Author: Don's BibleTalkOnline Blog

by Don Hooton

A major problem in evangelism is a shared problem we all have in communication. Just like words my generation uses for a bird’s song is to the younger generation a communication or tweet on Twitter; or just like the fried meat my mom made in a pan is now the same word for what fills our email inboxes with unwanted mail – spam, the word ‘church’ now means many different things to different people in different generations. At the sound of church, some think Sundays, stained glass, robed worship leaders and candles. Even the term ‘New Testament church’ is often lost to and meaningless for an unbeliever like a ‘monkey wrench’ is to most women and a “colander” is to most men.  So where can we begin?

We should begin this conversation about the New Testament in “New Testament church.”

With this series I am not trying to evangelize unbelievers, but train believers. Unbelievers come to faith, not with  the New Testament teaching about church but rather, what the New Testament says about the good news of Jesus. An unbeliever develops faith, indeed by the word of Christ (Romans 10:17) but first by what is declared about God in Creation (Romans 1:19-21). This staging point brings belief there is one God through reasoning much like Paul did in Athens (Acts 17:16-34). Faith builds on the reason for a Creator and the Word builds trust in the Redeemer who Created us. So while the New Testament is indeed the source for this faith building of faith, faith should grow from belief in the Creator and then the Redeemer and then, who believers should be as the church.

So, this series is about what Christians need to understand about what the New Testament church is.

What is a New Testament church? Who is a church like this? How does a church like this operate? What is the worship a New Testament church engages in? And last, what is the work a New Testament church fellowship partners in?

Let’s begin with this idea of the New Testament church. What truly defines a church in the New Testament is the Lord Jesus. The authority of all teaching begins with Him. God has spoken to us in these last days through Him (Hebrews 1:1-3); Christ has brought the message of truth His Father wanted to the Apostles (John 17:17-24) by the power He promised them in the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 15:13; 16:12-13). That promised Spirit came to them personally and visibly in Acts 2 and as a result, Peter was able to say that they had been given “everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called” them (2Peter 1:3) and Paul was able to say that “when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ… as it has been revealed to his holy Apostles and prophets by the Spirit” (Ephesians 3:4, ESV).

These “words,” spoken and written by inspired men, are the once and for all revealed message from Christ – about Christ – and for Christ’s people. Jude said that this “faith was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3) and Peter said that “this word is the good news that was preached to you” (1Peter 1:25). So emphatic was it that John would say that “everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God” (2John 9) and Paul would say that “even if we are an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you [and] contrary to what you received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:6-8).

So, the only writing we have from Christ, about Christ, and for Christ’s people, is the New Testament. If we are aiming to please Him “in every respect” (Colossians 1:10) then, we are to be people who want our lives as individual Christians to radiate His light and as a church committed to serving Him, we are equally obligated to please Him “in every respect.”

Therefore, “church life” is something Christ is sovereign over. He alone speaks how churches should worship, should organize, should work – and frankly – should just “be.” We are His. He is the Head (Ephesians 1:22-23) and we are the body.

Yet, some say that the New Testament sheds no light on the life and practice of the church today. For example, Donald G. Miller stated: “No particular structure of church life is divinely ordained” (The Nature and Mission of the Church, p. 82). And goes on to say that “any form … which the Holy Spirit can inhabit and to which He may impart the life of Christ, must be accepted as valid for the church. As all forms of life adapt themselves to their environment, so does the Life of Christ by His Spirit in the church.”

Even respected church leader, Dr. Gene Getz, wrote: “He (Paul) was ‘a free man’—not locked into patterns and structures, either in communication or in organization and administration” (Sharpening the Focus of the Church (Chicago: Moody Press, 1974), p. 109). He added that “Paul was not consistent in the instruction he gave regarding the appointment of elders and deacons. … It is impossible, of course, to arrive at conclusive reasons as to why there is a disparity in Paul’s approach to church leadership from church to church. But, is this not part of the genius of the New Testament? Once again, we see freedom in form and structure, means and methods, patterns and programs.”

This may sound good to today’s world except for the painful fact that Paul equated his practices with the principles that he taught: “I exhort you therefore, be imitators of me. For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church” (1 Corinthians 4:16,17). Paul said the practice came from his teaching after reminding them that “you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written that none of you may be puffed up against one another” (1Corinthians 4:6). Paul instructed his readers to imitate his ways because they conformed with what he had taught and urged them to follow in what was also “written.”

Therefore, to be a New Testament church, we must adopt this Pauline view that the writings of the New Testament were given to the church to be a New Testament church.  We must be drawn to, directed by, and determined to follow fully what we do from the New Testament.

You see there is no other way to be a Christ follower or a church that follows Christ than to be among a New Testament church because the New Testament points the way of Christ – because – it is His way.

by Don Hooton

Well, it’s Summer again.  Stores across America have racks full of the itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, yellow polka-dot bikinis – and much much… less. In fact, American women spend more than eight billion dollars a year on bikinis alone (statisticbrain.com). And according to Bethany Baird’s blog Lies Young Women Believe, girls are obsessed with the bikini because:

“The world says they’re cute! You get the opportunity to showcase your entire body, and it’s totally acceptable. You can get some serious attention from guys…” She traces her mothering from her own upbringing when she wore them and said, “As I grew up and got a little bit older, my parents started talking to me about the concept of modesty. My perspective on bikinis slowly started to change. I came to the conclusion that a bikini is basically like a bra and underwear but designed for water. I realized that just because the bikini is culturally acceptable, that doesn’t make it a wise wardrobe choice. I would NEVER go anywhere in my bra and underwear, so why would I go swimming in something that covered the same amount of body? I’ve decided that I have to be consistent. I can’t uphold one standard for the dry world and another for the wet world.”

Even though culture may call bikinis the better fashion choice, it has no idea of what Christians should view as the better choice.  In fact, Paul tells Christians to see themselves as non-conformists and as a result, transform their behavior this way: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).  You see, Christians want their choices to reflect the will of God – not the will of Macy’s or Target.

Please understand I am not advocating some kind of “prudiness” or full body flapper sets with bright orange flowers all over them. What I am suggesting is that if your summer choices are determined by cultural standards, by what’s popular, or what makes you feel sexy, your choice is not to glorify God. But what should Christians do?

Paul says, “Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments; but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness” (1Timothy 2:9-10).

Did you hear that?  What we choose to wear should be dictated by professing godliness.  While the context here is first to women, and second, to an impropriety of lavish extravagance rather than of a lack of clothes (unheard of in that age in the first place), it contrasts godly women from those women of sensual and worldly excess who aim to draw all eyes to them. Notice these two commentary notes:

1. “These terms stress not so much the absence of sexual suggestiveness, though it is included, but rather an appearance that is simple, moderate, judicious, and free from ostentation.” [Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Wheaton, IL: Scripture Press Publications, 1985].
2. “Those that profess godliness should, in their dress, as well as other things, act as becomes their profession; instead of laying out their money on fine clothes, they must lay it out in works of piety and charity, which are properly called good works.” [Henry, Matthew, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Bible, Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1997]

Professing godliness, then, must mean a greater attention to the display of godly character than sun kissed skin and glamorous attire. Godly women will want to impress their man with godliness rather than displaying her body to entice him to sensual transgression.  

Whether it is bikinis or swim trunks, jeans or Tshirts, a Christian woman will make the good choice (as should a Christian man) of wearing what really professes godliness. Be modest for the Son.

by Don Hooton

Imagine the early church as they saw new congregations popping up all over the Mediterranean world. Charismatic Apostle Paul revisited those churches to “strengthen the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith” and after “appointing elders in every church,” told the them, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:21-23). He told the church to forge ahead in the work they had in spite of the reception and the retribution they may face as believers in a world of unbelief. Perhaps this last meeting was a power packed emotional rally of sorts or the resolved and stately exhortation of man who knew the path ahead of his spiritual children. Whatever its passion, it purpose was to keep Christians with their eyes ahead. Where will the work we do for Christ take us?

Ahead of modern churches is the present reality of mainstream churches caving further to societal pressure to change the moral restraints and human standards God has put in place. Even with the Methodist Church’s decision to keep a “traditional” stance on marriage, which is between two heterosexuals rather than homosexuals, it is still faced with future departures based upon its present practices ignoring congregational autonomy (1Peter 5:2) and male pastors (1Timothy 3:2) – just to name a few. And Christians who shout loudly that we should “go back to the Bible” is a pluralistic approach to Christianity would only experience the ridicule and shaming that such reforms have still not gone far enough.

So, what’s ahead?

According to Thom Rainer (of Lifeway fame), “between 6,000 and 10,000 churches in the U.S. are dying each year. That means around 100-200 churches will close this week. The pace will accelerate unless our congregations make some dramatic changes” (Jan 2018, www.factsandtrends.com). The future is bleak in many ways – but not lost.  Still the things that lead to the demise of the churches are self-evident: declining attendance, dwindling funds, disinterested worshippers, disenchanted youth and disobedient believers.

Disobedient Believers. Hard to believe it is so – but it is (c.f. Hebrews 4:11). When Christians disobey what God wants, even if there is even a generation of apparent growth, those churches will eventually die. Ahead of us will be choice after choice – as an individual Christian and as a collective body of Christians as a church – that we will have to obey God. We can’t rely on our past successes to dismiss our rebellion of not doing what God has clearly said. As a church, we must obey the Lord in everything. Is that what you want to be – with us – obedient to the Lord in everything.  “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22). Churches across the land – including ours – need to obey Him.

Disenchanted Youth. Barna Group’s president David Kinnaman, wrote You Lost Me: Why Young Christians are Leaving Church…and Rethinking Faith with some reasons why “nearly three out of every five young Christians (59%) disconnect permanently or for an extended period of time from church life after age 15:” He said some teens’ and 20-somethings’ experience of Christianity is shallow – leading them to say “church” is irrelevant to their daily lives, that there isn’t enough in-depth study of the Bible and a real/in-depth relationship/experience with God. They also said churches come across as antagonistic to science and as unwilling to help assist in conversation with their often “simplistic or judgmental” tone in issues of sexuality.  “Younger Americans have been shaped by a culture that esteems open-mindedness, tolerance and acceptance” and so when the church appears unfriendly to those who struggle with doubts, the road to relationship is crowded with (often) mutual distrust.

Disinterested Worshippers. This ever present problem was present in Jesus’ day (Mark 7:6) and Isaiah’s day. It is a human problem. Yet, as churches, what are we proactively engaged in doing to remedy the epidemic of such lethargy? Preachers who preach long, dry sermons? Song Leaders who lead every verse with no regard to the time or momentum of the worship? Scripture Readers who stumble across their reading? Communion Leaders who make their comments as far away from the Cross as west is to east? Prayers leaders who recite the same prayer as “faithful” brother so and so said before World War II? Are we engaging in the worship of God as a visible testimony to what really matters to us? Worshippers will only be as interested in what you find interesting.

Dwindling Funds. The churches of today live in more affluence than probably Christians have ever lived. Yet, Paul praised the Macedonian churches because “in their deep poverty

[that]

overflowed in the wealth of their liberality” because they “first gave themselves to the Lord” (2Corinthians 8:1-3). Some churches falter because people fail to give or because they fail to give themselves to the Lord. Again, it is not a new problem. The prophet Haggai rebuked a generation for exhausting their resourced on their “paneled houses” while God’s temple was left untouched (Haggai 1:4). What Christians should see is that they work together for the betterment of every aspect of the work they do. Sometimes church buildings fall into disrepair not merely because of dwindling funds but instead, on dwindling interest in the spiritual evidenced by the lack of joyful giving. So ahead of us is the task of every working to elevate to our fellow brother the everpresent need of the gospel in our community and abroad.

Declining Attendance. And if churches are closing in larger numbers – and there are suggestions that the numbers are more of a natural attrition rate – it is certainly because the attendance rates in all those churches reflected decline. Even in the first century, the ongoing habit of neglecting “assembling of yourselves together” was indicative of a forsaking that could eventuate in a hardened heart of unbelief (Hebrews 10:25; 3:12). Your attendance anyway indicates your interest in the thing – no matter what it is. Your attendance elsewhere when you attendance is needed is indicative of what is valued more. So when attendance numbers drop in churches, if could be the attrition of a changing community – or it could be the decline of the value of worship.

So, what’s ahead for American churches (and for that matter – any church anywhere)? If we are unwilling to exert the needed effort to stop the decline, our date with destiny is death. Churches will continue to close. Young people will continue to leave. And we will find ourselves alone.

So, what can we do about it? What can we do together about it?

First, you and I need to attend more (read again Hebrews 10:24-25). The fiery zeal that warms us in the winter’s bleak of our faithless culture will be Christians that we see, we love and with whom we worship. God did not make you to do this alone. We were framed to be people, who are with people, when we praise the people’s True God. So, if you want to save the church and save your culture, make the attendance of church services a priority. Quit the excuses. Stop the replacing of this Divine Good with the alternative good you see in traveling, unwinding, community service and other things. You need to assembly because we do. It’s that important to what we are facing. If you don’t want to choose me and other saints now when things are on an even temper, what will do when things get hard?

Second, you and I need to give more. We all could use this exhortation. While there are many ways you give to good things for the Lord (private support of evangelism in other places, benevolence to help other Christians – and non-Christians) that serve well our sharing of the Light in this dark world, there is still the obligation we have together to provide for the needs of our local family: facility needs will never decrease, teaching supplies will always grow and requests for preaching in other places will always arrive (sometimes everyday). So as we face the future, we have to decide if we are investing enough in the Lord’s work today to make the Lord’s work tomorrow grounded.

Third, you have to worship. Song Leaders, you have to lead songs that lift people. Prayer leaders, you have to pray to make the Lord’s presence real to you – so it can be real to those who will say AMEN with you. Scripture Readers, you have to read with prepared clarity that you deliver to that captive audience the authoritative word from God – not the ramblings of poor preparation. Communion Leaders, you have to make your words about the Cross – and stay out of the way. Make people see Jesus. And preachers, we have to make our message relevant, encouraging and compelling – because it is about the truth of God – and again – not the ramblings of our own self interests. And all of us, when we come to worship, should do more than say “we will set aside of the cares of this world,” we need to bring to God all of our cares, fall down at the alter of His mercy and grace and surrender our will, our passions and our very heart to the One who made for us – in the sacrifice of His Son – the only way out of our decaying existence.

Fourth, we need to listen to why people leave. If it is the truth that they do not love, we cannot stop them. But even the hardened sinner – when spoken to with love by the believing heart – will soon love to truth he has hated. So, when young people have been influenced by the culture in which we live, be patient with them. Lead them by love. With kind mercies, guide them to the truth. Do not despise them for being young and misguided. Love them for being young and guide them to truth. If our young people cannot find in us a place to ask questions, to challenge what they have always been taught, to wonder our loud what is really true, then we have misunderstood what it means that we are the family of God.

Last, we need to show how believers obey. Obedience is, by its very definition, the yielding of our will to another. It is acting the way we are told to act. We obey Christ – and that means we yield to Him – not to the rancorous traditions of the brotherhood, not to the boasting of the arrogant, and not to the impulses of our hearts. If we believe, we obey.

And if we do these things – the future will care for itself. We cannot undo the act of others – but we can be certain to make our contribution of what lies ahead of us all – a pleasant aroma to God – a sacrifice that pleases Him in every way.

by Don Hooton

There’s something illuminating and empowering when you see who you really are. When the prodigal “came to himself,” he “went to his father” to be restored. The NASB says, “he came to his senses” (Luke 15:17).  When he saw who he had become he “got up” and “went” to be who he really was – the son of his father. While he came humbly and wanting only to be a servant in his house, his father would give him shoes and the family regalia. But it only happened because the son knew he “had to” be who he was supposed to be.

The letters Paul wrote to Christians equally compel believers to see who they are.  Paul said to the Colossians that in Christ they “have been made complete” and in Him, they are “attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding” (2:10,2). As Christians we should see how full, how complete, and how blessed God has made us in Christ. And when we see clearly who we are in Christ, it is Paul who reasons that we then should “walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude” (2:6-7).

If the adage that “fish gotta’ swim and birds gotta’ fly” is right, then it is also true that Christians “gotta’ walk.” Fish swim because that is what they do. Birds fly because that is what birds do. And Christians? They don’t sleep, shuffle or keep a static existence. They walk. Their feet are swift to do good. They busy themselves in their Father’s kingdom. Because, that is what Christians do.

First, as Paul reminds us, we walk this way because we have been “firmly rooted” in Christ (2.7). You see, we are busy with the business of the King because he gave us reason. What Jesus did for us on the cross and in the Resurrection transforms the heart of every believer – who plants it deep.  Forgiveness and Hope help us move by empowering us to put one foot in front of the other – even when we feel a burden like no other. Being firmly rooted lifts us from the drudgery of guilt and despair into the path of the abundant life.  Jesus us that first step, the vitality that gives us new life (c.f. Romans 6:3-4).

Second, as Paul says, we walk this way because we are being “built up” in Him (2:7). Like a home structured on a solid foundation, this walk as a Christian shows a progression of maturity. We walk because we have laid the foundation and we are growing and even more “established in the faith” (2:7). This “once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3) faith is the structural integrity of what we build and the direction of our walk – but if the building halts or slows down, so does the walk. It is a present tense in the Greek and we must keep building if we want to keep walking with Christ.  It is an ever growing, progressive increase in religion by union with Him.

So, we need to plant ourselves firmly in the Christ and we need to keep building our life in the Christ’s way. And this walk, or way of living, is described many ways.  It begins as a walk “in newness of life” (Romans 6:4) – a brisk beginning to jump start the blood flow. And it is a walk for the inner man and “not according to the flesh” (Romans 8:4). If we walk “by faith and not by sight” (2Corinthians 5:7), we will walk “no longer as Gentiles” (Ephesians 4:17) but as “children of light” (Ephesians 5:8) who follow in the steps of Jesus (1Peter 2:21).  That means we will walk “in love” (Ephesians 5:2) and in a “manner worthy of the Lord” (Colossians 1:10). It will be a well purposed lifestyle because people, grounded in Him, and being built up in Him, would want to walk in a way that really is “pleasing God” (1Thessalonians 4:1) and not themselves.  That is why we should always aim to be “careful in our walk” (Ephesians 5:15).

You see Christians “gotta’ walk.”  It is what we do – because that is who we are. 

So, when you think there is nothing to do, get walking. So, when you think you have nothing more to do, get walking. Because without the walk, it’s all talk. And just as sure as fish gotta’ swim, when you have been planted and built up in Christ, you gotta’ walk.

TRAINING CHILDREN TO WORSHIP GOD
by Bill Hall

One of the greatest responsibilities that parents face is teaching their children proper behavior in worship. The children’s ultimate interest in spiritual matters depends so greatly on their parents’ success.

Teaching children that they are to be quiet is important. But good behavior in worship reaches far beyond this. Children must be taught reverence and respect for God. They must learn to stay awake, to sing, to listen, to participate. Their interest should grow as their capacity for learning grows. By the time they reach accountability they should be able to discuss intelligently the preacher’s lesson. If they cannot do so, they have not behaved properly, no matter how quiet they have been. At this point in their lives they should be ready to offer a reasonably mature expression of adoration and praise to the true and living God.

With such goals in mind, faithful parents set out to train their children. We offer the following suggestions:

• Sit near the front where there are fewer distractions and never ever let your children sit behind you.
• Do not allow routine visits to the toilet. Plan ahead!
• Don’t let them play. Toddlers will need something for their distraction, but when children are pre-school age, they are old enough to sit quietly without entertainment. You will be surprised at what they will learn. Pencils and paper should be used only for taking notes on the sermon.
• Make sure your children get adequate sleep the night before. They will be better behaved in class and during worship.
• Set a good example before them.
• Pray for God’s help.

The task is not easy. But great joy awaits those who are successful.

TRAINING ADULTS TO WORSHIP GOD
by Don Hooton

Bill Hall’s great article made me think of the same challenge to engage all people to worship God. The suggestions are universal. Helping young families raise kids through setting our own good example is part of the process. This in no way minimizes the challenges that parents face and must meet to raise godly children to reverently worship God. However, this does maximize the potential for good for which we all can influence.

Teach yourselves to “be quiet”. Gasps, snickers or tongue-snaps at children who misbehave can no more fulfill the demand of “let all things be done for edification” (1Corinthians 14:26) than parents who aren’t managing their children. Teach yourselves “to learn, to stay awake, to sing, to listen, to participate.” Children learn what they see in their parents, for sure, but they learn what they see in you and how you act in worship. And, learn to discuss the preacher’s lesson intelligently.  If kids should be able to discuss spiritual things by the time they reach accountability, adults should do this naturally. So, when you leave services, talk about what you hear and what you learn. You see, the goal for every age is not to make us expressly quiet but to make us expressly worship. We should mature as we grow to let nothing distract our heart’s object of the hour – the praise and adoration of the Almighty.

And we follow with the same suggestions….

• Sit near the front where there are fewer distractions and don’t let distractions distract you.
• Plan ahead for the time you are there! Whether it be bathroom visits, phone calls or adulting life events, focus your mind on why you are there.
• Don’t play. If you use your digital device to read Scripture, don’t check your email, your social media or shop for your next purchase in worship; or remove the temptation and turn it on Airplane Mode.
• Make sure you get adequate sleep. Many a Sunday is spoiled by a Saturday night’s festivities.
• Set a good example before others. If you don’t want kids to be divert their attention from the worship of God – then don’t divert yours and sleep. Stay focused on worship.
• Pray for God’s help.

The task is not easy. But great joy awaits those who are successful.

For me, I am hoping to revive the usefulness of this blog. I will make more regular contributions to engage better Biblical instruction and to encourage building faith. I hope you will join me more often. Here is the first post for the new 2019.

It will soon be the beginning of 2019 and New Year’s resolutions will emerge. From losing weight, finding healthy solutions, less screen time or more family time and better organizing skills, the selection will vary based on the specific person making it – to accomplish the goals they feel need to be addressed. It’s a good thing to reassess our present and to redirect our attentions to making good on the changes we need.

As Christians, there are many things specific to our “person” as a disciple of Jesus that we should always reassess and redirect. “Examine yourselves” was Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians in both the first (11:28) and in the second letters (13:5). It is an ongoing process that should happen in communion and throughout life. The first of the year is equally a great time to do the same – and to determine how better we can serve the Lord.

So today, reflect on what in 2018 was the challenge you faced and what you can do better in 2019. None of us have reached a sublime place of perfection – we just need to press on to it (Philippians 3:12-14). Acknowledging our shortcomings is the first step to “press on to maturity” (Hebrews 6:1) and while it can be discouraging, it will empower the result of “hold[ing] true to what we have attained” (Philippians 3:16).

So, let me empower you to see….

Attendance is necessary to your spiritual growth. “Not forsaking our own assembling together” (Hebrews 10:25) is a negative statement to bring the positive results of encouraging each other. Whether it is a Sunday or Wednesday night, if you are alone when you come – you will be joined by the family in praising God and studying His word. If you are coming with your own family when you come – you model a powerful example for your children who learn by your actions that you “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). So, put aside the reasons you give yourself for not assembling on these days because it only hinders the stronger Christian you can become – and the stronger Christians you can make by your example.

Get involved. Special edifying and evangelistic events happen all year long from careful planning to make these events accessible and useful to you – but primarily to glorify God. Get involved in these works to help us glorify God. Come to the singing – even if you think you don’t sing well – because your heart will sing praise that lifts your spirit. Come to the gospel meetings – even if you think it’s so busy for you on Monday and Tuesday nights – because you will be energized by preaching from different speakers who will say the same truths you have always heard in a new, different way. VBS? You don’t have to teach but you can recruit! Youth Lectures? You don’t have to be underage but the preaching of truth among the faces of tomorrow can enliven hope in your soul. And talk to Adam Bohanan today – we need you to teach just one class for 12 weeks this year so that another brother and sister with whom you share in this fellowship won’t have to teach 24, 36 or in some cases, all year round. Get involved and have a share in the burden to make it even for all.

And, read your Bible. When I was young, this meant pulling my NASB Bible out, turning pages and reading silently in my room – trying to stave off sleepiness. This year, join me in reading through the New Testament in chronological order. You can keep up by using any BIBLE app in your phone or computer and listening to your reading as you drive (or using the CDs or Cassette Tapes of earlier decades). Each Sunday in 2019, when I am preaching, one of my lessons will come from the previous week’s Bible reading. If a daily reading seems too much for you, there are two different 5 days a week reading plans available as well on the member table (one while Bible reading and one New Testament only). Also, you can follow us on Twitter (@woodlandscoc with the hashtag #wcocbiblereading19) and find the reading assignment each day posted as a reminder.

Last, get close to God. Think of how you would use these terms in a personal relationship. How would you “get closer” with your spouse, your children, or your best friends? You would spend time with them. You would engage in activities with them. You would talk to them. And you would listen to them. And on the appropriate times you would thank them and tell them that you love them. Right? So, to get close to God in 2019, spend time with Him in worship alone; engage in worship activities with His people often; talk to Him in prayer. Listen to Him in His word. And every time you think it, tell Him of your gratitude and your love for all that He is – and I am sure – you will get close to God.

Set out strong in 2019 so you can finish strong.

In today’s political climate, whether it is at the press corp briefing or the coffeehouse squabble, people press hard for the answers they say need to be answered. Some press hard on tax reform or illegal immigration as if that question is the most important – ever. Whatever we see as the most important of the day, there is always a different question that needs to be answered – even pressed – but it has nothing to do with politics. That question is, “What must I do to be saved?” This is the very question the Philippian jailer asked of the Apostle Paul after an earthquake had released his prisoners (Acts 16:30). The question today has the same answers as they had then.

We have to recognize that we are sinners. To ask the question presupposes one knows he needs salvation. Even the jailor knew. But from what? Salvation from sin. Everyone has sinned and has fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). If sin causes spiritual death, separation from God, and the need for forgiveness from God, then we need to understand this so we can be saved from being dead in our sins and transgressions (Ephesians 2:1). To be saved, we must acknowledge our sin.

We need to respond in trusting faith. We must believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Lord of Glory. The jailer was told, “Believe in the Lord Jesus” if he wanted to be saved. Yet, this is only part of our response. Biblical faith is more than just believing; It is trust, the kind of trust that takes God at His word. Faith comes through hearing God’s word (Romans 10:17). Once God has spoken His word, if we choose to believe it, we must act in obedience to it just as if God Himself was standing next to us answering the question. That kind of faith will gain access to the grace of God through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1-2). To be saved, we must believe in Jesus.

We need to repent of sin. If we can admit our sinfulness and respond in faith to God’s word, then we must make a decision to turn from sin and strive to live holy lives. God commands everyone to repent (Acts 17:30-31) because He loves us and does not want us to continue living a life that will hurt us. If we refuse to repent, then we cannot say we trust Him. If we take God at His word, we will want to remove ourselves from a sinful life. To be saved, we must repent of sin.

We need to confess the lordship of Jesus. Paul wrote, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). This confession results in salvation because we declare who Jesus is in Heaven and in our hearts: He is enthroned. This confession demands that our faith do whatever He says. If we call Him “Lord,” then we must do His will (Luke 6:46; Matthew 7:21-23). If we are not willing to confess Him as Lord, then we will not be saved. To be saved, we must confess Him. But, we are still not done.

We need to be baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sins. In Acts 2, those Jews that gathered to hear the sermon asked Peter the jailer’s same question. Peter responded, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (vs. 38). This baptism is immersion in water (Acts 8:36) and its purpose is “for the forgiveness of sins.” In other words, our faith response demands obedience. Baptism is commanded by Jesus (Mark 16:16), Peter (Acts 2:38) and Paul (Acts 16:34). Therefore, it must be from God. If we are going to respond in faith (take God at His word), then we will obey as He commands. When we are baptized, we no more rely on ourselves for salvation than we do when we respond in faith to anything God commands: confess, repent or believe. Instead, we act in reliance upon the work of God for our salvation through faith (Colossians 2:11-13). So to be saved, we must be baptized for the remission of sins.

Finally, though, baptism is no more the end of trusting faith than it is the end of obedience. It is the beginning of a new life in Christ (Romans 6:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:17) where Christ lives within us (Galatians 2:20) and we walk by faith. If we drift away from its promises (Hebrews 2:1-4), we are in danger of falling away. However, God will help us as we strive to grow (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15-16). He will forgive our sins as we confess to Him (1 John 1:7-9). So to be saved, we must live a faithful, obedient life.

The life of a Christian is worthwhile. We can live with confidence and hope because we have the hope of heaven, the help of God, the forgiveness of sins, and the fellowship of godly people because Jesus is the reason we have them all. Heaven is our aim. Eternal Life is our reward of grace. Won’t you answer this question and then follow Christ?

by Don Hooton