The Way of Salvation (part one) Salvation is by Grace by Dave Rogers

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1 Volume 21, Number 31 August 2nd, 2015 The Way of Salvation (part one) Salvation is by Grace by The greatest question of the ages is found in Acts 16:30; Sirs, what must I do to be saved? This is the greatest of questions because it pertains to the soul, the only part of us that abides beyond the grave! It is the greatest of all questions any person can ask because it involves God, Who created and sustains all things. It is one of the most debated and misunderstood topics in all of the Bible and religion. The apostle Paul plainly declared in Ephesians 2:8 that we are saved by grace. Some religious doctrines minimize God s grace, asserting that salvation is purchased by the works of righteousness people perform. Other denominational teachings proclaim that a person can do nothing (on their own behalf) toward being saved; in this line of thinking, God has done everything in the salvation process, and ANY human action (toward salvation) nullifies His grace! As is often the case, truth lies between these extremes. Hebrews 2:3 records an important question: After noting that God s word has always proven dependable the inspired writer asks how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? The obvious answer is that we cannot escape the condemnation of sin if we neglect the grace of God! Some question the need for salvation because they do not believe in eternity: Others challenge its importance because they deny eternal punishment or reward: Still others debate the way of salvation, asserting that we cannot fully know or understand God s will. Paul wrote that salvation is by God s grace; we should learn all the bible says about this subject! The word grace appears 159 times in the King James bible, and the Hebrew and Greek words commonly translated as grace mean favor, charm, acceptance, pleasure, delight, charm, or good will. The common new testament use of this word refers to favor from God, as in Luke 1:30 (Mary found favor with God), Luke 2:52 (Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men ), and John 1:14 (Jesus dwelt among us full of grace and truth ). Most folks today define grace as unmerited favor, which adds something not found in the scriptures. The modern definition of grace differs from the new testament s. To suggest that God s grace (which is for all people, Titus 2:11) can only be an unmerited favor flatly contradicts passages like Romans 4:3, which says Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Defining God s grace as unmerited favor actually reflects the Calvinistic doctrine that WE have absolutely nothing to do our salvation. That teaching puts salvation ALL on God, and makes a mockery of passages like Philippians 2:12 that say we have a clear and specific role in saving our own souls ( work out your own salvation with fear and trembling ). What about that word unmerited? Some insist on adding it because, We don t want folks to think we teach that a person has to earn their way to heaven! Christians often use this word to describe God s grace, simply meaning that you can t put God in debt to you for salvation. What the religious world hears, however, is hypocrisy in what we teach about salvation, because these words ( unmerited favor) mean something distinctly different to most people (i.e., that YOU can t do anything to receive salvation because God s done it all ). The words merit and unmerited do not appear in the scriptures, with respect to grace. Let s just use the bible s term in the bible s way, and simply say favor? (More to come)

2 Liberty by Michael Brooks Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage (Galatians 5:1 NKJV). Some of our Khulna Bible College faculty had accompanied me to the local Police Station to meet the Officer in Charge and invite him to visit our campus. The policemen greeted us and offered tea and refreshments, including some pieces of fresh fruit. I normally peel fruit and fresh vegetables there as a health precaution, so I took out my pocket knife to peel an apple. The senior policeman looked surprised and asked me, What are you doing with that? I politely answered, I am peeling this fruit, is there a problem? He answered, Not for you. In other words a local Bengali would not be allowed to carry an ordinary pocketknife, but as a foreigner I was given a pass on that law. Americans take many things for granted with regards to personal rights and liberties. Most citizens of other nations live much more regulated (that is, much less free) lives. Basic rights that are guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to bear arms, freedom to assemble, and many others simply do not exist for them. Freedom and restrictions upon it is not limited to the political arena. Paul was a product of a legalistic religion Judaism which placed great restrictions upon its adherents. There are many other such religions which impose burdens on their members. All are marked by rigid standards and a hierarchy empowered to enforce them. Most such religions eventually fall prey to hypocrisy and selective enforcement. Those in power insist upon obedience by the masses, but often fail to adhere to the standards themselves. This was Jesus primary complaint against the Jewish religious leaders of his day (Matthew 23:1-4). Christianity stands in marked contrast. In Jesus we have liberty (Galatians 5:1). This does not mean that there is no law in Christ, as some have attempted to maintain. Rather it means that we are not ruled by legalistic statute in every small detail such as the traditions of the elders so beloved by the Pharisees but rejected by the Lord (Mark 7:5-13). In contrast, Christians are guided by the rule of Spirit (Romans 8:1-11; Galatians 5:16-25). These passages do not teach a miraculous, visionary guidance. Rather they demand that believers in Jesus acquire his spirit (i.e., his nature and character Romans 8:9-10) and that they live by the principle of Spirit rather than Flesh (Romans 8:5-8; Galatians 5:16-18). What exactly does this mean? Among other things, it means that we put spiritual matters ahead of mere physical appetites and desires in our lives (Colossians 3:1-2). The great weakness of legalism (the imposition of many detailed rules of living) is that it forces one to focus upon material things. Every attention and concern is given to defining correct physical behavior. This of necessity keeps us in the realm of materialistic thinking, the very opposite of that which we are commanded to do. If instead we are focused on spiritual concerns how to be more like Jesus, how to please him, how to do his will and go to heaven our physical desires and temptations fade into the background. They simply become less important. We spend less time thinking about them, therefore less time being aware of them. Most of us have had the experience of being so busy we forgot to eat. Our bodies may have been hungry, but we simply did not notice because we were focused on other things which were more important, at least at the moment. That is exactly the principle which the Holy Spirit is teaching us. The way to live righteously is not by multiplying regulations, but by focusing upon those things most important to God so much that we find that sin and temptation have lost their interest to us. God has given us laws in Christ (Matthew 7:21). We must obey them. But we are free from the tyranny of petty detail such as was imposed by first century Judaism (Colossians 2:20-23). Let us rejoice in that freedom. via Forthright Magazine, Think About It! If everybody else gives like I give, then the church will be able to

3 Family Matters Coney Johnson Is in Piedmont Fayette Hospital with low oxygen levels, room 555. Perry Dickson Curtis & Jo Hurt s brother-in-law s brother had open heart surgery last week. Jean Benefield Annette s daughter-in-law has been diagnosed with blood cancer. Deepest Sympathy We express our deepest sympathy to Bro. Gerry Whitacre and his family for the loss of Sister Cathy last week. His address is 193 Hoot Owl Lane, Bradyville, TN To Ray and Barbara Cozart and their family for the loss of her younger brother, Dick Howell. The funeral and visitation will be at Thomas L. Scroggs Funeral Home in Morrow, Ga., visitation is today from 5-8pm and the funeral is Saturday at 11am. Also to Lillie Jones and her sister Gloria Wheeler for the loss of Gloria s daughter. Also to Jerry Manning and his family for the loss of his mother, Joan of New York. Jerry s address is Riggans Drive, Olive Branch, Miss Keep these families in your daily prayers. Members With Health Problems: Judy Beckwith, Marlene Etheridge, Becky Higginbotham, Butch & Joann Trawick, Joe Clark, Forrest & Burma Chapman, Jill Nash, Bernice Gillespie, Equillar Butler, Maylon Swann, Hick & Estell Higginbotham, Mattie Williams, RuPearl Sharpe, Una Fortson, David & Shirley Lee Shut-ins: Lillian Gray, Annette Benefield, Valorye Whittaker, David Nash, Audrey Shaw, Lucille Amon, Jane Lankford & Frances Elder Others With Health Problems: Wayne Moore (Una Fortson s friend), Ellie Wilder, Nancy Ford (Joann Crook s sister), Barbara Benton, Joel Johnson (Andy s father), Virginia Poskevich (David s mother), Lillie Walker (Rosa Bell s mother), Barbara Hayles (Becky Higginbotham s sister) Faye Hester (Tina Russell s mother), Paola Borges Rosario (Campbell s friend), Loretta Russell (Ray s mother), Edmund Sauls (Gail Chapman s father), Joyce Greene (Denise Greene s mother), Melissa Myers (Sally Wallace s niece), Xernonia Fortson (Una s daughter), Bob Neel (friend of the Rogers family), Eddie & Lil Cauthen (Joan Poskevich s brother/sister-in-law), Bill Croix (Mattie s husband), Joe Hand (Jim Scoma s brother-in-law), Marvin Cook (Jean Johnson s brother) and Ron McClain (friend of Andrew Pyron). Military Members Deployed: SFC Chineka McKenzie (Kuwait), 335th Signal Command (T) (P), SFA McKenzie, Chineka, APO AE Deployed for FEMA Sylvester Campbell is in Texas. Welcome to Our Family Eric, Donna, Madison & Emily Hagin 790 Lakepoint Lane Fayetteville, Ga Eric and Donna Calendar Aug 2nd Farewell Luncheon for the Pyron s after the AM Service Aug 7th Game Night at 6pm August 8, 9am to 12pm Lithia Springs Church of Christ Annual Ladies Day, Speaker: Brittany Davis August 10 Ladies Night Out Hosted by Jenny Gwinn Aug GSOP Short Course at Fayetteville The Life of Christ, Michael Gifford, instructor Aug Spiritual Leadership Workshop, Buford Church of Christ, Speaker: David Shannon Aug 16 Youth Devo at Fayetteville Church of Christ August 19 September 10th Graham McDonald will be here. Aug Polishing the Pulpit Week Sept Fall Gospel Meeting at Fayetteville Church of Christ, Speaker: John Iverson, Valdosta, Ga. Sept-Nov (GSOP Fall quarter) The Gospel of John, David Decker, instructor Hermeneutics,, instructor

4 Call To Worship Scripture Reading Prayer Song Leader Preside Lord s Supper Sermon Response Elder Announcements Song Closing Prayer Evening Service Prayer Sermon Closing Prayer 8/2 Michael Madison Rick Sharpe Gayle Pelfrey Dennis Etheridge Rory Bell Keith Killingsworth Address: 870 Redwine Road Fayetteville, Georgia Monday Friday, 9-4 Office Telephone (770) , (770) Fax mail@fcoc.com Web Page: Ministers: (361) Dave.rogers@fcoc.com, (404) (cell) gnash999@gmail.com Office Secretary: Susie Graham celiagraham@bellsouth.net WORSHIP ASSIGNMENTS 8/9 Jake Garner David Riley Lewis Armstrong Ray Russell Q/A Rick Sharpe Jerry Kendrix 8/16 Kenneth Fincher Rory Bell, Sr. Ron Bile Bob Howell Fayetteville Church of Christ 2015 Goals Growing the Church Elders: ( Jim Garner (770) (404) (770) Deacons: Dennis Graham David Hopkins Jerry Kendrix Andy Johnson Paul Lyons David Poskevich Anthony Ravenell Assembly Schedule: Sunday 9:00 am Bible Classes 10:00 am Worship Service 6:00 pm Worship Service 10:00 am Tuesday Morning Bible Class (September 11 May 14) 7:00 pm Wednesday Night Bible Study 7:00 pm Thursday Night Ladies Class (September-May) 8/23 Jake Garner Rory Bell, Sr. David Riley Keith Killingsworth David Hopkins Song Service Paul Lyons Anthony Ravenell 2015 Polishing The Pulpit Family Conference & Preacher s workshop August Refresh Renew Recharge 8/30 Jim OBrien Bob Howell Prayer Service Gayle Pelfrey Jim Garner Georgia School of Preaching and Biblical Studies August The Life of Christ Michael Gifford, instructor Thursday: 6-9pm Friday: 6-9pm Saturday 9am-4pm (fellowship hall) Tuition Free, 1 Hour-Academic Credit Communion Preparation Sandy & Kyndal Garner Nursery 2-Loretta Keith, 9 Miranda Kendrix 16 Terri Durden, 23 Rose Durden & 30 Charity Nash Care of Building 8/1-15 Paul Lyons/Bill Ruffer Bob Howell/Dennis Graham Ushers 8/2 Steve Burdette/Ray Cozart 9 Dennis Etheridge/Bob Howell 16 Michael Madison/Gayle Pelfrey 23 Larry Rose/Bill Ruffer 30 Jimmy Garner/Ron Biles Media Center Helper 2 Zane Poskevich, 9, 16, 23 Gayle Pelfrey & 30 Zeke Poskevich Open Arms 2 Jerry & Lynn Riner, Jo Ruffer, Rose Durden, Theresa Green, Paul & Decieta Lyons 9 Ray Cozart, Barbara Cozart, Barbara Edmonds, Jasi Quinn, Anne Siebert, Rick & Rupearl Sharpe Wednesday Evening Devotional 5, 12 Luke Quinn 19 David Riley & 26 Morris Jones Our Missionaries Graham, Elizabeth, Joshua, Megan, Bethany & Elijah McDonald Scotland,11 Woodhead Ct, Westfield, Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, G68 9DB graham@gmcd.net Skype: gmcd105 or Scott, Rebecca & Violet Shananhan Pohnpel scottshanahan@hotmail.com Kenloy & Ivell Walker Mandeville, Jamaica Old Harbouir Church of Christ, Forrest & Burma Chapman, Georgia Hiawassee, Ga. ftc1952@alltel.com

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