also
is an important example of weekly communion as the practice of the first <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christians."
- A. C. Hervey (Episcopalian), Commentary On Acts 20:7.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>d. "It
is well known that the primitive Christians administered the Eucharist (the
Lord's <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Supper) every Lord's
day." - P. Doddridge (Congregationalist), Notes On Acts 20:7.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4. Some believe
that a weekly observance diminishes the importance of the Supper<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a. Which is
why they may do it monthly, quarterly, or annually<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>b. But does
the frequent practice of:<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1) Assembling diminishing its value and
importance?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2) Singing
praises and offering prayers devalue their benefits?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3)
Preaching and studying God's Word decrease their significance to our lives?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-- Our spiritual
lives are dependent upon the value and benefits<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of our Lord's
death on the cross; a weekly observance of the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>memorial
helps us to live appreciatively and accordingly!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
CONCLUSION<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
1. "The Lord's Supper" is a very special memorial
of Jesus’ death for our sins...<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a. Instituted by
Jesus Himself, He asked His disciples to do it in His memory<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>b. Jesus told His
disciples that He would not eat of the elements again until:<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1) "...that
day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." - Mt 26:29<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2) "...that
day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." - Mk 14:25<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3) "...it
be fulfilled in the kingdom of God." - Lk 22:16<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4) "...the
kingdom of God shall come." - Lk 22:18<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
2. The first Christians "continued steadfastly" in
its observance...<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a. Just as they did
in the apostles' doctrine, fellowship and prayer- Acts 2:42<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>b. Coming together
on the first day of the week for that very purpose- Acts 20:7<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
3. Christians today should never lose sight of its
significance for us...<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a. A constant
reminder of the great sacrifice Jesus paid for our sins<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>b. A communion or
sharing of the body and blood of the Lord<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>c. A time for
self-examination and rededication of our service to the Lord<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>d. A means for
building fellowship with one another in the body of Christ<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
4. May such thoughts encourage us to never neglect
opportunities we have to observe the Lord's <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Supper, but to continue steadfastly and in
so doing "proclaim the Lord's death till He comes."<o:p></o:p></div>
Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-26899073853066930792013-02-13T08:53:00.000-08:002013-02-13T08:53:43.984-08:00If Your Church Teaches Rapture/1000 Year Reign, Open Your Bible and Study This<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pre-millennialism Defined and Refuted</span></b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">INTRODUCTION:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A. This morning I would like to give another reason why I am a member
of the church of Christ – I am a member of the Church of Christ because it
teaches the kingdom has now been established and Christ is now reigning.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">B. The future kingdom theory together with the literal reign of Christ
upon the earth for a literal 1,000 years has invaded the denominational world,
it is publicly being advocated by their preachers, and it has even invaded the
decision making of our government.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1. I could never
cast my lot with a religious group which is lending its support to such a wild
theory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2. This wild theory
is called “Premillennialism”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">3. This false
doctrine teaches that Christ at His second coming will set up a kingdom (not
yet established) and will reign in Jerusalem for a 1,000 years over man on the
earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">C. No doubt there are some things hard to understand in the Bible, but
Premillennialism cannot possibly be true. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">DISCUSSION:</span></b><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A. PREMILLENNIALISM CANNOT BE
TRUE BECAUSE THE KINGDOM HAS ALREADY BEEN ESTABLISHED</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1. Daniel, in
recalling Nebuchadnezzar’s forgotten dream and in giving the interpretation of
it said, “And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a
kingdom which shall never be destroyed … it shall stand forever” (Dan. 2:44).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">a. What kings? The
kings of the Roman Empire, according to the interpretation of the dream in
light of sacred and secular history.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">b. God’s
ever-standing and never-ending kingdom was to be established while the Romans
ruled over man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2. In the days of
the Roman kings John the Baptist came preaching, “Repent ye; for the kingdom of
heaven is at hand” (Mt. 3:1-2).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">3. After John had
been put into prison Jesus preached, “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of
God is at hand” (Mk. 1:15).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">4. Jesus taught that
the kingdom was to come during the lifetime of some of the then-living
disciples.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">a. Mark 9:1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">b. Now, either the
kingdom has been established, or we have some of the Lord’s disciples living at
the age of nearly 2,000 years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">c. If there is
someone that old still around we would have heard of it<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">5. When Jesus sent
out the seventy, He said, “The kingdom of God is nigh unto you” (Lk. 10:9).
That is, it was soon to be established.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">6. We now come to
the exact date that the kingdom was established<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">a. You will recall
Mark 9:1 – this power came on the apostles in Jerusalem on Pentecost following
the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 2:1-4).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">b. Therefore, the
kingdom came on Pentecost<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">7. After Pentecost,
Paul wrote, Colossians 1:13<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">a. They could not have
been conveyed or translated into the kingdom if it didn’t exist<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">b. And, not only
that, John said he was in the kingdom (Revelation 1:9).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">8. The absurdity of
this doctrine is again seen when placed alongside of Hebrews 12:28 – if we have
received a kingdom that shall not be shaken, how can it be said that the
kingdom has not yet come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">9. Consider also
that it is preposterous to look for a kingdom to be established on the earth,
for Jesus His kingdom was not of this world (Jn. 18:36).</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">B. PREMILLENNIALISM CANNOT BE
TRUE BECAUSE CHRIST’S THRONE IS IN HEAVEN<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1. Zechariah said
that Christ “shall sit and rule upon his throne” (Zech. 6:13).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">a. Christ is now
sitting at God’s right hand (Acts 2:30-35)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">b. Therefore,
Christ’s throne is at God’s right hand. Not on earth!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2. Zechariah
declared that Christ would be a priest on His throne (Zech. 6:13).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">a. Paul said that
Christ is a great high priest in heaven (Heb. 4:14)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">b. Therefore,
Christ’s throne is in heaven. Not on the earth!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">3. Consider this as
well, wherever Christ cannot be a priest He cannot have His throne, for Christ
“shall be a priest on his throne” (Zech. 6:13).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">a. Christ cannot be
a priest on earth – Hebrews 8:4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">b. Therefore, it is
impossible for His throne to be on the earth. It must be in heaven!</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">C. PREMILLENNIALISM CANNOT BE
TRUE BECAUSE IT TEACHES WE ARE NOT LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1. Peter’s statement
on the day of Pentecost, “This is the last days,” is sufficient enough to prove
doctrine false.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2. All
premillennialists hold that we are not living in the last days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">3. They teach that
Jesus will inaugurate the last days at His second coming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">4. But the inspired
apostle Peter said the last days began when the kingdom began on the day of
Pentecost following the resurrection of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">5. Who are we going
to believe?</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">D. PREMILLENNIALISM CANNOT BE
TRUE BECAUSE AT THE LORD’S RETURN THE EARTH WILL BE BURNED UP</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1. Consider – 2
Peter 3:10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2. How will Jesus
reign on the earth if it is burned up?</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">E. PREMILLENNIALISM CANNOT BE
TRUE BECAUSE REVELATION 20:1-6 DOES NOT TEACH IT</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></strong> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1. Revelation 20:1-6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2. This is the
premillennialists’ sugar stick text, but notice what it does not mention:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">a. The second
coming of Christ<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">b. Christ’s reign
on the earth<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">c. A resurrection
of the body<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">d. Christ ever
being on the earth again<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">e. That we will
reign with Him, but rather those who had been “beheaded for the testimony of
Jesus” (v.4)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">3. This passage is
teeming with figurative language<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">a. They have taken
one phrase out of a passage full of figurative language and have tried to make
that one phrase (“reign with him a thousand years”) as literal <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">b. Why do they take
that one phrase literally and not the others?</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">CONCLUSION:</b> I am a member of
the Church of Christ because it teaches the kingdom has now been established and
Christ is now reigning!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">adapted-Tom Moore/Preacherfiles.com</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-17026464354778861472012-11-18T06:46:00.003-08:002012-11-18T06:46:59.103-08:00From Rocky Top to Rock Hill!! The Bowlings are MOVING!!
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 10;"> </span>November
17, 2012</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dearest Friends and Brethren,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Greetings from the Bowling
Family!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would like to take this
opportunity to announce that I (Tom) have been offered and have accepted the
work as full time pulpit minister at the Charlotte Ave. church of Christ in
Rock Hill, SC. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Charlotte Avenue is
located approximately 20 miles south of Charlotte, NC, and is currently served
by four elders and 7 deacons. We are very excited about this door that the Lord
has opened for us, and covet your prayers as we begin our efforts to further
encourage and grow the Lord’s Kingdom there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is with mixed emotion that I
compose this announcement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bowling
family has grown to love our friends and brethren at Dayton, TN, and will miss
all of your dearly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our time at Dayton
has been a blessing to us, and the friendships that have been built will never
be forgotten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The young people
especially are like my own children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
am very proud of your spiritual growth and development, and encourage each of you<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to continue in that growth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our friends and brethren at
Eastside in Cleveland, TN are also on our minds at this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although we have been gone for a while,
you’ve been “just over the river” and we have been fortunate enough to stay in
touch and visit often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That will change
somewhat, but we knew going in that this day would come. We will miss all of
you very much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since making the decision in 2009
to attend the East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions, our family has
experienced nothing other than encouragement from our brethren, and blessings
from our Heavenly Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems that
things have consistently gone right for us, and the Lord has provided exactly
what we have needed at exactly the right time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not that it hasn’t been difficult at times (commuting and being away
from family for 2 years was rough) but, our plans and goals have somehow fallen
into place. Initially, we sought out support and got it. Then, we wanted to
somehow survive school, which we did with the help of many, including 7
congregations and 6 individual families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We desired to work initially at a congregation close by (within 50 miles
of home) and we were given that opportunity also. Now, our goal of serving in a
full time preaching role will be realized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are certainly grateful for every prayer, and every opportunity that
has been given to us in helping us reach our goals as it pertains to working
for the Lord in His Kingdom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ultimately, all of us should have
the goal of heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is my prayer that
each of us will be reunited there one day, never again to be separated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I have stated to the elders at Eastside
and at Dayton from the very beginning, I will do my very best to always preach and
teach Truth. I will never compromise on matters of the Faith. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will also endeavor to bring as many souls to
Christ as I can by teaching them the Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thank you all, we love you very much!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In His Service,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tom Bowling and Family<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-48263651562803028182011-12-26T07:04:00.000-08:002011-12-26T07:04:54.129-08:00"This Year I Resolve To...."<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
“This
Year I Resolve To….” <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Every
year around this time, we get revved up with “personal improvement” projects as
the dawn of a New Year approaches. And in no time flat, those lofty goals and
noble commitments, otherwise known as “resolutions”, evaporate and are
forgotten.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That’s
not to say we shouldn’t make resolutions, or have personal goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, it would be unlikely that your
vacation would be much fun if you simply jumped in the car and started driving
without first selecting a destination, saving sufficient funds, packing the
items<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>needed for the trip, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Too
often, however, we set goals for ourselves without any <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real</i> plan for reaching them. Sometimes the goals themselves are
unrealistic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often we fail to accurately
assess what will be required to achieve our goals, including the effort and
commitment involved.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus
taught an important lesson on this subject:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
“For which of you, intending to
build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has
enough to finish it — lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able
to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build
and was not able to finish.’</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
“Or what king, going to make war
against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able
with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or
else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks
conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he
has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:28-33).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Lord’s point is that even the greatest goal — such as being a
servant of Christ — is doomed to ruin if it’s not supported with the necessary
resources.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For
the Christian, self-examination should be a continuous process, not a
meaningless yearly ritual (Galatians 6:4; 1 Corinthians 11:28; 2 Corinthians
13:5). We should set spiritual goals for ourselves, not just annually, but
every day — and evaluate ourselves daily to see whether we’re progressing as we
ought.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Happy
New Year from the Bowling family! preachertombowling@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-78915451368066742452011-11-28T16:52:00.001-08:002011-11-28T16:55:14.357-08:00<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 200%;">Fake Money and Broken Airplanes</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 200%;"></span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When
I was growing up back in Rollingbrook, we tried not to get all excited about
Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you did, it was likely that
you would be disappointed come present unwrapping time. We had good gifts
sometimes though, and my parents always did their best to somehow make it a
great season around our home. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Once
when I was about 8 years old or so, I kept bugging my dad about a particular
gift of mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would only answer, “It’s
a million dollars, son” no matter how many times I asked. Turns out, it
was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One million dollars in PLAY money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If that wasn’t enough, the really good gift I
got that year was a giant styrofoam airplane that my brother “had” to put together
and “try first”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
threw it one time and it crashed. The wing broke in half, I never touched it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
reason that I try not to focus on material gifts during the Holidays may be
evident by the previous observations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
reality, the reason lies more in the fact that as a Christian husband, father
and an adult, my priorities are different than when I was a child. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gift that I am more appreciative of now is
the Greatest Gift of All, Jesus Christ!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
gift of Grace in Christ is far more appealing than a million dollars, or even a
real airplane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was much later in life
before I enjoyed full appreciation for such a Glorious Gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a gift that fits any size, any type,
any personality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Gift of Salvation is open to all who believe on Him (Jn. 3:16; Acts 16:31). Biblically,
both belief and confession are inseparably linked with salvation (Rom 10:8-10;
1 Tim. 6:12). To those who believe in Christ, repentance and baptism for the
remission of sins are both instructed (Acts 2:36-38, Luke 24:46-47). Baptism is
prescribed as the way to call on the name of the Lord and have your sins washed
away (Acts 22:16).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What
an excellent Gift!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us not grow weary
of proclaiming this message! <o:p></o:p></div>Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-65943893563244828402011-11-21T06:30:00.001-08:002011-11-21T06:30:31.101-08:00<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
Should We Make
Judgments?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are those
who say, "Oh, you are judging".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But the one who says this is guilty of doing what he has just accused
you of doing, judging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus does says,
"Judge not that you be not judged" (Matthew 7:1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Judge here means to condemn with harsh and
rash judgment when all the facts are not known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is bitter fault finding that Jesus is condemning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all
must form opinions based on facts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
says, "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge righteous
judgment" (John 7:24).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus tells
us we are to make righteous judgments.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saying that we
are not to make righteous judgments is a doctrine of Satan and not of
Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan does not want us to make
any kind of judgments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to make
judgments to prevent our being misled by false teachers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus says, "Beware of false prophets,
who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous
wolves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will know them by their
fruits" (Matthew 7:15-16).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is
also telling us to be fruit inspectors, which requires that we make certain
judgments about others.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan also wants
us to leave those alone who are lost in sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If we could not make judgments, we would not be able to know if a person
is in need of being taught the gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If we could not make judgments, we would not be able to know if a
brother or sister "wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let
him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul
from death and cover a multitude of sins" (James 5:19-20).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the Bible says, "if a man is
overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit
of gentleness" (Galatians 6:1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
have to make judgments. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as our Lord
commands, let us not make rash and harsh judgments without knowing the facts,
but let us make righteous judgments based on Truth, Love, and a desire to
spread the Gospel of Christ.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="mailto:preachertombowling@gmail.com">preachertombowling@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-20596579187943092862011-11-16T05:28:00.001-08:002011-11-16T05:28:38.392-08:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
Who is Bringing the Turkey?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I love the holidays as much as the next guy I guess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never have been fanatical about them either way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One thing that has always intrigued me is how people rush around at the last minute to do everything, and to make sure they have everything necessary for the big day. My experience has been that there will be a group (usually the women folk) who coordinate the meal at Thanksgiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will be discussion about who is bringing what, and one person will generally be “in charge” of the all-important check list of items: Turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, potatoes, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel that the main focus has evolved over time from being thankful to being prepared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, just how bad would it be if Aunt Margaret forgot she was supposed to bring the turkey?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or what if Cousin Linda brought her world famous yams instead of the rolls she promised? I know at our house, there would be trouble!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With that in mind, is it not comforting to know that God in His infinite wisdom has given us a complete list of all things that we need (2Peter 1:3)?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are those that feel that there is a need to supplement Gods Word with the works of men. This of course is a direct violation of Rev. 22:18-19.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul addresses the issue of the all sufficiency of Scripture in 2Timothy 3:16-17: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” –KJV<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I am thankful that God has the foreknowledge to provide a plan for mankind to be reconciled to Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That foreknowledge prevents us from frantically scrambling at the last minute, wondering if we have all we need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take peace, Oh Christian, and know that God has provided us all things that we may know Him through His Son, Jesus Christ (1Jn. 4:9). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy Holiday’s from the Bowling Family!</div>Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-4984856013011266062011-11-07T12:47:00.000-08:002011-11-07T12:47:08.984-08:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">"Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John 1:46</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The character of Nazareth was proverbially bad. To be a Galilean or a Nazarene was an expression of decided contempt. Nathanael asked therefore, whether it was possible that the Messiah should come from a place proverbially wicked. This was a not an uncommon mode of judging. It is not by examining evidence, but by prejudice. Many persons suffer their minds to be filled with prejudice against the Truth or a person professing the Truth, and then pronounce judgment at once without examination. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It matters not from where a teacher comes, provided he be authorized of God by speaking His Truth, and qualified for his work. </div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have often considered this verse as I make efforts to preach the Gospel. Although never attempting to literally compare myself to the Son of God, I can empathize with how He must have felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus was doubted and criticized simply because of where he was raised and the reputation of the neighborhood and its inhabitants. </div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I grew up in a neighborhood in Cleveland, TN called Rollingbrook. There were about 200 homes there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a great childhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, we had hard times like everyone else, but we were always fortunate to have food and a nice home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rollingbrook wasn’t the nicest neighborhood in town, but having not chosen to be born and live there, I had to make the best of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My dad was a painter and he helped build most of the homes in the subdivision. There was trouble there many nights, and you had to be tough to stay out past dark. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wouldn’t it be a shame to have efforts to spread the Gospel hindered based on simply where one is from? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As sad as that seems, that is exactly what our Savior had to endure.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What good can come out of Rollingbrook?” you ask?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, when I was 12, my neighbors invited me to Eastside church of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Six months later I was baptized and obeyed the Gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank God for Rollingbrook, and the Jackson’s, my evangelistic and hospitable neighbors. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-36774877795585836652011-11-07T07:57:00.000-08:002011-11-07T07:57:10.352-08:00Is Heaven on Your Mind?<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
Is Heaven on Your Mind?</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our number one priority in this life must be to go to Heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing else is as important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus says in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our soul is the most precious thing we have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">nothing</i> that can equal its value.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We read in Matthew 16:26, "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is easy in today’s materialistic society to get caught up in the pursuit of materialism if we are not careful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Lord says in Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For where your treasure is there will your heart be also."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our bank account needs to be in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every day we need to tell ourselves that the main thing in this life is to go to Heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We read in Colossians 3:2; "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should regularly think about going to Heaven.</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heaven is a prepared place (John 14:2-3) for a prepared people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be such a wonderful place, which is beyond our wildest dreams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:9, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no way that Heaven can be described so we as mortal human beings can understand how wonderful it will be. </div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Do YOU know God’s plan for man to get to heaven?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If not, or if you would like to learn more about the what the Bible says on this or any other issue, message me, we can study together. <a href="mailto:together.preachertombowling@gmail.com">mailto:together.preachertombowling@gmail.com</a>.</div>Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-66336945479838089542011-11-01T17:45:00.000-07:002011-11-01T17:45:22.173-07:00Gospel Plan of Salvation<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Plan of Salvation Synopsis</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How does God save lost people?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To answer such a question, we need to examine a few Bible basics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us simply allow the Bible to speak for itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Toward that goal, let us consider the following:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">·<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All accountable people have done wrong, and thus fall short of God’s perfect glory (Rom. 3:23).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">·<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God’s love sent Jesus to bear the quilt and punishment for the sins that separate us from God (I Pet. 2:24-25).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">·<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Through faith in Jesus we can choose life rather than death (John 3:16).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">·<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The answer is grounded in God’s grace (an undeserved gift) and not from any response we could make to “earn” our salvation (Eph. 2:8-10).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now we come to the question, “if we are going to be saved, what kind of response does God ask of our faith?” (Rom. 1:5, 16:26). Obedience to the faith is necessary!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">·<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To one that does not have faith, the first step toward salvation is to believe that Jesus is the Savior (Acts 16:31).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">·<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, repentance (a change of thinking) and baptism for the remission of sins are both instructed (Acts 2:36-38, Luke 24:46-47).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">·<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Biblically, both belief and confession are inseparably linked with salvation (Rom 10:8-10; 1 Tim. 6:12).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">·<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To the believers who have repented, baptism is prescribed as the way to call on the name of the Lord and have their sins washed away (Acts 22:16).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">·<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Baptism (immersion) as a response of faith is clearly linked to entering into a saving relationship with Jesus (Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3 26-27; 1 Pet. 3:21).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">·<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We are making a life-long commitment to walk in the new life of God’s light (Rom. 6:4; 1 John 1:7).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">·<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In all of these things, we must respond in faith to receive the gift of grace (James 2:26); any response, however, from an attitude of boasting, or of trying to earn our salvation, would not be acceptable (Rom. 3:27; 4:1-2).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many religious people believe a response of some kind on the part of man is required for salvation, although they differ on the nature of the required response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The real issue, however, is not what men teach or think (Jer. 10:23 “It is not in man to direct his own steps”)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it is about what the Bible teaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus has been sent, the Bible reveals the way of forgiveness, the decision to act is yours and yours alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-64200346628741690462011-11-01T06:52:00.000-07:002011-11-01T06:52:00.873-07:00Update Letter-October 2011<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Oct. 31, 2011</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Dearest Friends, Brethren and Supporters,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It is with absolute joy that as I compose this update letter, Summer and I are entering our final quarter at the East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are very excited to be near completion of what has certainly been a life changing endeavor for our family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last two years have been very challenging, as well as rewarding for our family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The decision to enter into ministry for the Lord’s church has truly been the best decision of our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our time so far at school has been a complete blessing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have had the opportunity to grow spiritually in the knowledge of faith and service, and have learned how to better teach others the gospel of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have also been blessed to make and develop friendships that will never be broken. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As a student at ETSPM, I have enjoyed the opportunity to study bible and ministry under the direct instruction of godly men who by many are considered legends in the brotherhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wisdom imparted by these men go far beyond their bible knowledge, which is vast, and reaches into the training and development of men who will serve in the kingdom as ministers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I appreciate the training I have received from these fine men, and Summer feels the same about the instructors’ wives and wives classes.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With that being said, there are hardly words to express the appreciation that we have for all of those who have supported our efforts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the financial support of 9 congregations and 11 individual families, I have been able to focus on schoolwork without being stressed over providing financially for my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Summer has been my biggest supporter! She has worked full time, carried the wives class workload, and kept the home and kids the entire time without complaining one time, only praising God for the opportunity put before us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have submitted an application to move back home in January, I hope she approves it!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our intention is to visit each supporting congregation in the spring after I finish classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please review your March, April, and May calendars and find a place to pencil us in for a Sunday to visit and preach so that we may personally thank your members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We look forward to seeing all of you again!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As for the budget, please consider for your budget meetings that our family support will be needed through the end of January.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our full time pay from Dayton will begin in February. Thank you so much for the financial and moral support that you have helped us with during our stay at ETSPM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could not have done it without you! Our promise to you is to do our best to make sure that the investment you have made goes far to spread the gospel and to teach others about Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Currently, that focus will be on the lives of young people at Dayton. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As many of you know, upon completion of school I will begin full time work at Dayton church of Christ where we have been attending for a year now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My primary focus will be youth work and associate ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our time at Dayton has been very fruitful already, and we are very happy there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We look forward to getting started full time in February.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Once again, Thank You. Your love and contribution has changed our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will forever be indebted to you, and will never forget what each of you has done for us.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Sincerely in brotherly love,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Thomas L. Bowling and family</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136627695438211707.post-9844137757603144052011-08-30T12:08:00.001-07:002011-08-30T12:08:10.932-07:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-ch0Ldv0ceXJ5sGyLdPzo7t1h3jMsAjVInHn1nxliztwqUQgHVslVVB8wa-LfHBWXKFty4RS_c6Oz0gXcynXppTd4FoCVkokWC3MDbwXWnH1EeA95N66y9-yQZ352l42_yaubzTFBU2N/s1600/2011-07-28_10-02-39_375-790932.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-ch0Ldv0ceXJ5sGyLdPzo7t1h3jMsAjVInHn1nxliztwqUQgHVslVVB8wa-LfHBWXKFty4RS_c6Oz0gXcynXppTd4FoCVkokWC3MDbwXWnH1EeA95N66y9-yQZ352l42_yaubzTFBU2N/s320/2011-07-28_10-02-39_375-790932.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646727898925710578" /></a></p><p>Tyler didn't want in the car with that hair! Lol</p> Holding on to rainbows..http://www.blogger.com/profile/14787886873362470619noreply@blogger.com0